Bad Experience...anything else I can do?

[lovewdwfun]

I just had a really lousy experience. I went to Kona with my kids and husband - we are in the World for the end of my maternity leave off of work to get away and celebrate. The waitress there started talking (completely randomly) about how against daycare she is. She told us how her son's stepsister is being put in daycare and he is so upset and of course she couldn't explain why anyone would do that to his stepsister because she didn't understand why anyone would do that to their child. SHE chose to be a mom who stayed home.

I told her I thought that was a very offensive thing to say to a working mother (no, I did not get an apology) and complained to the manager.

I am sure I am overly emotional because of my own situation and I need to get over it and enjoy the World, but I am still ticked (she said a couple of other critical things during the meal as well). Is it worth emailing Disney after I have already complained? I had TIW so I still needed to tip the 18%. Grrrr...

The good news is the most of the castmembers have been fantastic this week.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Why did you tip? You should have told the manager you wanted the tip removed.


Do not email anyone. Go to a guest services location. Complain and request credit for your tip.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

Yeah, I'd go directly to Guest Services.

Obviously if it bothered you enough to post on here, it bothered you enough to ruin part of your day. This is a big no-no at Disney.

Not sure what you're expecting. At the very least, they'll make a note and depending on her file, will seek disciplinary action. Best case? Disney comps you a meal or something. I know a comped meal doesn't change what was said and how insulting it was, but you never know.

I'm not saying to go looking for handouts, but let it be known. We've only complained once, due to a number of things that impacted our trip. Disney did the right thing and properly comped us.

We made sure to compliment the CMs that went above and beyond and stress that it was a great trip, with that one CM that ruined our experience.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would want a refund of the tip. I don't tip to be insulted or have my lifestyle choices questioned by the wait staff!

 

[Lisa F]

I just had a really lousy experience. I went to Kona with my kids and husband - we are in the World for the end of my maternity leave off of work to get away and celebrate. The waitress there started talking (completely randomly) about how against daycare she is. She told us how her son's stepsister is being put in daycare and he is so upset and of course she couldn't explain why anyone would do that to his stepsister because she didn't understand why anyone would do that to their child. SHE chose to be a mom who stayed home.

I told her I thought that was a very offensive thing to say to a working mother (no, I did not get an apology) and complained to the manager.

I am sure I am overly emotional because of my own situation and I need to get over it and enjoy the World, but I am still ticked (she said a couple of other critical things during the meal as well). Is it worth emailing Disney after I have already complained? I had TIW so I still needed to tip the 18%. Grrrr...

The good news is the most of the castmembers have been fantastic this week.

if you are still there I would swing by the front desk and ask to speak to the GM of the poly. if not, give them a call. Not acceptable at all and you should be at least given a heartfelt apology and acknowledgement that it was a very inappropriate thing to say in addition to being able to choose your own tip (and no tip would be fine by me!) It doesn't sound like you are looking to be comped, just have someone in power to actually acknowledge what was done was wrong and take responsibility for it and sincerely apologize.

Maybe you can suggest that she explain to her son that different people make different choices based on what works for their family and kids who go to daycare thrive under the care and the attention of their caregivers, as well in a social learning environment that helps them to be better prepared for school (of course kids of SAHMs can get those experiences for their children as well, but daycare is not neglect of your child).

working (single) mom here too. We never feel like we are doing enough for our kids. I know the feeling. I would not want to be berated for something I already had mixed feelings about at disney of all places. I'm so sorry that happened to you. It's not just hormones and it's not just your situation. Don't "explain away" your feelings as typical woman crap. It was WRONG what she did, no two ways about it.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

I would not choose to tip someone who felt it was appropriate to question my parenting choices in front of my family. You would be within your rights to request a refund of the 18%, IMO.

 

[pezgirlroy]

I would absolutely say something to the general manager of the Poly. That conversation on her end was completely out of line and as a happily working mother of young children I completely understand where you are coming from.

 

[otten]

I would be infuriated. If the manager did not act on your complaint in some way (comping your meal, or at least the tip, apologizing etc) I would absolutely be escalating. A cm has no business discussing the parenting choices of other people. I would be contacting the GM of the resort and would probably also be contacting guest services. I would emphasize that after a magical, celebratory trip, this is now going to be one of the memories that stands out.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Too late now, but your best option was at the time, tell the manager you want another server
At the time, talk to the manager about tip adjustment.

At this point, what do you want? You complained to the manager, what else do you want?

I would put it down to ignorance and move on, enjoy your trip!

 

[awalker1015]

Her behavior was completely out of line. It's not too late to do anything. I know when I encounter situations like this sometimes I have difficulty acting in the moment and if has to weigh on me a bit. I'd do what PPs have suggested and speak to the Poly GM and at the least get the tip credited.

 

[Pumbaa_]

It's not like the server will give back the tip, so she would not be 'punished' in her pocket

The real question, how much of your celebration trip are you going to let this weird commentary taint? Be guilt free mom and let it go. The only one you are hurting now is yourself and your family

 

[Barbara76]

I agree that you should speak to the GM of the Poly, what did the manager say when you spoke to him?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If it's still weighing on you and the problem was not resolved, then, yes, I would e-mail guest services. What she said to you was completely inappropriate and, if she is to continue working there, she needs some re-training on how to interact with guests.

 

[SurferStitch]

I don't understand why the manager didn't just have you take the tip off of your bill right then and there. They didn't do anything at the time? That seems very odd. If you try to get the tip back now, chances are the server won't be impacted... Disney will just refund the amount. If anything was going to be done to her, it would've been by the manager you complained to already, so I'm not sure what further complaining to guest services will do.

You know what's best for your family, so I would probably just take Elsa's advice and enjoy the rest of your trip!

 

[otten]

I am not the OP but contacting guest services would not be about directly punishing the server to me. It's about making sure that Disney knows about how the actions of their employees impacts their guests. The OP wasn't clear on how the manager responded to her complaint but if the manager did nothing I would also want to address that with guest services.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

I'm going to go against the grain and say the best thing to do is just put on your big girls pants, realize that other people have opinions that are different from yours, and move on. Who cares what a random waitress chose to do with her kids? Raise your family your way and get on with life. You notified the manager and that's all that neess to be done. I wouldn't go after this woman any further. Karma has a way of returnng the favor.

I do wonder if your own emotions may be getting in the way of how you perceived the conversation? If this woman is complaining about her son's stepsister, that means this woman is a working mom too. So I'm not following that it was a criticism of working moms. Seems like that would be hypocritical. Who knows what triggered the conversation? I would just move on and stop fuming over it. You're letting a woman who earns $2.50/ hr ruin your trip that costs thousands of dollars. It isn't worth your time.

Enjoy the end of you maternity leave! Being a mom isn't easy, no matter what side of the working spectrum you're on. Working moms feel like we should be more available for our kids, SAHM's worry that they should be working to provide a higher class life for their kids. Motherhood is just a big old journey of feeling like you're never enough. Enjoy what you do have and don't compare to others. The grass isn't really greener.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Too late now, but your best option was at the time, tell the manager you want another server
At the time, talk to the manager about tip adjustment.

At this point, what do you want? You complained to the manager, what else do you want?

I would put it down to ignorance and move on, enjoy your trip!

This.

 

[L&Lfan]

When I engage a CM (or anyone for that matter) in conversation, I feel everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions. I don't let others' opinions get to me. I would have let the matter drop as soon as said conversation was over. But that's me...I'm not easily offended, I guess.

 

[ElyseInWonderland]

OP, what happened to you was really sucky and she was totally out of line speaking to you and your family like that. However I agree with the others above that spinning the wheels on this any more than you already have would just disrupt the rest of your vacation and cause you grief, not create a learning experience for the CM involved.

Choosing to move on and enjoy your vacation with your family makes you the true winner, in my opinion!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

When I engage a CM (or anyone for that matter) in conversation, I feel everyone is entitled to his/her own opinions. I don't let others' opinions get to me. I would have let the matter drop as soon as said conversation was over. But that's me...I'm not easily offended, I guess.

Me neither. Now if she spit in my food after making her opinion I may freak out.

I agree the banter from the server may not have been necessary but oh well. Nothing bothers me really that comes out of others mouths.