Has anyone been with people who have been "rejected" by the Parks?

[Morticia]

Has anyone ever been to a Disney park with people who greatly dislike being their & watch how the park rejects them?

It's like a reverse Midos touch. everything they do & say turns to dogdoo. My DH & I have watched people yelling @ CM because they did'nt get their food fast enough. Or some friends of ours who feel that they are on a marathon through the park.

Those people miss the enchantment, the joy & the surprises that are found in the little things you see when taking the time to enjoy & stop & smell the cotton candy.

Usually it's a 1 time only trip w/people like that.

 

[jaysue]

Saw a number of people like that - my best moment from my first trip of "stop and smell the cotton candy":

E-Ride night - warm evening - DW and DS had already retreated back to the WL. It was about 9:30pm or so and things were pretty quiet by then - I had ridden Splash and BTMRR about 8 times combined and TTA and Space Mountain etc.

I just decided to take a load off and sit by Walt and Mickey in front of the Castle and just watch what was going on - people having a good time, lauging, taking pictures and there were some others doing the same as me.

When I finally decided to leave to go back to the WL it was really hard to do so

This moment of stopping and enjoying is the memory that sticks with me the most


thanks
Jason

 

[Morticia]

YES!
I am there w/you Jason. That sounds great. There is an esoteric hide-away @ DL where you can feed to ducks on ROA & sit in the shade w/the flowers & relax.
My DH & I love to do that.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Those people miss the enchantment, the joy & the surprises that are found in the little things you see when taking the time to enjoy & stop & smell the cotton candy.

It is about more than just that, in my opinion. Going on an expensive vacation to lose your cool insulting CMs or acting neurotic says more about their emotional shape than their personality.

Unfortunately, the gates do not screen negative or ill personalities. Poor CMs and even guests have to deal with the fact that the parks are open to emotionally unstable, aggresive and irrational people too...

 

[goofy4tink]

I thought my dh would be one of 'those' people on his first trip. He really hadn't been excited about going. I think he went only to placate our 8 y/o dd!!! But, he is getting excited about our next trip. He did see the magic, he really did.

 

[eeyore65]

One of my magical moments is getting stuck on the monorail for about 20 minutes. The section ahead of us was all grumpy - we are going to miss our PS's, not get to Epcot, etc., etc.

We were with our 2 yo and some older people. Everyone introduced themselves, started talking. My DS decided it was an appropriate time to sing M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E. Well guess what happened? Everyone started singing - even the grumpy's!

Magical! A vacation is what you make it.

 

[KickTheSky]

To be honest, it really took me three visits to see the Magic. My DW saw it the moment she walked in the gates the first time. My first visit was as a kid back in 77. I was so rushed through MK in one day that I never enjoyed it. My second visit was with my DW and I wanted to Commando the park. Didnt enjoy it. Didnt really have much interest in returning. It took me seeing the park through a childs eyes to really appreciate the Disney Magic.

About a month ago we went back to Disney. My DW hounded me and hounded me to go back and finally I gave in. I shared this story in another thread but it is such a wonderful story I want to share it a million times.

We are at the Magic Kingdom at Peter Pan's Flight. We are about to get on the ride when a CM holds us back and another couple for a child in the Make A Wish program. The couple in front of us went nuts wanting to know why this kid had the right to go on the ride while they had to wait 60 minutes to get on. I pointed out her button on her shirt and he immediately shut up. The CM just shook her head. Anyways, we did our ride and I get off the ride and wait for my DW and her mom in the car behind me. I notice that the little girl had not gotten off the ride and was going again. I was intrigued.

This is when the Disney Magic hit me. As we were leaving the ride I caught a glimse of her, just a fleeting glimpse, but it was enough. This little girl, who looked so sick and so beaten down when she got on the ride had the biggest smile I had ever seen a little girl have. My DW was trying to hustle me up to head over to Haunted Mansion and I basically said, not now. I stood there by the ride exit where I could watch and watched that little girl go by several times, mesmerized by her smile. I get tears thinking about it right now. The rest of the trip we took our time taking everything in slowly and deliberately and when we left we felt empty because the Magic was gone...

 

[Pirate Mickey]

Nice reminder...thanks for sharing...

 

[mom_rules]

After our first visit to WDW we were still hyped-we had such an excellent time. Friends decided that they would like to have a good time too! We went in May -they went in August-1st mistake. Three times the crowds, weather was unbearably hot and that was the year they had an encephelitis (sp?) scare and were told not to go out without being fully covered after dusk. They did not see the magic on their trip and have been complaining about it ever since (and have never gone back). They just don't understand why we keep going back and to be honest with their negative attitudes I won't take them with us.

 

[Morticia]

"It is about more than just that, in my opinion. Going on an expensive vacation to lose your cool insulting CMs or acting neurotic says more about their emotional shape than their personality"

Yes, TreeofLife, that is it. It is their attitude b4 they enter the park.

The people that are "rejected" by the park are those that refuse or don't want to see what is around them. They live their life w/blinders on, fearful of anything that upsets their personal universe. Unaware that they are even doing that.

Congrats KickThe Sky, now you understand.

My DH & I took my young cousin many years ago to DL. She has seizures & was on heavy meds & a VERY strict diet. The park made arragements for her food to be stored & heated upon demand @ the Plaza Inn on Main street. The fact that she could actually go out somewhere, especially DL, was the biggest health advantage for her. With time & hope, she has been able to adapt her diet so she can go places. DL made it possible for someone like her that has to eat premeasured & hourly meals possible to enjoy the park.

 

[donna in Oz]

KicktheSky . . . I had not seen your story before; I'm sitting here teary-eyed and thinking what a shame it is that some folks never do see the magic.

What a pity.

 

[Trinity721]

Kickthesky, that was beautiful. I am also getting teary-eyed. It is a real shame that some people never experience the magic.

There is so much to experience at WDW, and it doesn't matter if you are young or old. I love WDW... When I brought my then-boyfriend to WDW in March2001, he was a little skeptical because he'd never been there. But he saw how excited I was about it and knew that if it meant that much to me, it must be worth it. We went for a whole week, and he absolutely loved it! We barely left, when he was talking about how much he wants to go back. Back then, we knew very little about the detail and hidden secrets WDW had... We are looking forward to paying more attention in our trip this coming May! And long story short, he's no longer my boyfriend, but my husband... and we are taking our beautiful daughter for her first trip to WDW! so exciting.f

In my past 4 experiences in WDW, I have never done it commando. I have always taken my time going around the parks, and not regretting what I might have missed because I feel lucky enough just having the chance to BE there. Not everyone can have that privelage...

 

[SharonS]

My Mom and I went to WDW in March to celebrate my birthday. A little over a week before we were to go she went into Atrial fibrulation, and had pneumonia. Got out of the hospital Thursday, and we were to leave Tuesday. Her doctor OK'd her to travel, so we went. We arrived at BWV March 4, the day before my Bday. My Mom didn't seem right, so I was really watching her closely. She was exhibiting some very strange behavior, and had me worried and crying. The CM's at BWV were wonderful in trying to cheer me up. That night, I ended up having to call 911, and we took my Mom to Celebration Hospital. She was in heart failure, renal failure, and her potassium was extremely high. Now, this was my Bday, and I wasn't sure if she was going to make it. Someone made some magic happen for me, and I ended up being the Grand Marshall in the MK parade. It was wonderful, but I was also very sad at not having my Mom by my side to experience this. When we got to the end of Mail Street, they had the barbershop quartet there to sing Happy Birthday. This was so wonderful, as it is only my Mom and I and I have been caring for her for a few years now.

Mom got better, and was released from the hospital Saturday. We were to leave for home Monday. Mom was like a new woman and wanted to have some fun. We had a wheelchair from the resort, and went into Epcot for a while. Her and I were in Italy, and she was watching the mimes that come out and pose for pictures. One of them came over to her and she waved. Another guest tapped me on the shoulder and said that that was the best thing he saw all day. I wanted to cry, because he had no idea that she had just gotten out of the hopsital, and how thrilled I was just to have the chance to be in WDW with her again.

Everyone at our resort was wonderful. They always asked how my Mom was doing.

Our last day, we got into MK together, which is my favorite place. I can't tell you how special it was to stand in front of the castle with my Mom.

We are going back May 13-20 to celebrate her 77th birthday.

 

[Disbabe]

I must REALLY get the magic as I cry at absolutely everything!! I'm not an over emotional person but you have to love every minute there!!
It's got all of my family to the extent that we've even talked about moving from the UK to Florida!!

 

[Morticia]

Disney sure seems to have a magical effect on those who are struggling w/illness or disease.
A friends' young daughter was dying from cancer b4 DCA opened. Her wish was to see DCA. She lived until opening day. Stayed @ the DLH & went inside for a few hours. She died that night in her hotel room, but she hung on to her desire to see DCA & it kept her alive a few more days.

Weird.

 

[nativetxn]

A really wise woman gave me some terrific advice once. She told me, "Relax and let the magic find you."

She was very wise and this really works

 

[lisajl]

The first two times I was at WDW we were rushed.

I found this board before our last trip in Dec. Someone mentioned the music and tap dancing lessons signs in the windows on main street ( an alley). Well, I found it and you know what, I heard something. I am not sure it was tap dancing, but it was something.

The next time we go, I am taking more time, and we are staying much longer.

BTW, my DSIL, was one of those people that got to go to the front of the line.
She visited about a year before she passed away from cancer.
When I told my brother this past Dec. I was going to his wifes house, he was a bit confused. Then I said....Disneyworld...and his eyes lit up. My DSIL's fave place...Cindys castle.
We had lunch there, and my DD and I thought of her all the way through the castle.

Lisajl

 

[dynamite]

I actually have to agree that it is best to just slow down and enjoy it. We went this past September and it was pretty slow. MK is really neat when you don't have all the crowds. Did you know they have little bunnie rabbits running around near Cinderella's Castle? It was the really amazing to see them there, and that is something you won't see with all the crowds and the hustle and bustle. My 3 year old son really loved seeing them there!

 

[Morticia]

We have the Disneyland cats.

 

[Wilma Flintstone]

A few years ago, I was lunching up at the Cat Walk lounge in Disney-MGM Studios, when I saw something down in the Soundstage restaurant that I will never forget.

There was a Dad and his 7-8 year old son who had Downs Syndrome waiting to be served lunch. The boy had a Hunchback of Notre Dame stuffed figure tightly clutched in his hand. All of a sudden, the REAL Hunchback appeared and went right over to the boy. The sweet boy got all excited seeing his idol and at the same time, the character spotted the stuffed Hunchback and started pointing to it and then to himself, all the while getting so excited. This made the boy, well I can't even explain it properly, sooo happy. Dad had his video camera going and other characters came over to join the fun. It looked as if it was the boy's birthday, as there were balloons all around.

It impressed me how the person playing the Hunchback handled him/herself. I filled out the questionnaire back at the YC and included the magic I experienced, the character, place and time. Hopefully the Disney folks somehow honored this wonderful cast member. I was in tears watching the scene unfold and was in tears writing about it, as I am now.

Long live the magic--Wilma