"Mean" Cast Members

[mkt]

And whose fault is it that you fall for it?

Your own, but Disney is being very shady using those tactics. I actually consider myself being lucky for being fired.

1- Disney won't reply to any reference checks. So no bad reference from them

2- I earn more than 5 times what I earned at Disney, while maintaining standard 9-5, M-F office hours. 18 hour shifts do get boring after a while.

3- If I forget to shave in the morning, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL. Unlike the mouse, where a 5 O'Clock shadow at 5 PM is grounds for a write up.

 

[mkt]

Otherwise, why bother making it look like a good place to work.

Because it isn't a good place to work.

 

[MickeyTigg]

I deal with the public enough and we go to WDW every year and I seriously can't believe the garbage that a lot of the CM's have to put up with.

In general, a lot of people are less accommodating, more demanding, and just plain rude...not just to CM's but other guests.

There is at least one time on every trip that I have had to ask a guest to back off and stop being unreasonable to a CM. Does this work...not generally but at least it gives the CM a couple of minutes to collect his or her thoughts. Each time, I've been thanked by the CM. There have been also a number of occasions where I've been super nice to a CM after them tending to a jerk before me and even apologized that they had to go through that. Each time I've gotten a smile and a thank you from the CM.

People have forgotten (if they ever knew it) common decency and how to be polite to people. Seriously...during the day, in your everyday life, how many times do you hear please and thank you? Think about it...it's becoming more rare...more rare than it should be.

 

[wannab@dis]

I was attacked. And what did I get and what did the guest get? Lets see... I got fired, and the guest got their vacation comped. All because they guest lied when approached about the events, and Disney didn't bother to check the surveillance camera footage nor to verify the actual occurrences with witnesses.



It is something that happens quite frequently. My situation is not uncommon at all in which a character is attacked by the guest and the guest acts innocent, and Disney sides with the guest. I can name at least 5 or 6 others to whom this happened to.... IN THE SAME QUARTER AS ME. Not just the same year, or same decade... same quarter.

Well, not to bring up another dreaded subject, but sounds to me like some Unions have really bad representation. I have a feeling that the Unions are the ones to be blamed in this instance. If they are not looking out for their members, then who will. If the Union was not involved, then Disney would be more inclined to actually investigate the matter before turning on their employee.

Now, with that being said. This whole mess sounds a little fishy to me. On the one hand, Disney can't find workers and the workers they have can't quit and it takes them two months to turn in a two week notice. On the other hand, workers are fired without any investigation and vacations are comped for no reason. :veryconfu

 

[Merlin]

They don't, however they do use other tactics to make it seem like more than it is. They also make promises of quick advancement to higher paying positions that are rarely every fulfilled. Disney is a master at making it seem like you are getting more than you really are... I remember when my ex-girlfriend was trying to quit Disney it took her almost 2 months of red tape and Disney begging her not to quit to finally do it. 2 months to put in a two weeks notice.

Disney may not be pointing a literal gun at you, but they are very good at making their lemons look like lemonade.

Okay, so that's all well and good BEFORE working there. But once you have the job and you discover that it's "lemons", why do you keep working there if it's so bad? Are they holding you hostage? Are their mind games really that sophisticated that they keep convincing you things are better than they are? And no offense to your girlfriend, but it she gave two weeks' notice and remained for 2 months, that was HER choice. She shouldn't blame Disney because she chose to stay.

See, I think that's a huge part of the problem with many CM attitudes. A lot of people talk about the "sense of entitlement" (which is already rapidly becoming an overused term) to describe what drives guest attitudes. But I think many CMs have a problem with taking responsibility for their own actions and behaviors. No matter what kind of spin you want to put on it, bottom line is that the way you treat people is YOUR responsibility. If you're rude to someone because the person before them was rude to you, it was still YOUR choice to be rude to someone. It's a cop out to say that you can't control your emotions or your behaviors. They are totally controllable.

 

[HntdMansionFan]

I have nothing but respect for the CM's that help to make the Magic at WDW. I know that no matter what job you have, and no matter how much you love that job, you can still have a bad day. God bless any CM who can stand there and have an incredibly rude guest scream at them, and call them names(yes I have seen and heard this) and still manage to smile and help that guest. Some people can not tolerate this as well as others, and will "lose it" quicker. Yes, I realize that this is no excuse for being rude back to the guest(yup, seen that too), but sometimes you can only take so much.
As for Characters being attacked, anyone who does that should be banned from the parks. Just my opinion.

 

[Merlin]

I'm gonna let Merlin tackle that one. Specifically because i didnt understand how thats the case.

I didn't quite follow it either. I just played along. :animwink:

 

[mkt]

Well, not to bring up another dreaded subject, but sounds to me like some Unions have really bad representation. I have a feeling that the Unions are the ones to be blamed in this instance. If they are not looking out for their members, then who will. If the Union was not involved, then Disney would be more inclined to actually investigate the matter before turning on their employee.

Now, with that being said. This whole mess sounds a little fishy to me. On the one hand, Disney can't find workers and the workers they have can't quit and it takes them two months to turn in a two week notice. On the other hand, workers are fired without any investigation and vacations are comped for no reason. :veryconfu

Welcome to the overtly letigious mouse... and yeah, the Union did stink it up. The teamsters basically refused to fight for me. Needless to say, my opinion on Unions had done a 180 since 2003.

 

[TchaikovskyVCID]

I have nothing but respect for the CM's that help to make the Magic at WDW. I know that no matter what job you have, and no matter how much you love that job, you can still have a bad day. God bless any CM who can stand there and have an incredibly rude guest scream at them, and call them names(yes I have seen and heard this) and still manage to smile and help that guest. Some people can not tolerate this as well as others, and will "lose it" quicker. Yes, I realize that this is no excuse for being rude back to the guest(yup, seen that too), but sometimes you can only take so much.
As for Characters being attacked, anyone who does that should be banned from the parks. Just my opinion.

On the Tomorrowland Transit Authority the woman says "visitors from galaxy M-31." They're basically adressing anyone from the Milky Way Galaxy (our galaxy, also known as galaxy M-31) and telling them to keep clear of oncoming trains.:wave:

 

[mkt]

Okay, so that's all well and good BEFORE working there. But once you have the job and you discover that it's "lemons", why do you keep working there if it's so bad? Are they holding you hostage? Are their mind games really that sophisticated that they keep convincing you things are better than they are? And no offense to your girlfriend, but it she gave two weeks' notice and remained for 2 months, that was HER choice. She shouldn't blame Disney because she chose to stay.

Merlin,

I'm telling you now, that I have nothing but respect for you. However, until you've worked in the Walt Disney World PARKS in entertainment, and not the stores, nor in any of the California establishments, you are very ill equipped to argue with what I previously posted.

If you are a human being with a heart and a conscience, Disney will exploit that to get you to work. The "our team could really use your help, and we promise to take care of you for it *wink-wink*" line is used quite often, and it almost always works. Not to mention, for most CM's, if they're trying to get a job in Orlando, Disney is a curse. ie. most employers tend to look down at anyone who has WDW on their résumé, and Disney doesn't respond to reference checks (the only reason I have my current job is pure luck... and my previous post Disney job is because I knew someone high up). It is very easy for someone to become a bitter lifer at WDW and have nowhere else to go.

In my time at WDW, I sent out easily over 100 résumé's, and when I'd do my followup calls, the employers that were honest told me they can't hire me since they can't verify Disney employment... and some even told me they refuse to hire former or current cast members.

Once you're in Disney, it's very hard to leave and go somewhere else, short of relocating out of the general area.

 

[wannab@dis]

This thread seems out of the ordinary to me. All the discussions seem to be centered on just a couple of current or previous CMs that have reason for complaints.

I have only encountered ONE CM that was rude in all the times I have been at WDW. I can honestly say that it seems to me that they do their best to make a Disney trip a magical and memorable time.

The one CM that I had a problem with was in a resort and they were not being helpful no matter how nice I was being. I did notice the guest in front of me was irritated so it could have caused them to be less than their best. My response was to ask for someone else, and the next person fixed the problem quickly and with a smile.

 

[TchaikovskyVCID]

This thread seems out of the ordinary to me. All the discussions seem to be centered on just a couple of current or previous CMs that have reason for complaints.

I have only encountered ONE CM that was rude in all the times I have been at WDW. I can honestly say that it seems to me that they do their best to make a Disney trip a magical and memorable time.

The one CM that I had a problem with was in a resort and they were not being helpful no matter how nice I was being. I did notice the guest in front of me was irritated so it could have caused them to be less than their best. My response was to ask for someone else, and the next person fixed the problem quickly and with a smile.

Thats exactly what I said earlier. A couple people are now nervous about CM interaction because of this thread. All because a couple people can't handle what it takes to do a job they signed up for without a whole lot of whining and complaining.

 

[mkt]

You aren't told what to expect when you sign up for it. That I know is true and is something I remember from when I was first in casting.

 

[pluto77]

While I do find it fairly believable that every person has the capacity to be nice all the time, it is a very trying feet to accomplish. I think what Pluto was trying to point out is that (I believe you dont get me wrong) you're human. Humans make mistakes and are fallable. If you have the willpower to never EVER take frustration out on someone who doesnt deserve it (because God knows I do it sometimes) then i wholeheartedly congratulate you. However, at the same time, I wouldnt be disappointed if you admitted that once in a however long while, you have let your temper get the best of you.

Yes! Thank you, my point exactly. Even if your not meaning to, a lot of the time it's in people's tone of voice that their not having a good day.

 

[GenerationX]

I have only encountered ONE CM that was rude in all the times I have been at WDW. I can honestly say that it seems to me that they do their best to make a Disney trip a magical and memorable time.

Ditto. We've run into exactly one impolite CM in all of our trips, whereas we've run into countless who were dedicated to good customer service.

 

[Merlin]

Ditto. We've run into exactly one impolite CM in all of our trips, whereas we've run into countless who were dedicated to good customer service.

I've certainly run into more than one, but it's not the vast majority. That's why the bad ones stand out like a sore thumb and, in my opinion, should be weeded out.

 

[Merlin]

Merlin,

I'm telling you now, that I have nothing but respect for you. However, until you've worked in the Walt Disney World PARKS in entertainment, and not the stores, nor in any of the California establishments, you are very ill equipped to argue with what I previously posted.

If you are a human being with a heart and a conscience, Disney will exploit that to get you to work. The "our team could really use your help, and we promise to take care of you for it *wink-wink*" line is used quite often, and it almost always works. Not to mention, for most CM's, if they're trying to get a job in Orlando, Disney is a curse. ie. most employers tend to look down at anyone who has WDW on their résumé, and Disney doesn't respond to reference checks (the only reason I have my current job is pure luck... and my previous post Disney job is because I knew someone high up). It is very easy for someone to become a bitter lifer at WDW and have nowhere else to go.

In my time at WDW, I sent out easily over 100 résumé's, and when I'd do my followup calls, the employers that were honest told me they can't hire me since they can't verify Disney employment... and some even told me they refuse to hire former or current cast members.

Once you're in Disney, it's very hard to leave and go somewhere else, short of relocating out of the general area.

Why is WDW a bad thing to have on your resume? I always thought the opposite was true.

 

[TchaikovskyVCID]

Why is WDW a bad thing to have on your resume? I always thought the opposite was true.

I agree, it certainly was an odd post. Having experience with guest relations is usually a good thing.

 

[Timmay]

Thats exactly what I said earlier. A couple people are now nervous about CM interaction because of this thread. All because a couple people can't handle what it takes to do a job they signed up for without a whole lot of whining and complaining.

Trust me, I am not nervous...just some toungue in cheek comments to put some opinions in perspective is all.

Once again, we are dealing with kids here and they do tend to "stretch" some of the facts, based on subjectivity. While I don't doubt that they set around on break or wherever and have a good bash at the guests, I do understand that this is done most everywhere by all kinds of employees that deal with the general public. Just like I know that when someone from the public goes crazy and screams and "attacks" me, they are not really mad at me at all...I am the only outlet they have at the moment for their vent.

When these kids get some more experience and maturity under their belt, they will come to understand that there are many people out there that are jerks, but many many more that are really decent people. When the decent people blow up, it is nothing against the person they are yelling at. Heck, those of us that are married know exactly what I am talking about.

 

[mkt]

Why is WDW a bad thing to have on your resume? I always thought the opposite was true.

WDW is not the best thing to have on your résumé if you're trying to get a non-hospitality job in the Orlando area. Why do you ask? Disney's policies and procedures are so specific and designed for a Union workplace, that most former CM's can't handle a non-Disney job. Also, again, the Union... most Fulltime CM's are used to having the Union backing you up, something that most jobs in Orlando don't offer.

Also, the bitterness towards WDW that most Orlando/Florida natives feel, has a definite effect on having WDW on your résumé.