Appreciation Thread

[Merboy]

Admittedly this thread is quite early. But in the last two years I've been going to BGW I've noticed the less-than-stellar quality of customer service and repairs and whatnot. Instead of pointing these issues out I was thinking that perhaps it might be better to point out what the park is doing *right*.

If you've noticed any particular employee doing a really terrific job or some detail of Busch Gardens that maybe gets unnoticed yet deserves some positive attention then this is the place to let everyone know!

To kick things off (and again, this is very early in the season) I'll start by saying that during HoS 2013 the male bartender at the Italy makeshift bar did a really great job of staying in character and being really enthusiastic and cheerful and swarthy (for he was a pirate) even in spite of a really rude customer who was making fun of him (something about his makeup looking fake or whatever, we won't get into it). But I really appreciated that he remained upbeat and as helpful as possible. That was clearly difficult to do under such circumstances, especially towards closing time. So I'd like to recognize that guy and gives thanks to him. Thanks for staying classy when you had a legit opportunity to be rude, uninterested, and reactionary.

 

[chickenking]

I'm glad you did this because I have considered doing something along those lines for some time but never had the time to do it. Or I would always forget because of so many other things going on.I have plenty of employees I would love to put in the appreciation thread, but with uncertainty of using names I usually just give them props at customer service.

 

[Merboy]

I have plenty of employees I would love to put in the appreciation thread, but with uncertainty of using names I usually just give them props at customer service.

And along the same lines there's also the issue of not even knowing the employee's name such as the pirate bartender. But still, all props given are great!

 

[chickenking]

I've heard it said that Team Members who receive positive comments at Guest Services are rewarded in some fashion by way of a mention in a company publication and/or a certificate for a free meal. I think there are lots of TMs that wouldn't mind that kind of recognition.

 

[Smatt]

While at Christmas Town with my family, my nephew got a stuffed animal from the one of the shops near the horse stables. He had it all night. When we walked out of the park to leave he started crying because he had dropped somewhere, obviously for a 4 year old it was devastating. My brother-in-law went up to one of the outside vendors and told them the situation and asked if they could get back into the park just to buy another one for him(the park was closing). The girl said no, but don't worry and took off toward the entrance. When she came back she gave him another one of the horses and told them to have a great night. She did charge them for the replacement. It was a really nice and thoughtful thing to do. This was their first time at CT and while we had a lot of fun in the park, this made their night. So thank you girl that did that!

 

[Franco]

I've heard it said that Team Members who receive positive comments at Guest Services are rewarded in some fashion by way of a mention in a company publication and/or a certificate for a free meal. I think there are lots of TMs that wouldn't mind that kind of recognition.

This is true, and it's why we should always leave compliments for any team member who does a great job. Not only does it give them official corporate recognition, but they also normally get some form of monetary bonus.

 

[Planeteer]

At the end of the season we should do something like "The Buschy's".  It would be The Oscars for BGW TMs.  People could put their nominations in during the year and we can vote at the end for the recipients.  "Most Helpful", "Best Performance", "Best Non-Performance Character", "Funniest Moment", "Most Beautiful Hamlet", stuff like that.  What do you guys think?  I would take the reigns if the mods don't want to or are too busy.  I think this would be fun and give name recognition to many deserving people throughout BGW.

 

[ToddF]

This is a great idea.  I can think of some nominations I'd make for last year.  Chief among these was when a performer borrowed a fan's video camera and walked it around the stage during a performance on the last day of Celtic Fyre.  This was an unbelievable show of support for a loyal fan, and set the crowd and performers on fire for the rest of the show.

Probably the single coolest thing I've ever seen in the park.

(edited to remove performers name)

 

[Planeteer]

^I agree with that one!  Mr. David felt so special, and deservedly so.  There is also Tony, who stands at the crossroads as I like to call it, right before Heatherdowns.  Always very helpful and quick to greet anyone who passes by!

 

[Merboy]

I think this is an absolutely terrific idea! I fullly endorse it, let's try it at once!

I like Buschy's... also Annies (Anheuser)... or... and I'm just free-balling... The Eagles (because AB is an eagle)... Golden Eagles... no I don't, maybe Buschies is good. But anywho, yes, this idea is precious and I love it.

 

[Party Rocker]

How about The Best of Busch Awards?

EDIT: The BoB's for short? or The Bobbies

 

[Thomas]

Or how about the "You did your job" awards.

 

[Party Rocker]

There is doing you job and then there is going above and beyond.

 

[Thomas]

You could argue that it is your job to go above and beyond... but that's just my philosophy.

 

[Planeteer]

Then there are those who barely do their jobs...

 

[chickenking]

^Slacker thread?? :shocked:

 

[Party Rocker]

I thought the point of this thread was to appreciate all those who were doing their jobs and those going above and beyond our expectations? I mean everyone always focuses on the negative and the bad ones, why not focus on the ones doing what they should be doing and making the guest experience enjoyable or awesome.

 

[Zachary]

I hate to rain on everyone's parade, but something like this would actually be against forum rules. :-/

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]Inappropriate content of any kind is prohibited. What constitutes inappropriate content is judged by site staff and includes but is not limited to the following:

[/font]The calling out by name or position of any park employee who has not stepped into the public spotlight (via interviews, presentations, etc)

This may sound like an overreaction in this situation, but even in cases where the person is being spoken about in a positive sense, the rule exists with good reason. The idea is a neat one, but it's not something I'd like to take place here.

 

[Mushroom]

What if we made an awards thread for the forums, though?! :shocked:

I can see it now:

Most Punctual: Zachary
MVP: Nora
Most Likely to Succeed: Joe
Most Likely to Work at a Theme Park: Party Rocker

I kid, of course.  In all seriousness, I'm sure this thread could still be used for its original purpose; not for this "awards" stuff.  Instead of saying, "Peggy went above and beyond to get us a crunchier pickle," just say "This young lady went above and beyond to get us a crunchier pickle."

 

[Party Rocker]

But Zach, we wouldn't be calling out full names. Just whatever their name tag says, which technically is stepping out in public spotlight in a sense.