Incident with large ball at Epcot

[pasgt21]

Its not a matter of "personal space" its kids getting slammed in the face with with giant ball . funny I was never prompted to buy something by getting slammed in the face with it. I wonder how this "SALES" pitch started

 

[dopeys biggest fan]

Its not a matter of "personal space" its kids getting slammed in the face with with giant ball . funny I was never prompted to buy something by getting slammed in the face with it. I wonder how this "SALES" pitch started

It's just a giant balloon!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Its not a matter of "personal space" its kids getting slammed in the face with with giant ball . funny I was never prompted to buy something by getting slammed in the face with it. I wonder how this "SALES" pitch started

Yeah, it truly isn't "slammed" into anyone's face. It's bounced at guests who are typically looking in the CMs direction. Obviously, the CM didn't intend to hurt the OP's son. I'm surprised that everyone here on the DIS hasn't had one of these giant balloon balls bounced in their direction at some point in the Disney World lives.

Taking nothing away from the OP's bad experience, the bouncing/tossing really doesn't bother me...I just bounce it back.

 

[bicker]

Its not a matter of "personal space"

That was the way the earlier poster expressed it, and my reply was to what that earlier poster said.

its kids getting slammed in the face with with giant ball

I don't believe that there is any "slamming" going on. I believe that's hyperbole and therefore an inaccurate characterization. The balls in question are specifically designed so that they cannot be "slammed". That's part of their appeal, in that they're safer for smaller children to play with since they cannot hurt each other with them. The "playing" that the salesperson does demonstrates this, in most cases.

Indeed, I didn't remember exactly, yesterday, but I thought that the same thing happened to us when we brought the little ones to Epcot several years ago -- with Nathan being hit in the face when he was surprised by the ball. My wife, of course, remembers everything, and reminded me that he laughed and laughed at being so surprised! Rachel and Nathan played with salesperson for quite a while after the initial encounter. I suspect that if we were rich, we'd probably have bought two of those balls.

 

[aprilgail2]

Hmmm...made of plastic/poylester, full of air, no beneficial use, if inflated, a real pain for Mom and Dad to carry around, destined to be popped/thrown into the closet when finally taken home, never to be used again...what kid wouldn't love that?!!?

My 5 year old daughter has 2 of them and loves them, she plays with them all the time...we blow up the balloon inside to play with in the hotel while we are tehre, just deflate the balloon and stake it home and inflate it again at home..I love it since its something we can play with inside the house. When we go to EPCOT she loves passing by the balloon people and playing catch with them.....but to each kid there own.....

 

[Planogirl]

I'm glad to get more facts about the balloons! I may just have to price them the next time we go to WDW.

I think a lot is being made of this but the supervisor should have done a better job. It's too bad but CS definitely didn't make it's presence known in this case.

 

[yeartolate]

Aren't these things balloons with a cloth cover?????

If there is a cast member not using discretion bouncing these things about, that is one issue, but until I read this thread, I have only seen positive responses to the balloons in the past.

 

[slo]

I haven't read all the posts - only the ones on the first page and I feel so bad that you had this happen to your son and then to you with the rude supervisor.

I am a store manager and I completely understand that you would have wanted him to be more attentive to your problem. I always try to make sure my disgruntled customers feel better before they leave my store or get off the phone.

I personally have never had a problem with the CM's throwing these balls at anyone in my family and we go every year. They have always got my DD's attention before tossing the ball to her. Like you said - I'm sure she didn't mean any harm, but she should not be tossing anything to anyone, regardless what it is, before getting someone's attention.

If I were you, I would write a letter and let them know what happened because they need to know what is going on in the parks. If people don't report incidents they will continue to happen.

Take care!!

 

[snoopy]

We love those balls/baloons (and I'm sure we still have a few around here to prove it! ). My kids always engage in the play. I'm trying to figure out how one could really hurt someone, its very light.

What bug me are those airplanes in the kiosks at the mall. Those things have the potential to be pretty dangerous, imo.

 

[Yardbird]

I've noticed the giant ball throwing at the parks too, and IMO that practice should be stopped. It's a sales tactic. The supervisor you spoke with, shouldn't be in customer service.

 

[bicker]

I'm a little confused: Are you saying it should be stopped because it is a sales tactic, or because you feel it is dangerous/hazardous/etc.?

 

[Yardbird]

I'm a little confused: Are you saying it should be stopped because it is a sales tactic, or because you feel it is dangerous/hazardous/etc.?

Not because it's a sales tactic, just stating that's the reason for the ball tossing. The giant balls that I've seen are a little heavier than a regular ballon, and I don't feel that they should be thrown in children's faces, especially if they are unaware. That said, I'm sure that the CM didn't throw it at the OP son to cause harm.

 

[bicker]

Not because it's a sales tactic, just stating that's the reason for the ball tossing.

Okay, thanks for clarifying your message for me!

 

[taeja71]

This has been an interesting thread to read. It makes me wonder if I should take an umbrella to deflect the balls coming at us (if I can see it coming). I don't think carrying around a large sewing pin would be very good idea either. Wouldn't popping the ballon/ball catch them by surprise. You'd probably end up paying for the ball, but like the Master Card comercial says...blah blah blah priceless. I esp. enjoyed the poster who said catch the ball, say thank you, and walk off for a little bit. If the seller is trying to catch you off guard, maybe doing that would catch them off guard as well. (see what kind of mood I'm in today- this is very not like me).

Glad to know the Op's son is o.k.. Children's eyes are very sensitive.

 

[Lisa F]

Well all I can say is that I'm glad you're not talking about Spaceship Earth! I was wondering what kind of incident could have happened on my favorite ride!

 

[pasgt21]

Its not some big deal to us adults but it upsets the little ones when they are caught off guard, Thats all ... Actual physical injury,,, well i doubt it .. but it can be upsetting for little kids

 

[disneymom3]

I can see why you were upset especially about the supervisors reaction. My kids really love that the ball vendors throw the ball around, but when youngest DS was about 1.5 we were walking through Epcot and he was toddling along holding my hand when he got totally beaned with one of those balls and it knocked him down. Now, he is a pretty sturdy little guy and had been walking for like 7 months by this time, so I was darn surprised, but down he went. Thankfully, just landed on his diapered bottom as I was holding his hand, he didn't get any further. He cried a bit and the CM/seller whatever, did act quite concerned and made sure he was okay. However, I know this ball had been hit by another child, not the worker. That child's mom was totally mortified and started to really get on her son about being more careful. We reassured her that DS was just fine--tough little cookie--and that we knew it was an accident that could have happened to anyone.

Had it been the vendor, I would have been a bit more peeved.