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

[Sorahana]

-If a ride is broken down, go enjoy the other attractions in the area. I feel bad when I see people standing in front of the ride waiting for it to reopen and they end up standing there over an hour when they could have gone and ridden/done other things. I always go up to the people and tell them that we're not sure how long it will be until the ride is up and running again but to please go and enjoy the other attractions in the area (and recommend some), and I also let them know they can ask any cast member to contact us to see when we're open again.

-If you want a family/group photo, ask us . We will gladly take it for you so everyone is in the photo. (I have photography as a hobby so I jump at the chance to do this)

-Those red cards you sometimes get when you enter a line/queue? They help keep the wait times accurate. If you have one don't forget to give it to a cast member before you board the ride. A lot of people walk off with them and they're never seen again and then the wait times can get super wonky (ex: it saying 180 min. wait on a quiet day when the wait is only 30 min.)

-Use rider switch/swap when you have a child that does not want to ride something (because they're scared, etc). In this case, Mom and kid can go ride while Dad and other kid wait, then when Mom comes back Dad can go ride with other kid again (and if the kid who didn't want to ride decides they want to, they can go on with them). Then, everyone is happy because they didn't have to skip the ride .

-HAVE FUN ! You're supposed to be at Disney on vacation to have fun, spend time with your family, friends, etc, and you're supposed to be having an escape from the "real world". I understand that we get stressed/upset on vacation when things aren't going our way or something happens, but don't sweat the little things. Remember why you're there and enjoy yourself. If you need to vent/have a problem/need to talk to someone, CMs are there for you.

I hope that stuff was somewhat helpful!!

 

[merriwthr]

I loved reading this thread!! What a wonderful idea! Thank you!!

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

Best way to get a thrill out of Splash Mountain is to look straight out in front of you (not down) as you start to go down the flume.

I have to tell my son this one, thanks

 

[Mrs.Toad]

-Use rider switch/swap when you have a child that does not want to ride something (because they're scared, etc). In this case, Mom and kid can go ride while Dad and other kid wait, then when Mom comes back Dad can go ride with other kid again (and if the kid who didn't want to ride decides they want to, they can go on with them). Then, everyone is happy because they didn't have to skip the ride .

I was under the impression that rider switch was only available when a child does not meet the height requirement for a ride. We always had to show the CM our too-small child before being handed the pass, and were not given any options for this kind of a swap when our dd was too scared to ride either a ride without a height requirement (HM) or one that she met (ToT).

 

[JenniJ]

Thank the CMs who sweep up the park. They are usually on rotation to clean bathrooms, take out trash that you don't see behind the scenes, etc.

My sis was one during one of her Disney employments, not her dream Disney job, but she was happy to be working for Disney one more time. This is a TOUGH thankless job. I talked to her many times when she was working and she was physically hurting and exhasted. She really dislikes when she had to work trash.... From what I remember, they take all the bags, pile them into a bigger bag and have to heave it into a dumpester. Nope not place it into a compactor at waist height, but actually throw it into a dumpester.

Plus, all the rude people in the bathrooms. I was really surprised at some of the things she had to deal with in the bathrooms. Not just clean up wise, but attitutes from people. Like she ust got through sweeping and a person drops garbage on the floor right next to the garbage can! I guess they couldn't reach their arm out a little further for fear of waisted time to get to the next ride.

After hearing all her pain (but a happy pain since she was working for Disney mind you), I will be making a point to thank a cleaning CM when I am down there.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Pjimmeyer]

Thank the CMs who sweep up the park. They are usually on rotation to clean bathrooms, take out trash that you don't see behind the scenes, etc.

My sis was one during one of her Disney employments, not her dream Disney job, but she was happy to be working for Disney one more time. This is a TOUGH thankless job. I talked to her many times when she was working and she was physically hurting and exhasted. She really dislikes when she had to work trash.... From what I remember, they take all the bags, pile them into a bigger bag and have to heave it into a dumpester. Nope not place it into a compactor at waist height, but actually throw it into a dumpester.

Plus, all the rude people in the bathrooms. I was really surprised at some of the things she had to deal with in the bathrooms. Not just clean up wise, but attitutes from people. Like she ust got through sweeping and a person drops garbage on the floor right next to the garbage can! I guess they couldn't reach their arm out a little further for fear of waisted time to get to the next ride.

After hearing all her pain (but a happy pain since she was working for Disney mind you), I will be making a point to thank a cleaning CM when I am down there.

Thanks for listening.

 

[dolphindan1]

I have a question. Do CM's enjoy when people come up and start conversations or do they get to the point where they wish people would leave them alone. LOL I can just imagine one of them saying "If one more person says they have family in my hometown....." I guess you have to enjoy people to do these jobs but it has to get tiring day in and day out.

I will say YES....especially from other countries...We were in AK and just got done eating at Donalds Breakfast and waiting for RD to make a dash to EE...well the sweet lady from Africa, wonderful accent, just talked and talked and talked....to me and my boys....it was great...she remembered us when we came back by that afternoon and asked how was our ride on EE and asked the boys if they were having fun...

We have also had great conversation with CMs in the WS at Epcot...

Also had a great conversation at MK at Philharmagic with an older lady CM...I am thinking 60+...but she was the sweetest thing...And you could tell she wouldnt take any crap from people either....she was too funny

The key is dont be shy...If a CM trys to talk to you...TALK....most seem to be very friendly...doing a great job to help make it the happiest place on earth...

 

[Sorahana]

I was under the impression that rider switch was only available when a child does not meet the height requirement for a ride. We always had to show the CM our too-small child before being handed the pass, and were not given any options for this kind of a swap when our dd was too scared to ride either a ride without a height requirement (HM) or one that she met (ToT).

You are correct. It varies by CM but I've offered it in the situation of a scared child so no one has to miss out on the ride experience because one child is scared, OR if the child is scared and the whole family wants to go I'll talk to the child about what the ride does, answer their questions about it, etc to try and help them realize it's not as scary as it may seem, but in the end if they are still scared I respect that and it's understandable.

But you are correct, it is for utilization when you have a child that is too small to ride.

As a side note to people who need to utilize rider switch: make sure your whole party is together if you need to request one. We need to see the whole party, especially the smaller child so we are able to give you the rider switch ticket.

I have a question. Do CM's enjoy when people come up and start conversations or do they get to the point where they wish people would leave them alone. LOL I can just imagine one of them saying "If one more person says they have family in my hometown....." I guess you have to enjoy people to do these jobs but it has to get tiring day in and day out.

I personally like when guests come up and start a conversation. I can see if there's anything I can do to make their trip better, or provide some magic in their day. Also, if you're out front for a while watching the line, the occasional conversation brightens my day .

 

[ears4all]

BUMP

Great thread- hope to have some tips to offer one day!

 

[Magicbus]

I have a question. Do CM's enjoy when people come up and start conversations or do they get to the point where they wish people would leave them alone. LOL I can just imagine one of them saying "If one more person says they have family in my hometown....." I guess you have to enjoy people to do these jobs but it has to get tiring day in and day out.

I'm not allowed to talk to guests and guests are not supposed to talk to me while I'm working. Yes, I do enjoy talking to guests. I don't consider it working. No, I don't want them to leave me alone. And in my case, I'm trapped with a max. of about 70 guests at a time for up to 30 minutes.

 

[Kurby]

I'm not allowed to talk to guests and guests are not supposed to talk to me while I'm working. Yes, I do enjoy talking to guests. I don't consider it working. No, I don't want them to leave me alone. And in my case, I'm trapped with a max. of about 70 guests at a time for up to 30 minutes.

what do you do? magicbus? resort bus driver?

i find it interesting that you say you're not allowed to talk to guests - i can understand somewhat while your driving if they find it a distraction but i love hearing the drivers talk to us about disney stuff - we have yet to come across one who totally ignores people in the back. some just leave it as good morning have a nice day but theres always some sort of banter back and forth

 

[LaurenT]

what do you do? magicbus? resort bus driver?

i find it interesting that you say you're not allowed to talk to guests - i can understand somewhat while your driving if they find it a distraction but i love hearing the drivers talk to us about disney stuff - we have yet to come across one who totally ignores people in the back. some just leave it as good morning have a nice day but theres always some sort of banter back and forth

Sounds like ME driver - since it's just about 30 min from the airport...they will talk to the whole bus, but they won't have conversations with passengers...maybe that's what he/she means?

 

[Magicbus]

i find it interesting that you say you're not allowed to talk to guests - i can understand somewhat while your driving if they find it a distraction but i love hearing the drivers talk to us about disney stuff - we have yet to come across one who totally ignores people in the back. some just leave it as good morning have a nice day but theres always some sort of banter back and forth

Bus drivers are not supposed to talk to guests, but just while the bus is in motion, while stopped it's ok. Also it doesn't mean they don't. Most bus microphones now are disabled due to the automated anouncement system, so bantering for the most part has disappeared unless the driver has a very loud voice. For some reason every once in a while you'll have a Mic that works, but it's rare.

Sounds like ME driver

Ah, but remember, ME and CL drivers are not WDW CMs. They get away with behavior that Disney drivers would be reprimanded for.

 

[pampam]

Bus drivers are not supposed to talk to guests, but just while the bus is in motion, while stopped it's ok. Also it doesn't mean they don't. Most bus microphones now are disabled due to the automated anouncement system, so bantering for the most part has disappeared unless the driver has a very loud voice. For some reason every once in a while you'll have a Mic that works, but it's rare.


Ah, but remember, ME and CL drivers are not WDW CMs. They get away with behavior that Disney drivers would be reprimanded for.

I miss the repertoire of the bus drivers. Some of them had a pretty good spiel and it was interesting the things I would learn. The automated announcements are so impersonal.

 

[Yarna]

I miss the repertoire of the bus drivers. Some of them had a pretty good spiel and it was interesting the things I would learn. The automated announcements are so impersonal.

I think you mean repartee, not repertoire.

 

[Coach81]

Nice tips...

 

[aaddavis]

w

 

[pampam]

I think you mean repartee, not repertoire.

 

[Magicbus]

Slow down and enjoy yourself!

Probably the best tip I've read.
I can't tell you how often I overhear people talking about, we have to this and we must do that. Where's the spread sheet schedule I made up. Slow down, WDW will be around for a while. Oh, gotta rent a car becuse the buses are way too slow. Whatever you don't get around to this time, you'll be able to do next time, and you know that there will be a next time. Lived hear and worked here a long time and there's a lot of things I haven't done yet. Enjoy the small things, take it slow.

 

[kimmar067]

I think you mean repartee, not repertoire.

...there MIGHT be some sort o' repertoire in his repartee.... [ ]