Ever Play CM?

[westie]

Have you ever stopped and helped someone out at Disney who was obviously having problems? This happens to me a lot and, I kinda fell like an honorary CM. Standing in line for an ATM in the MK there was a British family in front of me about to beat the machine to death. Having used the machine before and, having already threatened the ATM I took it upon myself to help these folks out. "Swipe it slow, remember its American!" You would have thought I was Robin Williams. These folks turned, then fell all over laughing. It worked and everytime we saw them they thanked me again. I also caught an elderly woman from taking a tumble down the escalator to the PM. Actually she fell on me so I had little choice! She was screaming in Spanish and luckily I could tell her, "No problemo Senorita." So, I'm just wondering if I'm an isolated do-gooder?

 

[gobuckeye@wdw]

Have you ever stopped and helped someone out at Disney who was obviously having problems? This happens to me a lot and, I kinda fell like an honorary CM. Standing in line for an ATM in the MK there was a British family in front of me about to beat the machine to death. Having used the machine before and, having already threatened the ATM I took it upon myself to help these folks out. "Swipe it slow, remember its American!" You would have thought I was Robin Williams. These folks turned, then fell all over laughing. It worked and everytime we saw them they thanked me again. I also caught an elderly woman from taking a tumble down the escalator to the PM. Actually she fell on me so I had little choice! She was screaming in Spanish and luckily I could tell her, "No problemo Senorita." So, I'm just wondering if I'm an isolated do-gooder?

WOW!!!!! You saved a women from falling? I'm not even sure a CM would do that!! Thank God for people like you who actually care about other people!!!!

Have a Happy Holiday and God Bless!!!!!

 

[DDuckFan130]

I have tried to help people from time to time, as long as I know what I'm doing :lol:. My last vacation, a boy of about 8 was with his mom in the same training room for M:S as us. The little boy looked a little freaked out, and the mom kept saying "we'll have to find a way out of here." Since she was right next to me, I let her know that she can tell the CM on our way to our assigned spaces that her son was backing out of the ride. The mom asked me how the ride was, and I was very honest. I didn't see any sense in lying to the kid and telling him the ride was nothing, and then have it turn out to be a tearjerker for him. These other girls in the training room heard me talking and wanted me to describe the sensation, and told them how it was from my perspective and how other family members have handled it as opposed to myself.

I've given directions to bathrooms, described attractions, and so forth. I don't really feel like a CM. I feel just like another guest who has had the privilege of going to WDW as many times as I have, and being able to share my experiences with first-timers .

 

[barnum42]

I've found that if you look like you know where you are going, people will ask you for assistance / directions. I also get asked a lot to take other people's photos.

 

[PurpleDragon]

I've found myself giving people directions to bathrooms, various attractions, and restaurants. I have given out park hours, and recommended the best times to visit certain areas and rides. I am always glad to help someone while they are in WDW, that way I can help them enjoy their visit to the fullest capacity.:sohappy:

I agree with DDuckFan130, I don't necessarily feel like a CM as much as a priveliged park guest who has the benifit of years of experience on my side.

 

[imagineersrock]

I have tried to help people from time to time, as long as I know what I'm doing :lol:. My last vacation, a boy of about 8 was with his mom in the same training room for M:S as us. The little boy looked a little freaked out, and the mom kept saying "we'll have to find a way out of here." Since she was right next to me, I let her know that she can tell the CM on our way to our assigned spaces that her son was backing out of the ride. The mom asked me how the ride was, and I was very honest. I didn't see any sense in lying to the kid and telling him the ride was nothing, and then have it turn out to be a tearjerker for him. These other girls in the training room heard me talking and wanted me to describe the sensation, and told them how it was from my perspective and how other family members have handled it as opposed to myself.

I've given directions to bathrooms, described attractions, and so forth. I don't really feel like a CM. I feel just like another guest who has had the privilege of going to WDW as many times as I have, and being able to share my experiences with first-timers .

um... what she said! lol. :animwink: I do admit it is fun to play CM from time to time.

 

[Not For Sale]

I've explained Tower of Terror to someone the first and second time I went on it.

I've also helped a guy on Mission Space who didn't speak english very well. I explained to him his job numerous times. It was a fun experiece when he didnt know what to do when his job came up inside the capsule.

 

[DCA Fan]

I help where I can, giving directions, entertaining people in line, etc. It's a great experience, helping people in a place you enjoy

 

[BriJul]

I help where I can, giving directions, entertaining people in line, etc.

Oohhhh....you're one of THOSE people. JK.....couldn't help it.

 

[brkgnews]

I always try to help out where I can. I've helped out horribly confused folks in bus lines, helped people find exits, and shared general trivia with people to help pass the time before fireworks and shows. But the day I was probably most like a CM was the day that I had just finished up the Backstage Magic Tour. I wore a nice WDW polo (remember the four-icon polos they had last spring -- castle, Spaceship Earth, monorail, sorcerer hat, tree of life, giraffe) since I didn't want to look like a slob backstage. I had priority seatings for dinner at EPCOT that night, but I could barely make it through the park without people asking me questions! I helped out those I could -- and I'm not sure that a lot of them ever knew I was not a CM. Of course, I didn't suggest that they go climb Spaceship Earth or anything, but I enjoyed helping out with their vacation experience.

 

[Dean[AU]]

I tried to help out in Paris this week, with my neat jacket that looks very CMish. Anyway I helped some amercians find *Shock*Horror!* It's a small world, but really couldnt help anyone else due to the language barrier.

 

[Pippa]

Yes, Glen and I played CMs at Splash Mountain once. A mum & dad were behind us in the queue and their two youngsters really did not want to go on it (screaming& crying). So during the ride we sat at the front and were talking to the kids the whole time and were singing the songs and making jokes. By the time we got off the ride the kids were declaring it their best ride ever!!!
But they were also convinced that Glen was Shrek! :lol:

 

[barnum42]

But they were also convinced that Glen was Shrek! :lol:

Photo evidence of that one please But only after you get 'round to posting the Hot Box shot (and you thought I'd forgotten) :lol:

 

[Figment1986]

oh.... I have helped people find the restroom... resisting the urge to have hem do the cross park run to get to it.....

I helped people find ways around crowd problems.... and helped people find their attraction they loved the most.... and offered replacements if it was down....

All while wearing normal clothing and a lettermen jacket.....

 

[NemoRocks78]

I have, for some reason, been mistaken as a CM many times. People have asked me all kinds of questions, from what time is the FP return time (I've been asked that when standing behind FP machines) to where the best spot to view Illuminations is.

 

[monorail_man]

Well. I haven't exclty done anyting like that. But I have gone to WDW dressed on white button shirt and white "work" pants and had my dads name tag in my pocket. then once in a while I would put it on and peopel would come up and ask me for help.

I had the tag to see what would happen or if I could get "backstage" (didnt have the guts to try it though).

 

[Laura]

I've found that if you look like you know where you are going, people will ask you for assistance / directions. I also get asked a lot to take other people's photos.

I have that same kind of experience. People constantly stop me to ask questions about Disney while I'm there - I guess I look like I know the place LOL.

 

[Merlin]

I've shared this story before, but it bears repeating. To me, this says something about the difference between Disney and other theme parks...

Whenever my wife and I travel, we wear a line of clothing that is specifically designed for hiking and being physically active. So for years now, we've always worn it whenever we go to WDW. This line of clothing also has sort of a "safari" look to it. On one trip, we were at Animal Kingdom and guests were CONSTANTLY coming up to me asking me questions. It was fun! Whenever CMs would see us, they would make comments like, "You folks sure got into the spirit of things!", making it even MORE fun.

That same trip, we went to Busch Gardens in Tampa and we were wearing the same clothing. We couldn't believe how different the reaction was. It was like night and day. Instead of the positive reactions we had gotten at Animal Kingdom, all day long people were looking at us like, "What weirdos! Do they think they're actually on a REAL SAFARI or something??". This was coming from both the guests as well as the employees. To me, this said something about not only the attitudes of the people who work there, but also a little bit about the clientele that park attracts as opposed to Disney.

 

[Figment1986]

Just remember.. BGT has those problems still... oh and u should see the reactions when i go on my monthly trip to BGT... He is back......

Disney has all the good families... BGT hasn't got that yet.... mostly locals and foreigners....

 

[Indy95]

Seems like the only way that I help out like a CM would be directing people to places that they are fiddling over the park map for. "Mission: Space is right over there, sir!" (Remember to use two fingers!)