Downtimes...

[CMGUY89]

Hey everyone, it's been a while since I posted. I wanted to vent about something very near and dear to just about every Attractions CM's heart. Downtimes or 101s in Disney Lingo. They mostly suck for guests, but sometimes they REALLY suck for CM's. As CM at The Land we take a beating for Soarin'. It must be something about the blue suits that makes the SG's scared of them and come straight for the us poor green polo shirt wearers. They scream and complain like I did it intentionally.
I loved these explanations for a Soarin' Downtime
"You did it on purpose so we would have to ride your crappy boat ride!"
"They just didn't feel like working anymore so they shut down the ride."
"They did it just so we would spend more money!!!"
I wanted to be like, GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!
My very first day I hadn't been at work for more than 2 hours and I had to Evacuate the entire pavilion because the fire alarm was going off. Everyone from the Land was concerned but we assured them it was fine. Then the Soarin' people came out...
SG: "I was at the front of the line and they kicked me out! Why?
Me: "Well we are currently having minor technical difficulties..."
SG: "B***S***!!! The fire alarm is going off!!!"
Me: "Yes, and we are investigating the cause but for everyone's safety we evacuated the building..."
SG: "Well YOU have RUINED my vacation. I am going to tell your manager and make sure you get fired!!! I know people!!!"
Me: (in my head) "I'm deeply sorry, I didn't realize you wanted to burn to death!"
I was almost in tears...I had dreamed of working at Disney my entire life and no sooner had I put on my "Earning My Ears" ribbon was I getting reamed for something I had no control over. People need to learn how to deal with others. Now I have learned the best tool ever...
Me: "I am sorry you feel that way but if you tell Guest Relations your concerns they may be able to do something about it."
(Sorry GR...You guys are the best)
But God forbid the Land has a 101. Then all of a sudden everyone wants to ride it!!!
"I waited my whole trip to ride this one!"
"Every time I come here it is closed!"
"Why does nothing at Disney World Work???"
Grr!!! Maybe if guests didn't drop baby harnesses in the water, then load sensors wouldn't be destroyed. Then maybe our ride wouldn't have to go down for FOUR HOURS!!! Do you realize that when rides go 101 rotations stop and CM's are stuck at their positions? Only breaks and bump outs go through. So you could be stuck outside for up to 3 hours!!! Sigh. Then guests wonder why we get cranky...
Thanks for letting me rant!!!
:soap:

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

Hahaha, it's funny how guests "think" they "know" people. Like they have the power to get us fired, lol!!!

The thing they don't know, on their ticket, it says, "Attactions are subject to change." :D People are just funny!!

[Princess Susi]

*sigh* People REALLY say that you did it on purpose?????? Hoo Boy, my dream of working at WDW is shrinking, cause if I heard that, I would want to CLOBBER someone and I might jusy do it, being a menopausal women. I would probably only last 30 seconds on the job... :( They need to put me somewhere ...like DAK taking care of the beasties!!!!!! :D:
Really, that is so screwed up...that people will say crap like that. The stupidity level must be rising... :(
sooze

[CMGUY89]

Well that is really just a vent. Most guests aren't that dumb. A lot of the guests during the fire alarm thought it was another 9/11 and we were evacing the entire park. Don't let SG's stop you from wanting to work at Disney. People eventually see reason. ;)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I had thought like Susislicker that when I retire, I might get a job at DLR, but I am afarid that my reaction to some SG getting in my face would be my last day of employment.

[Cranbiz]

That is why we are here. I had 2 SG's last night who want me fired because I shut the back doors in their face when they tried to board thru them. When they came thru the front doors (at the end of the line) They demanded my name and bus # so that they can write a complaint against me.

All because I politely pointed out the "DO NOT ENTER" sign on the back doors, told them that it was for their safety and that entering thru the back doors when there was a line to board was the equivenant of cutting in line.

So go ahead and write.

[ktulu]

One day, I do really want to know someone high up in a company, so when I say "I know people", I will really mean it, but never say anything because in reality I have better things to do...

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

That is why we are here. I had 2 SG's last night who want me fired because I shut the back doors in their face when they tried to board thru them. When they came thru the front doors (at the end of the line) They demanded my name and bus # so that they can write a complaint against me.

All because I politely pointed out the "DO NOT ENTER" sign on the back doors, told them that it was for their safety and that entering thru the back doors when there was a line to board was the equivenant of cutting in line.

So go ahead and write.

To them: "yes, go ahead and write, and see what happens?" Probably be thrown out anyways.

[Princess Susi]

Ktulu:

That saying is right up there with "Don't you know who I am?" I hate that! Grrrrr......
I actually have spoken with some Disney higher ups on the phone (some are actually quite accessible!) and they probably would not remember me, but I COULD say, I have friends here in high, high places....LOL! ;)
susi

[Big Wallaby]

I would love to get the "Do you know who I am?"

At this point, I would probably make an announcement if they did it on the bus. Then, let them deal with the other SG's on board (and hopefully some smart guests would become SG's for the occasion).

I'm reminded of the scene in Jurassic Park, where the guy from Seinfeld is at a meeting with some guy who wants to keep it quiet, and he starts shouting that so-and-so is here! So-and-so is here!... with no reaction whatsoever.