Weird CM rules

[polarboi]

The thread about questions for cast members made me think of a question of my own for those of you who are (or know) CMs.

Every job comes with its own set of rules, and they're often things that your clientele (in this case the park guests) would never think of. You know the sorts of things I mean - like rules governing your appearance, interaction with guests, things you must or can't say, etc.

Occasionally I've heard CMs reference certain rules that seem a bit unusual to those outside of the CM world, like rules about male CMs' facial hair, or rules about how you can (or can't) point when directing guests somewhere.

Care to enlighten us on some of the rules that CMs have to deal with every day? I'm intrigued.

-p.b.

 

[A "Ghost" Host]

When you are hired you are given a lot of papers containing all the rules, one red little booklet you get is called "The Disney Look." For men, their hair must be above the collar and out of the face, they can only wear one ring on each hand, facial hair is okay, as long as the sideburns don't reach past the ears, mustaches are VERY short, and I don't remember but I think beards are not aloud. You must always wear deoderant and or calogne (those are givens, and excuse my spelling!) Then as characters the rules are pretty just, as a face character of course you have certain things that make you look like your character(s) whether it be makeup or hair (in men's case.) And then Hanuted Mansion has all the same rules, with the addition of NO touching the guests!!!!!

And those are some of the mouse's rules in keeping the Happiest Place on Earth :wave:

 

[PhotoDave219]

CMs use a "Disney Point" which is with 2 fingers or an open hand to direct guests. Its a hard habit to break once youve left teh company.

 

[Fantasmic!329]

....And then Hanuted Mansion has all the same rules, with the addition of NO touching the guests!!!!!....

Why only there?

 

[fngoofy]

CMs use a "Disney Point" which is with 2 fingers or an open hand to direct guests. Its a hard habit to break once youve left teh company.

Having been a CM in the past (though only for 6mo) I can tell you that some things (like the "Disney Point") are only done by hard core Disney fans. I was amazed at the number of CMs I worked with that had no real clue about Disney and didn't care to get one. Those CMs, didn't do a Disney point, in fact, they had to be reminded to wear socks.

The facial hair one has changed over the years, now you can wear a small mustache. This came about because of the need to hire more people and the cultural norm in the latin community towards mens facial hair (you're not as macho if you don't have any.)

Shoot, you can even have a huge "Pop-Eye like" tattoo on your arm, as long as you put flesh colored makeup over it before you go on duty.

PS
Yes, you are right that the Disney Point is hard to break, I still do it myself.
I even ask myself what time the 3:00 parade is, just for giggles.

 

[stitch131313]

facial hair is okay, as long as the sideburns don't reach past the ears, mustaches are VERY short, and I don't remember but I think beards are not aloud.

I was just hired by Disney to start in December, and they told me that you can have a mustach, but it had to be fully grown by the time you started working. Also beards are not allowed.

 

[fngoofy]

Why only there?

Well, you're right, you aren't suposed to anywhere unless it is to keep them from harm.

They need to stress this at the HM because a common way to scare someone is to touch them to make them jump, which could be percieved as a bad touch by the wrong person, or hurt someone unintentionaly, or be taken too far by a CM.

 

[unkadug]

Why only there?

I would assume to prevent CM's from sneaking up behind guests then touching them and shouting "BOO"!

Am I close?

 

[A "Ghost" Host]

Why only there?

Its not only there, thats just where I work, so I can't necassaraly speak for other CMs, but its pretty much everywhere, unless the job requires you to touch them for saftey reasons.

I would assume to prevent CM's from sneaking up behind guests then touching them and shouting "BOO"!

Am I close?

Yeah, theres that too, lol

Oh yes! How could I forget the two finger point!! lol, I actually taped my fingers together to make myself do it!! Well, its either two fingers or the whole hand, most people seem to prefer the two fingers though...

 

[pluto77]

Why only there?

Haunted Mansion isn't the only place, I think the only CMs who are allowed to touch guests are characters.

Having been a CM in the past (though only for 6mo) I can tell you that some things (like the "Disney Point") are only done by hard core Disney fans. I was amazed at the number of CMs I worked with that had no real clue about Disney and didn't care to get one.

Actually where I worked pretty much everybody did the Disney point, so I guess it depends where you work. Also the CPs I worked with were way better about that stuff than the full-timers believe it or not.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I never wanted to touch the guests.... well maybe the odd FITA but thats about it.

 

[BadTigger]

lets not forget, their not PARAMEDICS their an ALPHA unit. Also their really crazy about using the propper 10 codes when talking on a radio. I was still using it for a while after I left.

 

[duffyy]

I am going to a interview in Toronto for a job at Disney World in march.
I hope i get it. I just want to know can you pick the ride you want to
work at or is that disney's choice

 

[elpirataman]

But what if the guest allows them to hug you (me LOL)?

 

[EpcotGrl]

:sohappy: Yay Disney Point! I still do it, and my friends gleefully point it out every time I do

Weird rules...well, we were told repeatedly to never EVER hold any guest's child, no matter how much the guest pressed them on us (photo op, etc), b/c of the liability.

And we weren't allowed to wear sunglasses unless the guest could see our eyes through them (if that makes sense--you know, no mirrored lenses).

 

[wedway71]

Having been a CM in the past (though only for 6mo) I can tell you that some things (like the "Disney Point") are only done by hard core Disney fans. I was amazed at the number of CMs I worked with that had no real clue about Disney and didn't care to get one. Those CMs, didn't do a Disney point, in fact, they had to be reminded to wear socks.

The facial hair one has changed over the years, now you can wear a small mustache. This came about because of the need to hire more people and the cultural norm in the latin community towards mens facial hair (you're not as macho if you don't have any.)

Shoot, you can even have a huge "Pop-Eye like" tattoo on your arm, as long as you put flesh colored makeup over it before you go on duty.

PS
Yes, you are right that the Disney Point is hard to break, I still do it myself.
I even ask myself what time the 3:00 parade is, just for giggles.

Is the tat deal new?-i thought it was a big NO-NO for any type of tat to be shown on a visual part of the body -doesnt make up smear and wear off all day in the hot sun?

 

[Connor002]

I try to use the disney point when ever i remember :lol:

 

[wdwjmp239]

Shoot, you can even have a huge "Pop-Eye like" tattoo on your arm, as long as you put flesh colored makeup over it before you go on duty.

I remember having breakfast at Ohana in the Polynesian and our server had a tattoo on her arm that was covered by make-up. It was pretty nasty and didn't blend in well, but her service was still good.

 

[daisyduck448]

you learn something new everyday! i'm going to start using the "disney point"!



this is kind of off topic but i found this link on mouseplanet and found some CM stories interesting!

http://www.mouseplanet.com/kevin/cp041103sl.htm

 

[wedway71]

I remember having breakfast at Ohana in the Polynesian and our server had a tattoo on her arm that was covered by make-up. It was pretty nasty and didn't blend in well, but her service was still good.

Dont get me wrong, Im not anti tattoo.My wife has one and my dad has 22(spent 22 years in the Navy).I just dont think they belong on CMs visual body parts.
I knew eventual Id hopefully wind up at Disney so when I was in the Air Force I made sure my "Screamin Eagle" tat was up high enough on my arm so I could cover it up.
Not that its gonna matter since as an Exec ill wear suits and long sleeve dress shirts.lol