What program does this service fall under??

[fireworkz]

On our recent trip in May, my family ate lunch at Columbia House. Not too unusual, but as we prepared to place our order we were approached by a CM to say she had a special table for us and would be serving us today. It was a nice surprise and was very welcomed considering for some reason we felt fairly stressed that morning (it was our first day - I guess traveling the day before had something to do with it). The whole experience reversed our mood for the rest of the day. The server also asked for no tip, just a picture and to write down a little about where we are from and why we came to WDW.

My question is, what program is this under?? My wife thought it might be training, but I didn't notice any supervisors observing or assisting our server as I have at other WDW restaurants when served by a trainee/rookie CM. Is it just simply one of those random "Magical" experiences Disney seems to be doing?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Did you need to fill out a survey? Sign any forms?

My initial thought is that it was some type of research.

 

[Rob562]

If you took an actual survey, I'd say it was some sort of research test.

If not, then I'd say it was just a random bit of extra magic.
Perhaps they were overstaffed that day and the manager assigned a CM to make some magic.
Or perhaps it was someone who was assigned to create some magic of their own design, kind of like how the Dream Squad CMs from the YOAMD promotion were often assigned to just go out and make random magical moments for Guests when they weren't assigned to giving out the YOAMD prizes.

Also, what costume was the CM wearing? If it was a CM from CHH, I'd say it was overstaffing. If it was a "plaid" from Guest Relations or another costume, I'd say it was a random assignment.

-Rob

 

[fireworkz]

She was wearing the usual Columbia House costume, nothing different about her costume, no special item attached to her name badge. She did not ask us to fill in a formal survey, just to write a few things down on a plain sheet of paper.

If it was just a "magical experience" we manged to get a few on lunches that trip. Our daughter was made Jr. Mayor of Main Street the next day for lunch at the Plaza Inn. :animwink:

 

[ImaYoyo]

That's a "Magic Moment" or "Magical Moment". They happen every day across property and are pre-planned events. For example, at Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin, a family (usually the first family to ride) is chosen to be the Galactic Heroes of the Day. They get a certificate and a free on-ride photo. These happen all over property every day, as a way to add a bit of extra magic to as many people's days as possible.

 

[fireworkz]

That's a "Magic Moment" or "Magical Moment". They happen every day across property and are pre-planned events. For example, at Buzz Lightyear's Spaceranger Spin, a family (usually the first family to ride) is chosen to be the Galactic Heroes of the Day. They get a certificate and a free on-ride photo. These happen all over property every day, as a way to add a bit of extra magic to as many people's days as possible.

Still not sure. The Junior Mayor thing we experienced the next day is exactly as you described. You get a certificate, and of course a Photographer with PhotoPass is at the ready during the presentation.

The Columbia House experience was different. She asked for us to pose for a picture which she took herself with what looked like her own personal camera (just a standard rectangular shaped model) and asked us to write down a bit about why we came to Disney and where we were from. It almost felt like maybe she was there on some kind of exchange program or something. She did have a strong accent, and a bit of broken English. I know that doesn't mean much, but that's why I came up with that theory.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

The manager of the restaurant or the area manager might have wanted some feedback on the place and had an extra cast member to take care of it. With something that happens so infrequent like that, it would be hard to know what the real motivation was.

 

[amykissangel]

Um, not a clue, but it sounds wonderfully magical! I love when things like that just turn your day around!

 

[TheJonesys]

Things like that are lovely, we recently went in our local Disney store, one of the staff was chatting to my 5 year old daughter and found out that she was spending her vouchers that she had received for her birthday, by the time we got to the check out she was given a birthday certificate and lots of stickers, they made her feel really special:sohappy:

 

[fireworkz]

It was really nice - we always go to Columbia House for lunch on our first day in the parks. It was great to have our food brought to us at a table with table cloth, cloth napkins, real cutlery (which fit with theme of CH, historic look and feel to them - must have come from Liberty Inn), and chilled mugs for our drinks (with free refills!).

 

[Mr Toad]

That truely was "Magical" experience!

 

[disneyny]

I always hope to have one of these things happen!! Wehave had a few tiny things like a server at Crystal Palace giving me some confetti and wewere once approached at AK to see if we wanted preferred seating at FOLK but we couldn't take advantage of it since we had kids who needed naps. Nothing as special as those though!!

 

[castlecake2.0]

That was a 'Magical Moment'. Like said before, these are planned events that happen all across property. Planned, as in a process, not as in they know they are specifically going to choose a certain family etc. Sometimes the task will be assigned through CDS, the Cast Deployment System, other times at random.

Ive seen this magical moment performed at various Quick Service locations across property. Im not sure about the camera part though, however there are lots of international Cast Members on exchange working at WDW, and perhaps she wanted to keep the memory of it, it was probably just as magical for the cast member as it was for you! :wave:

 

[Captain Hank]

I've seen this Magical Moment happen at Columbia Harbor House and Cosmic Ray's. The CM probably just wanted a personal momento of the moment--that's why she asked for the photo and info.