In my last post I explained how asking the cast members questions, no matter how seemingly dumb, could improve your vacation. Now I am going to switch it around. Do not only interact with the cast members when you have a question. They are not audio-animatronic characters. They are real people and a lot of them are really fun. You’ll find this out if you talk with them.
You may ask why you would ever talk to a cast member as you are hurrying from ride to ride. I suggest that you interact with cast members all the time, you just don’t realize it. When you are in line to buy lunch it is a cast member who takes your order and your money. She has helped hundreds of people that day. Most of them have not even said thank you for the hard work she does giving them a smooth ordering process. They only notice when she does something wrong. Noticing only the mistakes ruins everyone’s day. I believe that if you want to have a happy trip and make those around you happy too, notice when people do things right.
All the cast members wear name badges. When waiting in line for a ride, why not greet a cast member and use their name. Maybe tell them a goofy joke. It only takes a minute, but the smiles last a lot longer.
I know this may sound odd, since they are paid to be there, but think of your own job. When no one recognizes the hard work you do, it can tend to get you down, no matter how much you are being paid. Cast members are no different. They work very hard making sure you have a great vacation. It would be great if they got recognized for it.
Here is one more idea that takes some effort, but it produces the best results. If you get great service from a cast member, note down their name and where they were working. Then at the end of the night head to guest services and leave a note commending the cast member for their great work. The positive ripples of that one act will keep going for a long time.
Goofy Joke: Here is a joke to share with a cast member. Another great groaner.
Q: What do you call George Washington’s false teeth?
A: Presidentures.