Are my relatives crazy?

[kar313]

BIL and SIL are leaving this morning (driving) for Fla and WDW. They have 3 DSs, 9,4, and 2. I just can't understand what they are thinking! Not only are they putting their children in danger but certainly are not thinking about CMs and other people who would have to be working for them. I warned them repeatedly that things may be closed, even parks, and even told them about the Gov's warning not to come down. But they are determined to go.
Am I wrong to try and talk them out of going? DH says we should just let them do what they want.

 

[HM]

My sister and BIL were taking their kids (4 and 1) to WDW today by car too. But, I gave them all the same info you did yesterday, and they are not going and cancelled their reservations last night. They are going to Kings Dominion instead for the day on Saturday.

-HM

 

[Lewisc]

I don't think there is anything you can say that will change their mind BUT just give them selfish reasons. Turn on the TV and show them the HUGE traffic jams. Show them Pete's bog where he says most of the gas stations are out of gas.

Ask them if they really want to spend their vacation in a huge traffic jam praying they'll find an open gas station before they run out of gas? If the hotel where have reservations is closed will they enjoy spending their vacation sleeping in their car? Since the supermarkets are empty and many stores will be closed ask them if they'll enjoy eating the peanut butter sandwiches they're bringing as their major source of food?

The truth is if they leave they won't get very far and will have a miserable day driving down part of the way and then driving back. I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying change their mind.

 

[2dogmom]

You did what you could to get them to stay. Now all you can do is pray that it is a safe trip. And if you get any complaints from them when you return about rain, service, park closures, whatever, you can tell them "I told you so!"

 

[mouseRD]

I recently heard that southbound arteries may be converted to northbound today to ease the flow of traffic north; they may be asked to turn around!

 

[kar313]

Thanks for the good advise. I think they have left by now. Trying to get ahold of DH to see if he has heard from them this morning. Their other brother just had a baby Wed night so MIL has been preoccupied w/ that or I am sure she would have read the riot act about putting the kids in danger.

I am just hoping that they are smart enough to listen for updates the closer they get. Maybe if the reports get bad and some of the things you all mentioned start happening they will come to their senses.

I have been monitoring the storm all morning so I guess I just wait and see what happens and pray for them and everyone else in the path of Frances.

 

[G&J's Mom]

According to another thread on here Disney will be closed on Saturday.

Check it out.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=637596

The point is that it is just not safe. I hope they have a last minute reconsideration.

Denise

 

[STEPHILL]

They may find that the roads into that portion of Florida are closed for people going in and only for people going out (evacuating). I lived in New Orleans and 6 years ago we had a mandatory evacuation. I had to sit in the vehicle with my 9 month old for 12 hours to get what would have normally taken about 45 minutes to an hour. How frustrating. If there is a mandatory evacuation, they may not let them in. I cannot imagine being in a car with 3 children gridlocked in traffic. One baby was quite enough. I wish them luck, but I really don't think they'll get very far.
Also, two years ago, when Hurricane Lili struck our neck of the woods we were out of power for 4-5 days. I cannot imagine subjecting my kids to that. No electricity, means no hot bath, no t.v., no A/C, etc. Speaking of baths, if the water is contaminated, they won't be able to bathe either. Pray that they turn around and change their mind.

 

[3for Me]

I too am from New Orleans, and Stephill is right - there was a major controversy after hurricane Georges about diverting traffic to all one way.

LA and MS were in a dispute about it for quite a while as I recall, but it was finally resolved so that in case of a major threat each state would let the other divert its state highways for evactuation purposes.

Trust me, if there tolerance level is low, as I suspect it will be with three children locked in gridlock, they will be back sooner than you know. Then, as the previous poster stated, you can tell them "I told you so".

I still maintain that people who are not from the gulf coast region just do not understand the danger, inconvenience and hardships these storms cause. Do they not see the news?

Here's hoping for they return safely.

 

[LadyLt]

I am sitting here as a resort cast member just shaking my head. These are the guests (if they make it) who will be at the Front Desk complaining and asking for compensation. They will tell us that we ruined their vacation by closing the parks and whining because all of the restaurants are not open.

Less that one hour before Charley hit us, I had a man standing at the Front Desk complaining to me because we had closed Pleasure Island on a Friday night. He said that he was there on his honeymoon and that we were ruining it because there was no place to take his new wife for the evening. I tried to explain that the hurricane was hitting us within sixty minutes and that everything in Orlando/Kissimmee was closed. But he didn't want to listen to me. I wanted to tell him what he should be doing on his honeymoon, but I kept my mouth shut. I had another guest who called from his room as the storm was actually hitting and cursed at me because his mini-bar was not full. He wanted it filled immediately. When I explained that our manager had decided that no cast members were to go out in the storm until it abated, he screamed at me. He said that he paid good money to stay there and he wanted what he was entitled to get.

The next morning, the Disney crews were out by 4:00 am cleaning up tree branches, leaves, and other debri. At 8:00 am, a man came to the desk and told me "well, I guess your storm was a bust. You were just trying to scare us all last night." What can you say to idiots like that. I had already watched television that morning and had seen devastation all over the Kissimmee area. But I guess people like that do not know how to watch television news.

WDW resort guests were lucky because Disney has its own power plant and underground power lines. But almost every residence and other businesses in a four county area were without power. Some of our cast members only got power back last week at their homes after two weeks in the dark. Three people I work with still cannot live in their homes because of severe damage.

I have also gotten to the point that I don't care if the weather hit during your vacation. Every guest that books with CRO/WDTC has the option of buying travel insurance. In our notes for each reservation, it states whether the guest turned down travel insurance. If a guest was offered the option and turned it down, why should I care if bad weather interrupts their trip. Bad attitude, I know. But I am catching it from some of our guests.

 

[RachelTori]

God Bless you and all the other CM's who make our visits Magical. You're always the 1st ones to be abused by rude guests who make unbelievable demands or blame you for things that are beyond ANYONE'S control (i.e. Charley or Frances). There are, and always will be, people who will complain and demand and blame no matter what. I know you all have seen your share of them, especially lately. Just keep smiling and don't let them get to you. Stay safe during Frances. Our prayers are with you.

Laura

 

[momtoPrincessA]

Ladylt-

I think it's incredibly selfish of people to expect so much from all the wonderful CM's, particularly during a hurricane!!!I have no idea how you can not tell these people exactly what you are thinking!

God bless you and your colleagues as you weather out the storm while still taking care of others, as you all have your own loved ones to think about as well.

Keep up the great work, the CM's are what make WDW such a wonderful experience!

 

[KIMHELMS99]

It's hard to believe that there are people out there who would be this selfish and inconsiderate but unfortunately there are more than a few.

My parents own a retail business which I have worked at for over 25 years and we do get our share of these customers but I must say that there are those who are just the opposite. Just as rude ones can ruin your day, the nice ones can make your day.

Thank you for the job you do each and every day it does mean a great deal to many of us.

We will keep you all in our prayers.

 

[mom2rb]

It's got to be people that have never lived thru a hurricane. I have been watching the weather and checking the computer all day. I feel so bad for everyone in Fla. I have been thru a few and cleaned up many tree branches, fences, and shingles. I would never take my children into a hurricane! This is child endangerment.

 

[MermaidsMom]

LadyLT and all of the CM's,

God Bless You!!

I was at the BWI Concierge once when a male guest chewed out the staff (loudly) because he didn't like the blinking light on the phone at night! Good Grief! Some people just shouldn't leave home at all.

 

[Teri Zolman]

God Bless you for what you do. I would not feel bad for the attitiude that you have. I am amazed at what people would do to others to get what they feel is coming to them. Why dont people listen when a Govenor tells you to evacuate. I can understand locals staying for various reasons but for tourists to come into a already bad situation. I am sorry but no money is worth me putting my kids in danger. Again I hope you will be save as well as all of the other fabulous CM's.

 

[STEPHILL]

How sad and heartless. All of the CM's go out of their way to make you feel as though you are in another world. I guess this guy thought Hurricanes don't affect Disney. What an idiot. I hate rude people. Don't they know things are much easier and people are more helpful if you are pleasant. THANK YOU TO ALL THE CM'S AS YOU GUYS REALLY DO MAKE WDW A MAGICAL PLACE. God Bless all of you and I pray that all of ya'll are spared.

 

[Disney Doll]

To the OP: Yes, your relatives are stupid. No offense meant, but, really...

To the CM-there are always going to be idiots in the world whop think it gives them power and makes them seem like the "big man" to yell and berate others. Little do they realize how smalll and pathetic they actually look. Thank you for all you do. I have yet to encounter a "bad" CM at WDW, and we are "frequent flyers".

 

[Schmeck]

So, any news from the crazies? Did they return home yet, or are they still driving south?

 

[DisneyWisher]

Originally posted by LadyLt
Every guest that books with CRO/WDTC has the option of buying travel insurance. In our notes for each reservation, it states whether the guest turned down travel insurance. If a guest was offered the option and turned it down, why should I care if bad weather interrupts their trip. Bad attitude, I know. But I am catching it from some of our guests.

Not a bad attitude you are just giving what you get. I am Ft Lauderdale right now, getting very strong winds there is a branch from a tree sitting over my daughter's room as I type (hopefully it will stay put). My father owns a pool hall and we were there this morning boarding up the front door, people kept calling asking if we were going to be open, when I said no, they came back with "why?". After 10 calls like this I said "because my family's safety is more important than a day out for you." (only reason why I was answering the phone was in case any of the employees called to see if we were opened).

One thing I must say though. I have been a AP holder since 96 and I come up about 4-6 times a year. I have never been offered travel insurance. I wonder is this only for packages? I plan on coming next week but if Ivan even looks like it is threatening us we will stay home. Even though this is the first full week I've had off in 5 years.

Keep your chin up and remember not all guests are like the jerks you have experienced.

Shirley