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

[JoShan1719]

Set your budget
. . . then, double it
. . . then divide by three
. . . then, multiply by six
. . . then add three
. . . then throw away the budget

 

[Jerseyguy's Wife]

I started reading this thread last night and spent a good 3 hours finishing it. I just wanted to comment on the CMs. You guys rock. Even my oblivious dad noticed this. Well, okay, he didn't actually notice until we went to Cedar Point the summer after WDW, but he did comment on it. When we were at CP, dad said to me, "You know, I never really noticed it before, but the people here (at CP) are grumpy. No one is smiling. We never had anyone look like this when we were at Disney..." I am really glad you guys were so noticeably . My dad was 56 on his first trip and you made him want to come back. It wasn't the parks or the attractions or even the food; it was the CMs and your sparkly attitudes.
And after talking to a couple CMs, I honestly can say I am impressed with your ability to keep those sparkly attitudes. We were outside Yachtsman one afternoon when I looked down into the bushes and saw a glass beer bottle and a cigar burning. Well, since it was by the pool, I thought I should let someone know about it. I caught the attention of one of the CMs by the towel station and told him about the bottle. Now, this poor kid couldn't have been more than 18, and he was apologizing all over himself that I had to see it! It wasn't that big a deal; I just wanted to let someone know there was glass in the pool area. I felt really bad that I hadn't just jumped over the fence and picked it up! It made me wonder just how many people are unnecessarily nasty to CMs. We chatted a bit and he seemed to feel better about the whole thing. But geez, he looked absolutely appalled that I had seen such a thing. And it's not like I thought he'd tossed his empty Bud Light bottle into the pool area! So, for all you do, CMs, thank you. And I'm sorry about all those nasty people you have to deal with every day.
Okay, back to dreaming of coming home to Disney...

 

[almcg]

What a fantastic thread! I've picked up on some great tips but, more importantly, I would like to say thank you to all of you wonderful CM's. You helped to make our trip to WDW last year even more special!

 

[gingersnapacosta]

If you're talking about the CM's who have animals on them or are near animals - simply go up them and say. "Hi."


I love animals - all types - one year we were over by the birds of flight area and a CM had a beautiful owl on his hand. I was focused solely on the owl and "forgot" the CM was there....I said "hi gorgeous" to the owl and the CM instantly pops up with "thanks, not many people call me gorgeous - oh, wait - you're talking to the owl aren't you?".... it was wonderful and got the conversation going on the owl and other birds in the show.

- don't be scared to walk up to the animal and start talking to it (or does not everyone talk to the animals? )...

 

[SRUAlmn]

- don't be scared to walk up to the animal and start talking to it (or does not everyone talk to the animals? )...

You're not alone We stayed in a savanna view room last summer at AKL and by the end of the first day all the animals had names

 

[t_daniels]

New interactive line for hm?

Awesome tips. making me more excited for our trip!

 

[GraceysGirl]

I don't know if this has been said or not. I read this awhile ago whole threat awhile ago. You guys make the magic for us just as much as we make the magic for you. Sometimes it's a story or just a moment we feel lucky to be a part of. For example I was in a terrible mood the other day and had 3 adorable little boys (not all from the same family) all blew me kisses. Those boys helped bring me out of my funk and remind how fun my job could be.

 

[MsPeggySue911]

I am bumping this up so others can have a chance to read all this. I have spent the last 2 days reading it all and found some very useful information.

 

[littlewitch34]

I don't know if this has been said or not. I read this awhile ago whole threat awhile ago. You guys make the magic for us just as much as we make the magic for you. Sometimes it's a story or just a moment we feel lucky to be a part of. For example I was in a terrible mood the other day and had 3 adorable little boys (not all from the same family) all blew me kisses. Those boys helped bring me out of my funk and remind how fun my job could be.

TRUE THAT. You guests can make my day! On a long (potentially 14-15 hour!) work shift, a positive interaction can be the one thing that keeps a CM going. I know that hugs and blown kisses have made working at Disney amazing.

 

[ForAandA]

The CM's are just wonderful. They helped us numerous times with the busses and DH's ECV. People tend to be "grumpy" when they see a wheelchair or ECV board first. It was really bringing me down on our last trip.

A CM overheard me talking to DH, who was trying to calm me down. I was in tears, people were just being mean! I'm a New Yorker, and it is HARD to break me down . Five minutes later we had our own PRIVATE bus and a phone number to call transportation management again if we had any problems. We didn't, thank goodness.

They went up and beyond, thank you again!

 

[t_daniels]

The CM's are just wonderful. They helped us numerous times with the busses and DH's ECV. People tend to be "grumpy" when they see a wheelchair or ECV board first. It was really bringing me down on our last trip.

A CM overheard me talking to DH, who was trying to calm me down. I was in tears, people were just being mean! I'm a New Yorker, and it is HARD to break me down . Five minutes later we had our own PRIVATE bus and a phone number to call transportation management again if we had any problems. We didn't, thank goodness.

They went up and beyond, thank you again!

Love all of these stories- but especially this one. My mom is in a wheelchair from a stroke she had years ago, and I help her out during the day with stuff around the house/getting around, etc.

Most times people seem understanding... but lot of times that isn't the case. :\ Glad that they did this for you!

 

[telephoneman66]

Love this.

 

[TallandGoofy]

Don't ask characters "is it hot in there?" and don't claim/think that there is some unseen portable a/c system that is utilized for characters.

 

[Disneyfanfour]

Subscribing.

Thanks to the amazing CM's. You all go above and beyond whenever we're at the World. Whether in a character costume, a custodian costume or a resort one, you all make the World seem like Walt is still walking out among us.

And to those patrons of Disney World who spread the pixie dust "just because", we thank you, too. We've been on the receiving end countless times and that makes Disney magical, too.

Can't wait to go on our first adopted family trip and immerse ourselves in the magic, whether receiving it or, more fun, extending it to others!

 

[bluejasmine]

WOw amazing thread, wish I had the time to read the whole thing..

I remember once seeing a thread that was in honor of CMs. It was pictures of CMs all over WDW and it made me cry...

In a world full of ppl in a hurry, ppl who are rude, ppl who are selfish it is fantastic to see the WDW CMS, smiling and interacting..

I have a shout out to Michael at Poly CL he was so sweet, so helpful and always smiling! We hope he is still there when we return in Sept!

Thank you to all CMs here, my family really appreciates everything you do!

 

[SRUAlmn]

Love all of these stories- but especially this one. My mom is in a wheelchair from a stroke she had years ago, and I help her out during the day with stuff around the house/getting around, etc.

Most times people seem understanding... but lot of times that isn't the case. :\ Glad that they did this for you!

I loved that one too!! My grandmother had to have heart surgery a few months before our Disney wedding, and we weren't sure she was going to even be able to come (or that we were going to have to have a home wedding instead.) We were SO blessed that she recovered beautifully and was able to make it, but of course, had to use a wheelchair during our trip and take it easy. Here I was, so happy to have my grandma healthy and able to be a part of my dream Disney wedding, and I had to spend every day listening to people openly be MEAN about having to wait while we loaded her wheelchair. I am very happy that the above poster got to have such a great experience after having to deal with the negativity because we know how awful that feels!

 

[ekendall2]

As a former theme park employee from another park, thank you guys for all you do. I can't wait for the Disney hospitality next week!

Happy Disney Worlding!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

I loved that one too!! My grandmother had to have heart surgery a few months before our Disney wedding, and we weren't sure she was going to even be able to come (or that we were going to have to have a home wedding instead.) We were SO blessed that she recovered beautifully and was able to make it, but of course, had to use a wheelchair during our trip and take it easy. Here I was, so happy to have my grandma healthy and able to be a part of my dream Disney wedding, and I had to spend every day listening to people openly be MEAN about having to wait while we loaded her wheelchair. I am very happy that the above poster got to have such a great experience after having to deal with the negativity because we know how awful that feels!

I'm so sorry to hear of others disparaging your grandmother - or anyone less fortunate than they are. I'm sure most people in a wheelchair would give anything to trade places. I hope this dawns on those Neanderthals some day.

 

[sheldonsmom]

Don't ask characters "is it hot in there?" and don't claim/think that there is some unseen portable a/c system that is utilized for characters.

You didn't say exactly, but if you are in fact a character at WDW, THANK YOU!!! for making my child BELIEVE!!! and giving us such amazing family moments....

 

[lesabrowning]

I was a character with Disney for many years (a long time ago) and I will say it was the most amazing job. Parents would often quietly say thank you and it took all I had not to say "no, thank YOU!" It was amazing everyday to see the joy on children's faces : )

(and yes, it is REALLY hot in there!)