CMs - Why Do You Do What You Do?

Hoop Raeb

Hoop Raeb

Formerly known as...
Original Poster
After reading a thread about where do CMs go for vacation (to which the response is they don't have money for vaction), it got me thinking. CMs do really crummy stuff every day. They put up with rude guests, sort garbage, listen to the same song over and over again at rides, all with a smile. The parks (for the most part) are spotless and everyone seems happy.

So with that being said, why do you do what you do every day? :veryconfu I don't think it's pay judging from some of the comments here. Is it the benefits? The perks of getting into the park? The discounts on merchandise? You're love of helping people? The possibility of promotions? Is Disney brainwashing people? :lookaroun Or just the joy of working at the happiest place on earth?

So why do you do what you do? And how do you stay motivated? Or is there an incredible turn over ratio? :lol:

And no matter what the answer, I think we all say thank you for doing it, whatever the reason. :sohappy:
 
Captain Hank

Captain Hank

Well-Known Member
jvrabel said:
After reading a thread about where do CMs go for vacation (to which the response is they don't have money for vaction), it got me thinking. CMs do really crummy stuff every day. They put up with rude guests, sort garbage, listen to the same song over and over again at rides, all with a smile. The parks (for the most part) are spotless and everyone seems happy.

So with that being said, why do you do what you do every day? :veryconfu I don't think it's pay judging from some of the comments here. Is it the benefits? The perks of getting into the park? The discounts on merchandise? You're love of helping people? The possibility of promotions? Is Disney brainwashing people? :lookaroun Or just the joy of working at the happiest place on earth?

So why do you do what you do? And how do you stay motivated? Or is there an incredible turn over ratio? :lol:

And no matter what the answer, I think we all say thank you for doing it, whatever the reason. :sohappy:
Click to expand...
I love helping people. In particular, I have fond memories of going to WDW as a guest and I love being able to help make memories for guests that are as good or better. Sure, we have to deal with some truly awful people at times (many backstage conversations start with "I just had SUCH a GUEST!") but you get through it.

For every rough guest I've encountered, there are at least 10 really good guests that come along. And, every once in a while, you get a fantastic guest interaction that reminds you why you work at Disney. That's when you really know that you've made magic happen.

A lot of it is also the other Cast Members. I've made some fantastic friends over the years with other CMs--truly awesome people. I actually was just at a formal dinner event not too long ago, and eventually the topic of discussion turned to Disney (as many of my conversations are wont to do). It turned out that the person sitting next to me was a former CM from the early 90s, and we started trading "war" stories just like my grandfather's old Army buddies. It was great.

Or, maybe I've just drunk too much of the Kool-aid. :slurp:

But, seriously, thank you to all of the great guests out there, too. You all have no idea just how much a "thank you" or a brief, friendly conversation can brighten up a CM's day. You all are the reason we're here. :wave:
 
Kelsybelle

Kelsybelle

Active Member
Captain Hank said:
But, seriously, thank you to all of the great guests out there, too. You all have no idea just how much a "thank you" or a brief, friendly conversation can brighten up a CM's day. You all are the reason we're here. :wave:
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for posting that...it is so nice to know you feel that way because I'm sure it's so easy to get burned out.
I own and also work as a hair stylist in my hair salon and I know first hand what it's like to deal with the public...I love what I do and I love to make people feel good about themselves but it's not easy.
Thank you for all the hard work you do to make so many Disney dreams come true...:)
 
RiversideBunny

RiversideBunny

New Member
What approximately is the ratio between
  • CM's who are retirees who now work at WDW and
  • those who are in their teens or 20's who are working there while single and fancy free?
I think obviously most CM's don't work there for the money so much.
It seems that those two groups would constitute most of the CM's at WDW, i.e., those who are not trying to support a family themselves.

I'm speaking of the CM's that the guests see and not the upper managers.
Tks.

:)
 
Hoop Raeb

Hoop Raeb

Formerly known as...
Original Poster
Captain Hank said:
But, seriously, thank you to all of the great guests out there, too. You all have no idea just how much a "thank you" or a brief, friendly conversation can brighten up a CM's day. You all are the reason we're here. :wave:
Click to expand...

I think we had one of those friendly conversations once at the Behind the Seeds tour desk. :animwink:
 
wbt06

wbt06

Member
it can be hard some times but it can also be great. i usually have many more great guest experiences than bad. like another cm said i have been to disney many times when i was younger and the cm's where great and i wanted to give that back to other people. it is also nice that i can go to the parks after work and ust relax and not have to spend a penny lol
 
C

coasterphil

Well-Known Member
I'd guess that these are the most common reasons for frontline CMs.

CPs
-Grew up in love with Disney
-Want to get out of school and spend time in sunny Florida; they see this as basically a vacation
-Want Disney on their resume


Retirees
-Are bored with retired life and want to interact with people
-Benefits for children/grandchildren
-Money ran out


Everyone in between (which basically means anyone outside the age range of college or retired)
-Brainwashed by Disney
-Basically got stuck because the pay and benefits aren't going to be much better if you leave for an entry level job somewhere else after spending a few years at Disney
 
kcw

kcw

Member
jvrabel said:
So why do you do what you do? And how do you stay motivated?
Click to expand...

Go into the Picture of the Day and the Character Picture of the Day threads, and look at the pictures of little kids meeting the characters. Those faces right there are the motivation, and the exact reason why I work there. On top of that, I go to work everyday and just play. I get paid to play. How many people can say that???

I still remember the exact moment (how old I was, where I was sitting, what I was watching) when I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to work here- it's a childhood dream and I just got really really really lucky to be able to fulfill it.
 
Hoop Raeb

Hoop Raeb

Formerly known as...
Original Poster
coasterphil said:
I'd guess that these are the most common reasons for frontline CMs.

CPs
-Grew up in love with Disney
-Want to get out of school and spend time in sunny Florida; they see this as basically a vacation
-Want Disney on their resume


Retirees
-Are bored with retired life and want to interact with people
-Benefits for children/grandchildren
-Money ran out


Everyone in between (which basically means anyone outside the age range of college or retired)
-Brainwashed by Disney
-Basically got stuck because the pay and benefits aren't going to be much better if you leave for an entry level job somewhere else after spending a few years at Disney
Click to expand...

Phil sure does get to the core of the apple! :ROFLOL:
 
Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
I'm with KCW, watching a child's face light up when talking to a character (if the freaking mom would get out of the way) is the magic that makes the day.

For me, I was going to WDW 6 times a year. My income where I was living was dwindling. And while Disney doesn't provide a lot of money, it is a regular paycheck with benefits and retirement options. So, with about 20 years left in the workplace, I switch from self employment to slave labor.

For me, being at WDW isn't about rides and wasn't about characters. It was about being transported to another place and time. Also, I am fascinated by what happens behind the scenes at anything. When I go to concerts, I want to be a roadie. When I am at a play, I want to be behind the curtain. So working at WDW and being backstage and seeing the workings entertains me.

However, as wonderful as WDW is, The Disney Company is a GIGANTIC corporation. And with the checks and balances that you need for a giant corporation come idiotic policies. And sometimes those get you down; not to mention people who have "issues" with their self esteem and are in charge and feeling the need to exert authority just because they can. Or people, that are out to get you, using rules to their own advantage to get you sacked.

You see, working for the Disney Company is all about the game/show. And you have to play the game. So that is the crap that you work with.

And while it is nice to hear thank you, you are wonderful, or receive those nice cards from guests, it doesn't help counter any corporation crap you get.

So my advice to anyone here who found a cast member going above and beyond is to write and actual letter to WDW mentioning their name and the situation. A thank you is nice, a business card "thanks" is really nice, a Great Service Fanatic card does go on your record, but no one knows you got it. A letter goes to top management. That management makes a copy of the letter and sends it to the area manager along with a special pin. The area manager gives it to a manager and they make a big deal at a department meeting so that everyone, cast members, managers and area managers know that you received recognition.

This is my opinion and it is a little jaded from watching some of my work friends get shafted lately.
 
J

Jane1

New Member
wow, that start of the thread lol made me laugh when i remember doing those things lol. why do we do what we do?

well, we come into the parks everyday, wearing the weirdest lookin costumes all day lol mayb have a few personal problems, having a bad day, but we have to hide all that, and when some little kid comes up to you or an adult that's having a great day, their energy tranfers to u, and that keeps you going.

When i did magical moments, like gettin a kid to start illuminations in epcot, i saw their happy face, the little kid gettin all excited and when that first firework flies across the sky, the think and believe, that yes, i started the fireworks for everyone :) and their parents are with them, and that, their expressions and their gratitude after it, is what makes ur work as a cast member feel worth while :)

that's just one input from my time as cast member :)
 
Gorjus

Gorjus

Well-Known Member
To answer Riverside Bunny:

You are able to accuse someone of harrassment. You can come up with a vague reference. The person can be given a reprimand and not given details as to what exactly happened because that would give away your identity and put you in danger. A few months later when they check on you, you can say it still happens...reprimand #2. A few months later...still happening...reprimand #3...the person is terminated. No real investigation.

If you want to advance in the company, managers will call a lot of your previous managers to get input. Even if everyone says you are wonderful, if one person has a bug up their butt and says they have "reservations" about you, you don't move up.

At the end of the year, when it comes time for evaluations, it is a round the table thing with managers. If one person has issues with you, you don't get a good raise.

You accidently forgot something. A simple mistake that should simply take a "please don't do it again." discussion. Some ego challenged person decides to give you a double reprimand about it.

If they want to get you, the proceedures are in place to be able to do it.

The proceedures are in place to prevent inadequate people from advancing or remaining. However, they can get abused by people who are so insecure that they feel the need to step on other people in order to lift themselves up in the world.
 
Chezman1399

Chezman1399

Active Member
It's a little different for me because I'm seasonal. I usually go to Disney World to work when I take vacation from my regular job. I just love DIsney and making people smile!
 
J

Jane1

New Member
and for those who don't know - termination is getting fired, my friends had no clue as to what i was saying when i said someone was termed for doin something lol

and i enjoyed getting to play in the parks when i was not working for free, and being able to bring my friends and family in for free when they visited from home.

i also enjoyed meeting guests from all over the world and teaching them about my culture

and the big one - i loved the hot weather, now i'm back to cold weather lol :(

wat else, discounts and at christmas u got a holiday celebration booklet filled with money off vouchers - 75% of a disney hotel, 50% of disney restaurant meals etc. and then at christmas everyone got a gift, last december we got snow white 75th anniversary trinket box, it's gorgeous. still got mine :) got an extra one for my boyfriend lol
 

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