Top 10 Ways To Be Kind to CMs...

[Itinkso]

This was posted on the DisDining blog and it doesn't include gifts or Guest Appreciation Cards. Just simple things that mean a lot to CMs... especially #6 and #1:

http://www.****************/top-10-ways-kind-cast-members/

 

[bangzoom6877]

That list states how people should treat others all the time. My favorite one on the list was the one about the false sense of entitlement people seem to have when paying for a vacation like WDW. I've seen this many times on cruise ships as well (not the Disney cruise ships because I've never been on one, but various other cruise lines)...most especially the way a lot of the passengers have treated people from a different country. Sometimes guest behavior is truly cruel to the person working, when that person is doing their job and has done nothing wrong. Don't you just love people?

 

[Gilrond]

I say "please", "thank you", "I appreciate your help" a lot. I do enjoy moments of small talk with CMs but always try to respect how busy they are and not take up too much time. I engage "in character" with CMs in those roles.
I tip the tippable and as a crafty "paper engineer", make little compliment cards and other little things like that for those who are not.

Realistic expectations and "I understand, thanks for trying" when something doesn't go as I would wish. There are some things they can't solve - Winnie the Pooh queue won't take ECV and i can't stand in long queue not string enough to propel manual wheelchair.

I seem to have had good luck and no bad issues with a CM ever in more than 30 visits.

 

[gschon]

How about tipping with Cash?

 

[Itinkso]

How about tipping with Cash?

No, only restaurant servers can accept cash.

 

[gschon]

yes, I usually try to leave a cash tip at our Table Service meals.

 

[usagibuffy]

It's very sad that people need to be told some of these things. Most of them are common courtesies - or should be.

 

[11290]

It's very sad that people need to be told some of these things. Most of them are common courtesies - or should be.

I've worked Parade Audience Control for 5 years and the "rude factor" has gotten worse every year. Caused a lot of good CM's to transfer to other areas.

Fortunately the good and great guests far outnumber the rude ones, and that is appreciated.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I've worked Parade Audience Control for 5 years and the "rude factor" has gotten worse every year. Caused a lot of good CM's to transfer to other areas. Fortunately the good and great guests far outnumber the rude ones, and that is appreciated.

I can't even imagine the things you've seen and heard. It is true that there are rude people everywhere you go, including WDW. No place is immune to that.

 

[11290]

I can't even imagine the things you've seen and heard. It is true that there are rude people everywhere you go, including WDW. No place is immune to that.

Actually, the things I've seen, heard and been called, in multiple languages no less. You get used to it after awhile. I do though feel pretty sorry for the way some of the guests treat the female cast, although some of them can really hold their own. LOL

 

[Gilrond]

11290,

There are some of us who try to be the sort of guest that made you glad you came to work.

 

[gericoronado]

I've worked Parade Audience Control for 5 years and the "rude factor" has gotten worse every year. Caused a lot of good CM's to transfer to other areas.

Fortunately the good and great guests far outnumber the rude ones, and that is appreciated.

Parade Audience Control?! Whew...you have my respect. Surely that can be a very difficult job.

 

[AliceinMaryland]

In the comments section, there is a man who says that they always take thank you cards with them and hand them out to the CM's doing a good job. Would you believe one of the CM's he handed out to responded to his comment and they reconnected!!! How awesome is that!! She said no one had ever done that before and she kept the card!

 

[WEDWDW]

#11

Let Disney know when youi receive Great service!!!!

 

[BrianL]

That list only entails things that SHOULD be common sense, but I'm sure we have all witnessed that they are not for everybody. I definitely second the number 1, saying "Thank you." I remember once at DL, a custodian had just cleaned a restroom stall that I was next to use. I told him "Thank you" and he looked at me like I was the first person who ever said that to him. He followed with a heartfelt "You're very welcome, sir." Those little things make a CMs tough job so much better, I can tell.

 

[ninecrayons]

It's very sad that people need to be told some of these things. Most of them are common courtesies - or should be.

The thing is, some people have never learned these for one reason or another - whether it's because of family experience or other situations. Unless someone takes the time to teach these, then some people just don't learn there is a different way to exist in the world.

As a teacher I see this all the time. I once had a colleague say to me "Are we supposed to raise them too?" My response was "If not you, then who?"

That said, DH and I frequent WDW fairly often and my BFF is a CM, so I try my hardest to be a courteous guest. We will usually go out of our way if we experience a great cast member and go to guest relations and make sure to let them know.

 

[Acedink]

Just curious, but does anyone know what happens for good comments about a CM? Do they get any type of recognition? On our 2013 trip, we had a club level concierge, who in my opinion, went way above and beyond. I had written to guest relations, and they wrote back saying they would let his supervisor know of his good job.

Is it just like, "Hey Jack, good job!" or is there a more formal recognition of CM's who do a great job?

And like anything, people are more likely to complain when they have a negative experience than praise for a good or "expected" experience.

I work in a hospital, and we get plenty of complaints and few praises. I think at least 85% of people are satisfied with us, but those who are not are the ones who we hear from.

 

[ninecrayons]

Just curious, but does anyone know what happens for good comments about a CM? Do they get any type of recognition? On our 2013 trip, we had a club level concierge, who in my opinion, went way above and beyond. I had written to guest relations, and they wrote back saying they would let his supervisor know of his good job.

Is it just like, "Hey Jack, good job!" or is there a more formal recognition of CM's who do a great job?

And like anything, people are more likely to complain when they have a negative experience than praise for a good or "expected" experience.

I work in a hospital, and we get plenty of complaints and few praises. I think at least 85% of people are satisfied with us, but those who are not are the ones who we hear from.

CMs definitely get the compliment cards from guest relations. I am sure 11290 can talk more about what happens and what is the process there. I've heard from my BFF that some managers make a really big deal of things.

I think I've also read that they can eventually lead to rewards for CMs.

 

[JnKinVA]

They do definitely get recognition.

I have filled out Compliments for CMs in the parks at Guest Relations and at the resorts at the Concierge Desk.

I even asked that the entire Cast at Star Tours get recognition for finding my Fitbit when I had lost it. I never would have thought they would have found it, but they did and sent it up to Guest Relations for me.
This was this past April.

My DH and I returned for the first weekend of Star Wars Weekends and we were in line to meet Chip and Dale as Ewoks. We got to chatting with a couple behind us and came to realize they were CMs off duty. We asked where they worked and one said Star Tours. I once again thanked him and the other Cast Members for finding my Fitbit, and he said, "I remember you! I was one of them looking for it. And we got your thanks, it's posted on our fridge in the breakroom."

Knowing that they actually did give them the compliment and they appreciated it made me feel even better for taking the few minutes just to thank them all

 

[revdon64]

That list states how people should treat others all the time. My favorite one on the list was the one about the false sense of entitlement people seem to have when paying for a vacation like WDW. I've seen this many times on cruise ships as well (not the Disney cruise ships because I've never been on one, but various other cruise lines)...most especially the way a lot of the passengers have treated people from a different country. Sometimes guest behavior is truly cruel to the person working, when that person is doing their job and has done nothing wrong. Don't you just love people?

As someone who lives in a summer resort town, this is especially true. People come to the beach and leave their trash and broken stuff because they think "I paid to get on the beach, someone else can clean that up." Sure, but if you were responsible and took your own trash out and dropped it in a trashcan then maybe the beach would be free, or at least less expensive. "I'm on vacation so I'll just change my kid's diaper on the front seat of the car and throw it on the lawn (wish this was a joke but it actually happened to us)." This goes well beyond entitlement and into rude, inconsiderate and shameless. And it doesn't seem to be getting any better.