A Word of Encouragement for CMs

[Christine43]

I know there are a lot of irritating guests but as one family who tries extremely hard not to be SGs I thought I'd remind you that we never forget the good things you do. I was talking with my sons last night about our upcoming trip to WDW for Christmas and their birthday (twins). Along with the longing to go back on the rides their fondest memories come directly from the kindness of the CMs there, honestly. Tristan brought up a kind word from a bus driver, an awesome safari ride, a CM working in the Winnie the Pooh store and an incredible enounter with Crush. He has Asberger's Syndrome and was suicidal at one point and was teased by his peers. He will NEVER forget Crush telling him he was intelligent or fighting with a pirate. It was way beyond special for him. Perry, autistic, remembered his beloved princesses at CRT hugging him, Tigger playing with him and how Mickey gave him a high five. This is coming from a boy who fades into the background a lot or is made fun of and this positive reinforcement brought joy to this boy's life. He had one on one time with Tigger, who can beat that? Even my jaded 16 yr. old daughter had wonderful stories to tell and I could go on for hours. She was talking about a CM working a parade who had me cracking up and reminded me of an animated conversation I had with a lifeguard while they were in the pool. So, thanks. Sincerely. You guys do not realize the good you do, atleast not to the capacity you've affected my children. Most days are a struggle here, quite frankly. I also have a 19 yr. old with AS & Bipolar and our lives can sometimes suck although I keep a sense of humor about it. When we cross into WDW, it's gone, it really is. It's like stepping into an alternate universe or something and it's not just the decor, it's the people working in it so I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and when you have to deal with a jerk, remember us. Christine

[GaTechGal]

Amen and amen.

[drcorey]

I know there are a lot of irritating guests but as one family who tries extremely hard not to be SGs I thought I'd remind you that we never forget the good things you do. I was talking with my sons last night about our upcoming trip to WDW for Christmas and their birthday (twins). Along with the longing to go back on the rides their fondest memories come directly from the kindness of the CMs there, honestly. Tristan brought up a kind word from a bus driver, an awesome safari ride, a CM working in the Winnie the Pooh store and an incredible enounter with Crush. He has Asberger's Syndrome and was suicidal at one point and was teased by his peers. He will NEVER forget Crush telling him he was intelligent or fighting with a pirate. It was way beyond special for him. Perry, autistic, remembered his beloved princesses at CRT hugging him, Tigger playing with him and how Mickey gave him a high five. This is coming from a boy who fades into the background a lot or is made fun of and this positive reinforcement brought joy to this boy's life. He had one on one time with Tigger, who can beat that? Even my jaded 16 yr. old daughter had wonderful stories to tell and I could go on for hours. She was talking about a CM working a parade who had me cracking up and reminded me of an animated conversation I had with a lifeguard while they were in the pool. So, thanks. Sincerely. You guys do not realize the good you do, atleast not to the capacity you've affected my children. Most days are a struggle here, quite frankly. I also have a 19 yr. old with AS & Bipolar and our lives can sometimes suck although I keep a sense of humor about it. When we cross into WDW, it's gone, it really is. It's like stepping into an alternate universe or something and it's not just the decor, it's the people working in it so I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and when you have to deal with a jerk, remember us. Christine

If you remember the date and time of this, email Disney and ask who was Crush's assistant that day and send them a thank you card.

[Tinker Bell]

I know there are a lot of irritating guests but as one family who tries extremely hard not to be SGs I thought I'd remind you that we never forget the good things you do. I was talking with my sons last night about our upcoming trip to WDW for Christmas and their birthday (twins). Along with the longing to go back on the rides their fondest memories come directly from the kindness of the CMs there, honestly. Tristan brought up a kind word from a bus driver, an awesome safari ride, a CM working in the Winnie the Pooh store and an incredible enounter with Crush. He has Asberger's Syndrome and was suicidal at one point and was teased by his peers. He will NEVER forget Crush telling him he was intelligent or fighting with a pirate. It was way beyond special for him. Perry, autistic, remembered his beloved princesses at CRT hugging him, Tigger playing with him and how Mickey gave him a high five. This is coming from a boy who fades into the background a lot or is made fun of and this positive reinforcement brought joy to this boy's life. He had one on one time with Tigger, who can beat that? Even my jaded 16 yr. old daughter had wonderful stories to tell and I could go on for hours. She was talking about a CM working a parade who had me cracking up and reminded me of an animated conversation I had with a lifeguard while they were in the pool. So, thanks. Sincerely. You guys do not realize the good you do, atleast not to the capacity you've affected my children. Most days are a struggle here, quite frankly. I also have a 19 yr. old with AS & Bipolar and our lives can sometimes suck although I keep a sense of humor about it. When we cross into WDW, it's gone, it really is. It's like stepping into an alternate universe or something and it's not just the decor, it's the people working in it so I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and when you have to deal with a jerk, remember us. Christine

:D: Thank you, it's nice to know that someone out there appreciates everything we do, so folks have a nice time.

[Christine43]

If you remember the date and time of this, email Disney and ask who was Crush's assistant that day and send them a thank you card.

I made a note of each CM I wanted to thank in my passporter and when we got home from our last trip I wrote a letter to guest relations with the dates and approximate times etc. I hope it made a difference.
And Thanks Tinker Bell!!

[joanna71985]

When we cross into WDW, it's gone, it really is. It's like stepping into an alternate universe or something and it's not just the decor, it's the people working in it so I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and when you have to deal with a jerk, remember us. Christine

No, thank you. Moments like those are the reason I love being a CM. :)

[Marchief]

I'm not 'new', I guess to this forum. Found it a long time ago when it was referenced on another board. I haven't been here but a couple of times, and have never posted. But when I saw this thread title and decided that I wanted to register just to post on this thread.

My wife and I both grew up going to Disney as children. Our love for Disney began 10 years ago when a Honeymoon cruise on the Big Red Boat was cancelled the day we were to sail. We ended up at the Contemporary, charging up our credit card to try and salvage the vacation part of the Honeymoon. We reserved a Garden Wing room (cheapest we could get there). The CM that took our reservation had heard about the cruise, and through Disney Magic we were upgraded to Concierge with a Magic Kingdom view. We were very grateful.

When our son was born, we both agreed we would not be taking him to Disney World until he was able to walk on his own. We'd seen way too many people hauling children around Disney all day and didn't want to have to do that ourselves. That lasted all of about 18 months. We took our son down because we'd had a particularly rough winter and just needed to get away.

At Chef Mickey's, our son was very shy and frankly a little freaked out with the characters. Minnie was there that day. The other characters saw that he didn't want to see them and just waved as they passed our table. But Minnie would stand way back and 'flirt'. She'd wave, and play little peeking games, etc. She did it every time she came near our table, getting a little closer each time. By the time we finished with breakfast, we were taking pictures with the characters and Minnie even got a kiss on the nose from him. Had we known then about being able to write notes of thanks, we certainly would have. Her persistence and apparent experience with children took our freaked out son and helped him become the character lover he is today.

We've had countless experiences with characters and other CM's who continue to creat magic for our family. Our son, well, frankly, he's a cutie. But still, at 6, dresses in a costume when we're there on occasion. His Prince Phillip costume gets him lots of attention, and he loves it.

All of this is to say that Disney Magic happens for one reason - the CM's. You folks are the reason people like us spend tons of money every year to come down there so we can see the smile on a 6 year olds face when Princess Aurora gives him a kiss. Or having returned from vacation heard him rave about the fact that he got a chance to ride the Barnstormer with Goofy. Or, from our most recent trip that Peter Pan gave him quick sword fighting lessons and then ran over with him to let him swordfight with Captain Hook, or Mulan let him see Crickee.

You people rock for what you do. Since we heard that you could thank CM's through guest communications, we have written numerous letters about CM's who have gone above and beyond for us. Having not read on here much, some of you may very well have gotten letters from us.

I've joked with my wife that perhaps the characters think we stalk them because we're around so much. And I guess the truth is we do - but not in a bad way! You folks make our son smile. And that makes us smile. I'm a United Methodist Minister and though I get to see the absolute best of life in what I do, I often also see the worst. Being able to come to Disney allows us, for a brief moment, the chance to forget about those things, to spend time as a family, and experience the magic you all provide.

Thank you for what you do.

Blessings!
Mark

[pattimelt]

THESE STORIES are why I can't quit working for the mouse.

I tear up every time I read a story like this and know that I have made a little "magic" of my own each day. I don't get to interact with the guests in person like those on the 'front lines', but I get them on the phone, and help them plan their days at the park, and once in a while, I can make someone's day. Like when they get a human instead of voice mail (which, for some reason most guests think they will get when they call that phone number... ).
Or when there's a group of school kids coming that don't know that they can get youth group tickets that are more affordable so that mom or dad can have enough money to buy groceries or pay bills AND still send little Johnny to Disneyland with his school (yes, this has happened!!!).

Ok, so the pay sucks. But the people that Disney hires, well, I can't imagine working with better people.

I'll even share MY special CM story. Cause there was ONE CM that probably saved my life.

I hadn't worked at the DLR long--just over 30 days. Still new, still learning, working in the ticket booth in the esplanade. Started to not feel good, so asked if I could go use the restroom. Barely made it there, and after being nauseous for a while, stumbled back to the ticket booth. I do mean STUMBLED. Made it back in the booth, talked to a CM that had been there for a while, and asked if I could go to Cast Health. I didn't make it far. I got just past the door to the outside, and couldn't go any further. CM called First Aid, got me a wheelchair, and ended up holding me up while I fainted-- not once, not twice, but 3 times!!! And while he was doing that with one hand, he was holding a trashcan for me with the other, so that I could be sick again and again and again. They ended up calling an ambulance for me, and I spent the next 9 days in the hospital with this nasty bug that had I not been taken to the hospital, I never would have survived. I can never repay that CM's kindness to me...

So I know what the guests are talking about when they say that the parks are MAGICAL. I was in that booth with that CM for a reason.

[joanna71985]

We've had countless experiences with characters and other CM's who continue to creat magic for our family. Our son, well, frankly, he's a cutie. But still, at 6, dresses in a costume when we're there on occasion. His Prince Phillip costume gets him lots of attention, and he loves it.


Thank you for what you do.

Blessings!
Mark

I think I have seen you post on another Disney board. :)

[disneyprincess1988]

I know there are a lot of irritating guests but as one family who tries extremely hard not to be SGs I thought I'd remind you that we never forget the good things you do. I was talking with my sons last night about our upcoming trip to WDW for Christmas and their birthday (twins). Along with the longing to go back on the rides their fondest memories come directly from the kindness of the CMs there, honestly. Tristan brought up a kind word from a bus driver, an awesome safari ride, a CM working in the Winnie the Pooh store and an incredible enounter with Crush. He has Asberger's Syndrome and was suicidal at one point and was teased by his peers. He will NEVER forget Crush telling him he was intelligent or fighting with a pirate. It was way beyond special for him. Perry, autistic, remembered his beloved princesses at CRT hugging him, Tigger playing with him and how Mickey gave him a high five. This is coming from a boy who fades into the background a lot or is made fun of and this positive reinforcement brought joy to this boy's life. He had one on one time with Tigger, who can beat that? Even my jaded 16 yr. old daughter had wonderful stories to tell and I could go on for hours. She was talking about a CM working a parade who had me cracking up and reminded me of an animated conversation I had with a lifeguard while they were in the pool. So, thanks. Sincerely. You guys do not realize the good you do, atleast not to the capacity you've affected my children. Most days are a struggle here, quite frankly. I also have a 19 yr. old with AS & Bipolar and our lives can sometimes suck although I keep a sense of humor about it. When we cross into WDW, it's gone, it really is. It's like stepping into an alternate universe or something and it's not just the decor, it's the people working in it so I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart and when you have to deal with a jerk, remember us. Christine

Awww, its moments and guests like this that make my job worthwile. As a Merchandise cast member, I have direct contact with guests everyday I work and I always wonder about their stories and backgrounds. But this just made me smile. :D: