VonBaroketch
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2008
- Messages
- 103
I noticed an uneasiness at the parks this weekend while talking to some cm friends about economic uncertainty. Last time I was in Florida (August), there had been rumors about the lack of 2009 resort bookings, but we were sure things would pick up. Now, as we all know, Disney is preparing for the worst, and to compensate the execs are drastically cutting back budgets.
What this means for the front-line cm's, and thus us guests, is that the parks are being staffed with the bare minimum. I had one friend at my favorite attraction tell me that, whereas the crowd for that day demanded at least 3 cm's outside managing the queue, they had been operating all day with only 1.
I remember my brief excursion as a cm in 2002 during the post-9/11 cutbacks how full-timers were only getting 32 hours a week, while part-time and seasonals were completely removed from the schedules. Nothing against the college program, but the level of service declined when left solely in the hands of cp's. Since many full and part-time cm's left WDW to find other jobs, what followed in the recovery of the 9/11 hit was a complete turnover of full and part-time cast. Such a shame, the loss of all that hospitality experience.
As you visit the parks, thank the hard-working, dedicated cast. Times are tough and about to get tougher. Many regular cm's depend on holiday overtime, which they may not get this year.
What this means for the front-line cm's, and thus us guests, is that the parks are being staffed with the bare minimum. I had one friend at my favorite attraction tell me that, whereas the crowd for that day demanded at least 3 cm's outside managing the queue, they had been operating all day with only 1.
I remember my brief excursion as a cm in 2002 during the post-9/11 cutbacks how full-timers were only getting 32 hours a week, while part-time and seasonals were completely removed from the schedules. Nothing against the college program, but the level of service declined when left solely in the hands of cp's. Since many full and part-time cm's left WDW to find other jobs, what followed in the recovery of the 9/11 hit was a complete turnover of full and part-time cast. Such a shame, the loss of all that hospitality experience.
As you visit the parks, thank the hard-working, dedicated cast. Times are tough and about to get tougher. Many regular cm's depend on holiday overtime, which they may not get this year.
