The Perfect Guest -- any suggestions?

[BRWombat]

Fellow SGTers, I'm working on an article for a Disney web newsletter on what it takes to be the perfect guest -- and I KNOW that you guys will have some great ideas. There's already a wealth of material here, of course, but I'll take any thoughts you might have. What is the ideal guest to you? Thanks!

[darph nader]

Right off the top of my head,think a few seconds before asking a question.(I'm guilty of letting my mouth get ahead of my brain).I 'try' to remember to say "thanks" when ever possible. The 'biggest' thing I think is to just be polite to everyone, no matter how bad a day she/he may be having. This includes putting trash in trash cans,and in my case smoking in designated areas. My $.02.

[mechurchlady]

Reads the signs.

Has done extensive research and read everything possible first. That would help because people are online but do not even check the park sites to see answers. Find out what is closed so you do not get hyped over something that is down for refurbishment. It tells you what you can ride if pregnant, disabled or a little kid.

Use trash cans.

Know when your kids are at the breaking point. It is sad to see kids crying with exhaustion. Treat kids right, no slapping them or yelling at them.

Staff are there to answer questions and help. They are not there to be your baby sitter, pet sitter, or do all your work for you.

Treat staff with respect and understand that they do not make the rules. There are laws and regulations as well as managers who are part of the rules making.

Do not ask staff to break rules or laws.

Chaperone means a person who oversees other people and makes sure those under their watch do not get into trouble or cause trouble. Poking at cheer leaders.

Large groups should not expect to shove everyone on the same train, tram, boat or restaurant table.

Listen to staff. "How many in your party?" means you immediately say how many are in your group.

Mark exactly where you parked your car so security does not have to drive you around and around the parking structure.

Do not poke the person in front of you in line and no pushing either. Remember that the back pack on your back can at time be very large and hit other guests or hit objects. do not pack so much stuff for your day at the park that you need to bring luggage with wheels and rent a double wide stroller even though you do not have kids.

If you got something potentially contagious like the flu or a cold, then stay home. If you have to be some place then throw your kleenex in the trash not the floor.
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I am a wee bit tired and rambling but the above applies not just for Disney parks but life in general so that is why I say staff. In a restaurant the host says "How many?" and people stare or chatter on and ignore the host. They then stand there and almost fight over who should go first. Then it is "May I get you something to drink?" and more ignoring the host or they have to have the entire bar and drinks read off to them. That happens at Denny's and it happens in WDW just alike.

[Marilou]

In my case, do at least some research on your trip. What does hotel offer, what else is in the area (resteraunts etc)

Research park hours, what attractions are closed, height requirements & scare level for attractions.

Plan ahead: ponchos, disposable cameras and/or film. If ya want to see a parade or show and don't want to stand...get there ahead of time.

Try to allow at least one down-time evening where the kiddos get something resembling a full nights sleep, you'll be thankfull the next day!

If you have picky eaters in your party, look into what foods are offered at different food establishments in the park...it can save some battles.

(I know, I plan to the extreme, but it works for us)

Read the map!

And most important.....don't leave your brains at the gate.

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

Got questions: Ask! If riding an attraction for the first time, ask for height and age requirements. Don't say, ".......but he rode it last time!"

When we say "No." It means "No" It doesn't mean that you can drop any ropes and chains and harrass the cast members until they get what they want.

Always say "Please" and "Thank you" with a smile. It always brighten our day, too!!

YOu want to be funny, be original. We heard that joke around thousands of times and it might be getting annoying.

Don't whine or complain, PERIOD!

Think before you speak.

Call the rides, stores, characters, castle, etc............. by their rightful names.

[mechurchlady]

Please, remember that other guests are going to use that item. So please do not leave your gum under seats and tables. Other people are going to sit where you just walked. Furniture is not where you scratch out your doodles. Do not break stuff either.

Changing tables are for babies to be changed on. Tables, benches and as was posted here, condiment carts are not places to change babies.

Clean up aisle 8. If you make a mess, wet your pants, throw up or what ever then please let staff know so they can cordon off the area and/or arrange for the area to be cleaned up. Do not let someone else sit in the coke soaked seat, slide on your vomits or get your food all over their clothes.

At a restaurant know exactly what everyone wants and be ready to order with proper payment ready. "I would like 4 popcorn, 2 diet cokes, a coke and a small water, please" not "Ethel what do you want? Bubba what you want? No bubba they aint got cocoa puffs here. Missy what you want?"

Your mouth is not where you hold things you plan to hand to other people ANYWHERE, not the bank, parks, zoo, fairs, drive in, restaurant, grocers, or car wash, NO WHERE. You got your hands full but do not put tickets or credit cards in your mouth. Also some staff find it disgusting to see your pull out tickets, money, credit cards, etc from you body such as chest, undies, bra, or arm pit, nasty.

There are security check so why do they have to go through all your stuff that is not neatly arranged for an easy check. They aint letting you bring great grandad's pocket knife in. its is a hassle when security gets a bag that is so full of crud that it becomes unsafe to go in and look (possible sharp things) or they have to dig down to see what is inside. They have security checks so do not whine when they confiscate the dog, weapons and food you are bringing into the park. they mean it about not bringing meals into the park.

Know your size limits. They will not let you in if you are too tall on some kids' area or too short on some rides. Scooters do not fit in some areas like narrow store aisles. Fat people do not fit on all rides. Long legged people have a hard time on some kid rides. I knew someone with a "barrel chest" who could not ride drop down safety barred rides like Maliboomer.

Stroller and ECV parking is in designated areas. If there is none then do not leave them in doorways, streets or other places with traffic. Park them out of the way. Also do not hit people with your stroller, ecv or wheelchair.

[PirateJohn]

Fellow SGTers, I'm working on an article for a Disney web newsletter on what it takes to be the perfect guest -- and I KNOW that you guys will have some great ideas. There's already a wealth of material here, of course, but I'll take any thoughts you might have. What is the ideal guest to you? Thanks!

1) Cast members are human beings as deserving of being treated with dignity as you are. If you have a problem with your service or anything, then treating the cast members well and asking respectful questions will get you much farther than yelling and screaming, especially since the cast member you talk to may have had nothing to do with creating the problem, but could have everything to do with creating a solution.

2) When possible, clean up after yourself. We don't expect you to clean up a Coke spill, of course, but please don't throw trash all over the place.

3) Go to City Hall and report all the good and bad things you see. No park can know what it is doing right or wrong without good feedback.

4) Don't interrupt cast members who are speaking with other guests unless your query somehow is going to involve calling 911.

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

Oh, the big one: USE COMMON SENSE!!! don't let your child pee in a cup or bottle in public view. That is what bathrooms are for.

Think of other people's courtesy and safetly, even your children.

Make sure your children wear proper attire: shirts, shoes, pants, socks, etc....

[CujoSR]

Fellow SGTers, I'm working on an article for a Disney web newsletter on what it takes to be the perfect guest -- and I KNOW that you guys will have some great ideas. There's already a wealth of material here, of course, but I'll take any thoughts you might have. What is the ideal guest to you? Thanks!

Give us a little plug while your at it!

[Main Streeter]

Carry at least one valid pic ID when a guest. Using a credit card or paying by check in stores @ DLR always requires a photo ID. We can't look at a guest, listen to stories, a bio & magically realize a guest is Honest Abe