I’m not excusing rude behavior, but having lived in the Disney World area a number of years, I know first hand that Disney employees are severely underpaid. The average Disney employee cannot afford to live on what Disney pays and in most cases, need to have several roommates to pay the insanely high rents in the area. It’s just not affordable to live there on what Disney pays. Good employees are going to leave and likely move out of the area, to someplace they can afford. Disney is lucky they have employees left that try to still make it a magical experience for guests. The solution is to pay a decent living wage to their employees. It’s sad that employees have had to come up with their own food pantry because it’s that bad. I am glad to no longer be living in the area.
Instead of making another lackluster Star Wars sequel or poorly conceived show for their network, pay the employees a little more as it will improve morale and the guest experience. Stop funding these “experimental” projects where you have directors and cast members literally harassing people who don’t like the direction these programs/movies are going. Taunting your audience doesn’t lead to increase in sales.
I have witnessed theme park guests yelling and cursing at the cast members because they did not get what they wanted and the cast members were only doing their jobs. I think there are more rude guests then there are cast members. Cast members have been yelled/cursed at for things like the heat, not enough shade, closing a character line etc – these are things out of their control. I have also seen security called on these guests because of their behavior – there are too many people that think they should get what they want and not have to follow the guidelines. I am not saying that some cast members maybe rude, but I think the nice cast members outnumber the rude.
Disney created this dynamic with Genie+/lightning lane which can have 30-100/1 ratio with the standby line artificially blowing up the wait times on standby. Disney also removed fans, misting sprinklers and air conditioning from most if not all the outer areas of queues. It’s becoming a more miserable experience.
I wholeheartedly agree! Most of our cast members in WDW are amazing. They don’t get paid enough and the alot of the guest are entitled jerks. I stay to myself and my family we thank and appreciate our cast members, and we have a magical time every visit!
The pay CM’s receive is only part of it. No one forces them to stay. I will agree that guest entitlement could cause attitude from a CM, but they are still in a customer service industry. Disney should up the pay, but also return some services and extras that guests became accustomed to.
How can Iger afford his salary, yachts and all the other perks if Disney CM get a raise? How dare you deny him his life style. On the other hand to say it should pay a living wage – please define that. Most people over-estimate their value. Does that mean that they should pay me at a level that I can have the best of everything, newest cel phone (which I will be looking at incessantly while I am at work) a house, vacations – perhaps a private jet? These trite little phrases mean nothing. They should pay an equitable wage and value their employees – they don’t. This company is so lost I wonder if this ship can ever be righted – definitely not under current management.
When I was there with my adult son (disabled) this past spring, we had an awful encounter with a staff member inside of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. My son was using a scooter since he cannot walk long distances. The staff member pulled us aside to park the scooter and asked us if he can transfer himself into the vehicle. I politely answered “yes he can”. The cast member then screamed at us, saying “I’m asking him, not you”. I told the cast member that my son could not hear him (it was very loud in there and my son is hard of hearing), to which he screamed “well you didn’t tell me that he can’t hear me”. (I don’t recall him asking, and we had no time to tell him anyway since he came right up to us and immediately asked about my son’s ability to transfer). My son was upset at how this man acted, (and so was I quite frankly) and it made my son feel like he did something wrong (he didn’t). The man may have been having a bad day, but clearly taking it out on polite passengers is not how any employee should behave, especially at a place that prides itself on it’s customer service (at least it used to).
I go to the Disney World parks once or twice a month as a passholder. I have not ever experienced a rude Castmember. But have seen guest treat CM with rudeness and sometimes will not listen to instructions or disobey directions from CMs. CM put up with so many who act entitled and like brats. I also see parents dragging their whiny and crying children or treat them harshly for crying or misbehaving. I’ve seen elderly people in the scooters run over the feet of other guests or act angry. It’s shameful how people act. I do however have met people who aren’t like this and they don’t act rude or entitled. One’s experience doesn’t mean everyone has the same experience. I feel that most CMs are amazing and kind. Maybe if people would treat CMs right they would get treated better too.
Comments for Yelp Turns on Disney World as Guests Complain of Price Gouging and Bizarre Cast Member Behavior
Indra
I’m not excusing rude behavior, but having lived in the Disney World area a number of years, I know first hand that Disney employees are severely underpaid. The average Disney employee cannot afford to live on what Disney pays and in most cases, need to have several roommates to pay the insanely high rents in the area. It’s just not affordable to live there on what Disney pays. Good employees are going to leave and likely move out of the area, to someplace they can afford. Disney is lucky they have employees left that try to still make it a magical experience for guests. The solution is to pay a decent living wage to their employees. It’s sad that employees have had to come up with their own food pantry because it’s that bad. I am glad to no longer be living in the area.
Pol
Instead of making another lackluster Star Wars sequel or poorly conceived show for their network, pay the employees a little more as it will improve morale and the guest experience. Stop funding these “experimental” projects where you have directors and cast members literally harassing people who don’t like the direction these programs/movies are going. Taunting your audience doesn’t lead to increase in sales.
Cheryl
I have witnessed theme park guests yelling and cursing at the cast members because they did not get what they wanted and the cast members were only doing their jobs. I think there are more rude guests then there are cast members. Cast members have been yelled/cursed at for things like the heat, not enough shade, closing a character line etc – these are things out of their control. I have also seen security called on these guests because of their behavior – there are too many people that think they should get what they want and not have to follow the guidelines. I am not saying that some cast members maybe rude, but I think the nice cast members outnumber the rude.
Cedric
Disney created this dynamic with Genie+/lightning lane which can have 30-100/1 ratio with the standby line artificially blowing up the wait times on standby. Disney also removed fans, misting sprinklers and air conditioning from most if not all the outer areas of queues. It’s becoming a more miserable experience.
Rose
Totally agree with you.
Terrance Williams
I wholeheartedly agree! Most of our cast members in WDW are amazing. They don’t get paid enough and the alot of the guest are entitled jerks. I stay to myself and my family we thank and appreciate our cast members, and we have a magical time every visit!
Jerry Atrix
The pay CM’s receive is only part of it. No one forces them to stay. I will agree that guest entitlement could cause attitude from a CM, but they are still in a customer service industry. Disney should up the pay, but also return some services and extras that guests became accustomed to.
walt
How can Iger afford his salary, yachts and all the other perks if Disney CM get a raise? How dare you deny him his life style. On the other hand to say it should pay a living wage – please define that. Most people over-estimate their value. Does that mean that they should pay me at a level that I can have the best of everything, newest cel phone (which I will be looking at incessantly while I am at work) a house, vacations – perhaps a private jet? These trite little phrases mean nothing. They should pay an equitable wage and value their employees – they don’t. This company is so lost I wonder if this ship can ever be righted – definitely not under current management.
Jim
Have drink walt you’ll live longer…maybe long enough to get that living wage so you can buy that GI Joe with the Kung Fu Grip
Dr. M
When I was there with my adult son (disabled) this past spring, we had an awful encounter with a staff member inside of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride. My son was using a scooter since he cannot walk long distances. The staff member pulled us aside to park the scooter and asked us if he can transfer himself into the vehicle. I politely answered “yes he can”. The cast member then screamed at us, saying “I’m asking him, not you”. I told the cast member that my son could not hear him (it was very loud in there and my son is hard of hearing), to which he screamed “well you didn’t tell me that he can’t hear me”. (I don’t recall him asking, and we had no time to tell him anyway since he came right up to us and immediately asked about my son’s ability to transfer). My son was upset at how this man acted, (and so was I quite frankly) and it made my son feel like he did something wrong (he didn’t). The man may have been having a bad day, but clearly taking it out on polite passengers is not how any employee should behave, especially at a place that prides itself on it’s customer service (at least it used to).
sue
Never happened.
Rose
I go to the Disney World parks once or twice a month as a passholder. I have not ever experienced a rude Castmember. But have seen guest treat CM with rudeness and sometimes will not listen to instructions or disobey directions from CMs. CM put up with so many who act entitled and like brats. I also see parents dragging their whiny and crying children or treat them harshly for crying or misbehaving. I’ve seen elderly people in the scooters run over the feet of other guests or act angry. It’s shameful how people act. I do however have met people who aren’t like this and they don’t act rude or entitled. One’s experience doesn’t mean everyone has the same experience. I feel that most CMs are amazing and kind. Maybe if people would treat CMs right they would get treated better too.
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