Experiences with CMs- care to share?

[Amy]

I found that to be the case in all of the overseas parks. I even tried striking up a conversation in Japanese at TDL, but they just aren't the same "friends with everyone we meet" page as WDW seems to be. The experience is still awesome though!

Is there so many CMs in WDW's MK that every metre you walk, there will be a CM nearby?

Almost. WDW is fairly spread out, but there are a lot of CM's. There is always at least one or two outside of an attraction greeting people, then there are the custodial CM's and characters with CM escorts and PhotoPass CM's abound!

[ntgre]

Almost. WDW is fairly spread out, but there are a lot of CM's. There is always at least one or two outside of an attraction greeting people, then there are the custodial CM's and characters with CM escorts and PhotoPass CM's abound!

Wow, this is entirely different than HKDL. Everytime I go to Main Street in HKDL, I can barely see any CMs anywhere, just visitors. I can tell that the atmosphere in WDW is so much better than HKDL.

[Amy]

Wow, this is entirely different than HKDL. Everytime I go to Main Street in HKDL, I can barely see any CMs anywhere, just visitors. I can tell that the atmosphere in WDW is so much better than HKDL.

I hope you get to come visit soon and check it in person!

[MmeLeota]

I recently called WDW Tours to get some info about a couple of tours we are looking at taking. First off, the CM was incredibly enthusiastic from the start. She asked if this was going to be our first trip, and when I explained that it's not our first trip to WDW, but first time staying on property, she squealed and for a moment I thought she was more excited than me! (and that's hard to do ) She was very helpful and informative!

...is it January yet?????

[Amy]

I recently called WDW Tours to get some info about a couple of tours we are looking at taking. First off, the CM was incredibly enthusiastic from the start. She asked if this was going to be our first trip, and when I explained that it's not our first trip to WDW, but first time staying on property, she squealed and for a moment I thought she was more excited than me! (and that's hard to do ) She was very helpful and informative!

...is it January yet?????

Cool!! Which ones are you looking at?

[ntgre]

Wow, this is entirely different than HKDL. Everytime I go to Main Street in HKDL, I can barely see any CMs anywhere, just visitors. I can tell that the atmosphere in WDW is so much better than HKDL.

I hope you get to come visit soon and check it in person!

I am. I'm going to WDW next summer. Can't wait to go and see how nice the CMs are!

[Len90]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

[ntgre]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

That's why Disney's problem solving skills are the best. I can't even name a theme park which can be better than Disneyland.

[Soarin08]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

CMs get $50 for those emails, you did them a service. It might sound borderline nepotistic but I filled some out on my last trip for some of my friends who are CMs, they all work incredibly hard and deserve the recognition whether we know each other or not. I got 3 of them myself on my last CP and was overjoyed!

[Len90]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

CMs get $50 for those emails, you did them a service. It might sound borderline nepotistic but I filled some out on my last trip for some of my friends who are CMs, they all work incredibly hard and deserve the recognition whether we know each other or not. I got 3 of them myself on my last CP and was overjoyed!

Wow I didn't know that. I thought those emails were only good towards helping a CM move up since it would be a positive thing for their file. Good to see that Disney does a little more than that. Does the CM ever see the name of who wrote in and what was written?

[Soarin08]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

CMs get $50 for those emails, you did them a service. It might sound borderline nepotistic but I filled some out on my last trip for some of my friends who are CMs, they all work incredibly hard and deserve the recognition whether we know each other or not. I got 3 of them myself on my last CP and was overjoyed!

Wow I didn't know that. I thought those emails were only good towards helping a CM move up since it would be a positive thing for their file. Good to see that Disney does a little more than that. Does the CM ever see the name of who wrote in and what was written?

No, they get rewarded, I know this because when hockeygirl visited me in March, she emailed in the names of everyone she thought deserved recognition and Mr. Brit was one of them and he told me later on he got the money. It depends. There's a meeting and they present the money to the CM, I think sometimes they do tell who wrote it. I knew who gave me mine because my managers did mention the names of the guests. Generally I just request mine to be delivered anonymously but the CMs pretty much know it's me based on what I write if it's someone I know.

[Amy]

All I have to say is that on this past vacation we were able to have more pleasant experiences than I ever recall. There was one incident with one CM which was handled immediately by Disney. This year we ended up writing in a lot of emails to WDW Guest Services complementing some CMs.

CMs get $50 for those emails, you did them a service. It might sound borderline nepotistic but I filled some out on my last trip for some of my friends who are CMs, they all work incredibly hard and deserve the recognition whether we know each other or not. I got 3 of them myself on my last CP and was overjoyed!

This is good to know. We've sent a few letters when we feel we have received service above and beyond the Disney level of service....

[UncleScrooge477]

I have always enjoyed having my hair cut by Michal at the Harmony Barber Shop on main street in the Magic Kingdom. We used to have annual passes and I got my hair cut monthly there! Great interaction, great stories, great service, and a great hair cut too! The glitter was always fun - I got a lot of questions throughout the day and would have to explain that yes, there is a real barber shop in the Magic Kingdom. I haven't been back recently - I hope Michael is still there, and doing well.

[Amy]

I have always enjoyed having my hair cut by Michael at the Harmony Barber Shop on main street in the Magic Kingdom. We used to have annual passes and I got my hair cut monthly there! Great interaction, great stories, great service, and a great hair cut too! The glitter was always fun - I got a lot of questions throughout the day and would have to explain that yes, there is a real barber shop in the Magic Kingdom. I haven't been back recently - I hope Michael is still there, and doing well.

Do you know offhand how much the hair cuts cost there?

[UncleScrooge477]

Just looked today to find Michael's name - Allears site says "$19 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Colored hair gel, $5. Beard and mustache trims are $10. "First Haircuts" is the establishment's specialty. Young Walt Disney World guests who receive their first haircut at the Magic Kingdom barbershop are treated to many delightful surprises, from "pixie dust" and bubbles to Mickey Mouse stickers, and an extra-special "My 1st Haircut" set of Mouse Ears and certificate. The "My 1st Haircut" special is priced at $18."

I think that's right, but I thought I saw a reference to $7.50 for colored hair gel. Don't forget to factor in a tip! But sometimes there are other specials that come your way - I got a couple of untimed fast passes one time, pixie dust (glitter) another, and so forth. GREAT FUN.