BAD Disney Experience...

[Ginny Favers]

I hate that phrase too.

Okay, *grabs notepad and pen*

Things generally not regarded favorably on this board:

1) mentioning negative experience
2) mentioning Walt rolling over in grave

Anything else? This is valuable for a clueless newbie. I'm learning! There should be a sticky.

 

[cmurray234]

You know what I hate? I hate when people call kids "snowflakes" for acting like kids. A 3-year old was sad not to see Snow White after waiting patiently (NOT easy for a 3-year old to do!) for more than a half an hour. Of COURSE she's going to cry. That doesn't make her spoiled, it makes her 3. What are we running here at the DIS? The Ayn Rand method of parenting?

We worked VERY hard when our children were toddlers to discipline them properly. On at least 3 occasions, I physically removed my son from a restaurant for throwing a tantrum...and TRUST me, we have no "snowflakes" in our house. But a disappointed 3-year old IS going cry. Thems the breaks.

To the OP - you're right. That wasn't great customer service, which is a pity. But unfortunately, you're not always going to have great customer service -- even at WDW. My advice to you for next time is to speak up to the cast member. I usually find that a polite request (a whispered, "she's really sad about Snow White. Could you give her a sticker?") is nearly always met with compliance. I think sometimes people get flustered and don't think straight when confronted with a distraught child.

 

[Jennasis]

Okay, *grabs notepad and pen*

Things generally not regarded favorably on this board:

1) mentioning negative experience
2) mentioning Walt rolling over in grave

Anything else? This is valuable for a clueless newbie. I'm learning! There should be a sticky.

According to you, the "entitlement garbage".

 

[LynnAquaheart]

I can not believe the flamers on this thread. From what I could tell when I read the original post was that all these "expectations that were way to high" entailed was that the CM just slow down for a second and be sensitive to a 3 year old's emotions. One thing Disney knows is the psychology of children. They set those situations up to ignite the emotions of children. It automatically puts little kids in a vulnerable position. Disney banks on that because that is when the suspension of disbelief occurs and ultimately the money is made. From what I can tell the parent of this 3 year old was not looking for a red carpet and a personal parade, they weren't digging for freebies, all they wanted was a moment. One moment, where the feelings of her daughter were addressed with something a little warmer than a shrug. With young children getting down on their level and saying you are sorry goes a long way. That's all it would have taken, sure she would have still been upset, but a little consideration would have made a world of difference. I feel like this discussion of a negative experience in no way warranted the "How dare you feel so entitled" sentiment that has been thrown around in this thread. Several of you in the same breath that you were cutting the originator of this thread to ribbons with were demanding that everyone cut the CM involved some slack. Well, everyone deserves a little slack here. So she used a sentence saying she thought every moment would be like heaven. The issue would be the same whether she used that sentence or not. You all are just nit picking because you needed one more thing to tear her up about. Technically I am not really a member of this community. I think that this may be my third post so I fully realize that it is bold for me to say this, but I am dissapointed in the spitefull trial by fire attitude that this thread is rife with. Maybe some of you could care less about people's feelings so that's how you thought the CM should be also, but not giving a toss about people is no way to live your life and it is definitely no way to go about customer service.

 

[JelloCake]

I think this is just one of those moments when life happens. I have a 3 year old myself, so I completely understand her disappointment and the tears. It was an unfortunate situation, so my solution would be to just suck it up, find another princess or do something else that would cheer her up and move on with my vacation. Honestly, I'd be thankful we didn't get there a few minutes earlier and missed meeting Snow White so that we didn't catch whatever she might have had!

 

[goofy4tink]

Hi, everyone, OP here. Just wanted to thank you all for your opinions. I'm sorry this thread has become a bit of a train wreck, and I agree that had I had lower expectations, I would not have made this post.

Then again, is it any wonder, when people are so quick to jump on anyone that has anything negative to say, that people might have unrealistic assumptions? I've certainly learned a great deal about this board: Basically, "Shut up if you have something bad to say."

But please understand. I LOVE Disney, just as much as any person can. I did not let this unfortunate experience ruin our trip. I was just so surprised, after reading on this board of all the magic of Disney, to have it happen. I thought about Walt and his philosophy and knew he would be rolling over in his grave if he saw that indifference... because I feel like WDW is the last place where compassion and caring and treating people like they matter still rules. If the plague of indifference that has taken over the rest of the world invades Disney, then what is left? It did not make me angry, but as someone who loves Disney and what it stands for so much, it made me a little sad.

This is the big problem with online boards such as the DIS. We all love Disney, love talking about it. BUT...many, many times we see that someone's kids got to ride the Teacups with Alice, or Barnstormer with Goofy. Or they got upgraded from AllStar Movies to the GF, or they got free cakes on their birthday or balloons in their room. And you know what??? That just isn't the norm. But, people see it here and they want it for themselves or their kids. Understandable. And it seems that every third thread is about someone getting something out of the ordinary, and how magical it is at WDW. It's amazing that people go back multiple times after going that first time and finding that it really isn't all 'that' magical. It's up to each of us to make a lot of that magic for our families.

You seem to have figured this out. Yes, there have been some who have been almost nasty to you. And that happens on the boards. Doesn't make it right but it is what it is. We all have certain expectations...right or wrong. And when they aren't met, we feel let down and disappointed.

So.....do you have a right to feel badly about your Epcot experience? I guess so. I know my dd would have been very disappointed at the age of 3 if she waited all that time and it didn't turn out the way she wanted. In a perfect world, what would you have liked Disney CMs to do for you??? If Snow White was ill, there's not much you can do about that. I suppose the CMs could have checked to see when she might be 'out' again, and then you could have returned. But, other than that, not much can be done. My issue is that when they told you that Snow White would return in 15 mins, and that's normal, they should have returned to tell you that it wasn't going to happen. That she 'might' be out again in another 15 mins but she might not as well...then at least you would have had a choice. But, it is wrong to leave a guest waiting there, with the expectation that a character will return, only to tell them much later that it isn't going to happen.

So, I'm sorry you had a bad day at Epcot. I do hope the rest of your trip was wonderful and that you decide to return again. I have to say that my favorite age for kids in WDW is about 5/6...it's so magical.

 

[Allison]

Okay, *grabs notepad and pen*

Things generally not regarded favorably on this board:

1) mentioning negative experience
2) mentioning Walt rolling over in grave

Anything else? This is valuable for a clueless newbie. I'm learning! There should be a sticky.

Nothing wrong with mentioning negative experiences, great experiences or something in between. But be prepared for both the comments that agree with you and those that don't.

I just don't see this as something that Disney or any other vacation establishment should be dinged for. Little kids get upset and they get over it.

 

[okeydokey]

Never mind a three year old being upset. If I were waiting in any line anywhere and was told I would get service in 15 minutes and then it was 30 minutes before even came and told me I would get no service at all, I would be upset.

Suppose you are waiting to speak to a store manager, at say, Best Buy. The clerk tells you they are unavailable but will be happy to speak to you in 15 minutes, and then comes back in 30 minutes and tells you you are unable to speak to the manager at all, would you just say, Oh Well, and wander off with a smile on your face?

The CM may not have been able to make it back it out before the 30 minutes, but the OP sure does have the right to be disappointed, as does her child.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think this is just one of those moments when life happens. I have a 3 year old myself, so I completely understand her disappointment and the tears. It was an unfortunate situation, so my solution would be to just suck it up, find another princess or do something else that would cheer her up and move on with my vacation. Honestly, I'd be thankful we didn't get there a few minutes earlier and missed meeting Snow White so that we didn't catch whatever she might have had!

Are you kidding??? Believe me, it's not just the three y/o's that melt down!!! I remember a trip when my dd was about 14. She has seen a particular sweatshirt in the gift shop at RnRC that she really wanted. That had been in August...I told her I wasn't buying her a sweatshirt in Aug, but we would return to get it when we went back to WDW at Thanksgiving time. Well....my friend went down just before Thanksgiving and told me that she had bought two of the sweatshirts, so they were still there!!! Yay!! BUT...when we got there, on Thanksgiving day, we headed right to DHS from BWV. Right to RnRC. And...there were no sweatshirts left!! One that would fit a toddler. They had plenty of tee shirts in the same design but no sweatshirts. The CM called around to see if the warehouse had any...nope. Well....you would have thought that we had told me dd that we were now going home!!! We walked out of the shop...she was bawling. She was treating me like the worst parent in the universe!!! Saying that we should have bought it in August, that I never let her have anything, and now the whole trip was ruined!!!!! Seriously??? Ruined??? Because she couldn't have a sweatshirt???
I'm sure it was a combination of fatigue, disappointment and just teenaged angst. But really?? Over a sweatshirt?? I walked away from her...told her I wasn't listeing to her anymore. She is screaming at me...people are now looking at us. Yes, I had become 'that' parent. And my kid wasn't a toddler!!! Dear God.
So, you don't have to have a three y/o to suffer meltdowns. Believe me...it's worse when it's a teenager melting down.

 

[WDSearcher]

Wow, as someone who works in customer service I am completely amazed at the attacks tossed onto the OP. I run multiple retail chains and I can tell you honestly, if any of my staff allowed a customer to wait for something for 40 minutes, failed to deliver the product they waited for then didn't do their best to make sure at least a smile was given, then yep they'd be back in training fast. Yes there are things out of our control that we can't do for the customer but it is our job to make sure that at least we handle the situation in way where the customer leaves understanding that we did our best. It's not about spoiled children and entitled parents, it's about customer service.

To me it doesn't sound like the OP expected anything in the way of compensation, more that they were distressed at the way the situation was handled. Yes, the CMs can not control Snow White getting sick, but they can control how they handle the situation from that point on. Leaving them standing there for 40 minutes with no updates or explainations then simply shrugging as a 3 year old cries is not an example of good customer service regardless if it's Disney World or Walmart.

We are talking about a toddler here, not a grown adult, and sometimes the smiles and good words from someone other than mom and dad are the perfect cure. Toddlers don't understand adult events, they don't understand Princesses get sick or can't "work", they just know they waited for Snow White and now she is not coming...cue meltdown. It doesn't make them a brat, it makes them a 3 year old. A CM getting down on their level and saying, "Sorry Snow White had to go help wake up Sleepy for work, but she told me to tell you hello and that she will hopefully see you later and she is so proud of how patient you were waiting..." would have gone a long way probably. Customer service doesn't always have to involve tossing out a comp and customer disapointments don't always equal entitlement.

Nicely said.

Careful fairyprincess88, you're totally not living up to your Slytherin avatar!!

 

[Allison]

So, you don't have to have a three y/o to suffer meltdowns. Believe me...it's worse when it's a teenager melting down.

Yeah, isn't that fun.

 

[cmurray234]

Are you kidding??? Believe me, it's not just the three y/o's that melt down!!! I remember a trip when my dd was about 14. She has seen a particular sweatshirt in the gift shop at RnRC that she really wanted. That had been in August...I told her I wasn't buying her a sweatshirt in Aug, but we would return to get it when we went back to WDW at Thanksgiving time. Well....my friend went down just before Thanksgiving and told me that she had bought two of the sweatshirts, so they were still there!!! Yay!! BUT...when we got there, on Thanksgiving day, we headed right to DHS from BWV. Right to RnRC. And...there were no sweatshirts left!! One that would fit a toddler. They had plenty of tee shirts in the same design but no sweatshirts. The CM called around to see if the warehouse had any...nope. Well....you would have thought that we had told me dd that we were now going home!!! We walked out of the shop...she was bawling. She was treating me like the worst parent in the universe!!! Saying that we should have bought it in August, that I never let her have anything, and now the whole trip was ruined!!!!! Seriously??? Ruined??? Because she couldn't have a sweatshirt???
I'm sure it was a combination of fatigue, disappointment and just teenaged angst. But really?? Over a sweatshirt?? I walked away from her...told her I wasn't listeing to her anymore. She is screaming at me...people are now looking at us. Yes, I had become 'that' parent. And my kid wasn't a toddler!!! Dear God.
So, you don't have to have a three y/o to suffer meltdowns. Believe me...it's worse when it's a teenager melting down.

Don't you love that? You're standing IN Disney World and get accused of never letting her have anything. Look, kids aren't perfect. I caught my DD11 crying the other day because she was bowling badly. Really? Seriously? I'm sure she appreciated the discussion we had about how there are MANY more important things to get upset over.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think it was really unfortunate that THIS was how the OP had to start her Disney vacation.

I also think it's really unfortunate that the response has been so harsh.

OP, I'm glad things got better over the course of your trip. I'm sorry the CM wasn't tuned into the situation with a very eager 3 year old about to meet her first parincess EVER. A small gesture of understanding could have made a huge difference to her.

Do keep in there's a reason the only stories you see posted here on the DIS are sweetness and light. Anybody who's been around for a bit knows better than to post anything remotely "bad".

I hope you had a great enough time to return and give it another try. I think you'll find out the Disney magic is alive and well, and indeed far outweighs the occasional negative that pops up.

With all the CM cutbacks when the economy tanked, I'm still amazed there's as much magic as there is. It has to be pretty challenging to keep things magical with less help and greater demands.

 

[declansdad]

You know what I hate? I hate when people call kids "snowflakes" for acting like kids. A 3-year old was sad not to see Snow White after waiting patiently (NOT easy for a 3-year old to do!) for more than a half an hour. Of COURSE she's going to cry. That doesn't make her spoiled, it makes her 3. What are we running here at the DIS? The Ayn Rand method of parenting?

We worked VERY hard when our children were toddlers to discipline them properly. On at least 3 occasions, I physically removed my son from a restaurant for throwing a tantrum...and TRUST me, we have no "snowflakes" in our house. But a disappointed 3-year old IS going cry. Thems the breaks.

To the OP - you're right. That wasn't great customer service, which is a pity. But unfortunately, you're not always going to have great customer service -- even at WDW. My advice to you for next time is to speak up to the cast member. I usually find that a polite request (a whispered, "she's really sad about Snow White. Could you give her a sticker?") is nearly always met with compliance. I think sometimes people get flustered and don't think straight when confronted with a distraught child.

Kids get called "snowflakes" because of the actions of the parents not the kids.

 

[luvthemouse71]

You know what I hate? I hate when people call kids "snowflakes" for acting like kids. A 3-year old was sad not to see Snow White after waiting patiently (NOT easy for a 3-year old to do!) for more than a half an hour. Of COURSE she's going to cry. That doesn't make her spoiled, it makes her 3. What are we running here at the DIS? The Ayn Rand method of parenting?

We worked VERY hard when our children were toddlers to discipline them properly. On at least 3 occasions, I physically removed my son from a restaurant for throwing a tantrum...and TRUST me, we have no "snowflakes" in our house. But a disappointed 3-year old IS going cry. Thems the breaks.

To the OP - you're right. That wasn't great customer service, which is a pity. But unfortunately, you're not always going to have great customer service -- even at WDW. My advice to you for next time is to speak up to the cast member. I usually find that a polite request (a whispered, "she's really sad about Snow White. Could you give her a sticker?") is nearly always met with compliance. I think sometimes people get flustered and don't think straight when confronted with a distraught child.

I agree with 99.9% of your post. I do admit to using the "snowflake" term. But, I reserve it for spoiled, coddled kids. If the OPs kid were 10 and threw a hissy because of not seeing Snow White, then that would be a "snowflake"..( We're talking about kids with no developmental problems, obviously.) A 3 year old? No.

 

[cmurray234]

Kids get called "snowflakes" because of the actions of the parents not the kids.

Not true.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not true.

I think most people know it's not cool to call kids names. I think they use the term "snowflake" in response to assumed parental action (or inaction). I think it's mostly just used to assert their own parental superiority.

Are there spoiled rotten kids out there? Absolutely. Can we tell who they are in the brief glimpse we get to see as strangers? Usually not.

 

[KCMiller]

I think a lot of people 'get it' but I don't really understand why there's these unrealistic expectations from a CM.

That could have been a College Program kid's first day out there handling and didn't know what to do or what they could offer.

THIS. The new crop of CP kids started around then, and were all in training - it's very possible that the CM was, in fact, a newly minted CP and was dealing with things the best they could.

KC

 

[declansdad]

Not true.

Sure it is. People know kids act like kids. It is the actions or inactions of the parents that cause the term to be used.

 

[cmurray234]

I agree with 99.9% of your post. I do admit to using the "snowflake" term. But, I reserve it for spoiled, coddled kids. If the OPs kid were 10 and threw a hissy because of not seeing Snow White, then that would be a "snowflake"..( We're talking about kids with no developmental problems, obviously.) A 3 year old? No.

I just think the term "snowflake" is used far too often. Some posters (not saying YOU, but some posters), will apply that term to any child whose behavior at all disrupts their Disney vacation. Toddlers sometimes throw tantrums. Teenagers sometimes over-react. Tweens give people dirty looks and will try to get their own way. Do I think a parent should correct those behaviors? Yes. Do I think that makes said tween or toddler a "snowflake"? No.