To the CM's on the board: what is the one "tip" you can give us?

[tawasdave]

I love doing stuff that spreads pixie dust. A lot of time I try to tell people something interesting they may not have known like the chocolate chip cookies on the cealing of SM or where the hidden Mickey's are. Funny though, I was by myself on Sunday 3/22 at MK and people were looking at me like I was strange. I guess when I tell people this stuff when I'm with my family, I look a lot less strange than when I'm telling them stuff while I'm by myself.

Just FYI...I just read a book written by the Imagineers at Disney...what look like chocolate chip cookies on space mountain...are NOT cookies at all...just kinda look like them...

 

[tawasdave]

Ok..I have not been through all the pages..and I am not a CM but I do think I have a couple things to add....

If staying in a hotel with a freezer, I freeze a bottle of water and take along..Drink ice cold water till about noon, then fill with tap water and add a flavor packet..the ice left in the middle will keep a cold drink going nearly all day.

Ever see a CM having a problem doing something? Help out..I was at Epcot rope drop one day and CM was having a problem getting the rope undone..I helped out and he gave me a fast pass to any ride

When going through security have all the zippers open on backpacks and purses..makes everything run faster...

If you feel that something has not gone quite right, don't just go away mad...nicely ask a CM to help..you never know...a couple years ago we went to the MNSSHP..I was so looking forward to the headless horseman..well it had rained earlier in the day..so he did not ride. A couple days later went back and asked a CM at ticket booth if we could possibly just go in to get a pic of horesman (explained the rain issue)..he gave us tickets to the party and said stay as long as you like...

Oh and one request..PLEASE..PLEASE..PLEASE..if you need to stop as your walking..kids act up..need to look at map...PLEASE..go off to the side...DO NOT stop in the middle of the walkway...I am a big guy and if I run you over..you are NOT going to have a magical "trip"

 

[CandyMandy]

I like to watch people when they try Beverly for the first time. It is so much fun to watch the expressions on their faces.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

People who act as though they are somehow above those in service positions really are low-lifes themselves.

Another thumbs up for this.

 

[Bugdozer]

4. Take advantage of First Aid if you need it! I never see enough people who use it, nor even know about it. They're wonderful and can help you with any issues, or direct you for where to go for more advanced help!

This is SO true. Last trip my 16 yo son got burned. It was right before MVMCP and we were at Pecos Bills and He put hot cheese sauce in the paper little cups and put them on his hand. On the way to the table it spilled and he tried to grab it with the other hand and in turn burned both hands. Through the meal I had him hold a cold bottle of water but the pain would not go away. We finally decided to go to first aid. They were simply amazing! The woman there was a nurse. We remained calm and she was very kind. She took care of the worse burnt hand and son thought other was fine. She said any problems come back. Well in about 15 min he realized second hand was throbbing more so back we went. Once again she kindly fixed his other hand. Never be afraid to use first aid:

For CMs... at restaurants or other places, I sometimes ask to see the manager. I expect most people only ask to see the manager when they are unhappy and have a complaint..... I ask to see the manager to tell them when my waiter/service/food was outstanding! When we have a great waiter/waitress, I tell them what we really enjoyed about our meal and the service. I used to wait tables, and sometimes it was hard to know if I did a good job.

I have done this many times. Sometimes the cast member looks at me with slight panic and I assure them I want to let thier manager know how great they were. The managers seem to appreciate it also saying its nice to hear good things not always the bad.

Bug

 

[kimmar067]

...I can see that they REALLY LOVE 'the Beverly'.....

 

[kimmar067]

This is SO true. Last trip my 16 yo son got burned. It was right before MVMCP and we were at Pecos Bills and He put hot cheese sauce in the paper little cups and put them on his hand. On the way to the table it spilled and he tried to grab it with the other hand and in turn burned both hands. Through the meal I had him hold a cold bottle of water but the pain would not go away. We finally decided to go to first aid. They were simply amazing! The woman there was a nurse. We remained calm and she was very kind. She took care of the worse burnt hand and son thought other was fine. She said any problems come back. Well in about 15 min he realized second hand was throbbing more so back we went. Once again she kindly fixed his other hand. Never be afraid to use first aid:

...OUCHIES! So, how was he during the rest of your trip??

 

[Bugdozer]

...OUCHIES! So, how was he during the rest of your trip??

They did a great job. It happened on our last full night so that was good. In the morning it did not hurt at all. We calmly told a manager about the hot cheese and that the paper cups are not really thick enough for it. We did not yell and scream. My son didn't even want to mention it because he does not them getting rid of the hot cheese but I said they should know, what if it was a 7 or 8 year old who had gone up to it.

Bug

 

[afwdwfan]

Oh and one request..PLEASE..PLEASE..PLEASE..if you need to stop as your walking..kids act up..need to look at map...PLEASE..go off to the side...DO NOT stop in the middle of the walkway...I am a big guy and if I run you over..you are NOT going to have a magical "trip"

Thank you for making that point... couldn't agree more. I understand the need to stop and check the map/rest/tie shoe/etc... just please don't do it in middle of the flow of traffic.

 

[princessallegra]

Great thread!!! So many heartwarming stories, and great tips!! I'm huge nerd because this was an awesome Friday night, reading this whole thread!

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I concur. You must have been reading the Resort Board. *ducks*

LOL - what did I miss?

 

[mom2m2j]

Just finished reading this entire thread (over several days), and have to say Thank you for all the great tips. I have a new purpose for all the Disney tattoos that I purchased after Halloween. If you happen to be in line at MK on June 12th and see someone putting tattoos on every kid around her that will be me.

 

[EnchantedTales]

Forgive me but I don't have enough time to read the entire thread so if this has been said feel free to ignore me.

This is not a tip but a plea... when bringing papers for the characters to sign it would be super if the size could be normal. A few days ago we had several people bring to us a pad from about 1/4 of the size of a normal Post it® notepad. Image a normal Post it® paper but cut in 4 pieces. It was very difficult to write a name there, my character wanted to write Happy Birthday and couldn't. Heck his name hardly fit. So please, pretty please, if we can get anything bigger than that it would be super.

 

[alicia080979]

Forgive me but I don't have enough time to read the entire thread so if this has been said feel free to ignore me.

This is not a tip but a plea... when bringing papers for the characters to sign it would be super if the size could be normal. A few days ago we had several people bring to us a pad from about 1/4 of the size of a normal Post it® notepad. Image a normal Post it® paper but cut in 4 pieces. It was very difficult to write a name there, my character wanted to write Happy Birthday and couldn't. Heck his name hardly fit. So please, pretty please, if we can get anything bigger than that it would be super.

I made our autograph books last year and made 4X6" size...do you think that is good enough or should I make them bigger? I never even thought about it being hard for the characters to sign! No one seemed to have a problem last year and I was planning on making the same ones this year but I still have time to change if I need to. I can't imagine a post it size, let alone cut in four, how crazy!

 

[cindyfan]

Amazing, isn't it - how some people think they can treat others. I don't care what job someone has - folks deserve to be treated with respect. Reminds me of that line from The Sound of Music with the captain and the whistle "Oh, no, sir. I'm sorry, sir. I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too... humiliating. "

People who act as though they are somehow above those in service positions really are low-lifes themselves.

OMG!!
Snapping fingers!!?? Whistles??!!
This reminds me of an experience a couple weeks ago ....
I work retail.... not a "fancy" shop.... typically just show the guests where the fitting room is (it's not even locked).
anyway..... I had a women trying on bathing suits. All of a sudden she starts yelling from the fitting room..... "hey girl!! hey... COME HERE!!" another guest looked at me and said "I think she's talking to you!"
So I went to the door and asked if she needed me.... just then she THREW the bathing suit over the door at me and said "GET ME A 12!!! And HURRY UP!!"
I had other guests to attend to.... so needless to say.... I did NOT "HURRY UP!"
When she was done..... OMG... there was a huge pile of clothes left on the floor, hangers thrown about!
UNBELIEVABLE!!
If she ever ended up behaving like that in WDW I wouldn't blame any CM for telling her the 3:00 parade started at 4:30 that day!!!!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Not a CM or former, just read a lot. The Great Movie Ride at DS, there are 2 lines. One is against the back wall, the other starts 1 lane in from the back wall. The storyline is a little different depending on which line you get in. Try it 2 times in a row or 2 times during your trip and get a different set up. I don't know if both themes are available all the time, but I have been on both and it is interesting seeing it both ways.

When we went in Sept. we politely asked if the cowboy side was running. You should have seen the look on the CMs face, it made his day. He told us we would have to wait but we didn't mind and we had a great time chatting with him for 10 minutes or so. He said not too many people ask outright. We ended up with front row on our car too because we had been waiting and the driver was really nice too.

Not only that, but there are drinking fountains ALL OVER THE PARKS. That water is really free and there are usually no lines at all for it. I don;t carry a bottle or anything with me now, I just head for the drinking fountains.

The free counter service water and ice is fine but the fountains are gross!!!

But what if I like spam?

Careful not to like it too much, it is bad for ya

ok so i'm Lost, what is Beverly ?

She is not your friend that's for sure!

 

[sdwrdt]

Thanks for this reminder! When DH and I went for my 30th bday (8 years ago today) he struck up a pleasant conversation with a CM who offered to take our picture. As we were chatting we asked about a good place to watch Illuminations and boom - the CM radio'd someone and we were given seats right on a balcony at some restaurant in front of the lake! It was such a cool way to end our time at Epcot and totally unexpected. He was such a nice guy and my husband always says "I don't meet strangers just unmet friends". Anyway I just thought I would share that story

Dawn

In 2005, while waiting for hubby & DDs to get off Barnstormer, was talking to a CM (Chris, matintenance worker). He asked how old the girls were (11 & 9 at the time) and if we'd yet seen Mickey. I said that no, the line was too long when we checked. When the girls got off the ride, he got us to the front of the line to see Mickey. Ron (hubby) was super-embarrassed, but I thought it was awesome!

 

[EnchantedTales]

I made our autograph books last year and made 4X6" size...do you think that is good enough or should I make them bigger? I never even thought about it being hard for the characters to sign! No one seemed to have a problem last year and I was planning on making the same ones this year but I still have time to change if I need to. I can't imagine a post it size, let alone cut in four, how crazy!

Oh that size is super! Even the 3 x 5 index cards are good too, however your size is excellent.

 

[Commando2319]

Oh that size is super! Even the 3 x 5 index cards are good too, however your size is excellent.

LOL

I wonder what the characters thought when signing the 8 1/2 x 11 books that I made. Each with a black and white outline drawing and full color drawing of the character. As well as their name in a cool font.

 

[MyMagicKingdom]

I would agree with being nice and striking up a conversation with the CMs as well. When we went on our cruise I was talking to one of the CM's about her performance the night before and telling her how much I enjoyed it, then we ended up talking about Blossom and Joey Lawrence somehow and just kind of chatted like we were old friends. Anyway, she ended up giving us a whole bunch of time with Jack Sparrow and we basically had this elaborate photo shoot because we were on our honeymoon and they were staging it like Jack was trying to steal me from DH. She was really great and brought our honeymoon up one more notch of awesome.