A sad day at WDW....

[DAWGPOUNDAJ]

I'll keep this short, but on our visit this past week we saw a few very sad incidents within the parks at WDW and I just wanted to share them with everyone. All of them were at the Magic Kingdom as well sadly.

The first one was while we were in line for Mickey's Philarmagic, and a family with 5 children was standing in the lobby waiting to enter the show, but they were behind another family with a crippled child. The son had leg braces and while his family had his wheel chair there, the child wanted to stand up on his own, and was doing a good job of it until the doors opened, and the 5 kids plowed him over. This poor child fell onto the ground, lost one of his braces, and while we did our best to help shield him and his family while they went to help him people CONTINUED to plow right over him. I have never been more ashamed of the human race than I had been at that moment, watching all the selfish people who were too eager to get a good seat for the show, rather than helping someone who clearly needed it. And as for the family who initially plowed the child over, they didn't even stop to apologize, but they did look back and say "serves him right." What the heck!?!?! I tried to find them to give them a piece of my mind after the show but was unable to.

The second incidents all involved "colorful metaphors." I swear we should have counted how many times we heard, and forgive the language, but racial slurs against ALL races. I'm talking slurs against Caucasians, African Americans, Hispanics, etc. I was horrified to hear this all at WDW, every day we were there. I have very good hearing so perhaps thats why I heard it a lot, whereas many walked past the individuals going off and seemed oblivious, but it was still sad to see.

Basically the Disney behavior, of guests, has gone downhill. DH and I truly spent the majority of our vacation at our wonderful hotels, and truly avoided the parks. Being at the parks was just too sad most of the time, there were too many incidents we witnessed, and it was just not magical at the parks anymore. I heard a few individuals who had been there for the first time say that they felt like it was all a tourist trap, and this time I actually agreed with them. If this had been my first visit, I would have felt the same way, fortunately I know that this is not the norm.

Or is it? Has Disney changed? I am just curious about others experiences, has anyone else encountered this at WDW?

 

[Kim&Chris]

As far as the racial stuff goes, that will never go away (sadly). Just this past weekend, we took a mini-vacation in Williamsburg, VA. We stayed in a hotel that had an indoor pool and jacuzzi. There was an African-American family using the pool along with DH and I. When DH and I got into the jacuzzi, two of the little boys came in with us. They got out almost immediately, and loudly told their mom that they "didn't want to be in there with white people". The mom just said "ok" and that was that.

Very sad. This stuff doesn't only happen at Disney, but everywhere. Disney cannot control the behavior of its guests anymore than they can control the weather.

 

[disneyworld!]

I just posted about this on the CB the other day!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=825056

 

[Worfthedog]

I too noticed some dismal behaviour during my recent trip to the World, It is a couple of years since we have visited and were surprised just how bad things had got.

I noticed many cast members ignored and even laughed at when asking people to move along, to allow disabled access, not to run etc.

Luckily this type of behaviour is still a minority (I hope) in WDW, but fear it will be only be time before it gets worse as it seems to be getting the world over.

Paul.

 

[kpm76]

The first one was while we were in line for Mickey's Philarmagic, and a family with 5 children was standing in the lobby waiting to enter the show, but they were behind another family with a crippled child. The son had leg braces and while his family had his wheel chair there, the child wanted to stand up on his own, and was doing a good job of it until the doors opened, and the 5 kids plowed him over. This poor child fell onto the ground, lost one of his braces, and while we did our best to help shield him and his family while they went to help him people CONTINUED to plow right over him. I have never been more ashamed of the human race than I had been at that moment, watching all the selfish people who were too eager to get a good seat for the show, rather than helping someone who clearly needed it. And as for the family who initially plowed the child over, they didn't even stop to apologize, but they did look back and say "serves him right." What the heck!?!?! I tried to find them to give them a piece of my mind after the show but was unable to.

WOW! That is so sad...I can't even believe that happened.

 

[Vivianne]

I'm surprised they didn't accommodate the little boy and his family. Usually, I saw CM guiding a person in a wheelchair with and his/her family separately into an attraction. Most likely for this very reason. It's really inexcusable what happened.

It's just DH and I and we try to avoid the real popular rides/attractions. There's nothing we really have to see. One day at MGM we just did 2 things and then walked out and hopped to another park. When we encountered rowdy people, we just let them pass in front of us. I rather be behind them than in front. That way, I'm more aware of the situation and how to handle it.

 

[snowy76]

Has Disney changed? I am just curious about others experiences, has anyone else encountered this at WDW?

Other people might not agree but I find this more at MK than the other parks. It seems like most people who visit WDW and only do one park choose MK -- so it tends to attract a wider range of people AND their manners, or lack thereof.

There was another thread last week about Six Flags -- those types of parks attract just about anyone, and you get some of the same types of people who visit the MK seeing it as just another amusement park rather than the whole Disney experience like we do; they bring their bad manners with them. I notice it even in the way guests throw trash on the ground etc. It just seems more rampant at MK! Do I make any sense?

 

[Cyndirella]

How sad! We were there last week as well and I noticed so much more rudeness on this trip than in others...was it a full moon???

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

We were in WDW 5/9 - 17. I experienced:

Cutting in line: I was in line with my two DD's (10 and 8) to see Chip and Dale in the MK. Well this woman (don't know where she was from) with two older children wiggled their way beside me and my girls and then cut right in front of us when the CM waved us on! The nerve!!!

NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!!!: We were riding on the Great Movie Ride and of course they remind you: no flash photography. LOVE when people pretend not to understand english. A spanish women and her dd or ??gdd?? were siting in front of us, mom/grandma was "flashing away" when the CM made the announcement AGAIN, she proceeding to continue to take pictures!!? I couldn't resist . . . I leaned forward and said NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!!! Her DD/GDD told her blahsfkjoiwenljoaisjoknoaisj flash. She stopped taking pictures!!! Hey! I helped out the CM!!!

Other than that (and our HORRIBLE experience at WCC) the trip was GREAT!!!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Not to be funny, but there was a full moon last week. The behavior of the kids at school was HORRIBLE!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Though I completely agree the situation the OP witnessed is horrible and very very sad, I dont think it has to do with WDW being less magical but rather those particular people involved... an isolated situation. I am just not sure as to why people think WDW is supposed to be different than anywhere else. If people use racial slurs or foul language in their personal lives, there is no doubt they will also use it on vacation in WDW. Right?
I have been seeing posts left and right about people being "disappointed" by anything and everything when they visit WDW. Now I am not saying things dont annoy me here and there but maybe people are visiting WDW expecting it to be a place where bad things never happen, negativity doesn't exist, and everyone in attendance has the same good morals and values. This just isnt the case-its unfortunate that a situation like the OP witnessed, happened and their is no excuse for it, but WDW is a vacation destination that all people, from all walks of life will attend. Therefore, you cant expect Disney World to not still be part of the "real world"....where people can be mean, or rude or inappropriate. People might not give up their seat on a bus or let a child stand in front of them so they can see a parade, they might cut the line, or use profanity in front of you, they might hit the back of your feet with a stroller, or more recently, hit you in the eye with an umbrella.
My point is, when did people start thinking that when at Disney World, things are completely different from the real world? JMHO.

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

My point is, when did people start thinking that when at Disney World, things are completely different from the real world? JMHO.

Pretty much since Disneyland and Walt Disney World opened..... it is designed to be an escape from the 'real world', and many of us walk under that train station or drive onto property and leave our cares and worries behind - and for the majority of the time, I can truly say that the real world rarely gets in, at least for me.

So when we are reminded of the outside world, it sometimes seems just a little bit more stunning than usual - as it is interrupting our 'magical' Disney experience.

 

[Harmony]

LOVE when people pretend not to understand english. A spanish women and her dd or ??gdd?? were siting in front of us, mom/grandma was "flashing away" when the CM made the announcement AGAIN, she proceeding to continue to take pictures!!? I couldn't resist . . . I leaned forward and said NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!!! Her DD/GDD told her blahsfkjoiwenljoaisjoknoaisj flash. She stopped taking pictures!!!

*****************************************************

Maybe she truly didn't understand English???? Give people the benefit of the doubt or else you'll ruin your own vacation by being annoyed.

Now the situation with the little boy with braces...that is TOTALLY uncalled for...TOTALLY! And I wish a CM had helped that family. Makes me sad just to think about it.

However, one shouldn't let "little" (not discussing the child's situation here) things like flash photography get to them or it will spoil their day. I say just ignore it and let the CM's handle it and go on about your Magical day.

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Pretty much since Disneyland and Walt Disney World opened..... it is designed to be an escape from the 'real world', and many of us walk under that train station or drive onto property and leave our cares and worries behind - and for the majority of the time, I can truly say that the real world rarely gets in, at least for me.

So when we are reminded of the outside world, it sometimes seems just a little bit more stunning than usual - as it is interrupting our 'magical' Disney experience.

I totally understand that-we leave our worries behind us as well, and we dont let things get us down so the magic is with us from our first day to our last. And though it may be an interruption in magic to see things that normally occur in everyday life, I guess I think people would be less disappointed if they went with more realistic expectations of WDW.

 

[HappyLawyer]

reading these makes me so sad, i mean people have no compassion for those with special needs, not all people but you would think people would understand or their parents would teach them better, and as far as the race stuff it is the ignorance that children are taught, i remeber growing up saying how i did not like white people blah blah blah and heck i married one, i was ignorant i thank God i grew out of that, the race issue will never go away i just hope people become more educated. I apologize to those hurt by those who are ignorant.

 

[gigi1313]

disneyfreakjackie... totally off-topic, but i just have to know... where did you find daisy and donald together for that photo?! both my kids are big fans and we'd *love* to find them together! tia!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I do think people who attend WDW with some regularity have expectations of "Disney Magic" and "Pixie Dust" when they enter. What I really think is going on is that Disney regulars have gotten used to the post 9/11 Disney where mostly Disney-philes and a few hundred thousand others attended. This years advertising blitz appears to have been quite successful in encouraging people to go back to Disney. It might be best to expect a less than magical vacation from now until mid-August and be pleasantly surprised when it exceeds your expectations.

PS. Thanks for the tip on MK. I'll do my best to avoid it when I go in a couple of weeks.

 

[seashoreCM]

Since you saw it yhy didn't you insist that a nearby cast member help call security and point out the miscreants?

This is a case of assault.

On second thought, not as easy as it seems, for best results the show must be allowed to proceed with as little suspicion as possible until a good sized cadre of security arrives to station itself outside the exit doors and catch the miscreants off guard. If you have a cell phone, exiting yourself and calling 911 is a good idea.

Easier: Accompany the handicapped child and his parents to Guest Relations and arrange to have extra pixie dust sprinkled upon them. This is for dealing with a situation, not for dealing with a handicap. This is intended to be far more than a custom tailored guest assistance card, and therefore interviewing the family on the nature of the child's disability is totally irrelevant.

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

 

[Tinkim]

I agree what happened to that little boy is inexcusible. However, we had a totally different experience in February 2005. My kids and I went down for a week and we met so many nice people and we offered our seats on the bus and were offered the same several times. CMs were generally pleasant and we let people get in front of us several times to catch up with the rest of their party and someone did the same for us once. We were given fastpasses that someone couldn't use and people exchanged chairs at lunch when they had too many/not enough. Just seemed to be considerate people everywhere that week. We went in January 2004 and I had the same feeling of people being unpleasant so I was pleasantly surprised on the last trip. Maybe it is all just luck of the draw or the time of year or something in the air but it seems random to me. Here's wishing everyone magical upcoming trips with no incidents like the OP describes.

 

[zumbergc]

You know whats sad here is that at that show, and many of the shows, they have a special entrance for wheel chair parties and their guests.
I'm guessing it applies to those with crutches too, someone who needs extra time to get to their seat.
At many shows they load those people first (I think to avoid people) from getting run over.

Now, having used a scooter, we've scene lots of people try to dodge down/up a row to get into the reserved seating. I also see some elderly who tend to walk slow with a cane or other device, so it would seem the child should have been directed to the right queue.

Its a shame a CM didn't point that group to the special entrance. Many times they have a cm, (who i think thats all they do), other times I don't see a CM there at all to direct special assistance people in the right direction.

At phil harmagic, once around the bend where the loading doors after you grabbed your glasses, its all the way to the end. Too bad a Cm didn't get them in the right queue. Heck, i hope that little guy didn't get injured.
I'd be scared to death if that happened to me.

In pointing out a different entrance I am in no way blaming the child or his family for not knowing about the special doors/entrance for his party. At MK its the roughest to find the right place to enter for a party needing special assistance. After several trips to MK in a scooter, I'm always finding new places I was suppose to be, or when entering a regular line finding a step that isn't going to work for me.

Connie