Magic Kingdom CMs...Thank You

[Whazzup]

CMGuy - forget American Airlines - you need to work full time at WDW and earn some of those longevity pins. What a great attitude you have!

Shorty - You will do very well at WDW. Yes, you are a nice guy and yes, you've got the right attitude and are willing to work hard. I can't wait to see what kind of position you end up in, and I hope it's something that brings you fun and fulfillment.

Zazu - oh mighty mentor, you are priceless. I hope WDW and SGT never lose you.

[BIG_Dizfan]

I think Zazu hit the nail on the head.
When I tell people I work for Disney I get one of two responses
"That must suck, I would lose my mind there"
or
"OMG! That is so cool! Is it fun?"
You do have to have a certain mindset coming in. You know you aren't going to be rolling in the dough and that you will work VERY hard, but at the end of the day you have to have satisfaction in knowing that what you do has an impact on someone, either directly or indirectly.
As for the training, that is SOOO true! They beat it into you that you have to smile, you can't slouch, cross your arms, or lean while on-stage. (Some of the last ones are are torture after a 16 hour day) But then you also learn things you never thought about, like the proper way to communicate with a Guest with disabilities (never a disabled guest...guest first disability second). This allows you understand situations from their perspective and allows you to provide better service.
As for work...it is HARD!
You work odd hours, odd days, standing for hours at a time, outside in the heat/cold/rain, getting screamed at for things you have no control over, and then you physically have to work someplaces. I have to push about a dozen boats into storage every night and in the summer when it is all said an done, I am soaked in sweat! You are treated unfairly by management because the guest is ALWAYS right... And then you have to deal with mean co-workers who are there for the completely wrong reasons. I have to watch people who have amazing attractions bitch and moan about what they do while I am really happy just work at the dinky boat ride that I do. I go home exhausted (mentally and physically) and realize, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life! There is nothing like being at work because any good day I have outweighs all of the bad days ten times over. I tell people I have the best job in the world, because I get yelled at, barfed on, but most of all I get to watch people eat Ice Cream for breakfast every day and not care one bit about it. That's why I work for Disney.

I totally agree with everything you both said, and find your dedication commendable. I guess my bigger question is...How does "Disney" enforce their rules (smiling, no slouching, no arm crossing/leaning...). We have unit coordinators (secretaries) who work the front desk. Being the first people our patients meet, it would be nice if they made a good "first impression". However, 9 out of 10 times they don't. Not only do they not smile or greet the patients, they barely grunt at them. But, given that they are doing their jobs otherwise, it's hard/impossible to enforce a "nice policy".

Zazu, thank you for that book recommendation...I am definitely going to buy it!

[Princess Susi]

Thank you for spending such a special time with us.... well, thanks to your then boyfriend (now fiancee/husband I assume/hope). It's the people like you that make one day special from the next. In a world where every day there is a major parade or four, every night a big fireworks show that costs enough to sustain a person somewhat comfortably for a year, where for us every second of our time at work is not just work, but a performance, it is the people like you that make it special for us. Don't get me wrong, it's that idea that every day is special, where every day is magic is what attracts those of us who would post here to work at Disney... it's the biggest reason I moved 2,500 miles (a 3,300 or so mile drive) for this job. I look forward to helping with moments like that in my time here at Disney World.

I love what you said here. This is why we keep coming back to Disney Parks for EVERY vacation. You will never find a more fun, magical and special vacation than those at the Disney Parks. And it is the CMs who make the visit what it is. Without them, there would be NO Disney parks, parades, fireworks shows, attractions, places to eat, sleep and play...etc...etc...

For all you do for us, WE SALUTE YOU!!!

*picture of a smiley saluting*
Zazu, can we get one of these?
Susi

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Thats why we love going to DLR and WDW. Both places are fun, but the "added" value is the CM's, who never fail to make the day fun!!

(especially the ones that don't say anything when we by chocolate!!! err RUM!!)

[Purpura]

Give DW the chocolate, you can have the rum :elephant1 :cow3: :elephant1 :elephant1

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Give DW the chocolate, you can have the rum :elephant1 :cow3: :elephant1 :elephant1

Don't forget, whats hers is hers, and whats mine is hers (especially the goodies we get there!!)