No Questions!

[Zazu]

The family was in some big hurry to check in and get to the parks, so they split up. One checked in while another came to me and asked for, "Tickets, fast!"

So, I start into my usual routine asking, "How many adults and kids, how many days will you be in a theme park," etc. and she shuts me right down.

"Look, don't ask me any questions, just sell me the tickets!"

Fine. I understand a sense of urgency when I see one, so I quickly sell her family each a 1-day, 1-park ticket, and let her know that we can add days or features whenever she likes.

"Wait a minute, these aren't Florida resident tickets! Why didn't you give me Florida tickets?"

"This is why we normally ask questions, ma'am...." :rolleyes:

[bpgstudios]

you know, almos the exact same thing happened to me the other day at Pan, with our usual wheelchair waiting queue being used for overflow FP, meaning guests in wheelchairs would have to wait in half the FP line until they got up to the wheelchair chain. I asked a guest in a wheelchair if they were able to transfer and walk on a moving walkway. I got about halfway through the speil when she snapped at me "I did this before! Thats none of your business!" I said "Ok, well I am required to ask this to all our guests needing special assistance at this attraction. I also should inform you that we cannot stop or slow down the ride." "Yeah, I did it before!" "Ok, just follow the line up to the wheelchair sign."

She gets up there, and sure enough, shes arguing with wheelchair assist, saying she can't leave her chair, and that they need to stop the ride for her. Needless to say, she was mad that "noone told her that she needed to be able to walk before waiting in this long line (5 minutes max). :rolleyes: Well, if you would let someone ask you a few questions-- especially someone that knows the operating procedures at the attraction-- LISTEN and Don;t assume. Even if you have been on the attraction before, each CM has a different way of loading, grouping, comfort, etc. Procedures change as well. I know at Pan several years ago we used to let wheelchairs roll right up to the edge of the belt. Not anymore.

[CastMemberTinkerbell1999]

Zazu I can feel your pain! I guess you cannot sell the FL resident tickets unless someone requests it? You cannot ask a guest if they are a Fl resident? At least that is the rule at the reservation center. Althought we can tell that a guest is from Fl (ie area code or can see address in system) we cannot proactively sell Fl resident products so the guest has to ask for them. So you ask your discovery questions and give the ticket or resort price that best suites their needs. Although the ads say to ask for XYZ when calling for pricing. So when you give them the rack rate for either a resort or a theme park ticket they ask if that is with the FL resident discount. Then you tell them that you did not ask me for a Fl resident discount.

[Zazu]

Zazu I can feel your pain! I guess you cannot sell the FL resident tickets unless someone requests it?Naw, my goal is to get my guests the best tickets for their situation. I can ask and offer anything I please.

Besides, if the day comes when I'm not allowed to do what's best for my guests, I'll retire again!

[CelebrationNM]

Zazu--you're not psychic yet?

BPGStudios--Guests spend hours studying the fan sites before they come. Clearly they know more about how the queue works than you.

What's wrong with you people!? ;)

[Zazu]

Zazu--you're not psychic yet?That's *almost* the word my fellow CMs use to describe me.... :crazyharr

[june1st1997]

Zazu

Ok I just gotta know how you don't kick that person in the head... Really.

You are truly an inspiration. That fact that you still want to do what's best for your guest is amazing.

My job is about serving other people's interests and at times I deal with some pretty arrogant, self important, abusive people... on occasion I find myself hoping for their demise... even when it impacts me financially.

The fact that you don't let it cloud your judgement is amazing!

I'm sure that you are not the only CM with this dedication, it's so #*&^%ed up you guys doen't get treated better... by all.

[CelebrationNM]

That's *almost* the word my fellow CMs use to describe me.... :crazyharr

Yeah, from what I hear, they use change the "ic" of psychic to an "o", but I'm not going to get anyone in trouble. :)

[SueOKW]

That's *almost* the word my fellow CMs use to describe me.... :crazyharr

Just by about 2 little letters? ;)

[Zazu]

Ok I just gotta know how you don't kick that person in the head... Really.Well the thing is, I'm only going to get the chance to kick one guest in the head. Standards for CM performance set the limit just a little too low for me to get a second chance. And even though I've been sorely tempted at times over the years, I've never met a guest who convinced me that *no one* would ever be stupider.

I did come close once. There was a guest who assaulted Mickey in Town Square. Mickey's friend ended up in hospital, and all of us carried photos of Mickey's assailant for the rest of the day. The plan we had all agreed to was to haul her butt out behind City Hall, and each of us would give her one good kick. There were enough of us that she wouldn't have survived.

But yeah, just saying things to me without physical contact is a long way short of my limit.

[Rockies1977]

Well the thing is, I'm only going to get the chance to kick one guest in the head. Standards for CM performance set the limit just a little too low for me to get a second chance. And even though I've been sorely tempted at times over the years, I've never met a guest who convinced me that *no one* would ever be stupider.

I did come close once. There was a guest who assaulted Mickey in Town Square. Mickey's friend ended up in hospital, and all of us carried photos of Mickey's assailant for the rest of the day. The plan we had all agreed to was to haul her butt out behind City Hall, and each of us would give her one good kick. There were enough of us that she wouldn't have survived.

But yeah, just saying things to me without physical contact is a long way short of my limit.

I'm sorry about this, but I had no choice but to respond to that post. So, please forgive me because I have been lurking in these forums for some time and I feel that I need to put in my two cents for my very first post. Never mind that I am still trying to learn the etiquette here.

What is with SGs assaulting Disney characters like that? This is inexcusable and uncalled for. When did that incident occur? And, when you say "Mickey's friend", do you mean the CM responsible for the performer's well-being?

Right now, I am shaking with disbelief. I hope the CM performer is all right and I want to send both people my best wishes for a speedy recovery. I regard the character performer as "a best friend that I can never have." You see, when I was a young boy, I had one of them (non-Disney) come out to console me unscheduled and stay with me for as long as he can. It was no ordinary stay. He was willing to do things to keep me safe and happy, while risking himself getting reprimanded or fired by his superiors. Suffice to say, if it were not for his timely presence, I will most likely not be alive today.

Kudos to all of you CMs. If I were there to have witnessed it, I would have gladly helped you guys out. I hope that, when I get to visit WDW for the first time, I will be more polite to you CMs. I know how you guys feel all too well, when confronted with SGs and their shenanigans. I have been there many times in my life, when it comes to being in and out of the workplace. I hope that I am not imposing my opinions on you guys.

[Zazu]

I'm sorry about this, but I had no choice but to respond to that post. So, please forgive me because I have been lurking in these forums for some time and I feel that I need to put in my two cents for my very first post. Never mind that I am still trying to learn the etiquette here.From the looks of this post, you're learning really good.

What is with SGs assaulting Disney characters like that? This is inexcusable and uncalled for.Ayup, I think we're all agreed on that point.

And, when you say "Mickey's friend", do you mean the CM responsible for the performer's well-being?No, I mean the 55-year-old lady in the mouse suit. (Sheesh, you *try* to be subtle, but they just don't get it! <G>)

Right now, I am shaking with disbelief. I hope the CM performer is all right and I want to send both people my best wishes for a speedy recovery.I left the MK about two months after the incident. The fact that I didn't see that CM again (that I know of) isn't really evidence. Someone in the Zoo would know.

I regard the character performer as "a best friend that I can never have."What chu mean "never"? You can come visit Mickey whenever you like, and once in a great while, he'll come visit you.

Kudos to all of you CMs. If I were there to have witnessed it, I would have gladly helped you guys out. I hope that, when I get to visit WDW for the first time, I will be more polite to you CMs. I know how you guys feel all too well, when confronted with SGs and their shenanigans. I have been there many times in my life, when it comes to being in and out of the workplace. I hope that I am not imposing my opinions on you guys.Naw, your opinions seem fine to me. It also sounds like you aren't very likely to show up in one of these posts. Come on down, dilute the stupids!

[Rockies1977]

Attacking a 55-year-old lady? :eek: Now, that is stooping so low that I'm really seething. Where in the world was the CA CM, when that incident was going on? :confused:

Anyway, thanks for the vote of confidence, Zazu.

I guess some SGs don't have any basic manners whatsoever. My parents really grilled me about self-control and related topics, when I was young. I don't know why these kind of people think that they can get away with childish and selfish behavior in the open like that. In fact, I don't want to know. I can only surmise that these SGs' learning curves are skewed to the idiotic side lately.

As for this stupids, I would gladly dilute them to size. ;) Unfortunately, the spectrum range of these SGs is very wide by description. I knew of some SGs that are well-off financially, but they can be brats at certain times. Then, of course, there are those I know that show the usual signs of immaturity, when they not using their brains, eyes and ears for clues. Of course, sometimes it was not intentional for some of them to act like that. But, the persistent ones: they really scare me.

[darph nader]

Hey Zazu,you could always 'mentaly' bitch slap stoopid people. :twisted: OOPS, I'm sure you already do. :eek:
(note to self,no brain farts while on the computer) :rolleyes:

[Zazu]

Hey Zazu,you could always 'mentaly' bitch slap stoopid people. :twisted: OOPS, I'm sure you already do.Tell me about it. The virtual bills for the virtual therapy on my virtually strained wrists from all the virtual dope slaps is more than my virtual salary!

[dizneeluvr]

i think that is awful that mickey was assaulted. i hope the person who did so was arrested.
as far as all the SG, my opinion is that no matter what their financial standing they feel that they spent x amount of dollars for this trip to WDW. they are paying good money and they are entitled to get exactly what they want. if they want to get ahead of a line by cheating the FP system, they are entitled, if they want to get an autograph and jump the line, they're entitled. if the want instant service at a restaurant, they're entitled. they are too stupid and ignorant to realize that they are stupid and ignorant. they spent their money and they are going to get what they want no matter who they have to squash and be nasty to. these kind of people are like this whether they are on vacation or just going to a local store. i've said this before, what goes around comes around it's just too bad that we can't witness it when they get theirs.

[darph nader]

Quick question.If concerned citizen comes to the aid of said assaulted Mickey Mouse,would said citizen get into trouble??? :rolleyes:

[Big Wallaby]

You want the official or unofficial answer to that? Officially, I'm sure they'd have to haul your butt off to jail or something. But I am sure if you jumped into the fray and saved Mickey, no one would see you.

[Syndrome]

You want the official or unofficial answer to that? Officially, I'm sure they'd have to haul your butt off to jail or something. But I am sure if you jumped into the fray and saved Mickey, no one would see you.
Sort of like no one saw the guy who shanked Jeffrey Dahmer in the slammer. ;)

[Polar33]

Quick question.If concerned citizen comes to the aid of said assaulted Mickey Mouse,would said citizen get into trouble??? :rolleyes:It would probably all depend on who was the first on scene and if enough other guests saw the initial provocation.

Either way I'm sure you'd be out of trouble a whole lot sooner than the person that started the mess.

[Rockies1977]

Zazu, it looks like I forgot to answer you about the "never" part there. Well, I wouldn't want to make myself into an idiot to someone, like Mickey. Sure, I would love to have Mickey and the other characters come to me, instead of the other way around. Of course, character performer CMs have a lot on their hands nowadays and it would be difficult to have them break their schedules just to see me. Unless, of course, I become a CP CM in the future and really try for myself what you current and former CMs had to go through. As I think that you already know, SGs react differently in different places.

As for putting myself into a fray and risk getting into trouble with the authorities, I would do it. Not for myself, but for the safety of the CM and the reputation of WDW itself. The people who just stand there, while some really bad individual or group of SGs assault a CM like that, are no better than the SGs themselves to me. Of course, that POV of mine could be viewed as extreme to some here. So, you can say that Polar33 has explained it the best in that post there.

[mechurchlady]

The general rule of thumb is that guests should let CMs handle problems unless the situation is out of hand and there in no other option. If there was a security guard then I would stay out of the fight but if it was just the handler there then boy would be in there flattening the dude.

Guests often do not realize that those big strong characters are actually people inside. Mom swears that the chipmunk that hugged her on her birthday was a woman. Chip or Dale, who knows.

[Rockies1977]

You're right, mechurchlady.

I wouldn't want to go overboard by trying to become a hero like that. Besides, there are so many potential SGs that would love the opportunity to do real stupid things to CMs that I will never figure them out. I have been a security guard for exactly a year. Not fun, let's just say that for me. I left it on my own because the company I worked for "stabbed me in the back" by favoring one fellow over me over ridiculous decisions. I still have a real sour taste over it because I knew that I could improve my standing with them then. I was quite an avid observer and it was an asset they didn't want to lose, but their sad state of affairs left me no choice. Therefore, I do not envy the security CMs either. Their actions can get just as scrutinized as the other CMs' conduct in their positions. The safety of the whole resort usually rests on these guys and anything could happen any day there. :(

Besides, I love those YouTube clips of the CMs playing as Mickey Mouse. :mickey2: They really thaw my cold heart every time I watch them. I mean, who would have any real minds to attack him or the other characters? I guess only the persistent SGs comes to mind here. :twisted: