A Missing Kid Story

[GoofyTwinDad]

Disney has never offered refunds on cruises unless it's a major act of God and the cruise can't sail at all, even then they usually only offer to reschedule, so I'm not surprised he didn't get a refund, they did try and offer a couple of passes to the parks, so it's not like they ignored him, honestly, he panicked, didn't understand their lost child process, and wanted the world.

OMG. are you serious. A child is missing for 45 minutes and you accuse a parent of panicking and wanting the world. Give your head a shake! Do you people realize that when you leave a child with Disney daycare or ANYONES daycare that you are paying for, that you EXPECT your child to be there when it is time to pick the child up. I can not believe that people think that this is acceptable!!![/QUOTE]

He was where he was supposed to be. He was in a hidden spot where even the father was able to find him. I do not believe it is reasonable to expect CM's to know where every child is every second of the time. Kids are constantly moving from one area to another. If you want DCL to be able to do this, they would need 1 CM assigned to each child. You think DCL is overpriced now, it would be extremely expensive then.

I think it is funny that people would rue booking a cruise based on the blog and the responses by various posts here on DIS. If you let everything negative that happens effect your decisions, you would never leave your house. This event could happen anywhere you go and is not isolated to the club on DCL.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I've been called a Carnival cheerleader on these boards when I've tried to defend something going wrong on one of their ships (just as others are doing here). I have never discounted a level-headed, evenly thought out position.

What SOME on this thread are failing to acknowledge is that DCL, for whatever reason, messed up on this one. Does the guy deserve a refund, I don't know or care and all I've said from the beginning is that this was handled poorly. You, of all people, who have a serious concern about safety on ships cannot think this was handled well. Do I think DCL is a horrible company because of it? No. Do I think the problem is systemic? I seriously doubt it. Did they screw this up in a major way? Yes. Do the first several pages of replies on this thread refuse to acknowledge that? Yes.



and calling you a carnival cheerleader is just as wrong! as I posted before

I dont agree DCL messed/screwed up in a major way .......the child took a nap, was not in danger.........never left where he was supposed to be..........you feel other wise........ok.....we agree to disagree.......


Now that siad..........where I do think theres a problem, is why didn't the wrist band work right ......that is the problem that has to be taken care of.

If you feel that means messed up.I will give you that! fair enough?


AKK

 

[neg58]

I think what some people are hoping is that if this has happened before, and according to a few posters it has, then maybe the ships will decide to adjust their system somewhat, IF enough people talk about it....i.e. complain.

Wow....what a tough job....judge. Seriously! I wouldn't have the patience to listen to that all day. But I have to say, if a person working at the dry cleaner said they could do it, I'd trust them. I've taken items to a high-end cleaner, and had bad results, too...so it isn't always a matter of high/low.

Lucky you came out of the courtroom with your sanity!

I think most people are happy with the clubs and the level of service. If changes are made, it will probably cost more and either the price of the cruise for kids will go up or the price for everyone will go up. Do they make bracelets that never fail? If they do, I'll bet they cost more. Can they hire more CM's? Cost more.

You get what you pay for. If you pay for $3 dry cleaning, you get $3 dry cleaning (and that means the dress is thrown in with a lot of other things and may be ruined; assume the risk).

Nancy

 

[ilovetexas]

and calling you a carnival cheerleader is just as wrong! as I posted before

I dont agree DCL messed/screwed up in a major way .......the child took a nap, was not in danger.........never left where he was supposed to be..........you feel other wise........ok.....we agree to disagree.......


Now that siad..........where I do think theres a problem, is why didn't the wrist band work right ......that is the problem that has to be taken care of.

If you feel that means messed up.I will give you that! fair enough?


AKK

Yes.

I'm less concerned about the wristband malfunction (technology occasionally messes up) than the reaction from the CMs. I would think that the proper reaction would be:

"Sir, even though we aren't getting a response from your child's wristband, we have no reason to believe he left the club. Please sit here and wait while we find him for you."

Then assemble all kids in one place under the supervision of one or two CMs (depending on the number of kids), and have the rest of the staff turn the club upside down for him. The child would have been found, wristband fixed, dad happy with the service, etc. All probably within 5 to 10 minutes.

Do I think they should do this for every child a parent can't find within 30 seconds of entering the club, no. But this was unusual, they couldn't get a signal on him AND the dad couldn't find him. That should have had "alarm bells" going off.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Yes.

I'm less concerned about the wristband malfunction (technology occasionally messes up) than the reaction from the CMs. I would think that the proper reaction would be:

"Sir, even though we aren't getting a response from your child's wristband, we have no reason to believe he left the club. Please sit here and wait while we find him for you."

Then assemble all kids in one place under the supervision of one or two CMs (depending on the number of kids), and have the rest of the staff turn the club upside down for him. The child would have been found, wristband fixed, dad happy with the service, etc. All probably within 5 to 10 minutes.

Do I think they should do this for every child a parent can't find within 30 seconds of entering the club, no. But this was unusual, they couldn't get a signal on him AND the dad couldn't find him. That should have had "alarm bells" going off.

It seems they reacted to the point they started a search with the Father. We don't know what behind the scene alarms or codes were sounded. We also don't know they didnt do that after the Father left.....did other cm's come and help look for the lad?..........we only have part of the story.

Remember the Cm's did find the boy........if it was 20 minutes later or not.


I do take the techo problem more seriously, if it had worked, we would not be having this discussion! The CM's would just follow it to the lad enjoying his nap.


However as one preivous poster said I hope this will lead to a review on all the procedures in place.......this is a lesson in genera, to be taken advantage of to learn and make any changes needed.


AKK

 

[Green Tea]

Except you don't pay for Disney's kids clubs.

- Dreams

HAHA. That's like my little kids onboard saying, "Wow! This is great, everything in the restaurant is free!"

 

[Disney Dreams]

Um, yeah, you do. It's called "Cruise Fare". You pay a LOT. Just like the "free soda". You paid for it.

Yeah, I lied, I said I wasn't coming back. Gone now.

Um, no, you don't. Based on your "Cruise Fare" explanation, those cruising without children would pay less than those cruising with children. They don't.

- Dreams

 

[Meghatron]

Um, no, you don't. Based on your "Cruise Fare" explanation, those cruising without children would pay less than those cruising with children. They don't.

- Dreams

People cruising without kids absolutely pay less, unless there's a KSF deal going on. Children are charged based on age.

It's part of the KIDS' cruise fare. The only way we could sail for DD's third birthday was by boarding the ship when she was technically still two. Her fare was MUCH less because they were not counting her as paying for the clubs in her fare. She was given a Mickey band after an observation period by the supervisor and a system check to make sure there was space onboard for the switch.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I have no doubt that if my kid was missing, I would have freaked out. Not sure what I would have done, but I would be completely terrified. And then relieved, when he was found in the same spot he was supposed to be in. But still freaked out. So I can't say whether or not this Dad overreacted or exaggerated, because I wasn't in his situation.

From what I can tell from the story, DCL did apologize several times, on the ship, through a letter, and through a phone call after the fact. I do think it's a little much to expect the Captain to wish your wife a Happy Birthday because of this...seems like a totally unrelated request? And a refund of the entire cruise fare, in my opinion, is an unreasonable request.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

Um, yeah, you do. It's called "Cruise Fare". You pay a LOT. Just like the "free soda". You paid for it.





Yeah, I lied, I said I wasn't coming back. Gone now.

Now that is something we totally agree on. There is no "free" child care, "free" soda, or "free" food. It's all INCLUDED in the fare. I know it's totally off topic, but in this thread, that might not be a bad thing.

 

[KappaSigHero]

Changed my mind about post. Backing away. This thing's probably closing soon.

I don't know if this was based on my previous reply to you, but if it is, I apologize. Upon reading it again, what was meant to lighten the mood may come across as mean. Tone doesn't carry well on the Internet.

 

[manhattanman]

Um, no, you don't. Based on your "Cruise Fare" explanation, those cruising without children would pay less than those cruising with children. They don't.

- Dreams

they also don't consume as much as adults or generally take up distinct stateroom space, so it might be a wash. But I assume the CM's are getting paid for the kids club and I assume there is some associated (non labor) costs to run the clubs so it's likely coming out of general revenues.

What people pay is based not so much on occupancy but on demand. I am sure that some people paid more than we did and some might have paid less.

 

[KappaSigHero]

Also, and I repeat-

 

[neg58]

It's part of the KIDS' cruise fare. The only way we could sail for DD's third birthday was by boarding the ship when she was technically still two. Her fare was MUCH less because they were not counting her as paying for the clubs in her fare. She was given a Mickey band after an observation period by the supervisor and a system check to make sure there was space onboard for the switch.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Everyone paid for her use of the club. Fares are based on averages. How much does it cost to eat? How much for average use of the pool/theater? It really doesn't cost less to have an 8 year old in the theater than a 40 year old. The reason the fares are lower for an 8 year old than a 13 year old is because DCL sets them that way to attract families. Doesn't necessarily corrolate to the actual costs. Third person in a room is cheaper not because that person actually eats less, but because the cost of the room is covered by the first two.

 

[Octoberbride03]

Um, no, you don't. Based on your "Cruise Fare" explanation, those cruising without children would pay less than those cruising with children. They don't.

- Dreams

Why do you think I paid the same cruise fare as a parent?

I've sailed twice and both times, no children in my room. Trust me I paid less. Granted the parents are paying for their children, but it works out the same, because no cruise line in the world is going to charge me to pay for somebody else's child.

 

[manhattanman]

Why do you think I paid the same cruise fare as a parent?

I've sailed twice and both times, no children in my room. Trust me I paid less. Granted the parents are paying for their children, but it works out the same, because no cruise line in the world is going to charge me to pay for somebody else's child.

so in your mind everything on the ship has to be revenue neutral or turn a profit ?

I think you already are paying for someone else's kids to use the club, the people who play bingo or use the gym and for the guy who eats way more than his fair share of food in the MDR's and for the "free" drinks that are 2-1 specials. Cruising isnt a la carte, you ultimately play for things even if you cant ( or chose not to) use them.

 

[Green Tea]

Why do you think I paid the same cruise fare as a parent?

I've sailed twice and both times, no children in my room. Trust me I paid less. Granted the parents are paying for their children, but it works out the same, because no cruise line in the world is going to charge me to pay for somebody else's child.

Every cruise line is going to charge you to pay for someone's kid. Same as every passenger is paying for you to enjoy a magician, and a kid to go to the kid activities, and someone to eat WAY more than you, and the fabric to be replaced on a lounge chair.

You paid the same rate as any other first 2 people in that cabin. (Not including things like finding the best deal of course) That is probably part of the reason Disney costs more ....the clubs for the children take so much revenue to staff, insure and stock.

 

[Meghatron]

Everyone paid for her use of the club. Fares are based on averages. How much does it cost to eat? How much for average use of the pool/theater? It really doesn't cost less to have an 8 year old in the theater than a 40 year old. The reason the fares are lower for an 8 year old than a 13 year old is because DCL sets them that way to attract families. Doesn't necessarily corrolate to the actual costs. Third person in a room is cheaper not because that person actually eats less, but because the cost of the room is covered by the first two.

We priced out cruises the week she would board as a two year old and the week she would board as a three year old. Both cruises she was the third person, both cruises the adult fare would have been the same. The fare they wanted for her as a two-year-old was significantly less than the fare as a three-year-old. The only difference between the two was her automatic access to the clubs. So yes, they are part of the calculated cruise fare. Was it the entire cost for the clubs for the week? Probably not. But it was enough money difference to make us take the risk they wouldn't let her in.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Can you accept that it may take 15 or more minutes to find your child at pick up?
Nancy

Yes, I can accept it. But, I don't think, it's unreasonable to expect their system to show, if the child is checked in.

Our incident happened on the last night of our cruise. It bothered me, but I didn't dwell on the incident, nor did I panic. Now, I'm left wondering, how I feel about "next time".

 

[JnDRader]

This has absolutely zero affect on how we plan on doing things next month. We felt perfectly comfortable last time leaving our son there and we will now. This has been blown way out of proportion mainly due to the behavior and actions of the sensationalist father. Read his comments. He's obviously writing it in an attempt to evoke emotional responses rather than rational thought.