Family meltdowns

[Bill Brown]

About 11 p.m. last night I heard a man apparently cursing and shouting at his family in a POP guest room. I have a corner ground room and the screaming was not from a room immediately adjacent to mine. I suspect a room on the other side of the building. A child's voice cried, "I didn't do anything." The man's tirade continued on periodically interrupted by a woman's voice. The commotion sounded verbally violent, but not physical. Hearing this emotional family upheaval got me to wondering how often other solo visitors witness these kind of family meltdowns while enjoying WDW. During my 11 days, here, I'd periodically heard family groups bicker about minor issues such as which attractions to visit, etc. But last night's family meltdown was over the top. Glad to be here solo.

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

I have seen it and heard it in WDW on a few occassions. Mostly at the parks though. On one visit with my best girl friend we heard about 6 separate "tirades" in one day. We decided to just hold hands and skip by the people fighting and sing, "This is the happiest place on earth"...we did get a few looks, but hey, it got their minds off fighting for a little bit.

I think people get overwhelmed and try to do too much with too many people. Then they get tired and turn into a 5 year old with a tantrum.

 

[Bill Brown]

Now at DFW, Texas, waiting on my connection to Fresno, California. This morning when I was checking in for the AA flight at POP, there were 2 Sheriff's patrol units, 3 Disney Security vans and a security cart parked near the baggage area. I'm guessing that family disturbance got worse. First time I'd seen that many LEO and security vehicles at one time at a Disney site.::cop:

Your happiness counter-strike seems like a good idea when encountering unhappy Disney guests.

 

[JohnEric]

Sorry to hear about this... I go to WDW solo pretty often, and have witnessed this more than I'd like to remember. I don't think I could skip by and sing the song without attracting some very odd looks (and possibly the security guards).

I try to step in when it seems appropriate, but it usually doesn't. I fail to understand how adults can be so self-centered that they cannot put there own needs aside for a short while and allow kids to be kids -- with all of their marvelous imperfections. It can be the Happiest Place On Earth for any one who will allow it to be.

I hope that none of your future trips will be marred with such experiences. And I hope that it never happens again, but that may be a bit too optimistic.

 

[MOREMICKEYFORME]

Sorry to hear about this... I go to WDW solo pretty often, and have witnessed this more than I'd like to remember. I don't think I could skip by and sing the song without attracting some very odd looks (and possibly the security guards).

I'll hold your hand and skip with you, John...we will still get looks but not as bad...

 

[GinnyFavers]

I was treated once to a very hairy man in a giant expensive bathrobe out on his Polynesian garden view room balcony, about 9:30 a.m., with a cigarette, speaking loudly to his family back in the room through the open sliding door. I can't remember exactly what he said, but it was something to the effect of "What the bleep do you want? We paid bleeping big money for this bleeping hotel room so what the bleep."

It was so incongruous with the peaceful setting of tropical gardens and quiet Hawaiian music playing. It would have been funny if it wasn't so much like watching someone spit on a beautiful painting.

And for more generic family freakouts, Joe and I call 5 p.m. at Epcot "Angry Hour," since every day at that time you can find a family royally tee'ed off at one another, melting down at the hub between World Showcase and Future World.

 

[wdw1972]

Someone I know was at WL once and heard lots of screaming, crying and what sounded like someone being thrown up against the wall. Thank goodness this person called 911. Sheriff's deputies came, the dirtbag dad was arrested, the boy he was abusing was taken to the hospital, and the tearful mom thanked the person for calling for help.

Now this is certainly extreme, but had she called Disney security I fully expect nothing good would have happened, and that poor kid would still be getting abused - or possibly would be dead.

So, I'm not inclined to give anyone the benefit of the doubt any more. If I hear an angry violent situation next to me you can bet I'll be calling the cops....not Disney. Let's hope it never happens, but if you're arguing so loud you're disturbing your neighbors, then you're an inconsiderate jerk and deserve the visit from the police

 

[Bill Brown]

...If I hear an angry violent situation next to me you can bet I'll be calling the cops....not Disney. Let's hope it never happens, ...

I agree that immediately calling 911 is appropriate when threats or actual violence is suspected. I think Disney security would be appropriate, say, when neighbors are getting carried away with loud celebrating (no fighting, threats, arguments, etc.)

 

[Kyen]

Last year while at the Magic Kingdom my friend and I saw this mom screaming at her daughter for wondering off. I normally would have not said anything but when I saw this lady pulling her daughter by her pony tail I followed the lady and pointed out that there were other ways to make sure the little girl followed the family. In return I got yelled at!!!

 

[black562]

Not exactly the same but one day I was sitting outside Rockin' Roller Coaster and a girl walked up to a guy and started hitting him. Apparantly the girl he was with was his mistress and the girl hitting him was his wife. Ouch!!!

Why would someone bring their wife AND mistress to the same place?

 

[nurse.darcy]

I had a patient with his wife and girlfriend there at the same time and apparently content in that fact that they were. Strange. . .