Just A Little Discouraged

[elizs77]

Exactly. Sometimes you get a kid throwing a tantrum because they want ice cream or a souvenir or something, but it really wasn't that common in my experience. 99% of the time when we had a "height situation" where we had to call a manager in to deal with a complaint about enforcing the height restriction, the kid who was too short had already moved on and was ready to go do something else instead. It was the parents who were all bent out of shape. The kid couldn't have cared less. However, they had to stand there watching Mommy or Daddy yell at the CM and wait several minutes for the message to be relayed to a manager, for them to make their way out to the front of the attraction, and then go through the EXACT SAME explanation the CM just did. Plus the poor kid had to be measured another dozen times, just in case the kid had grown an inch in the meanwhile. This was my biggest pet peeve as a CM. We'd literally spend hours discussing it at our late night dinners after work. None of us understand the rationale behind wanting to endanger your kid just to ride a ride.

First of all, most CMs are saints. Thank you for helping make the experience for my family truly magical.

On our last trip, our son was about 41 inches tall, which meant we took him on almost every 40 inch ride possible. And of course, he would get measured every single time. I will admit, this would get sooooo old. But, you suck it up like adults and move on. But there were sometimes when it got a bit much.

We were there in September 2006, and it was deserted. On more than one occasion, we would go to get on a ride, and our son was measured. We would then immediately exit in the view of the measuring CM, and we would get measured again. It was usually the same one who did the initial measuring, too, but I understand there's so many kids/people, they aren't keeping up with me. But I digress. After one such ride exit, we went straight to the line again. The CM (same one as before) saw us coming out of the exit, and we were still stopped for measuring. Well, okay. But then he started getting very technical and getting down to eye level with our son to check his height, then he called over what I assume was his supervisor to check it. The supervisor immediatly was like, oh, he's fine, go ahead. I really had to bite my tounge. Maybe the CM had gotten busted on letting someone too short on, I don't know. It was the sudden overkill that got to me.

Also, on Star Tours, he was measured three times by three different CMs before we rode. The last time, a CM pulled him off the ride before the doors shut to measure him yet again.

Every time, I was nice, and I want my kid to be safe. But, like I said, he was 41 inches, he wouldn't even fit under the 40" measurer. But I guess I can see where some less patient people wouldn't hold their tounge. I'm not saying at all that this excuses their behavior. They need to be more tactiful. I can just see how people can get upset sometimes. I just always keep in mind that the CMs are just doing their jobs, and they want to keep their jobs and keep my babies safe! :wave: But I may still politely question why something is done, and this shouldn't feel like I'm challenging one's authority.

I don't know why Disney doesn't adopt the height policy that other parks, like Cedar Fair owned parks, have. Whenever we go to Carowinds in Charlotte, we can go to a central place and have our child measured. He then gets a band that corresponds to the rides he can go on. This avoids measuring at each and every ride. They just check the band. They still have the measurers at the rides just in case, but it totally speeds up the process, and I think it would help with the irate parent thing if they knew in advance.

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

I blame this all on the "self-esteem" movement of the late 70's and early 80's. We taught a whole generation that they were, each, individually, the most wonderful, precious, fantastical creation ever just by the fact that they exist. We did away with the concept of self-esteem being something you earn by setting goals and reaching them. Give grades? No way! You might damage the child's fragile little ego!!! Competition? Oh, never! We can't have anyone actually losing...how could they ever live with themselves.

So, now we have a generation of adults who believe that they are better than everyone else. I see it everywhere. The woman at WalMart who cut to the front of the return line because she only had one item...and why should she stand behind everyone else if SHE only had one? The guy in the yellow truck yesterday who passed me on the right at a stop sign. There was no where for him to go because there was a line of cars in front of him, but hey he was at least in front of ME. The woman at the grocery store who came barrelling around a corner with her mob of children all over the place who shot me a nasty look because I was looking at spices. I mean, how dare I??? Didn't I know how IMPORTANT she is???? I should have just circled the aisle so her little darlings didn't have to move to the right to walk around me.

I see it daily everywhere I go.

My kids are being raised in a religious home. They are looked down on for not having a big home, ostentatious vehicles, all the latest technology. They understand that our values are not the same as those of most of the people we are around every day. Does that mean we'd never pull a groaner, no. But, if we do something stupid, it's just that...we weren't thinking. There's a difference between that and purposefully acting in a rude and disrespectful manner just because doing so strokes your ego.

I commend you. :sohappy::sohappy::sohappy:

 

[the-reason14]

Wow - what about the belligerent CM? On a recent trip, we rode Dinosaur at AK. The park was going to close in about 45 mins and it was raining - so there was NO LINE at all. When we finished the ride - we noticed there was no one standing there - so the people in our car (on our left side - so we couldn't get out) with us (didn't know them) asked the CM if we could ride again. The CM simply said no and because I had read on this website that CM's have let folks re-ride when there wasn't a queue I asked "Aww, why not?" The CM mumbled something about the pictures. So we all go through the line again and the people who were in the car with us decided to open the door where the movie plays and keep walking down to the ride area. So we followed. A CM comes out and asks if we watched the movie. They told her yes and she said ok. She asked my group and we said yes - because we had watched the movie (earlier) and the reason the CM gave us was pictures - not movie. We proceed down and we are just about to board (the CM's were telling us which cars to get in) when the CM in the boarding area who gave the picture reason-gets a phone call and then starts shouting at the folks in front of me. "DID YOU WATCH THE MOVIE? DON"T LIE! TELL THE TRUTH! IT"s BEST TO TELL THE TRUTH! DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT WATCH THE MOVIE?" He didn't even give them a chance to speak as he said (yelled) that at them. When he finally stopped interrogating them - they told the truth as he demanded and said no they didn't watch the movie. He then said - then you have to go back up those stairs RIGHT NOW and watch the movie or you can't ride. (I thought he would admonish them for not watching the movie and then let them on the ride/ turn around and ask my group the same - because I didn't think he could be seriously yelling at them) I became offended because he wasn't asking - he was telling us to do as he said. I wasn't going to do anything that guy said so I politely asked him how I could exit the ride.
That was a mean CM. No customer/guest should be yelled at - we were not rude to anyone.
I know that people on this board are going to try to rip me a new one - but before you do -
1. We just wanted to re-ride the ride. Why couldn't he have let us stay in the car when we first asked? (Oh, so Disney could try to get us to buy the picture)
2. It may be smart a** - but when the 1st CM asked we didn't lie - we had seen the movie. She should have said - did you leave before the movie ended?
3. That CM had no right to yell, or even speak to us in the tone he did. We had ridden once, and knew the safety rules. We didn't cut anyone we just wanted to hurry up and re-enjoy the ride.


Only my second trip to the World - lesson learned. Won't try that stunt again - but didn't feel as if we should have been YELLED at. I would have felt better about the situation had the CM said - "You guys left the room early - I can't let you ride unless you watch the movie. You can go back that way or you can exit the ride. "

Wow, thats alittle much. I know CMs are human and stuff but man. I honestly can never recall a extremely bad encounter with a CM. And out of all the people I come into contact with at WDW, CMs are the ones I will never tolerate any kind of attitude from. For one, Im paying their salary, they may be able to go off on certain guests without them getting offensive, but if they try to go off on me then Ill shut that ride down. Im not going to go out and be rude or anything, but if the CM is having a bad day or some kind of personal problem thats understandable, just take it out on the guest behind or infront of me if they need to take it out on a guest, or maybe they shoudlnt have gone into work today or ask for a few minutes to get it together. Just dont cross that line with me, and I wont with you.

 

[Elonwy]

I just recalled another "memorable" experience with a cast member. I was walking around MK and passed the Swiss Family Robinson Tree house. There was a CM out side next to the line and I could see him from a ways back. He had his hands folded in front of him and appeared to be swaying.

I thought he was moving in time to the music but as I got closer I realized he looked really pale. He swayed forward and I realized at the last second that he was actually fainting and I caught him before he hit the ground face first

I laid him down gently, put my jacket under his head and told my friend to grab another cast member. There was a custodian nearby who radiod for help. By the time help arrived the CM had woken up and I gave him some water. The custodian kept the onlookers at bay while the manager and I helped the CM up and I led him toward the backstage area then let him go with his manager.

I asked the custodian if he knew the CM and he siad he just knew his name because it was a "new guy". I asked if I could wait a few minutes and see if he was OK but the custodian asked where I was staying (All-Star Music) and said he would leave me a message in my room and let me know but he was sure everything would be fine.

(yes I realize this story is long but wait for the grand finale...)

When I got back to my room that evening there was a note from the manager saying the CM was OK. That he was not used to the heat outside and didn't have any water with him to drink and that his manager would make sure he spent more time in the shade or inside and had plenty to drink so he wouldn't get overheated again.

AND...there was a note from the CM thanking me for my "Great catch" and that he spoke to Mickey who wanted to extend his thanks as well.

AND...there was a plush Mickey doll and Pluto doll and a basket of treats including a souvenir mug, some candy, an autograph book and pen and an autographed picture of Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy and Donald in front of the castle!

I now spend my time at Disney searching for cast members to catch :ROFLOL:

 

[cynicall]

For one, Im paying their salary,.

Nope. Disney is.

 

[unkadug]

Wow, thats alittle much. I know CMs are human and stuff but man. I honestly can never recall a extremely bad encounter with a CM. And out of all the people I come into contact with at WDW, CMs are the ones I will never tolerate any kind of attitude from. For one, Im paying their salary, they may be able to go off on certain guests without them getting offensive, but if they try to go off on me then Ill shut that ride down. Im not going to go out and be rude or anything, but if the CM is having a bad day or some kind of personal problem thats understandable, just take it out on the guest behind or infront of me if they need to take it out on a guest, or maybe they shoudlnt have gone into work today or ask for a few minutes to get it together. Just dont cross that line with me, and I wont with you.

and be escorted out of the park.

 

[DisneyAnole]

For one, Im paying their salary, they may be able to go off on certain guests without them getting offensive, but if they try to go off on me then Ill shut that ride down.

Then maybe you should pay them more. Ever heard the expression, 'You get what you pay for?'

No offense, but you sound about as belligerent as the CM in the Dinosaur story.

 

[the-reason14]

and be escorted out of the park.

Um nope. You may not understand that expression. But its cool, Id still be there.

Quote cynicall: Nope. Disney is.

Well, Im paying to be there, they are getting paid to be there.

Quote DisneyAnole: Then maybe you should pay them more. Ever heard the expression, 'You get what you pay for?'

No offense, but you sound about as belligerent as the CM in the Dinosaur story.

And thats cool, doesnt bother me. Have a cm negatively cross me and Ill be as belligerent as I want.

 

[DisneyAnole]

Um nope. You may not understand that expression. But its cool, Id still be there.

Quote cynicall: Nope. Disney is.

Well, Im paying to be there, they are getting paid to be there.

Quote DisneyAnole: Then maybe you should pay them more. Ever heard the expression, 'You get what you pay for?'

No offense, but you sound about as belligerent as the CM in the Dinosaur story.

And thats cool, doesnt bother me. Have a cm negatively cross me and Ill be as belligerent as I want.

I bet you have lots of CMs telling you to have a magical day! :animwink:

 

[yankspy]

Um nope. You may not understand that expression. But its cool, Id still be there.

Quote cynicall: Nope. Disney is.

Well, Im paying to be there, they are getting paid to be there.

Quote DisneyAnole: Then maybe you should pay them more. Ever heard the expression, 'You get what you pay for?'

No offense, but you sound about as belligerent as the CM in the Dinosaur story.

And thats cool, doesnt bother me. Have a cm negatively cross me and Ill be as belligerent as I want.

I am not trying to pick on you but I am wondering exactly what problem that would solve.

 

[the-reason14]

I bet you have lots of CMs telling you to have a magical day! :animwink:

Yea, its funny, but I do get it alot. After I cussed out this one cm for telling me I couldnt use my fastpass yet, and after I popped this one cm on his head for telling me I couldnt sit on the hand rails.

nah, jk.


No, not really. Im never rude to any cms and I dont expect to have any rudeness shown back to me. I dont know about any of you but if someone, cms included, are yelling or being rude to me I dont just walk away. I give back whats being given to me.

 

[the-reason14]

[/B]
I am not trying to pick on you but I am wondering exactly what problem that would solve.

What do you mean? What would it solve to ignore it. Yea, it would be best to report him or her, because if a cm isnt doing their job and are basically going off on guests for no reason, then they need to be talked with by management. After a few words with them myself, I would report them.

 

[Elonwy]

Have you had many CM's be rude to you? I just wondered if this happens often because I honestly have never had a problem with a CM and that's from 14 trips from 1977 to 2007

I know, though, that many people on this board have gone WAY more times than I have. Maybe I've just been lucky?

 

[the-reason14]

Have you had many CM's be rude to you? I just wondered if this happens often because I honestly have never had a problem with a CM and that's from 14 trips from 1977 to 2007

I know, though, that many people on this board have gone WAY more times than I have. Maybe I've just been lucky?

Oh no, Ive never had any bad encounters with a CM, not that I can recall. Ive seen some that werent as "magical" as some others, but thats ok and expected. And this is from somoene who has gone multiple times for the past 3 or 4 yrs, and been every year before that since 1990.

Im just saying from some of the stories Ive read, I would never take any kind of person, let alone a cm(a person paid and trained to be helpful and courteous) talking down or rude to me, without me giving some of it back. Some people may get yelled at by a cm and keep walking saying its a beautiful day and all, and thats fine for them. But thats not what I would do, Ill be courteous to you and I expect the same, but be rude to me, and you expect the same. You handle yours your way, and Ill handle mines my way.

 

[yankspy]

What do you mean? What would it solve to ignore it. Yea, it would be best to report him or her, because if a cm isnt doing their job and are basically going off on guests for no reason, then they need to be talked with by management. After a few words with them myself, I would report them.

I think it would solve you from getting even more agitated. I do not know how your temperment is, but I tend to have a bit of a temper and so I try to stay calm in those situations. I would probably just report the guy if he was being that rude to me.

 

[Elonwy]

Oh no, Ive never had any bad encounters with a CM, not that I can recall. Ive seen some that werent as "magical" as some others, but thats ok and expected. And this is from somoene who has gone multiple times for the past 3 or 4 yrs, and been every year before that since 1990.

Im just saying from some of the stories Ive read, I would never take any kind of person, let alone a cm(a person paid and trained to be helpful and courteous) talking down or rude to me, without me giving some of it back. Some people may get yelled at by a cm and keep walking saying its a beautiful day and all, and thats fine for them. But thats not what I would do, Ill be courteous to you and I expect the same, but be rude to me, and you expect the same. You handle yours your way, and Ill handle mines my way.

Yeah, I'm a firm believer you get back what you put out so I usually have a great experiece at Disney 'cause I'm so gosh darn happy to be there

 

[the-reason14]

I think it would solve you from getting even more agitated. I do not know how your temperment is, but I tend to have a bit of a temper and so I try to stay calm in those situations. I would probably just report the guy if he was being that rude to me.

Yea, it may. Thankfully thoguh none of this has happened.

 

[tigfan]

Wow - what about the belligerent CM? On a recent trip, we rode Dinosaur at AK. The park was going to close in about 45 mins and it was raining - so there was NO LINE at all. When we finished the ride - we noticed there was no one standing there - so the people in our car (on our left side - so we couldn't get out) with us (didn't know them) asked the CM if we could ride again. The CM simply said no and because I had read on this website that CM's have let folks re-ride when there wasn't a queue I asked "Aww, why not?" The CM mumbled something about the pictures. So we all go through the line again and the people who were in the car with us decided to open the door where the movie plays and keep walking down to the ride area. So we followed. A CM comes out and asks if we watched the movie. They told her yes and she said ok. She asked my group and we said yes - because we had watched the movie (earlier) and the reason the CM gave us was pictures - not movie. We proceed down and we are just about to board (the CM's were telling us which cars to get in) when the CM in the boarding area who gave the picture reason-gets a phone call and then starts shouting at the folks in front of me. "DID YOU WATCH THE MOVIE? DON"T LIE! TELL THE TRUTH! IT"s BEST TO TELL THE TRUTH! DID YOU OR DID YOU NOT WATCH THE MOVIE?" He didn't even give them a chance to speak as he said (yelled) that at them. When he finally stopped interrogating them - they told the truth as he demanded and said no they didn't watch the movie. He then said - then you have to go back up those stairs RIGHT NOW and watch the movie or you can't ride. (I thought he would admonish them for not watching the movie and then let them on the ride/ turn around and ask my group the same - because I didn't think he could be seriously yelling at them) I became offended because he wasn't asking - he was telling us to do as he said. I wasn't going to do anything that guy said so I politely asked him how I could exit the ride.
That was a mean CM. No customer/guest should be yelled at - we were not rude to anyone.
I know that people on this board are going to try to rip me a new one - but before you do -
1. We just wanted to re-ride the ride. Why couldn't he have let us stay in the car when we first asked? (Oh, so Disney could try to get us to buy the picture)
2. It may be smart a** - but when the 1st CM asked we didn't lie - we had seen the movie. She should have said - did you leave before the movie ended?
3. That CM had no right to yell, or even speak to us in the tone he did. We had ridden once, and knew the safety rules. We didn't cut anyone we just wanted to hurry up and re-enjoy the ride.


Only my second trip to the World - lesson learned. Won't try that stunt again - but didn't feel as if we should have been YELLED at. I would have felt better about the situation had the CM said - "You guys left the room early - I can't let you ride unless you watch the movie. You can go back that way or you can exit the ride. "

I've encountered a few CMs that were extreme like this too. In my case, it wasn't even for skipping a pre-show movie, but for things even more benign such as simply asking if I can sit in the front seat on a ride.

 

[Elonwy]

I've encountered a few CMs that were extreme like this too. In my case, it wasn't even for skipping a pre-show movie, but for things even more benign such as simply asking if I can sit in the front seat on a ride.

Whoa...I often ask for a front seat on a ride especially if I'm travelling with a Disney Newbie. I just want them to have the "best" experience possible.

I don't mind waiting a bit and have them fill in the ride and ask me to wait until the next car/boat comes or anything but (ANY CM'S PLEASE FEEL FREE TO RESPOND) I didn't think about it being a pain for the CM's

Is this a Disney no-no? I've asked for the front seat on POTC, RnR and ToT (sometimes I ask for the "jump seat" on ToT for my newbie friends and I don't let them hold onto my lap bar) :drevil:

Anyway...am I being out of line by requesting this? I'd really like to know what Disney guests and CM's think

 

[tigfan]

Whoa...I often ask for a front seat on a ride especially if I'm travelling with a Disney Newbie. I just want them to have the "best" experience possible.

I don't mind waiting a bit and have them fill in the ride and ask me to wait until the next car/boat comes or anything but (ANY CM'S PLEASE FEEL FREE TO RESPOND) I didn't think about it being a pain for the CM's

Is this a Disney no-no? I've asked for the front seat on POTC, RnR and ToT (sometimes I ask for the "jump seat" on ToT for my newbie friends and I don't let them hold onto my lap bar) :drevil:

Anyway...am I being out of line by requesting this? I'd really like to know what Disney guests and CM's think

Space Mountain seems to be the attraction where it really stresses the CMs out to get this request. I've had CMs on other attractions roll their eyes, make very obvious sighs, or other rude and unprofessional gestures like that when I've made that request. But on Space Mountain, I actually had two different CMs (on separate occasions) snap at me for making that request, and continue to bark at me for moments afterward. The problem with that ride is, for me anyway, sitting in any seat other than the very front is a very rough ride.

In my opinion, if this is something that causes that much distress for CMs, then I think the ride should have some sort of signs posted in the loading area that politely state that seating requests cannot be accommodated. Otherwise, your average reasonable person is not going to have any idea that there's something wrong with asking.