As some of you already know, I am no longer employed by the DLR, by my choice. I miss my Guest Relations family, and I want to say a big "HELLO" out there to all of you. :)
An Annual Passholder spoke to me recently regarding this site, as it is open to the public.
"Why do Cast Members dislike Annual Passholders?" He asked.
This got me thinking... Why is it that Annual Passholders in general have a worse reputation than our day guests? Is it that some of them give all (most) of them a bad name? Could they all be evil?
Please provide feedback and discussion.
- GRK
Discussion Question for Cast Members
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Guest Relations King
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Discussion Question for Cast Members
My buddy left his job at Universal and fled in exile as a neanderthal to live in the Cayman Islands....He's cut himself off from all technology. He sends his stories in Aramaic on crayon written 3x5 cards sent by pigeon.
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techie-13
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They are not all evil. It's that some of them really are very difficult and give the rest a bad name. Someone on here had a great quote about being on a road, it's the bumps that you remember. Unfortunatly the good annual passholders tend to be the folks that don't cause bumps and so they tend to be more under the radar.
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Dante101
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It's only a small minority of AP's that we hate. The jackass minority of AP's are the ones who demand this or that from CM's and treat CM's like trash. They know all the little rules that CM's must follow, and they take total advantage. Some think it's their duty to try and get CM's in trouble for not licking their shoes when they walk through the turnstile. I mean, this site is filled with countless examples of pushy, demanding jackasses - and not all are AP related.
This is just a segment of society that loves to treat people like dirt - either to boost their own self-image, or to get attention, or whatever. If they were in the pre-war South, they'd be back abusing their slaves every chance they got. They just can't see what's wrong with berating some poor minimum-wage schlub taking Fast Pass tickets at Indy just because they think the admission price at Disney is too high; or they're upset that the line is so long.
Some of the anger is valid.
We all know of idiot CM's working at the park, who treat guests like crap. Unfortunately, those CM's are there because Disney loves the turn-over of its cast. It saves them money to get rid of an older CM (who makes $14/hr) and hire two brand new CM's - each one making $7/hr, and no benefits or vacation time. So instead of hanging on to good cast members, they just play the numbers and hope they don't get a CM who will do something really bad as to make the newspapers.
And we all know the way Disney keeps changing the rules constantly - like on Monorail with strollers. At one time there were no strollers permitted; then, another time, you could bring your stroller, but it had to be folded up; then a month later, you could bring it unfolded; then the next month you had to fold it up again; then you had to fold it downstairs before getting on the up-ramp; later, it was okay to keep it unfolded, but the child had to be taken out; then they go back to an earlier policy...
I'm sure lots of locations had ever-changing rules, which a normal guest wouldn't even notice. But if you're coming nearly every day, these inconsistent rules hit you right in the face. And they could very well think it's due to that CM being stupid, or not knowing the correct policy. The CM could explain they just changed the policy, but it's too late - the guest is already pissed-off.
As I've said before, it's a generalization amongst the cast. It's easier to say "I hate AP's" then to say "I hate the AP's that come here and whine about this or that..." Most cast members understand what they mean, that they don't mean it literally. They mean to say they hate the AP's who are demanding, pushy, arrogant, etc. Not all AP's are like that.
Some cast members really do mean it when they say they hate all AP's. In this case, I think they just don't realize that there are far more AP's who visit the Park then they think. They don't see that it's a small minority of AP's that are idiots. They hear other cast members say,"I hate AP's," and think they are speaking literally.
This is just a segment of society that loves to treat people like dirt - either to boost their own self-image, or to get attention, or whatever. If they were in the pre-war South, they'd be back abusing their slaves every chance they got. They just can't see what's wrong with berating some poor minimum-wage schlub taking Fast Pass tickets at Indy just because they think the admission price at Disney is too high; or they're upset that the line is so long.
Some of the anger is valid.
We all know of idiot CM's working at the park, who treat guests like crap. Unfortunately, those CM's are there because Disney loves the turn-over of its cast. It saves them money to get rid of an older CM (who makes $14/hr) and hire two brand new CM's - each one making $7/hr, and no benefits or vacation time. So instead of hanging on to good cast members, they just play the numbers and hope they don't get a CM who will do something really bad as to make the newspapers.
And we all know the way Disney keeps changing the rules constantly - like on Monorail with strollers. At one time there were no strollers permitted; then, another time, you could bring your stroller, but it had to be folded up; then a month later, you could bring it unfolded; then the next month you had to fold it up again; then you had to fold it downstairs before getting on the up-ramp; later, it was okay to keep it unfolded, but the child had to be taken out; then they go back to an earlier policy...
I'm sure lots of locations had ever-changing rules, which a normal guest wouldn't even notice. But if you're coming nearly every day, these inconsistent rules hit you right in the face. And they could very well think it's due to that CM being stupid, or not knowing the correct policy. The CM could explain they just changed the policy, but it's too late - the guest is already pissed-off.
As I've said before, it's a generalization amongst the cast. It's easier to say "I hate AP's" then to say "I hate the AP's that come here and whine about this or that..." Most cast members understand what they mean, that they don't mean it literally. They mean to say they hate the AP's who are demanding, pushy, arrogant, etc. Not all AP's are like that.
Some cast members really do mean it when they say they hate all AP's. In this case, I think they just don't realize that there are far more AP's who visit the Park then they think. They don't see that it's a small minority of AP's that are idiots. They hear other cast members say,"I hate AP's," and think they are speaking literally.
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Weeble
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{edit} I typed this up while the above post was being written as well, I agree with Dante's post :) {edit}
I don't feel cast members dislike ALL annual passholders. And certain guest types will piss off certain cast members more than others. I mean there is no way to know who is or isn't an annual passholder just by looking at them.
There are however a percentage of annual passholders who fit different molds. These people would irritate ANY person working in customer service and I am sure they irritate the person at Nordstrom's just as much as they do cast members. Please feel free to add to "annual passholder types"
The Bored Teens:
Disneyland, My anti-drug. Some parents feel that their kids are better off hanging out at DLR than out on the streets where they may be subjected to the evils and perils of smoking, drinking, drugs and premarital sex. Unfortunately, there is plenty of that going on in the park as we all know. These AP's can usually be found hanging out after school or on the weekends in a bunch, smoking and idling about. Back in my day, they dressed "goth". They never made my life a pain, but they are prone to raising the ire of SECURITY CAST MEMBERS aka Disney Gestapo. I rather liked them for this. (side note, security followed a practice of persecution towards these ap's back in my day and they may not be as prevalent any more.
The Puppy Crushers/Stalkers
Prairie Girls anyone? These can range from fun to scary. It's no secret that a man dressed as a miner, with a green vest, pink shirt and moldy boots just screams VIRILITY. We found it our duty to please guest's booty when needed. These guests could often be found at Jungle Cruise on the benches by the bazaar, riding the canoes over and over and giggling through the line at big thunder. The more dangerous ones, like the Prairie Girls would go so far as to pick out a single cast member and STALK them on a daily basis. A friend of mine who I will call BIG RED CHAD had some trouble with the Prairie's, something about how jesus meant for them to marry and be together....YIKES!
The Adults:
DISNEEFAN1955!
Reads their license plates. They wear buttons from the 12th birthday celebration and can find all the hidden mickeys on your ride (and will tell you all about it too!) These guys can be annoying based on their know-it-all attitude. The problem is, sometimes they don't know it all and will argue with you about it (see the post on the guest arguing monorails are parked in downtown LA) They are also very quick to report things to city hall. Not for the free stuff, but for the COMPANY. Please note that these people often times end up working for the company, so you may know some crossovers. Once they crossover they lose their AP status in and mellow out significantly from what I've seen. All cast members are DisneyPhiles to some extent, it's all about attitude and moderation!
Entitlement Ernie
I ALWAYS SIT HERE FOR FANTASMIC, THEY LET ME SIT HERE BECAUSE I COME EVERY DAY. I'M AN ANNUAL PASSHOLDER YOU SEE. I PAID GOOD MONEY TO BE HERE. ANNUAL PASSHOLDERS SHOULD GET FREE STUFF ALL DAY LONG. ME ME ME FREE FREE FREE GIMME GIMME GIMME. This is exagerated of course but there are some AP's who feel that their pass means they are more important than the average guest, they usually start complaints with the phrase "hi, I'm and annual passholder and..." Throw in the complainer's catchphrases "unacceptable" and "compensated" and you have an Entitlement Ernie. They can often be found at city hall complaining about things in order to receive FREE STUFF! After all, they are annual passholders......
Characters
Some AP's can not be categorized, they are a force unto themselves and are not always disliked, but they ARE well known and therefore stickout as AP's. Prairie Girls, The Teacup Spinner, The Wizard, The Jungle Sisters, The Fat Sisters the list goes on and on. These guys are not listed on the Character Appearance Board, no sir, they are freelancers.
This has been a rather long post so I will leave you with my favorit guest, but please add on to this list!
My Favorite:
The one who thanked me. The one who said Please. The one who smiled. The one who loves Disneyland. The one who enjoys themselves just people watching. The one who you never knew is a passholder.
I don't feel cast members dislike ALL annual passholders. And certain guest types will piss off certain cast members more than others. I mean there is no way to know who is or isn't an annual passholder just by looking at them.
There are however a percentage of annual passholders who fit different molds. These people would irritate ANY person working in customer service and I am sure they irritate the person at Nordstrom's just as much as they do cast members. Please feel free to add to "annual passholder types"
The Bored Teens:
Disneyland, My anti-drug. Some parents feel that their kids are better off hanging out at DLR than out on the streets where they may be subjected to the evils and perils of smoking, drinking, drugs and premarital sex. Unfortunately, there is plenty of that going on in the park as we all know. These AP's can usually be found hanging out after school or on the weekends in a bunch, smoking and idling about. Back in my day, they dressed "goth". They never made my life a pain, but they are prone to raising the ire of SECURITY CAST MEMBERS aka Disney Gestapo. I rather liked them for this. (side note, security followed a practice of persecution towards these ap's back in my day and they may not be as prevalent any more.
The Puppy Crushers/Stalkers
Prairie Girls anyone? These can range from fun to scary. It's no secret that a man dressed as a miner, with a green vest, pink shirt and moldy boots just screams VIRILITY. We found it our duty to please guest's booty when needed. These guests could often be found at Jungle Cruise on the benches by the bazaar, riding the canoes over and over and giggling through the line at big thunder. The more dangerous ones, like the Prairie Girls would go so far as to pick out a single cast member and STALK them on a daily basis. A friend of mine who I will call BIG RED CHAD had some trouble with the Prairie's, something about how jesus meant for them to marry and be together....YIKES!
The Adults:
DISNEEFAN1955!
Reads their license plates. They wear buttons from the 12th birthday celebration and can find all the hidden mickeys on your ride (and will tell you all about it too!) These guys can be annoying based on their know-it-all attitude. The problem is, sometimes they don't know it all and will argue with you about it (see the post on the guest arguing monorails are parked in downtown LA) They are also very quick to report things to city hall. Not for the free stuff, but for the COMPANY. Please note that these people often times end up working for the company, so you may know some crossovers. Once they crossover they lose their AP status in and mellow out significantly from what I've seen. All cast members are DisneyPhiles to some extent, it's all about attitude and moderation!
Entitlement Ernie
I ALWAYS SIT HERE FOR FANTASMIC, THEY LET ME SIT HERE BECAUSE I COME EVERY DAY. I'M AN ANNUAL PASSHOLDER YOU SEE. I PAID GOOD MONEY TO BE HERE. ANNUAL PASSHOLDERS SHOULD GET FREE STUFF ALL DAY LONG. ME ME ME FREE FREE FREE GIMME GIMME GIMME. This is exagerated of course but there are some AP's who feel that their pass means they are more important than the average guest, they usually start complaints with the phrase "hi, I'm and annual passholder and..." Throw in the complainer's catchphrases "unacceptable" and "compensated" and you have an Entitlement Ernie. They can often be found at city hall complaining about things in order to receive FREE STUFF! After all, they are annual passholders......
Characters
Some AP's can not be categorized, they are a force unto themselves and are not always disliked, but they ARE well known and therefore stickout as AP's. Prairie Girls, The Teacup Spinner, The Wizard, The Jungle Sisters, The Fat Sisters the list goes on and on. These guys are not listed on the Character Appearance Board, no sir, they are freelancers.
This has been a rather long post so I will leave you with my favorit guest, but please add on to this list!
My Favorite:
The one who thanked me. The one who said Please. The one who smiled. The one who loves Disneyland. The one who enjoys themselves just people watching. The one who you never knew is a passholder.
Comedian and Writer
http://www.alfredmuller.com
http://www.alfredmuller.com
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coffeegirl9
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Part of my job is setting people up with their annual passes and fixing whatever problems they may have. So, as you can imagine, I get to see a lot of that minority that we are talking about. You would hate annual passholders too if you had to hear some of the crap I hear on a daily basis. Here are just a few examples:
1. People who get their passes revoked for doing something stupid (smoking pot, giving to their family to use, shoplifting, etc.). These people will lie until they are blue in the face to get it back, cause the biggest scene they can, or just insist that they are entitled to it because they paid so much money for it. It is this stupid, selfish mentality that just makes you want to slap the hell out of some people.
2. People who think that the blockout days don't apply to them. True story: I'm working one afternoon when a lady approaches my window with about 6 people in tow, all Southen California AP holders. It is a Saturday, and all Saturdays are blocked out on that pass. But supposedly a parking lot cast member told her that there was a mixup on the blockout day sheet, and that she should be able to get in today. So now she wants in. She doesn't want to listen to anybody who actually does the AP's, she heard from parking that she should be able to get in, therefore, she wants in! We eventually had to call Theme Park 1 and Security to escort her off of Park grounds. You would be amazed how often crap like that happens, despite the fact that we show them the blockout days before they buy the pass, give them a list to take home with them, and have the days posted online.
3. People who just want everything. I know that this was mentioned by my fellow CM's above, and my post is getting long, so I will keep this brief. Obviously, when people buy an AP, they are now entitled to not stand in lines, get discounts on everything, and pretty much do whatever the hell they want, including treating CM's like garbage!
I know that all AP's aren't bad. Hell, I used to be an AP before I worked here. But there are enough of the bad ones to make a person regard the rest with at least a little suspicion.
1. People who get their passes revoked for doing something stupid (smoking pot, giving to their family to use, shoplifting, etc.). These people will lie until they are blue in the face to get it back, cause the biggest scene they can, or just insist that they are entitled to it because they paid so much money for it. It is this stupid, selfish mentality that just makes you want to slap the hell out of some people.
2. People who think that the blockout days don't apply to them. True story: I'm working one afternoon when a lady approaches my window with about 6 people in tow, all Southen California AP holders. It is a Saturday, and all Saturdays are blocked out on that pass. But supposedly a parking lot cast member told her that there was a mixup on the blockout day sheet, and that she should be able to get in today. So now she wants in. She doesn't want to listen to anybody who actually does the AP's, she heard from parking that she should be able to get in, therefore, she wants in! We eventually had to call Theme Park 1 and Security to escort her off of Park grounds. You would be amazed how often crap like that happens, despite the fact that we show them the blockout days before they buy the pass, give them a list to take home with them, and have the days posted online.
3. People who just want everything. I know that this was mentioned by my fellow CM's above, and my post is getting long, so I will keep this brief. Obviously, when people buy an AP, they are now entitled to not stand in lines, get discounts on everything, and pretty much do whatever the hell they want, including treating CM's like garbage!
I know that all AP's aren't bad. Hell, I used to be an AP before I worked here. But there are enough of the bad ones to make a person regard the rest with at least a little suspicion.
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coffeegirl9
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tourbunny
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I know that all AP's aren't bad. Hell, I used to be an AP before I worked here. But there are enough of the bad ones to make a person regard the rest with at least a little suspicion.
see, that's exactly what i always shake my head about. before i worked here i was an ap as well. now that would be something to be ashamed of. i never even knew where city hall was. if a ride was down, so be it. if i spilled my coffee, that's my own damn fault. why would anyone be responsable for fixing my own mistakes. that's what i don't understand about passholders.
the only time i ever had a concern is when i got a hold of the old german maps and i read the description for the tiki room. a mistake in translation about the bird singing now displayed that " there is a whole lot of fun and f...ing in the tiki room". i am not kidding , german grammar is that sensistiv.
so ya that was the only time i ever brought something to city hall's attention.
everyone is right though. we love all ap's. after all, they realy do get us a paycheque, but we only realy remember the once that treat us like crap.
shame....
Last edited by Polar33 to fix error in BBCode. 9.28.03 0315
i know you are an idiot but can you try not to be so stupid?
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SpaceRanger
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Ditto to just about everything already said...
I've met a lot of AP's that I really like... it's just those few that cause problems. Every day, I get at least one AP, usually more, complaining to me that they only get their discount at buffeteria style and sit down restaurants- even tho they knew this when they got the pass. They think because they are AP's, they should be entitled to anything they want. They're also the same people who usually give me a hard time about drinks not being included with our combos, and the fact that Disneyland charges sales tax (oh, it's really bad if they just got done buying something from ODV, then they get fussy because "the last guy" didn't charge them sales tax)
I've met a lot of AP's that I really like... it's just those few that cause problems. Every day, I get at least one AP, usually more, complaining to me that they only get their discount at buffeteria style and sit down restaurants- even tho they knew this when they got the pass. They think because they are AP's, they should be entitled to anything they want. They're also the same people who usually give me a hard time about drinks not being included with our combos, and the fact that Disneyland charges sales tax (oh, it's really bad if they just got done buying something from ODV, then they get fussy because "the last guy" didn't charge them sales tax)
God must love stupid people. He made so many of them.
Well that's a topic to get the board going good...
I'll agree with Dante and Weeble about the jerk passholes in many many instances. Ugh...who could forget the Prairie Girls or the Fat Sisters...Mad Margaret...the Spinner. And yep, some of the passholders were very nice, there were some who took the time out to introduce themselves (well, they already looked plenty familiar - if you see someone in the park at least 4 times a week and they don't work there...)
I have to say that I hate that bloody sense of entitlement - that because they forked over $100 or $300 for one pass in one day that somehow they the passhole should be treated better than someone who is paying full price for one and only one day of a visit to Disneyland , especially when that visit might be the only one they ever make in their lifetime. I wanted the one-time-only visitors to have the very best experience, something that they'd be able to remember for a lifetime. Make that something good to remember. Not having to step aside for some prissy passholder who thinks that because they have a pass, they deserve the front (or back) of every single attraction they want to go on, every single time they ride it. What ever happenned to the luck of the draw?
I also don't appreciate someone who's never worked there and doesn't really know about all of the company's policies and procedures (but thinks they know it all - from whatever stupid source that is invariably wrong) telling me how to do my job - especially on attractions. Guess what Einstien...it's heavy machinery, and as an attractions cast member, I was hyper-aware of the fact that if I or anyone on the crew screwed up it could mean an injury or worse. We had boats in Pirates that either went out of the flume or flooded because they were loaded wrong. People don't stop to think about weight and balance because they assume that computers take care of everything - and that assumption can cost a limb or a life. Someone who's been there a long time knows all the signs and sounds on a ride and knows when something is about to go wrong. It's the passholes who think they know it all and know what needs to be done that get under c.m.'s skin.
I used to go to the park a lot as a teen, but there were no annual passes back then. I had friends who worked there and signed me in, but often times, I'd only pay the junior general admission price ($4.00!!!!!) and bring my old ticket books in case we wanted to do something more than dance at Coke Terrace or Carnation Plaza. Since my friends worked there, I wanted to work there to, and eventually I did. Also found out the hard way that D/L isn't as easy as it looks. But that's ok. If nothing else, you learn how to be a good employee - show up early or at least on time, learn to deal with the unexpected (oftentimes in bizzare ways) and learn to deal with (or at least pretend to deal with) every type of person there is. I just think that it's the guests and passholders who need a little sensitivity training....don't complain to the hourlies about prices/lines/food/facilities. They can't do a bloody thing about your complaint. And for pete's sake, treat the c.m.'s with the same respect you expect them to treat you with. If you act as if they are the dirt beneath your feet or an object of derision, you can pretty much expect to get service with a snarl.
I'll agree with Dante and Weeble about the jerk passholes in many many instances. Ugh...who could forget the Prairie Girls or the Fat Sisters...Mad Margaret...the Spinner. And yep, some of the passholders were very nice, there were some who took the time out to introduce themselves (well, they already looked plenty familiar - if you see someone in the park at least 4 times a week and they don't work there...)
I have to say that I hate that bloody sense of entitlement - that because they forked over $100 or $300 for one pass in one day that somehow they the passhole should be treated better than someone who is paying full price for one and only one day of a visit to Disneyland , especially when that visit might be the only one they ever make in their lifetime. I wanted the one-time-only visitors to have the very best experience, something that they'd be able to remember for a lifetime. Make that something good to remember. Not having to step aside for some prissy passholder who thinks that because they have a pass, they deserve the front (or back) of every single attraction they want to go on, every single time they ride it. What ever happenned to the luck of the draw?
I also don't appreciate someone who's never worked there and doesn't really know about all of the company's policies and procedures (but thinks they know it all - from whatever stupid source that is invariably wrong) telling me how to do my job - especially on attractions. Guess what Einstien...it's heavy machinery, and as an attractions cast member, I was hyper-aware of the fact that if I or anyone on the crew screwed up it could mean an injury or worse. We had boats in Pirates that either went out of the flume or flooded because they were loaded wrong. People don't stop to think about weight and balance because they assume that computers take care of everything - and that assumption can cost a limb or a life. Someone who's been there a long time knows all the signs and sounds on a ride and knows when something is about to go wrong. It's the passholes who think they know it all and know what needs to be done that get under c.m.'s skin.
I used to go to the park a lot as a teen, but there were no annual passes back then. I had friends who worked there and signed me in, but often times, I'd only pay the junior general admission price ($4.00!!!!!) and bring my old ticket books in case we wanted to do something more than dance at Coke Terrace or Carnation Plaza. Since my friends worked there, I wanted to work there to, and eventually I did. Also found out the hard way that D/L isn't as easy as it looks. But that's ok. If nothing else, you learn how to be a good employee - show up early or at least on time, learn to deal with the unexpected (oftentimes in bizzare ways) and learn to deal with (or at least pretend to deal with) every type of person there is. I just think that it's the guests and passholders who need a little sensitivity training....don't complain to the hourlies about prices/lines/food/facilities. They can't do a bloody thing about your complaint. And for pete's sake, treat the c.m.'s with the same respect you expect them to treat you with. If you act as if they are the dirt beneath your feet or an object of derision, you can pretty much expect to get service with a snarl.