Cast Member Recognition

In the world in which we live, all too often, we focus on the negative. Seldom do we make it a point, say, to brag as loudly on the restaurant that serves a meal perfectly as ordered as would we complain about the restaurant who gets the order wrong.

If we get poor service, we make it a point to complain to the manager, but what of the clerk who helps us find what we need, and then checks us out with a smile?

I find that in Disney World, we are particularly spoiled. The employees there - known, of course, as cast members - exhibit some of the best customer service to be found anywhere. We count on this; it is part and parcel of what makes Disney so special. And yet, there are always one or two cast members who go above and beyond even Disney's lofty standards.

It's time that we give them their due. Pleae read on for submissions of real Disney World visitors who have received amazing service - and join them as we say "thank you!". Of course, if you have your own tale to share, we would love for you to share it with us!

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Submitted by: anonymous

2011-09-03: Stephen - Pirates of the Carribean

We were taking my 5 year old on Pirates of the Carribean yesterday. He had already ridden Everest at Animal Kingdom earlier and loved it, so I knew Pirates would be nothing. However, the line is a bit spooky and he was increasingly becoming more afraid. About 3/4 through he began to cry, so we turned around and left through an exit door.

As we exit, Stephen the cast member pirate looks to us all and asks who was afraid of the line? He then starts talking to my son, calling him mate, showing him his sword and telling him he's a good pirate. My son is very shy and mumbled at him. At first he was clearly scared of the guy. But Stephen persisted and spent a VERY long time talking to my son. In the end, my son warmed right up to him. Stephen then took us straight through the entire line and put him right in the boat.

My son LOVED the ride. I would really like to let Disney know what Stephen did and I will forever be grateful.

Just to add to this....when we got off the ride, my son fell pretty hard inside the store. He was just about to cry when a girl pirate came up, took him by the hand and got him a bag of ice for his knee. Very nice girl too though I couldn't see a name tag. We began to joke that he was a pirate magnet and bought him some pirate gear.

Prior to yesterday, my son did not like pirates. He thought they were scary and mean. Now he LOVES them!
Submitted by: Bonnie from Palm Bay, FL

2005-02-05: ? from ? - Toon Town Judges Tent

I have T shirts with all the pooh characters on it and the year. One year I couldn't find Rabbit for nothing and asked a CM in the store if there was anyway they could go out to "rabbit's garden" and get him to sign my shirt, not only did the shirt come back with Rabbit's signature but Gopher, Kanga and Roo.
Submitted by: Juli from Ashley

2011-03-01: Matt from dunno - World Showcase Outpost

Matt at the Outpost (or whatever it is called, the non-country in the WS) was so supremely nice to the person in front of us who was so wickedly condescending and rude.

He was also so nice that the kids wanted to go back later in the week and visit him.

I don't know the exact date, but it was last March.

The guy is nice.
Submitted by: Michele from Lakewood, Oh

2010-01-25: April - Zawadi Marketplace (Animal Kingdom Lodge gift shop)

This was my son's first trip to Disney World (he was two at the time). We decided to let him try pin trading, as the rest of the family has always enjoyed it.

My son loved looking at the pins, and quickly took to the idea of trading. However, he was extremely shy, so trading was a challenge for him.

One evening, we were in the Zawadi Marketplace (we were staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge), and he asked to see April's pins. She knelt down and let him look, and he saw one that he loved. However, he could not make up his mind as to which pin he wanted to give away. After giving him a long time to decide, April gave him the pin and told him that he could simply have it - no trade required.

For the rest of the tip, she would make it a point to talk to him every time that we came through the store, and she would ask to see his pins. Her interactions really helped him to come out of his shell.

In short, she made him feel very special, and I very much appreciate it.

Submitted by: Olan from Birmingham, AL