Are You Born a Tool, or Do You Become 1 When You Get an AP?

[Max Fischer]

Ok, I am not a CM, but I can totally feel your pain!!! I CANNOT even comprehend some of the stuff I read on other DLR sites. Some of these self-proclaimed DLR fans are total FREAKS!!!! They talk so much smack about how a CM looked, didn't smile, etc, etc. Jesus Christ! Do they think working at DLR is like joining the f-ing Peace Corp????? Puh-lease!!! It is a job, JUST a job. It is a cool one, and hopefully one that CMs enjoy, but God, it isn't a calling.....

I go nuts when I read some ridiculous posts on other sites, it is amazing. I am going to DL in October, and I VOW not to do the dumb stuff that I see and hear happen. I also purchased a PAP, but I am not a moron that needs to feel self-important. I am interested in the discounts.

So, in closing, please know that there are some of us out there that know you guys bust your ass, and we appreciate it. Not everyone is a psycho, DLR-like star trek fan.

Good Times.

P.S. Maybe in the future you guys can post what kinds of things you would like to see guest do, or say that would make your life easier. That might help with some of the misguided guests who think they are being helpful.

[CujoSR]

I love the title of this thread!!!

Most APs and even the "Freaks," as you put it, are very nice and courtious (sp?) people. But as Dante so eliquently put it: when you're driving down the road, it's the potholes that you remember - not the miles and miles of otherwise smooth pavement.

[SRT_GB]

Thanks for the support Max. I used to read one particular DLR fan site and it drove me nuts how people would post every single friggin detail about their most recent trip to DL. I mean, I'm glad they enjoyed their trip and want to talk about it and all, but why the hell do they have to say that so-and-so was nice and so-and-so wasn't nice?

Want my advice on how not to annoy CMs? Try as much as possible not to ask ridiculous questions or questions that we hear 20,000 times a day. More than half of the questions I hear 20,000 times a day are answered in the park map, including park hours, show times, how FP works, and (who would've guessed it) where everything is. You'll be surprised how many times I'll point something out to someone on the map and they'll still ask "where's that?"

[Polar33]

P.S. Maybe in the future you guys can post what kinds of things you would like to see guest do, or say that would make your life easier. That might help with some of the misguided guests who think they are being helpful.

You know...I typed up a huge list of things that would fill that request a while ago and for the life of me I can't find it now.

Generaly, the best things one could do arn't really that hard. Useing common sense is definately a must. Paying attention to things is good too. But IMHO, the best thing a guest could do to make my life easier is to be polite and return a smile.

When a guest comes up and barks a single word question like "BATHROOM?" and runs away without even letting me finish my reply it irritates me to no end. However, I could answer questions like "Excuse me, is there a restroom nearby?" that end in a "Thank you" all day long without complaint, even if said restroom is 10 feet behind me.

One of the things that really makes me smile is when a guest will come up and start off saying something like "I know you must answer this question a thousand times a day" or "I have an extremely stupid question". Even if it is the most annoying or stupidist question I don't mind answering it because I know the guest in some way understands what it's like.

[Buggy]

As a self-proclaimed stupid guest, I just wanted to mention a study I read about years ago.

It seems that given the choice between asking a busy coworker about how to use a copier and looking it up in the manual, a great majority of people would interrupt the busy coworker.

It's just easier to ask someone than look it up yourself. It's human nature.

I do ask stupid questions sometimes because it's easier, but I do try to be polite about it and always thank the CM for the answer.

[Dante101]

Maybe in the future you guys can post what kinds of things you would like to see guest do, or say that would make your life easier. That might help with some of the misguided guests who think they are being helpful.
Don't do anything special - just don't be a jerk. Some may find it hard to believe, but even working at Disneyland, we run into a lot of a**holes. People get hot and cranky as they spend the day waiting in line and listening to their kids whine and paying $3 for a Coke - who can blame them? But don't take it out on the cast members. Disney rapes you for every cent you've got, but they don't treat us much better.

And on the flipside, we've got cast members who are jerks, too. I've seen a lot of my coworkers treat people badly (people who didn't deserve it). So it goes both ways...

If you're looking to make the day nicer for a cast member, just smile and say "hi." That's all. Don't add anything. Funny enough, a lot of jerks start off their evil encounters with a phony smile and a "hello, how are you doing today?" When I hear that phrase, I'm like a deer caught in the headlights - 'cause I wonder if the guest is going to follow-up with a complaint they have ("Can you tell me your name, please?") or a stupid comment ("It wouldn't hurt you to smile, you know") or something nice ("Disney doesn't pay you guys enough").

As for a list of general things that guests do that bug me:

-not knowing the number of people in your party, or waiting until you're asked to count.

-giving the wrong answer when asked "how many." (for instance, on Space Mtn, people can see that the seats are two by two, so when asked "how many," they'll answer "two" (even though there might be 7 in their group). So the cast member will put them in an empty row - there might be one empty row left in the rocket coming in - and hold up the rest of their group for the next rocket; only to have the guest say "they're with us!" This is usually followed by the cast member rolling their eyes and saying, "you said you had two in your party." I mean, it's not that confusing. When asked "how many," we want to know the size of your group - unless you don't care about being split up into different vehicles...)

-especially on busy days, get into and out of the ride vehicle as quickly as possible. On rides like Space Mtn, we try to run as many rockets as we can to make the line move faster, but we are hampered by slow-moving guests - or guests who finish the ride and remain seated so they can give you a "wow, what a ride" expression. You can actually cause Space Mtn to break down by not getting in or out fast enough. (in fact, I hear one of the improvements on Space will be a separate load area for handicapped guests, where their rocket will be on a spur track - allowing them all the time they need to get in or out)

-on Monorail, fold up your damn stroller! Don't try to sneak it on, hoping we won't notice. And don't whine about how your child is asleep - an unfolded stroller on the Monorail is a safety hazard. As I used to tell the guests, we're not going to jeopardize the safety of the other guests just because you might have to wake your child up. If it's that damn important to let your kid sleep, then walk back to the hotel - it's not all that far...

It's been a year since I quit, so I can't remember too much more right now...

[cheshire]

Please don't yell. :( If you have a complaint, talk to us about it. Yelling and being rude or sarcastic makes us less willing to help. It would also be helpful if people would do a little research(pick up a phone, use the computer) to find out what rides are closed. By the time people get to critter country, and I'm sure other perimeter areas, they are very angry that this ride or that ride was closed for rehab. If people are going to spend that much money to go somewhere, the least they can do is some minimal research.

[Dante101]

I agree. We get bombarded with guests trying to get compensation for anything and everything. If it's something legit, then no problem - but if the guest is nasty, a CM is certainly less likely to help out. If the guest is nice, the CM will most likely to go out of their way to help.

Oh, and one thing that seems to grate on my fellow CMs - if you have some funny joke about a CM's costume or whatever, you have to realize that person has most likely heard that exact same joke hundreds of times already. Expect them to roll their eyes and say "very original."

[SRT_GB]

Please don't yell. :( If you have a complaint, talk to us about it. Yelling and being rude or sarcastic makes us less willing to help.
I really, really, really hate when someone has a complaint but I can't give them what they want for whatever reason, and they bust out with some stupid line like "the customer is always right." That tells me they're trying to take advantage of me and makes me even less willing to help them.

[coffeegirl9]

Yes, I don't uderstand why guests think yelling at the next cast member they encounter will make everything all better. We are very sorry that you had a bad time, or weren't given the right information, or that you came to Disneyland JUST TO RIDE SPACE MOUNTAIN, but yelling at me can't magically make Space Mountain open, or lower the price on anything. It's nice that you think I have that kind of power, but it's not going to do anything but piss me off. Also, don't tell me to tell Michael Eisner anything. I hate when a guest says, "Well, you should tell Michael Eisner that the prices are too high." I've got news for you-Michael Eisner doesn't care what Jane Doe out at ticket booth 3 says!

[Freak]

.......but yelling at me can't magically make Space Mountain open, or lower the price on anything......

Hmmmm, imagine if that were so.... :lol:

::has funny/strange thoughts running through his head right now::

[goose]

Hey Max! Great post.

Well I completley agree with Polar. Barking orders at me will piss me off and I won't smile at the guest when they do that.

*Other things: When we ask you not to sit, stand, lean, jump, walk, or push something, we're looking out for your safety. Many have hurt themselves by ignoring us.

*Please move to the side if a 900 lb churro cart is coming your way.

*Don't ask me why the prices are so high. Unless you want to hear me explain the definition of a capitalist country.

*Hopefully everyone learned what a line was in preschool. But if you haven't, please read up on this practice before visiting Disneyland.

[Dante101]

but yelling at me can't magically make Space Mountain open, or lower the price on anything. It's nice that you think I have that kind of power, but it's not going to do anything but piss me off.
There ya go! Some of my most-used lines are "I'm sorry, I didn't make that decision" and "what would you like me to do?"

The second line works real good, because you're making the guest think (a feat in itself) and realize there is no point in continuing to whine to me. That's when they'll walk away saying, "You should tell your manager..."

[Freak]

You know, for some reason, now when I go to the DLR, I notice these nasty people more and more...Anyways, though I don't work there, I'm going to just add common sense here.

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

It can be that simple. If you're a nasty evil person yelling and stuff like that, I don't think someone is going to bend over backwards for you now. And whenever something happens, just go with the flow, don't get all anal about it. Of all the years of going to the DLR, I've been hurt and stuff like that, and no matter who's fault it is, I always just say "No big deal." And continue on with my life. I don't want any special treatment, no hotel room, nothing. Just because I was hurt (nothing seirous, just bruises and a few cuts here and there) in some way (my fault, or someone elses fault), I really don't want special treatment, I don't like it. And again, like I said before:

Treat others the way you want to be treated.

[Fritter]

There ya go! Some of my most-used lines are "I'm sorry, I didn't make that decision" and "what would you like me to do?"

The second line works real good, because you're making the guest think (a feat in itself) and realize there is no point in continuing to whine to me. That's when they'll walk away saying, "You should tell your manager..."

Ha I get that all the time! I had a time when a lady came up to me on a churro cart:

Lady: "Excuse me, there is bird poop on that bench over there."
Me: "And what would you like me to do about it?"
Lady: "Go clean it up."
Me: "I can't leave my cart to go clean a bench that is not even close to me"
Lady: "Well you should."
Me: "Miss, that is not part of my job description, I'm just here to make churros. You can go over there and ask that guy (as I point to custodial)"
Lady: "You still should do it."

People these days...

[Dante101]

Lady: "You still should do it."
"...and then you should bend down and lick my bottom, because I paid
$50 to get in here and I shouldn't have to touch toilet paper with my
own fingers..."

[SirWillow]

Nah, I was thinking that he should offer her a complimentary churro right
after he's done cleaning the poop off. And I do mean immediately
afterwards. :twisted:

[tourbunny]

As a self-proclaimed stupid guest, I just wanted to mention a study I
read about years ago.

It seems that given the choice between asking a busy coworker about
how to use a copier and looking it up in the manual, a great majority of
people would interrupt the busy coworker.

It's just easier to ask someone than look it up yourself. It's human
nature.

I do ask stupid questions sometimes because it's easier, but I do try to
be polite about it and always thank the CM for the answer.

all i have to say to that is, when a guest knowingly choses to ask rather
then read they have to expect some sarcastic answer followes by an
annoyed eyeroll from us because we know that you just did that because
you are f***in' lazy. don't go to city hall and complain about the cm's
attitude because us working there are just gonna tell you "well did you
read that sign there?"

another thing guests could do to make our life easier is to NOT start their
sentence of with "i don't mean to complain, but..." of course you mean to
complaine just admit it!

the other thing that bothers me greatly is when guests cheat their way
into getting a special asstistance pass and then glance at me telling me
how stupid i was to let them get away with it. i did not let you get away
with anything you son of a ... i HAVE to give it to everyone so you were
not smarter then anybody else. quite the opposite, because of morons
like you , your line is also an hour long! so as nelson fom the simpson
sayed : HAHA!

another thing that annoyes me is beeing on a vip tour and it is visible
that i am with a guest on our way to do something and other parkguests
still stop me to explain fastpass. and then they get all pissed of when i
have to ignore them or tell then i cant talk right now or what have you.

as far as you guy's posts about one word commands - i totaly agree,
here is a usual conversation of mine:
guest : "map?"
me :" yes!"
guest :" yes what?"
me :" yes we have some..."
guest :" well then gimme one!"
me :" it's next to your left hand ,right there sir!"
oh and THE most annoying thing: people, please don't fire us on stage or
threaten to write a letter to corporate to get us fired. no , we don't
beleive you that you are a friend of cynthia harris' and no we don't think
that your cousin, who works at the studios can get us fired if you ask him
nicely. so just get off it!

[VonSeegs]

Lady: "You still should do it."
"...and then you should bend down and lick my bottom, because I paid
$50 to get in here and I shouldn't have to touch toilet paper with my
own fingers..."

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOL.........LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL OLOLOLOLOLO
LOLOLOLOL

[sailorick]

As a longtime guest of the park and a registered lurker on this site (I
love it!) I thought this was a post I could finally comment on. I agree with
freak about treating CM's with the same respect you would expect for
yourself. It's the least a guest should do. Because of my job, I can visit
the park almost on a weekly basis and I spend lot's of time just sitting on
a bench at the hub or on mainstreet watching the people. It can be an
amazing show sometimes! All the CM's I meet have treated me (or my
party) with upmost respect. I have actually shaken hands with CM's
after rides! I've had great conversations with CM's about college, sailing,
racing or whatever. I "assume" for a cast member it's nice to have a
conversation (albiet, a short one) about something other then the ride, or
the location of the nearest restroom!! I'm sure after seeing 20,000 faces
all day, it's nice to see at least one smiling back (and offering the correct
party count!) Keep up the good work friends, you're a major part of why
my trips there are fun. Also keep posting to this site, it's a freakin blast
to read!

Rick
www.fotki.com/sailorick

[VonSeegs]

That was such a nice post Sailorick! Thank you! I wish all the guests could be like that. :D

[Fritter]

hehehehe, woudln't have surprised me if she wanted me to wipe her ass too.

I'm a girl by the way 8)

[Polar33]

I "assume" for a cast member it's nice to have a conversation (albiet, a
short one) about something other then the ride, or the location of the
nearest restroom!!

Although it sounds sappy, one of the things I really like about the off-
season is that since everybody (CMs and guests alike) are much more
liad-back it gives me the chance to talk to people, find out where they
are from, etc. No one is in a huge rush and a lot of people don't mind to
stop and chat for a little while.

[BirdMom]

Although it sounds sappy, one of the things I really like about the off-
season is that since everybody (CMs and guests alike) are much more
liad-back it gives me the chance to talk to people, find out where they
are from, etc. No one is in a huge rush and a lot of people don't mind to
stop and chat for a little while.

I'll agree with you there. One of the best things about working at
Disneyland was the opportunity to meet people that you wouldn't have
met otherwise - and I don't mean movie stars or politicians. It's the
families from around the world. Some really cool people have come
through our gates. While working as a "breaker" in merchandise, I
ended up moving through shop to shop more or less on the same pace
as a couple from Argentina who were here checking out universities for
one of their daughters. After translating and chatting with them for
awhile, they ended up inviting me to visit their ranch! I've also been
invited to visit guests homes in Switzerland, Australia and Russia. Just
the idea that some stranger would chat with you for awhile and decide to
extend an invitation is still amazing to me. I mean, we do kid that if you
work there for awhile, you've seen EVERYTHING, and I do mean
everything :lol: , but it's the slow seasons with the nice guests that make
up for the pills you put up with other times.

[goose]

I get along great with anyone under 4. They're cute, sweet and in some
cases smarter and more well-behaved than the adult guests.

[Wizard69]

I believe that you are born and tool and carry your stupidity throughout your life. :)

[Indywitch]

Stupidity does seem the norm in some of our guests and I think some do
try to piss us off....If we ask a guest to do something its because
someone told us we have to do it....If you're going to ride the Steam
Train fold up your damn stroller! Don't tell me it doesn't fold you had to
get it out of your car....And I'm sorry you are a single mother of 5 at the
park not my job to lift your double wide semi stroller onto the train....You
should have brought a friend..... :bang:

[coldfire409]

It does sometimes appear that most of the guests are dumb and stupid;
I've noticed a few that are very nice. I cannot stand the one word
conversations, and I hate it when a guest come up to me and says "Who
wants to be a Millionaire?" I usually reply that question with I do and ask
the guest for my check. Then they realize their mistake and ask if I
know where it is. Although I have had a few guests that just storm off.

I don't think it's too hard to speak in a complete sentence :bang:

[Mansion_Boi]

Oh how about when you ask how many as you
prepare to group them and they tell you the
right answer and you tell them so many to row
one so many to row two and so on and then they
turn around and tell you we want to ride together,
I always saw I know that is why your there, and
then they say but we want to ride together, and I
go trust me you will, then they go but why are we
in different rows, I am like just wait you will see you
will ride together as long as you don't screw up.
What about when they ask you were something is
and you tell them and they don't believe you or argue
with you that it is not there, like the park exit, I
had someone argue with me that it wasn't there,
I was like did you pass the train station they answer
yes, ok that's where you came in from that is where
you exit then they say, that is not how we got in so
where the ???? is the god damn exit, I am like over
there now leave me alone. Oh yeah fun times, my
theory of the park is this, there is a grandiose cloud
of knowledge and common sense that engulfs the
park, and it has to disperse it's knowledge and common
sense equally amongst the guests, sometimes even
cast members, so on a busier day everyone gets a
smaller amount so people are more stupid, and on
slow days people know what they are doing and are
nice. I like slow days. The kids under 7 usually end up
smarter than the parents though. 99% of time the kids
are right the parents are wrong.

[Zazu]

The kids under 7 usually end up smarter than the parents though. 99% of
time the kids are right the parents are wrong.
I just love it when Dad is trying to lead the family in through the exit
while Kid is yelling, "We're not supposed to go in this way!"

I get to take the Kid's side and yell, "Be good now, or you won't get any
desert!" :twisted:

Once a Dad growled at me, "You don't have to treat me like a child."

I simply replied, "You don't have to act like one either, but that seems to
be what's happening." With both Mom and Kids laughing their butts off, I
don't have to worry about news getting back to City Hall. :pbjtime:

[Thatguy]

I'd just like to point out that many posts in this topic prove my "screw the parents, I'm gonna talk to the kid" philosophy.

But as a hotel cm (at the moment, I'm always moving around) I can tell you the room numbers and names of the current "good" guests, the ones who will talk to us about their plans, or share their excitment, or just be courteous and understanding and what I've done and am currently working on to make their stay that much better, as well as any negative experiences they've had which I find out on by checking the internal calls, or just speaking with them.

And for the curt/hostile/greedy/serve me now guests? I dunno, I put a comment in their file and forgot about them. If they come demanding something else it's taken into consideration.

Basically if you are a courteous, understanding and friendly you will be watched and cared for. If not... well.. you exist.

So all in all going in as a guest it's not that difficult to make us happy, follow the golden rule.

[lady ulrike]

Well, this is kind of an old topic, but in case anyone else is reading this, a couple of things to do to make our (CMs) day better.

Know how many are in your group, and please please please count children, even if you have to say 5 plus one baby, that's better than just saying 5.

Also, if you want to request a particular row do right away instead of after we've grouped you and the ride vehicle has pulled up.

and 1 last thing that I don't think has been said. If you're going to see a show/parade, etc plan to get there early, if you don't and it's full, don't get mad at the CM's they didn't tell all those other people to get there ahead of you. :D

[IrritatedIndy]

So, in closing, please know that there are some of us out there that know you guys bust your ass, and we appreciate it. Not everyone is a psycho, DLR-like star trek fan.
Good Times.

P.S. Maybe in the future you guys can post what kinds of things you would like to see guest do, or say that would make your life easier. That might help with some of the misguided guests who think they are being helpful.


I'll second that! Totally agree.

[hhsrat]

Questions people have asked, or actions that they've done that have annoyed me:

- Although I may be wearing boots, I still do not like having my feet run over with strollers/wheelchairs/ecv's
- Ropes are there for a reason, please do not remove, reposition, or unfasten them
- No, I cannot let you use your fastpass 18 1/2 minutes early, please do not ask. Also, please do not ask again after 45 seconds have passed, the answer will still be no.
- Yes, your 8 year old does need an admission ticket to get into the park. No it does not matter if they're "just a baby"
- If I'm working an entrance turnstyle, no, I cannot let you out through my stroller gate, even if you are carrying a child in your arms. You need to go through the exit area (they'll probably let you through their stroller gate, but they need to be able to count you)
- No, I will not watch your child for you while you ride
- Please remain seated on my ride. Please tell your child to remain seated on my ride. It scares me a bit that I"m more concerned for your child's safety than you are
- If I'm grouping an attraction, I may momentarily move to one of the rows to assist a guest. This does NOT mean that you are now free to pick your own row.