castmember meltdown!

[A Big Kid]

Eating at the Backlot Express
A CM cleaning up just had a total meltdown. Someone placed something in the trash that totally set her off! She started slamming bottles on top of trays and started yelling, "Really?! Are you serious?!" Then she slammed the lid to her garbage cart. It was bizarre!

All the guests near her were dumbfounded. Looks like a supervisor came and got her and escorted her away.

[DizneyFreak2002]

Eating at the Backlot Express
A CM cleaning up just had a total meltdown. Someone placed something in the trash that totally set her off! She started slamming bottles on top of trays and started yelling, "Really?! Are you serious?!" Then she slammed the lid to her garbage cart. It was bizarre!

All the guests near her were dumbfounded. Looks like a supervisor came and got her and escorted her away.

Man, you are running into it all so far... Sounds like some CM was have a less than magical day...

[lawgirl]

Good grief! You certainly are witnessing the worst of DIsney. Crazy! Hope they get it all out before we get there Saturday!

[Quadstriker]

The truth is that Disney CM's all over the parks from character actors to entertainment to ride operators to those working in food and beverage (the untipped positions) are paid like **** and work under stressful conditions.

Most are genuinely good people and good at what they do. That said, with their "compensation" and working conditions, I'm surprised this kind of stuff doesn't happen more often as they get fed up with it all.

[ChipNDale79]

Eating at the Backlot Express
A CM cleaning up just had a total meltdown. Someone placed something in the trash that totally set her off! She started slamming bottles on top of trays and started yelling, "Really?! Are you serious?!" Then she slammed the lid to her garbage cart. It was bizarre!

All the guests near her were dumbfounded. Looks like a supervisor came and got her and escorted her away.

Someone probably lost their job today, hate to see that happening. Not saying its ok, but I'm surprised you don't see things like that more often.

I know I've seen some epic meltdowns in my office, but then again, we aren't in front of customers here.

[Aurora]

Someone probably lost their job today, hate to see that happening. Not saying its ok, but I'm surprised you don't see things like that more often.

I know I've seen some epic meltdowns in my office, but then again, we aren't in front of customers here.

If she lost it that bad, sounds more like she was quitting to me.

[11290]

I know I've seen some epic meltdowns in my office, but then again, we aren't in front of customers here.

I work Turnstiles and Parade Audience Control at MK and you should have to witness (and be on the receiving end) of some of the "epic meltdowns" (including physical) we have to see from some of the guests. A VERY SMALL percentage true, but "epic" just the same.

When there are 60,000+ CM's at WDW there are bound to be some that aren't so magical, just like any other "medium size city". Not any excuse mind you, just the way it is and probably has been since the park opened.

[faline]

There are certainly many considerations in this type of situation. This could be a usually model employee who is having some personal or mental health issues that need to be addressed. If so, I certainly hope that the individual is offered a leave and some support to access resources that could be of help to her.

[ChipNDale79]

I work Turnstiles and Parade Audience Control at MK and you should have to witness (and be on the receiving end) of some of the "epic meltdowns" (including physical) we have to see from some of the guests. A VERY SMALL percentage true, but "epic" just the same.

When there are 60,000+ CM's at WDW there are bound to be some that aren't so magical, just like any other "medium size city". Not any excuse mind you, just the way it is and probably has been since the park opened.

Agreed, everyone cant' be all smiles all the time, if they are, you have to wonder whats up. ha.

[kakn7294]

I would certainly hope that Disney policy does not dictate that she would be fired over a single incident like this. She truly did not hurt anyone and we all have a bad day now and then. Now if this were a repeat occurrence, that's a bit different and should be dealt with accordingly.

[Polynesian Dweller]

I would certainly hope that Disney policy does not dictate that she would be fired over a single incident like this. She truly did not hurt anyone and we all have a bad day now and then. Now if this were a repeat occurrence, that's a bit different and should be dealt with accordingly.

Not policy, union contract. That contract would have progressive discipline clauses like most and management would have to start along the process except for some specific and agreed to immediate dismissal behaviors like endangering guests or others.

[JabberJaws]

I work Turnstiles and Parade Audience Control at MK and you should have to witness (and be on the receiving end) of some of the "epic meltdowns" (including physical) we have to see from some of the guests. A VERY SMALL percentage true, but "epic" just the same.

When there are 60,000+ CM's at WDW there are bound to be some that aren't so magical, just like any other "medium size city". Not any excuse mind you, just the way it is and probably has been since the park opened.

I have worked on the front lines at WDW in the past and can attest to this. I mean like you said, fact is, with as many CMs as WDW has, there will be some bad apples. That being said, at least during my time there, Disney was VERY good about weeding out the bad apples. In other words, they didn't stay a CM for very long once their behavior became apparent. The vast majority of the CMs there are just fantastic at their job. Disney has just set the bar so high that it places an even larger spotlight on the poor performers.

And, as a side note, I can also attest to the melt downs by guests. I heard some of the craziest, most insane rants by guests to me personally (for things I had no control over or participation in...like a nasty t-storm cancelling Fantasmic) and to other CMs. Most of us knew though to just smile, nod and tell them to "Have a Disney Day!"

[lawgirl]

And I guess in all fairness she is human. Who knows what is going on in her personal life. While of course you are supposed to be professional at work (no matter what it is, be it CEO or janitor), sometimes things in our personal life outweigh all else and cause us to act out. I'm just glad no one got hurt, and hopefully whatever the cause was, it gets taken care of soon.

Sorry for you that you had to witness it, and sorry for the CM that her life is that bad to have a meltdown like that!

[MissMaryPoppins]

And, as a side note, I can also attest to the melt downs by guests. I heard some of the craziest, most insane rants by guests to me personally (for things I had no control over or participation in...like a nasty t-storm cancelling Fantasmic) and to other CMs. Most of us knew though to just smile, nod and tell them to "Have a Disney Day!"

My father told about a co-worker at the Studios who was approached by a guest who asked if she could see his pins. He said sure and held out his lanyard and she found one she wanted. The o ly problem was, the woman wanted the pin but had none for trading. He explained that the pins were trading and the woman calmly leaned over and bit him on neck. She took off before anyone could do anything about it. My father also told me about guests asking him what time the rain will stop. I told him to ask them when they're going home then say "Oh, what a shame. That's the day the rain is stopping."

[JabberJaws]

My father told about a co-worker at the Studios who was approached by a guest who asked if she could see his pins. He said sure and held out his lanyard and she found one she wanted. The o ly problem was, the woman wanted the pin but had none for trading. He explained that the pins were trading and the woman calmly leaned over and bit him on neck. She took off before anyone could do anything about it. My father also told me about guests asking him what time the rain will stop. I told him to ask them when they're going home then say "Oh, what a shame. That's the day the rain is stopping."

Haha well, I was never bitten, but...

I worked retail in the gift shops at ToT, RnR and cheapo glow-stuff vending at F! One time, when working F!, a t-storm set in just before the show was about to start. It was a busy night, and the seating had been full for a good hour prior to show time. The storm was quick, but needless to say the showing was cancelled (it was a 9 pm showing w/ park closing at 9 pm). After the cancellation announcement, a VERY angry guest approached me (mind you, I am a simple $6/hr College Program CM holding a tray of $3-$13 glowing plastic items) and started ranting about how they waiting 1 hour only to have the show cancelled and their day was RUINED. They DEMANDED that they get a FULL refund on their park admission.

So yeah, first off, obviously, I had no power, nor did I appear to have power haha. Secondly, they had been in the park the entire day and missed nothing but F!, yet wanted all their money back.

As CMs are taught, when in doubt, direct the guest to Guest Relations, so I did just that. I had a friend who worked GR and absolutely hated it. I might see a few really crazy guests each week, they saw them all day, every day!

[MelissaW]

This is probably going to sound Pollyanna-isk and naive, but whenever I am in the parks - and particularly when it is really crowded and hot, etc. I try very hard to tell each CM I encounter - be it in the rides, shopping, resorts, etc. - I try to tell each one of them "Thank You" for doing whatever small job they may be doing to help make my vacation at Disney magical. I like to think that with every guest that may take the time to say a "thank you" it might make each CM that receives it feel a little better and a little more appreciated. After all, like many have said in this thread - they are encountering thousands of guests and you know the guests - with their high expectations - are numerous in the negative ones.

[disneymom2000]

Yesterday at MK I wouldn't have blamed a CM for going off but they held their temper. The CM that was counting people and sending them to the proper line for the next car at Winnie the Pooh had turned around to help with a disabled guest when these 8 people ran past him to get into a line in front. He politely went over when he saw them to ask how many were in the party and explain that they wouldn't all fit in the line they were in and would probably be split between rides and came back to start dividing the people at the turnstile when one of the young moms came over to the turnstile and started verbally abusing him loudly in front of the rest of the guests stating she didn't appreciate his scolding them (which he didn't as we were standing right next to the conversation) and being very rude to him. I wanted to apologize to him for her behaviour but he was gone when we came out of the ride. I didn't even know who she was but she was extremely rude. You just feel badly for some of these CM's when you witness something like that. Oh and needless to say they squeezed all eight of themselves into one of the honeypots so they would be split up.

[Kaps]

As others have said some of the jobs at the park are not the most desired positions but most CM's do there best to go about there business with a more than positive attitude and in my experiences have always been helpful. I used to work at a park and some guests have the whats in it for me attitude at every turn right down to abusing a CM for not having the barbage pail ready when they are throwing there stuff out. I go into it (i work in the customer service industry for over 25 years) knowing not all people are cut from the same thread but most try real hard and a nice compliment goes a long way fro a janitor who is trying to make your stay a clean and comfortable one. If everyone through that out there to one of these CM's every day it would make there outlook better and improve he experience for everyone involved. nothing worse than hating going to work.

[teamblackwell]

My father told about a co-worker at the Studios who was approached by a guest who asked if she could see his pins. He said sure and held out his lanyard and she found one she wanted. The o ly problem was, the woman wanted the pin but had none for trading. He explained that the pins were trading and the woman calmly leaned over and bit him on neck. She took off before anyone could do anything about it. My father also told me about guests asking him what time the rain will stop. I told him to ask them when they're going home then say "Oh, what a shame. That's the day the rain is stopping."

Zombie apocalypse!

[Tigerinvestigator]

Am I the only one dying to know what was in the garbage can???? I mean there are certain things that if you opened a garbage can and saw them it would make you react the same way.