Daughter got hurt on Peter Pan

[superbird]

We went to Disney early Dec. and stayed at the Poly. Did all the Disney fun stuff like Princess tea etc and on the next to last day my 4 year old daughter wanted to do Peter pan again. We went on and as we were trying to get off a disabled man who needed a oxygen tank was trying to get on. Their was a cast member trying to help him get into our cart who should not have been the one to help him as she was overwhelmed by him. I was finally able to sneak out with my 1 year old son and my wife started to disembark. She had one foot out the door and one foot in the ship. My 4 year old daughter started getting up and since we were 4 lengths to the end they stopped the ride with no notice. My wife got several black and blues and my daughter banged her head and jammed her hand. All we got from the ride operator was sorry but we had to do it. No apology about my daughters injury nothing! We finally asked for a manager and came about 20 minutes later. One of the first things he did was to yank the cast member off the ride as were trying to get her name and told her to go in the back. Never once did he introduce himself or anything. The best he said was do you want ice?? When I asked how come no notice was given he said they only stop the rides in dire circumstnaces. I asked what was so dire that they had to stop it at that point?? Got no answer. Finally asked to fill out a accident report and they brought over the area manager for the land. She took out a piece of loosleaf paper (must be saving on the expenses) and tried to get our name off the stroller like it was a big deal. I told her I would be more than happy to give it to her. Again no one said they were sorry nothing. All we got were we are not finished yet, so I said tell me something and Shannon I believe her name was said she is not done. After 10 minutes of her we finally left. She did offer to get us to meet the princesses but can't anyone say their sorry or are they just afraid of lawsuits. I have so far written three letters to Disney and nobody has replied or even called to check on the condition of my daughter. I gave them my cell phone for the remainder of the stay and like I said nobody seems to care. Is this what Disney has come to???

 

[sunkissed212]

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. I know accidents do happen but you would think that you would have gotten a little more respect from the manager that came to assist with your situation.

I would suggest contacting Disney again. Try sending an email here:

guest.mail@wdw.disneyonline.com

I sent an email when we returned from our most recent trip and received a phone call back from a Disney executive thanking me for my email (it was a complimentary letter but I got a response nonetheless). I'd try that email above maybe that will work for you. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

sorry to hear about this. I hope your little girl is feeling better.

 

[Chuck S]

I'm confused by your post.

...was finally able to sneak out with my 1 year old son and my wife started to disembark. She had one foot out the door and one foot in the ship. My 4 year old daughter started getting up and since we were 4 lengths to the end they stopped the ride with no notice....

Where was the ship positioned that you were "sneaking off"? If the ship wasn't fully to the loading/unloading area I would have stayed put until I could safely exit the ride.

 

[DebbieB]

I've heard that Disney management has a rule not to say "sorry" because "sorry" would be admitting guilt. In the case of an injury, they could end up going to court and don't want that to be used against them.

One time we were getting on haunted mansion and someone was slow getting into the doom buggies and got to the end of the belt and the cm had to hit the stop button, otherwise they might have been injured.

 

[wirki]

I would contact them again. I wrote an email about my AP's and someone called me 2 days before Christmas. I wrote the email when we got home, which was Dec. 5th. So they may be contacting you in the next week or so. I believe they should have done it sooner because of the injury but.....
Good luck
Debbie

 

[eeyore0062]

It can take time to get a response. If you don't, recontact them in a few weeks.

 

[HollisterSweetie]

I'm sorry they got hurt, but you should have stayed put until the proper time to get off.

 

[kilee]

I do believe the OP and entire family unboarded at the right time-- he meant in the confusion of trying to get around the loading family they got off. Or so that's how I took it. I would try contacting Disney again. Specifically in regards to what you want. If it's just an apology, then I would just let sleeping dogs lie and be thankful nobody was seriously hurt. At least by the sounds of it everyone turned out to be fine.

 

[Cass]

Mistakes happen ~ I am sure no one was deliberately trying to hurt your family.. I am glad it was not serious and didn't ruin your trip...

I can't say what I would have done in your position - I probably would have given the operator a piece of my mind for being stupid and stopping the ride abruptly like that. If my daughter was okay I would have just forgot it - if she needed medical attention or it interfered with our trip I might of taken it further.

I hope banging her head has not scared her for going on rides?

I realize that they (Disney) have to be careful - so many people out there would try and take advantage of a situation like this and make demands for compensation it's sad but I suppose the cast members are trained to be guarded.

Off topic - I have a neighbour who is the manager of a local supermarket and several times a year he gets people 'falling' in the store and suing - when they review the tapes it is all staged and set up.

Hope you get a response soon!

 

[Nik's Mom]

My son got a little bump on the lip at Peter Pan in Disneyland. We were sitting down, but the ride made a weird jerky stop, and my son and I both flew forward. He hit his lip on the bar that keeps you in the ride. The CM saw this, but said nothing. I was too shaken up to say anything. I just went to my husband who was waiting for us outside the ride with our baby. I feel your pain!

 

[FatCow]

I gave them my cell phone for the remainder of the stay and like I said nobody seems to care. Is this what Disney has come to???

Your story is basically the same stories I've experienced this past trip in December 2004.

Basically:

1. Disney does NOT EVER admit any type of wrongdoing, regardless of the issue(s) on hand.
2. They tend to ask for a call-back number and they'll NEVER call you back.
3. They look (and I witnessed) like they are taking notes and actually putting the complaints to their computer, but when you come back the next day (or some other time with any type of complaint whatsoever), magically NONE of the reports have ever been entered to the system. It's more like some staff are erasing these reports.
4. They do NOT care about you. You've paid for the park, you've paid for the room, you'll be forced to eat/drink their food/drink. If you don't come back ever again, they DO NOT care, there are still more people who are willing to take over your 'spot'.
5. Oh, calling/writing to them, won't do squat either. All I got is a confirmation letter. 2 weeks have passed and no news from them. From my previous trip back in February 2004, I've also received the confirmation letter, but never a follow up. Not once.

 

[Philly81]

One trip when the ride Dinosaur was new we were exiting and I don't know whether it's normal or not for a CM to be holding the exit doors open but that's what he was doing. Someone up in front of us started talking to him just as we were exiting and he got distracted and accidentally let go of the door. WHOP! the door hit my 5 year old in the head. The man looked scared to death. My concern was for my son and the knot forming on the side of his forehead so I didn't say much to him. DH ran into Restaurantosaurus and asked for ice and a rag and when he told the manager why the manager not only gave that to us but he invited us in and asked us if we needed first aid, to please fill out an accident report, and asked all of us what we would like to drink - on the house. We were reluctant at first and he said, "No, please stay a few minutes so we can make sure he feels better. We ordered Cokes and he said, "Are you sure you two wouldn't like a beer...it's on me." DS was calm and the ice had helped the swelling and a drink did us ALL good. The man had the same name as my son and talked to him a lot to make him feel better so I'll always remember that. I wasn't happy that it happened but it truly DOES make a difference when at least someone acts like they care! Accidents happen but when people try to shirk the blame it makes matters much worse!

 

[momof2inPA]

On a side note. My friend rode Peter Pan on her trip in November, and the ride stopped because someone FELL OFF- inside the ride. No kidding. Better be carful on Peter Pan.

 

[Philly81]

On a side note. My friend rode Peter Pan on her trip in November, and the ride stopped because someone FELL OFF- inside the ride. No kidding. Better be carful on Peter Pan.

Yikes! I have a fear of heights and falling and dh always tells me nobody falls out of these rides! That's why you will always find me with bar down, holding on tightly and if there is a seatbelt it's latched.

 

[dizprincess717]

I'm sorry to hear about this I think during our Christmas trip this happened: My sister and dad were going to go on Peter Pan while my mom and I did some shopping around that area. Anyway, when they got on their little ship thing, their lap bar didn't go down. It must be something with the Peter Pan ride! There should have been a warning if the CMs were going to stop the ride, especially once they saw a person in that condition trying to board.

 

[lenshanem]

From my July trip report -

I guess the big odd was on the way to the Luau. My Mom was holding my youngest and tripped on the sidewalk at the Poly. Hard fall, dropping my daughter on the back of the head and then falling on top of her. Very traumatic. Nice big THUD. A lifeguard was walking by and took us into the lifeguard office, helping us out. My Mom was hysterical. We decided to call the paramedics. They came very quickly and assured us she would be fine, although to call that night if I saw any problems. It is AMAZING she didn’t have a concussion. Turns out my Mom was much worse off, but we were so worried about my daughter. My Mom hurt her chin, arms and knees. They brought both my daughters big stuffed Mickeys and then gave us a ride in a golf cart up to the Luau where we arrived just in time. Afterwards they picked us up in the cart to take us back to our car, stopping on the sidewalk to let us watch Wishes. (That is a really nice view from there.) The Poly staff were very kind, I’m sure they have to be cause of our sue happy society.


If I recall right, they even called us after we got home to check on my daughter. They handled everything wonderfully. Even after they brought my daughter a fairly nice size Mickey, they saw I had another daughter and left and came back with another one for her.


Now I have emailed WDW before regarding other type of complaints and I've always gotten a response back, BUT it does take awhile. Usually after you've already let it go... Maybe that is on purpose?!?

 

[peter11435]

On a side note. My friend rode Peter Pan on her trip in November, and the ride stopped because someone FELL OFF- inside the ride. No kidding. Better be carful on Peter Pan.

I would be willing to bet that did not happen. It would be very difficult to fall out of the ride. And if someone did it would be all over the news. I think you or your friend were misinformed.
As for the OP Im not sure I fully understand. He seems to be saying that they were trying to load the man into his cart while they were still in it. I you couldn't get out safely and had to "sneak out" I think you should have just stayed seated. As for the CM you said she did say sorry. And really all she really did was try to protect you. I do not know how much "four lenghts" is exactly, but that gap would probably dissapear quickly leaving you with a much worse problem.

 

[wilderness01]

To the OP I am sorry this happened. To the others that are questioning this, well the same thing happened to us but there was no injury. At the Peter Pan ride on more than one occasion the CM's have tried to load a disabled/need assistance passenger before we had fully gotten off the ride. I have thought it is rude and an injury waiting to happen each time this has happened (we were there 3 times this year). Or they have the people standing right there as you are trying to disembark and it is very difficult to squeeze through. We are not overweight people either and our kids are young. So yes it does happen and if they are not careful someone might really get hurt.

 

[married2grumpy]

My DD 6 got hurt exiting the Barnstormer ride. There is a slight step up and out and I guess she misjudged it in her excitement. She fell so hard right on her face. The exit area is all cement. She immediately formed a huge bump right in the center or her forehead. The ride operator gave us a slip of paper and said to go to first aid. Everyone was really great. They gave my DD great treatment and showed sincere concern. They also gave us a "fast pass" to ride any ride when she was feeling better.

I'm sorry they didn't treat you guys as nice as they treated us. It was a very scary time and they made us feel much better.

Our DD was fine, luckily. She was more concerned about how she looked with that big black and blue on her forhead the whole trip!

By the way, I always worry that my kids will fall out of the pirate ship on Peter Pan.