Cast Members are the heart of the magic. They often stand outdoors in the heat and humidity. They work long hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays. They’re expected to put their problems aside so that they can make your day better and keep you safe. While it’s true that there are some Cast Members who may not be ideal, most of them would make Walt proud.
I recommend leaving Cast Member Compliments all the time. It’s a fun way to brighten the day of someone who made an impression. I’ll usually leave them in the My Disney Experience App, but sometimes I’ll stop by Guest Relations or send an email so that I can include the details. Disney takes Cast Member Compliments seriously, and I’m always happy to help recognize a job well done.
Some guests like to take things a step further than Cast Compliments. They like to give gifts to Cast Members as tokens of their appreciation. A good friend of mine does this whenever she’s in town, and I love to hear the stories of the Cast Members’ reactions! If you plan to give gifts to Cast Members, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, Cast Members cannot accept cash or gift cards. The exception, of course, is if the Cast Member has a tipping position, such as the wait staff at a restaurant or Mousekeeping at the resorts. But honestly, a tip isn’t a gift, it’s payment for the job.
So what can you give to Cast Members? The best idea is something small. Things like key chains, pins, and even lip balm are usually appreciated. Most Cast Members don’t have a place to hold too much stuff, so try for something that they can easily slip into their pockets.
Another thing that Cast Members love is small cards or notes with a few words of thanks. I know of former Cast Members who still have every note they received years later. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, just sincere.
If you don’t have a physical gift, don’t worry. You can still give the gift of kindness. If a Cast Member has cool hair or a pretty smile, tell them! (Without being creepy, of course.) Thank them for their hard work. Ask them how their day is going, and tell them that you hope that they have a magical day. They’ll appreciate it.
This wasn’t at Walt Disney World, but it could have been. Not too long ago I was at a parking booth. I asked the very friendly parking attendant how her day was going. She looked at me with surprise, then told me that in all her years working there, no one had ever asked her that before. She said that she appreciated my acknowledging her.
It costs nothing to be nice to people, even when they are less than stellar to us. We can all spread a little extra magic. Sometimes it’s physical, as in a small gift. Other times, a pleasant interaction is exactly what a Cast Member needs.