Recent Trip Musings -- Negative (Long...)

[DvcMember23]

I hate to complain after such a fun vacation -- but....

Recent cutbacks appear to be having an effect on the overall "magic" at WDW. While the parks are still very clean (which is what I expected would suffer first), we had some problems with Cast Members (which was very unexpected).

I was looking all week to grab one of those hard to find Mickey/American Flag pins for my sister. At MGM, I noticed one of the kiosks had them. When I asked the CM at the register, she said, pointing, "The line is over there." After waiting 25 minutes in the line (and missing the parade), I was told that they were out of the pin I wanted. Now, given that these pins are hard to find and they obviously were selling out quickly, would it have been too much for her to tell me that they may be out by the time I got there? What's worse is that her shift at the register ended just before I got to the front of the line, so I didn't even get the satisfaction of yelling at her.

Same sort of thing at the golf course. Paid for a bucket of balls to hit on driving range at the pro shop. Walked all the way out to the driving range, only to find that you pick up the bucket back at the pro shop -- three separate people said nothing about it while I was there the first time.

And finally -- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. BIG disappointment. Seemed very unorganized. Long lines to get candy and ride rides. CMs didn't seem to know where things were (asked two different CMs about complementary photo spots -- neither had any idea where, or even what, they were). The parade route blocked off a few trick or treat and photo spots. Lots of things were closed, severely limiting the choices of food, rides, etc. We are glad that we went, since MK at night on Halloween looks great -- but we won't be doing that again.

 

[DisJosh]

Originally posted by DvcMember23
I hate to complain after such a fun vacation -- but....

Recent cutbacks appear to be having an effect on the overall "magic" at WDW. While the parks are still very clean (which is what I expected would suffer first), we had some problems with Cast Members (which was very unexpected).

I was looking all week to grab one of those hard to find Mickey/American Flag pins for my sister. At MGM, I noticed one of the kiosks had them. When I asked the CM at the register, she said, pointing, "The line is over there." After waiting 25 minutes in the line (and missing the parade), I was told that they were out of the pin I wanted. Now, given that these pins are hard to find and they obviously were selling out quickly, would it have been too much for her to tell me that they may be out by the time I got there? What's worse is that her shift at the register ended just before I got to the front of the line, so I didn't even get the satisfaction of yelling at her.

Same sort of thing at the golf course. Paid for a bucket of balls to hit on driving range at the pro shop. Walked all the way out to the driving range, only to find that you pick up the bucket back at the pro shop -- three separate people said nothing about it while I was there the first time.

And finally -- Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. BIG disappointment. Seemed very unorganized. Long lines to get candy and ride rides. CMs didn't seem to know where things were (asked two different CMs about complementary photo spots -- neither had any idea where, or even what, they were). The parade route blocked off a few trick or treat and photo spots. Lots of things were closed, severely limiting the choices of food, rides, etc. We are glad that we went, since MK at night on Halloween looks great -- but we won't be doing that again.

I don't see what your problem is with the pin CM. I'm sure she wasn't a mind reader and couldnt have possibly known they were going to run out.

 

[DvcMember23]

Let's see...it's the most popular pin in the world right now...I've got only a half dozen left...the line is 20 minutes long....

I think she could have put two and two together. It's what I would have done as a common courtesy (I worked in retail many years ago and have, in fact, done as much).

Just my opinion....

 

[DisJosh]

Originally posted by DvcMember23
Let's see...it's the most popular pin in the world right now...I've got only a half dozen left...the line is 20 minutes long....

I think she could have put two and two together. It's what I would have done as a common courtesy (I worked in retail many years ago and have, in fact, done as much).

Just my opinion....

Why didnt you just put 2 and 2 together???? I mean you were in retail couldnt you have figured it out???

 

[DvcMember23]

Unlike the CM, I had no idea what quantity of pins were left.

 

[Badger Brent]

Would it be fair to the other guests in line for you to grab a pin and have them miss out? If I would have been a guest and seen that you got the last pin without waiting in line and screwed me for doing the right thing and waiting. I would've pointed out to you that lines are here for a reason, first come first serve would be my motto. Don't take it personally, I think most here on this board would agree with me on this. Missing one pin doesn't make or break a magical vacation. Ease up on CM's.

 

[DisJosh]

Originally posted by Badger Brent
Would it be fair to the other guests in line for you to grab a pin and have them miss out? If I would have been a guest and seen that you got the last pin without waiting in line and screwed me for doing the right thing and waiting. I would've pointed out to you that lines are here for a reason, first come first serve would be my motto. Don't take it personally, I think most here on this board would agree with me on this. Missing one pin doesn't make or break a magical vacation. Ease up on CM's.

Well said!!!

 

[monorail256]

i'd be dissapointed to if some jerk off lady told me the "line was over there"... huh that woudl be the day. I would march in there and take it. Some cast members really need to go to "nice school" again.. they lose their magic touch sometimes.

 

[DisJosh]

Originally posted by monorail256
i'd be dissapointed to if some jerk off lady told me the "line was over there"... huh that woudl be the day. I would march in there and take it. Some cast members really need to go to "nice school" again.. they lose their magic touch sometimes.

Uhhhhh.....If the lines over there, then it's over there!! Do you people have some kind of special priviledge that makes it ok for you to step in front of the line?!

 

[Badger Brent]

Wow, are that many self centered people out there??!! I always try to do onto others as they would do onto you. I think that last couple of neg. posts would put you in the minority on this issue!! Are you the same people that wouldn't give up their seat on a bus for a child, woman or edlerly person? This "ME" thing is what brings a neg. slant to things. I don't want to get into a ing match over this. It just happens that a couple of you have missed the monorail on this and are wrong. xoxoxo

 

[The Mom]

Originally posted by DvcMember23
Let's see...it's the most popular pin in the world right now...I've got only a half dozen left...the line is 20 minutes long....

I think she could have put two and two together. It's what I would have done as a common courtesy (I worked in retail many years ago and have, in fact, done as much).

Just my opinion....

Again, I don't understand your anger toward that clerk. Were the pins you wanted the ONLY style for sale? In that case, yes, she should have told you she was almost out and lots of people were ahead of you. If there were many other styles of pins, she would have no way of knowing what everyone else would buy. Also, it sounds like it was very busy...do you suppose she might not have had time to count her inventory every few minutes? I've also worked in retail,(just this morning) and know how hard it is to keep track of a "hot" item when a crowd of people are all clamoring for it, along with other items. Trust me, I didn't appreciate one customer cutting into the line and interrupting me with questions as I was ringing up a purchase for another!! A point toward the end of the line was about all I could manage!!

Have you also considered that the clerk may have been a "laid off" actress, or worked in another area, and had been relocated to retail? She might not have been familiar with the inventory.

I too would have been upset if I had waited in line for nothing, but I would just consider it the luck of the draw, not a clerk's fault.

I don't collect any of the pins, because I've seen how crazy people are about purchasing them...it's a madhouse!! Reminds me of a Dec 26th sale!!!

 

[castlecake]

WHOA!!!!!

I think people are just trying to find stuff to complain about. This pin problem that "spoiled your trip" probably has nothing to do with cutbacks! And if all your going to do is complain about your trip why did you go in the first place?

So, kindly put, LIGHTEN UP!






Reminds me of a Dec 26th sale!!! :drevil:


Thats what you call it down there? Dont you have Boxing Day, or is that just in CANADA & the UK?:veryconfu

 

[Tramp]

Many, if not most, of the CMs are extremely professional. But there is a BIG change in the attitude of some of the CMs. I noticed it during our last trip and previously wrote about it here on this message board. I'm not so quick to write it off with a bunch of lame excuses. I think attitude, like sh*t, flows from the top...down.

Someone in the Disney chain of command is either NOT doing their job properly or purposely turning their heads to avoid confrontation with a dwindling, minimum wage workforce. In either case, one of the finest Disney characteristics of clean-cut, polite and helpful CMs wanes.

 

[DvcMember23]

Let me clarify a few things:

I never said that my vacation was ruined, I was simply pointing out a negative experience that I had -- one which was significantly out of character from what I, and many others I suspect, have come to expect from Disney. My overall experience on this trip, as on others is that Disney is simply the best place in the world for a family vacation. (Note that I also posted a message regarding the positive aspects of this trip.)


I don't think I made it clear in my original post that it was not obvious that there was a line for the pins. The line was not right next to the kiosk, there was another CM sort of holding people back and letting each person step up to the cashier individually. Given that and the angle I approached from, there was no way for me to know that I was supposed to wait in line. I did not make an attempt to cut the line, nor did I expect to be allowed to once I realized that there was one.

A CM who did not know that these pins were the hot item would have to have been living in a cave since 9/11. And even if they were, their training should have indicated this -- whether this was a regular position or they transferred from another. This CM was uncharateristically curt as well. No "sir", "please" or "thank you" -- just, "the line's over there."

 

[monorail256]

DvCMember I am totally with you... Disney isn't allways great experiances and I know some people may find it irritating to hear this crap (because some are CM) but god...people dont make a big fuss about it, im sure there have been times when every one of you have found a cast member to be rude and very un-professional. If in fact you havn't you are very lucky!! I think that everyone takes things way to seriously on these things... THEY ARE ONLY FORUMS! :hammer:

 

[goonsquads57]

Originally posted by DisJosh



Uhhhhh.....If the lines over there, then it's over there!! Do you people have some kind of special priviledge that makes it ok for you to step in front of the line?!

HERE, HERE!!!! you go!

 

[msallas]

I have noticed a change in the attitudes of several CM's the last 2 years. When we first started going to WDW I was amazed at how nice everyone was. However when we were there last year a lot of people we downright nasty. I was willing to write it off because they had apparently been hit quite hard by the flu and half the cm's were out sick while the other half were working overtime to make up for it. But this year it was the same thing. I think nice school might be a good idea, perhaps a refresher course. I also was on the hunt for the hard to find mickey head flag pin since my daughter lost my dad's and I needed to replace it. We found them at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney. I also recall seeing on one of the papers we were given when we checked in a number that you could call to order things you had seen at the resort. I will see if I can find that number for you.

 

[Lance]

I don't know, I haven't encountered any angry CM's, they've all been really nice and it seems they love their job. I could care less if CM's treated me like crap, I would understand, because they probably deal with morons all day. An angry CM wouldn't take my awesome Disney experience away.

 

[Megara]

I guess I'm in the minority here because I can remember in detail all the CM's who have been both friendly and helpful. It doesn't happen often. I go anyway, and enjoy myself and try to get as much info and tips from the WDW discussion boards as I can. And I like when people point out the good and bad experiences they've had, like this person did, so I'll be prepared.

I've been buying pins there since Feb 2000. Pin people seem to be an annoyance for many CM's. I can even understand that, having a few friends who are fanatical about getting the new releases. Still, you'd think more of them would bother to tell other (unsuspecting) guests, "they sell out quickly, we only have a limited number, there's a line here already..." yadda yadda. That's all.

 

[OldKeyWest24]

hey i think the CM's are doing a great job. Ive only had one bad experince at the Sci Fi cafe. Its was tiny. We wanted to go there for dinner aand we had reservations, but they "lost" them. All we wanted were sum burgers but we had to wait while they found our reservaton..45 mintues later..its ok though..we got over it..that one little thing didnt ruin our vacation.
But another time we were kinda bumed when this stupid flight attendent yelled at my mom on the way home. we had been delyed and they switched or airlines oye, she sad was jeez were finnally on..to herslf not outloud rudley. And the flight ttendent like maim if you dont like our service id advise you to get of this plane now! *very snotty* that made my dad mad. And my dad said calmy..i dont want you to talk to my wife that way sir. and he refused to serve us the whole way home. after it landed my dad was furious, but he kept his cool. and asked to speak to the manager. manger said he was sorry..later on he got fied! whoo hoo!lol he ruined the end of our perfect vacation...but now we laugh about it!

Susan