Cast Member Standards

Rescue Ranger

Rescue Ranger

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
As another visit comes to a close I'm left taken aback by the current standard and quality of the Cast Members Disney is hiring - what happened?

Don't get me wrong, there are still some AMAZING cast members here but they are few and far between. The younger CMs especially. Miserable. Absolutely no knowledge of the property. Characters. Parks. You name it. Overall friendliness just doesn't seem to be what it was.

If you work in WDW have no clue what a 'Figment' is or work next to Epcot yet have never seen the fireworks or work at Riviera but don't know there is a restaurant on the top floor or appraoch a cast member in full uniform about a wheelchair and they answer back "not now sorry, my shift is ending" and walks away - I've never seen such a lack of interest or poor attitude from Cast here.

Much like the attention to detail and upkeep of the resorts compared to years back, I always say to myself it's going to improve yet each time I visit it seems to deteriorate further. One step forward and 2+ steps back.

I still love it here however the lasting impression I'm left with is not what it used to be and another reason why we visit less.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Rescue Ranger said:
As another visit comes to a close I'm left taken aback by the current standard and quality of the Cast Members Disney is hiring - what happened?

Don't get me wrong, there are still some AMAZING cast members here but they are few and far between. The younger CMs especially. Miserable. Absolutely no knowledge of the property. Characters. Parks. You name it. Overall friendliness just doesn't seem to be what it was.

If you work in WDW have no clue what a 'Figment' is or work next to Epcot yet have never seen the fireworks or work at Riviera but don't know there is a restaurant on the top floor or appraoch a cast member in full uniform about a wheelchair and they answer back "not now sorry, my shift is ending" and walks away - I've never seen such a lack of interest or poor attitude from Cast here.

Much like the attention to detail and upkeep of the resorts compared to years back, I always say to myself it's going to improve yet each time I visit it seems to deteriorate further. One step forward and 2+ steps back.

I still love it here however the lasting impression I'm left with is not what it used to be and another reason why we visit less.
Click to expand...
Noticed it ourselves recently. Again, it’s a minority. But far more noticeable that it used to be.
 
Epcot81Fan

Epcot81Fan

Well-Known Member
On both coasts, it’s embarrassing and sad.

Throw in the carny-level grooming standards and one of the key differentiating elements of the Disney theme park experience is quickly being erased.

And to specifically answer your question “What happened?” - they stopped caring.

(Oh, and they mock you for noticing or caring.)
 
D

DisneyHead123

Well-Known Member
I would be curious to see numbers on approximate total cast members working in the 80s vs today. The number must have increased exponentially. Combined with so many other parks opening and expanding in Orlando, it’s kind of amazing they can stay staffed at all.

My money is on Disney looking to automate as much as possible as soon as possible, because as they expand, their need for employees will only increase.
 
D

DisneyFanatic12

Well-Known Member
Rescue Ranger said:
As another visit comes to a close I'm left taken aback by the current standard and quality of the Cast Members Disney is hiring - what happened?

Don't get me wrong, there are still some AMAZING cast members here but they are few and far between. The younger CMs especially. Miserable. Absolutely no knowledge of the property. Characters. Parks. You name it. Overall friendliness just doesn't seem to be what it was.

If you work in WDW have no clue what a 'Figment' is or work next to Epcot yet have never seen the fireworks or work at Riviera but don't know there is a restaurant on the top floor or appraoch a cast member in full uniform about a wheelchair and they answer back "not now sorry, my shift is ending" and walks away - I've never seen such a lack of interest or poor attitude from Cast here.

Much like the attention to detail and upkeep of the resorts compared to years back, I always say to myself it's going to improve yet each time I visit it seems to deteriorate further. One step forward and 2+ steps back.

I still love it here however the lasting impression I'm left with is not what it used to be and another reason why we visit less.
Click to expand...
Always sad to hear stuff like this, but not saying you’re wrong at all.

I know that the CMs, to me at least, have always been a huge differentiator between Disney and Universal. I’m fortunate enough to say that it’s incredibly rare for me to find myself not impressed by how knowledgeable and caring the cast are.
 
T

TalkToEthan

Well-Known Member
……per capita you’re more likely to run into a lousy, useless, degenerate CM than a despicable guest

just my experience…..so I’m the first to admit it’s sheerly anecdotal..
 
AndyS2992

AndyS2992

Well-Known Member
I’ve written about this previously but my 2022 trip was the same. Young girls specifically looked bored, slouching around, on phones, rude, disinterested, clueless, clearly only there for social media clout. The young guys were better but not by much, older CMs were great though.

Just came back from Disneyland CA and it was even worse, they really didn’t care nor looked like they wanted to be there at all. The CMs at Galaxy’s Edge were not in character at all or enthusiastic like their WDW counterparts and the young girl who interacted with Goofy in the line for Mickey & Minnie gave the most half arsed spiel it was almost comical.

I’ve been to Disneyland Paris during the dark days so used to ‘off’ CMs but this now seems to be the new Disney standard across the board.
 
JIMINYCR

JIMINYCR

Well-Known Member
Heading down tomorrow and I'll be seeing for myself. Whenever weve had a bad CM experience in the past the issues were immediately handled properly by the CM supervisor or other CM's who were nearby on duty. Weve always been impressed by how they have been courteous to me and DW.
Weve always stood up for ourselves if need be by asking for someone in control. You must be pro active and not just walk away unsatisfied by how you are mistreated. Complaining after the fact online makes you feel better but it doesnt resolve the problem for the next guest. ANY worker ( at WDW or any company) needs to be taught that rudeness wont be tolerated because it does like in your instance leave a guest unhappy.
 
Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
My (admittedly anecdotal) impression via the half dozen cast members I know is that the problem is coming from the top down: low morale, caused by increasing demands and corporate indifference, without increased compensation. It tracks: WDW is trying to take more than ever from guests while giving less and less in return: why wouldn't it do the same to its employees?
 
NelsonRD

NelsonRD

Well-Known Member
I am sorry, this is a generational work ethic problem, with a decline in every industry, and Disney is not immune to the quality of the available work force. They should look at hiring retirees again instead of youth.
 
castlecake2.0

castlecake2.0

Well-Known Member
Rescue Ranger said:
As another visit comes to a close I'm left taken aback by the current standard and quality of the Cast Members Disney is hiring - what happened?

Don't get me wrong, there are still some AMAZING cast members here but they are few and far between. The younger CMs especially. Miserable. Absolutely no knowledge of the property. Characters. Parks. You name it. Overall friendliness just doesn't seem to be what it was.

If you work in WDW have no clue what a 'Figment' is or work next to Epcot yet have never seen the fireworks or work at Riviera but don't know there is a restaurant on the top floor or appraoch a cast member in full uniform about a wheelchair and they answer back "not now sorry, my shift is ending" and walks away - I've never seen such a lack of interest or poor attitude from Cast here.

Much like the attention to detail and upkeep of the resorts compared to years back, I always say to myself it's going to improve yet each time I visit it seems to deteriorate further. One step forward and 2+ steps back.

I still love it here however the lasting impression I'm left with is not what it used to be and another reason why we visit less.
Click to expand...
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