a little "un-Magical"

[VickiVM]

I work in retail sales, and guess what? If you have a medical emergency, we cannot say "sorry" and cannot even offer to call an ambulance. You have to ask for one, or else we would be liable for the expence. I think it is horrible and unfeeling, but in our sue happy society that is how companies protect themselves from liability.

I have to disagree on the point of calling for help. Yes, retailers are trained to not admit guilt by apologizing (and truthfully, I think when we train min. wage workers to not apologize that's a cop out because we don't trust them to not admit guilt so we tell them say nothing). However, it shouldn't be against any company policy to ask the injured if there is anything further we can do for them. In the case of most legitimate accidents, the injured refuses further help because the injury is minor or temp (bruise, surface cut, etc) and because they are embarrased. There is no liability in asking the injured if they would like us to call someone or offer further assistance. That does not admit guilt or liability - it just shows humanity and compassion.
If the injured request an ambulance, call for one. Let the corporate insurance company figure out who pays. I don't see how that is any different than when we see an accident on the road and call for an ambulance. Doesn't mean the caller pays for it.

Just curious, does the "Good Samaritan Law" not exist anymore.

 

[meandtheguys2]

This is a sadder comentary on people in general. I am sorry, but I would risk my job (whether minimum wage or career) to help someone in need. Everyone from the big corporation down to the service people should feel ashamed for their treatment of this family. I am certain there was some empty room somewhere on the property for this family. To not have found one (whether comped or not) was bad service.

 

[bytheblood]

This is a sadder comentary on people in general. I am sorry, but I would risk my job (whether minimum wage or career) to help someone in need. Everyone from the big corporation down to the service people should feel ashamed for their treatment of this family. I am certain there was some empty room somewhere on the property for this family. To not have found one (whether comped or not) was bad service.

I totally agree. I would much rather act on kindness instead of a paycheck. They could fire my butt. My boss is a "Jewish Carpenter" and that is the lead I choose follow.

I'm so sorry for your brother's pain. And I'm shocked by people's reactions to the OP's post - why immediately jump down the OP's throat citing "no free rooms" - that was not the point at all - the point was WDW did not offer any help at all - there is a HUGE difference between admitting liability and offering help. You can offer help while not apologizing or admitting fault.

I totally agree. It is such a shame that this world is all about $$$ and not kindess and compassion. I understand why companies don't want their employees to apologize, however to not render aid and just say "I cannot help you" is pathetic regardless of who the company is.

 

[taeja71]

Experience the magic, just dont look backstage.

 

[Becky2005]

I would think by not offering help you could be sued too. Company refused to call the ambulance, therefore things were made worse and therefore the company is liable for extra injuries, etc... (I'm thinking in more extreme circumstances, i.e. neck injury, heart attack, etc...)

I mean, since the operator of the ride said they couldn't do anything, would they continue to just operate the ride with your brother laying there if no other person had decided to help, since he couldn't walk? I would think then that would make it more of a liable situation.

I didn't even catch the free room, just that they would have liked to have had a room found somewhere and were willing to pay for it.

I hope he heals quickly and it all gets resolved.

 

[Honu]

I'm so sorry for your brother's pain. And I'm shocked by people's reactions to the OP's post - why immediately jump down the OP's throat citing "no free rooms" - that was not the point at all - the point was WDW did not offer any help at all - there is a HUGE difference between admitting liability and offering help.

Please note the bottom of the OP - Last edited by kaykels : Yesterday at 01:19 PM.

I don't think anyone jumped down her throat, but the original post told quite a different story.

 

[BostonRob]

"In October 1999 Pat Shenck and her 8 year old son went on 'water sprite' jet skis on one of the park lagoons. One of their jet skis got stuck on the water when the shift wouldn't move out of neutral. A 23-year old inexperienced "captain' of the ferryboat "Kingdom Queen" hit them. Going against all park and safety regulations, he put the ferry into reverse, sucking Mrs. Shenck under the blades and boat, killing her. Before Disney called the "real" police and ambulance, they had divers in the water collecting evidence, looking for her body and pulling the bits of clothing and body from under the ferry. When they finally did find the body they tethered it to a buoy and left it in the lagoon for hours, refusing to let it be moved or let anyone to go out and attend to it until after nightfall when the visitors wouldn't see it and the ride wouldn't have to be shut down. Mind you -- her 8 year old son is there this whole time. I can't imagine anything so sick, and cruel. "

I don't believe this story for a second. Its got classic 'urban legend' written all over it. Use common sense. Nobody is tethering bodies to buoys - it wouldn't happen. And this part makes no sense ". . .refusing to let it be moved or let anyone to go out and attend to it until after nightfall when the visitors wouldn't see it and the ride wouldn't have to be shut down." First off, it isn't a ride, its a lake. And second, if it was just tethered to a buoy, everybody would see it.
URBAN LEGEND!

 

[lillygator]

Our family spent over $10,000 with Disney, you'd think they would help us out in a time of crisis that THEY CAUSED. Geez!!!!!!

How did Disney cause this?

I am still confused by the hotel comment....
what were the plans prior to the accident? Did BIL have a plane to catch and miss a flight because of the accident?

Why would Disney find them a room so they could "assess the situation"...that I don't understand. You could assess the situation from anywhere....maybe a nice hotel room would be a little more comfy to clear your thoughts but expecting them to find one is another story.

I fell during MNSSHP last year - while 6 months PREGNANT and hurt my ankle pretty badly but I wouldn't have expected Disney to call around and find me a room to "assess the situation".


I agree that is wasn't very nice for the operator to ignore the situation but what can you do - it could be rules, manners or a combination of both....common courtesy just isn't found like it used to be.

and I don't think anyone was jumping down the OP's throat....

 

[rmontgo892]

How did Disney cause this?

I am still confused by the hotel comment....
what were the plans prior to the accident? Did BIL have a plane to catch and miss a flight because of the accident?

Why would Disney find them a room so they could "assess the situation"...that I don't understand. You could assess the situation from anywhere....maybe a nice hotel room would be a little more comfy to clear your thoughts but expecting them to find one is another story.

I fell during MNSSHP last year - while 6 months PREGNANT and hurt my ankle pretty badly but I wouldn't have expected Disney to call around and find me a room to "assess the situation".


I agree that is wasn't very nice for the operator to ignore the situation but what can you do - it could be rules, manners or a combination of both....common courtesy just isn't found like it used to be.

and I don't think anyone was jumping down the OP's throat....

I am with ya on this one, Lillygator! I am not for jumping down the OP's throat either and haven't "seen" that but I keep scratching my head on the "logic." The operator could have been "nicer" but blaming Disney?

We have permanent accommodations at the Celebration ER! My first response to an injury for myself or family member is directions to the closest ER.

My son was stung by a bee over at the fishing hole at Dixie Landing or whatever they are calling it now a few years back. My son was crying (4yrs at the time) and a CM came over. The CM called an ambulance on their own even with reassurance it wasn't necessary! Different approach and not necessary but I guess the CM felt it warranted it?

The whole scenario doesn't make sense to me. The need for a hotel room to "access the situation" is what threw me off. Apparently the BIL drove down. I don't see why his wife couldn't have driven??

Plus, it's policy at least policy I have experienced...whenever we wanted to add another night on...the front desk and guest relations/services(get them wrong all the time) handed me the phone both times. It wasn't being rude, they can't make a ressie, here's the phone.

 

[Rachie0507]

I have, thankfully, never been injured on Disney property. But my aunt did get hurt back in January. She tripped and fell flat on her face in EPCOT. She admitted from the first minute that it was her own clumsiness that caused it. The CM's rushed to help her and get her to first aid. She was bleeding a lot from her face and I believe she ended up with stitches at the hospital. An ambulance was called and Disney even gave her a free t-shirt to wear since she was such a mess. Although she hated to pass along the story out of embarassment, she said nothing but nice things about how the CM's handled the situation.

I just wanted to share a helpful CM story

 

[NeverlandClub23]

If the Carousel was a private company not Disney owned how would they know where to find them a cheaper Disney room? Wouldn't they just be calling the reservation line too?

 

[lookingforward]

Tripping at the park and falling down while walking, etc. is really not the same situation as the OP described. What the OP described is quite possibly a malfunction in the ride that the injured party was on. It is like comparing apples to oranges.

If the rides are run on Disney property then they have something to do with it. Not sure exactly to what extent as far as liability or even moral responsibility, but if I hire a company to provide kiddie rides on my front lawn and invite guests, I, as the homeowner am liable for anyone on my property. The ride company may ALSO be liable for a faulty system...but the liability is shared.

I am not an advocate of lawsuits, by any means, but I am an advocate of doing the right thing. Assisting those in need is so basic. Good will goes so far.

By the way, about six years ago I was dining with my family at the Castle for lunch. Somehow a wasp bit my finger while we ate. My finger swelled up
and the manager of the restaurant personally walked me to the first aid station. He also comped us our lunch. We did not ask or expect such kindness. But it made me a lifetime disney fan, what goes around, comes around.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

If the rides are run on Disney property then they have something to do with it. Not sure exactly to what extent as far as liability or even moral responsibility, but if I hire a company to provide kiddie rides on my front lawn and invite guests, I, as the homeowner am liable for anyone on my property. The ride company may ALSO be liable for a faulty system...but the liability is shared.

I am not an advocate of lawsuits, by any means, but I am an advocate of doing the right thing. Assisting those in need is so basic. Good will goes so far.

AMEN!!! I must be in the wrong (or in this case, right) industry...at the auto insurance company I work for, when there is a problem you apologize. Keep in mind, an apology isn't necessarily an admission of guilt or otherwise. Put it this way, when a friend dies and you tell your friend, "Oh, I'm so sorry" you are sorry for their loss, not saying you killed the person! Many people here have said they are sorry for the OPer's brother's pain but it doesn't mean they did anything to cause it! Thankfully, not everyone is like that and I talk to many people who have auto accidents and say they are sorry even if it isn't their fault - they are simply sorry it happened at all.

And for the record, I believe the OP said her brother lives in PA -- that is a considerable drive for just one person, not to mention taking care of a grown man in pain!!! Maybe I'll get flamed, but I would want to stay the night locally instead of driving 3 hrs south (um, opposite direction here) if I weren't sure if surgery were needed....

I agree with Becky2005 - it sounds to me like a liability claim as well. The whole thing is a shame. By being nice, the bad feelings could have been avoided and this could have turned out to be a "good customer service" story. A little pixie dust goes a long way.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

*shakes head*

Most CM's are not able to assist in First Aid unless they've been trained, or so I'm told by a friend who works there. The person operating the amusement probably should have called for security for assistance.

As for calling to CRO to find a room, I'm sorry, but the CM's are limited to what their computer shows as availability. If they only came up with the Grand Floridian, and offered it to you, they did what they should have done. Believe me, the CM on the phone probably wanted to help you out as best they could. May different things come into play here.

If indeed the story is as the OP states, then she should contact Disney, or her lawyers. But in today's letigious society, where if you spill hot coffee on yourself, and blame the vendor, or you hack off a fingertip and add it to your chili, is there ANY reason to assume that there's more than meets the eye?

 

[lillygator]

What happened to the OP? I hope her BIL made it back home ok.

 

[ralfrick]

I'm sorry, but just because you can read something on the net doesn't make it true. I believe all those are urban legends.

Yes, there have been a couple deaths or injuries at Disney (The Roger Rabbit's Spin, Columbia Sailing Ship & BTMRR incidents in DL, the Splash Mtn. incident in WDW in recent history) Those are well documented & reported on and Disney took appropriate steps in assesssing & ammending the situations which caused the accidents.

That statement is not true in regards to the Columbia incident. In fact, Disney's handling of that incident, such as cleaning the scene before allowing outside investigators access to it, lead to great changes in California law in how these incidents are to be handled.

Cheers.

 

[BensMom]

Yeah, I am amazed at your brother's bad experience. I wonder if that man is still working for Disney! Housekeeping, please.

My son's sandal got caught in the Land's up escalator this past Sunday. His fault, dragged his feet, typical 6-year-old. Two cast members were there in seconds, after my son caused a major cluster>>>>k. They immediately disabled the escalator and asked if he was okay. He was, the sandals weren't. This was more embarrassing than a catastrophe. I realize it could have been his toes instead (thank God). But the cast members were there in a heartbeat and at least acted very concerned. Hmmm....

 

[Mariposa]

"In October 1999 Pat Shenck and her 8 year old son went on 'water sprite' jet skis on one of the park lagoons. One of their jet skis got stuck on the water when the shift wouldn't move out of neutral. A 23-year old inexperienced "captain' of the ferryboat "Kingdom Queen" hit them. Going against all park and safety regulations, he put the ferry into reverse, sucking Mrs. Shenck under the blades and boat, killing her. Before Disney called the "real" police and ambulance, they had divers in the water collecting evidence, looking for her body and pulling the bits of clothing and body from under the ferry. When they finally did find the body they tethered it to a buoy and left it in the lagoon for hours, refusing to let it be moved or let anyone to go out and attend to it until after nightfall when the visitors wouldn't see it and the ride wouldn't have to be shut down. Mind you -- her 8 year old son is there this whole time. I can't imagine anything so sick, and cruel. "

Just for reference, an account of this incident can be found (and in almost the exact same words) in the book "Disney: The Mouse Betrayed"- the information used in the book was taken from interviews with and testimony (for another Disney negligence case) given by a Detective with the Orange County Sheriff's office that was directly involved in the case. All information can also apperently be verified by the case file- #89-239847.

Yeah, so while not everything you find on the internet is true, this is.

I love Disney, but agree with the poster who noted it's best not to peek behind the curtain.

 

[lillygator]

wonder why the OP never commented whether her BIl was fine after that???

 

[lwestwise]

I'm sorry he hurt himself and while I agree that the ride operator really should have offered assistance, I'm stumped why you feel that Disney should have given him a free room. People twist their ankles stepping off curbs, trip when getting off rides and slip on the pool deck every day at WDW. Should they all get free rooms too? I just don't think that's reasonable. I hope he's feeling better and it didn't turn out to be anything serious.

If the Ride jerked and caused him to fall, then Disney should give them a room for the time to evaluate the situation of his Knee. I would imagine Disney could be footing his medical bill.