Cast Member Standards

[TrainsOfDisney]

I’m here now and not noticing any major issues with CM standards…. Food service seems to be suffering the most - probably lots of turnover there.

Haven’t been keeping track of your welcomes but I haven’t had any replies that seemed rude either way haha

 

[jloucks]

Correct. But the reality of keeping a place like Walt Disney World adequately staffed has caused some of that accountability to be… less consistent.

Well, I mean, you could pay more... but letting standards slip is more certainly more affordable.

 

[jloucks]

"You're welcome" can have multiple meanings based on inflection and tone. English (unlike Chinese) is not super tone sensative.

 

[jloucks]

I've always seen "you're welcome" in response to my "thank you" as an expression of gratitude and a coda to the interaction. A formality that defined a transaction of either cash or service which was the convention and understood by both parties

Exactly. It is the proper response to "Thank You". I don't say it otherwise. Completely unsolicited it is flat-out rude, imo.

 

[mkt]

Well, I mean, you could pay more... but letting standards slip is more certainly more affordable.

Well, yeah.

However, we're at a point now that even at a higher wage, there aren't enough bodies who want to deal with the theme parks to get them up to adequate staffing levels.

 

[jloucks]

Well, yeah.

However, we're at a point now that even at a higher wage, there aren't enough bodies who want to deal with the theme parks to get them up to adequate staffing levels.

I am a bit ignorant as I have never worked a theme park, but it has to be better than most retail and fast food no?

I would rather sweep vomit off WDW concrete all day than work at Taco Bell. ...which you could argue is sorta the same thing.

 

[Raineman]

Have we run out of stuff to argue about now that we've resorted to this

Absolutely. THANK YOU for saying that.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

So I did notice a younger CM when I said “thank you” she just went “uh-huh have a good day” - that was the first reply that seemed dismissive to me. Nothing major but since it’s been brought up!

Only real negative I’ve seen so far is some older CM barking orders about stroller parking by the carousel - I don’t think that’s anything new though haha.

 

[mkt]

I am a bit ignorant as I have never worked a theme park, but it has to be better than most retail and fast food no?

I would rather sweep vomit off WDW concrete all day than work at Taco Bell. ...which you could argue is sorta the same thing.

It’s definitely more prestigious on a résumé, but working at the theme parks comes with generally longer commutes, potentially more onerous pre-shift requirements, and the responsibility of upholding higher standards. At the same time, one now has to deal with entitled guests who often treat employees worse than in a fast food setting, all while earning about the same.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

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?

I just spent several days at WDW and didn’t notice this at all, and some forum members have accused me of being overly negative! Haha.

I did ask a pretty simple and direct question to a Main Street CM about the horse trolley and he made no effort to find out the information or guide me to someone who would know, but rather just said “yeah it will probably be out sometime, I’m not sure when”

He was nice though.

Now the CM’s at AKL checked the schedule and radioed to see which animals were out on the various Savannah’s so I didn’t miss any! And that was without me asking.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

At the same time, one now has to deal with entitled guests who often treat employees worse than in a fast food setting

i wouldn’t say this is completely accurate- most people visiting Disney are happy to be there and in a great mood. At fast food and restaurants you can get lots of grumpy people.

 

[mkt]

i wouldn’t say this is completely accurate- most people visiting Disney are happy to be there and in a great mood. At fast food and restaurants you can get lots of grumpy people.

The standards a fast food establishment is held to are far FAR lower than that Disney is held to.

As such, the guest reactions when something goes wrong - usually beyond the CM's control - are multiplied by the expectation sets by Disney's marketing

Also, I've experienced this myself more times than I care to count.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Also, I've experienced this myself more times than I care to count.

As a cm? Or a fast food worker?

 

[mkt]

As a cm? Or a fast food worker?

Both.
And also working in foods as a CM.

I'm old.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

You have more direct experience than me then - I’ve worked for tourist attractions front line (tickets, tour guide, merchandise, and some food and beverage) - and I’ve worked at theme parks behind the scenes.

i do think that food & beverage is the worst though… both in the parks and in everyday life. It’s also where it seems Disney is highly understaffed right now, either on purpose for budget, or it’s the hardest to staff.

Since other positions like attractions seem staffed as usual, I’m guessing it’s not enough workers willing to work in F&B for that amount of money. Like it or not, fast food workers are going to need to be paid more if we want to have quality and efficient service.

 

[JoeCamel]

You have more direct experience than me then - I’ve worked for tourist attractions front line (tickets, tour guide, merchandise, and some food and beverage) - and I’ve worked at theme parks behind the scenes.

i do think that food & beverage is the worst though… both in the parks and in everyday life. It’s also where it seems Disney is highly understaffed right now, either on purpose for budget, or it’s the hardest to staff.

Since other positions like attractions seem staffed as usual, I’m guessing it’s not enough workers willing to work in F&B for that amount of money. Like it or not, fast food workers are going to need to be paid more if we want to have quality and efficient service.

Traditionally hasn't F&B been staffed heavily with CP people? Could be less pool to draw from so it is hit the hardest

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Traditionally hasn't F&B been staffed heavily with CP people? Could be less pool to draw from so it is hit the hardest

I think the CP program is mostly back - that’s probably what’s keeping F&B going as good as it is.

 

[MAGICFLOP]

This is a two way street, the degrade in CM quality is matched by the degrade in patron quality. Its a societal issue, if you allow people to get hammered in EPCOT and create havoc, then why does is matter if you have great CM's that are well versed in the Disney traditions. Society is no longer about families, so it should be no surprise, Disney is no longer about families in Movies nor Parks.

 

[Chi84]

This is a two way street, the degrade in CM quality is matched by the degrade in patron quality. Its a societal issue, if you allow people to get hammered in EPCOT and create havoc, then why does is matter if you have great CM's that are well versed in the Disney traditions. Society is no longer about families, so it should be no surprise, Disney is no longer about families in Movies nor Parks.

You think society is no longer about families?

 

[bjlc57]

when we went 2 and a half years ago.. right after covid, the quality was extremely poor.. this last trip( got back about a month ago) i have seen the quality really come up.. especially on the sky liner.. a lot better then the last trip where they were lucky to staff the parks..