Smiles

[#1donaldfan]

We just returned from a Disney trip and although I loved my time there, even opening up Toy Story Land at 6 AM Saturday morning, I noticed in ALL the parks that no one was smiling. I began to make it a point to focus on finding someone smiling. Very few CM's smiled and hardly any guests were smiling. Why?? Has Disney lost its flavor to "everyone" ... was it just that hot or expensive or crowded that everyone seemed to be solemn ??? I dunno ... just a crazy observation that I found "odd" at the "happiest place on earth" .... :mickey:

[John]

Interesting. Curious what others recent experiences are...

[VWL Mom]

I hope you (you party) were smiling, that's what's important. I don't know what the temps/humidity were during your visit but that very well could zap the smile off of some (including me). Doesn't mean I'm not having fun though. :mickey:

[Zippy 1]

As far as cast members not smiling they are suppose to be but I understand them not. They are all working crazy long hours and dealing with a lot of rude disrespectful guests. I could tell you stories you would not believe but won't. Do not want to get my cast member in trouble. Some of these young people are having a hard time feeling the magic right now

[#1donaldfan]

I hope you (you party) were smiling, that's what's important. I don't know what the temps/humidity were during your visit but that very well could zap the smile off of some (including me). Doesn't mean I'm not having fun though. :mickey:

It was very hot, very humid with rain nearly every day for 9 days at or about the 3 PM hour. I'm sure that was a factor, but I'm not convinced. I remember in so many past trips where families were smiling or laughing in line, at dinner, walking back to their rooms ... this trip ... mostly frowns .... sad to say. I hope I was smiling and yes, that is most important to me, but my observations were that of a lot of saddened people at my happy place .... :cool:

[texas211]

Its hard to smile during an endurance test like Disney. Its like playing a sport. You might be having fun, and glad you are doing it. But I don't think I've smiled while I was doing it.

[Giggy]

In my case I think I am just incapable of physically smiling when the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Doesn't mean I am not smiling on the inside, just also melting and concentrating whilst doing it. :D

[deedee73]

I know when we were there in March...we were smiles almost our entire trip. Except for on transportation as it seemed we were always running late. Sorry you didnt see as many smiles as you would expect. I too think the heat & crowds play a major role in the outward appearance of other guests.

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[MNNHFLTX]

The heat has to play a part. When we lived in Florida we avoided going to the parks in the summer because of how miserable being on all that concrete and asphalt is. It's too bad more people can't go during the more temperate months of the year. It may not help with the crowds but they are definitely more tolerable when it's cooler out.

[Katzateer]

When I went to Disneyland in the 70’s it was such a different place. The employees were so happy and really catered to the guests. The guests were a lot nicer to the cast members and you really felt like you were in a magical place. Disneyworld staff has changed a lot over the years. They do work extremely long hours for a paycheck that isn’t the greatest. Visitors are a lot ruder and demanding and it can be very stressful to deal with. I have found the Magic Kingdom employers in the last few years to be the most unhappy in all the parks. In Animal Kingdom most of the employees seem very happy and enjoy their jobs. The studios for the most part seems to be cheerful. Epcot it is a mix. The visiting cast members used to be a lot more engaging but a lot of them don’t seem to enjoy being at World Showcase. They used to treat it as an honor to be representing their countries and sharing their cultures. A lot of them look bored and don’t really engage with visitors as much. The staff at the value resorts, I have stayed at Pop Century more recently, seem happy and are very helpful.

Don’t get me wrong, I encounter lots of pleasant helpful cast members, but I think (especially at MK) they need a mood and and attitude adjustment. And a pay raise would certainly help them feel more appreciated!!

[texas211]

When I went to Disneyland in the 70’s it was such a different place. The employees were so happy and really catered to the guests. The guests were a lot nicer to the cast members and you really felt like you were in a magical place. Disneyworld staff has changed a lot over the years. They do work extremely long hours for a paycheck that isn’t the greatest. Visitors are a lot ruder and demanding and it can be very stressful to deal with. I have found the Magic Kingdom employers in the last few years to be the most unhappy in all the parks. In Animal Kingdom most of the employees seem very happy and enjoy their jobs. The studios for the most part seems to be cheerful. Epcot it is a mix. The visiting cast members used to be a lot more engaging but a lot of them don’t seem to enjoy being at World Showcase. They used to treat it as an honor to be representing their countries and sharing their cultures. A lot of them look bored and don’t really engage with visitors as much. The staff at the value resorts, I have stayed at Pop Century more recently, seem happy and are very helpful.

Don’t get me wrong, I encounter lots of pleasant helpful cast members, but I think (especially at MK) they need a mood and and attitude adjustment. And a pay raise would certainly help them feel more appreciated!!

Well, how employees are have changed significantly since the 70s.

I personally want to live in the Carousel of Progress and stay in the earlier eras :)

[deedee73]

I agree that the CMs at the resorts are much more pleasant than those at the parks. I agree that the CMs at MK were not always the friendliest at least the ride CMs. 90% of our servers were excellent no matter where we were eating.

Transportation CMs were a **** shoot. Some were excellent and others not so much. I found the boat captains to be some of the best of the transportation CMs.

Some of the best CMs we encountered on our trip were the valets and bell services. They truly were always smiling and helpful despite all the running and hard labor they were constantly doing.

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[Disney4us2]

As someone who lives close by and a very frequent visitor, I usually encounter smiling CM's. Especially when having interactions with the CM's. Smiles are contagious. When walking around Disney I usually smile, in turn I see CM's and guests start to smile.

[Cinderelley]

When I went to Disneyland in the 70’s it was such a different place. The employees were so happy and really catered to the guests. The guests were a lot nicer to the cast members and you really felt like you were in a magical place.

I haven't found Disneyland to be very magical at all the last two visits.