devores

I was just going to say they look more like wi fi antennas than cell.

The fort has good cell service so I'm not sure why they would need 2 towers that close to each other. Maybe the beginning of wi fi for the fort.

Yes, there is a link to buy memory maker from the main page of mydisneyexperience, but it takes you to the photopass site to buy it. So you can use either one.

They claim it was a programming issue. Because CMs have 4 or 5 tickets to link, some of which are blocked out at certain times of the year, and used by different people everytime, they had to figure out how to track it all in the system and talk to the backend system to use the entitlements properly.

 

Example: If a CM uses just their maingate, it does not count towards our entries for the year. If a guest pass is used, the CMs maingate must be used as well at the same time. The guest pass use is then marked as an entry on our yearly quota.

 

The tickets on mydisneyexperience are linked to a specific person. The CMs guest passes are not so they had to figure out how to make this all properly work while still allowing all the other features of MyMagic+.

 

They were more focused on the guest side to worry about us CMs.

Not that it makes any difference to me, the video that appeared on "The HUB" yesterday afternoon giving the details said that the app would be available to CMs soon.

I have to believe that CMs will get the same amount of FPs as guests.

Maybe I'll finally get to do TSM.

Lou, they also said a year ago that Mymagic+ would be available to CMs soon.

You do not need park tickets on your account to purchase/use Memory Maker. Maybe the way youre purchasing does.

 

Memory Maker is sold everywhere. In the parks, DTD, the outlet mall on I Drive, reservation centers, and even travel agents. All have their own rules on selling it.

 

I would book your hotel and memory maker separate. To get memory maker, goto mydisneyphotopass.com and select products and purchase it from there. Or, if you want to purchase in the parks, goto any merchandise location and buy it there. The preorder price is not available in the stores though, so it would be the $199.

If you have a smart phone, could you acess the page from the browser on your phone? While not as easy as the app, it's better than a kiosk?

Hopefully things change and work out better for the CM's.

You can use the full site from your smart device but it's a pain.

Not to complain, but we still cannot use the full features of mymagic+. CMs will not be able to use the mobile app to utilize mymagic+ features such as making and changing FP+ selections. CMs must use the full site through their home computers or utilize the kiosks around the parks.

There is also no mention on how many FP selections CMs can hold at one time. I am hoping it is at least equal to AP holders but no mention was made.

I looked again. I only checked Nov for the closure as the blog said after Halloween. It is on the Dec schedule. But I assure you, its not to add that capability. Its just a normal refurb.

The Haunted Mansion is not slated to close. Besides, they wouldnt need to close the attraction to add that capability anyway. They added it to the mine train without closing it. They added it to ToT without closing it.

I just ran across this...

http://www.disneydining.com/top-5-secrets-walt-disney-worlds-haunted-mansion-attraction/

I wouldn't put any weight on that theory. They claim the shop is opening dec 31. We had the ribbon cutting ceremony today. I've worked there several times and there is no where to buy a ride photo and no room to add the capability.

This is one of the reasons I despise bloggers. The author put this out there as fact. Claiming to know it as truth. And even now, when proved wrong, the article remains up with no edit to correct the info. The author threw it up and forgot about it. If you want me to acknowledge you as a serious journalist, take pride and ownership in your work.

Keep in mind only one person, the memory maker owner, can download the photos from their account.

You can link as many accounts as you want, be sure to allow photo sharing, then download the photos and put them on thumb drives or cd.

If they are trustworthy you could share the login info and the others could login from their computer using the memory maker owners account and download them to their computer or the owner could just login and download them.

It boils down to, if you have memory maker, are the owner, and can see the photos in your account, you can download them. It doesn't matter how they got into the account.

In order for everyone to get the special added stuff though, the accounts must be linked.

We have done several 3 night cruises. They are worth the money. Its not so long that you get sick of being on the boat, but long enough to experience everything you need to. You will get to dine in each restaurant and will still have a pirate night which includes the Disney fireworks from the ship. And if youre stopping at castaway cay its even better.

 

First Ill address Gwens list.

 

"

Day/night 1:  Half of the day is wasted getting onboard and unpacking.

 

Day/night 2:  Your one full day/night of fun.

 

Day/night 3:  You have a full day except that you have to pack up and fill out your customs forms.

 

Day 4:  Disembark early."

 

You can get on the ship as early as 1100. If you get there early, you can be on board, eating lunch and swimming by noon. You can explore the ship and see whats whats. The only mandatory thing is the lifeboat drill at 4. After that is the sailaway party. Then you have all night to what you want. Really, there's no curfew on the ship. And if you wanted some adult time, they have childrens clubs you can send the little one to. And if you wont be getting off the ship in Nassa, you can stay up late and sleep in.

 

Yes, its a full day of fun.

 

Castaway Cay.......and how much packing would you need to do? Seriously, its 4 days. As you take cloths off, put them in the suitcases. Packing complete. And customs forms take 2 mins to fill out.

 

The last day allashore is 0930. So you you can still sleep in some and get one last meal on the ship.

 

Well worth the money for a relaxing weekend.

 

Now, the reasons why your hubby doesnt want to go.

 

You can get as much or as little Disney as you want. Just because its Disney cruise lines doesnt mean its 24/7 Disney in your face. There are adult only areas that are less Disney than the rest of the ship and if you do not want to meet characters, you dont have to. They have activities planned for everyone, not just Disney junkies.

 

Karaoke, dancing, bingo, spas....he can get a break from it all if he wanted. And 3 nights isnt that long. You get more Disney staying at the fort than on the ship. 

I'm sure you have your answer now. But wanted to rehash the info.

The photos expire 45 days from the date taken. Memory maker allows you to download your photos for 30 days from the first download. So say you download your first set of photos on 1 oct. For the next 30 days you can download any photo in your account. Once the 30 th day hits, any photos added are not part of that entitlement. But you can still download the photos taken during that 30 day period until they are deleted.

Any photo viewable in your account is downloadable. This means that if friends or family that link accounts and share photos can be a part of that entitlement. It is a one time use so you'll havd to purchase another one if you return for another trip.

The candids are great and ride photos are a plus, but don't forget there's special content currently only available to memory maker holders. Like the 7dwarves mine train video and photos, or tot video, of the special magic shots.

Memory maker is well worth the money if you take advantage of the photographers around the parks.

The replacing of a dropped drink, ice cream, turkey leg, etc., is SOP. It costs Disney hardly anything to replace drinks or ice cream.

In the "Traditions" class that all new CMs have to attended, they are instructed to do it. 

 

Also, it's not like the average CM is bombarded throughout the day with complaints from angry guests. The assumption regarding the number of instances guests are abusive towards CMs is exaggerated. Of course it happens, but in the vast majority of the jobs, it's not that often. So don't feel sorry for CMs. They're fine 99.9% of the time.

 

So the perception of how many dissatisfied guests abuse CMs doesn't match the reality.

I seriously believe the role you perform dictates how good or poorly you get treated. I for one have only had one bad day at work since starting with the company. The guests all seem to have been in a poor mood and snapped at you for one reason or another. I even crossed the line a bit when a guest started yelling at me because I didnt have his package that he sent to package pickup, even though I was wearing a Photopass vest and holding a camera. I directed him to the chamber of commerce and he went off on me. I looked him dead in the face and asked "what do you want me to do? Pull your package out of thin air. Go to package pick up." But guest are always smiling at me. Who wants a picture with a frown?

 

My DH however has a completely different experience. A short stint in merchandise and attractions and she gets yelled at daily. "what do you mean the ride is broke. I demand to ride right now." "Im not waiting 60 mins to ride Mermaid, Im going to skip the line weather you like it or not." "Why are you letting those people in front of us. I dont care if they have fastpasses." "My kid wants to stand up on Dumbo and you can stop them"

 

Shes been called several forms of bad words I cant mention here because the filters wont let them through. So it does matter what role you have.

 

I think there is some times.

 

 

As long as a person is able to perform all the tasks required for a position, they may apply.

If a person mentions a CM in their application process and gets the job, and makes it past a 3 month trial period, the CM will get a recruitment bonus. The amount varies from $50 to $250 depending on the role the new CM gets. They also occasionally have sweepstakes where the CM get entered into a drawing for various things. The most recent was a cruise.

 

So back to perception vs reality.

 

I had the pixie dust and magic perception before I started. Do I still, absolutely. I know, it's hard to believe.

I live where I live because I knew 25 years ago that I would be working in some capacity at WDW. I thought it was going to be as a design engineer, and if I wanted it, I could have been one. But after being given the opportunity, I decide that I wouldn't be happy doing that and took a different direction.

 

I'm not a fan of corporate Disney, but I'm a huge fan of Walt and Roy's legacy, and I give Roy equal credit.

Contrary to my online persona, I'm an excellent CM and always have been. I do make the magic, I do enjoy doing it, otherwise I wouldn't have done it for so long.

I too am a fan of the legacy but not corporate. I respect Disney as a company, because they are very successful, but question some of their methods. 

That's actually the part of the job that would appeal to me the most.  Helping people and making their day (or even just their moment in time) all while in the setting of WDW sounds pretty nice.

 

Back during Year(s) of a Million Dreams I thought it would be really cool to be on the Dream Squads where your job is to go around making people happy all day.

Though we cant give out castle suite stays or family vacations, every CM has the power to give little things to help make the guest experience better.

 

An ice cream for the little princess who dropped her cone in the middle of MS, a shirt for the prince who spilled milk all over himself at lunch, or a random balloon for the queen celebrating her 90th birthday. Every CM can make those happen.

 

I have personally set up proposals at various locations in the park. Not only do I arrange for a photographer, but I get them bride and groom ears, a cupcake, and a free photo of the occasion. Adding pixi dust to the moment. The guests arent expecting it, we just do it. And believe it or not, most CMs love doing stuff like that.

 

I would also like to add that the phrase "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" applies at Disney. We can say no and not help at all. So if you approach a situation with a good attitude and treat the CMs with the respect they deserve, you will get far more than walking in and yelling at them.

Being a CM isnt about loving Disney. Your love for all things Disney will wear off quickly if you do not have a passion for serving the guest and ensuring they have the most magical vacation ever.

 

While being a leader in the entertainment industry, the underlying product of Disney is serving the guest. It is a service industry just like a waiter or waitress. The end goal is the same, provide the best service to your customer possible.

 

Ive seen many a people leave the company when they realize this. And yes, allot of people think its all pixi dust and wishes. The reality, CMs dont even have MBs yet........

I just got home from work. Its 0030, and I work at 1100 tomorrow. So patience.

Thank you, Dave. 

 

That photo is very cool, and consistent with what I'm saying- there is no room for a third track to be added using the same load/unload area.

 

Now, splitting the line at Mr. Potato head, and building a complete reproduction of what is there now- that I could see.  Kind of like the two sides of Space Mountain.  But, that isn't adding a third track.  That's duplicating the attraction, and probably adding a third and fourth track.

 

TCD

The same thing they did with dumbo. Same attraction, just two sides. So it would be a third track.

 

Here is another view that may help others,

 

The area where the wording Toy Story Mania is, is the sound stage. The lower right is Mr potato head. They could move the merge point to there and split the guest flow left or right. This could also help with maintenance issues. It will give them reduced capacity but still able to run the attraction as its a separate line.

TCD

 

Here is a picture of the ride config.....

 

 

You can clearly see two separate tracks for the ride. Almost mirroring each other. They could easily add another load area for the new track creating a whole separate ride in essence. Then they just move the merge points and have two separate sides, one with two track (the current ride) and one with one track. The split would be where Mr potato head is now. Send them left or right depending on capacity.

It was blue in the meeting.....maybe he has multiple like some other people.

Johns was blue Kathys was red........

That seems reasonable about military becoming CM. My statement were strictly about my DH due to his longevity of being in a senior position in the military. He would have a hard time not dealing with the problem hisself. Disney has always been great to us and is our favorite vacation

I retired after 22 years and as an E7. My last assignment was running my own shop of 100 military members and did this for 5 years. I for one cherish the lack of "dealing with it myself". I dont have to make decisions that could potentially cost someone their life or change the fate of a combat campaign. I show up, do my job, and leave it at Disney. 

 

How does the reality of being a CM compare to your perception before becoming a CM?

This is an unfair question. My DH was a CM for 3 years before I became one, so I knew what to expect and what it was like. I willingly took the job knowing what it was like.

Ill chime in on the military similarities.

 

Being former military and a present CM I can give a first hand account.

 

Disney and the military are very similar in the respect to the rules they impose on their employees (so to speak). They take these rules very seriously and are very structured in how they operate. They have a set plan and follow that plan.

 

As a CM, you can participate in the magic, but you must first ensure the rules are followed. For example, I see wishes nearly every night I work. But I do not see a magical display over Cinderella castle. I am formulating plans on how to safely and efficiently clear the streets for the mad rush after it is over. Ensuring the safety of our photographers that are in the middle of the ocean of people up and down main street, and scanning the crowds for guest engaging in unsafe behavior or children who have become separated form their families in the chaos. And every CM involved in the process is thinking the same way, because of those rules and procedures. Its a seamless machine working together. An example is one night on MS I came across a frantic mother just as the lights went off for the MSEP. Her son had wandered off and she could not find him. With a few questions, I was able to reunite her with her son in 2 mins. Why, because every CM knows the procedures for a lost parent. How old is he, where was he last seen, and how long has he been missing? This told me where to take her. The CM who found the child wandering around knew the procedures as well, allowing us to reunite them.

 

Military members adapt well to life as a CM because of the structure. Disney uses allot of similar thinking during daily operations. You know what to wear, what to do, and where to be. Allot of the "idiot" thinking people like to refer to on here are the same we endured in the military. So its familiar and we know how to deal with it.

 

Where the similarities end is the discipline.  The military is not a union. You mess up, act up, or don't perform, you get yelled at and disciplined. Disney is a bit more "touchy". You cant yell at someone. As a coordinator (read mid level management) I cant discipline someone who doesn't perform. I can say something, but must get a leader involved in order to impose any form of reprimand.  There are allot of younger CMs working for Disney. No work experience and no discipline. They eventually get separated from the company, but it is a grueling process and a long one.  

I just walked in the door.

 

Post cruise checklist:

 

Laundry

Download photos

trip report

 

But I have to work tomorrow in Memento Mori, so there may be a delay.

Ok, as others have pointed out, this is NOT a thing.

 

There are allot of holes in this story and should be taken very very lightly. I am not doubting some of this has happened, but it is highly exaggerated.