Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

This is a general discussion. If your topic doesn't fit anywhere else, put it here.
Post Reply
BirdMom
Seasoned Pro
Seasoned Pro
Posts: 815
Joined: Wed Feb 12, 2003 12:42 am
Location: California

Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by BirdMom » Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:11 pm

Just curious as to what other former and current CM's think. It appears to me that in observation, ever guest who wants to have the parks bend/break a rule seems to think that their personal circumstances trump common sense/fairness every time.

For example, the disaster of a New Year's Eve, with all the screaming at the DL gate by AP's who never bothered reading the fine print on their passes that everything is subject to change without notice at Disney's discretion. Why should their party and their party alone be allowed into the park that has been deemed a sell out, when there are a hundred other parties that can't get in who also paid big bucks for the Premium pass? Or why should someone be allowed to prepare a meal in the parks, when the Parking Lot tram spiel flatly states that outside food needs to be taken to the picnic area? Why should someone get a refund on their tickets if the fireworks are cancelled when the show schedule and tickets all flatly state that events may be cancelled without notice? And the tickets do state "No refunds, non-transferable" etc?

More examples - the moms who have been (nicely) asked to take the wheels off their kids Heelies who flat out bark "no" at the CM's, despite being told it's for safety's sake. Or the idiots who think that they can come and sit in front of someone who has parked their butt on the cold/hard pavement for hours waiting for the parades/fireworks/shows, but it's o.k. because the latecomers are in a hurry or from out of town and they need to see the event too.

I was talking to a lady the other day, another passholder, who said that they were back because they had "issues" with the Jedi Training Academy - she was pissed off (her kid didn't seem to care that day) because her little darling wasn't picked, so she was going to be going back over to Tomorrowland Terrace and somehow make sure her kid was chosen. She reminded me of people who DEMAND the front row on rides or demand that a Stores CM go through all the boxes of a figurine to find the perfect (cheaply manufactured in China) souvenir. Whatever happened to just taking the day as it comes and appreciating it when something extra special happens? I don't understand this culture of thinking that their personal needs outweigh that of every other single person and group in the park that day - I guess it's part of the same thing that we were discussing in the cell phone thread.

Granted there were some guests in my day that I would bend a rule for, generally a group with a child who was seriously handicapped when the family was very nice and unassuming. I will bend over backwards in any circumstances for modest people going through a hard time, but don't get my hackles up by demanding that I do something out of the ordinary or jeaopordizing my job because you feel like it, especially if you are wearing $500 shoes or carrying a $1500 purse and treating me like dirt!

As far as I am concerned, the price of admission or an annual pass doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it!!! I don't care how much money you spent, if there weren't guidelines life would be anarchy. Anyone else care to sound off?

:old:


[font=Palatino Linotype]Veni, Vidi, Velcro...[/font] [font=Comic Sans MS]I came, I saw, I got stuck.[/font]

DLRFantasmic!Dan
Practically Lives Here
Practically Lives Here
Posts: 1385
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:01 pm
Location: 12 miles from Disneyland
Contact:

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by DLRFantasmic!Dan » Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:23 pm

BirdMom wrote:As far as I am concerned, the price of admission or an annual pass doesn't mean you can do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it!!! I don't care how much money you spent, if there weren't guidelines life would be anarchy. Anyone else care to sound off?

:old:
My thoughts EXACTLY!!! As we always said, an admission ticket is only used for is getting INTO the park and that's about it!! It doesn't mean you can move chairs to anywhere for fireworks viewing, go again the traffic flow, or even cross, duck under, go over, or remove any chains or ropes. Some don't realize that the stuff we do is or safety reasons/ They should comply without any fuss or complaints.

That is all I got more now, more to come!


Attractions:
Rocket Scientist at "HISTA"/ Astro Orbitor,
Space Ranger at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Fantasmic!
The POD
RDCT Fireworks
From June 28, 2003 To October 4, 2006 - Once A DL CM, Always A DL CM!

bpgstudios
Regular Guest
Regular Guest
Posts: 337
Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 3:38 am
Location: Orlando

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by bpgstudios » Tue Jan 16, 2007 11:24 pm

I feel the EXACT same way! I believe out tickets have very similar wording on them.. no refunds, etc. Reminds me of the people that demand refund when it rains.


"Where is 21?"
-Before 22?

LittleDollClaudia
Seasoned Pro
Seasoned Pro
Posts: 669
Joined: Thu Feb 06, 2003 2:00 pm
Location: I am Jack's lack of surprise..
Contact:

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by LittleDollClaudia » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:34 am

You know, when I went to DL a little bit ago, there was a woman there who complained because her son couldn't go on most of the rides. We were sitting down having a smoke break and she was in the area with her little one! (that still puzzles me, if you're not a smoker, don't sit in MY spot and glare at me) Her son was about four and she was so pissed as she talked to her husband about how they were going to go get their money back because their reasoning was: "If he can't go on what we want him to, why should we pay for him?" I'm sorry, what?? What exactly were you trying to take him on? Space? Indy? Give me a break. There is a whole flippin' park for you to explore and enjoy but you're hung up on the fact that some rides are not okay for him yet. If having him on your trip was such an problem, then don't bring him or wait until he's older.

People like that bug the hell out of me.


Image

^^ Hey, that's me! ^^

User avatar
hobie16
Permanent Fixture
Permanent Fixture
Posts: 10546
Joined: Fri Nov 05, 2004 4:45 pm
Park: DLR
Department: Fruity Drink Land
Position: Mai Tai Face Plant
Location: 717 Miles NNW Of DLR

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by hobie16 » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:50 am

LittleDollClaudia wrote:There is a whole flippin' park for you to explore and enjoy but you're hung up on the fact that some rides are not okay for him yet.
The first time we got to DL after Fantasmic was running it turned out it was down due to a technical glitch. We were bummed but not for long as there's so much else to do. We tried again the next night and found it was more than worth the wait.


Image

Don't be fooled by appearances. In Hawaii, some of the most powerful people look like bums and stuntmen.
--- Matt King


Stay low and run in a zigzag pattern.

leftcoaster
Seasoned Pro
Seasoned Pro
Posts: 947
Joined: Thu May 06, 2004 11:17 am
Location: New Jersey

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by leftcoaster » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:37 am

I agree with all of the above, but with some slightly different thoughts...

Is it that these people 'demand" things at a Disney park because of the "attitude" of management and some CMs that don't care? IE: anything to shut the complainer up.

If you were a guest, and did sit on the cold hard concrete for hours waiting for the fireworks/parade, and a CM "allowed" another family to step in front of you, would you complain? Let's turn it around for a second. If you were the CM that the guest was complaining to, would you "roll your eyes" in your mind, because it's one guest complaining about another guest, or would you agree with that guest? (Sorry if that is hard to follow).

OTOH, I agree with the CMs that say that management needs to back you up. If a guest chokes Tigger, the guest (and family) needs to be throw out of the park. If a guest threatens a CM, the guest needs to be thrown out of the park. If a guest is caught stealing, the guest needs to be banned from Disney property. I really think that Disney needs to start "getting tough" with guests. Unfortunately, the adage of "the customer/guest is always right" has been taken advantage of far too long in this country, and many people are getting pissed off about it.

Have you ever been waiting in a line at a checkout counter, another register opens, the cashier says, "I'll take the next customer," and a stampede of who can get to the lane first begins? Would it not be right for the next customer to get to the lane first? The same could be said for many things at/in Disney: parking lot booths, entrance gates, concession stands, etc.

Now, before you say that I am being 'petty,' I want to mention that it doesn't bother me that much, except for being that guest has been waiting on that concrete for a few hours and will complain to another CM about a guest's "special treatment."

OTOH, I have offered to share my spot at the "point" at the beginning of Main Street looking at the Castle with another family to they can also get great pictures of the parade. :)

Bottom line...(and I am not defending the SGs here) many guests feel that they "deserve" special treatment because they have been coddled all their lives. And that coddling has occurred in many places other than Disney (we can go back to the education thread for instance).

*waves



darph nader
Permanent Fixture
Permanent Fixture
Posts: 4844
Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:16 pm

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by darph nader » Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:09 am

Coming soon to a theater near you " Attack of the 50' MF MFs"." Watch in horror,as bithchy/pissy SGs cry the blues for not getting their way. Witness the carnage,as little Johnny becomes seriously injured on a ride,even though his 'loving' parents 'knew' he was too small. Try to comprehend the 'mind boggling' arguements,"well CM, you were following the rules we (suits) made,but just let it go this time"(and the next time,and the next time,btw you're on suspension)".
Presented in Panavision and SurroundSound. DON'T MISS IT. :rolleyes:



DLRFantasmic!Dan
Practically Lives Here
Practically Lives Here
Posts: 1385
Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 8:01 pm
Location: 12 miles from Disneyland
Contact:

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by DLRFantasmic!Dan » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:33 pm

leftcoaster wrote:If you were a guest, and did sit on the cold hard concrete for hours waiting for the fireworks/parade, and a CM "allowed" another family to step in front of you, would you complain? Let's turn it around for a second. If you were the CM that the guest was complaining to, would you "roll your eyes" in your mind, because it's one guest complaining about another guest, or would you agree with that guest? (Sorry if that is hard to follow).
I tried to prevent that once. A hispanic family wanted to squeeze themselves into a small space in front of the castle for the fireworks, but it didn't turn out the way I hoped. The family were made at me when i told them that the space was saved for the another family already waiting for the fireworks and I told them to keep moving to find a space.
leftcoaster wrote:Have you ever been waiting in a line at a checkout counter, another register opens, the cashier says, "I'll take the next customer," and a stampede of who can get to the lane first begins? Would it not be right for the next customer to get to the lane first? The same could be said for many things at/in Disney: parking lot booths, entrance gates, concession stands, etc.
The old adage, "First come, first serve!" comes to mind. It all have to do with who got there first.


Attractions:
Rocket Scientist at "HISTA"/ Astro Orbitor,
Space Ranger at Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Fantasmic!
The POD
RDCT Fireworks
From June 28, 2003 To October 4, 2006 - Once A DL CM, Always A DL CM!

AlpineDL
Regular Guest
Regular Guest
Posts: 124
Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:07 am

Re: Do personal circumstances mitigate guidelines?

Post by AlpineDL » Fri Jan 19, 2007 3:09 am

I think bending guidelines and whatnot is fantastic if it's extending a courtesy that would otherwise not be there, and not adversely affecting other guests. I also think that pretty much only makes sense in the offseason or things where stress is low and efficiency isn't important. So no sir, you may not step over four rows of sitting people to stand in front of the December 28th parade 50ft up the route while I take your picture next to my tech aisle position, thank you, NO, sorry, keep going stay to your right. Oh but if you'd like to just personally test out the ride on this nice January Wednesday to see if grandma really would be up for it, here's a rider switch pass so you won't have to wait.

People coming in the really busy times need to just get it in their heads that at certain points they are a number in the herd, and nothing more unless something really truly exceptional happens. It's their own choice/fault to visit then and obviously we have to be fair with 1000's around to witness exceptions and ask for them too.


...I think I did too much GC during the big holiday rush. :p:



Post Reply