Evacuated from Expedition Everest. What would you have done?

[AMW86]

On Saturday, I was riding EE when it broke down and had to be evacuated. Our train stopped at the highest point of the ride. I am a paraplegic, so the fire department had to come and carry me down 17 flights of stairs.

Everyone I told this story to said I should have asked for something (comped hotel, free tickets). It never occurred to me to ask for anything. I was pretty happy with the fastpasses and free ice cream they offered me. I actually felt worse for the firefighters who had to carry me down 17 flights of stairs in 90 degree weather with no air conditioning.

So what would you have done?

Please note, I will not be doing anything more at this point. I am home, had a wonderful vacation, and I was pleased at how quickly Disney reacted and how they handled the situation.

 

[Michigan]

Same thing you did. I have 2 paraplegic daughters and we had to be evacuated off Toy Story Mania. While they didn't have to carry them down 17 flights of stairs the fire department did have to come and lift my one daughter and her wheelchair off the ride and then get my other daughter's wheelchair and take her off. I thought the fire department and CM's that stayed with us through the evacuation were great. We also go ice cream

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Michigan.

There was an issue that required evacuation - you got safely evacuated.

 

[bidnow5]

I would have done the same as you

 

[Aladora]

There was an issue that required evacuation - you got safely evacuated.

This.

Sorry you had to be evacuated, that must have been a bit on the scary side but I am so glad you got out safely and even got ice cream as well!

Stuff breaks down, stuff at Disney where there are thousands and thousands of people using it breaks down more than we would like it. Disney got you out safely and even gave you a few extra things to say sorry for your inconvenience. I don't think anything else needs to be done or should be done.

 

[disney david]

Disney would not have giving You anything they would of apologized maybe given a fast pass to return when the ride reopens. They did all that was required they got you all off the ride safely and in a timely manor Sorry it happened.

 

[Sunnywho]

I don't think an able-bodied guest would be offered anything more than you were, for a ride-breakdown that ate up the same amount of time, but the able-bodied person would not have had to be carried down, so maybe that is what they're seeing as worth compensating? It's a whole different world when you had to depend on others for things you used to do for yourself, speaking as someone with a disability but not as severe as what you describe. I tend to fall into the being-grateful-for-assistance category rather than the expecting-compensation category!

 

[Disneykidsdad]

You did the right thing. Disney got you off the ride safe and you went on with your vacation. Too many people always look for something for nothing. Glad you did the right thing.

 

[Spoot]

Wow, that does not sound like fun! Glad you have an adventurous attitude about it.

I'm with you (and the other posters) in that I don't think that WDW owed you any more compensation. Had they left you to figure out your own way down or insisted that one of your family members carry you down, then I'd definitely think otherwise. It sounds like they got you out of their as quickly (and safely) as they could.

 

[buffettgirl]

On Saturday, I was riding EE when it broke down and had to be evacuated. Our train stopped at the highest point of the ride. I am a paraplegic, so the fire department had to come and carry me down 17 flights of stairs.

Everyone I told this story to said I should have asked for something (comped hotel, free tickets). It never occurred to me to ask for anything. I was pretty happy with the fastpasses and free ice cream they offered me. I actually felt worse for the firefighters who had to carry me down 17 flights of stairs in 90 degree weather with no air conditioning.

So what would you have done?

Please note, I will not be doing anything more at this point. I am home, had a wonderful vacation, and I was pleased at how quickly Disney reacted and how they handled the situation.

I know you say you don't want to do more, but perhaps a letter to someone just expressing how well you thought things were handled, might be nice.

But as for asking for more, if you spend any time at all reading the boards, people ALWAYS want compensation for even the most minor of difficulties. It's often ridiculous what they expect. No towel animals on their bed? Demand a free night stay. Long lines at every ride in July? Demand free park tickets. CM didn't spread "pixie dust"? Complain. So it's no surprise that people are telling you that you should have asked for more.

I don't understand that mindset.

The ride broke down. They evacuated everyone. And by your own admission, they did it well. And, your vacation was wonderful.

 

[ILUVALASKA]

I would never ask for compensation. Things happen. Too many people today are demanding and outrageous in this regard.

 

[POOHsie]

If a Disney ride broke down while I was riding, I would have to be evacuated. I couldn't walk unassisted, and utility stairs with a meager railing just wouldn't work. I sometimes comment to friends about unfortunate experiences as a disabled person living in the able-bodied world. A common response is that I should have "gotten something" for my trouble. Sorry, I don't feel this way. I take care of myself and I run my own life. I don't go around with a big red "victim" stamp on my forehead and my hand held out. I want to be perceived as the same as anyone else.

 

[blondietink]

A couple of years ago we went in April at Easter and it was very hot. At MK, we were on BTMTT and it broke down due to the heat. We got evacuated and got FastPasses. Then we went on Jungle Cruise the same day and it broke down. Yep, 45 minutes later waiting on a very hot boat with no breeze the boat finally started moving. got Fastpasses for everybody. Decided it was a bad day to stay at MK, so we went over to Epcot. Went on Spaceship Earth and ...... you guessed it..... it broke down. Got some more Fastpasses. Decided we should just go back to the pool and chill out.

In other words, stuff happens every day. You made a good choice. You got off the ride safely.

 

[Kellykins1218]

If it were me, I'd enjoy looking at the firemen who were carrying me...but that's just me Afterwards, I'd enjoy my ice cream & the story I had to tell when I got back home.

 

[AMW86]

If it were me, I'd enjoy looking at the firemen who were carrying me...but that's just me Afterwards, I'd enjoy my ice cream & the story I had to tell when I got back home.

As we were waiting, my sister and I were excited about the prospect of hot firemen. Alas, they were not your stereotypical hot firemen, although they were very friendly

 

[Kellykins1218]

As we were waiting, my sister and I were excited about the prospect of hot firemen. Alas, they were not your stereotypical hot firemen, although they were very friendly

Ah, well, at least you got ice cream!

 

[Poohsmommi]

Not really sure why you think you're entitled to anything ... not being mean, I just don't understand the logic.

 

[AlleyOop]

I think you have the right attitude. It was wonderful they were able to help you off the ride and offered an ice cream as a "sorry" for your inconvenience.

They did their job, you were happy, it wasn't until others told you you should want more that you questioned yourself. Keep true to your instincts and what you feel is right for you.

 

[MrsDuck]

Not really sure why you think you're entitled to anything ... not being mean, I just don't understand the logic.

I'm pretty sure the OP doesn't feel entitled to anything based on their post...

OP: I would've done the same thing!

 

[bopper]

Honestly I would have asked for a Fastpass for the ride (which they gave you) and if you were sitting in the heat then some thing to cool you down (ice cream which they gave you.

Sounds like they did the right and reasonable thing!