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

[welley]

Loving this thread!!! Some great ideas.

 

[Tink Mick Koda Miles]

Here's something that's less of a tip, but more of a request.

Please don't try to get us to "break character." Even those of us who aren't characters are involved with a storyline, especially the attractions CMs. I work on the safari and I always have people trying to get me to tell them "the real deal"

Yes, the safari is actually 2 weeks long (but its so fun you'll feel like it was only about 20 minutes)
Yes, those baobab trees and ostrich eggs are real (even though the backstage tour told you differently)
Those chains on the ground are only to get mud off our tires (but you'll notice that animals don't cross them into other areas)

There is only one Mickey Mouse and no amount of you winking or making sure there are only adults around will change that. He doesn't wear a costume, there is no one inside of him and the Cinderella you just saw was the same one you saw yesterday.

We love our jobs and we preserve the magic for everyone, not just those young enough not to know better. Of course, this doesn't mean that you'll never hear a backstage tip from a CM, but just because you tell me you've been to Disney 50 times and understand and there are no children around does not necessarily mean I'm going to break character to "let you in on it." If you want the real deal, take a backstage tour, buy a book or surf the net. It's all out there.

I wish all CMs were like you.. I ran into one in a store in MK and she was talking to me and my family and with out us even asking her was going on and on and on about how the partys are so great.. so and so gets drunk ariel is a sl*t and sleeps around. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HORRIBLE.. I felt so sick the rest of the trip.. yes i was prob 21 at the time and an adult and i knew better but who really wants to hear all that.. i duno why i never complained

 

[SRUAlmn]

I wish all CMs were like you.. I ran into one in a store in MK and she was talking to me and my family and with out us even asking her was going on and on and on about how the partys are so great.. so and so gets drunk ariel is a sl*t and sleeps around. IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HORRIBLE.. I felt so sick the rest of the trip.. yes i was prob 21 at the time and an adult and i knew better but who really wants to hear all that.. i duno why i never complained

That's awful!!

 

[slipangle]

that is terrible but it's also kind of hilarious. can't imagine.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

that is terrible but it's also kind of hilarious. can't imagine.

I'm still laughing. LOL Not sure why. I just got some really weird mental visuals.

 

[cab0ad]

I started this thread last year!!! Never would I expect to see it still going! Thanks to all who have replied. I just went through it again getting excited for our next planned trip. I have a year to wait unfortunately till we can go back but I have all of you to entertain me until then! Keep the tips/stories coming. I love hearing CM's stories/stories with good CM's in them. They are so uplifting and remind you that a mouse isn't what makes Disney special: The CM's do the real magic!

 

[saintstickets]

Not a CM but here are a couple of small tips that work well for us. Go to a craft store and get a lanyard for each person in your group. We got 6 at Hobby Lobby for less than $3. Then get clear plastic name card holders that clip to the lanyards at an office supply store like Office Depot. These were less than $5 for 10. These work real well to keep your room key, park ticket (if not on your room key), driver's license and credit card all in the clear pouch. You can also put your Fastpass tickets in these as well. Just slip the lanyard beneath your shirt and it stays dry, out of sight and you don't have to fumble through a wallet or purse each time it is needed. On our trip last month, I left my wallet in the room safe all week and did not have to worry about losing it or it getting wet on Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids.

Speaking of Kali River Rapids at AK, here is the other tip. Go to a dollar store and get some cheap rain ponchos. We got ours at Family Dollar Store for a dollar each. When riding Kali River Rapids, you WILL get wet! This is one of my favorite rides in all of WDW! Slip one of the ponchos on prior to getting in the raft and you will be glad you did. DS decided to be cool and not put his on. He got soaked!!! Shake it dry when you finish, fold it up and put it back in your pocket or pass it on to someone in line without any gear as you are leaving the ride.

I also compared DP cost vs actual cost and TS meals vs TIW cost on my trip report here if anyone is interested - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2481750

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Bump

 

[AlexandAndysMom]

I agree! It's sad to see the families who are panicking while they are in the parks. Walking fast like commandos and shoving because they are afraid they will miss something. I wish I could say something that would make them calm down and enjoy things but of course that isn't possible.

Our first trip we went not knowing anything! I mean, I remember that there was a Castle and the Big Ball...(it had been like 20 years...lol) and we wondered around our first two days with the look of 'what are we doing' on our face.

We never did the commando, gotta do it all, see it all. We went for our son and let him lead the way. Yes, I made them ride It's a Small World (because I'm evil...really...), but other than that, we walked around and enjoyed it and if the line was short we rode it.

Last year when we went back, we went with a better plan. I felt like we had to since the 2 year old was going with us that time. We had to split up on a couple of occasions, but the family thing was still very much a part of everything we did. And we still didn't do it all. (I WILL see Beauty and the Beast this time, or heads WILL roll!!)

We are going back again in Oct. for Holloween. It will be exactly 24 months since our first family trip, and while we all have a definate must do list, we have made sure to build in plenty of down time to just be together.

If you don't take the time to enjoy it, what did you spend all that money on?

 

[MightyDuck001]

was going on and on and on about how the partys are so great.. so and so gets drunk ariel is a sl*t and sleeps around.

Ariel... somehow it doesn't surprise me.

 

[PeterPan09]

Here's something I don't think has been mentioned yet. It probably doesn't apply to anyone who reads here-but it makes me feel better to put it out there.

If a CM instructs you to do or not do something, it is for your SAFETY. We're not on power trips, all excited because we have all these people under our control. If we're telling you to do something a certain way or to stop doing something, there's a good reason behind it. We try really, really hard to do this in the most friendly, Disney way possible-but sometimes we might have to raise our voices and inject some urgency into our tone. Our number 1 priority is that our guests have a great vacation experience, and nobody's vacation was ever improved by getting injured.

Also, for the parents-Disney is a wonderful place and our entire cast does everything possible every day to keep your children safe. However, we cannot replace you. Your presence is essential to your their safety. I can't believe the number of grammar school age and younger children that I have seen running around the water parks without a parent anywhere in the vicinity.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[kimgof]

Ariel... somehow it doesn't surprise me.

 

[DisneyMama27]

Wow...I have had so much fun reading through this thread!

DH was a CP years ago, so he has always been a good example of how to treat CMs at the parks, restaurants, resorts, etc. I appreciate the CMs so much for always helping us have a wonderfully magical time! I like to see on their name tags where they are from and ask them about it, ask how long they have been with Disney and what they like best about it. We have had really fun conversations with many CMs, from the sweet lifeguard at OKW who played games with our kids, to the many bus drivers who have regaled us with funny stories and interesting trivia, to the sweet lady in Once Upon a Toy that helped us fill the giant Potato Head with more parts than we could have imagined! I love the idea of writing down names throughout the day (is there an app for that? ) and filling out the form in Guest Services (did not know they had that!!)

One of the many things I love about Disney is the social aspect of it, the way it inspires people to do little things to help eachother. Also, I am not a very social person in the real world, but at Disney, I find myself striking up conversations with everyone. I mean, at the supermarket or the mall, what do I have in common with those around me? I don't even know. But at Disney, there is usually one easy topic of conversion, everyone is there because of a love of the parks. You can talk to people from all walks of life.

We have also had wonderful times visiting with other guests, on buses and in lines. Keeps away boredom and you can always learn something from other people! When my DD (7 at the time) and I went together one year for a pre-birthday trip, we sat on a long bus ride with a very large family - we were the only two in the back of the bus that weren't in this family! We got to chatting, and when they saw her birthday button (which she proudly wore all weekend long and was so honest she had to explain to everyone that her "real birthday" was a few weeks away), they all joined in to sing Happy Birthday to her - now me, I would have been embarrassed, but DD loved it!

A kind word really does go a long way - I still think about the young CM at Peter Pan's Flight who was getting bawled out by a guest as we walked up. The woman was mad because guests were allowed to use their FPs during EMH and she didn't think that was fair. She stomped off and we immediately went up and asked the girl if she was ok (couldn't have been more than 18). She tearfully said, "I've been working for 13 hours and I am just doing what I am told!" I could tell she had had a hard time, so we told her not to worry about the rude lady and hoped the rest of her night would be better, and that we appreciated all that she and other CMs do. She seemed to brighten up, but I always think of that girl and how it is not hard to tear someone down with the words we say and just totally ruin someone's day. I hope our sympathy and attempts to cheer her up helped.

 

[DisneyMama27]

One more story!

One trip we were having "one of those days." One kid woke up feeling sick, another one threw up as we were leaving the room much later that same day. DH and I just took turns walking over to EPCOT with whoever felt up to it (we were staying at BWV). It rained all afternoon and DH had gotten caught in it with DD. We were on DP, but had canceled our ADR earlier because of sick kid. We still needed to eat, and she was feeling better, so we decided to meet DH at ESPN. They were not busy and seated us right away - all 5 of us at a table about as big as a plate. Poor DH lost it for a minute - no yelling or anything, but I could hear the swearing in his head! As calmly as he could, he asked the nearest CM if we could possibly sit at a bigger table. The CM found us one and asked DH how his day had been, and so DH told him. Just expressed his frustration - no one's fault, etc. Just hadn't been a very "magical" day. (We don't expect perfection or anything, and it certainly wasn't our first trip - like I said, just a frustrating day) Our server came quickly to take care of us, and the manager came over right after and asked DH if there was anything he could do to help us out. Well, DH does not like to be a pain, and just having someone care had helped a ton, but the manager really wanted to do something. He called and got us a reservation for the next evening at Crystal Palace (his idea) and then ended up comping our dinner at ESPN! I'll never forget that...he didn't have to do that, we didn't expect it, but it sure helped us feel better the rest of the night!

The rest of our trip went great until we had to leave... We had gone to DHS to enjoy another ride or two before starting our 20 hours drive. It was hot and we were all on the tired and cranky side of life. We decided we needed a quiet place to use up our last CS, so we went to CSR. It was perfect - the CMs were terrific, helped us use up our DP to get the most for it. While the kids were finishing their food, DH went to pay and didn't come back for a while...when he finally made it back, he told me had booked a room for the night and we would leave the next day instead! We had all felt a little stressed and he didn't want to leave that way! We had a wonderful afternoon relaxing at the resort, swimming in the pool. That evening we were in the gift shop there at CSR. The kids were playing with the little castle toy table they had set up (brilliant - don't see this many places) when they had found 3 $10 bills! They were impressed with their find, but DS said, "Mom, it's probably some kid's Disney money. We should turn it in." So we took it to the store manager, explaining where we found it. A few minutes later, she came and gave my kids special Pixie Dust pins! It was so sweet, and they loved it! These pins only come from CMs and have instructions to give the 2nd pin (they come in pairs) to someone else you catch spreading pixie dust! (I have to confess, I keep forgetting them when we go, but they are coming out for our trip next week! I'm excited for my kids to have a chance to spread some pixie dust!) It was a terrific end to the trip. DH still talks about it, and he has been to WDW many more times than me.

We will be looking for new ways to appreciate CMs next week, that's for sure! This was a great way to get into the spirit. We have packed our clothes, and packed our toothbrushes. I will remind everyone to pack their smiles, good attitudes, and of course, pixie dust!

 

[kimgof]

Disney Mama- Loved your stories and have a great trip...hope its filled with a ton of pixie dust!

 

[CdnBuzzFan]

I love that Ice Cream tip!

 

[Mississippianna]

I just love this thread!

Oh, and golly, for Donald, mention anything about Mickey being number one and he will throw a fit!

One of our best character moments was with Three Caballeros Donald outside the Mexico Pavilion. He was being SO great with our daughter, who was just hugging and hugging him and not letting him go. I said, "Oh, Donald, I think you are her favorite! You know, I just don't understand why they only hand out Mickey Mouse stickers. I want Donald stickers!" That really set him going. He loved it! He jumped up and down, and kissed my hand! Donald especially loves when you tell him you prefer him over Mickey!

 

[AndreaDM]

If a CM instructs you to do or not do something, it is for your SAFETY. We're not on power trips, all excited because we have all these people under our control. If we're telling you to do something a certain way or to stop doing something, there's a good reason behind it. We try really, really hard to do this in the most friendly, Disney way possible-but sometimes we might have to raise our voices and inject some urgency into our tone. Our number 1 priority is that our guests have a great vacation experience, and nobody's vacation was ever improved by getting injured.

Also, for the parents-Disney is a wonderful place and our entire cast does everything possible every day to keep your children safe. However, we cannot replace you. Your presence is essential to your their safety. I can't believe the number of grammar school age and younger children that I have seen running around the water parks without a parent anywhere in the vicinity.

I have to totally agree with this! We just got back from CR and the last day we were there we saw a lifeguard dive in after 2 different little girls in less than an hour's time, coming down the water slide with NO parent in sight! I never did see the first girl's parents but a few minutes after the 2nd one was rescued the mom comes strolling up. Really??? Really??? I think I'm on of the most lax parents out there, but we do not screw around where there is the potential of drowning! These kids couldn't swim but were going down the slide into 4 foot water with no parent at the bottom and neither was older than 4 or 5. My DD is 7 and can swim, but we still didn't let her go down the slide unless one of us was in the pool. It's not the lifeguards job to babysit our kids!

We were there for a convention for DH and he got to go behind the scenes a few times and said he was very impressed with all the signage related to keeping guests safe. There were signs every where that said "no one gets hurt!".

 

[ratlenhum]

A kind word really does go a long way - I still think about the young CM at Peter Pan's Flight who was getting bawled out by a guest as we walked up. The woman was mad because guests were allowed to use their FPs during EMH and she didn't think that was fair. She stomped off and we immediately went up and asked the girl if she was ok (couldn't have been more than 18). She tearfully said, "I've been working for 13 hours and I am just doing what I am told!" I could tell she had had a hard time, so we told her not to worry about the rude lady and hoped the rest of her night would be better, and that we appreciated all that she and other CMs do. She seemed to brighten up, but I always think of that girl and how it is not hard to tear someone down with the words we say and just totally ruin someone's day. I hope our sympathy and attempts to cheer her up helped.

Whenever I witness something like this, I always make a point of going up the CM or employee wherever we happen to be and say "hey, don't let them get you down. You were doing your job and what was expected of you, and you do your job well. You can't please everybody. Please don't let people like that ruin your day." Having been on the other end of that as a worker, it really helps. These kids put in long hours, don't make a ton of money and really help make everyone's vacations magical. I hate when someone rips into them for something that is out of their control.



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.

 

[RyeCrimsonMoon]

Whenever I witness something like this, I always make a point of going up the CM or employee wherever we happen to be and say "hey, don't let them get you down. You were doing your job and what was expected of you, and you do your job well. You can't please everybody. Please don't let people like that ruin your day." Having been on the other end of that as a worker, it really helps. These kids put in long hours, don't make a ton of money and really help make everyone's vacations magical. I hate when someone rips into them for something that is out of their control.



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.

Aw you're so nice! To be honest, after someone is yelling at us for whatever reason beyond our control, telling us that we're doing a good job really makes our day. Well for me at least.

It all depends on who you are talking to really. I don't mind it, and I'm assuming 95% of the cast members don't either. But don't worry about those 5% anyway, they wont be there long if they don't care if you're from their hometown or want to talk to you.

Now my tips!

When we ask you to move all the way in and fill all the available space, please do it. I know, it's probably hot and you don't want to stand next to all these random people, but its so we can make sure we get everyone in. Also, please please PLEASE move all the way down in the theaters if its a full show. Trust me, there isn't a bad seat in the theaters and we have a magical button called the show pause button. This means because you aren't moving down, the show wont start because of you. And we aren't afraid to use it.

Also, the flight cards at dumbo are just to count dumbos and make sure everyone has a dumbo and no one has jumped in the exit (So yes, we will find you if you do jump in the exit). It doesn't do anything else, just put it on dumbos right ear so we can come pick it up.