Here Now : & Very Upset, advice please

[Klayfish]

I think they really have to get a system in place where no errors happen, I’m sure they can think of something after all Disney had the best imagineers!
I do like the idea of, let’s say Donald Duck waffles that are allergy waffles. Then the mistake can’t be made & anitgt family won’t have to go through this nightmare.

Having a system in place where no error happen is simply not a realistic possibility. What happened here is a shame, and yes they should always be striving to make sure no errors happen. However, we're human beings. Humans make mistakes some times. Even the idea of having special "Donald Duck" waffles to denote them as allergy waffles (while certainly not a bad idea) isn't foolproof by any stretch. I'm assuming these are made from scratch waffles, right? There's no guarantee that someone wouldn't accidentally put peanuts, wheat, whatever in that mix because it was 4am, they worked the previous day until midnight, the dog kept them up all night, etc... I'm being kind of silly with the possibilities, but you get my point. Dealing with things like this day in and day out, I can tell you that there really is no 100% foolproof method. Best practices and precautions, sure.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I'm really surprised how many people think OP should just suck it up and accept that the vacation was ruined. I'm willing to bet most of you would not feel the same if put in this situation, after all the time we spend planning and as much money as these vacations cost. Disney prides themselves on customer service. The least they should do is reimburse the family (including the grandparents, who were part of the vacation) for whatever expenses were lost by their (potentially life threatening) mistake. I would be shocked if they don't make this right.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think they really have to get a system in place where no errors happen, I’m sure they can think of something after all Disney had the best imagineers!
I do like the idea of, let’s say Donald Duck waffles that are allergy waffles. Then the mistake can’t be made & anitgt family won’t have to go through this nightmare.

Then you will have kids upset they don't get Mickey Mouse like the other kids. I agree, they need to think up something. Maybe a paper napkin on the plate that is green, or something.

I don't think there can every be a system that is 100% fool proof. As long as humans are involved there is some margin for error. But it needs to be as slim as possible.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I'm really surprised how many people think OP should just suck it up and accept that the vacation was ruined. I'm willing to bet most of you would not feel the same if put in this situation, after all the time we spend planning and as much money as these vacations cost. Disney prides themselves on customer service. The least they should do is reimburse the family (including the grandparents, who were part of the vacation) for whatever expenses were lost by their (potentially life threatening) mistake. I would be shocked if they don't make this right.

Disney doesn't owe them a whole replacement vacation because the family left a couple of days early. They chose to leave.

 

[Klayfish]

Then you will have kids upset they don't get Mickey Mouse like the other kids. I agree, they need to think up something. Maybe a paper napkin on the plate that is green, or something.

I don't think there can every be a system that is 100% fool proof. As long as humans are involved there is some margin for error. But it needs to be as slim as possible.

None of us know for sure, but I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money that this type of situation (not this specific incident itself) has been discussed at WDW leadership many, many times. I'd be willing to bet even more money they have a very specific protocol as to how to handle food allergy requests. While it's big talk on this board, think of how many times per day WDW likely deals with customers with food allergies. I'd be utterly stunned if they didn't have a very well thought out and specific workflow for this. As I mentioned, I do general liability, including this specific scenario. Even smaller restaurants usually have a food allergy protocol...not always well thought out, but they have one. I'd have to believe that WDWs is very thorough. But precisely as you said, no system is 100% fool proof, and maybe this time the system got fooled because of human error.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Disney doesn't owe them a whole replacement vacation because the family left a couple of days early. They chose to leave.

Well, I disagree. They could have killed 2 kids. A replacement vacation isn't much to ask IMO

 

[sam_gordon]

The least they should do is reimburse the family (including the grandparents, who were part of the vacation) for whatever expenses were lost by their (potentially life threatening) mistake. I would be shocked if they don't make this right.

Well, I disagree. They could have killed 2 kids. A replacement vacation isn't much to ask IMO

A replacement vacation is totally different (IMO) than "whatever expenses were lost". I totally agree Disney should reimburse/pay for expenses that happened because of this. Here's what I consider valid expenses:
* The breakfast
* Time/materials used at First Aid
* Ambulance ride
* Any hospital costs (ER, inpatient, doctor, whatever)
* Transportation back to either WDW or their hotel
* Transportation (airfare changes/tickets) back home *IF* medically necessary
* Park tickets for however many days the family was in the hospital

If the family decided on their own to cut their vacation short (which still seems strange to me, even if I didn't want to go back to Disney, I'd hang at the resort for a day or two), I don't think Disney is responsible for those changes. It sounds like the OP stayed with their own plans after the kids left, so they're not out any additional expenses (maybe park tickets).

The OP made a big deal about lost time with the kids. I get it. But if time with the family was so important, why would they move from the condos where the kids were to YC (which I believe was planned in advance)?

 

[Dumbo7]

OP was not asking for a replacement vacation. The children have known allergies. If they were concerned about a replacement vacation they could have gotten insurance. She merely wanted to speak to someone. It’s terrible what happened to her grandchildren. No one wants to have that happen at any restaurant or vacation. I have a teenager with a treenut allergy. We were in a restaurant in Europe and there was a dessert which ended up having a pitaschio topping and it wasn’t stated on the menu. She did have a reaction but she has a protocol to take benedryl and then the epipen. Thank goodness we didn’t have to resort to the epipen. It is very scary. I contacted the restaurant and told them in the future the menu should state if a dessert has treenuts. I didn’t expect them to cover my dinner. With an allergy you always have a risk of being exposed. Whether known or not. Really the only truly safe thing to do is bring your own food. I know a highly allergic famiy and they always have a cooler. OP I know you stated the boys were fine. Please update us if you find anything further.

 

[sam_gordon]

OP was not asking for a replacement vacation.

well, kind of...

They need to give you all an all exclusive trips to make this right , and let your g sons be grand Marshall of a Parade

That would be wonderful, just to get the time back with them and my son and his wife would mean the world to us.

I feel Disney will give us another vacation together...it can be at a resort anywhere with a kitchen so we can cook their food & bring it with us.
It doesn’t have to be at a Disney resort, just a redo of time missed together.

I don’t think that’s asking too much really. They are precious moments together, I can’t tell you how much I was looking forward to being with them, not just a couple days, but a week.
We are a very loving, close family who happens to live in different states.

The only thing we want is our time back together, we are all hard working people who are always giving to those in need.
This time we need something, precious time together with our family is our most important gift in life.

 

[chicagoshannon]

So how many days early did they leave? Hopefully Disney will reimburse for the tickets that weren't used and they should pay for the hospital stay.

I hope you enjoyed the time you did have together.

 

[Kellykins1218]

OP was not asking for a replacement vacation. The children have known allergies. If they were concerned about a replacement vacation they could have gotten insurance. She merely wanted to speak to someone.

I feel Disney will give us another vacation together...it can be at a resort anywhere with a kitchen so we can cook their food & bring it with us.
It doesn’t have to be at a Disney resort, just a redo of time missed together.

I don’t think that’s asking too much really.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I am trying to follow this story, which is a bit convoluted and put it together with other mentioned threads. Here is what i have got:

Grandma (OP) had some sort of premonition that a disaster would happen on this vacation and asked about Disney Disasters, worried about how to get to good hospitals, etc even before the trip.

Sure enough, near the end of the trip (next to last day the kids/grandkids would be there, I think) two kids with identical life threatening allergies consumed something at breakfast which set off reactions.

Even though one boy reacted immediately, after one bite of waffle, and very severely, there was time to pull the chef out to the table and no one knew it was the waffles that caused the reaction until he told the family it must have been the waffles.

It just so happens that the two boys are allergic to basically all four ingredients in the normal version of the waffles.

The kid who ate an entire waffle was pretty much ok, but an epi pen was still used and he was still transported by ambulance.

The more affected boy stayed overnight in the hospital (or just daytime? One of many places i am fuzzy on), had steriods, etc but is OK now.

No one from wdw, even though the family were transported to first aid to meet the ambulance and then, presumably transported in a Disney owned Reedy Creek ambulance to hospital, had the son'S contact information until OP gave it to them over a day later when she contacted them after moving from an offsite hotel to YC after her son and grandkids had returned home (possibly leaving a day early? Sounds to me like this might have been the last planned park day with going home the next and if kids were released mid afternoon parents decided to just head home then rather than stay a night just to leave in the morning. perhaps?)

OP doe not think it would be unreasonable to be given an free trip for 6 in a condo with kitchen in compensation for the missed day or so of being at the theme parks together and feels someone at YC should speak directly to her about an incident involving her grandson of whom she is not a guardian?


Honestly, there seems to be a whole lot here which doesn't make sense. OP, I think your stress and worry over seeing your grandchild in distress has probably led to you being confused and not seeing everything or recalling it correctly. I am sure your son and Disney have been and will be in contact and if there is any reason to believe fault lies with WDW they will cover medical cost and unused park tickets for your son and his immediate family.
I hope you are able to get a handle on your anxieties, that you enjoyed your remaining time at WDW, especially the YC portion which was, I think, planned to be just you and your DH anyway, and that your next visit with the kids goes more smoothly.

 

[sam_gordon]

So how many days early did they leave? Hopefully Disney will reimburse for the tickets that weren't used and they should pay for the hospital stay.

I hope you enjoyed the time you did have together.

I totally agree with you, but I wanted to point out on the bolded... depending on how many days the original tickets were and how many were used, a straight reimbursement might not be a lot. For example, the price difference between a 4 day PH and a 7 day is $35/person.

I think Disney should just give them a PH for each day missed. Which we still don't know how many park days were actually missed by the grand kids and the parents.

 

[msjprincess]

I totally agree with you, but I wanted to point out on the bolded... depending on how many days the original tickets were and how many were used, a straight reimbursement might not be a lot. For example, the price difference between a 4 day PH and a 7 day is $35/person.

I think Disney should just give them a PH for each day missed. Which we still don't know how many park days were actually missed by the grand kids and the parents.

ITA

I think Disney should give them tickets for the unused days and reimburse them for any out of pocket medical expenses.


I'm still unclear if they went home early and if so, why. Even if they didn't want to return to WDW they could have just hung out at the hotel pool.

I understand how scary it can be. I have a child with severe food allergies. I've had to use an epi-pen and go to the ER numerous times. I just think that a free vacation for extended family members is over the top.

 

[sk!mom]

A replacement vacation is totally different (IMO) than "whatever expenses were lost". I totally agree Disney should reimburse/pay for expenses that happened because of this. Here's what I consider valid expenses:
* The breakfast
* Time/materials used at First Aid
* Ambulance ride
* Any hospital costs (ER, inpatient, doctor, whatever)
* Transportation back to either WDW or their hotel
* Transportation (airfare changes/tickets) back home *IF* medically necessary
* Park tickets for however many days the family was in the hospital

If the family decided on their own to cut their vacation short (which still seems strange to me, even if I didn't want to go back to Disney, I'd hang at the resort for a day or two), I don't think Disney is responsible for those changes. It sounds like the OP stayed with their own plans after the kids left, so they're not out any additional expenses (maybe park tickets).

The OP made a big deal about lost time with the kids. I get it. But if time with the family was so important, why would they move from the condos where the kids were to YC (which I believe was planned in advance)?

Did they comp your breakfast, OP? I don't think I've seen that response and it certainly seems like the starting point of compensation.

I asked early on, how long the vacation was intended to be? Has that been answered?

I agree that they shouldn't have expected you to pay for a breakfast that made someone ill, they should cover all medical costs, and should refund lost vacation expenses for your son's family. If I'm understanding the situation, the OP didn't cut short her vacation so I'm not sure what they would comp other than the ruined breakfast.

The situation stinks and I'm so sorry that your vacation ended abruptly and badly.

 

[Lynn CC]

I'm really surprised how many people think OP should just suck it up and accept that the vacation was ruined. I'm willing to bet most of you would not feel the same if put in this situation, after all the time we spend planning and as much money as these vacations cost. Disney prides themselves on customer service. The least they should do is reimburse the family (including the grandparents, who were part of the vacation) for whatever expenses were lost by their (potentially life threatening) mistake. I would be shocked if they don't make this right.

Yes, you are right we were part of the vacation. You are also right about if it happened to them how would they feel.
It’s really not about the money it’s about the time lost together, which was Wednesday morning when this happened through Friday. Doesn’t seem like a lot of time to some people but it’s a lot of time missed with my family. I only see them once or twice a year, which is why I’m so sad about this.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Then you will have kids upset they don't get Mickey Mouse like the other kids. I agree, they need to think up something. Maybe a paper napkin on the plate that is green, or something.

I don't think there can every be a system that is 100% fool proof. As long as humans are involved there is some margin for error. But it needs to be as slim as possible.

Disney has "Allergy" picks that they have used at various times. One trip, they used them on every single plate. But other trips they are used sporadically.

 

[sam_gordon]

Yes, you are right we were part of the vacation. You are also right about if it happened to them how would they feel.
It’s really not about the money it’s about the time lost together, which was Wednesday morning when this happened through Friday. Doesn’t seem like a lot of time to some people but it’s a lot of time missed with my family. I only see them once or twice a year, which is why I’m so sad about this.

When did the kids leave?
When were they scheduled to leave?
If they left before they were scheduled, why? Did doctors recommend them going home?

Do you think Disney owes you a week long stay & park passes?

 

[Lynn CC]

Did they comp your breakfast, OP? I don't think I've seen that response and it certainly seems like the starting point of compensation.

I asked early on, how long the vacation was intended to be? Has that been answered?

I agree that they shouldn't have expected you to pay for a breakfast that made someone ill, they should cover all medical costs, and should refund lost vacation expenses for your son's family. If I'm understanding the situation, the OP didn't cut short her vacation so I'm not sure what they would comp other than the ruined breakfast.

The situation stinks and I'm so sorry that your vacation ended abruptly and badly.

You asked why I moved from Melia Suites to Yacht Club, this was on Friday the day they planned to leave. This way DH & I could relax before flying back to CA...

DH & I also stayed at POR for 2 nights before my son & his family got to Florida. Just so we could do some adult things together & unwind before meeting the rest of the family.
Yes, your other questions I’ve already answered if you would like to read back.

Your right, The situation really does stink.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Yes, you are right we were part of the vacation. You are also right about if it happened to them how would they feel.
It’s really not about the money it’s about the time lost together, which was Wednesday morning when this happened through Friday. Doesn’t seem like a lot of time to some people but it’s a lot of time missed with my family. I only see them once or twice a year, which is why I’m so sad about this.

were you not allowed to be at the hospital and visit as your grandson was recovering?
I mean, that is not as fun as WDW but it is still time together (which Disney has no way of replacing for you anyway---if you do not have time to spend more than a week or so together per year, you'll still only get that much time next year, whether Disney comps you a room or you visit one another at home, right?). it stinks. It is never fun when medical stuff intrudes on fun time with far off family a someone who lives on a different continent than most family and only got to see my parents every 2-3 years for much of my kids' childhoods, I really get that---but feeling a free vacation for extended family is reasonable to ask for for this seems, well, overly dramatic IMO.

and if he spent one night in hospital after a Wednesday breakfast, then they left one day early? Is that correct? Your son went home Thursday instead of Friday. And not becuase he was advised to for medical reasons, he was just sort of done with the vacation at that point?
Did your son say why he was cutting the trip short?