WDW Has The Best Cast Members

[Chef Mickey]

I am continually amazed by cast members, particularly at WDW.

I just spent 4 days at Disneyland and must say, the difference (for me at least) is night and day. Did I have any bad experiences at Disneyland? No, but it's extremely noticeable generally.

At Disneyland, I noticed a few trends.

1) Practically every cast member is very young and from California. I feel like this gives them quite a bit less diversity and may be the root of my dissatisfaction.
2) Cast members seem to be talking amongst themselves quite a bit. Saw several CMs on their phones.
3) Much more understaffed, particularly at attractions than WDW.
4) Stuck up? I get very little warm feeling from cast members who seemingly just do the minimum at Disneyland. They don't always waive to you as you start the ride, don't always tell you to have a great/magical day, and it's almost like you're interrupting them if you ask for help.
5) Restaurant staff is subpar overall. Refills are scarce, had to send back an appetizer at Carthay with no care whatsoever from the waiter, and a general "go through the motions" attitude.
6) Bag check - One word. Awful. I know it's a pain at WDW, but I should post a picture of the line just to get in on Saturday. It was out to Harbor street and many people commented they had been waiting over an hour.

I think WDWs ride range of young and old, American and Non-American staff gives them the clear advantage. There are always exceptions, but the overall Cast Member feel was incredibly "meh" for me at Disneyland and quite the opposite at WDW.

At Disneyland, it was just like any other customer service experience whereas at WDW, the service is a highlight of the whole experience.

 

[ShoalFox]

This may play into what you describe, but when I was at Disneyland, to me it felt a lot more homey than MK. The park is smaller and things are run very differently than WDW, so it gave me the vibe that Disneyland was more like a small amusement park than a money making juggernaut.

As such, smaller amusement parks tend to have less enthusiastic staff, so that may explain a little bit

 

[Californian Elitist]

I've never had a problem with any CMs at Disneyland. I also like not consistently being told to "have a magical day," and not getting waived at all the time (I surely never waived at guests when I was a Disneyland CM). Comes off as very fake.

Disneyland CMs have been coming to the park since childhood, most likely. They know it as the hangout spot from childhood. It's like getting a job at your local mall or movie theater. Not to mention all of the regulars that show up at the parks, the ones you know by name, and they know you. At that point, they're not really guests, but more like acquaintances. It's a completely different atmosphere.

 

[Ryan H. Serowinski]

Agreed! They're the best at Disney World, they called me nice names like BB-8(cause i wore the ears when i went in August), they agree that Rapunzel's a good hugger, even one gave me a Thanks for visiting Sofia when I met her, and best of all I show them my autographs in my autograph book! My gosh they were the best when I went this past summer, hope they'll be just as awesome when I'll go next May!

Note: I have never been to Disneyland, so i can't give my true opinion yet(but it looks great)

 

[Rinx]

In my opinion, I've always felt it's a bit much when CMs wave as you begin attractions.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I like friendly cast members.

 

[raven]

My old roommate was a WDW cast member and transferred out to DL. He said that management is very relaxed out there and just don't care much compared to WDW management.

 

[Disneysea05]

The most hardworking/ efficient, professional, clean cut CMs are in Tokyo Disney. Ive been 10 times and they have consistently proven to be in a league of their own.

I've found cast at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World to be good hard working people, it's unfortunate that they are such easy target for criticism for smallest things.

Just recently at Disneyland, I overheard a couple saying how they couldn't believe that the CM at the entrance to Star Tours was "texting on the job". In reality, she was holding a company issued iPhone/scanner that is used to validate electronic fastpasses.


To be fair though everything you've critiqued the DL cast for, I've seen the exact same thing in WDW.

What I care more about on both coasts, is the decline on the Disney Look guidelines which use to differentiate Disney from the rest.

I also hope the "Have a Magical Day" line stays in Florida. I don't hear it as much nowadays anyway.

 

[Jess G]

I've never been to Disneyland but I will say that in Florida if I ever have a negative experience with a cast member there name tag usually says "orlando"

 

[brb1006]

If you thought CMs at WDW were good you should visit Tokyo Disney Resort.

 

[ElreTigo]

They don't always waive to you as you start the ride

While I expect & appreciate good quality customer service at Disney just as much as anybody, I must admit I haven't desired this type of attention while on any ride or amusement since I was about 4.

If it is of that much importance to your on-ride experience, maybe try waving at the CM first (?)

 

[Chef Mickey]

This may play into what you describe, but when I was at Disneyland, to me it felt a lot more homey than MK. The park is smaller and things are run very differently than WDW, so it gave me the vibe that Disneyland was more like a small amusement park than a money making juggernaut.

As such, smaller amusement parks tend to have less enthusiastic staff, so that may explain a little bit

Believe me, Disneyland is the same Juggernaut WDW is in terms of trying to get money. They have plenty of dining package and special experiences as well as the unpopular $4.25 churros and $4.25 water. At the Frozen show, they are peddling popcorn, drinks, and candy for 30 minutes before showtime....and raking it in. I'm fine with it of course, but people act like WDW is so evil. DL does the same thing (no surprise).

 

[Chef Mickey]

I've never had a problem with any CMs at Disneyland. I also like not consistently being told to "have a magical day," and not getting waived at all the time (I surely never waived at guests when I was a Disneyland CM). Comes off as very fake.

Disneyland CMs have been coming to the park since childhood, most likely. They know it as the hangout spot from childhood. It's like getting a job at your local mall or movie theater. Not to mention all of the regulars that show up at the parks, the ones you know by name, and they know you. At that point, they're not really guests, but more like acquaintances. It's a completely different atmosphere.

I totally disagree with this, although I can see where you are coming from. I don't think the customer service touches as WDW ever really come off as fake.

My other complaint was the opposite of your experience. DL Cast Members seem to actually know very little about their park. I asked several questions since I'm not quite as familiar as at WDW. I remember some specific questions that I'm sure will irritate you.

1) Where will Paint the Night start tonight? "I'm not sure, but I think it always starts at Main Street." - It actually started at Small World that day.

2) Can I get to Disneyland hotel by walking through Downtown Disney? - "I don't think so. I would just take Uber." LOL, that didn't sound right to me so I called the Disneyland hotel and they told me I could walk right out the back of DD and I'm there - They were right.

3) I asked my WAITER at Carthay Circle which World of Color viewing we'd get with our package (there were 2) and he said he wasn't sure.

4) I asked the CM in Great Moments with Lincoln if it was Paul Frees doing the narration (I was 99% sure it was). He response was, "Who?" I said, "Paul Frees, the Ghost Host." She looked at me like I had 2 heads. I said, "You know, the voice fo the Haunted Mansion." She says, "OHHH, I thought you meant something else...well, I'm not sure but It's been the same since I've worked here." I was like, ummm...ok.

Again, I had some solid experiences as well. Many CMs smiled and waived, but just not as many in a very noticeable way. They seemed very unknowledgeable to be honest.

 

[Chef Mickey]

My old roommate was a WDW cast member and transferred out to DL. He said that management is very relaxed out there and just don't care much compared to WDW management.

This seems like the culprit to me. Militant as it may be, you can tell WDW has management that is really on people all the time. Disneyland, the talking amongst themselves and using personal cell phones was pretty obvious consistently.

 

[Chef Mickey]

If you thought CMs at WDW were good you should visit Tokyo Disney Resort.

I've been there twice and was thoroughly impressed. However, that experience isn't really a Disney thing. Japan's people are just amazing and they take a lot more pride in their work in general than Americans. The people are much more respectful than Americans. It's woven into the fiber of their culture and is truly amazing. I absolutely love Japan.

To me, Tokyo (even outside of Disney) is one big Disney customer service experience. Tokyo is the best city in the world (IMO).

 

[Chef Mickey]

The most hardworking/ efficient, professional, clean cut CMs are in Tokyo Disney. Ive been 10 times and they have consistently proven to be in a league of their own.
.

Again, I think this is more cultural and reflective of the amazing people in Japan than a better customer service experience at Tokyo Disney specifically. In my trips to Japan, I've enjoyed the customer service at practically every establishment, not just limited to Disney. I stayed at a 5 star hotel in Tokyo and it destroyed the Ritz and 4 Seasons experiences in America. 5 start in Tokyo is like 7 star. People really take their jobs seriously and strive for greatness every day from the subway worker to the CEO.

 

[Chef Mickey]

While I expect & appreciate good quality customer service at Disney just as much as anybody, I must admit I haven't desired this type of attention while on any ride or amusement since I was about 4.

If it is of that much importance to your on-ride experience, maybe try waving at the CM first (?)

It's not so much needing the attention, lol...I'll live. It's an observation that I think is real. I'm always in a great mood there, so I did waive first at times, sometimes with no response!

 

[Tk0021]

I have never been to Disneyland, but I felt that way at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom. Just my opinion, but I felt like the B teams were at these parks and the A team was at MK. One reason I say this is because I was sent on a wild goose chase at both parks for Zootopia merchandise. I was told to go back and forth between two or three stores at both parks. Of course I didn't go back to the same one I just left when they told me to check there. I just told the CM that the other CM told me to come to you.

 

[danyoung56]

I asked the CM in Great Moments with Lincoln if it was Paul Frees doing the narration (I was 99% sure it was). He response was, "Who?"

To be fair, I don't think the knowledge of Paul Frees is something that the average younger-than-30 kid is going to know (and yes, it IS him in the Lincoln show).

 

[Chef Mickey]

To be fair, I don't think the knowledge of Paul Frees is something that the average younger-than-30 kid is going to know (and yes, it IS him in the Lincoln show).

Maybe so, but he's like one of the most famous voice actors in Disney history and someone said the Disneyland CMs know their stuff. I was just pointing out this one was clueless...and she was more like 50.