Have you ever had a Magical Meltdown at WDW?

[mamaprincess]

I had a Magical Meltdown at Epcot. One of my DD's feet were hurting so I told DH I had to take care of her feet and would he take our other DD's and wait by the entrance of Figment until we were done. I pointed directly to it and he said ok like he was actually going to wait . 10 minutes later I go to Figment and where is DH? Exactly. I walk through the building where Figment is located. No DH. I wait outside by the baby's abandoned stroller which lets me know he is not far. He doesn't show up. I go into HISTA building which is next to figment and Innoventions. No DH. I wait again in the blistering sun with our other DD who is a little upset by now no DH. I called him and called him. His phone was off. about 40 minutes which is about a month in WDW time, he comes strolling out of HISTA with the girls. I was way past my boiling point by then because we never split up when we can all enjoy something together especially not on the 3-d attractions which we all love. It is a tradition for us to do those at each park. He was being really impatient and a jerk. My other twin DD told me that she tried to talk him out of it but he dragged her off in a huff.

I snapped! I broke down and cried (I tried not to) in front of every one who was around thus embarrassing us all. I said how could you have gone without us. We've been out here for at least 40 minutes while your'e off enjoying yourself because you didn't have the patience to wait. He apologized and apologized. I repaid him by changing our dinner plans from Teppanyaki which he was really looking forward to, to Marrakesh which I was very interested in trying and he was very uninterested in trying. He didn't eat a lick! He just sat there and sulked but he enjoyed the bellydancer which I suppose possibly saved our marriage or at least the trip.

We kissed and made up that day and on our last day we did come back to Epcot to do HISTA together as a family

Please share your Magical Meltdown at WDW.

 

[angelsmom920]

mamaprincess, I had not one, but 2 meltdowns this trip! We went with a group of 16 famiyl members, and man was it tough! First of all, I was handed the reigns back in January to plan this trip. It was so hard because we have so many picky people, control freaks and attitudes, etc. I literally was in the emergency room two weeks before the trip with dehydration, exhaustion and an upper respitory infection!

We flew into Orlando late Friday night and checked into our hotel at 1am. We had 6 little ones with us, an 8 year old, my dd5, 2-4 year olds and 2-2 year olds. We went to Epcot the first day, figured the kids would like the Talking with Crush, the Character Connection and just mosey through the World. The kids loved, but appearantly, we were moving too slow for some adults, so they went off, which was fine! We were tired from the flight and the kids got to see all kinds of characters. I should have known that this was just the beginning of the pushiness!

The next day was MGM. We ran to Tower of Terror, and I got separated from the group riding, so I figured fine because my dh would be waiting at the bottom. I get to the bottom and no one was there. I had no cell phone and noone said they were going anywhere! I found them at the Little Mermaid and I did lose it on my husband at that point.

Well, now fast forward to MK a couple days later. At this point everyone is pretty touchy and I am trying my best to keep everyone together and have the best group trip ever. To start off the morning, one of my aunts asks the rest of the group to wiat after the Pooh ride so she can take her two little ones to the bathroom. The minute they step off the ride, they bolt and she got upset. So that got me upset. Then after everyone rode Peter Pan (dd is not a fan of rides so I sat out with her) they jumped on Small World - which I love and made known that I love. So now I have been ditched twice! I lost it as soon as I saw everyone! I just couldn't control it. And most of the group understood (but not all of course). I was determined to make the vacation work for the group, but I was the only one who about the group as a whole. O well, water under the bridge. It was overall a great vacation, but my dh has vowed to never, ever do it again with all those people!

 

[AStamm]

Two summers ago I had one at MGM. It was our first summer trip as a family and I was completely unprepared for the heat and humidty (even though I had been to WDW in June/July of 1991). All I wanted to do was get a cold drink and get into some air conditioning. I bought a frozen drink and tried to head into the One Man's Dream exhibit. The CM at the front entrance very nicely said "mam, you can't bring that drink in here" which completely sent me over the top. I didn't scream or anything, just started crying! My DH was beside himself on what to do. After finally calming down, we decided I'd better take DS back the hotel and go swimming while he stayed at the park to ride rides.

Thankfully this was a one-time thing. I was fine last summer and am looking forward to our trip this August.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I had one back in 1995 when dh (then bf) were just starting to date. We had been at the beach a week and decided to go to WDW for one day. Well, I got massively sunburned the day before; and as we were going on rides, I kept asking my dh if my face looked funny b/c it felt funny. He kept saying no, you look fine. So finally I went into the bathroom to look and freaked out b/c my face was so swollen my eyes were almost shut. I went bazurk (sp?) on him on how dare he lie to me about it, crying and yelling the whole way. I think I was just totally embarrassed that I looked like this in front of someone I liked so much. I think he lied to me to make me feel better. Thank god he didn't just up and drop me then!

 

[grinningghost]

My DH had a semi-meltdown. Last trip we had our DD and her friend, both 14 then. Instead of doing the parks non-stop, they preferred the pool and sitting in the room watching LIFETIME MOVIES!

OK, so we spent big dollars to buy them hopper passes and they decided to do that instead. Rather than let it get me crazy, I just sort of chalked it up to them being teenage girls and I wasn't letting it ruin MY fun.

DH, on the other hand, thought it was downright terrible and he let her have it. Thankfully, it was in the hotel room, rather than in front of the world. But I thought he overreacted and I let him know it.

 

[miste76]

I'm ashamed that I lost my magic in the World.... It was Thanksgiving week of 2004. I had planned a trip for my mother, sister and my sister's best friend. My sister is 14 and has been to Disney every year (at least once) since she was born. Her best friend (also 14) had never been to Disney.
I should mention that we were trying to keep the cost of the trip down and I was planning everything. I would talk on the phone to my DM several times a day - I told her about everything that I was planning and what the cost of everything was.
The weekend before Thanksgiving is a pin trading event at MGM... that also gave you an early preview of the Osborne Lights. I asked my DSis and DM what their opinion was. DM and I were going, but didn't think the two girls would be interested. They assured me that they would enjoy it... it would be fun!!! Ok, so I pay for all of the tickets and even buy each person a pin. Don't you know, the two girls never even set foot inside of the pin event!!! That's ok, I just let it go...
Each day my DM would complain about the prices of the TS dinners that we had already discussed before the trip. But it wasn't until we finished dinner at CM that I lost it. We were walking back to the MK for Wishes and I broke down on the sidewalk between CR and MK. Through my tears, I told them that I felt as if no one appreciated all the time that I had spent planning. I also let my DM know that it wasn't nice of her to agree to all of the dinners ahead of time and then get upset at the table when the check came.
The next day, I went to AK by myself and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of Disney without teenagers!!! But by the end of the day, we were all back together celebrating our trip to Disney.

 

[grinningghost]

So I'm sensing a definite vibe that teenagers and WDW don't always mix well.

And that's fine, because IF you just chalk it up to that, and move on and have your own fun, it all turns out OK. I think when people demand their teenagers accompany them all over the World, it's just a recipe for disaster.

I bring 'em, but I let 'em go.

 

[mamaprincess]

Wow it seems like one meltdown per trip at WDW is almost inevitable for us. I remember my DH had one when a CM put our baby stroller out in the rain while we were in Playhouse Disney. He hollered and cursed really loudly! I was mortified. I had to calm him down and drag him away from the horrified onlookers. I was upset too but you can't curse in front of people. We carried the baby out of the park pushing our soggy stroller with our embarrassed twins right beside us.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

It was so bad, I double posted!!!!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I had a melt down in 2001 but it wasn't my fault, I swear! I learned the hard way that my older DS and I cannot travel together!

He was about 16 and we'd decided to go in April when the boys had a week off from school. You know, April, crowds, etc. It was perfect weather, cool, breezy, and clowdy the whole time we were there. DH, younger DS 13, and I were really enjoying ourselves but older DS was complaining the whole time about how long the lines for the rides were. Duh! He just kept on and on and on! About day 3 of this, I snapped. Things went black and when I came to, we were in our room, packing to go home. We cut the trip short by 2 days. I don't know what I said during my black out moment but everyone, including older DS, was, "Yes Ma'm. Anything you want Mom!" Even DH was bending over backwards to be extra pleasant!

To this day, if we go anywhere together, the boys are charming! I made it up to younger DS when DH and I took him back to the World. Yep, you got it, just DH, younger DS, and me.....

 

[Matt'sMom]

Not exactly a melt down at WDW, but happened on the way there last Fall. We always take the Auto-Train, and are typically very careful about making certain that we do not leave any cash or credit cards in our vehicle (because Amtrak has 'drivers' who load and unload your vehicle onto the train cars). Well, you guessed it--last trip, we hop out of our car at the VA station, and as we are walking into the building to check in, DH mentions that he forgot to remove our 'emergency fund' wallet (one we routinely keep in the vehicle, just for unexpected emergencies) and he runs back outside to get it. Too late though, as the driver pulls away just as DH is approaching our car.

DH tried to reassure me that it would be ok--the wallet was hidden under lots of maps and paperwork in a closed storage compartment (but unfortunately the compartment does not lock). Certainly the driver would never be in our vehicle long enough to have time to look for something that was not out in the open nor easily accessible. And there was no point in worrying about it now, as we would not be able to access the vehicle again until our arrival in FL the next day.

Following morning, when we arrive in FL and they unload our vehicle, the first thing I do is open that storage compartment to look for the wallet. It was there, and so were the CCs... but all of our 'emergency' cash was gone. Yep, one of the drivers apparently took the time to rummage through all of the compartments in our vehicle looking for valuables and/or cash. DH reported the theft to Amtrak, but there really wasn't anything they could do--there was no way to prove that cash had been taken. And we didn't have any way of knowing if it was the driver in VA, or the one in FL who had taken it. We did promptly call and report our CC numbers as stolen, and had new cards/numbers issued (just in case someone had recorded our card numbers for future use).

The whole experience was a terrible way to start off our WDW vacation. I ended up having a major melt down in the car, and cried most of the way on our drive from the station to the WDW property. Lesson learned--always be cautious and don't let your guard down for a second, even when traveling to 'The Happiest Place on Earth'. It was an expensive mistake that (hopefully) we won't make again.

 

[Sweedee]

My magical meltdown occurred in the POFQ parking lot! We were running late for our ressies for Boatwrights, and couldn't find it. I told dh to ask the CM that was there for help, but he refused. He was gonna walk off and go pout in the car!!! I had just lost a pregnancy 2 wks earlier, so I was feeling fairly hormonal still. So, we will just blame the meltdown on them! Anyhoooo...I completely lost it, and started yelling at him...telling him *I* was the one that had done all the hard work to plan for this trip, *I* was the one who took a 2nd job to help pay for this trip...and if he didn't step up to do SOMETHING on this trip it was gonna be...blah blah blah... It was ugly, my dc were DYING of embarrassment, I went and asked for directions, and off we went with neither of us speaking! Later that night he apologized to all of us for his poutiness, and it was all good! And the next few days, whenever we couldn't find anything, dh was quick to jump and ask for help. heheh There...that's my Magical Meltdown at Disney!

 

[INDISMOM]

Mine was when we went with DMIL and DFIL with our then 2yo DD. I had been looking forward to taking her so much! Well, one of the first rides she wanted to do was Dumbo (it was Sept, so lines weren't long). DFIL took her on once and I said I would really like to go on it with her at some point. Well, DD rode it about 5 times over the course of 2 days and I never once got to ride it with her -- either it was DFIL or DH. Then we went to AK for a day and we got to the goat area. I HATE goats and I didn't want DD in there with them. DMIL insisted that she go in there, DH just stood there torn between us. I finally just walked away and told DH that if she wasn't with me in the stoller in 10 minutes he could find me back at the hotel. I probably shouldn't have gotten so mad, but she is MY daughter and I STILL hadn't ridden Dumbo with her.

I was holding together fairly well until about the middle of the week. We had an off day and told DMIL and DFIL not to call us, we would call them when we were awake -- DD was and still is a late sleeper. Well, at 7am our phone is ringing. DH answers it, and I say REALLY loud in the background "SOMEBODY BETTER BE DYING!!!" DH quickly gets off the phone with DMIL and says he'll call back. I don't remember what exactly I said after that, but DH left to talk to his parents and for the rest of the trip things went smoothly, but still never rode Dumbo!

We are going again in June (WITHOUT DFIL AND DMIL) and told DH that I got to ride Dumbe with both DD's and I didn't care if I had to wait 2 hours in line both times!!

 

[jann1033]

2 ican think of ( probably more i've blocked out)

first was with a group of our family with sil and 2 daughters, and a mom with 2 teenage daughters

the 2 teenage girls were probably typical in that they couldn't drag their fannies out of bed, spent hrs getting ready etc. but since that never was the case with our girls ( at wdw at least) the last straw came after about 4 days of this ( and the night after the one daughter got "sick"....as in just didn't feel like doing what we were doing and wanting to go back to the resort, the mom not wanting to ride the bus with out an other adult so sil took them and we almost missed our adr for chefs due to it) the next morning they got up again late, and we ended up leaving them and left for breakfast without them= fight between me and the mom ( not knock down drag out but louder than normal words for sure )

second time, last trip trying to get to fotlk, last show of the day post parade, got caught in the mess of bodies following the parade and hemmed in by strollers and video cameras shooting the back of the parade for the entire length(?) who no matter how many times i asked wouldn't let us pass, and we were to the left of them. they were right by the right walk area which we needed to get to to get lion king...after walking a long ways, we finally just cut in front of them and their rolling camcorder...so a great close up of our faces and probably umpteen "excuse me"s are I'm sure on their video. they yelled something about how rude we were and why do some people go to wdw when they don't know how to have fun etc..probably good thing we were hurrying as it could have gotten real ugly

 

[Disneynutbsv]

It was so bad, I double posted!!!!

 

[krismom]

we were there in July and WOW was it HOT! We had mister bottes, neck wraps, frozen water, fans, etc etc...but my sister had to stop at EVERY water fountain and drink cart to "cool off herself and her daughter inthe stroller. We'd get 10 feet and she's be re-spritzing again. After that- the baby needed another application of sunscreen- this went on all day long- I know you have to be careful... and I'm embarassed to say I lost it... after having my tantrum- we split up for a while and never mentioned it again...

 

[maddhatir]

I have never really had a "meltdown" sure i get mad at DH (why DONT they JUST listen ladies??! ) but then we get over it......

however-- i would like to thank everyone for their stories, the reason being- i keep telling DH that i would like to go to disney with his whole family (and they are not really disney people-- they dont get it) he keeps warning me to let the idea just go, and i keep saying but oh - it will be fun........

i think i am going to let the idea go or else I may be telling MY meltdown story on this thread!

 

[jennyl772003]

This happened last month. Me and DH were at AK and I was looking forward to going on EE. DH wanted to take our time in the park since we usually go in the summer when it is oppresivly hot. I just wanted to rush to EE to get a FP.

I turned into a witch. I had SOOOO wanted to ride this ride! I whined to no avail. Then I blew up.

Finally DH gave in and we hot footed it to EE. Ony to get there to see a 15 minute standby line, which only took us 10.

 

[Schmeck]

I used the "F" word in MK, directed at my hubby. I'm sorry for polluting the magical air there with such a nasty word, but he deserved it... After he let me plan each day beforehand, he decided that he wanted to do this, then that, and how about this????

After weeks (maybe months?) of trying to get him to participate in the planning, he showed no interest in what we did until we were in the park for an hour, it started to get crowded, and he wanted to get wishy-washy with the schedule! His suggestions had us criss-crossing the park until I finally stopped in the middle of the Adventureland bridge and let him have an earful. I'm surprised that the Fairy Godmother didn't come and poke at me with her wand, and turn me into a toad or something! But it was so frustrating, he would say, "Hey, let's go do this, or how about..." He had no concept about the layout of the lands, even though we have been there before. He didn't know which attractions needed to be done first, which had FP, etc.

That night I took out my guidebooks, and maps, tossed them at him as he relaxed in bed, and said - "we're going to MGM tomorrow, you want to plan the day?"

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I did once - our last day having lunch at LTT. DH's job (not your typical job but THE JOB FROM HE** - now long behind us).

His control freak/sadistic boss (the same one who went on vacation, while declaring "no vacations for anyone", and then refused to take a phone call or return calls to the office - 4 months prior to this. AND who had tried to guilt and then threaten - with firing - DH into not taking his vacation 2 years in a row) kept trying to contact him and put a lot of stuff on him while he was away, and all this was really starting to wear on me. The endless phone calls were eating into our time together and the boss was trying to pin all kinds of stuff on my DH that were others' problems (my DH spent months and many LONG/LATE nights making sure his responsibilities were well dealt with BEFORE he left) - and was trying to get DH to come back a day early (like things couldn't wait a day!). We had been through alot during the course of the year because of this place/this person and our vacation was very much needed to get a break from it. I did not like the way DH refused to deal with the situation and I kinda lost it - not proud of it.

That was a few years ago - my DH now works where they appreciate his hard work and there is no guilt or pressure over taking your well deserved vacation - and our trips have been meltdown free ever since!!!!