Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Dear Angry Guest:

You're not supposed to punch people.  Like ever.  Except maybe in a rare case of serious self defense.  But, if you're a guest and want to get on a ride before that other guest who you don't like, punching people is not the best solution.  In fact, the best solution would be to resign yourself to the fact that you can't always have everything you want as soon as you want it and move on.

But if you're a guest, and you're angry, and you want to ride a ride, don't punch somebody in order to get on the ride first.  Because chances are, the ride operators will be calling police very quickly.  And while you're on the ride, you're at the mercy of the ride operators, who can slow down or even stop the ride in order to prolong your existence in the area to ensure that you will be there when police arrive.

Chances are you'll also be escorted out of the park and lost your magical vacation.  And chances are you'll end up at some official center filling out paperwork instead of having fun with your family.

This is all hypothetical of course.

Moral of the story.  Don't punch people.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

That Awkward Moment...

That awkward moment when you comment on a Disney cast member's costume and ask where it's from because you don't recognize it..... only to find out it came from their personal wardrobe at home.

If anyone needs me I'll be sitting in the corner with my foot in my mouth.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Things NOT To Call My Office About

Yeah, I never finished cruise posts.  I'm just so hurt that my camera's gone...

Here's three funny phone calls I received the other day.

1.  I received a call on my back door line from Ontario.  My direct phone line is reserved for a very few, select coordinators/managers on property and that's it.  No one else should have it, and they should only call it for specific things when they only need to talk to me.  Well, I saw the number was from Ontario, but then I thought, "What the heck, I'll answer it."  Soooo, I did.

"Deployment, this is Dianna."

"Hi, I'm calling about my dietary restrictions?"

"Your.... um... okay..... sorry?"

"I need information about dietary restrictions for a few months from now."

"Are you looking for Disney?"

"Yes."  This woman obviously thinks I'm an idiot.

"Okay.  Are you're a guest?"

"Yes!"  She answered a little flustered.  "We're planning a trip and members of my party have dietary restrictions.  We need information."

I was so completely thrown of I actually started laughing part way through the call.  Fortunately, the woman wasn't upset at all (though I feel like she had all reason to be).  I got her the right number eventually and sent her on her merry way.

2.  Later, I actually was working phones, so it was more understandable that I get random calls.  A woman called me, this time inquiring about her daughters termination status.  "Yes, my daughter already put in her two weeks notice but she's still on the schedule.  We just wanted to be sure she's leaving in good standing with the company."

This girl had received FOUR "no call, no shows" starting two weeks ago, so I assumed that's when she thought she was supposed to be done working.  As I asked the woman which manager the daughter spoke with the mom said, "Hang on, I'll ask."  And she actually held the phone away from her as I heard her ask the daughter, "Which manager did you speak with?"  The daughter answered.  In hindsight I probably should have made the mom put her kid on the phone.

To make the situation better, the girl had put in her two weeks notice starting three days ago.  Of course she's still on the schedule, because you still have a schedule for two weeks after you put in the two week notice.  That's how it works.

The NCNS notations were before her two week notice and she didn't come in because she "didn't feel good" and she didn't call in because she "didn't know" and she didn't return our calls to her for not showing up because "we didn't know it was actually Disney calling, or someone else." 

And then the icing on the cake.  Her reason for leaving the company and not fulfilling her six month contract was, "I don't like working nights.  They make me feel sick."

I tried to be empathetic.  I truly did.  I'm sure there's struggles there I don't know about.  But... man.  Wow.  (Side note: I have no say involving the termination of cast members)

3. Finally, I received a call from a woman who told me, "Hi, I know this isn't the right number to call but I thought maybe you could transfer me to security?  I just found a woman passed out in the parking lot and she's just totally unconscious."

"Ma'am, I believe the number you're looking for is 911."

I know it's a serious situation, and I certainly hope that poor woman was okay!  But I struggled a bit to keep a straight face and steady voice on that call.