Notes from the World, Jan 1-7, 2007

[mgraef]

Maybe I am ignorant, but my family has gone two years in a row to POFQ and have had a great time and enjoyed the CMs. We did need to call a few times to get our crib finally set up this last time, and it was a hassle to get some money back from the arcade, but the transportation, dining, etc were all handled well and in a friendly manner.

Far better than the time we stayed offsite at main gate with bus loads of teenagers knocking at our door all hours of the night. Thank goodness we did not have children at that time.

And comments about this next generation not caring seem out of place. I seem to recall people from every generation wishing for the good old days when they look back through their rose colored glasses. Now I am rambling.....

I am pushing 40 and find that youngsters today are no different than in other generations. Like I said, maybe I am ignorant.

Peace.

 

[rcapolete]

If there are no families with children asking to ride the front of the Monorail, DH and I will ask to do it from time to time. I'd would say that at on at least half of those rides our driver acted like he/she wished we weren't there. It made for a very uncomfortable ride. I would think that driving the monorail would be one of the least objectionable jobs at WDW. I hope the drivers are more friendly when children are up there!

Not really. When we were there in May of 06DW, DS, DD, and myself sat in the front of the monorail from epcot to MK. THe driver ignored used the whole way. I remember back in the 80's my family sat up front and the driver was great. He basically gave us a tour the whole way. those days seem to be over. Now it seems as if we are bothering them for being there.

 

[dreamscometrue]

Not really. When we were there in May of 06DW, DS, DD, and myself sat in the front of the monorail from epcot to MK. THe driver ignored used the whole way. I remember back in the 80's my family sat up front and the driver was great. He basically gave us a tour the whole way. those days seem to be over. Now it seems as if we are bothering them for being there.

Actually, they're not over. We've been up front 5 times since 2003 and only one driver was quiet. The other 4 were really friendly and talkative. You can still have a great experience on the monorail and elsewhere.

During each trip, I probably run into 1 rude CM out of every 25 or more. Although you can always run into a rude CM, or one who is typically nice but having a bad day, I'm convinced that the attitude of the guest makes a difference in the majority (not all) of situations. Most of the time, I'm impressed with the behavior of many CMs when I hear very rude people 'in their faces' which I would suspect happens daily.

 

[socalkdg]

People in general aren't what they used to be. I've yet to have a bad experience with any CM at either coast, but enjoy people watching and when you see the way some customers act today, its sad. Unless society manages to alter this course that it is on, the service industy in general is going to decline in quality as they lose patience with disrespectful people.

 

[danzingcutie12]

When I join the College Program down in the Fall, I hope I find someone obsessed over Disney as me so we can have fun finding all the hidden mickeys, go on all the tours, explore the hotels etc. I mean I like to party but it's not the reason why I'm going down there. I love everything to do with Disney and I would love to create some magic while I'm down there too.

HAHA...I doing the CP when i graduate in May so hopefully I'll be down there too and thats the kinda stuff I want to do too. I am NOT a party girl. lol

 

[Mr Disney]

HAHA...I doing the CP when i graduate in May so hopefully I'll be down there too and thats the kinda stuff I want to do too. I am NOT a party girl. lol

Coming from personal experience, it's not that easy to live in Vista if you're not a party boy/girl... But I did it and I have to say that most of the time I had the house to myself so there ya go. lol

 

[Disneyfanman]

Maybe I am ignorant, but my family has gone two years in a row to POFQ and have had a great time and enjoyed the CMs. We did need to call a few times to get our crib finally set up this last time, and it was a hassle to get some money back from the arcade, but the transportation, dining, etc were all handled well and in a friendly manner.

Far better than the time we stayed offsite at main gate with bus loads of teenagers knocking at our door all hours of the night. Thank goodness we did not have children at that time.

And comments about this next generation not caring seem out of place. I seem to recall people from every generation wishing for the good old days when they look back through their rose colored glasses. Now I am rambling.....

I am pushing 40 and find that youngsters today are no different than in other generations. Like I said, maybe I am ignorant.

Peace.

I am 45 and feel the same way. I work with Teens in my business and see no difference than in previous generations, and that the character of the home determines the character of the kid. My wife works in a low income day care center though, and has a different perspective. She thinks that Teens today are much worse than years ago.

As for my Disney experiences with CMs? Over 25 years of visiting, I have encountered a few rude folks, but the vast majority have been wonderful. And that is really different than other Theme Parks. In this area, Disney continues to lead the way. Every single year, there are a few that are absolutely delightful, and who really create magic for my family. Seriously, we have at least one or two "incredible CM" stories every trip. I always leave a compliment with Guest Services on the way out when I find folks that go out of their way to do something really great.

 

[KrazyKemp]

In all of the years I have been going to Disney (almost 15 now) I have only experienced a couple of CMs who needed just a little bit more magic in their attitudes.

In All Star Music, we encountered a CM who could barely speak English and really just seemed like checking us into our hotel was a bother.

An ice cream vendor who didn't smile, didn't look at me in the eyes, and (quite frankly...) looked like he was stoned...

My most recent gripe is the CM who checked us in at Pop Century. She was nice and all, but during the time she was checking us in, she was also carring on a personal conversation with another CM, "Why are you still wearing your training badge?" "When I was new, I never wore mine." "I get off in about an hour, thank God!"

I know that there seems to be some troublesome CMs at the parks, but it seems people only notice the bad CMs...for every bad CM there are about 30 GREAT CMs elsewhere.

I like the idea of raising the pay for CMs, and having more strict policies on whom Disney hires.

I know that everyone on these boards is (or wants to be) a CM, (and some of us would even do it for free...)

I guess I am just saying that everyone should notice all of the great CMs out there, there are a lot. And everyone has off days...they just shouldn't show it so much...

 

[dreamscometrue]

I am 45 and feel the same way. I work with Teens in my business and see no difference than in previous generations, and that the character of the home determines the character of the kid. My wife works in a low income day care center though, and has a different perspective. She thinks that Teens today are much worse than years ago.

As for my Disney experiences with CMs? Over 25 years of visiting, I have encountered a few rude folks, but the vast majority have been wonderful. And that is really different than other Theme Parks. In this area, Disney continues to lead the way. Every single year, there are a few that are absolutely delightful, and who really create magic for my family. Seriously, we have at least one or two "incredible CM" stories every trip. I always leave a compliment with Guest Services on the way out when I find folks that go out of their way to do something really great.

Great post! I feel exactly the same way and have had the same experiences with CMs. I like handing out the little thank you cards (to CMs) that we carry with us. Sometimes their reactions suggest that this is the first nice gesture they've encountered that day. It feels good to try to bring even a little magic to those who are trying to help us have a magical vacation. Kindness is never wrong!