What are CMs allowed to accept from guests?

[HopLow1968]

What can guests give CMs and what can CMs accept? Thank you cards, little thank you gifts? I'm curious. I plan on brining a supply of little thank you cards.

 

[mom2rtk]

I bet they would appreciate you stopping by Guest Relations and completing a compliment card more than anything.

 

[Saul]

Just curious but why bring cards?

 

[DizMe]

I bet they would appreciate you stopping by Guest Relations and completing a compliment card more than anything.

This.

 

[Nonsuch]

Tour guides accept tips.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I'm fairly certain CMs are not suppose to accept anything (at least in the case of ride operators and food vendors). If they do a great job, take down their names, time of day, and location and write a comment card in guest relations. Sometimes there are incentive programs or a good pat on the back if they get a positive review. At least that was my experience in other non-Disney theme parks as an employee.

Saying thank you is nice, but most CMs, in addition to possibly getting in trouble for accepting it, wouldn't have a place to put a card or gift while they're working.

 

[goldmay]

Cast members can accept small gifts from guests. Past a certain value, they have to refuse the item, give it to Disney, or keep it and pay the amount to the company.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

I bet they would appreciate you stopping by Guest Relations and completing a compliment card more than anything.

This.

We ran across a wonderful PP photographer at Big Thunder Ranch last month and I stopped by City Hall the next day to submit a comment card. I had never done this before so I was surprised when this happened: The CM behind the counter asked me what she could help me with. I said it was about a CM, and she said "What kind of complaint do you have?" And I said it's not a complaint, it's a compliment! I thought it was odd that she assumed I was there to complain, but now that I think about it, more people probably stop at City Hall to complain than they do to compliment.

When I was finished, the CM said that my comments would be submitted to the photographer's supervisor and that it would become a permanent part of her personnel file, and that the photographer would also receive a certificate. So, it is a VERY nice thing to do to take the time and stop by to comment on CMs who have gone above and beyond.

Also, they fill out the comment card for you. She said it was preferred, because they ask you specific questions and then make notes.

 

[YukonMommy]

I'm with the others, stop in at City Hall to fill out a comment card! A nice thank you and smile also goes a long way.

Have a magical time!

 

[Geemo]

I'm terrible with names and times....
On our last trip, when we came across a helpful/kind CM, I asked if I could take their picture.
My camera has a date and time stamp. I made sure to get their name tag when I snapped the pic.
This way I had the date, time plus name of the CM. Makes it real easy to have the info for Guest Services.

One of the best CM's was Adam from Rancho Cucamongo, CA

 

[sillybaer]

That's a great idea Geemo! I've read that comment cards are the best way to thank CMs but I know with my crazy duo I'd forget all the details before I had time to think much less write. A picture will be perfect.

 

[Geemo]

At Guest Services, you can scroll through the pic's and there's all the info.
After chatting with him a few minutes, I asked him if it was okay to take his picture. Doesn't he have a magic smile?

 

[beachdreamr1229]

You know, I think my favorite CMs are the ones who take time to talk beyond the basic script of "hi, how can I help you?" or "how many? wait behind the yellow line please". We had a great girl talking to my son while he waited to meet Olaf about his shirt and the things he likes to do and another one who went above and beyond to entertain us and get us excited right before rope drop by making jokes and hollering at the top of his lungs. I'm really starting to regret that I never got the names of those two. I love the idea of taking their pictures!

 

[bruinred]

When I was a little girl we used to go to Disneyland every year on Christmas Eve. We continued that tradition into adulthood until they started blacking out that day for Deluxe annual passholders. One of the last years I printed up a little note and attached it to mini candy canes. I handed it to any cast member who would take it. The note read, "My family has been coming to Disneyland on Christmas Eve for 20+ years. It is a wonderful tradition for us. Thank you for being here today, taking time away from your family, so that I can enjoy time with mine."

No cast member refused one that day. A lot has changed since then (it was probably ten years ago) so they might not be able to take anything now. But my brother, who is a CM, would tell you that the guest compliment is the best way to thank a CM if they've helped you. They receive all kinds of accolades based on the compliments they receive.

 

[disneychrista]

Honestly, while your thank you card might be appreciated, it is going to end up in the trash. Just thank the person (verbally) it does the same thing without the waste. And of course you can always go to City Hall (or email but City Hall is preferred) and let them know how great you though someone was.

 

[HopLow1968]

Thanks everybody for the responses. I will definitely keep an eye out for outstanding CM service and will be stopping at City Hall to lodge a formal compliment!

 

[Bubblegum1286]

I really like this thread! HopLow, I'm impressed that you were considering working "thank yous" into your trip plans. What a great idea! Everyone's responses and your initiative has encouraged me to seek out CM's who go above and beyond to be kind, helpful, respectful, or engaging, and to make the effort at the end of the day to go submit compliment cards. Sounds like that could go a LONG way.

 

[Susie63]

We always make a note on our phone, of the name and their hometown on our phone,after we have met a CM,who has made our day a little more magical. It is easy to forget when there are so many distractions and we stop by city hall when we park hop or at the end of the day. The simple act of taking time to formally acknowledge their kindness is a great thing to do for people who have such a tough job. I don't think I could do their job and I am a very happy, outgoing person. I've snapped on guests giving CM's a hard time.....

 

[Angrose]

OP, I'm so glad you posted this and I intend on stopping by City Hall when I am there next month to acknowledge a CM from my trip in March. I'm so glad I took time to write her name down. She was our waitress at Blue Bayou and she was FANTASTIC! I have to say that the hostesses who were checking people in and seating people were not very friendly or helpful, but our waitress, Wendy, more than made up for them. She not only treated us like royalty, but also like we were her best friends. Even though we paid with gift cards, I made sure to leave her a generous cash tip. People like her really do make a difference!

 

[lovebug33]

One thing you can do is just say thank you and be nice to them. Last time we were there, Splash was down. People kept going up to this group of cm's and asking when it would be back up. We watched two people just yell at this poor group of people. We had gotten turned around and needed directions. We asked our question and they pointed out where we needed to go. I said thank you and my little blew her kisses and signed thank you. The lady said it made her day because everybody was mad about Splash but there is nothing that can be done about it. I am glad that little bit of kindness helped her out. And, of course, an 18 month old blowing kisses is too irresitible!