Has anyone ever had an altercation with another guest and/or family while at WDW?

[parmtoo]

OMG! I can't believe the people on the bus left a grandma standing with an infant, and a mom holding a 3 year old!!! what is WRONG with people? yeah, we're ALL tired and beat, but ... jeez. I'm a grandma, but not lucky enough (YET) to have the grandkids with me. but I SURE can stand easier than someone HOLDING a child! hubby NEBO gets SO upset when he sees young men sitting, when there are children standing, or ladies holding little kids!(or men, for that matter) you'll be back at the resort soon. let the kids or people holding the kids sit. sheesh. (as opposed to the people using up an extra seat or 2 for their "stuff", cause they dont' want to hold it on their lap)

OMG, I couldn't believe how many people let the elderly stand up on the busses, or women with little ones!
On our last trip, it was just Me & DS, then 12. I was so proud of him for giving up his seat on the bus to someone who needed it more then he did.
This is something he learned from his Dad, my DH always gives up his seat as well. I'm always so proud to be with them. Those of us that have a true gentleman in our lives are lucky women!

 

[maxiesmom]

Can I just comment on all the people who sit on the busses, who don't get up when it is obvious someone else needs a seat more? Sometimes the busses are packed so full that even if you want to get up, you can't. That has happened to my dad more than once. He is 68yrs old, but he still will give his seat up when he sees someone who needs it more. But there have been times where it was impossible for him to do that without mowing a few people down in the process.

I am also horrified by seeing elderly people standing on a bus. But my first reaction is to smack whoever they are with. If you have a family member who absolutely cannot stand on a bus, then don't use the busses! Drive to the parks or get a cab, for pete's sake! Don't put your 90yr old grandma on a full bus and expect that she will get a seat! Take care of your family! If you won't, why are you thinking total strangers will?

 

[natnelliesmom]

I have found time and time again- that if I see someone who needs a seat or if someone I am traveling with needs a seat more (ie pregnant friend)- if I just make a general announcement to the bus that "there are people who need seats here.. is there anyone who can help them out???"
People will always get up and offer their seat. I don't know if it's because they just don't think or if they were shamed into it by the public announcement- but it always works!!
It solves all of the problems I have read about here! It's amazing what happens when you just point out the problem.
I always follow up my request with huge thanks and lots of gratefulness. People like to feel that they have helped others- and then I figure they will be more apt to do it again on their own.
-Sarah

 

[mom2my3kids]

I may be mean, but I paid a lot of money to go to these parks and use the transportation. Now If I seen a little old woman or man who can't stand of course I would give up my seat. Now if the bus is to crowded we have actually let people go around us and get on the bus to stand so we can have a SEAT on the next bus. Yes we have actually waited and got on a empty bus to make sure we have a seat..

 

[miprender]

I know what you are saying, but this was definately not the case here. My poor DH stood all the time while my mom held my infant son and I held my DD3. I even stood a few times holding onto my daughter tightly. It was just awful. But we learn from our experiences and we will be renting a minivan even though it will be costing us an extra $500 but soooo worth it.

And now it seems they are getting even slower with the buses coming only making it worse with the crowds.

And the funny thing is, it wasn't the people on the bus but the actual bus drivers. It was like they never heard of anyone bringing strollers with them.

Just to clarify,I would sometimes stand with my DD3 and DH always stood, but fortunately my mom always had a seat holding my son. Like I said the people on the bus were not the issue for us but the bus drivers. One time when the bus driver went off on my husband and people were staring at us, one lady actually told the bus driver he was being ridiculous.

So I just wanted to clarify that we never had an issue with the people, just the drivers. And as a side note, there were some really nice drivers too, one even helped DH with the strollers. But unfortunately it is the rude drivers that can ruin your trip.

 

[D1sneyDad]

This woman on a scooter comes over to the stall as we are leaving with her 2 daughters (both teens or older) and begins yelling at me for taking my "able bodied" son into a handicapped stall that is reserved for the use of people in a wheelchair!

Ok, it is my understanding that handicap stalls are available for ANYONE to use, handicap or not. They are made larger so that they can be used by a handicapped person. If all the stalls are in use I will use the handicap stall. now if they were only for handicapped people there would be a sign that there says violators will be towed at owners expense , however, they do not so they are available for anyone to use.

I am so sorry that this happened to you and this brings up another pet peeve of mine where people think they are entitled to something just because of their situation. Now do not get me wrong I am very sorry for those that are in a handicapped situation but I do not believe most of them are entitiled to special treatment as I have paid alot of money for my vacation just like them. So I say use whatever stall you want to use and enjoy your vacation.

 

[smidgy]

On our last trip, it was just Me & DS, then 12. I was so proud of him for giving up his seat on the bus to someone who needed it more then he did.
This is something he learned from his Dad, my DH always gives up his seat as well. I'm always so proud to be with them. Those of us that have a true gentleman in our lives are lucky women!

you should be proud of him! and give YOURSELF a pat on the back, too! good job raising him, mom! and dad, great example!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1872372&goto=newpost

. If you have a family member who absolutely cannot stand on a bus, then don't use the busses! Drive to the parks or get a cab, for pete's sake! Don't put your 90yr old grandma on a full bus and expect that she will get a seat! Take care of your family! If you won't, why are you thinking total strangers will?

I don't think it's a matter of absolutely cannot stand. some have an easier time standing than others.(esp. holding a little one)

I have found time and time again- that if I see someone who needs a seat or if someone I am traveling with needs a seat more (ie pregnant friend)- if I just make a general announcement to the bus that "there are people who need seats here.. is there anyone who can help them out???"
People will always get up and offer their seat. I don't know if it's because they just don't think or if they were shamed into it by the public announcement- but it always works!!
It solves all of the problems I have read about here! It's amazing what happens when you just point out the problem.
I always follow up my request with huge thanks and lots of gratefulness. People like to feel that they have helped others- and then I figure they will be more apt to do it again on their own.
-Sarah

what a GREAT idea!!!!

I may be mean, but I paid a lot of money to go to these parks and use the transportation. Now If I seen a little old woman or man who can't stand of course I would give up my seat. Now if the bus is to crowded we have actually let people go around us and get on the bus to stand so we can have a SEAT on the next bus. Yes we have actually waited and got on a empty bus to make sure we have a seat..

ah! the old "I paid a lot of money". we ALL did. if you want to let people go around you so you can be first on the next bus, that's your choice. but after fireworks, it's a reality that SOME people will have to stand. even if we get seats, I can't keep that disney "good feeling" if somone is standing next to me while I'm sitting and they are trying to hold on AND hold onto their 1 year old.
just me.

also, I'd rather stand on the bus and get to the resort sooner than stand in line.

you know what bites about Nebo always giving up his seat and standing? (if I have a seat) he has a head start on me for the "race to the bathroom in the room"!

 

[crystalsmom1021]

OMG, I couldn't believe how many people let the elderly stand up on the busses, or women with little ones!
On our last trip, it was just Me & DS, then 12. I was so proud of him for giving up his seat on the bus to someone who needed it more then he did.
This is something he learned from his Dad, my DH always gives up his seat as well. I'm always so proud to be with them. Those of us that have a true gentleman in our lives are lucky women!

Sounds like a very good young gentlmen

 

[Angel Ariel]

I was on the receiving line of things about 5 or 6 years ago. At the time my son was on the mend from some significant medical issues and remained under a doctor's care.

I'll share with you that we're really lucky, today, he's a healthy 10 year old child who has fully recovered from his early medical issues. We had come close to losing him several months before that Disney trip and we were celebrating that things were looking up while still cognizant of the fact that he had a long way to go and we wanted to take him back to Disney "just in case." Anyway, here's what happened.

We entered the bathroom (the one near Peter Pan) and the only stall open was an accessible stall. I took my son in there because he needed lots of extra help with several medical devices that were hidden by his clothing and a bag he carried. Anyway, we weren't in there long...just long enough to address his needs, get everything secure, wash our hands and leave.

This woman on a scooter comes over to the stall as we are leaving with her 2 daughters (both teens or older) and begins yelling at me for taking my "able bodied" son into a handicapped stall that is reserved for the use of people in a wheelchair! She and her daughters who are yelling at us at the top of their lungs then begin to follow us out as I pushed our way through outside and then another of her relations...a man...tells my son and I that he's a police officer and that he should arrest us and throw us both in jail while the rest of the family has kinda circled around us!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a CM (one that tends to the restrooms) standing right there and never once did she help us, even as I was standing there yelling for someone to please help me that I was scared these people were going to hurt us and yelling for the family to leave us alone and stop threatening us. I finally picked up my son and ran through the circle of the family to get away. We were both terrified and kept on moving to get out of the park, and I was praying they weren't following us as they were clearly not rational people!

When we got out of the park, I sat on a bench and cried while trying to console a terrified child that thought the "police man" would take me away from him. What's really sad is that a man in a "uniform" who was a Disney employee came up to us and my son started screaming at him "don't take my mommy." I explained to the man what had happened and he was kind enough to get someone to escort us back to our hotel room to make sure we didn't have any problems. For that, I am forever grateful!

What I learned from my experience with my son is that not all "disabilities" are visible and I never question someone who appears to be "able bodied" who parks in a handicapped space or uses a handicapped bathroom stall. I'm sure they have their reasons and it's up to them to make sure they are valid because I'm only responsible for my actions and the actions of my child.

What I also learned is that there are people who aren't very nice everywhere you go and when you're in a bad situation, get out of it! If no one will help, do everything you can to get away from it!

Finally, the last thing I learned is that "bad" people come in all shapes, sizes and abilities and they can be anywhere so it's important to remain aware of your surroundings so you can navigate a pathway to safety.

Let me also add this, I was really lucky that I was able to get away and that no one physically harmed us in any significant way. They pushed us, yelled at us and cornered us...but we escaped!

I will tell you that we have been back to Disney several times and have met some truly wonderful people.

To this day, I'm glad my mom taught me to get away by any means possible when you find yourself in a bad situation...and I'm doing my best to teach my son that as well.

For a while the "magic" of the Magic Kingdom was lost for us, but I decided about a year after this incident that the "magic" was still there and that bad people could never take it away from me or my son unless I allowed them to do so. I also realized about this same time that the reason the CM (the restroom attendant person) didn't help was because she didn't know how to and that was OK since I really didn't either.

I want to be clear, I'm not "liking" what happened to you, but specifically liking how the man helped you get an escort back to your hotel, and that you've been able to come back to Disney and have a great time. I am so very sorry that you had this horrific experience No one should have to endure that!

 

[here757]

But it's a fun thread!
I hate when someone sends their kids to stand right infront of my stroller during fireworks...
I'm the one that will get around them and block their view.
When mom says something I simply remind her I'm being just as rude as she was when she told her kids to get infront of me.

 

[cyneswith]

I am embarrased to say this, but I am guilty of a stroller incident.

This was my ds first trip to the world, he was 18months old & in a stroller. We were trying to get down main street after the parade to get to fantasyland. The cm's were directing ppl going "backward" to go thru the stores. As I am pushing ds in the stroller out the side door(front stroller wheels are outside/back wheels are still inside)to the jewelry shop a man pushes his way thru the crowd & steps one leg over my son. The next part happened very quickly. He has several bags that r shoved into my sons
face & body. Once one leg is over he loses his balance trying to get 2nd leg over & kicks ds in the face. My instant reaction is to push the stroller hard to get man out of the way so I can tend to ds who is now screaming holding his face. Man lands with a very loud thud on his hands & knees. The kind of thud that ppl turn around to see whats going on. He gets up & grabs the front of the stroller, w/ds still in it. Screaming at me & asking if I have ins. He is literally pulling the stroller away from me. I,of course scream right back, something like "Get your hands off my baby!!!" So now even more ppl have stopped to look. My dh was finally able to get thru the crowd & comes over to us. I am a short woman, 4ft 11in. so the man has no prob yelling @ me. DH is 6ft 8in/320lb. DH came over asking what was the prob. the man is still yelling about ins. All my dh said to him was, "Yes, we have ins. do you??" and pointed @ ds. Mans wife grabs his arm & off they go.

I kinda felt bad for his kids, I know the next day he had to have been a total grump. Those knees of his probably really hurt.

Anyone who kicks a kid in the face deserve a lot more than what you subjected him to.

 

[EvilQueen2018]

My son was waiting patiently to climb into the car in front of Tomorrowland Speedway for a picture. There was a family with about 6 kids in front of us doing various poses and we waited about 10 minutes. My son finally gets to the car and some kid walks up out of nowhere and pushes my son to get in it himself. I stepped in and said that it was my son's turn and he could have it in a minute. The kid backed up, stunned. His Dad finally caught up to him and started going off about how his kid can do whatever he wants, when he wants. I replied with, "He sure can, right after I get a picture of my son in this car." and I helped my son into the car. The man yelled "(bad F) you!" at me so I took the picture of my son, then helped him back out, while telling the man that he needed to "get the Disney spirit and stop acting so hateful at the happiest place on earth." We walked away enjoying the rest of our day while he was probably still a miserable man who hated his.

It isn't exciting but I was proud I could use wit to deal with a jerk. I'm normally not so nice to them.

 

[MN Disneyfan]

Just once. I had brought my daughter into the family bathroom in Epcot. We were in there just for a minute and a lady (Grandma age) kept pounding on the door asking why it's taking us so long. We had just gotten in there. I ended up telling her through the door to settle down and that we'd be out when we got out. We were maybe in there for 2 minutes tops. I open the door and the lady is yelling at me where it frightened my daughter. I am pretty quiet normally but ended up yelling back asking what her problem is. Her grand daughter seemed like she was really embarrassed being with her. It was a really hot day so I attribute this lady's behavior to the heat.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just once. I had brought my daughter into the COMPANION bathroom in Epcot. We were in there just for a minute and a lady (Grandma age) kept pounding on the door asking why it's taking us so long. We had just gotten in there. I ended up telling her through the door to settle down and that we'd be out when we got out. We were maybe in there for 2 minutes tops. I open the door and the lady is yelling at me where it frightened my daughter. I am pretty quiet normally but ended up yelling back asking what her problem is. Her grand daughter seemed like she was really embarrassed being with her. It was a really hot day so I attribute this lady's behavior to the heat.

Fixed it. It may seem like a minor detail, but Disney does not have family bathrooms. They have companion assisted bathrooms. The difference is important as family bathrooms typically have a toilet that is lower to the ground to accommodate little children. The companion bathrooms at WDW do not. The toilets are typically even higher off of the ground than usual, which some families may find problematic.

 

[Sugar Jones]

My oldest son has arthritis in his feet and at the end of the day I always make sure he has a seat on the bus. The last time we were there a woman was annoyed because I told him not to get up for her to have a seat. She wasn't hold a child, and I'm guessing she was around 60? I'm sure she's ranting that my able bodied son wouldn't give her a seat. You never know what others are dealing with.

 

[buzznina]

I may be mean, but I paid a lot of money to go to these parks and use the transportation. Now If I seen a little old woman or man who can't stand of course I would give up my seat. Now if the bus is to crowded we have actually let people go around us and get on the bus to stand so we can have a SEAT on the next bus. Yes we have actually waited and got on a empty bus to make sure we have a seat..

It's called etiquette and I did not know etiquette was optional based on money spent.

 

[maxiesmom]

It's called etiquette and I did not know etiquette was optional based on money spent.

To me, proper etiquette would demand a family not put someone incapable of standing on a bus in the position (pun not intended) of having to do so. There is also something called personal responsibility. And to me that means not putting an elderly parent, a pregnant family member, or a young child in the position of standing on a bus if I feel it is unsafe. Pretty selfish to not care enough to make sure my family is safe and sound and yet expect total strangers to take care of them.

I want to add that even so, I will offer someone my seat if I am capable of standing at that time. And yes, sometimes I am not capable. But it also means that the next time I bring my dad to WDW we will stay at one of the resorts near a park, and use taxis to get around. Because no way am I putting my 77 year old dad in the position of hoping someone gets up and gives him their seat. That would rude to him and to whoever has that seat.

 

[buzznina]

To me, proper etiquette would demand a family not put someone incapable of standing on a bus in the position (pun not intended) of having to do so. There is also something called personal responsibility. And to me that means not putting an elderly parent, a pregnant family member, or a young child in the position of standing on a bus if I feel it is unsafe. Pretty selfish to not care enough to make sure my family is safe and sound and yet expect total strangers to take care of them.

I want to add that even so, I will offer someone my seat if I am capable of standing at that time. And yes, sometimes I am not capable. But it also means that the next time I bring my dad to WDW we will stay at one of the resorts near a park, and use taxis to get around. Because no way am I putting my 77 year old dad in the position of hoping someone gets up and gives him their seat. That would rude to him and to whoever has that seat.

First; the post I replied too was saying that since they paid a lot of money that, for them, means that people do not have to be polite to others and give up a seat and had nothing to do with anything else, and definitely nothing about putting family members in danger etc. like you posted It goes without saying that elderly, anyone with health issues, small children, anyone injured etc. are exceptions and always should be. And may I add, that I am glad you can afford to stay at park resorts and pay for taxis, but a lot of folks cannot. I will finish by saying that if I am seated(rarely) and you are standing, I will stand and offer you a seat and I hope you do not think I am rude in doing so. Have a magical day

 

[maxiesmom]

It is not that I am swimming in money and am happy to throw a bunch away and stay at a deluxe resort. But safety of my family is the first priority. If I can't afford to go and make sure it is safe for my family, then we stay home. Not wanting to pay for a car or taxi or a resort within walking distance is a lame excuse at best for getting on a standing room only bus when you are unable to stand. I would much rather stay at a moderate or value and stay longer, but if I have to pay for a deluxe resort we will go for a short trip. I couldn't be happy if every time we walked out to the bus stop I would have to worry about seating.

 

[wdw70sgirl]

^ Well said! A few times, we have just chosen to pay for a cab rather than wait in a long, crazy bus line. I believe the cost from say Boardwalk to the Polynesian is around $15 (something like this). SO worth it when your kids are exhausted.