Assistance from CMs....Am I a crazy person?

[Luv2Run]

I hate it when people post things like "Am I a crazy person" and then when people say, "yeah, kinda" they get super offended.

VP

I've found that if one has to ask that question, then the answer is almost always a resounding, "YES".

OP - I'm sorry if I came across curt, but that's the harsh reality of being a parent and having to deal with these sorts of things in public. As you can see, others agree with my reasoning, since we're getting a lot of repeat replies here. Just take it as a lesson learned, and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Or, in this case, wiser.

A little anecdote from my own personal experience: my boyfriend is very allergic to cinnamon. It causes an almost-instantaneous upchuck reflex, even if it's just on his hand or face (moreso when ingested). I carry a travel pack of Wet Ones antibacterial wipes with me everywhere I go (in the car, in my purse, in my park bag for when we're at WDW) for just these types of situations. I use them more to wipe cinnamon infected stuff like his hands or tabletops or cutlery, rather than for the aftermath, but they work well for both purposes. Live and learn.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Here is what I think some of you expect to happen in this situation:

1. The 18 year old kid, fully trained in bio hazard cleanup, takes full control of the situation.
2. He escorts you and your family to the bio hazard vomit rescue team.
3. This team individually cleans and sterilizes each one of you.
4. After being fully cleaned, they provide you with new, top of the line clothing, in your perfect sizes at no charge.
5. They provide you with free passes to come back another day.
6. They do all of this with big smiles on their faces, apologizing profusely for the trouble you have encountered.

 

[andyman8]

I'm glad there are so many armchair quarterbacks on the DIS

Very true! If you haven't already, you'll quickly find that these threads bring out that side in people.

Anyways, it's easy to sit at your computer and call the OP crazy, because of course, Disney can do no wrong, but at the end of the day, I can't imagine anyone would be happy if they were walking around a crowded theme park soaked in vomit and no CMs (who all have been marketed as Fairy Godmothers mind you) couldn't even point them to a place where they could get new clothes.

 

[MichaelaF]

(edit: double post....I can't seem to delete it via the phone app...)

 

[Luv2Run]

If I need to start lugging around a full set of clothes for my husband and myself on top of everything else I am going to need a suitcase. Also I am not saying they should provide a full set of clothes for us if something like this happens. But they could be able to direct a parent to where they can get something without having to go from store to store.

They did tell her where she could find new clothes for purchase, she just chose not to purchase them because they were not her tase and/or outside her price range. Unless, you're suggesting that they allow her to raid the Lost and Found...?

 

[MichaelaF]

Here is what I think some of you expect to happen in this situation: 1. The 18 year old kid, fully trained in bio hazard cleanup, takes full control of the situation. 2. He escorts you and your family to the bio hazard vomit rescue team. 3. This team individually cleans and sterilizes each one of you. 4. After being fully cleaned, they provide you with new, top of the line clothing, in your perfect sizes at no charge. 5. They provide you with free passes to come back another day. 6. They do all of this with big smiles on their faces, apologizing profusely for the trouble you have encountered.

Hopefully not me, because that's definitely not what I said expected. Repeatedly.

 

[nessz79]

Just wanted to say sorry, OP! When my youngest DS was only about 18 months old, he caught the stomach flu at Disney. I didn't know it at the time and we were at the baby pool at WL when he threw up on the ground outside the pool (luckily not in the pool!). I had no idea what to do and no one offered any help. Not that I expected it, it's just a fact. I was so embarrassed! I went up to the room to call housekeeping. Whenever I think back about it, I am hard on myself, though, because I just didn't know what to do and I feel like I looked foolish and careless just leaving like that.

Maybe that's all the bad feelings you have is just the embarrassment. Just like in my situation, it would have been nice if someone had expressed some sympathy and an offer of assistance, even if it was just a better direction of help.

I still can't think back to that trip without cringing . Don't worry! You'll have something to laugh about one day.

 

[Violet Parr]

I think that super magical Disney service DOES still happen, but I think people really do expect it at all times. Like, people even want their puke experiences to be magical and warm. Honestly, I have no idea what the CMs reactions were when we had our puke incidents (all bazillion of them, thanks norovirus) because we were hightailing it out of there. We'd wash up enough to get as clean as we could and then we were out of the parks, period, end of story.

We've had magical service during medical issues. On that fateful norovirus trip, our 18 month old had a virus-related seizure in our tent at Fort Wilderness and we had to be rushed to the hospital. Disney was amazing. When we couldn't get a cab back to the campgrounds (we flew and had no rental car on that trip) that had a carseat, the team at FW got together and found a CM with a carseat. Then they installed it in a FW van and drove out 30 min to get us from Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital. Then they put us up in a cabin for two nights FOR FREE because it was going to be 17 degrees that night. That was amazing service, but we'd had an unconscious child in the emergency room with a seizure, not just puking. For a while, I'd thought my child was dead. Everyone at Disney as well as the Reedy Creek ambulance that pulled into our loop at Fort Wilderness was AMAZING. But I'd rather Disney not put extra energy into every single person's puke incident, because there have to be at least 100 puke incidents a day and they'd literally have to have a Puke Team. It's just puke, y'all. It's not a medical emergency that requires tender, nurturing exchanges between cast members and the puke victims. Just get cleaned up and get out of there and assess the ill child.

VP

 

[dydrmr81]

Oh no I'm so sorry that happened. As a mom myself, I can see how that situation would have been completely overwhelming and frustrating. I probably would have broken down in tears myself just because I would have been mortified and overwhelmed.

I didn't read your post so much as wanting CMs to clean your kid up for you and get you free clothes like some seem to think you wanted, but just that you were hoping someone would show you some compassion and act like they truly wanted to help with what you could do next. I totally get it, and I'm sorry none of the CMs did that

 

[minniemous]

They did tell her where she could find new clothes for purchase, she just chose not to purchase them because they were not her tase and/or outside her price range. Unless, you're suggesting that they allow her to raid the Lost and Found...?

You know the problem often is that people tend to not read what the OP actually said in the post. The first person she told actually said "exit this way"..the second person said, "I can give you napkins".

I think if the CM's are armed with the simple information of just a few helpful suggestions it would go a long way. I do not know Disney world like the back of my hand and what can be found in any given shop. The very first CM should simply be able to tell the person immediatly that nearest baby center is here and replacement clothing if needed can be found at x, y or z. That is not asking much in a place that is geared towards families and this is the sort of thing that has to happen with frequency.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Had the OP gone a little further,

Along the BoardWalk you'll find the Screen Door General Store, with a variety of Disney merchandise, as well as sundries and some grocery items. Disney's Character Carnival on the BoardWalk, features adult and golf apparel, accessories, plus Disney character merchandise for all ages. Thimbles & Threads has ladies, children and infant apparel,

Now, probably not at a reasonable price, but that's relative based on the condition of the clothing one wishes to be out of. And no, I wouldn't expect CMs at not-the-Boardwalk Inn to know what merchandise its stores carry.

 

[darkwing818]

To repeat myself...again....there are many things I wish I had done differently, and would have made things easier. Many have pointed this out in this thread, time and time again (some with grace, some not). But the point of my OP was that I was sad, in hindsight and with more clarity than I had at the time, that Disney CMs were not kinder or more helpful at the time, given how they pride themselves and sell themselves on service.
:sigh:

So my question is why the OPs original post, just didn't say she was sad, because CM's weren't kinder & more helpful; period?? (& yes they should have been based on the OP's post)
I guess I just don't see why all of the other stuff about, the cost of clothing etc. was even mentioned.

 

[Violet Parr]

So my question is why the OPs original post, just didn't say she was sad, because CM's weren't kinder & more helpful; period?? (& yes they should have been based on the OP's post)
I guess I just don't see why all of the other stuff about, the cost of clothing etc. was even mentioned.

I get the kinder part, OP, but it's the "more helpful" part I don't get. That's really vague. Can you maybe pinpoint how they could have been more helpful with some examples? Because I truly am not sure how you expected them to be, APART from kinder.

Also, would you say they were downright rude or unkind? Or just not kind enough?
VP

 

[homeschoolmomof4]

I get the kinder part, OP, but it's the "more helpful" part I don't get. That's really vague. Can you maybe pinpoint how they could have been more helpful with some examples? Because I truly am not sure how you expected them to be, APART from kinder.

Also, would you say they were downright rude or unkind? Or just not kind enough?
VP

More helpful would have been to direct her to: companion bathroom, baby care center, first aid and Mousegears.

 

[Luckybee]

You know the problem often is that people tend to not read what the OP actually said in the post. The first person she told actually said "exit this way"..the second person said, "I can give you napkins".

I think if the CM's are armed with the simple information of just a few helpful suggestions it would go a long way. I do not know Disney world like the back of my hand and what can be found in any given shop. The very first CM should simply be able to tell the person immediatly that nearest baby center is here and replacement clothing if needed can be found at x, y or z. That is not asking much in a place that is geared towards families and this is the sort of thing that has to happen with frequency.

I am not a Disney apologist by any stretch but I do think it is possible this was a misunderstanding because perhaps you were dealing with a cm who doesn't have kids of his own. Many moons ago I made a career choice not have children. When I met dh he had his own from a previous but they were grown. I have never dealt with baby puke and would not handle that well. I would want to shower NOW !!! Perhaps the cm who said "exit this way" was being helpful in his mind. He was telling her the quickest way out. As seen on this thread many posters have stated that they would have been looking to high tail it out of the park in order to shower and change. Not surprising that the cm may have thought the OP would be looking to do that as well.

 

[Violet Parr]

More helpful would have been to direct her to: companion bathroom, baby care center, first aid and Mousegears.

I was hoping to hear from the OP what SHE would have been satisfied with.

VP

 

[Violet Parr]

I am not a Disney apologist by any stretch but I do think it is possible this was a misunderstanding because perhaps we are dealing with a cm who doesn't have kids of his own. Many moons ago I made a career choice not have children. When I met dh he had his own from a previous but they were grown. I have never dealt with baby puke and would not handle that well. I would want to shower NOW !!! Perhaps the cm who said "exit this way" was being helpful in his mind. He was telling her the quickest way out. As seen on this thread many posters have stated that they would have been looking to high tail it out of the park in order to shower and change. Not surprising that the cm may have thought the OP would be looking to do that as well.

Exactly.

 

[Disney/Universal Fan]

What I find amazing is the fact that the original poster (OP) has continued to respond to the responses since she first posted last night. I don't think she is getting the sympathy she expected and it appears she wants to disagree with
a lot of the responses she is receiving. I, too, do not understand what she expected the CM's and other guests to do. I'm sure it was an uncomfortable situation and when faced with this problem, I also, can't figure out why they didn't get back to where they were staying as soon as they cleaned up the best they could.

 

[Disney/Universal Fan]

Also, after I posted, I actually looked and the OP has 25 posts in this thread. I think she is carrying things a little too far, and the purpose of the original post was to create a post where she knew she would get criticized and have a platform where she could argue back. It also makes me wonder if the facts in the original post were not over emphasized just a little. This is just an observation and opinion.

 

[minniemous]

I am not a Disney apologist by any stretch but I do think it is possible this was a misunderstanding because perhaps you were dealing with a cm who doesn't have kids of his own. Many moons ago I made a career choice not have children. When I met dh he had his own from a previous but they were grown. I have never dealt with baby puke and would not handle that well. I would want to shower NOW !!! Perhaps the cm who said "exit this way" was being helpful in his mind. He was telling her the quickest way out. As seen on this thread many posters have stated that they would have been looking to high tail it out of the park in order to shower and change. Not surprising that the cm may have thought the OP would be looking to do that as well.

I can understand this point of view certainly. All I am saying is that seeing as such a large portion of Disney patrons are people with children Disney should supply CM's information how to deal with the situation and not just leave it to the discretion or each CM. I think it is very simple for instructions to be given to all CM's that when a parent is presented with a situation as this one direct them to the nearest Baby center...simple.

I do not expect too much more than that. Perhaps information on where replacement clothes can be purchased but at least if they give them directions to the baby center the CM's there can be armed with more helpful information. Like all the ideas that people here have supplied.

People in business think about their patrons I think it is not too hard to anticipate this situation. Yes, a parent should certainly anticipate problems themselves but sometimes things happen. I did not know that Disney had a baby center until I just noticed it one day. In the middle of the mess they were going through perhaps it did not enter their thoughts for what ever reason.