Evacuated from Expedition Everest. What would you have done?

[bopper]

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

In the US, people have a "sue" mentality. There are many legitimate cases where due to negligence, someone gets hurt and that person should get compensation.

This has trickled down to if anything goes wrong, people think you should get something out of it. It is very easy to offhandedly say "you should get a free hotel stay!"

But in reality you were compensated for what you lost. You lost time on a ride, and you were compensated with a fast pass to regain that time. You got hot sitting and waiting, and you were given ice cream to cool down.

 

[I Love Pluto]

I would be forever thankful that Disney & the Fire Department personnel got me down 17 flights of stairs safely.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . 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.

1) I applaud your actions !!!
2) Rides break down.
3) When problems happen, the response is what counts.
. . . they got to you
. . . they got the appropriate assistants
. . . they got you down safely
4) Many others would be yelling for compensation.
5) It think you have a great attitude.
6) BRAVO !

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know a lot about this incident. My grandnephew was working in the EE Control Tower when this happened and we had a long discussion. And after maintenance went up to make things secure of the evacuation he was the one who called Reedy Creek Emergency Services.

 

[starshine514]

My girls and I (none if us disabled) got stuck on Goofy's Sky School at DCA for half an hour. Everyone else was evacuated, but we had to wait for the fire dept to come because we were on the incline pulling us up. The firefighters all appeared to be retired firefighters. They were strong, though and lifted my girls out of our vehicle. It was nearly closing and they gave us two group FPs for the next day. We used them on Toy Story Mania.

 

[AMW86]

I know a lot about this incident. My grandnephew was working in the EE Control Tower when this happened and we had a long discussion. And after maintenance went up to make things secure of the evacuation he was the one who called Reedy Creek Emergency Services.

Thanks to him and all the other EE employees!

 

[Schmeck]

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

I'd be hoping for a hot fireman too - maybe you should have asked for that for compensation, in exchange for the FP and ice cream Or at least a visit from one of the princes

In all seriousness though, I think you have your head on right and got through a tricky situation with the right support and assistance. Glad you made it down safely! I'm petrified of heights, and while able-bodied, I would have required assistance if I had to exit the ride vehicle on the big ramp. The sight of those steps alongside the track makes me nauseous. Once, my husband had to pretty much carry me down from a fire tower. I go up that ramp on EE with my eyes closed!

 

[cmwade77]

I think it was handled somewhat appropriately, the only comment that I would make is that if you did have to wait substantially longer than others to be evacuated, I might have requested a second FP or so. Or if you were sitting in the heat, perhaps a bottle of water for each person that was sitting there, if needed. But outside of that, why this need for compensation all the time?

Now, it would be another story if you had been sitting in 110 degree heat for 2+ hours waiting to be evacuated (yes, that happened to me at DCA) and that wasn't because of accessibility concerns, it just took them that long to get to us and had it not broke down, we would have been the next ones off. Needless to say our entire vehicle was very upset. They offered us the same one FP that they offered everyone else, even the ones that had only been there for 5 minutes. We did say that we didn't think that was enough, considering we were stopped in the direct sun for 2+ hours in 100 degree heat. We were nice about it, but Disney did step up. I don't know what all of the others got, but I know that they offered me a fair bit when I pointed this out and also pointed out that I had an assistance card for a reason and our vehicle, which turned out was the only one in direct sunlight was the absolute last one to be unloaded.

What I find strange about your evacuation though is that they had to call the fire department. I know at Sea World San Diego, they have chairs designed for stairs that their security, first aid and certain other personnel can use to evacuate you in such a case. Of course if there was a medical emergency that made it unsafe for them to do so, they would call the appropriate people.

 

[disney david]

Ot at universal their 10 guest stuck on a roller coaster and they say it could take a couple hours to get them off.

 

[JLC44]

My thinking has always been, stuff happens. I don't care if things go wrong, they (whoever not just Disney) can't control everything, it is how they deal with it that matters. Sounds like they dealt with it well, so I would move on and enjoy the rest of my trip.

I am with the OP it never would have occurred to me to ask for anything. All I ask for is to handle the situation, they did, end of story.

 

[cobright]

I think you have the right attitude on this.

Strictly speaking, nothing happened to you that is outside the realm of 'assumed risk'. It's unlikely this malfunction occurred as a result of negligence. So if you fussed enough to get some comps it would be little more than pity.

It sounds especially uncomfortable and awkward for you compared to the other guests, which is again not something Disney caused.

And it's not like something horrible happened like a monorail door closing abruptly in front of you or something. I've heard of those things chopping the uterus off of people like giant festive pruning shears.

Think about it this way ... Expedition Everest is a thrill ride right? ... How thrilling was your ride?

 

[Tiggerrific]

OP I absolutely applaud you for your attitude towards this situation. Everyone now days wants something for nothing. I really and truly wish more people in this world had your outlook!

 

[Mom2six]

And it's not like something horrible happened like a monorail door closing abruptly in front of you or something. I've heard of those things chopping the uterus off of people like giant festive pruning shears. Think about it this way ... Expedition Everest is a thrill ride right? ... How thrilling was your ride?

Hmmm. I am not sure how a uterus could get chopped off.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I would have asked them to evacuate me past the Yeti for a better look.

Seriously, it sounds like they took care of you and you handled it like I would. Glad to hear you had a good trip.

 

[SueM in MN]

Hmmm. I am not sure how a uterus could get chopped off.

That was apparently supposed to be a funny reference to another thread where someone complained and wanted compensation for a monorail door that closed suddenly (supposedly on his pregnant wife's belly).

 

[cobright]

That was apparently supposed to be a funny reference to another thread where someone complained and wanted compensation for a monorail door that closed suddenly (supposedly on his pregnant wife's belly).

The door didn't close ON the wife's belly. It just closed suddenly and the thought of it closing on his wife and causing gestational chaos rattled the fellow so bad he was considering (though I think not all that hard) requesting some sort of compensation from Disney.

See there was a parallel; the question came up then, as now, at what level of inconvenience or discomfort does a rational person throw out the idea that maybe Disney (or whoever) needs to make me feel better about my choice in vacation destinations.

Personally, I think the OP of this thread would be well within the realm of reason to suggest politely that a few fastpasses would go a long way towards making up for the time spent in Everestial limbo. Much more so (imo) that wanting to be made whole for being startled by a monorail door.

In any case, I prefer the tack the OP took and would, myself, chalk it up to experience.