Bad show, just plain and simple bad show.

[February]

Oh, that phrase. It strikes terror into my heart- and I was only a Stores CM back in the late 80's! My worst nightmare would have been to ever be accused of bad show!

I've only used that term twice to CM's in the past- once was after our last trip (I posted about this I think) where a CM at Soarin' was VERY rude to my child. Worst time tho was a few years ago - we were at CRT for an early dinner- not many people in the dining room yet and the sound really carries. There was a server standing just offstage (not even in the kitchen) going on and on about how her car needed to get fixed and her date had gone badly the night before- if I remember correctly the quote was "I really hoped I was going to get laid!"



I mentioned to the manager that it was very bad show for a half a dozen servers to be standing around if there are ANY guests with children especially in the restaurant and talking about their dating lives. I was surprised that the reaction from management was lukewarm- but I did see them disperse the crowd of yammering servers.

[CelebrationNM]

Yes, all Bad Show examples... at least you notice them and hopefully soon you'll be able to do more and more about it.

This thread reminded me of a section from "Decision Making"...one of Lee Cockerell's publications. If only everybody cared about show this much...

[CMGUY89]

I've only used that term twice to CM's in the past- once was after our last trip (I posted about this I think) where a CM at Soarin' was VERY rude to my child.

I'm sorry the CM at Soarin' was rude to your child. What happened? I find that a lot of the people there are mean and bitter, which upsets me. I work at Living With The Land and I am DYING to get over there and I still have a blast while I am at work. They work at an amazing attraction and don't even realize it. Sometimes it just isn't fair.

Since DLR has outgrown its CM locker space, some CMs have to dress at home. It's pretty funny to see someone in a ToonTown costume at 7-11 or Davy Crockett driving down the 91 freeeway.

The same thing applies at WDW even if we have lockers. I usually dress at home unless I am switching out costumes for a clean one. I usually remember to take my Nametag off when I leave property (you are supposed to) but every once in a while I will be too drained to remember to...opps!

There is no reason for a CM to ever sign in a guest while in costume. They should do it in street clothes then change into costume.

I am assuming you are referring to Main Gating someone into the park?
The rule is...

The only time Cast Members may use their passes while in costume is when they are admitting dependent family members or other family members, or Guests accompanied by dependent family members or other family members. Cast Members in costume should be in full costume with name tag while using their passes, and they may not accompany their family members into the Parks during their visit.

Maybe that was what was going on.

[felinefan]

When I worked at Knott's, there was no place to change, really. We came to work in costume. When I waited for my bus to take me to work, I'd occaisonally get people coming up and asking me if I had free tickets. One idiot was stopped at the light, jumped out of his car and ran up to me asking if I had tickets for a group of H/C's. Uhm no, and please get out of the street, my bus is coming, and you're blocking traffic and pissing everybody off.
Another time I'm coming up to my bus stop, and this guy lowers his window to ask if Knott's is a good place to work, as his wife needed a job. It was all I could do to keep from yelling HELL, NO! But I think I told him the wages were lousy; she was better off going elsewhere for a job. Well, he asked....

[Shorty82]

Since DLR has outgrown its CM locker space, some CMs have to dress at home. It's pretty funny to see someone in a ToonTown costume at 7-11 or Davy Crockett driving down the 91 freeeway.

At WDW we have what's called Costume Zooming. It allows cast to take their costumes home instead of having to change at work.

I personally never take my costumes home. I always leave them in my locker and change when I get there and back into normal clothes before I leave. The only time one of my costumes leaves the MK itself is when I go to Costuming to exchange it for a clean one. The farthest I've ever had a costume from the park was one time when I picked up a stocker costume and didn't feel like getting on the shuttle and heading into the tunnel right then. I hung it up in my van and went to Epcot for a while. I later took it to my locker though I wound up never wearing it.

I personally like not being identifiable as a CM once I'm off work. It also prevents me from forgetting my name tag as I leave it attached to my vest except when I switch vests and I immediately put it on that one.

[Terrytunes]

I don't know of a manager or lead that has a problem signing in friends or family in costume at DLR. Everyone does it. We just walk through the main gate, give our family/friends a hug or handshake, and on our way back to our workplace. But, yes, with nametag, not sitting.

As for changing at home, most of us do come to work in costume and leave in costume. I can't imagine if everyone was required to change at work. What a drag!

TT

[Shorty82]

As for changing at home, most of us do come to work in costume and leave in costume. I can't imagine if everyone was required to change at work. What a drag!

TT

That's how it was for a very long time at the MK. Originally Costuming was in the tunnel and you had to pick up your costume before your shift and return it afterwards. Costumes were not allowed out of the park, period.

[glendalais]

That's how it was for a very long time at the MK. Originally Costuming was in the tunnel and you had to pick up your costume before your shift and return it afterwards. Costumes were not allowed out of the park, period.

At WDW we have what's called Costume Zooming. It allows cast to take their costumes home instead of having to change at work.

I personally never take my costumes home. I always leave them in my locker and change when I get there and back into normal clothes before I leave. The only time one of my costumes leaves the MK itself is when I go to Costuming to exchange it for a clean one. The farthest I've ever had a costume from the park was one time when I picked up a stocker costume and didn't feel like getting on the shuttle and heading into the tunnel right then. I hung it up in my van and went to Epcot for a while. I later took it to my locker though I wound up never wearing it.

I personally like not being identifiable as a CM once I'm off work. It also prevents me from forgetting my name tag as I leave it attached to my vest except when I switch vests and I immediately put it on that one.

Actually, the DLR used to be that way, as well. You would pick up your costume at Harbor House (behind Tomorrowland) and have to return it at the end of your shift.

We adopted Castzooming from WDW about 8 years ago, I believe. It used to be referred to as "FastTrack" here, but since everyone these days is allowed to take their costumes home (originally, you had to apply and be approved by Costuming), that term is never used anymore except on a few company documents (such as "The Disney Look").

When I hired in, I originally took my costume home and just washed it there, wearing it to and from work. This was partially for convenience and partially out of necessity: the belt on my costume is widely used, and if you didn't take your's home, you probably wouldn't be able to get another one.

However, I take the bus, and it just got really weird sitting there dressed in a TL costume.

Nowadays, I just get a new costume at the beginning of my shift and return it on my way out. Costuming's finally worked out the belt issue, so that's no longer an issue, and I don't have to worry about losing pieces in the clutter that is my bedroom. It also's served to avoid situations, like felinefans', where people on the bus ask me if I can sign them in.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Years ago, I had a job that required a distinctive uniform, and most of us just put on a "cover up" nothing more that a light nylon jacket. The trouser portion were kahki colored, so no one even gave us a second look.

[CMGUY89]

Years ago, I had a job that required a distinctive uniform, and most of us just put on a "cover up" nothing more that a light nylon jacket. The trouser portion were kahki colored, so no one even gave us a second look.

That is the good thing about the land costume. If we remove the green polo and have an undershirt or put a jacket over the shirt all you can see is the khaki shorts/pants which makes it easy to go onstage to buy something from sunshine seasons. Soarin' can't do that! HAHA!