More Mouse: The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Appreciating Cast Members

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The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Appreciating Cast Members by Tom Richards

Tom Richards offers a suggestion to make your next Walt Disney World vacation even more magical.

Read it here!

[sandwich78]

Loved the examples. Great article. We would do well to take your advice in any situation where we expect to be treated well, whether at the Disney parks or at your local Subway.

[DaLoon]

The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Appreciating Cast Members by Tom Richards

Tom Richards offers a suggestion to make your next Walt Disney World vacation even more magical.

Read it here!

We try to always appreciate the cast. Starting with a greeting helps set the tone for any interaction. Several years ago we wore authentic Mardi Gras beads (literally having been caught at a parade in New Orleans - not store bought) as a part of our Halloween Party costume at MNSSHP. Checking in advance and no surprisingly, Disney did not want us to give the beads to other guests (hazards of the product - choking, swallowing, etc.; subject to misinterpretation; guests seeing beads given to one child and not another). We did not want to pack them and take them home - needed the room for gifts for grandkids. BUT there is NO rule against giving a gift to cast members, so when someone was nice to us in some special way, we gave the cast member a set of beads. The next year, same party, same costume idea, same number of beads. Note that some of the bead strands were given away to cast members before and after the party at different parks and locations. Then we changed dates, changed costumes when we were back in October. Hakuna Matata - just bring something else. So we stock up on something small (often a pin), buy a couple of dozen, stuff them in a pocket and hand them out as seems appropriate. On an 8 night stay, that works out to an average of 3 a day that we can hand out, so my wife or I just look for great cast members and say thanks (or the rare, but it happens, apology for being rude to a cast member).

[betsyrina]

Thank you for writing this! I absolutely agree! The Golden Rule applies at Disney too.

[danyoung]

Like you, Tom, I try to give the benefit of the doubt to the CM. It's rare to encounter outright rudeness in a CM, but it's up to me to either deal with it with a chuckle or let it ruin my day. I'm always amazed when I read posts from someone who had a day completely destroyed by a CM who didn't respond exactly like the poster thought he/she should. People are people, whether they're employed by Disney or not. I'd expect most of my interactions with CMs to be positive, but I'm not gonna freak out if someone's having a bad day.

[chad386]

Hi Tom,

Really impressed by your article. Wish the forums were filled with logical suggestions such as this, vs. the petty complaints that I see so often. This is a way to re-focus the negativity, and take control of your own emotions to enable a better outcome for all.

[LtPowers]

This seems like common sense to me... don't we all normally do these things even at home, around retail clerks and restaurant servers and customer care agents?


Powers &8^]

[MRZR1]

The Vacation Kingdom of the World: Appreciating Cast Members by Tom Richards

Tom Richards offers a suggestion to make your next Walt Disney World vacation even more magical.

Read it here!

Let us remember that we pay a good sum of monies to go to WDW and be pampered, waited on, and taken care of. Although everybody has a "bad day" once in a while, it is the cast members job to leave it at the gate and to cater to the guest of WDW. To suggest that we help them do their job? Come on now......
All the cast members know going in what their responsibilities are - if you cannot handle the heat - get out of the kitchen.

[LtPowers]

Let us remember that we pay a good sum of monies to go to WDW and be pampered, waited on, and taken care of. Although everybody has a "bad day" once in a while, it is the cast members job to leave it at the gate and to cater to the guest of WDW. To suggest that we help them do their job? Come on now......
All the cast members know going in what their responsibilities are - if you cannot handle the heat - get out of the kitchen.

Boy, talk about missing the point. Cast members are not your servants, and paying good money does not entitle you to be rude.


Powers &8^]

[MRZR1]

Let us remember that we pay a good sum of monies to go to WDW and be pampered, waited on, and taken care of. Although everybody has a "bad day" once in a while, it is the cast members job to leave it at the gate and to cater to the guest of WDW. To suggest that we help them do their job? Come on now......
All the cast members know going in what their responsibilities are - if you cannot handle the heat - get out of the kitchen.

Rude?
There was no mention of being rude in my post. Talk about missing the point.
I am simply stating that as an entertainer (cast member) it is part of the job and responsibility to do just that entertain.
I am a professional musician and have been for many years. I leave all my issues at the edge of the stage and give the people what they are paying for entertainment. Nobody comes up on stage and helps me do my job. I think all cast members are great, although I have experienced a few that were not. A good majority of all cast members give it 100% to make the WDW experience unforgettable. Also, paying the substantial monies that I pay to go to WDW every year does give me the right to expect an unforgettable WDW experience!!