Cast Place Editor Shoshana Lewin responds to letters from readers in response to several articles.
Cast member-hopeful Summer writes:
I need your help. I would like to be in a performance at Walt Disney World. I danced for 5 years at Marilynn Sanders Performing Arts Center in Jasper, Alabama. I had a blast, dancing inspires me, and I also like to act and sing. I’m 15 years old—I’ll be 16 in May. I’ve always wanted to be a part of Disney World.
Hi Summer. Once you reach 18, you can audition for WDW (link). There are plenty of opportunities at all the parks for dancers and singers. But keep up the training and I know you’ll be great!
Shoshana’s article on Dating, Princess Style (link) spurred MousePlanet reader Howard to write:
Hi Shoshana. I think you did an excellent summary of dating in the 21st century. One of the biggest challenges I have found is finding a person that understands the “Disney magic,” and that is paramount I believe (at least for me). Living out of state but still holding an annual pass, I know when a date asks me, “Why do you go to Disneyland so much during the year?” they “just don’t get it.”
Too bad there isn’t a “Disney-based” dating site. That would be an interesting concept.
Thanks again for a great article.
Hi Howard. Glad you liked it. I totally agree with you about finding someone who “gets it.” As my MP friends say: don’t date a Muggle. I did stumble across a Disney-lovers dating site of some sort—but most were East Coasters. Maybe Match.com will start an offshoot: MagicMatch.com.
The cast member (CM) stories shared in the November 29, 2005 edition of Cast Place (link) created a bit of stir among our readers. Shoshana responds to several letters.
Bill writes:
This article is disturbing. All it is, is a bunch of abusive CMs telling how they get away with abusing the guests. One of them in particular (Space Mountain) should be brought up on charges of assault. Are all CMs this contemptible?
Hi Bill. To answer your question, no. Just like in every profession, there are CMs of all shapes, sizes and kinds. As a former CM, though I can tell you that
everyone reaches a breaking point, what matters is that you don’t let the
guests see it.
Amy writes:
Hi Shoshana. How are you? I just wanted to let you know that I have been a fan of MousePlanet for quite a number of years now and I have also enjoyed the articles you compile.
However, while reading the cast member stories (week of November 28th) I was a little disappointed. Very few of the stories published were positive. Not that I don’t understand that a job in the parks is frustrating, but some of the stories were just downright rude and very mean. Take Jasmine, at Disneyland: nowadays every character has some sort of security with them so if that teenager (key word) assaulted her, which he may have done mildly, it does not constitute kicking him as hard as she claims she did or tripping someone who may/may not have elbowed her. Quite frankly, if he purposefully elbowed her as hard as she claims, wouldn’t she have called security or pulled him aside and had a manager speak to him? Instead she trips him? Give me a break! Or take Dorothee’: to bad mouth a customer in French without having some sort of brains to think they may speak French too? She got exactly what she deserved, and if I were the guest, you bet I would have marched straight to Guest Relations.
I am not saying that guests in these parks are perfect. I actually used to work for another So. California theme park and I understand the stress of working with the public. For the amount of times I felt like punching a guest or telling them to take a flying leap I controlled myself. I know that I am a bigger person than that. As much as they can be pains in the necks, these are paying guests and they should not be talked down to or physically assaulted in any way, shape or form. Security or the leads/supervisors are there to handle any situation in the correct fashion.
I guess the reason that I am emailing you is that I am sure there are stories you could submit in the future that did not show such poor behavior as those 2 cast members showed. There are so many kind, helpful and entertaining cast members that should have gotten a chance to tell their positive stories instead.
Thank you for your time in reading this and I, as always, will look forward to future columns and articles.
The sad part is, those were all the stories I had received. I alternate between guest stories and CM stories, and, unfortunately, that was what I had to work with. I encourage all CMs to write and I usually get very upbeat stories. If you know of any CMs, please tell them to e-mail me for the next Cast Place.
Tim writes:
I am not sure if this is the proper way to share a comment with youƒ I just read some of the comments from the cast members and it was sad to hear about the negative experiences they have with park guests. The main reason why I go to Disneyland is because the cast members are great! They’re friendly and helpful – I know they have a tough job. I wish I could write each and every one of them and let them know how much I appreciate what they do. It’s hard to show your appreciation as a park guest when you have a bunch of kids with you, your feet hurt and you’re worried about the family budget, plus I can’t possibly keep track of all the cast member names I come across. My point is, many people truly do appreciate the cast members. What makes Disneyland great is knowing that you are going to be treated well by the cast members and though some of us park guests may be too caught up in our hectic lives (even while on vacation), we fail to show our appreciation. They are appreciated in more ways than they know—I hope they understand and realize how important they truly are. That’s it. Just wanted to share that with you.
Thanks for your letter Tim, I know your good thoughts are appreciated! I don’t always remember the names, either—and I usually go as a solo. Even if you can’t remember the names of all the CMs who brought you magic, you’d be surprised how far a simple “thank you” can go when you are simply buying a burger or asking how to get to the closest restroom.
Rob writes:
I think CMs are the greatest. They make the Disney Experience the ultimate experience. After our last vacation to Walt Disney World we were at the airport and I tried to get change at a food counter; it was like pulling teeth. I turned to my wife and simply said, we are no longer at Disney World. I just hate to hear about CMs being treated rudely. I wish there was something I could do to let every CM I meet know how appreciated they are. A simple “Thank You” seems so inadequate! Any suggestions? What do CMs treasure most from Customers? I’ll be at Walt Disney World at Christmas time and would love to make a CMs day by doing something special.
Hi Rob. I think a lot of CMs wish there were more guests like you. I think the biggest thing you could give a CM is respect and appreciation. A ‘thank you’ can go a long way (I think many guests simply forget to say it). But if you want to do more, you can recognize a CM at City Hall and fill out a form detailing your positive experience. A copy of that form gets sent to the CM’s manager and they do keep track of what CMs get the most compliments.
Alan Cranford writes:
On your Nov. 29 collection, Melissa did everything right—except seek post-incident counseling so that someone could tell her that she did everything right.
From her description, the guest was dysfunctional. A real terrorist wouldn’t have tipped his hand like that—he was inappropriately venting.
I spent 7 years in the Middle East conducting anti-terrorist security operations. I sometimes had a belt-fed machine gun or a M16 rifle and a 9mm pistol, so I had tools she was forbidden (and shouldn’t need) in Guest Relations. I have about 15 years of security officer experience and 23 years military experience. Had someone wigged out on me like that, I would have kept him talking and punched both panic buttons. Pretend that I’m a professional at that sort of thing–personal confrontation. I have little sympathy for the guest–he may have been irritated, but Melissa was HELPING him. I don’t understand those who lash out at people who are kind to others.
Dave Grossman calls the sort of thing Melissa faced “the greatest fear” in his book, On Combat. I am unaware of what coping skills the Disney Company gives its cast members for those times when guests, other cast members, or outside contractors stray from the boundaries of civilized behavior. It appears that the Disney Company failed in this case.
Melissa handled that situation well. Once the guest started intimidating her, she did exactly the right thing–called for the force professionals to handle the situation.
Hi Alan. Thanks for your input and advice. I encountered some scary guests during my time as a CM, but nothing as dramatic as what happened to Melissa. Guests sometimes forget the CMs are just people and, unfortunately, like you said, the CMs are trained in guest service—not counterterrorism.
Finally, Shoshana responds to reader Charlene, who writes in to express her appreciation:
Charlene Zon-Bryce writes:
We have just returned from our exhausting tour of the Disney resort! We spent 7 days straight hopping between Disneyland and DCA. It was a bonus to get the extra two days from our annual pass upgrade.
I have you say that your site is invaluable! We got so much great information and it really helped that my 13-year-old daughter memorized all the pertinent facts—and I mean memorizedƒ she is like a walking Disney encyclopedia! We viewed the fireworks all three days and they were truly spectacularƒ loved the ride/parade tie-ins. Thanks to your site we positioned ourselves in front of the castle with a view of the Matterhorn. We found numerous tips and suggestions from you to have been invaluable. What a fun job you all have!
We also loved the 50 Years video with Steve Martin and Donald Duckƒ too funny. Anyhow, I could go on and on, but suffice to say that we are all very weary, walked out and pooped, but had the time of our livesƒ my girls await trip number 5! Thanks again for everything!
You are so welcome Charlene! I’m glad you are your family had such a wonderful time. Now you deserve a vacation from your vacation.
