Have you ever had a Magical Meltdown at WDW?

[Jackmonkey]

Although this is not my personal breakdown, it remains one of the the funniest things I have ever seen in my 43 years of living:

First to be fair, the closest I have come to "meltdown" in DL is when my DW spent 45 minutes getting ice-cream while I waited for a parade. I held it together, but all the while dreading the "disapeared at Disneyland" urban myth come true.

On my honeymoon, back in 1986, We were lucky enough to stay at the DLH. On the first morning of our trip into the park we boarded the Monorail, sharing the cabin with a family of people who were making the return part of a round trip back to Tommorowland. Mother and father, all smiles, and two happy children, with their faces pressed to the glass, taking in all the wonder of the trip.
As we left the Disneyland Hotel station, and began to travel over the then parking-lot, The mother told her children to try again to spot their car, and their eyes began scanning the rows of cars as we glided overhead. Suddenly one of the kids cried out with glee that he had found the family car, and both Mom and Dad looked out to confirm his findings.
The father began to congratulate the boy on his keen eyesight when suddenly he paused, shifting in his seat to get to get a better view. "<*creative use of the lord's name ommited*> YOU LEFT THE CAR DOOR OPEN!!!" he yelled. "I don't believe it!!!
He spent the rest of the trip going on about how how much time would now be wasted with having to go out to the lot and close the door while my new bride and I did our best impressions of invisible mimes (all the while biteing our lips nearly to the point of bleeding so as not to laugh).
The whole family was very near to openly weeping as the monorail pulled into Tommorowland, and that is where the wonderfull cast members worked yet another simple but meaningful miracle. The cast member helping us out of the cabin offered to call the parking lot security officers and have them shut the door. It seems the monorail pilot had informed the station attendants of the situation, and once again a little pixie dust saved the day.

 

[jpolak]

I didn't have one but was involved in one and have witnessed several. The one I was involved in occured at the desk of 50's prime time. I walked up to see if maybe there was a table available. I was standing next to some guy. The CM working looked at me and said "Can I help you?" So I began to ask her my question. When this guy next to me explodes on me. "Don't you see me standing here?" "I was next". I calmly apologize and tell him to go. But he continues to yell at me. The poor CM looks like a deer in headlights as this guy continues to scream at me. At this point I have had enough. In my quitest and calmest voice I explain to him that at this point it would be in his own best intrest that he stop yelling at me and ask the CM what ever it was he wanted. So he does and the CM tells him "sorry, we are booked solid". He leaves and the CM looks at me and says, "Thank you for taking care of that I had no idea what to do, How many in your party?"

 

[mamaprincess]

Here's mine:

We had our first real family vacation to WDW last February. I did all the planning. My DH's only request was that we not have to start "too early." When I made ADR's it was important that we go to CP since DS(5) is a WINNIE THE POOH FREAK!! DH did not want to do a buffet dinner or lunch (why? I don't know), so breakfast it was. I suggested we make an ADR for before the park opened but DH, who after all was going too, vetoed that as it was "too early and we were on vacation." So I made the ADR for 9:30 AM.

DS has moderate/severe autism, so I had been preparing him for the trip for months. He could recognize Cinderella's Castle in any form by the time I was done with him and he knew what to expect with all the rides. We arrive at MK before 9:00 the morning of our breakfast and DS is sooo excited, which is getting me excited. We watch the opening ceremony and head inside. DH wants to leisurely stroll down Main Street, while I'm telling him we need to go check in at CP. "But our reservation isn't until 9:30."

Needless to say, I finally manage to get him and DS there. The line for ADR's is huge, so DS and I sit on the bench, while DH goes to check in. DS is pointing at the castle and saying "Castle. We go castle." (He doesn't speak in complete sentences yet.) I try to explain to him we are having breakfast first, but he doesn't understand due to his disabilty and he is getting more and more upset.

DH finally comes back after a very long twenty minutes or so and informs me the wait will be an hour or more since we checked in late. He hands me the little vibrating beeper thing and I lose it! "We are not waiting an hour. Forget it. We'll try another day." I just didn't think it would go well now that DS was entering full meltdown and was in no mood to sit still for anything, even Pooh.

DS is still pointing at the castle and starting to cry. I start to cry too, so I not too calmly suggest we got to Fantasyland and take him on some rides. He had already eaten anyway since he's extremely picky, DS not DH, and I knew the actual food at CP would be iffy at best.

DH says no. We're already here. What's the big deal with going on rides anyway? He'd be perfectly happy if we didn't do any "stupid" rides. Now I really start to cry and start screaming at him something about why did we even bother coming here if we weren't going on rides and DS wants to go on rides and he can go back to hotel if he doesn't want to join us. He tells me he's not letting my son go off with me when I'm in such a state and the two of them are going back to the hotel without me!! I say fine, ruin the trip for your son and march off toward Fantasyland after returning the vibrating beeper thing to the ADR window, explaining to them as calmly as I could that we just couldn't wait an hour or more with an upset five year old.

As I walked into Fantasyland I began to regret everything, especially when I see no lines for the rides. I walked over to the smoking section near the fountain of Cinderella (yes, I smoke, sorry.) and called DH on my cell to apologize, beg him not to go to the hotel, and prey he hasn't already started divorce proceedings. I tell him there are no lines for the rides. He says he knows. I ask him where he and DS are. He's says, we couldn't find you. We're about to get on the tea cups." I ran over to get pictures and the rest of the day was fine.

One last side note: When we got back to the hotel that night I made ADR's for CP for the next morning - at 8:05 AM. We were the first ones in and everything was fine. DS got to see the Pooh gang and even ate a waffle.

Also, to anyone who might have witnessed this - I am so sorry.

No need to apologize we are all human sharing our human sides on this thread and we sympothize and thank you for sharing. These meltdowns all come from a place of love. We just want to give our loved ones the best time and sometimes we break under the pressure we put on our selves. That is reasonable and can happen to anyone who is trying to hard to please, even at the most magical place on earth. The great thing about meltdowns at disney is that they have a chance to transform into something magical because of the locale and the fact that you are with the people you love the most. We can sometimes laugh at them later as we have done plenty on this thread, or we can learn from them. Whatever we do concerning them as I can attest to and as I have heard from others on this thread our vacations still are some of the greatest and most memorable times in our lives.

I must say I was feeling a little inferior for having been one of "those people" who lost it in the parks. I held on to my episode instead of posting it even though I really wanted to just get it off my chest. I'm glad I posted it here. You guys have been so awesome. I have enjoyed reading your stories and I have learned a lot. I think I may be able to hold it together next trip! If I don't you can be sure I'll dig up this thread and post another Magical Meltdown!

 

[catsrule]

I have meltdowns when trying to purchase MNSSHP ticket.

 

[MickeyAnne]

You know, so often we, myself included, jump to judge others who have meldowns at WDW for the all the world to see --- seeing all of these posts (mine included) I definitely will think twice next time I see one! WE ARE ALL NUTS!

 

[mamaprincess]

You know, so often we, myself included, jump to judge others who have meldowns at WDW for the all the world to see --- seeing all of these posts (mine included) I definitely will think twice next time I see one! WE ARE ALL NUTS!

AMEN SISTER!

 

[Ladybugsy]

We had 2 meltdowns on our Nov. trip, both times managing the rare but impressive Mother/Daughter Combo Meltdown. A sight to be seen, I'm sure.

Meltdown #1. Downtown Disney. DD8, DFiance and I have wandered over to a seating area after much shopping. I send DFiance off to take a few pics while we cool our heels. DD begins to give me major lip. I explain that if she doesn't stop there will be no more souvenirs, she informs me that this is fine and I can take back the ones we've just bought because she does not want them. She stays snotty, so I decide to call her on it and start to reach for the bag she's holding. This is when my seemingly normal child revealed that she had clearly become possessed. She begins screaming and screeching about how she's not going to let me steal from her and that I had better stop hurting her (I wasn't touching her??) because she was going to call the police. I was flabbergasted. I told her to stop that immediately, which prompted her to shriek that I was the 'worst Mommy EVER!' and also the meanest, then led into a rousing rendition of, "You're not my mom!" (I was at the delivery, trust me, I'm her mom.) Around this time, DFiance has wandered back, no doubt being drawn over by the soothing song of our dear child. When he gets back I inform him, rather loudly, that- since I'm apperently not DD's mother- I'm LEAVING and I storm off, yelling things that involved words like 'ungrateful' and 'foulmouthed' over my shoulder at my completely insane child. It took me a bit to calm down, but by the time I made it back DD was sane again.. However, she did inform me (and got in trouble for it) that none of that would have happened if I hadn't been so 'mean' to her.

I'll post #2 later.

Oh, My, GOODNESS!!! The nexst time that happens, IMMEDIATELY call a police officer. I bet that would change her tune. "This little girl is lost, and can't find her Mommy" My husband is a police officer and says this happens alot. Trust me, they know exactly what to do...lol.

 

[Jobie]

I rarely speak of this but this is my story..In 1995 my DH and I were on our honeymoon staying at the resort formerly known as Dixie Landings. I should probably mention that my whole life I was a little bit...spoiled by my father who happens to be a photographer. Well one day DH and I took a paddle boat trip along the river at the resort and I wore a fanny pack (that I failed to notice was unzipped) with my camera, given to me by dad, inside. At the end of the ride I was climbing out and my camera falls out of the fanny pack, skids across the front of the boat (I can still picture it like it was yesterday) and plops into the water. I told the CM on the dock that he must go in after it! He said he couldn't do that so I said I'd go in myself. I kicked off my shoes to make my point even though I can't even swim. CM said the water is 20 feet deep and he can't let me go in. By now I am crying so he says he will call in the Disney Divers to see if they can rescue my camera. Looking back now I seriously doubt they have Disney Divers. Anyway, he gives me a number to call to check on the situation later in the day. I went back to the room, still crying, still embarrassing DH, and called my dad. Freaked the man out, his daughter calling from her honeymoon bawling her eyes out. I asked dad if he's be able to fix my camera after they pulled it up. He said no, he'd get me a new one. Disney never actually rescued my camera and I never actually told anyone this story. Neither did DH which is why we are still married!!

LOL, this story reminded me of the the frustrations I had on my honeymoon. My wife and I went to USF and IOA for our honey moon. We drove from Ohio to FL and thought we would be nice to call everyone and let them know that we made it down okay. Well when I called at my mom's, my step-father anserwed and I told him that we made it okay. We talked for about five minutes and then I asked if mom wanted to say hi. He said no, so I hanged up the phone and that was it. I think I might have talked to my sister once a couple days later when my wife and I were a little bored at the hotel, other than that though I left my phone off and was only going to use incase of an emgerency. Well when we started to head back to OH, I turned my phone on and saw that I had around 20 or so voice mails. I figured they were from freinds and/or family calling that were not able to make it to the wedding but wanted to wish my wife and I good luck. Nope, I was wrong. It was 20+ voice mails of my mother! They started off being calm, but after the 5th or so she started yelling at me. She kept saying that she knows that I am on my honey moon but it is no reason not to call her. She kept saying that she knows that I have listened to these voice mails every night and she did not know why I did not call her back. Well I was furious! Why in the world was I suppose to call my mom during my HM!?!?!?!?!?! Besides I offered to say hi to her when I first got to FL. Anyways, she was still pretty mad at me for about 2 weeks afterward. I just laughed at her for it.

So that is my melt down story, except for it was my mom, back in OH LOL. I am going to WDW with her this coming August (her, step-dad, and brother). At least this time I do not have to worry about calling her LOL.

 

[beeayekay]

This is a great thread!!.............any more stories, people????????

 

[bluejasmine]

Ok I have had several meltdowns.. Most of them revolving around DD who just loves to argue! I believe being hot and tired brings on most of it. I have resolved to try and handle it better this time.
Anyway the worst ever for me happened on the last trip. We had a very hot long day at MGM so we called it quits around 2 and headed back to the resort to swim and relax and then head to DTD for dinner and shopping. We ate at WPE and then started shopping, we went to World of Disney and my 12 yr old son went one way while DD and I went another. BIG mistake in this store, I had no idea just how big it was I spent two hrs circling this store inside and out looking for my son. They did not have a pager system and I was at my wits end. All of a sudden I remebered my son knows the transportation system as well as his way around all the parks better than I did so I believed that he would get on a bus and go back to the resort. As DD and I climbed on a bus with DD wailing she would never see her brother again I prayed I was doing the right thing. We arrived at our room and no DS in sight as I started to panick my cell phone rang and I noticed it was a local number and it was DS calling to see where I was, I explained where I was and why and asked if he wanted to wait where he was for me to come get him and his answer was no mom I can get there myself I was worried about you getting back!! That poor boy got knocked down with kisses as soon as he got back from me and his sister!!

 

[ainmama2001]

My dd decided to lose her head while waiting on line for Winnie the Pooh. She was three at the time and was wearing her little Belle gown because we were having lunch with the Princesses that afternoon. She was tired and hot and of course, impatient. Well, she decided to pitch a FIT at EVERYONE that got into a honeypot BEFORE her. I don't think there was a person in that line she didn't tell off. I tried to pull her OUT of line for a TIME OUT (almost at the bottom of the seven seas lagoon--I keed, I Keed! ) and she got even MORE vicious because she thought she wouldn't get to go on even though my husband was going to save our spots. A CM said "Is the little princess having a rough day?" I said "No, but her Mommy is!" I was in tears when we got on the ride and she was just fine. Funny thing is, it was my favorite ride!

 

[jjarman]

I can't believe I haven't posted this. Not the biggest meltdown (not allowed in a certain shoe store in our mall anymore but I got DS's shoes replaced, thank you very much) but I was so embarrassed. It was our last night at the world and DS14 at the time and I were in MK and trying to get to COP. He had wanted to see it the whole week and we never could manage to get to it or it was closed or something. DS is a pretty sweet kid and doesn't usually ask much of me so I was determined he was going to get to go on this. Crowds were kinda thick and we were hurrying. Well this man (I am sure he is a nice man) walked out in front of me. I jerked to a stop so I didn't plow over him. He turns back then turns back to the way he was going then turns back again. He could not make up his mind which way he wanted to go so I tried to help him by saying would you please make up your mind!!!! Well, he got mad. Imagine that. I did not have time for an argument but I had the material, believe me. I just ran on past and...I flipped him off!! I am so embarrassed. I can't believe I did that even to this day.

The second meltdown I don't remember the details but it resolved by me calling DS an ungrateful little snot. Guess he isn't always the sweetest kid.

 

[heart]

I'm so glad to read this thread...and I will think of it at the times when my kids are being ungrateful little wretches--a job they sometimes excel at! I don't even count the times when I've grabbed an arm tight and hissed, "after all your father and I have done, blah blah blah, you are lucky enough to be in Disneyworld, blah blah blah, if I don't see a change in attitude, blah blah blah..." as meltdowns. Those episodes are just the cost of doing business as a parent if, like I do, you spoil your kids but then can't stand when they show spoiled behavior!

My meltdown occurred in...1988...on the last day of our honeymoon...as DH and I looked at the menu for the Coral Reef at the Living Seas. He had never been to Disney, or really anywhere, and was absolutely aghast at the prices we had been paying for everything over the past three days. I had been to Disney twice before, and had been bit my the magic bug from my first time. Not DH. He was not overly impressed with Disney, and saw no reason to ever return--especially with those prices! I was DEVASTATED. Clearly the entire marriage was a farce as we had NOTHING in common and I couldn't BELIEVE that I was actually married to this neanderthal. It was our first married argument, and I cried, knowing that EVERYTHING FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE WAS RUINED! (As an aside, I'm no longer so dramatic about things, even when melting down--I've had a little more real life experience.) I don't remember how everything ended--we must have eaten somewhere, although it wasn't at the Living Seas, and we stayed married.

We didn't return to Disney until it was with our children many years later. The magic bug bit my husband that time, and bit him hard! After that first trip with the kids, we went back 2 years later, then in one year, then on a cruise, then back to the world, then to the point where we actually had annual passes even though we live in Ohio!

Fast forward to our 17th anniversary last year. My husband and I have three wonderful (albeit spoiled!) kids , and we toasted our good fortune and marriage at the Living Seas with a DVC membership!

For Christmas this past year I had a menu from the Coral Reef and a drawing of SSR framed together for him. It's our "inside joke" about our first married fight, and about how things can end up completely different from how you thought they might!

 

[gillenkl]

I had one in MGM in June. It was afternoon and HOT - no air to be found and DH decides to just go into an outside foodcourt and order food. While he's in line and we're waiting in the blazing sun, DD (6) starts having a breakdown and throwing a fit. So now I'm hot, sweaty and embarassed. I try to tell DH to just forget it and we'll go back to the resort and eat but he's oblivious to what I'm saying. He has the whole tray of food and then there's no place to sit - some people are done eating but still sitting and taking up table space. We stand there waiting and waiting for a table in the blazing sun - DD is still crying. Then somehow DH gets choc cake icing all over my shirt - now I'm livid and screaming in the foodcourt. People are staring. Still no place to sit. DH ends up throwing the whole tray of food away. I think we just had a "whole family meltdown". We headed back to our resort, ate in peace and went swimming. I think the heat just got to all of us. I will never go to the food court again, they don't have enough seating - EVER!

 

[Melwood23]

This thread makes me glad I go to WDW alone!!!

The one time I did go to meet up with some friends, it was just over the Memorial day weekend. I knew not to make any plans, since it would be short, and I just would be hanging out with my friends . I have dealt with going with people at Disneyland, and I always would be voted down on what I WANTED to do, if I wanted to go to ISASW, "oh..we been on it a million times, lets go do SM"..etc..

I didn't mind the trip that May, since I already had a 8 day trip planned for Sept...alone...gloriously alone!!!

 

[Christabel]

I had a breakdown at Epcot EMH last April. It was really hot for nighttime, and I have this condition in which, if I'm standing a long time, all my blood starts to run down to my feet and they start to swell. It was happening really badly that night. On top of that, I'd worn the worst sandals possible all week (that made marks on my feet that lasted at least a month) and my brother had been acting like a jerk all evening whenever I wanted to see something in the World Showcase. I ended up sitting and crying for a while in a dark corner in the America Pavilion. My dad took me around to look at the shops in Germany and Italy to try to cheer me up (and I think I did when I saw this gorgeous Mulan doll in Germany), and then we went back over to Future World.

My brother and dad stood in line for Test Track, but I really couldn't take standing anymore and just lay down outside the ride on a bench. My mom and I got some popcorn and water (the salt and water helps the blood stop pooling, for some reason), and chatted with the nice people waiting with us. So things got better.

 

[cabanafrau]

Just wanted to take the opportunity to wave at all of you from my oh-so-very-lofty perch of one who has yet to experience a magical meltdown & has perused several pages of yours, laughing, pointing, rolling eyes, shaking my head all-the-while.

Why is it I can sense several intensely magical meltdowns in my immediate future, as in when we arrive in two weeks for our first summertime visit, after months of obsessive planning?

Just laugh kindly, 'kay? I just know it's gonna really hurt when I fall off my perch.

 

[Maine-iac]

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!

I know how you feel. We always travel with family or friends or both. I am the one who researches everything, gets the park hours, EMH times and decides which parks we will go to each day. I make ADRs. But if someone doesn't like something they let you know it. I have broken down many times.
For example our last trip I decided that DH, DS and I were going to eat lunch at ESPN Club. I told everyone else they were welcome to come with us. Well all came (10 of us) and everyone was hot and tired and complained about that. I had never been to Boardwalk before so I had to go over and look at the resort map and they all could not believe that I did not know exactly where to go. We got to ESPN Club about 20 min. before they opened. What?! We have to wait? Then as they read the menu they decided that it was too expensive and did not want to eat there. By that point neither did I. Just get me back to my room!!
I have a SIL who likes to try to take control ( she did not come with us this past time). She always trys to get my other SIL to go do things with them and not with us. Let's just say that there have been tense moments between her and I (even our DHs who are brothers get caught up in it) at Disney. One year they had a name for me, I can't remember what it was, because after the parks at night I chose to go to bed (I need my sleep) rather than go down to the sports bar and get some snacks and drinks. DH was not happy with them. All of this was still unresolved after we got home.
On this past trip the kids were all 16 and older so it was much easier for people to split up and do what they want.
Yep, try planning a trip for a large group and a meltdown is guaranteed.

 

[eliza61]

I'm in the middle of a magical meltdown and I haven't even gotten to Florida yet!! I've been planning a family reunion for the last year. I mean ADR's, park plans, travel plans etc. My lovely (and right now, I'm using that term loosely) sister has decided she reallly can't get up at 7:00 am and wants to change the breakfast ADR's and my BIL really doesn't think the WL is his style could we possible change resorts. Did I mention we're supposed to be leaving in 20 days. If I get to WDW without a homicide charge it will be a miracle

 

[SnwflkCts]

Eliza61 - BREATHE DEEPLY - IN, OUT -- calm ....

Anyway, tell SIS that you are going at 7 AM and she can do what she wants. You will be happy to CANCEL her ADR. Tell BIL the same -- you will cancel his reservation and good luck getting a room at the Motel 8 down the road.

At least THINKING about doing that made you feel good, right???

Anyway ... back to meltdown things. I didn't mean to get off topic ...