Disney Cast Members Archives - Living a Disney LifeLiving a Disney Life

Today is double-digit-dance-day, friends. I’m not bragging or anything, but I’m officially less than 100 days from my next visit to Walt Disney World. Somehow this kicks my excitement up a notch and I start imagining myself actually THERE. Y’know, walking down Main Street, riding a certain sketchy service elevator, heading to LA in my super-stretch, listening to the dulcet tones of Madam Leota calling spirits, taking in the particular smell of Rome burning, chowing down on a churro…the Disney World works! All the stops will be pulled, Christmas decorations will abound. Oh, boy! I cannot WAIT!

Picturing all my favorite things at Disney World always makes me think about those awesome Disney Cast Members and what an important role they play in my vacation happiness. There are a few CM’s in particular that are so critical, my vacation just wouldn’t be the same without them!

And so, for this week’s Friday Five, I give you the…

5 Best Types of Disney Cast Members

The Cast Members of Welcoming – When I step off the Magical Express and see the smiling face of the first on-property Disney Cast Member, I feel officially on vacation. They may meet me at the bus, in the lobby of our resort hotel, or at the front desk check-in – doesn’t matter to me! They’re all smiles and that makes me happy.
The Cast Members Who Bring Us Food – I could try to play it cool and say we mostly go to Disney World for attractions and amenities. Thrill rides, shows, ambiance, hidden Mickeys…oh, who am I kidding. We love the FOOD! I know many of you live in fancy big cities and can drive a block or two to an amazing dining experience anytime you want to. We live in the wilds of Louisiana…our options are limited. Dining at places like Citricos, California Grill, Jiko, Flying Fish Café, Il Mulino, and Yachtsman Steakhouse are such a treat for us! It’s not just the food – it’s the service!!! There’s no doubt that those amazing Cast Members in these fine dining establishments make our meals extra special!
The Cast Members Who Take Our Picture – I’m not just talking about the PhotoPass/Memory Maker photographers. I’m talking about all the Cast Members who are ready and willing to take pictures with our camera or cell phone to make sure we do not miss capturing all the special moments of our vacation. They’re helpful and kind and we appreciate them beyond words.
The Cast Members Who Control Crowds – I love these folks! The Parade Prep People! Safety may be their main (and most important) concern, but we have always found them to be funny, entertaining, and especially good at keeping guests from being trampled by a parade float while being charming at the same time.
The Cast Member From Home – This is the rarest one of all! We read name badges. It’s become a bit of an obsession and has prompted many an interesting conversation. Disney Cast Members come from all over the world and we know most of them have to be at least a little homesick. Taking a minute to ask about a CM’s hometown helps us connect for a few minutes and, we like to think, helps return the kindness that the overwhelming majority of Disney Cast Members have shown to us over the past 25+ years. It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally we find a CM from Louisiana. One day, back in 2012, we found a CM from our hometown. You can read about that story here.

What about YOU? What types of Cast Members are your favorite contributors to Disney vacation happiness?

Disney Cast Members are one of the most important aspects of any Disney vacation! In Disney stores, theme parks, resorts, restaurants, and on cruise ships, every individual employee makes a contribution to our overall vacation experience. After 25 years of Disney vacations, here’s what I’d like them to know.

Dear Disney Cast Member:

We know your job is difficult. Your employer expects you to be “on stage” when in the public eye and you deal with all kinds of people from all over the world. At times there must be a tremendous amount of pressure. The Disney brand of service is legendary and because of that, we’re expecting you to deliver.

We’ve watched you struggle and want you to know we’d help if we could. We’ve seen people be rude to you. We’ve seen the mean, angry, and overbearing guests that treat you poorly and hold you responsible for things beyond your control. Being the face of the Disney Company does come with its challenges, but we want you to hang in there! Please don’t let a few bad apples make you guarded or spoil your ability to be kind and sincere to the next group of guests to come along.

You make a bigger difference than you’ll ever know. It’s common among us Disney fans to discuss how a Cast Member can make or break a vacation. Simple things like a smile and eye contact, a little understanding, a happy conversation, sharing just a little pixie dust or Disney history – you never know when you, by the simplest action, remind guests that the Disney magic is alive and well. When you’re less than magical? We tend to notice more than when we’re outside the Disney Bubble. Service recovery when something goes wrong may be the most difficult skill for you to master, but it’s vitally important to Disney guests who may have saved for years to afford a visit to your place of employment.

We love it when you do the unexpected! Those spontaneous magical moments make the best memories! Yes, we love it when we get great pictures of our little ones with characters, but there are so many other times when a Disney Cast Member made our vacation extra special! Servers in restaurants, front desk attendants, employees in shops, bus drivers, boat captains, and even Cast Members pushing brooms – every one of you that goes beyond the expected to add a little extra fun and happiness…YOU are the reason we keep coming back!

We remember you long after our vacation is over. Don’t underestimate the impact you have on our future plans. We make restaurant reservations because the food AND service were excellent. We look for you again and may even ask for you on our next Disney cruise. You become intertwined in our memories of some of the happiest times our family has ever had and we’re counting on you to do it again every time we choose to visit.

Thank you Disney Cast Members for all the magical moments through the years! Our vacations certainly wouldn’t be as wonderful without you.

Note to readers: If a Disney Cast member has made a difference to your vacation through good service, kindness, or a little extra pixie dust, please let the Disney Company know about it. Those post-vacation surveys we receive by email are a great place to praise employees that were especially helpful or kind. If, unfortunately, you had a bad experience, please let the Disney Company know that as well. They really do count on guest feedback to continue to offer the service we expect. Thank you.