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

[Kat016]

Isnt she in Ariel's Grotto? Maybe try going there first. WDW also has a character schedule available for each park which shows which location and what time.

Yes, but when we went last year Ariel's Grotto wasn't done yet. That's where we're going to look first.

 

[SingingMom]

Isnt she in Ariel's Grotto? Maybe try going there first. WDW also has a character schedule available for each park which shows which location and what time.

Definitely pick up the character schedule when you enter the park! . There are also several apps that give the info.

This past January, the crowds were lighter than our usual June trip, and DD19 met 22 characters! She plans on applying for the DCP in two years and had a great time interacting with the characters and speaking to CMs about their experiences working for Disney. As a theatre major, she's decided she wants to work in Character Entertainment and be involved with production and casting! Hope it works out for her!

We had a once-in-a-lifetime experience on this trip: we became friendly with the "friend of" a favorite character (he did not give it away, we met him in different circumstances and I guessed!) and stopped by to see him. Interacting with him strictly "in character" was the biggest hoot. Even DH had a blast - after Dd & I gave hugs, he went to shake his hand and was told, "No, we HUG!" Lol. Our photos are priceless. :-D

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[dgagnon519]

...bumping for replies...TIA!

I have always done online check in and then faxed my request to the resort 5 days prior to arrival. I am not sure if this is still allowed, the last time I did it was in summer of 2011. My request were met.

 

[HubbDave]

Agreed!!!! We're not doing it to be mean, and we're not (as so many accuse us of) "abusing what little power we have".

On that subject though... if your child is tall enough, but tends to hunch under the measuring bar (kids are afraid of hitting their head, this is pretty common) tell them to hold their hands behind their back and take a deep breath. Most kids will stand up straight when they do this and can then be accurately measured.

During our last visit our DD was 4 years old and 39.75". She somehow got onto SM several times, but was not allowed on Soarin'. The CM there was super nice and did everything in his power to get her to grow that 0.25", but to no avail. I appreciate what you go through for little $.

 

[tyellismom]

Another tip about kids getting lost - some of mine are too young to memorize our cell number so I wrote it on their arm. Sure it looked like my 2 yr old had a tattoo, but I felt better. The info was visible and didn't have to be searched for like putting it somewhere on their clothing would have been.

You can go to "tottoos.org" and get a temporary tattoo of your contact information. You can also put a label on the inside of their celebration button. Whichever you prefer

 

[funcinderella]

But when you are told by a doctor to take your 6 year old home and "enjoy every moment"...

Maybe you'll hold your family tighter for that extra 45 seconds in line.

so, so true. this brought instant tears to my eyes. I lost my dad unexpectedly a few years ago at 59. I thank god every day that my children are healthy because I cannot even imagine the pain of these families....

 

[tyellismom]

My sister is a CM and they do get a "fanatic" reward, so keep those good comments coming. The best advice is to slow down. When we went as kids we were all in "Disney World gear" and now (of course we go more frequently thanks to my sis) we can enjoy the sights and sounds. Also, it is lots of fun to tour the other resorts and to watch the fireworks from Poly(especially if you have a DD4 that has to have her ears held because of the noiserotfl.

 

[tyellismom]

They do have to be used within the time frame on the ticket. This is newly enforced

 

[Sheila E.]

We may be featured in our own Lifetime movie: "One Man, One World, Four Wives" I think I'm married to the same guy...I just got the lecture about not eating out so much, but the next day he turned around and asked dd and I what special thing we were planning on buying when we get to WDW because he wants a new baseball cap, a classic Mickey tee, a print, etc., etc....did I mention our trip is still 7 weeks out?!

YEP ME TOO, Men what are ya going to do with them?

 

[Sheila E.]

nice post. I pick up my trash if I drop it too, but it made me realize how many people prob don't. I will be sure to thank them when I see them. There is nothing worse than going to a public bathroom and it being dirty...(never encountered it at Disney) but I will be sure to thank them.

I hate litter bugs and I hate bathrooms that are a mess, I don't get it, why can't people take the time to throw away their trash or flush a toilet. Not throwing your trash away is the epitome of lazy to me.

 

[suetoo]

On our last two visits, my husband has used an ECV. He has a bad back and walking long distances is very painful for him. At first, he didn't want to use the ECV because he didn't like how people looked at him, he would be embarassed. This last time, he told me that he could enjoy his trip and not be in pain or be in pain and unhappy. He choose enjoying the trip and using the ECV. Until you walk in someone else's shoes, don't judge.

I am a Physical Therapist and know know that many injuries and/or disabilities are not always visible...and trust me I have the utmost sympathy for trying to do things that are difficult in those situations!!
The only time I got really upset about an ECV was waiting for a bus at the BW. There were about a dozen people, my family and 2 other families waiting for 20 minutes. As a bus for DTD FINALLY pulled up, a family with 2 ECVs and 8 total people also got to the stop. The bus was almost full already and one man from that family cut up to the front of the line to flag down the driver and let him know they had to ECVs to load with his family.
This situation really aggrevated me. They assumed front of the line privileges even though many others had been waiting and would have had to wait for another bus. I let the man know that he was being quite rude and the bus driver allowed those of us waiting to board, agreeing with me.
If you have to use and ECV, I get it. But PLEASE don't abuse them.

 

[pampam]

I am a Physical Therapist and know know that many injuries and/or disabilities are not always visible...and trust me I have the utmost sympathy for trying to do things that are difficult in those situations!!
The only time I got really upset about an ECV was waiting for a bus at the BW. There were about a dozen people, my family and 2 other families waiting for 20 minutes. As a bus for DTD FINALLY pulled up, a family with 2 ECVs and 8 total people also got to the stop. The bus was almost full already and one man from that family cut up to the front of the line to flag down the driver and let him know they had to ECVs to load with his family.
This situation really aggrevated me. They assumed front of the line privileges even though many others had been waiting and would have had to wait for another bus. I let the man know that he was being quite rude and the bus driver allowed those of us waiting to board, agreeing with me.
If you have to use and ECV, I get it. But PLEASE don't abuse them.

I didn't see it so perhaps I'm not understanding you correctly. Did all the people that were waiting get on the bus? And were there 2 spots available for the 2 ecvs to load?

 

[sephorachick]

here are the top 10 questions I get asked & my answers to being a past cast member:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-top-ten-questions-i-get-asked.html

or you can read about my 5 ways to make a cast members day

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/08/five-ways-to-make-cast-members-day.html

and CM pet peeves (mine at least)

As a former Cast Member I thought I'd share with you today my Top 10 so that you can help make our day better as we make yours better.

Top 10 Cast Members biggest pet peeves dealing with Guests

1- People who try and cut in line. I dealt with this a good deal at Character Greetings where families would try & cut in front of others. This can get you kicked out of WDW. Don't act entitled ! I just tried to diffuse these situations ASAP before fights would start!

2- Extremely Large Groups My friend was working at Space Mt one day & it was broken down. My friend explained this to a Brazilian Tour Group to only get spit on & kicked at from this group! I attended Fantasmic and a large group around me was overly loud & ruined my first experience of seeing Fantasmic but there are SO many of them it is hard to control sometimes. If you're in a large group bring your PATIENCE and be nice to everybody! VERY Frustrating at times but they taught me patience

3- People who think if you rent a wheelchair that you automatically get to go through every exit of any attraction. There were levels in passes when I worked at WDW: red, yellow, & green. MANY people tried to go through the exit on Winnie the Pooh. I understand some people need this service but 80% of the population at WDW does not & is is unfortunate people try to abuse the system. I would get dirty looks a lot after informing guests of this. If you're going to use a wheelchair just be patient because each Cast Member is trying their best to ensure the system isn't abused.

4- Guests trying to stand up on rides and/or trying to take props from rides. I worked Grad Nights a few times at MK & teenagers would try & stand up on tea cups or put their legs out on top of the cups. I had to immediately turn off ride for safety reasons. If you do this you will ruin other people's WDW experience. People follow the safety rules on an attraction!

5- Guests who call Magic Kingdom "Disney World". I would try to help guests with their travel plans to different parks, but it was confusing when they called Magic Kingdom "Disney World". All four parks and the water parks and the resorts are all Disney World. Help me, help you.

6- Guests who get upset when you regulate the lines between the regular line & Fast Pass. I had to stop the Fast Pass line to let the regular line through & I had a guest order her 8 yr old to PEE in the line!!!! I had to call a Custodian to put kitty litter on it & clean the "toxic spill", which is what Disney calls any bodily fluids. That was the most gross thing I witnessed at WDW and totally not worth waiting a few extra minutes.

7- Guests who don't listen to the Parade Control Cast Members. I worked Parade Control a few times & couldn't believe how people don't listen! After telling the same guest 5 times not to stand somewhere it gets challenging. It is for your safety people.Listen to the Cast Members.

8- When guests ask when the 3pm Parade is at MK. This one explains itself. It's a joke now, but many people take it really seriously. It's just irritating, it isn't really that bad.

9-Guests who try & push their strollers in ride waiting lines. I got yelled at & dirty looks MANY times from telling guests they could not take their strollers in the ride line. If everyone brought their stroller in line it would be 10 miles long. We had a job just for organizing the strollers outside of attractions, which is why when you come back from riding a ride you can't find your stroller. So make sure you mark it with something other than your name to be able to find it easier.

10- Adult guests trying to get in park in costumes Long before the "Tinkerbell incident" guests have been trying to get into the Parks in costumes. People are disappointed, but it would confuse little kids & it is also a safety issue so creepy people don't try & lure kids alone to kidnap. We're trying to keep you all safe.


My name is Kate & I used to be a Disney Intern at WDW for two semesters. Disney Diva has asked me to write a guest blog for her readers on an insiders view of WDW. You can find my personal blog at: http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/ I write everything from cast member experiences, Disney College Program Info & reviews on places to go @ WDW & much much more!

 

[suetoo]

I didn't see it so perhaps I'm not understanding you correctly. Did all the people that were waiting get on the bus? And were there 2 spots available for the 2 ecvs to load?[/QUOTE

No, the bus was standing room only...only the original people waiting (my family and the other 2) would have been waiting to get on. If the family with the 2 ECVs got on first (and it was obvious the bus was full) then all of us who had already waited 20 minutes would have had to wait even longer. The ECVs had just walked up. That's what the issue was. The man just assumed front of the line rights. He completely disregarded the people waiting.

 

[LauraJean]

How would anyone even know it was a Wish family? If they don't like it, they're probably the same people that take up 4 parking places at the store and honk if you don't move as soon as the light changes...

I figure that I never know someone's story. If I knew it was a Wishes family, I'd just be wishing that they are having a wonderful time.

I hope your son keeps doing well

We were waiting to see Mike when we were asked if a wish child could go now. Of course. even my 5 & 8 year olds understood why but There were those who complained in line. I had tears in my eyes watching the family. Thanking my lucky stars my kids were healthy. Others were all like wait again all we do is wait...I don't understand what is wrong with some people!

 

[kid-at-heart]

here are the top 10 questions I get asked & my answers to being a past cast member:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-top-ten-questions-i-get-asked.html

or you can read about my 5 ways to make a cast members day

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/08/five-ways-to-make-cast-members-day.html

and CM pet peeves (mine at least)

As a former Cast Member I thought I'd share with you today my Top 10 so that you can help make our day better as we make yours better.

Top 10 Cast Members biggest pet peeves dealing with Guests

1- People who try and cut in line. I dealt with this a good deal at Character Greetings where families would try & cut in front of others. This can get you kicked out of WDW. Don't act entitled ! I just tried to diffuse these situations ASAP before fights would start!
....

We're trying to keep you all safe.


My name is Kate & I used to be a Disney Intern at WDW for two semesters. Disney Diva has asked me to write a guest blog for her readers on an insiders view of WDW. You can find my personal blog at: http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/ I write everything from cast member experiences, Disney College Program Info & reviews on places to go @ WDW & much much more!

Thanks Kate,

Kate

 

[sephorachick]

Thanks Kate,

Kate

I tried to do my best

 

[Nakkira]

I plan to print out little "Thank You!" mini-cards to pass out to the CM's.

Also will be writing down names for Guest Services.
Too many people complain, not enough people praise.
I am always asking to see the manager at a resturant after Good service!

 

[dipastor]

I tried to do my best

Thanks Kate. Your input/tips are awesome. d.

 

[disneydad78]

Enjoyed reading your blog Kate.