Your best cast member experience

[Goofey Drool]

Our family is headed back to Disneyworld in 8 days, after a 5 year break. I am excited to stay on property again and enjoy time with my family. We stayed off property on our last visit and I have to admit I do like the whole feeling you get staying on property. Our last visit we had interaction with a few cast members that was really fun. On one occasion we got onto a Disney bus at CBR and the driver asked how our vacation was going. We told him that we were having such an awesome time...he then asked if we wanted a photo. He got off the bus and took a photo with our camera, of our family in front of the resort. Another guest came along and he asked them to take a photo of all 5 of us. He let my two little ones stand up on the bus seats and strike an action pose ..... I know it sounds weird but the photo is priceless. What experiences have you had with a cast member that just made your whole day?

 

[Magpie]

We once had a mousekeeper who kept leaving adorable little thank you notes for us (as well as just generally doing a great job), so we started leaving smiley faces and thank you's back for her with our usual daily tip. At the very end of our trip, as we were packing up, we actually discovered her outside our door and she hugged us both and said she'd add us to her prayers! (We're not Catholic/whatever she was, but that doesn't matter - it's the sentiment that counts.)

I made sure to leave a commendation for her down at the desk, and they said they'd pass it on to her supervisor.

 

[Princess_Kirky]

In 2010 I was trying to upgrade my ticket to a hopper and there was some technical difficulties in doing so. I wasn't worried and it really only took a few extra minutes to figure it out. We were talking about the Halloween Party since my Mom, her friend and my sister had been earlier that week (I met them a few days after due to work). They said it was really fun and I had never even considered going because of the extra cost. The cast member overheard our conversation and offered us all free tickets to the party that night! He was just like, would you like to go the the Halloween Party - I can give you tickets for your trouble? Of course! Totally unexpected and really kind. Times were different back then, though... Now we'd be lucky to get anything, maybe an apology...? I guess in doing so the CM made sure we were happy and if I return during Sept. or Oct. in the future I know I'll be getting tickets to MNSSHP - the best parade and party experience with character meet and greets, imo.

 

[Goofey Drool]

I think it goes both ways sometimes too. I went on a trip with friends once and I was probably obviously excited to be their for the first time. I was outgoing and spoke to a few of the cast members. The response was friendly and informative. My friends were annoyed that I was getting good info and generally having some fun with a few of the cast members. Thinking about it afterward however, I am more inclined to interact with someone who looks approachable and friendly. I am sure the cast members are the same way. Especially when they are dealing with soooo many people....and from what I have seen, put up with a lot of attitude.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Shopping in the Emporium with my granddaughter a CM (grandfatherly male) overheard me saying it was her b'day, and he got down on one knee took her hand and sang "Happy Birthday" to her. Naturally she was totally embarrassed, but what a great memory!

 

[MommyTaraLee]

I'm copying this from the letter I send to Guest Relations when we got home last September.... One of the best Disney memories I have!

I wanted to take a few minutes to recognize Yasmin, from Hamburg, Germany! Yasmin was working at the Biergarten on Monday, August 31st, and she, by far, gave us one of the best memories from our trip! We had dinner reservations at 6:35 that night, and towards the end of dinner, Harry, our just-turned-3 year old son, was getting antsy. He wanted to get up and run around, so my friend Susie took him and his sister, Anna, outside to play around, while my husband and I finished up and paid for dinner. Not 5 minutes later, Anna came running back in telling me I had to come outside right now!! Expecting the worst, I ran outside, and heard the best belly laughs and squeals coming from Harry! Yasmin and Harry were chasing each other around the fountain in Germany. He would chase her for a bit, and then she would stop and chase him… Harry thought that was the BEST! Just thinking about this brings happy tears to my eyes! What an amazing Cast Member!

 

[RustManFan]

There was a greeter at POR the last time that we were there that was amazing. We also had a wonderful discussion with an older gentleman who after his retirement took a job at AK. He was a lot of fun to talk to about his life experiences and his Disney experience.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've had many great ones over the years, but the one that sticks out most - we were checking into BC and my DS was quite tired and antsy (he was 3 1/2 at the time). The CM's kept plying him with Mickey sticker after Mickey sticker and it just wasn't doing the trick. He was tired and he had had enough for the time being! Later that afternoon, we were relaxing in the room when there was a knock at the door. It was room service with milk, cookies and a little note for DS saying they hoped he was having a better day! The front desk CM had sent it to him. It was just a very, very sweet gesture.

This may be a silly one, but years ago when I wasn't as familiar with the parks, I was in MK on Main St. looking for the rest room. I asked a CM where it was and he didn't just point it out, he escorted me over to make sure I found it! It was really silly, but I was very appreciative as I really did need to find that bathroom!

 

[Oakwine]

We were picked for the first ride of the day of Soarin' on our very first visit to Epcot. What made it extra special was that it was that castmember's first time granting extra magic, so she was just bubbling over with excitement. After we had the first ride all to ourselves, she came back with her camera so that she could have a record of her first extra magic family. Here we are: http://oakwine.net/soarin.php (I love the first two photos, as my son begins to understand what is going on, and you can see everyone else behind the rope in the background).

 

[HollyMD]

I love reading things like these! Makes my heart smile at all the kindness

 

[acejo79]

One our favorites is when Cinderella really surprised our daughter by "remembering her name". It had been about 3 months prior when she first meet Cinderella, and on our next trip back she wanted to see her again. After the initial hug and greeting my daughter asked if she remembered her. By that time Cinderella had her autograph book and quickly glanced to see if the name was in it. She then replied to my daughter that of course she remembers Princess Harley!! The smile that she put on her face was unbelievable and she was on cloud nine the rest of the day!!

 

[YawningDodo]

I remember riding a bus across WDW property back in 2006, and the bus driver had decided to turn the ride into a quiz show. He'd call on people, ask where they were from, ask a trivia question. If you got it right he'd flash the inside lights on and off and get all excited about it. He was a pretty funny guy.

 

[T00dles]

My 1yo and I were waiting while Dad and the 5 yo went on Splash. We had tried to get a parent swap but they didn't have a line so they weren't giving them out. It was Feb so I was cool with that. So we pressed a penny and were having a snack when the cast member gave us a card. It was for the 1 yo. When she's tall enough she can give them the card and get a fastpass for her and her party. It was really cool!

 

[ttintagel]

In 2011, we checked into Port Orleans French Quarter and then went outside to the pool area while we were waiting for our room to be ready. I fell on the steps leading to the hot tub. One of the CM's cleaning up in the food court saw me fall and came outside to see if I was alright. She helped me get to a chair and went back inside to find the rest of my party. She called her manager, and he came and talked to me and convinced me to let him call an ambulance. Then, he got us free drinks and an ice pack while we were waiting and sat and chatted with us, taking my mind off my pain and reassuring us that we could still enjoy our time there. My foot turned out to be broken, but we got an ECV and saved the trip. In all the excitement we forgot to note the two CMs' names. I still feel bad that I didn't take the opportunity to get their names and come into them to guest relations.

 

[KaSe]

I LOVE these kinds of threads! They always make me feel all warm & fuzzy and excited for all the Disney magic.

I have several great CM stories but my all-time favorite was in 2011. My daughters were 10 & 13 at the time and it was our first "Girls Only" trip because my husband teaches in a neighboring district & didn't have the same fall break schedule. It ended up being one of my favorite trips to Disney ever!

As soon as we arrived at the Orlando airport, the girls put their mouse ears on (from a previous trip). Several people were commenting and telling them to have fun, etc. The Magical Express people were like, "Oh, good! The princesses have come back to see us again!" -- you know, all the usual pomp & circumstance they pull out when people arrive (which is awesome even by itself). Then we arrived at our resort (AS Movies) & while we waited in line to check in, there was a CM standing there who was just chatting with us & being friendly.

She commented on the girls' ears & asked where mine were. I told her I didn't have them anymore. Told her I'd even called my mom a few weeks before our trip to see if she knew where my old ears were from when I was a kid so I could bring those, but she had no idea what had happened to them (it'd only been something like 35 years -- can't believe she couldn't just produce them LOL!). The CM asked what kind of ears I'd had as a kid & I told her they were the old-school black ears with the Mickey Mouse Club logo and my name on the back. Then it was our turn to check in, she told us to have a magical visit & that was that.

But then the next afternoon, we got back to the room to take a nap & do a little swimming before evening activities, and there was a knock on my door. There stands a CM who says, "I hear you need some Mouse ears. These are for you!" and she hands me the black mouse ears with the logo and my name on the back!!! I was SOOOO excited!! I wore them every moment I could during that trip & have brought them back to wear our following two trips (they're the ones I'm wearing in my avatar pic). Just like my daughters (now 18 & 15), they go on my head the minute we land in Orlando.

 

[MarbleBob]

We've had a lot of great cast member interactions through the years, but here's my favorite!!

My daughter turned five while staying at the Wilderness Lodge. As we were leaving our room that morning, we stopped by the pin trading station and the nice lady gave my daughter a pin off her lanyard. She was so sweet and friendly. After chatting for a couple minutes, she told DD to come back to the gift shop after we were finished touring the parks that day… and that she'd have something for her.

So yeah, when we came back, they had a balloon, a chocolate "lollipop" (molded in the shape of the WL character totem) and a couple more cast member pins waiting for her. Several of the cast members gathered around to wish her a happy birthday. It was truly one those magical moments that we'll never forget.

But… it gets better.

We stayed at the WL again two years later. And the lady was still working at the pin trading station (and gift shop). She remembered my daughter and gave her a hug. We'd stop by every morning to say hi again. At one point, she gave her a special Peter Pan cast member pin that came in a small "hat box". Super cool.

Over the next several years, we always made it a point to go say hi to Clarissa… whether we were staying at the WL or not!!! On one occasion, the American Idol contestants were staying there a that week. (Back when they had the Idol experience at Hollywood Studios.) And she went out of her way to get a couple autographs for my daughter. How cool is that!

Clarissa retired several years ago, so it's been a while since we've seen her, but at some point we exchanged addresses and she still sends DD a Christmas card every year.

I have to imagine that we weren't unique and that Clarissa made a lot of magical memories for other families through the years. These types of cast members are what make Disney so awesome!!!!

So cool, and such great memories.

 

[Parker Clan]

Our first trip in 2011, AAA had incorrectly done our tickets without Hopper passes. We were so sad but the friendly cast member at MK was like no problem we will get this taken care of and immediately fixed it to include hopper. She was very helpful! we have always found great cast members at CBR too, they are very accomodating and helpful!

 

[tmoo]

We were waiting for the parade in Liberty Square, sitting right on the tape line when 3 young skippers from Jungle Cruise that had been borrowed for parade crowd control stopped and talked to us. They were telling us all about being a young employee at Disney. I know it sounds silly but it was absolutely hilarious and made our day. Even the interns were able to give us tons of trivia about the park (and tell us how creepy the people that work in the haunted mansion are).

 

[MarbleBob]

OK... this thread took me down memory lane I have couple more to share:

Fine dining at Columbia Harbor House

In 2010, Disney had the "Give a day, get a day" program. Where if you volunteered for something (from a Disney approved list) and submitted documentation, they would give you free one day park admission. This was such a cool idea!!! (Our family volunteered to make blankets for Project Linus, which provides homemade blankets to seriously ill children. A cool charity, and great activity for our entire family to participate in as a group.)

Anyway, when we entered the Magic Kingdom that day, they gave us "VoluntEAR" buttons. Later that day, we were waiting in line at Columbia Harbor House and one of the cast members came up to us and started chatting. He saw the buttons and immediately, pulled us aside... And said, we have a special place for you upstairs. I was confused at first, but they were basically wanting to honor some of the volunteers. He wanted to take care of our meal, but we had already ordered, so he took the receipt so that they could intercept it.

Anyway, he took us to a reserved area upstairs, with a white table cloth and they treated us like celebrities. Very attentive to us, and the food was served on real dishes with silverware. They gave us as many refills on food and drinks as we wanted. And then they brought out dessert cookies for the kids to decorate with icing and sprinkles.

I know that this was a Disney sponsored thing, and if it wasn't us, it would have been someone else, but the cast member (Michael) was totally cool and genuinely made us feel like we were super special. And his service was better than what we've encountered at some of the nicest table service restaurants. Truly a magical experience

 

[MarbleBob]

Here's another fun one that was a unique experience for us:

My son has always been captivated by trains and monorails (even still today at 13.) Anyway, one time we celebrated his birthday at EPCOT's Garden Grill. DS had just finished opening a couple gifts before Mickey walked by to greet us. One of the gifts was a train themed DVD (he loved watching trains on TV.) Anyway, Mickey saw the DVD and became a little more animated. I take it that the cast member inside the costume was also a train lover, because Mickey grabbed one of the menus and a crayon and started writing messages to us. Asking questions about DS and trains. Whether or not he'd been on the train at Magic Kingdom yet. How to get special treatment from the train engineer over there, etc.

This is one of my favorite cast member experiences, because Mickey went out of his way to give DS extra attention... looking at the DVD case and pictures with him. And I've never seen a costumed character actually try and have a conversation with anyone before. It was pretty cool