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

[emptynestr]

I'm a former CM, does that count? If so, the only tip I have for people is to not go expecting a perfect trip, because if your expectations are too high you're not going to have fun. Disney has it tough. They put themselves in a situation where 200% perfect service is expected and not everything can go right. I have seen many guests breakdown for things as simple as a food stand running out of ketchup or the lines being shut down for characters.

Wait, I have another tip. If you're buying ice cream of some sort at a multiple line stand (such as Ahola to get Dole Whips), step back for a second and watch the different people get served. Go in the line where the CM is serving the ice cream that is the biggest.

Oh MAN! Had my first Dole Whip last February after 12 trips and now I am craving another Thanks for the tip

 

[bringmethathorizon]

it has taken me about a week of a little bit here and there but i have read through this whole thread.the ones i agree with the most are slow down the veiw is great.
and do unto others ,be nice ,stop and talk there are no strangers at disney just a freind you have not met yet.

now i have to figure out if i should be sad or proud about reading this entire thread.

 

[crazymk96]

On our last trip we got our fair share of pixie dust. When in line for RRC, my dad struck up a conversation with one of the CMs. When the ride ended, we recognized the same CM helping to unload, so we told him to have a blessed day. He then offered us "Back stage passes" that let us take a secret hallway to bypass all lines and ride again. After the second go-around, we realized i had left my camera in the pocket in front of the coaster's seat. The CM found and returned it to us. After that, he even gave us 4 fastpasses good for any ride except TSM, which led to my mom's first ride on ToT. We will NEVER forget him.

Same trip, more dust. Huge thunderstorms hit the park and completely soaked my flip flops, which absorbed water. i took them off once we took shelter in Pizza Planet. And someone stole them. Again, my ever-friendly dad struck up a conversation about the flip flops with a CM from Haiti (my dad had just visited their after the earthquake to help out). the man disappeared for a minute and came back with the manager, who gave us a "No Strings Attached" certificate that bought us a new pair of shoes. DISNEY ROCKS!

 

[bedgraynexl]

I love these threads that take on a life of their own and keep going even after a year or more.

My tip. Go to the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street. DD1 got her first haircut there, complete with Mouseears and a certificate. It was so cute that DS10 and DD8 had to get their hair cut also.

Also moderate your plans and be flexible. I planned some ADR's but left us time to go with the flow.

Remember to have fun. You're at Disney after all!

 

[Suellen]

And someone stole them. Again, my ever-friendly dad struck up a conversation about the flip flops with a CM from Haiti (my dad had just visited their after the earthquake to help out). the man disappeared for a minute and came back with the manager, who gave us a "No Strings Attached" certificate that bought us a new pair of shoes. DISNEY ROCKS!

Whats up with that?

When we were there in Sept someone stole my DD's balloon. She saw them do it ~ took it right out of her stroller ~ the family tried to deny it. I don't get what kind of people do this??

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Whats up with that?

When we were there in Sept someone stole my DD's balloon. She saw them do it ~ took it right out of her stroller ~ the family tried to deny it. I don't get what kind of people do this??

We watched someone rummage through my DH's personal ECV basket (scooter). We quickly said something and his response was "Oh, I didn't know it was your's." So DH countered with "Whether its mine or not, it's not your's so keep your hands off of anyone's ECV." It almost led to a physical altercation. It was ugly because the guy just kept saying "I didn't know it was yours." Idiot.

Okay, back to the original thread.

 

[heathsf]

It took me five days to read through this entire thread! I am definitely a planner (not quite commando) but after reading numerous posts about slowing down and enjoying the little things, I will definitely have to make an effort to do that for my next trip. It will probably be difficult since it will be my DBF's first trip and I want him to see and do as much as possible - but I will do my best! I will also make sure to strike up conversations with as many CMs as possible. It seems that people had some really great *magical* experiences when they did...

 

[McIntoshTx]

My mom and I were in line at Columbia Harbor House on our last day and overheard the family in line behind us. They were reading the menu and prices and calculating what it would be and if they had enough cash and maybe they should just put dinner on the credit card, it was their last day,etc. The kids were so cute and polite and had no idea what it was costing the parents. Anyway, we decided to use our combined 4 leftover CS to pay for theirs. They had no idea we heard them and we just said we didn't want them to go to waste. The mom was nearly in tears. A few minutes later the CM came over to our table and presented us with a couple of special pins and a magical moments certificate for being so kind. Our kids will never forget that moment of sharing with others, that's for sure.

 

[heathsf]

Oh and I also need to make sure I get a dole whip after all the raving that's gone on here. I didn't even know they existed and I've been to WDW 8 times! Could someone explain exactly what it is for me?

 

[poohbearluver]

I just read this whole thread in one day!
This has convinced me to apply for the College Program when I'm older.
I'll definitely be going out of my way to hopefully brighten up a CM's day on our next trip.

 

[WheelCEO]

Oh and I also need to make sure I get a dole whip after all the raving that's gone on here. I didn't even know they existed and I've been to WDW 8 times! Could someone explain exactly what it is for me?

dole whip - soft serve ice cream (pineapple)
dole whip float - soft serve ice cream (vanilla, pineapple or vanilla/pinaeappl swirl) with pineapple juice

Although good, very hyped.

 

[heathsf]

Thanks. I'm still excited to try it

 

[tinkerbellandeyor]

Not a CM, but have been to WDW a lot. Please use both sides of the register at CS places. The cashier will turn to the left, then the right to take orders. Why stand in a longer line if you don't have to?

Also, when they say use all available space, they mean it. Like outside of HM pass the turnstiles. Not sure why people always assume that all attracations have to be single file lines...

See I disagree i like straight lines less confusion and fewer shoving

As a former attractions CM, one of my best tips is to actually follow the rules when CMs say "keep your hands and arms in the attraction, don't stand up, etc" Because we are trained to stop the ride when people do this and don't listen...it makes it a much more enjoyable ride when we don't have to do this and interrupt the natural flow of the attraction.

Also I know it stinks that you can't take your stroller into certain areas, but there are always reasons for it...so don't fight us on that unless of course you have some necessity (medical, etc.) and you have gotten your tags and such for your stroller from guest services.

Oh and I can never eat a whole counter service meal by myself, so we usually split one at lunch or I get the kids meal to save a little $!!

I have a story my class mate did anything but fallow the rules and almost got kicked out

 

[Joanna71985]

I just read this whole thread in one day!
This has convinced me to apply for the College Program when I'm older.
I'll definitely be going out of my way to hopefully brighten up a CM's day on our next trip.

Yay! Glad to hear it

 

[skater]

My sister and I at this tonight because when we were at ASMu January 09 they were painting. They had these super cute "Wet Paint" signs up with Stitch on them, and I really wanted one... so I waited one night until the paint was dry and took one of the signs on the way into my room. It's a paper/toss away sign... btw... not like some fancy wooden sign. Anyways, I have it in my desk at work, and tonight when we read this we were saying we could actually do this with an actual Disney Wet Paint sign! Would never do it, but I could...

Just reading through parts of this thread and found this. My DS has one of these signs on his wall. I can't remember if he acquired it the same way you did or if we asked a CM for it . He still loves it though.

 

[LovelyMouse22]

Love this thread! I've been reading over it for two days now! We are going to take it easy at disney and most importantly thank the CMs who make it all so magical.

 

[smangham]

dole whip - soft serve ice cream (pineapple)
dole whip float - soft serve ice cream (vanilla, pineapple or vanilla/pinaeappl swirl) with pineapple juice

Although good, very hyped.

Just got back. Had my first Dole Whip pineapple float! Yummy!

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

This is such a great old thread I have to bump it.

I am planning my first week long trip next year, and all the comments have really inspired me to slow down and not over plan. On my first ever (and only) visit to MK, I spent a ton of time planning our every step. We completed 12 attractions in 3.5 hours and were so burnt out, we went home to rest before our evening ADRs and Wishes. Doing everything I planned to WAS magical, But this trip I am looking forward to using good strategy, but moving at half the pace.

Thanks to all the CMs for all the great work they do every day.

Thanks to all the posters who made this thread so fun and inspiring to read.

 

[wicked.witch.of.wdw]

I just started the College Program on the 7th, so I haven't been here very long, but I have a couple tips that I stumbled upon by complete accident while in the Magic Kingdom on a day off the other day. First off: a day is much more rewarding if you go in with only a couple of must-dos, treating everything else like icing on the cake. This is more of a mentality thing than anything you really have to do, but it makes for a much more pleasant day than rushing around trying to pack every ride in in one day. The other is a PERFECT spot for viewing both MSEP and Wishes-- right between the Partners statue and the gateway to Tomorrowland. The parade will go right past you, and then you just have to turn around for a totally unblocked view of the castle and the fireworks!

 

[Mckymousefn]

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.

Thank you for clearing that up. I"ve been trying to tell everyone this and they don't listen!!