Important Note: Every Cast Member pictured in this post provided excellent service!

By and large, the vast majority of Cast Members at Walt Disney World have embraced the Disney magic, understand their opportunity to make a huge difference in guests’ experiences, and act in a professional, yet warm and caring manner.  They take Disney’s training to heart and in turn, pour their hearts into delivering the Disney magic.  We LOVE those Cast Members and never EVER take them for granted.

If you go (or have been) to Walt Disney World, you may have unfortunately encountered a different sort of Cast Member.  A thankfully rare sort I like to refer to as either a Heffalump or a Woozle.  These sly characters have infiltrated the Disney company undetected.  When given the opportunity, they will do everything in their power to make your day at a Disney park or resort anything but magical.  Our job is to recognize them for what they are and deny them what they want most in the whole World – to ruin our vacation.

“They’re far, they’re near
They’re gone, they’re here
They’re quick and slick
They’re insincere” – Heffalumps and Woozles

People are human (like that logic?) and Disney’s Cast Members are people too – meaning that everyone gets up on the wrong side of the bed occasionally.  Everyone has a bad day.  Yes, we know that a bad attitude is supposed to be checked at the door when we go to work, but we can never know exactly what’s going on in someone’s personal life.  The “leave it at the door” practice is great – in theory.  Easier said than done sometimes.

I’m not, in any way, shape, or form excusing bad service or rude behavior by Disney Cast Members – After I invest my time and money in taking a Disney vacation, I want to feel I’m getting my money’s worth.  What I’m trying to say is that it would be a tragedy to allow a Cast Member to have the power to “ruin my vacation!”.  I have a choice about whether or not I allow someone to steal my happiness.

“They’re extraordinary, so better be wary
Because they come in every shape and size, size, size, size
If honey’s what you covet you’ll find that they love it
Because they’ll guzzle up the thing you prize” – Heffalumps and Woozles

On our most recent visit to Walt Disney World we met some of the kindest, most fun, delightful Cast Members we’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.  We tried to engage each Disney employee we encountered in at least a little conversation.  We said please and thank you.  We smiled and made eye contact and in return, we were treated like the king and queen we imagine ourselves to be!  The Disney “way” is alive and well!

There was ONE Cast Member that gave us less than stellar service.  A tall young lady at the Frontier Trading Post (Magic Kingdom) – she was condescending, less than helpful, and quick to lecture me on how unrealistic it was for me to expect to find the Halloween Annual Passholder pin in stock during the second week of October.  Silly me!  Those were sold out WEEKS AGO!  Right away I recognized her for exactly what she was and on my way out of the store, quietly under my breath, I whispered….”Woozle!”  And refused to let my day be one speck of Pixie Dust less magical.

If you receive bad service, provide feedback to Walt Disney World (find a great tutorial here) – the Disney company values what their guests have to say.  If you let a bad Cast Member interaction spoil your vacation, that’s your decision, but PLEASE don’t let the Heffalumps and Woozles ruin your day!