Horrible Experience at Harmony Barber Shop

[belle&beast]

Wow, I am so sorry you had such a bad experience! We were there on Jan. 17th and had a great time...My DS2 had a haircut and pixie dust and my DD4 had her hair done and pixie dusted. In fact, my husband went back the next day for a haircut. We did not see Norma, though, but I cannot make out the names in my pictures- I will have to look at the videos. Thanks for posting your experience and hopefully WDW will handle the situation.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I just remembered this--the day I brought my son in for his haircut (this is about 2 years ago), Michael was working on a tween boy putting glitter in his hair, some on top and also writing something on the back of his head with glitter. It was a big secret while he was doing it and he asked the child and the parents not to look until he was done. When the boy had the mirror held up to him to see what had been written, he found the word DORK in gigantic letters, in red glitter no less, on the back of his head. The boy and his parents looked puzzled and absolutely mortified, but no one said anything or complained. They just said thank you, paid and left. I guess Michael was having a bad day? Or perhaps he thought he was funny? Needless to say, I was happy to have the other stylist cut my son's hair that day. Everyone has their moods and bad days, I guess. However, I am in 100% agreement that the OP's situation is different and that the stylist was inappropriate.

 

[seashoreCM]

(Didn't read the whole thread, may be repeating someone)
You should have included a trip to Guest Relations at the park, for this specific situation you should have gone there immediately. My immediate reaction is that what happened was egregious enough that you would not be out of line to ask for a round of complimentary dinner entrees for the family where the primary reason for such request is to encourage an immediate investigation behind the scenes.

The CM's at the barber shop should quietly reject any child who is fussy or whose parent is fussy and go on to the next customer.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[lookingforward]

Wow, I am so sorry about your little boy's haircut (or lack of!) Norma's actions were inexcusable and sad. My husband would have reacted the same way yours did, it is so hard to second guess after the fact. I hope that you sent his picture to WDW (and commend your husband for not posting it here).Please let us know what response you are given, I hope they reassign Norma.

By the way, if someone wrote Dork on the back of my child's head I can assure you that I would have seen the inside of Disney jail because I would have been unable to restrain myself!

Thanks for posting your experience and don't let anyone get you down!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I was mortified for the "dork" child (not trying to be insensitive) and was shocked that no words were exchanged between the parents and the stylist. I brought it up bc I think it shows that sometimes we are in shock and do not respond to things immediately, just like the OP and her husband.

 

[goofygal531]

Thanks for everyones positive responses. I'm happy to say my DS got his haircut today at our regular kiddie salon and he looks as handsome as ever. He sat nicely in a sports car chair and watched Thomas the Train videos as the stylist tried her best to "fix" his hair. It's not perfect, but much much better than it was before. When he started to get fussy, another stylist entertained him with bubbles. I tipped them both generously.

A few comments:

The fact that someone would think I could make up a story like this blows my mind!

I did not see her whip out the buzzer. I was trying to entertain my son. She pulled it out from behind her. It took me a second to focus on what she was doing. Then I reacted. I was truly in shock to see the buzzer up the back of his head. It honestly came out of nowhere.

Yes, now I realize I should have waited in line at Guest Relations, but was too upset and so was my son at the time. My main concern was calming him down. I did tell my resort manager, front desk staff, etc.. They all instructed me to email the complaint which I had no problem with. At the time I was not out for a free meal, I was just upset and wanted to enjoy the rest of my vacation. Now, the free meals sound like a great idea.

The funny thing is my own mother is a hairstylist and she was with us last year when they cut his hair. She was impressed how well they entertained my son and what a wonderful haircut they gave. She tells everyone that the stylist there are like SuperNanny when it comes to controling kids. So I'm sorry if I expected it again. But yes it's Disneyworld and it's more entertainment factor. It's an experience.

It won't stop me from going there. I'll just make sure to go to someone reputable. Who enjoys their job and enjoys working with children.

My son is not a brat and does not put up a fight. He's a normal 2 year old who just needs a little entertainment in order to sit. Once you entertain him, he lets you cut his hair. He's just not going to sit there and read a magazine like someone suggested.

When someone from Guest Relations contacts me, I'll be sure to post the response.

Thanks again for all the positive comments!! I truly appreciate it!

 

[all4fun]

I'm trying to picture a hairstylist blowing bubbles, sticking stickers and cutting a child's hair, all at the same time...

Gee, how did kids get their hair cut before videos and 'bells and whistles' became the norm? .

Yes they do. Here's a pic of my ds with Maura giving him his first haircut

and:

We had another wonderful experience on our next trip with a nice older gentleman who I unfortunately can't remember his name. So it can be a lovely experience.

To the OP, I'm sorry people have been so rude to you. I don't think I would have handled it any differently and I would have been just as upset. I hope that Disney does something to compensate you for your horrible experience.

 

[mel]

that is horrible! I agree you should report her!

 

[rchristiansen]

The fact that someone would think I could make up a story like this blows my mind!

I just told this Story to my DH and thinks it's rediculous that someone would think you are lying about it. He said the story itself may be 'unbelievable' because at Disney you expect so much, but he said "It's not like you said Aliens came down and abducted you at the barber shop" And you're not looking for donations for your pain and suffering. My DH said "it must be Intern Season" - That's when we had the issue with the college student at the Boardwalk --- College Interns just starting.

 

[Alexsma]

You need to make sure with little ones you do not have a stylist like alexsma--nothing against her, but that is not the type of stylist who should move beyond adults even if they cut hair better than anyone else on Earth.

Thanks a lot for the relpy, I was just speaking my mind! I guess you didn't happen to notice that I also volunteer my time for disabled children, ones with special needs such as autism!
I guess that's what hapens when someone takes time to say how they feel, I was right when I said that I would be flamed for it.
Until you or your child sit in my chair you wouldn't know it! I have a very large clientel of adult and children, who respect me! And enjoy their service.

 

[rt2dz]

Thanks a lot for the relpy, I was just speaking my mind! I guess you didn't happen to notice that I also volunteer my time for disabled children, ones with special needs such as autism!
I guess that's what hapens when someone takes time to say how they feel, I was right when I said that I would be flamed for it.
Until you or your child sit in my chair you wouldn't know it! I have a very large clientel of adult and children, who respect me! And enjoy their service.

1) You were not being flamed. I think some people scream "flame" if anyone comments on something they said with lack of 100% agreement. I don't think you're flaming me right now. Not my defination of a flame.

2) What difference does it make that you volunteer your time for disabled children, ones with autism? I didn't think it was relevent then and I don't think it is relevant now. I am not saying you are a lousy person. You may be a wonderful person and a fantatastic stylist (something I tried to put forth in my previous post). My statement was in reference to the fact that you represented yourself as not wanting to entertain a child (something they advertise as doing at the WDW barbershop) and you just want to cut hair. That keeping the child still is sole responsibility of the parent. Yes, I know my child well, and I am always on hand when any of them get their hair cut, but a child needs to be comfortable with the person handling the scary scissors they aren't allowed to place with at home right by their face.

That would work for my oldest DS from his very first haircut--he has been perfect since the day he was born, but not my second DS. That is why I only take him places that are willing as a matter of part of the service to a place that will entertain while cutting, even though I pay twice as much as other places. I need a stylist for him that isn't bothered by treating children like that. I need a stylist (as represented in their posts) much more like Mouse House Mama. You represented yourself simply as cut hair, get your commission. These other stylist get BIG tips too for keeping the kids in a happy place. I'm sorry if you are not the way you came off as. Let's face it, internet posts don't always convey things the way you mean to.

3) Don't be so defensive. If you were only speaking your mind (and in many areas I agreed with several things you said), then you should be comfortable with what you said and not care what anyone else thinks.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

entertain a child (something they advertise as doing at the WDW barbershop)

Do they? Just wondering, because I really never noticed; I first heard about it on the DIS years ago, and we've only been there (to the barbershop) once.

And not calling a difference of opinion "flaming" goes both ways, and I saw a whole lot of accusations of flaming when anyone else didn't fall all over the OP with "100% agreement" on this thread.

JMHO. Flame away.

 

[aplejax76]

I am so sorry that you had a bad experience. In all fairness I am a stylist, what time of the day did you take your little one in? A two year old is a handful at times and when they are tired or hungry almost impossible. You had mentioned that the other stylist had the nerve to hand you the bubbles! I am sorry this may sound very harsh, and I am sure to get flamed for this. But give me a break, her job is not to entertain your child, stylists get paid on commission at least they do where I am from. She is not getting paid to keep your child busy, also some will not want to interfere with other stylists’ clients. Your son knows you and your husband best and some kids are not comfortable with other people getting too close while something is going on that they would rather wasn’t.

I am sorry again that things didn’t work out for you, and I am sorry if this sounds harsh. I just get too many parents that bring their kids into the salon and just ignore their behavior. When is the last time you tried to cut a moving target? It isn’t easy, which is why I have the scars to prove it. I have been in this business for over 12 years and yes take care of screaming kids’ everyday. I also help out and cut kids with disabilities hair at a local center, it isn’t something that everyone can do.

I guess what I am trying to say is she was wrong in how she cut his hair, but it’s not the other girls’ job to entertain your son either. The state board of Cosmetology won’t help unless the area was unsanitary or the girl wasn’t licensed. They don’t control quality issues. Sorry again, I realize that I will be flamed horribly but I had to speak my mind.

Sorry if this has already been said as I have not read through this entire thread.

I have to respectfully disagree. I have been a stylist for 8 years. Although you are right that it is very hard to cut a 2 year olds hair. A salon is totally different than the barber shop in Disney. It is entertainment as well as a haircut!!!!!! That is what they are hired to do.

I would never just take the clippers out without explaining what I was doing. This woman seems like she had no costumer service skills whatsoever. This is what Disney prides themselves on. They fell very short with this stylist.

 

[grlpwrd]

I am so sorry that you had a bad experience. In all fairness I am a stylist, what time of the day did you take your little one in? A two year old is a handful at times and when they are tired or hungry almost impossible. You had mentioned that the other stylist had the nerve to hand you the bubbles! I am sorry this may sound very harsh, and I am sure to get flamed for this. But give me a break, her job is not to entertain your child, stylists get paid on commission at least they do where I am from. She is not getting paid to keep your child busy, also some will not want to interfere with other stylists’ clients. Your son knows you and your husband best and some kids are not comfortable with other people getting too close while something is going on that they would rather wasn’t.

I am sorry again that things didn’t work out for you, and I am sorry if this sounds harsh. I just get too many parents that bring their kids into the salon and just ignore their behavior. When is the last time you tried to cut a moving target? It isn’t easy, which is why I have the scars to prove it. I have been in this business for over 12 years and yes take care of screaming kids’ everyday. I also help out and cut kids with disabilities hair at a local center, it isn’t something that everyone can do.

I guess what I am trying to say is she was wrong in how she cut his hair, but it’s not the other girls’ job to entertain your son either. The state board of Cosmetology won’t help unless the area was unsanitary or the girl wasn’t licensed. They don’t control quality issues. Sorry again, I realize that I will be flamed horribly but I had to speak my mind.

Have you even been to the WDW barbershop? They entertain the kids - that is part of their job.

 

[rt2dz]

Do they? Just wondering, because I really never noticed; I first heard about it on the DIS years ago, and we've only been there (to the barbershop) once.

And not calling a difference of opinion "flaming" goes both ways, and I saw a whole lot of accusations of flaming when anyone else didn't fall all over the OP with "100% agreement" on this thread.

JMHO. Flame away.

Yes, they do. It is in there souvener DVDs that you can only purchase at Disney. It is also in promotional specials like the ones seen on the travel channel. It has been written that way in Family Fun magazine and been in the Disney magazine.

I'm not sure I understand what you are saying about flaming. However, I think that is my point. I don't call differences of opinion, no matter by who, flaming. I think flaming is saying "you're a liar", etc. Again, I wasn't being disparraging to Alexsma, only saying her style of cutting hair isn't going to compatable with one of my three children and I need to make sure that I don't take him where that type of stylist may work. I made it a point of saying in both posts that she could be a wonderful stylist and in my second post that she may be a wonderful person too, but it is relevant to my point.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks for posting the pictures- Maura is who we had and she was WONDERFUL! It was our daughter's first haircut (she was bald for a long time- so yes, her very first haircut was when she was almost 3yrs old LOL) and it was so awesome. Fortunately we ended up with a special moments certificate and mickey's ears because none of our pictures came out (and I only snapped pictures- didn't pull out the camcorder for this because I also was helping make sure my daughter didn't wiggle for her first haircut) because they were taken on film we purchased at Disney and NONE of those pictures came out! Very disappointing... lesson learned- always bring camcorder and digital camera even if you're just taking a trip just you and your youngest daughter to MK just for the haircut that day! LOL
But without pictures I couldn't remember who was the lady that cut her hair- that's her! She was very sweet... and I was very picky how I wanted what little hair my daughter had cut. She was open to listening how I wanted it done, did it exactly how I asked, kept her entertained and although no bubbles- she did love her mickey confetti in her hair (and worried everytime one fell out of her hair the rest of the day... that wasn't annoying, it was cute LOL).

I went back on a later solo trip and got my hair cut by her too! I hope she's still there if we ever do a cut- or just hair "fixed" pretty with confetti and such.

 

[disfamily3]

I MYSELF AM A FEMALE BARBER, "KNOWING HOW TO HOLD YOUR SHEARS" IS WHAT YOU LEARN THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL! SOUNDS TO ME SHE WAS "NOT" A LISCENSED BARBER OR COSMOTOLOGIST! EVERYTHING YOU DESCRIBED IN YOUR POST TELLS ME THAT THIS LADY SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN BEEN ALLOWED TO TOUCH YOUR CHILD OR ANYONE ELSES HEAD. I HOPE NORMA STAYS WHERE EVER DISNEY PLACED HER. STYLISTS SHOULD ALWAYS TAKE TIME AND HAVE PATIENCE WITH CHILDREN...AND TRY TO MAKE HAIRCUTS A "NOT SO SCARY" THING......ALL KIDS EVENTUALLY GROW UP AND ENJOY SITTING IN THE BARBERS CHAIR! TO WHICH I AM THANKFUL BECAUSE THAT MEANS I WILL ALWAYS HAVE A JOB AND BE ABLE TO PAY FOR MY VACATIONS AT WDW

 

[jamzots]

Also, making accusations online against someone can be considered harrassment, and a lawsuit can be filed.

Your joking right?

 

[Kristi1357]

Sorry this happened to you, OP!

The only thing I have to add is this - my son had his first haircut there last year with Michael (he spells it differently, but I forget the correct spelling now). He was one of the stylists featured in that Disney Magazine article from awhile back. He was wonderful and kept DS very busy with TONS of Mickey stickers.

We again had DS's hair cut there earlier this month. Our stylist was Beverlene (sp?) - she was also great!

For any of you planning on a trip to the MK Barbershop - those are 2 good stylists!

Oh, and for those of you that don't understand why people get all excited about haircuts in WDW - for us it has been more of a convenience issue. I ran out of time before our January trip and didn't get DS's hair cut before we left. It was driving me crazy at WDW, so our first MK day, I got it done. In years past, my own hair was driving me nuts, so I went to the salon at the CSR - felt much better the rest of my trip!

And the cool colors, as well as "pixie dust," they put in your hair are just plain FUN!

 

[alikat99]

I am SO sorry that this happened to you. Because we live here in FL, only 1.5 hrs away, my DH and 2 DDs have their haircut at Harmony Barbershop all the time. My 2 DDs have never had their hair cut anywhere else. I have never seen Norma, and I hope that I never do. I can HIGHLY recommend Maura, Michael or Billie!! They are always AWESOME with the girls.

And, as a matter of fact, because we go there to often, Maura even knows my girls and can't wait to see them each time. Heck, we even saw her in the MK on one of her days off once, and she commented that we better not have anyone but her cut my girls' hair, because she likes to do it so much.