1st Time and What a Painful Trip!

[HeyItsDeb]

Please give me some advice. The first week of June, I made my first trip to WDW! It was a special trip. Not just because it was our first time, but it was also our 20th anniversary. We used DME. We're on the bus traveling to the resort and we were the first ones dropped off. The bus driver hopped out to get our carry-on luggage and I stepped out, forgot the seats were on a platform, dropped down and fell into the seat backs opposite ours. After a minute in excruciating pain, I forced myself to get off the bus and I had to grab my husband because I almost passed out. I told my husband that I thought I broke a couple of ribs (actually I had, I just didn't find out till after I got back home!). I told the clerk when we checked in and he didn't say anything. We were asking him for something closer to the main building (we stayed at CR in a wing room). He said they were full. My husband said, "Look, my wife probably just broke a couple of ribs on your bus! Don't you have something closer so we don't have to walk as far?" He got his Supervisor. When I told her that I probably just broke a couple of ribs getting off the bus she said "Oh." She ignored that and then said there were no closer rooms they were full. I got back home on Saturday night and went immediately to the Doctor on Monday. They confirmed 2 fractured ribs. I was really mad. They didn't say they were sorry, they didn't offer me any comfort whatsoever. They didn't even say "can I get you some ice?" NOTHING, but "oh." I spent my very first trip - my anniversary trip - in pain! Oh, I knew there was nothing you could do for broken ribs, so I grinned and beared it. Needless to say, it was not the dream trip I'd hoped for. Here it is now, four months later and those ribs are still not completely healed. Mostly, but not completely. So what would you do if you were me?

 

[Lewisc]

You asked what we would do.

I'd be more careful getting out of the bus.

Many guests come with all sorts of reasons why they want/deserve a room that's close to the food court/bus stop/pool. Some resorts charge extra for those rooms. The clerk probably thought you were either trying to get a free upgrade or that you were hoping your story would be good enough for them to move another guest. He probably thought if you were really hurt you'd be asking for medical attention.

You should have asked for ice, if you wanted ice. You could have asked for an ambulance if you thought you needed to go to the emergency room. You were evidently hurt a lot more than you thought you were. You really can't expect a hotel clerk to figure out that you were hurt more than you thought.

I guess the clerk could have asked if you wanted an ambulance but if you wanted one you would have asked first.

Please give me some advice. The first week of June, I made my first trip to WDW! It was a special trip. Not just because it was our first time, but it was also our 20th anniversary. We used DME. We're on the bus traveling to the resort and we were the first ones dropped off. The bus driver hopped out to get our carry-on luggage and I stepped out, forgot the seats were on a platform, dropped down and fell into the seat backs opposite ours. After a minute in excruciating pain, I forced myself to get off the bus and I had to grab my husband because I almost passed out. I told my husband that I thought I broke a couple of ribs (actually I had, I just didn't find out till after I got back home!). I told the clerk when we checked in and he didn't say anything. We were asking him for something closer to the main building (we stayed at CR in a wing room). He said they were full. My husband said, "Look, my wife probably just broke a couple of ribs on your bus! Don't you have something closer so we don't have to walk as far?" He got his Supervisor. When I told her that I probably just broke a couple of ribs getting off the bus she said "Oh." She ignored that and then said there were no closer rooms they were full. I got back home on Saturday night and went immediately to the Doctor on Monday. They confirmed 2 fractured ribs. I was really mad. They didn't say they were sorry, they didn't offer me any comfort whatsoever. They didn't even say "can I get you some ice?" NOTHING, but "oh." I spent my very first trip - my anniversary trip - in pain! Oh, I knew there was nothing you could do for broken ribs, so I grinned and beared it. Needless to say, it was not the dream trip I'd hoped for. Here it is now, four months later and those ribs are still not completely healed. Mostly, but not completely. So what would you do if you were me?

 

[paults]

sorry for your mishap. First thing I would have done if I was sure I broke some ribs was ask the front desk to get me a cab and take me to the hospital. they would have pay for the cab or drove you themselves.
I know because we had them do this for my DN 2 yrs ago.

Not sure what you want to do but it wasn't Disney fault you fell . I do agree they should have acted more concerned.

How long was your stay before you saw your doctor? I know if it was hurting me I would have gotten the ribs wrapped for support. I've have this before.

Hope your feeling better

 

[agnes!]

At the time? I would have immediately asked for medical transport to the nearest Urgent Care Clinic, gotten a taxi to the nearest Hospital/Emergency Room or asked for an ambulance/First Aid. Btw, there are two Walk-in clinics near WDW, one almost at DTD, the other is closer to the south end of WDW property. (We've gone to both when DD was younger.)

Now? I'm not sure what you can do. If you are thinking that WDW is at fault it will be mighty hard to document/prove four months after the injury. Maybe the CMs checking you in could have been more sympathetic...

agnes!

 

[HeyItsDeb]

Gee, lewisc, "Duh!" I was excited to be there! It was my first trip! I've never been on a bus where the seats were on raised platforms before! Also, I don't expect that a hotel clerk will know how injured I am. However, I do expect that when you tell them you're injured, you'll be offered some ice or askd if you need an ambulance or a trip to a clinic or SOMETHING! I don't expect them to say nothing but "Oh." It really wasn't about the room! I had to sit down in the lobby cause I couldn't stand up. I almost passed out when I got off the bus. I was still dizzy. My husband had to help me up out of the chair. I guess I didn't think I'd have to ask them for help. I think they should have offered.

 

[noodleknitter]

I agree with the other posters. I would have asked the desk about a hospital and been on my way.

Falling was your own fault.

People exagerate and say all kinds of things to get what they want. It's sad, but true.

 

[pezpam]

What would I do? Be more careful next time and realize it was my own fault. When we visited DL, I fell down the stairs from the monorail. I was too concerned about watching DD and missed a step - twisted my knee and ankle terribly and am still having repercussions from it 8 months later. Was that Disney's fault? No. Did the CMs who saw me fall offer to get ice or an ambulance? No, but if I needed them, I'd have asked. Did I 'deserve' a new room, perhaps closer to the elevator? No. Did I let it ruin my trip? No.

Look, people fall. We miss steps or forget we're on a platform or just take a bad step. We do what we feel we need to do to deal with any injury. Life goes on.

 

[mickeyfan2]

So what would you do if you were me?

At this point nothing. Just be more carerful in the future and ask for what you really want.

 

[WillCAD]

I'm sorry for all of your pain. I have never had cracked ribs, but I cracked my tailbone once and was not only in agony for a month, but embarrassed at the injury, too.

What would I do if I were you? Nothing - there is nothing to be done at this stage of the game.

However, this is what I would have done at WDW in the event of such an injury. This won't help you now, but hopefully someone else reading this thread will be able to use these suggestions to avoid tha problems you had:

First, if I had fallen on a bus and felt such excruciating pain, I would have called an ambulance and gone to the hospital. Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong, you should never just "grin and bear it".

Second, once I got back from the hospital, I would have asked for a preferred room due to my injury. If it was not available, I would have asked the supervisor to check on availability at one of the other resorts.

Third, after having been to the ER for cracked ribs, I would have inquired about renting an ECV for the rest of my trip. When injurred, an ECV is a must and can make the whole trip way less painful, even if you are not staying in a room that's terribly close to the bus stops or monorail.

And lastly, the only thing you can do now is - schedule another trip to WDW!

 

[seashoreCM]

I have ridden on buses where some of the seats are on platforms or otherwise unusually high above the floor. The reason is that the floor is lower to the ground to make it easier for people with baby strollers or wheelchairs. Meanwhile the seats in question have to clear the bus wheels and there are footrests or a platform in front of those seats.

Many of the Greyhound style buses have an aisle that slopes down in the front half of the bus while the seats themselves are all on the same level. People in the first several rows of seats have to step down into the aisle.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[bavaria]

I'm not sure what sort of advice you are seeking from us, and you may think that we are being harsh or cold, but I can assure you that is not the case.

Cracked ribs can be extremely painful, ribs which are broken are actually significantly MORE painful and can even be dangerous as they may lead to a punctured lung, etc.

If you had 'broken' ie fractured a rib, you would definitely be in pain and I am not trying to minimize that. But the pain was probably so severe that a trip to the parks would not be an option, nor would much movement at all.

If that was the case, you had the option of seeking medical care - it sounds like you did not do so. I have also chosen not to seek immediate medical care after an injury, and that is not always a smart option.

But you are responsible for yourself and it is up to you to seek care if you feel that you need it - nobody can judge for you unless you have a visible injury. You made a choice not to seek care until your return, yet you ask for advice. I hope that you are not asking us if you should seek monetary or other compensation - accidents happen every day.

The only advice that I give is that next time you may consider seeking medical attention sooner.

 

[Hannathy]

They aren't mind readers and they aren't magicians and thanks to the excessive lawsuits they can't be sympathetic! If you were hurt that bad why didn't you ask for assistance, some people over exagerate everything so saying I think I broke a rib is different than saying I really hurt my self how can I see a DR? I'm sure they would have helped you get medical attention, They were great when a friend of ours choked at AK and needed to go to the ER. really took care of him and family.
If the rooms are full should they go tell someone to move? If they said oh we are so sorry you got hurt, some one could say that was admitting fault! Did you cut your trip short or did you continue? If you left early I may have asked for a refund on my unused nights. I'm sorry you got hurt but it was an accident which really was your fault - remember those before lawsuits and its everybody elses fault-Accidents happen. Store in memories under " my klutzy trip to Disney world" and plan a better one soon. Good reason to go back. To answer your original question there is nothing to do now.

 

[PlutosFriend]

Here it is now, four months later and those ribs are still not completely healed. Mostly, but not completely. So what would you do if you were me?

Sorry to hear you are still in pain. My advice, go back to the Doctor.
Hopefully your next Disney trip will be different. Watch your step

 

[JandD Mom]

I am sorry for your pain. I am also sorry that some folks have blamed you for the problem when they weren't there and can't adequately judge whether you were at fault or not.

Whenever anyone is hurt or becomes ill (ie, due to suspected food poisoning or whatever) on Disney property, you should ask to file a claim with Disney risk management.

I don't know what they will do, but I would bet people would find out what's wrong with you, whether they can help, and whether there is a claim to be made.

I am suprised the front desk clerk did not alert risk management herself. I am not suprised that she didn't comment on your injury because Disney probably trains them not to say anything that would sound like an admission that Disney was at fault. I am certain Disney and Mears (who operates DME with Disney) get sued all the time for injuries to guests. I am equally sure that sometimes Disney and/or Mears are at fault, and sometimes the guest is at fault.

 

[Hannathy]

See this is why no one can be sympathetic anymore. You IMMEDIATELY advise filing a claim with risk management!

Disney is very helpful if you don't immediately start threatening action.

 

[JandD Mom]

See this is why no one can be sympathetic anymore. You IMMEDIATELY advise filing a claim with risk management!

Disney is very helpful if you don't immediately start threatening action.

Did not filing with risk management get her anything at all? Even sympathy?

 

[Ms. Belle]

I'm sorry you got hurt and that it affected the rest of your vacation. I agree with the other posters that there was nothing that Disney could have done without you telling them what you wanted i.e. I need some ice, I fell on the bus. They aren't doctors and also they can't read your mind. The tower rooms are more expensive at the CR and it wouldn't have been fair to move someone who had paid for the room because you couldn't walk far. If you couldn't walk far, you probably shouldn't have gone to the parks either. I don't think there is really anything you can do about it now - you could write a letter to customer relations telling of your experience, but I wouldn't really expect anything in return. I wouldn't be mad at Disney or the CM's at the CR for this; accidents happen.

 

[HeyItsDeb]

Sorry Hannathy, but I'm not a sue-happy person. In fact, I've never sued anyone in my life (although I could have a couple of times). I didn't IMMEDIATELY say, "geez, I better file a lawsuit!". In fact, I've been thinking about it (and feeling it) for the last 4 months!

 

[noodleknitter]

If you knew there was nothing you could do, and didn't do anything to help yourself, I cannot for the life of me see what your issue is. You fell. Accidents happen. If you needed ice, or even a WC, you should have just asked for what you needed and I don't mean a free upgrade.

 

[Lewisc]

My point is the desk clerk had no idea how injured you were. Your comment may have, wrongly , been interpreted as an exaggeration in order to secure an upgrade.

The CM can't read your mind. You could have asked for ice, transportation to an urgent care facility or even an ambulance. I'm sure the CM thought you had a minor injury. The CM could asked you if you needed medical attention but they've heard ever reason why a guest needs a room close to whatever and I suspect that's what they thought you were trying to do.

Sorry you got banged up and I hope you enjoy this trip.

Gee, lewisc, "Duh!" I was excited to be there! It was my first trip! I've never been on a bus where the seats were on raised platforms before! Also, I don't expect that a hotel clerk will know how injured I am. However, I do expect that when you tell them you're injured, you'll be offered some ice or askd if you need an ambulance or a trip to a clinic or SOMETHING! I don't expect them to say nothing but "Oh." It really wasn't about the room! I had to sit down in the lobby cause I couldn't stand up. I almost passed out when I got off the bus. I was still dizzy. My husband had to help me up out of the chair. I guess I didn't think I'd have to ask them for help. I think they should have offered.