Top 10 Ways To Be Kind to CMs...

[bangzoom6877]

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.

Wow, that's crazy about the diaper. And talk about the "eww factor" there!

 

[FlipHipster]

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 was going to say #4 and #5 really push my buttons. Amazing how many people I have seen fighting with CM's about sitting in a parade spot reserved for handicapped, or just flat out refusing to acknowledge them when they are being told to move. FWIW, if I ever see you kick someone out for this, I got your back and would lead the crowd in a cheer.

 

[mom2of2]

Generally when a CM is complimented a Guest Fanatic card is filled out. It contains the CM's name and location and what they did to deserve the compliment. The CM is given the card and it has a carbon copy. The top part of the card goes into a box in their location and then once a month or so they have a random drawing and the CM's card that gets pulled gets a prize of some kind. The CM also has it notated on their record card.
It really doesn't do much but it's nice to get noticed

 

[goofy4tink]

For me, common courtesy is the best way to go. When something 'bad' happens (such as being able to get a great FP+ spot for the afternoon parade on June 1 only to have the parade cancelled 5 mins before it should have started) I try not to take it out on the CMs. They didn't cause the issue. I try to be pleasant and chatty....it's always fun to chat with CMs.
Speaking of Parade Audience Control....my dd and I were in MK awhile ago. We were waiting for the afternoon parade to start. We were in FrontierLand. Well, this family came up and took up spots close to us. About 20 mins before the parade started, one of them went off and shortly came back with a few seats....think they took them off the sidewalk area. Well, a CM had been walking the route, talking to people. He saw this and quickly explained that no seats were allowed there. They argued with him, saying that they had been told it would be fine. He asked who had told them that, so he could let that CM know it was in error. They couldn't remember. Then they told this young man that one woman in their group had to have a seat...she wasn't able to stand. He was very apologetic, and offered to go get her a wheelchair. Oh no, that wasn't necessary, they said. He insisted...and went off in search of a wheelchair. Of course, when he got back, they had left! When I mentioned that CMs incredible handling of the situation, she told me that that CM was very good at his job! On our way out of the park, we stopped off at GS, a d said we wanted to report a CM. the poor CM behind the counter just got pale and pulled out a form. When I looked at it, I apologized profusely, saying it was a good report! He was thrilled.....said more people put in negative reports than good ones....a lot more. The form had space for everything I needed. I was told that the report would go to that area supervisor, who in turn would let the CM know. Then the report goes into the CMs personnel file. It is very helpful when they are being reviewed.

So, if you have an outstanding CM experience, let someone know! The CM will be thrilled.

 

[bangzoom6877]

For me, common courtesy is the best way to go. When something 'bad' happens (such as being able to get a great FP+ spot for the afternoon parade on June 1 only to have the parade cancelled 5 mins before it should have started) I try not to take it out on the CMs. They didn't cause the issue. I try to be pleasant and chatty....it's always fun to chat with CMs. Speaking of Parade Audience Control....my dd and I were in MK awhile ago. We were waiting for the afternoon parade to start. We were in FrontierLand. Well, this family came up and took up spots close to us. About 20 mins before the parade started, one of them went off and shortly came back with a few seats....think they took them off the sidewalk area. Well, a CM had been walking the route, talking to people. He saw this and quickly explained that no seats were allowed there. They argued with him, saying that they had been told it would be fine. He asked who had told them that, so he could let that CM know it was in error. They couldn't remember. Then they told this young man that one woman in their group had to have a seat...she wasn't able to stand. He was very apologetic, and offered to go get her a wheelchair. Oh no, that wasn't necessary, they said. He insisted...and went off in search of a wheelchair. Of course, when he got back, they had left! When I mentioned that CMs incredible handling of the situation, she told me that that CM was very good at his job! On our way out of the park, we stopped off at GS, a d said we wanted to report a CM. the poor CM behind the counter just got pale and pulled out a form. When I looked at it, I apologized profusely, saying it was a good report! He was thrilled.....said more people put in negative reports than good ones....a lot more. The form had space for everything I needed. I was told that the report would go to that area supervisor, who in turn would let the CM know. Then the report goes into the CMs personnel file. It is very helpful when they are being reviewed. So, if you have an outstanding CM experience, let someone know! The CM will be thrilled.

I have written emails to Disney about specific CMs who have been exceptionally wonderful. I also email after each trip to thank them for being so accommodating in Disney restaurants, for my son's food allergies. I feel like they need to know the CMs are not only doing their jobs, but going the extra mile. Only once in 3 family trips did I come across a grumpy cast member. It was when we were buying the photo from Splash Mountain. She wasn't mean to us or anything, just complaining a lot about having to work and how hot it was and how much she hates Florida.

 

[Disnsyncey]

One day we were COMPLETELY bored at school so we decided to go to Epcot....and we challenged CMs in every country to sing their national anthem....it was fun, funny, and the CMs were amused too.....I think we sang ours back to them when they asked....for humoring us, we went to guest relations and got a stack of forms and filled them out about all the CMs we interacted with (we got their names) to recognize them.....

3 weeks later, we were bored again, so we decided to make masks at the kid cot stations.....we were in Canada making the masks and one CM came up to the table to tell her friend "remember when those guests asked us to sing the Canadian national anthem? We just got a note from them!" and I looked up and said "hey! that was us!!"

I was amused.....they do get them! haha

 

[bangzoom6877]

One day we were COMPLETELY bored at school so we decided to go to Epcot....and we challenged CMs in every country to sing their national anthem....it was fun, funny, and the CMs were amused too.....I think we sang ours back to them when they asked....for humoring us, we went to guest relations and got a stack of forms and filled them out about all the CMs we interacted with (we got their names) to recognize them..... 3 weeks later, we were bored again, so we decided to make masks at the kid cot stations.....we were in Canada making the masks and one CM came up to the table to tell her friend "remember when those guests asked us to sing the Canadian national anthem? We just got a note from them!" and I looked up and said "hey! that was us!!" I was amused.....they do get them! haha

Wow that's really good to know! I always get the names of specific CMs that go above and beyond and really make the trip special for our family. Then I include those peoples names in the email. Good to know I could leave a note about them the same day!

You just gave me an idea...our first day at WDW in less than 3 weeks, we will be spending time at Epcot snacking around the WS and going into the shops and stuff before our FP+ rides in the mid-afternoon. I'm going to make sure my kids know the entire national anthem (they're 7 and 9 and they know parts of it), and we will try to do this in every country like you did. I think it would be great for them to hear various national anthems, and I love talking to the CMs in the WS about their home countries.

 

[Bluegrrl]

When I worked at DHS, we got guest recognition cards which then got put into a raffle. They would give anything from dis Merch to tvs to resturant gift certificates to hotel stays! I actually won a tot mech pack. One Tower of Terror robe, 4 glasses, 2 hand towels, notepad/pen and a Do Not Disturb sign. I was pretty surprised and happy and still use all the items to this day!