I did something horribly stupid

[MickeyMonstersMom]

... I accepted a ride from a stranger. Luckily (very much so) it all worked out fine, and I would not even have admitted this except for two things: 1. the individual was a CM; and 2. it restored some of my faith in the everyday goodness of people, something lacking in much of modern society.

The whole story: I was trying to get from the Contemporary to DTD and had been sitting at the bus stop for quite a while. Several CM's had spoken to me while sitting there, so it wasn't a surprise when a CM came out of the building and asked where I was headed. He said, "Oh, buses are so few and far between here - I'll take you right over." I figured it was some nice perk of the Deluxe resort transportation system and followed him over to the parking lot, but then he stopped in front of a regular car and told me to hang on a sec while he got his junk out of the passenger seat. It turned out that he'd just finished his shift and was headed home - DTD happened to be on the way. Any rational person would probably have said something about misinterpreting the ride and gotten out of there, but I didn't - must have been a colossally stupid moment. Anyway, though I figured a Disney CM would never be an ax murderer, I quickly memorized his name (on his CM tag) and the license plate and car model, as well as considered how many red lights there were in the area and how I could jump out if he turned freaky on me. Stupid, stupid, I know.

Well, the guy was very nice and talked to me about his experiences as a CM while he drove me directly to DTD and let me out right at the entrance. I did not let on that I was traveling solo, mentioning that my kids were with their dad and saying "we" all over the place. In retrospect, I'm half embarrassed at my fear and half furious with myself for being in that position in the first place. In the end, though, it's a great thing that a person would simply offer a ride just to be helpful - it's nice to think that there are still normal, sane, non-violent *nice* people out there. And for my sanity, I'm going to think of my escapade that way. I'll never do something like that again - not going to press my luck - but ultimately it reaffirmed my faith in humans. Nice.

 

[LadyEMT]

(((((mmm)))))

 

[PiperPizzaz]

I don't think I would have been too worried. To me it seems no different than a cab ride. WDW employees are screened.

 

[soupy11]

It is so interesting the way things have changed over the years. The media has really done a number on our collective psyche. 20 years ago you probably would have thought nothing of it, yet the odds of something horrible happening would have been the same as today.

 

[emerymt]

I did a similar thing in Hawaii. We were walking out to a beach that was off the beaten path, and if you know the Big Island, it's pretty much impassable in spots unless you have a 4WD, which we didn't. My DH and DS 14 left the three slow-moving ones, and a native guy in a pickup came by and said the kids could ride in the back and I could ride in the front. It was a great ride, the guy was nice, told us all about his family etc. We passed DS and DH and had a good laugh. I think if you assess the situation, you are fine.

Basically, if you have good instincts, listen to them. In our situation, the guy's tuck would have sustained major undercarriage damage if he tried to "run off" with us! Had we not ridden with him, we would have missed a few minutes of true aloha spirit, and I'm sure both he and I would have felt bad had I refused his kind offer.

 

[bavaria]

It is so interesting the way things have changed over the years. The media has really done a number on our collective psyche. 20 years ago you probably would have thought nothing of it, yet the odds of something horrible happening would have been the same as today.

and isn't sad that a small act of kindness (which CMs are taught to offer, and which we come to expect from them) resulted in a negative experience? In decades past the actions of the CM would most likely have been worthy of a complimentary letter.

I have often had CMs offer me rides, albeit in WDW vehicles.

OP, I'm sorry that you felt so uncomfortable with the situation.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I am sure that you are a nice person and all BUT the CM was putting themselves at risk too especially in their own private vehicle.

It is a sad thing that this has to be true though.

I am very careful about who I give rides to even with folks I know. Too many lawsuits out there.

Slightly Goofy

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

and isn't sad that a small act of kindness (which CMs are taught to offer, and which we come to expect from them) resulted in a negative experience? In decades past the actions of the CM would most likely have been worthy of a complimentary letter.

I have often had CMs offer me rides, albeit in WDW vehicles.

OP, I'm sorry that you felt so uncomfortable with the situation.

That's exactly how I felt, but couldn't put it into words - I felt terrible that I was so suspicious and scared. At the same time, I bet that if I were to write that "complimentary letter" now, the poor CM would be disciplined for opening himself and WDW to a potential lawsuit, as SlightlyGoofy said.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have friends in nursing homes and will not sign them out to take them for a ride or anything, mostly. When I did it the first time and I read the papers I had to sign it scared me to death and then sometimes the families might hold you responsible for ANYTHING at all and it is putting everything you have worked for on the line.

It is very sad that it has to be that way. The Good Samaritan would have had to consult with his lawyer first.

Slightly Goofy

 

[spiceycat]

one time at the LBV post office (forgetting it was a holiday) - there was a CM - and I gave him a ride back - he had forgotten too and had a big package to send.

 

[tonya_leigh73]

Well, you didn't get hurt and you got to where you needed to be. Your judgement was on course for this particular situation. Intuition is a wonderful thing! I would not feel bad about being suspicious and scared. Those fight/flight feelings help keep you safe. Yes, there are many good people in this world Hope you had a nice time @ DTD!

 

[bavaria]

this thread saddens me, actually. Perhaps because I don't live in the US, or perhaps some would call me naive, I don't find myself thinking along these lines much. (And yes, for the record, things happen in Germany too - in the mid 1980's one of the programs I watched on TV was 'XYZ - unsolved' and it always seemed to feature teenage girls who took a bus to the local disco and disappeared)

I have stood at the bus stop at a WDW resort, and after a long wait and people getting antsy, decided to drive my car to the park instead. I have offered other people waiting at the bus stop a ride.

I have also offered a family with a child a ride to CentraCare when they were on the same bus as I was.

The comment about suing someone really frustrates me.. Hopefully Spicey, CMs and I can still continue to follow our best instincts and offer kindness this way.

 

[NedsTJ]

A number of years ago I was there with my family. My youngest brother and his friend wanted to ride the monorail one last time, so I took them with me and we got aboard the monrail at the TTC (rest of the group took the bus), and rode in the front compartment to Epcot (we were staying at the Swan or Dolphin, can't remember), thinking we could just walk thru Epcot to get to the hotel. Well, we didn't realize that Epcot was closed, and they wouldn't let us thru. So we waited for a bus. And waited. And waited. Finally, a CM came over and asked where we were trying to get to, I told him, and he went and got a bus and took us over. Very nice of him. I think we just missed the last one, and didn't realize it. Disney had just changed how they were doing the busses (remember the flags!!), and it was still very confusing. For some reason I think I just trust Disney CM's -- maybe it's that "Disney Air" that makes you feel much safer than you normally would!!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I don't think I would have been too worried. To me it seems no different than a cab ride. WDW employees are screened.

My husband is a big city Police officer and they have a saying....

"Screened means hasn't been caught yet"

Thankfully your situation worked out and it was a kind hearted person who only wanted to help. It is sad that our society is aways on guard but if you saw what my husband sees on a daily basis you would understand why. I hate the idea of bringing up my children with the notion that they have to be afraid of the world, but they do need to learn to be cautious and on guard. I would have said a very warm thank you to the CM and said, "I know you have the best intentions and I am grateful that there are kindhearted people like you left on the earth, however I would not be setting a very good example for my children (whether they are with me or not), if I got into a car with a stranger. I hope you understand and God Bless."

On a side note, I have a very big for his age 7 year old autistic son who hates going into a women's public bathroom with me (when my husband is not with us). On several occassions I have had women (usually older women 60+) tell me that it was inappropriate to bring him into the bathroom. I tell them that my husband is a Police officer who has worked more than his share of cases where young boys are molested in the bathroom by predators who lie in wait in the bathroom for young boys to go to the bathroom by themselves. Which is why I am a huge proponet for family bathrooms.

 

[Glendamax]

I don't think it was stupid. I wouldve gotten in the car too. But have to admit that I end up doing things at WDW I wouldnt do at home. For instance, I'll talk to ANYONE about anything. I'll hold people's kids on the buses etc. Don't feel stupid, I think Disney just has that affect on folks. I am glad he wasnt crazy, and you made out ok.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I don't think it was stupid. I wouldve gotten in the car too. But have to admit that I end up doing things at WDW I wouldnt do at home. For instance, I'll talk to ANYONE about anything. I'll hold people's kids on the buses etc. Don't feel stupid, I think Disney just has that affect on folks. I am glad he wasnt crazy, and you made out ok.

I know what you mean. Disney just puts you at ease, I guess. Last September, we were on the bus coming back from MK. It was crowded and there were no seats. My mom and I were sitting when a single mother got on with her three daughters. They were 10, 7, and 4. I offered my seat to the woman, insisting she take it after first refusing. She sat with the four year old on her lap. The ten year old was okay standing, but the seven year had trouble balancing herself. So my mom offered her lap. She looked at her mom first, but then took the offer. Where else but in Disney would this happen? Grant it, my mother is a kindly looking woman, but that, sadly, just does not happen in "real life." We had a great conversation with them and saw them several times the rest of our trip. I wish we'd gotten their information as they were a really nice family.