BAD Disney Experience...

[nkereina]

If you went to starring rolls for your fave cupcake - and they said "we just sold out but in 15 minutes we'll have more" and you love those cupcakes so much you decide to wait the 15 minutes ... and then 40 minutes goes by and they come out and say - sorry but we won'e have the cupcake for you after all with a too bad so sad attitude and a shrug ... would you be annoyed then?
I am guessing you would be irritated - and you're a grown adult - not a three year old.

Beautifully said.

Ridiculous and that isn't what happened anyway.

How about after 40 minutes they say "the cupcake deliver guy fell ill and he won't be coming. sorry".

Are you saying you'd be irritated to the point that you wanted a free cup of coffee or something?

Of course I'd be irritated, but I wouldn't expect anything. I've even been in restaurants where I've ordered something only to have the waitress come back 15 minutes later to tell me they're out of it. Never got a free meal and never expected one. OP has every right to be irritated for making her wait, but no right to be irritated for the lack of compensation for something out of everyone's control. THAT is entitlement. And like I said in my original post, I'd be willing to bet that the CMs that kept OP waiting were trying to deal with the Snow White being sick situation. We don't know that Snow White was actually puking - maybe she had a fever or something and people were assessing whether or not she'd be able to finish her appearance. And like I said, perhaps it was not a quick thinking CM or it was a CM trying to juggle a few things and the thought of compensation did not occur to him or her. Nobody knows. But my point is, if OP had gotten something - it should have been looked at as an extra perk, not expected.

 

[WDSearcher]

Mine too! I hate it when people allow their little darlings to wreak havoc on the parks. And to me, that in itself screams "snowflake". No thought that the parks are made pretty for everyone to enjoy, no, lets go pick some of the flowers. Unfortunately I've seen that behavior in the Poly and out front by the Crystal Palace. It just blows my mind that the parents don't even care.

To the OP's defense, she did come back and say that the flower her child had "picked" was really a flower that she "picked up" off the ground. Picking up a fallen flower from the pavement isn't exactly a snowflake wreaking havoc.

OP-- Even having said that, I really am sorry your child was disappointed. And while it may have been a bad Disney experience, I'm sure a sick Snow White would have gave your child a worse Disney experience. You learned the hard way you can't really expect to have a perfect Disney vacation. Stuff happens, and you have to learn to roll with it. As others have pointed out, they can't just tell you to go find Snow White somewhere else. And no, I don't believe anyone needs to be compensated for every little letdown.

Oh, don't be silly. Of COURSE they can tell you where else to find Snow White! "I'm sorry Snow White won't be back out this morning. But if she's done helping the Dwarfs this afternoon, you can meet her over at the Magic Kingdom in Town Square." or "I'm sorry Snow White can't meet you right now. But I know she'll be in the Magic Kingdom parade this afternoon if you want to see her there." or "I'm sorry Snow White can't meet you right now. But let me make a quick call and see if she's scheduled to be anywhere else today once she's finished helping the Dwarfs."

It's pretty simple, actually. No magic lost. No illusions crushed.

 

[hockeymomNS]

Wow, wouldn't you think that the handlers and others involved were a tad more preoccupied with a sick worker and how to replace her? I'm sure that said daughter didn't even enter their minds.

Sorry, I'm on team "sometimes people get sick and things happen".

 

[disnut8]

Just got back from a great week with the grandkids who knew about the trip only a week before. They had all the Disney "thoughts" in their minds but quickly saw the reality that their parents told them beforehand.

No, you will not meet every single character you think you will.

If you do want to meet a character, it will take time.

And then the character might not even be there.

Here's a real life instance - I go to a meet and greet with a published author of a famous novel. I get there just as she/he is feeling sick. What do I demand? What do I get? It seems when children are involved, we want everyone to bend over backwards but kids will rebound, trust me. And the kid in the OP post seems to be fine. No harm.

 

[polymerpig]

I totally absolutely completely disagree with this. Disney knows what our expectations are because they have put those ideas in our heads. They show us commercials with one little kid walking down Main Street holding Mickey's hand. They show us happy smiling people in spotless restaurants and laughing children meeting princesses. They tell us on every single piece of advertising that Disney is magical -- the happiest place on earth -- where dreams come true -- where magic lives -- and on and on. They have taught us all, over the years, to expect more from Disney than from any other theme park on the planet. And we have bought it all, hook line and sinker. Every time Disney says "Have a magical day" they are telling us exactly what we should expect -- a MAGICAL day. And if we don't have that, then they have not met the expectations that they, themselves, have set up for us.

I totally blame Disney for this. They've shot themselves in the foot over and over again by promising something that they may not be able to deliver. But I also love them for making that promise and doing their best to convince me that the magic is attainable in a world where we all realistically know it's not.

But do you seriously believe this? WalMart has smiling people in their ads too. Is that that happiest place on earth? Heck, even crash test dummies are smiling in their commercials as they crash into a wall. But is that a great job?? I guess if people really think these commercials are reality, then bravo to the marketers and ad agencies responsible. (I mean really...ONE person on Main Street...and holding Mickey's hand...without a character attendant?? No one could believe this )Other parks say they're the most thrilling, the wettest, the wildest, the Harry Potterest...okay Universal IS the Harry Potterest, but I'd challenge all those other claims...what if I'm just not thrilled at the most thrilling park. What if I'm pretty tame at the wildest park? Okay...I'm just messing with people now but you see my point? I fully expect to have a great time at Disney, but why do people hold it above every other corporation just because their ad campaign says it's a magical place. Reality check.

 

[highlander]

7 pages of comments and still going strong. Unbelievable.

 

[LarryNabisco]

Yet another person looking to get something for nothing.

 

[notnothin]

7 pages of comments and still going strong. Unbelievable.

Popcorn worthy, indeed.

 

[WDSearcher]

Just got back from a great week with the grandkids who knew about the trip only a week before. They had all the Disney "thoughts" in their minds but quickly saw the reality that their parents told them beforehand.

No, you will not meet every single character you think you will.

If you do want to meet a character, it will take time.

And then the character might not even be there.

Here's a real life instance - I go to a meet and greet with a published author of a famous novel. I get there just as she/he is feeling sick. What do I demand? What do I get?

That depends. Did the author promise you a magical day in a place where dreams come true? And did you sit there, waiting, for 20 minutes past when the author was supposed to arrive, wondering what the heck had happened and wishing someone would maybe come out and tell you what's going on?

My guess is that if you had driven or flown a significant distance to meet the author at an event that had been heavily promoted, and had been promised an in-person meeting at a certain time, and then waited an additional 20 minutes with no one telling you anything, only to have them come out and say, "oh ... yeah ... he's sick; he won't be coming out" after you finally decided to ask what was up, you might be a little annoyed at the customer service. And, if you'd related this incident over on the Community Boards, I bet there'd be at least a dozen people who would say, "That stinks! They could have at least offered to have the guy sign your book when he felt better and then sent it to you!"

 

[Sunnywho]

Aw a free meal at Azerkhus would've made everything better!

jk

I didn't get the idea that the cast members knew they were out there waiting for snow white. I don't think the family themselves knew they'd wait, since they didn't expect the little girl to have that attention span.

It seems to be just one of those things.

I remember when I stayed at Pop Century when it was oversold during free dining and all sorts of folks here got phone calls getting upgraded to Saratoga Springs or OKW. Didn't happen to me! Still had a great trip.

 

[maxiesmom]

But do you seriously believe this? WalMart has smiling people in their ads too. Is that that happiest place on earth? Heck, even crash test dummies are smiling in their commercials as they crash into a wall. But is that a great job?? I guess if people really think these commercials are reality, then bravo to the marketers and ad agencies responsible. (I mean really...ONE person on Main Street...and holding Mickey's hand...without a character attendant?? No one could believe this )Other parks say they're the most thrilling, the wettest, the wildest, the Harry Potterest...okay Universal IS the Harry Potterest, but I'd challenge all those other claims...what if I'm just not thrilled at the most thrilling park. What if I'm pretty tame at the wildest park? Okay...I'm just messing with people now but you see my point? I fully expect to have a great time at Disney, but why do people hold it above every other corporation just because their ad campaign says it's a magical place. Reality check.

Wait a minute...are you telling me that everyone in Australia doesn't go around singing? I seen that commercial many times over the last few days. You mean it isn't true??????????

Sorry, but yeah. Reality check. Disney is a business that runs commercials to sell us a product. If someone thinks whatever they buy is exactly what they see on the commercials, then shame on them. It never is, and they should know better by the time they are an adult. And I have a bone to pick with whoever makes the commercials for makeup. I don't look like any of those models. And I should for all of the money I have spent on makeup.

 

[dimndgal1]

Guest Relations

If something happened that upset you or a cM didn't respond in a way you felt was Disney, you should go to guest relations and air your opinions. They are there for moments just like this.

Personally, I am not sure how the CM could've handled it differently. You may have waited but I imagine many people don't. Also, I wager the Czm didn't spend all 40 minutes just off stage... he was probably running around, checking on characters, or waiting for information. If the character was sick, he was probably assisting her.

As for 3 year old expectations, it's all about approaching it. DD was right at 40" when she hit 3 and was literally hit-or-miss on rides at DL. When she was turned away from ToT after just riding it, she was ready to melt. DH and I explained that for safety they had to check height and at the moment, friends her height couldn't ride. We said maybe there would be space later... and lo, and behold, when we wandered by later, she cleared height check.

Does it suck to have stuff go wrong? Yes. Do kids not understand extenuating circumstances? Yes. Is Disney perfect? No way. But, they are human and often go above and beyond... instead of focusing on this negative moment think about how awesome it was to see Snow White AND the dwarves. In 6 months, DD won't remember the missed MnG but will probably remember the fantastic one

 

[WDSearcher]

But do you seriously believe this?

I do. It is Disney's brand and Disney's promise. I get that there are limitations to what is realistically possible, but I believe that Disney wants us to walk into their parks and resorts expecting something unlike any other place we could choose to go.

WalMart has smiling people in their ads too. Is that that happiest place on earth?

Probably not. But WalMart doesn't tell us it's the happiest place on earth. WalMart says that I'll save money and live better, which I do. If I walked into WalMart and everything cost twice as much as any other store I shopped at, then I'd have a problem with their promise.

Heck, even crash test dummies are smiling in their commercials as they crash into a wall. But is that a great job??

(Crash test dummies aren't real.)

I guess if people really think these commercials are reality, then bravo to the marketers and ad agencies responsible. (I mean really...ONE person on Main Street...and holding Mickey's hand...without a character attendant?? No one could believe this )

Oh ... but they do. Which is why you don't see as many of those commercials any more. Because so many people so totally believed what Disney was telling them that everyone came in and wanted that moment with Mickey on Main Street. I don't think that I'm going to GET that moment, but I do live in hope of the possibility that it's attainable. That maybe one day, I'll be the first one in the park and Mickey will wave me over and take my hand and walk me up Main Street. And it's why I keep coming back.

Other parks say they're the most thrilling, the wettest, the wildest, the Harry Potterest...okay Universal IS the Harry Potterest, but I'd challenge all those other claims...what if I'm just not thrilled at the most thrilling park. What if I'm pretty tame at the wildest park? Okay...I'm just messing with people now but you see my point? I fully expect to have a great time at Disney, but why do people hold it above every other corporation just because their ad campaign says it's a magical place. Reality check.

I totally see your point, but surely you also see mine?

Disney has built its brand and its reputation around being the absolute best theme park experience you will ever have. Dreams come true here. Magic happens here. You forget the rest of the world and immerse yourself in fantasy and adventure. You are a child again. You leave the worries of the real world behind. "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." People hold it above every other corporation because Disney itself tells us to. You can't stand in front of the world and say "we are the best in the world at what we do" and then wonder why people are holding you to an incredibly high standard.

But I would still rather have Disney set the bar impossibly high and forever strive to reach it than to have them set the bar incredibly low and easily exceed it.

 

[bcrook]

If you went to starring rolls for your fave cupcake - and they said "we just sold out but in 15 minutes we'll have more" and you love those cupcakes so much you decide to wait the 15 minutes ... and then 40 minutes goes by and they come out and say - sorry but we won'e have the cupcake for you after all with a too bad so sad attitude and a shrug ... would you be annoyed then?
I am guessing you would be irritated - and you're a grown adult - not a three year old.

I would be irritated for sure!!!

 

[jenrose66]

I love reading all these threads about magical moments at Disney, and I think I'd read so many of them before my last trip I thought every minute would be like heaven. But the first day were were there with our 3 year old, we had this experience:

We were walking outside Germany when we saw Snow White! It was the first time she'd seen any character. There was hardly a line, so we walked up there and waited. Then, the handler told me that Snow White needed to take a break and would be back in 15 minutes. I didn't think my 3-year old would wait that long, but she sat there, more patiently than I'd ever seen her, just waiting. While she was waiting, she picked a flower for Snow White, thought of questions she'd ask her, etc. etc. Well, 15 minutes became 20, and 20 became 30. I wanted to leave, but I couldn't do that to my daughter. Finally, the photographer came out and said that Snow White was "busy helping the dwarves" and couldn't come out (she'd actually gotten sick).

Well, my daughter was hysterical. She cried and cried and cried and nothing I could do would make her feel better. The other cast members there just shrugged and said they were sorry. I felt like that at the happiest place on earth, they could have at least done SOMETHING to make her feel better. Instead, they just sent us off on our way. My daughter was devastated and just wanted to go home. I did, too. They could see that, and they didn't seem to care.

After that, things did get better, and we did have a magical trip, obviously, or else we wouldn't be going back. And she did get to meet Snow White (and all the dwarves) eventually. But has anyone had something like that happen to them? And did the cast members do anything to try to make things better?

In situations like that they should have fast passes for the character greetings (like the epcot character spot) or a small value ($15) gift card.

 

[RichmondTiggerFan]

Like the PP said: Guest Relations.

If you're already at home, write Disney a 'snail mail' letter explaining what happened. It's true that there wasn't a whole lot that the CM's could do, but the way they handled it (i.e. indifference) just stinks .

 

[WDSearcher]

In situations like that they should have fast passes for the character greetings (like the epcot character spot) or a small value ($15) gift card.

I think even the OP would agree that a gift card wasn't warranted. A quick way to meet another character would be nice, but not always practical.

It seems to be more about attitude than anything. Don't just shrug and walk away. Smile ... apologize ... offer a suggestion on what else they could do instead. Doesn't require anything monetary. It's all about attitude.

 

[LarryNabisco]

I think even the OP would agree that a gift card wasn't warranted. A quick way to meet another character would be nice, but not always practical.

It seems to be more about attitude than anything. Don't just shrug and walk away. Smile ... apologize ... offer a suggestion on what else they could do instead. Doesn't require anything monetary. It's all about attitude.

I think it is pretty clear the OP is looking for compensation.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

Haven't been on here in a few months but it's nice to see that the pile on attitude is still alive and well.

WDSearcher - you may be the only person on here with any common sense.

To the OP, I'm sorry your trip started off on the wrong foot but glad that it got much better.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Probably not. But WalMart doesn't tell us it's the happiest place on earth. WalMart says that I'll save money and live better, which I do. If I walked into WalMart and everything cost twice as much as any other store I shopped at, then I'd have a problem with their promise.

And Wal-Mart shouldn't even be able to claim that considering it's thanks to their employees' laziness that I've been suffering with a sprained ankle for over a month....Now that's a BAD experience.
Having said that, I'm sorry for the OP's disappointment but glad the rest of the trip went well.