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

[Brit_Jude]

You can get filtered water for free at any place that has fountain drinks. Second, if you want bottled water, order it from Costco for $7 for 24 bottles including shipping. Have them ship it to your resort.

Yep the free water at the soda fountain counters is flitered as the soda company that Disney uses is picky about how the water makes their product taste. This is the water you get when asking for a free cup of ice water.

 

[spectrecat]

Two years ago we invited friends to go with us to Disney. We had a party of 4 adults and 4 children, we also had the dining plan. We stayed in a two bedroom villa. At the end of our 8 day trip we discovered that we had 13 CS and 48 snacks left. LOL
We were at AKL and I just stayed by the register and paid for everyone coming in, some turned me down thinking it was a scam. Then a group of mom's and small children came in. They were there for the day only and took us up on the offer. Not only did we make their day but they were able to afford to stay one more night since they saved so much money. Their husbands were in Iraq and they had saved money together to give themselves and their children a break.
Upon hearing this the CM at the register told them that if they would sit in a particular area to eat she would assist them in a moment. She got on the phone and another CM came in with meal vouchers for 2 more meals for the group. Disney magic was definately spread that day, it made my vacation all the more special to know that we were able to do that and that Disney did so as well.
We have also given fast passes away and umbrella strollers that we had purchased just for the trip. Small cost big smiles.
If we end up renting a stroller in a park and leave early, we have given the receipt and stroller to a family that doesn't have one. That wasy they can continue at ease and go to another park and save money, the only thing we ask is theat they pay it forward. Always makes a smile appear.

I LOVE this! What a blessing to those families! I'm in tears!! You guys rock!

 

[littlewitch34]

Be patient with us merchandise (and all other) CMs. We know that sometimes our lines are long and set up in a weird way so the lines get a little funky. I'm sorry if your wait is long and someone cuts in front of you, but I don't have eyes in the back of my head... if I could get a set, I would!

We love when people talk to us or ask about our hometown, my college, my state, my college program. Anything. I love great conversations. They make it a lot easier on a 10-14 hour day.

Feel free to ask me anything about Disney. If I can't answer it, I know the right direction to send you in!

Go through the left side of the Haunted Mansion queue with all the new interactive stuff to play with. I love it!

Go to the Festival of the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom. It is BEAUTIFUL and fun.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

You CMs are terrific. I've seen plenty of rude customers, but never a rude CM at any merchandise spot.

 

[Rapunzel<3]

This is such a helpful and fun thread to read through!

My DH and I went to WDW for our honeymoon and had the time of our lives. From the moment we got off the plane and saw a woman with a giant Mickey hand smiling and greeting us to our very last moment there, we couldn't have asked for a better trip. We never came across a CM that wasn't pleasant, and I think that is what makes WDW such a great place to be!

My DH and I are going back for our first anniversary in September 2011 and we can't wait! This thread is making me even more excited, even though I didn't think that could be possible.

Like so many others on this thread, my advise is just relax, do what you can and just go with the flow. You will stress yourself out and it's SO not worth it. You're at DISNEY; enjoy every moment. Also, we don't have any children (yet) and I am a huge Disney fan so I love to see the characters. Even if your party is all adults, don't be afraid to wait in line to get that photo op with your favourite character.

Just one more thing to add regarding the Rose & Crown Pub. Fantastic people, fantastic service, great food/drink, we loved it! We're more excited to have dinner there than see some of the attractions; LOVED IT!

 

[DanMedix]

We're currently "pre-planning" our next trip, and my DD still remembers the awesome CM's that truly made an impact on our previous trips. Back in '07, apparently my DS (who spiked his hair from getting wet on KRR in AK) got the attention of a CM named Eva, who was totally awesome with us. We must have talked with her for 30 minutes before she invited us to follow her through the Jungle Trek. It was like having a guided tour of the area! It just goes to show you how far a little kindness can go. CM's do indeed rock! And to any CM's here, THANK YOU!

 

[GiJohnsGirl]

I LOVE this! What a blessing to those families! I'm in tears!! You guys rock!

That story completely made me cry (I am also 9 months pregnant, but still heart warming).

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

What a great thread. Wish I'd found this earlier as I leave Monday. Oh well, better get back to reading!! Thanks to all for the great tips.

Scrapbookqueen
Kellie

 

[Cierese]

The little piece of paper basicly means 8 times out of 10 they're on a break, or on their way to break some one. . . . the other 2 times they're on some sort of other mission.

I was just playing around cause it seems every time I'm on my way to break that's when I get stopped by every guest in close proximity. Either to pin trade or wondering where the bathroom, etc.

It REALLY isn't a problem or a gripe. Just joking around. I am ALWAYS more than willing to stop and help a guest whenever they need it. We all are. Even if we're technically on break. That doesn't mean we don't breathe a sigh of relief once we get backstage though.

I've never worked at Disney... and I know there's no comparison.. but I used to work at Opryland way back in the day. If Disney is like Opryland in the sense that their designated break/dining areas are always a good 5 minute walk!! LOL Somehow I used to always end up working the furthest possible point away from any break area and by the time I got TO the area it was just about time to get back because of being stopped so many times along the way! I ended up just getting to where I wouldn't eat on break but walk around the park helping guests!! LOL Talk about a great summer weight loss plan!! LOL

Thanks for the info on the white paper! I will definitely NOT bother a CM if I notice one. Besides, there's always another CM close by!

 

[Bama_C]

Actually, a tip about Cast Members:

One of the things our family does is carry some note cards with us to write down the names of CMs who go above and beyond, and "shine" at what they're doing. We put down their name, where they were working, and brief description of what was exemplary. We then make a stop at Guest Relations, on the way out of the park or resort, ask to see a manager, and "turn them in." It never fails to delight Guest Services, and it's good training for my kids in noticing what there is around them to be grateful for.

What a grand idea. I have "turned in" great Cast Members before... particularly one in HS who went above and beyond. Our DS17 had lost a recently purchased pin on ToT, so we went by Guest Services on our way out of the park to check Lost and Found. The CM working looked through for that specific pin, but it had not been turned in. He asked my son to describe it in detail, and then he ran (literally) down to one of the gift shops to get my son another one. It was just a pin, but it was a special to my son... and this is a gesture my son will not forget. Such !!

When we were at the Studios the next time, I made sure to go by Guest Services again so that we could properly thank him and let his supervisor know how much we appreciated this. He wasn't working that day, but I was able to write a note and have it hand-delivered to his supervisor. This is just a small example of the many, many wonderful CM experiences we have had at WDW.

 

[cat83]

I've never worked at Disney... and I know there's no comparison.. but I used to work at Opryland way back in the day. If Disney is like Opryland in the sense that their designated break/dining areas are always a good 5 minute walk!!

It can definitely be that way! The other problem can sometimes be that the person sent to give you your break takes a long time (for whatever reason.. on purpose, guests, etc), and by the time you are even notified of your break, it is over Most managers/coordinators I dealt with were good about fixing it if you alerted them, though.
So as a guest, I definitely wouldn't feel bad about approaching a CM you "suspect" is on break. They are there to help

 

[Cierese]

Another tip that has helped tons of people! If you are using the photopass system, be sure to take a picture of the back of your card with your digital camera. If the photopass gets lost, you can still look at the pictures that were on it by using that number.

AWESOME idea from personal experience!! I took pics of everyone's cards from IDs, giftcards, rood cards, photopass, you name it! We were on our last day at Disney a few years back and my kids rode Space Mountain. When they got off my daughter was hysterical!! The little plastic pouch on her lanyard had come off during the ride! We were very nice about and talked to the CM standing outside the ride and he radio'd inside. They all took their time to help us and one even walked my daughter back through the line to help her make sure it didn't fall off there. We never found it, it took almost an hour out of our day.... the CM gave us 4 FP a piece that could be used in any park! Luckily we could use up the rest of her gift card by giving the CMs the card # and none of our photos were lost. She just got a new card back at the resort (we were doing a 1/2 park day on departure day) along with a balloon!! Only sad thing is, when I called the GC# they said the only thing we could do was to spend the rest of the $ on the card as fast as we could in case someone had actually found it. That was highly unlikely as it's probably lost in the darkness of SM!

Bottom line... I've learned to photo all cards when we are out on trips to include insurance cards, etc. You just never know!

 

[The_Alice]

Don't be afraid to break for the day and come back in the evening. You will notice that the parks have "dump" times where the amount of people leaving is larger than the amount of people coming in. There are a great many folks, and locals, who will stay the entire day and then leave around 4 or 5. Then another dump around 9 or 10, then another at around 12 if the park is open that late or later. Typically following a large show, there will be a dump of people who stayed to see the parade, fireworks, etc. and then once this is over they head out.

Also, I am sure most of you know this, but if you ever want to just cut up through Main Street take the stores. They are Air Conditioned and during a parade or Fireworks viewing simply cannot be beat for getting around the crowds on the sidewalk. Since they all link up together you will either come out at Casey's or the Ice Cream Parlor dependent upon your choice.

As someone who has helped find "lost parents" many times, take pictures of your kids in the morning before heading into the parks. In the height of panic when your child disappears into a crowd remembering what they were wearing can be the most difficult part of your recollection. Often we would be told the wrong color of shirt, shorts, character on shirt. It would usually end up being what they were wearing on a different day on that families vacation.

Also, point out CMs by their name tags. Since Costuming and Wardrobe can change from park to park one of the mainstays is the Disney Name Badge with the CM's name and hometown. Also one of the costumes that does not change from park to park is the street sweeps. They wear white shorts and a white shirt with blue patches and yellow on the shoulders. They are also the most numerable in the streets if your child is lost. I point them out all the time to our kids so if they become distracted lost, etc. they will know to approach one of these CMs and tell them they are separated from us and to please help them. As a PP mentioned they are also one of the few frontline CMs with radios, sometimes b/c of this reason ( & their constant interaction with Guests.)

You can always ask a CM to take your families picture so that all members can be in it. This is not restricted to simply Photopass CMs, but I took a ton of photos for people and often offered to do so. Just ask, most CMs would be happy to oblige.

 

[jsgrand0]

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.

 

[mskani]

I have one too...

If your family is willing, wear character shirts. When we went to Disneyland in 2005 for the 50th Year celebration, my family and I all wore matching t-shirts featuring the "Fab Five" and the lettering stated that we were "celebrating 50 years of magic at Disneyland" on them. We had them made thru the Disney store website. Anyway, we were in line to ride the Matterhorn ride and the cm complimented us on our shirts. We chatted for a few minutes before we boarded. At the end of the ride, when the train came back into the station, he told us to remain seated because we were going to ride again!!

 

[rmm7e]

Regarding taking a photo of your photopass and other cards, it also comes in handy if your card gets damaged. I had a can of sunscreen empty out in my bag, and my card (and my Soarin' fastpass) smudged. My room key and park ticket did also, but the magnetic strips were OK. What a mess. One saving grace was that I had a swimmer's towel in there too (thanks to a disboards tip!) and it absorbed most of it.

 

[tchrrx]

Go through the left side of the Haunted Mansion queue with all the new interactive stuff to play with. I love it!

Will you explain how the new queue is set up? Are there two separate lines or do we just need to be on the left side of a single line?

 

[kirasaurus]

Will you explain how the new queue is set up? Are there two separate lines or do we just need to be on the left side of a single line?

The line is just one big line until just before front door of the mansion. Then there are signs pointing to the scenic view line, and the thru line. The scenic view is just a loop from the place where the line splits to the door, and the thru line is the old regular line.
I hope that makes sense! But there are two different lines at some point, yes.

 

[ociana]

I just have to say that I read this entire 50 page thread in one sitting - THANK YOU for all the great advice, positive attitudes and reminders about why Disney is so wonderful. We have gone to Disneyland a few times (cheap, 2 day motel 6 visits) and are headed on our first WDW trip in October. I appreciate the reminder of the magical place that we get to play in!

Our CM story is from Disneyland on the Mark Twain riverboat. As we (me, DH and our two sons) were getting on the boat, a CM walked up to us and asked my son if he had ever driven a boat before. He cautiously responded no and the CM said to follow him. We went up into the small room where he steers the ship and he had my boys take turns at the helm and pull the whistle. We chatted during the ride about his 30+ years as a CM and how much he loves his work. It was a wonderful experience!

 

[ben1993]

Great tips Any Cast Members reading, Thank you so much! You ARE the Disney Magic.