ODV- Such a bad Rap!~!

[snappy]

Why does ODV get such a bad rap from all other Cast Members in the Parks? It seems like ODV is the Black-Sheep of the Park's, but also brings in the most money for concessions? Is it the ugly uniforms? The dropped popcorn that custodial has to pick up? The Ugly lemonade stands, churro carts,etc.

[Sam the iPod]

I don't have any personal issues against ODV (that honor would be bestowed on RT&P - different story altogether, maybe some other time), but I notice that it seems like your visible costuming guidelines are among some of the least followed. But that's only in my personal observance and does not reflect fact. Just this past Sunday I saw a female ODV CM with her shirt untucked; I often see the young males with lowered pants/shorts; and most CMs wear non-polishable shoes.

I understand completely that you are in a position to stand all day; heck I worked in stock for more than 2 years and I admit I wore Vans for comfortability (and did get talked to about it a few times). I can't recall any negative experiences with ODV. Your department has some great CMs, as we've already discussed folks like Connie.

[The Mad Hatter]

ODV carts make the park look ugly and cheap. I really can't think of anything good to say about them. Oh yeah, they help to clog the walkways too with people stopping to get things at them.

[Arilvdc]

ODV people get away with so many things, especially regarding the 'disney look'. Plus, they're very clique-ish. For example, I ususally work plaza complex, and there are tons of ODV people around. They don't say anything to me. We share the hot dog room, and whenever we go in there they just look at us like we're aliens or something. However, the one time I worked ODV, everyone was talking to me. They asked about my day, where I was working, they held the door instead of letting it shut in my face...

[Sam the iPod]

ODV people get away with so many things, especially regarding the 'disney look'. Plus, they're very clique-ish. For example, I ususally work plaza complex, and there are tons of ODV people around. They don't say anything to me. We share the hot dog room, and whenever we go in there they just look at us like we're aliens or something. However, the one time I worked ODV, everyone was talking to me. They asked about my day, where I was working, they held the door instead of letting it shut in my face...

I think the same could be said about Guest Relations. And the Guest Survey folks. Actually, I think that the departments just segment that way. And that's a normal social reaction, you're working with people for such long periods of time you just gravitate that way.

But I noticed that when hanging out at BCML, you could tell what groups were from what departments based on their costumes. I had friends (in Stores) that spent a lot of time chatting with ODV kids. After all, being fresh out of high school and in the college years, ODV has a lot of people the same age.

[iluvdisneyland]

Whatever.

Outdoor Vending IS the black sheep of the park. Most departments don't realize that they DO need us to continue operating, seeing as how we are the second highest grossing department in the park. Our management is crappy (for the most part) and like to sit around all day deciding new rules that could be considered "terminable offenses" and trying to figure out ways to screw the little people over by making them do the work of another classification while not getting payed the rate.

I understand perfectly that our wagons are ugly. Heck, most of them are falling apart. But that fact remains that ODV does not build carts and wagons, nor does it decide on its own if a new location should be added. We just operate them. Plain and simple.

[Guest]

Ahhhhh, good old Vending.

I used to be Vending, until I transferred to Attractions. It has it's good things and its bad things.

Regarding Disney Look. Management used to have the mentality that allowed us to get away with non-black socks or untucked shirts or whatnot. Heck, I wore white socks for 2.5 years. Now, they do costume checks before you check in. The thing is, while you're out there you have almost no supervision. All you see is your breaker, your stocker, and maybe your Lead or Manager maybe once or twice in a shift. The rest of the time, you're out there goofing around doing what you're supposed to do. And regarding shoes, ODV is able to get away with black non-polishable shoes because management realizes that we are out there, standing for 8 hours a day, and vendors need to comfortable. Also, if you're not wearing boots, non-polishable shoes tend to have less traction than tennis shoes or Vans, and if you're pushing a large drink cart down a hill, you need as much traction as you can get.

Regarding the entire clique thing. Vending is this giant department that's shunned by everybody else. Plus, at any one time you'll have at least 10 people at the Inn Between either on break or doing nothing since they're stocking or breakers. I know that departments don't really mix, so ODV hangs out with ODV. I can tell you this, I never knew so many card games before I hired in.

Oh, and regarding your classifications and rates. Go talk to Sandi about it, I heard she got you guys a /great/ contract. Go Local 50!!! <dripping sarcasm>

Phil

[fearsnda]

Most departments don't realize that they DO need us to continue operating, seeing as how we are the second highest grossing department in the park.

Sorry. You're going to have to trust me on this... But I know with 100% certainty that Foods (ODV included in that) is the third highest grossing department in the park. ODV itself (both Merch and Foods) is somewhere near the bottom. It cannot and does not even come close to what the rest of the Parks do.

Frankly I don't care for ODV because the department is (or at least appears to be) a chaotic, disorganized mess and in general is a huge pain in my ! I guess it's more of a ODV management issue than a CM issue.

- FNDA