Anyone else misdirected by CMs to get to stores?

[Jess]

Just curious: have any of you ever experienced a situation where you needed directions to places like Publix or Target and gotten the runaround from CMs at your resort?

We had a problem during the trip last week with our DD's carseat and HAD to replace it before heading home. When my DH went to guest relations at POR to ask for directions to Target or Walmart, the CM WOULD NOT tell him how to get there and insisted we would find what we needed at Crossroads shopping center. This is after DH repeatedly made clear that we needed to buy a carseat--I mean, that's not going to be found at Crossroads mall.

Frustrated, we asked the kind gentleman who works the security gate, and he proceeded to give us detailed directions on exactly how to get to both Target and Walmart. Thank goodness!

I was just wondering if anyone else had ever gotten vague replies or runaround from CMs in this regard. I mean, hello, if I could have bought a carseat on Disney property, why would I bother leaving the premises...the point was I had to go to an outside retailer that carried this item. I was a little disappointed about that.

 

[safetymom]

A lot of hotels that I have stayed at have printed instructions to different places. Maybe you got a cast member that was not familiar with the area. If I asked one person and they didn't know how to get somewhere I would ask someone else.

 

[LibertyLover]

No. As a matter of fact when I was at WDW in January we ran out of my DD2's pullups. We had planned on just taking a few with us and buying more when we were in Orlando, thinking that the store in the AKL would have some. As it turned out, they didn't, so I had to go off site to get some. I could have found my way to Crossroads, but figured I was closer to the Main Gate strip, so I asked a CM at the lobby guest relations desk. They were very happy to provide me with directions to a Rite Aid out on the stripe that I could even get to by going out a back road. I was out and back in half an hour with no problem. I am sorry to hear of your experience.

 

[mking624]

I'm sure stuff like this happens all the time, but I don't fret about it. A good chunk of CMs aren't from the area, let alone the state...so I know people can get mixed up.

I've lived in Louisville for almost 3 years and I still don't know directions to a lot of places...so I typically give the benefit of the doubt.

 

[phillybeth]

Duriong my 2003 trip we ran into a family who said that the Guest Services CMS had told them the closest Wal-Mart was 45 minutes away in downtown Orlando!

 

[Avalanche]

A few years back we were given directions from CSR to the "nearest grocery store". The directions we were given were to a Publix, but we ended up at a Super Walmart. (I think we made a left were we should have gone right) Found everything we needed and about $50.00 worth of stuff that we didn't need.

 

[oogieboogie]

That's one of the reasons I don't rely on them. I print driving directions from Mapquest/Yahoo Maps/Google to the nearest grocery store, nearest Walmart/Target, nearest Walgreens/CVS. That way, I'll always have clear, concise directions to the places I need most.

I also usually bring my laptop on vacation so when I need to go somewhere unexpected, I can quickly do driving directions.

 

[webray]

You have to remember...many of the disney castmembers don't even go in the parks or restaurants..this is just a job for them, as a job would be for anyone. Go to work and get the heck out as fast as you can. CM's come from all over the place. In Orlando N/S/E/W, there are plenty of walmarts/targets etc..and someone could probably tell you how to get to one in their own neighborhood, but not necessarily in the disney neighborhood.

 

[eeyore0062]

I totally agree with Webray.... many CM's are not from the area, or live as much as 1 hour from the park and commute. They could definitely get you anywhere you want, if it happens to be on their commute, but many don't pass any super department stores as much of the surrounding area is still undeveloped.

I am sorry you had such a hard time.