Mystery Woman w/Teddy Bears at Grand Floridian Mystery Solved!!

[Disneyadore]

Goodness what a thread I can't help it and have to chime in with a few random comments from all I have taken in in the last few minutes:

*I don't recall having ever seen Lynn--but it is quite possible we could have been near her at some point and not noticed her. There is generally a lot going on in the GF lobby and we are not in the habit of looking for people who "do not belong" or measure up to our expectations in some way (what a sad way that would be to go through life).

*If being happy, not hurting others at all, taking care of yourself and wanting to be kind and speak to others who are interested in talking to you (and yes, even giving a stuffed bear to others if they want it) is considered a mental illness that needs treatment then I think our society has lost its way entirely. Yes, it sounds like Lynn is not typical. She moves to the beat of a different drummer. She can take care of herself, she is not a burden on society. She is not dangerous or unhappy. Being different should not, in and of itself, be a crime or an illness. I can see nothing about this lady that needs "fixed" based on these posts at all

*I often strike up conversations with strangers while "gallivanting" around. I never knew this made me mentally ill or creepy--I thought it meant I am outgoing and friendly. My kids talk to strangers too. They have been given candy, basketballs, hand made tops, beaded necklaces, magazines, books and all manner of other little trinkets. They know how to accept a gift graciously and then check with me about keeping it (or eating it) once we are away from the giver. It never occurred to any of us to see anything creepy, or malicious in being offered a gift by a nice person. It truly think that is anyone has a mental issue needing treatment on this thread it is more likely the overly paranoid and critical ones rather than the friendly and outgoing lady with bears (though I do not actually think anyone sounds like they need treatment to me). I certainly know which person I would rather interact with or live near.

*Personally, I don't care for the GF. I like Wilderness Lodge and Kidani Village best. I even love Port Orleans French Quarter. I like to stay nicer sometimes and spend less time in the parks and I like to stay cheap sometimes and spend lots of hours in the parks. I know others like different hotels, tour differently, etc. Others also have different incomes, different responsibilities and different priorities. As long as the person is not living off of the system in someway (declaring bankruptcy while still keeping their DVC, or taking welfare while still taking trips to WDW, etc)--ways in which I AM paying for it via taxes, then it is NOT my business how someone vacations and I would never dream of criticizing where they stay, where they eat or how they choose to spend their money. Calling Disney to ask about something the person was told (unless you actually need that information for your own trip and want to confirm it), is really very odd

*Tax rate here in Germany: I can believe the 60% number. Income tax alone can be as high as 45% depending on the income (and there do not seem to be a bunch of write offs available to bring that number down as there are in the US--the figure is what it is pretty much). Then figure that everything you buy (including services like hair cuts and the like as well as goods) has a 19% VAT tax, add in taxes on a car, etc and you get there pretty quick. I have noticed that individual charitable giving is less here than in the US--but it is also true that people generally count on the government to handle much of it via these higher taxes and the churches to handle much of what is left (the 10% to Catholic or Protestant churches comes out before you ever see your paycheck for most people so they ARE giving there--though if you asked my neighbors who do this if they donate to charity it wouldn't cross their minds to list this as a donation). I do not see a less caring society at all--simply a completely different structure. In a semi realted thing, here is the abstract of an article that turned up top on the list when I googled homelessness in Germany vs. the USA (now I am curious as to how it compares):
"Abstract
A public opinion survey was administered by telephone to nationally representative samples in the US and Germany to assess prevalence of homelessness as well as attitudes, opinions and knowledge regarding homelessness. Lower prevalence rates were found in Germany as compared with the US. German respondents demonstrated higher levels of general compassion, greater support for the public rights of the homeless, a greater tendency to view the homeless as trustworthy, and were more likely to view economic factors and less likely to view personal failings as integral to the problem of homelessness. Respondent age, gender, and political affiliation predicted many public opinion variables. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd."
Here is the link: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/casp.724/abstract

I agree on everything except the tax. Here is a link to the percentages. Its 52% for the 'normal' taxpayer and above that we as free owners of a small business have to pay many extra taxes called soli taxes.
http://financieel.infonu.nl/belasting/48616-inkomstenbelasting-2010-tarieven-belastingen-en-schijven.html
O and look into BPM tax. That is a real beauty
Sending you many greetings from Karlsruhe and tomorrow going to get a haircut im Kaufhof in Mannheim.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I agree on everything except the tax. Here is a link to the percentages. Its 52% for the 'normal' taxpayer and above that we as free owners of a small business have to pay many extra taxes called soli taxes.

O and look into BPM tax. That is a real beauty
Sending you many greetings from Karlsruhe and tomorrow going to get a haircut im Kaufhof in Mannheim.

Oh you are in my neck of the woods Sorry about being wrong on the tax--it is what i have been given to understand in my short time here, but essentially I was saying I agree with you that a huge amount does go out in taxes here--you forgot to put in the link though (I do that ALL the time).

 

[Disneyadore]

Oh you are in my neck of the woods Sorry about being wrong on the tax--it is what i have been given to understand in my short time here, but essentially I was saying I agree with you that a huge amount does go out in taxes here--you forgot to put in the link though (I do that ALL the time).

Sorry corrected it. Yeah those gray cells

 

[PaulaSB12]

Sorry, but I just do not understand alll the commotion over this poor elderly lady

So she hangs out in the GF, who cares????? Is she disrupting your trip by sitting there? Is she running around yelling, throwing bears at you and your kids? I have never stayed in the GF, but I do find myself hanging out there and at other resorts, just for fun. & it's really nobody's business or concern if I have a park ticket that day or not. WDW allows non-resort guests to hang out and visit any resort, as long as you are not using their pool.

& if she has been hanging out in the GF for this long and many of you have said the CM's are aware, they obviously do not mind that she is there otherwise she would have been kicked out years ago. So, if the CM's are OK with it, you really have no right to judge that she has no business being there. & if you don't want to chat with her, than DON'T! & if you want to, go right ahead. It's really not that uncommon for strangers to chat with each other while on vacation, especially at WDW. & we generally do not ask for the stranger's bank account status before we chat with them, so why would it be different with this woman?

and for all those who think this woman is mentally unstable-here is a brainwave for you. I GUARANTEE, at one point in your life, you have waited in line with, sat next to, dined next to, roomed next to guests who have some sort of mental issue. Heck, I suffer from panic attacks. They are under control, but am I not allowed to enjoy WDW because I'm "mentally unstable"? I'll bet most of the people who judged on here either suffer from or know someone who suffers from some sort of mental issue as well. Everyone has baggage of some sort and as long as they are not outwardly spilling it all over you, let people be!

And just how many would be understanding if this was a man?

 

[NHdisneylover]

And just how many would be understanding if this was a man?

Would not make one iota of difference to me. Why should it?
Those handmade wooden tops I mentioned my children receiving were from an older gentleman who made them and always brought a few to his local McDonald's when he went (daily) for breakfast. We happened to stop there every month or so when we were on our way to some nearby attractions (good half way point for a bathroom break) and saw him often enough. He frequently just had coffee with the other "regulars" but sometimes struck up a conversation with my kids or other passing children. I never saw him persist in a conversation if either the child or parents seemed uncomfortable. He and my own son wore the same type of hats and would talk about them. He was a former science teacher and would have little optical illusions in some of the tops to talk about, etc. DD knew he loved astronomy (as did she) so once or twice SHE sought him out to ask if he saw a meteor shower that had occurred recently, etc. They just had a casual friendship which had developed over time. Nothing sinister, unnatural or mentally unstable about it at all.

 

[PaulaSB12]

Would not make one iota of difference to me. Why should it?
Those handmade wooden tops I mentioned my children receiving were from an older gentleman who made them and always brought a few to his local McDonald's when he went (daily) for breakfast. We happened to stop there every month or so when we were on our way to some nearby attractions (good half way point for a bathroom break) and saw him often enough. He frequently just had coffee with the other "regulars" but sometimes struck up a conversation with my kids or other passing children. I never saw him persist in a conversation if either the child or parents seemed uncomfortable. He and my own son wore the same type of hats and would talk about them. He was a former science teacher and would have little optical illusions in some of the tops to talk about, etc. DD knew he loved astronomy (as did she) so once or twice SHE sought him out to ask if he saw a meteor shower that had occurred recently, etc. They just had a casual friendship which had developed over time. Nothing sinister, unnatural or mentally unstable about it at all.

I remember the post someone here put about an old man who said her daughter was as pretty as a picture she was threatening to do him harm because a man who is nice to a child is obviously a perv. So if a man was handing out teddy bears in a hotel you can bet your bottom doller he would be kicked out.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I remember the post someone here put about an old man who said her daughter was as pretty as a picture she was threatening to do him harm because a man who is nice to a child is obviously a perv. So if a man was handing out teddy bears in a hotel you can bet your bottom doller he would be kicked out.

I don't remember that post, but I would say the poster was totally out of line if it is what you say.
I agree with you that our society has a terrible double standard in this area. I HATE that so many children are now being taught to look on all males with suspicion. I am not sure who this is more detrimental to either--the girls who will grow up unable to trust men or the boys who will grow up being told they themselves are destined to become monsters.

I find it odd that many people who find this woman "creepy" probably encourage their young children to speak with "Strangers" who the child knows only though movies/books while at Disney every day. To a young child a Disney Princess is just as real and just as much a stranger as the lady in the lobby. Yet, I often see parents pushing a shy child to go against their instincts an chat with the characters--even telling them their full names, where they live, etc.

 

[Mimi1965]

And just how many would be understanding if this was a man?

I do believe there used to be a young man with stuffed animals who hung out at GF Park Fare quite a lot-and wasnt looked on as kindly as Lynn by DISers.

 

[MushyMushy]

I do believe there used to be a young man with stuffed animals who hung out at GF Park Fare quite a lot-and wasnt looked on as kindly as Lynn by DISers.

That's an understatement. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered by the kind people here.

 

[Mimi1965]

That's an understatement. He was hanged, drawn, and quartered by the kind people here.

(I'm only laughing because it is VERY ironic if a Man would do the same thing as a woman-treated a lot differently)

 

[NHdisneylover]

I do believe there used to be a young man with stuffed animals who hung out at GF Park Fare quite a lot-and wasnt looked on as kindly as Lynn by DISers.

That is so infuriating. What the heck does the person's gender tell you about who they are as a person AT ALL? I am glad I missed that thread.

 

[DVCLiz]

That is so infuriating. What the heck does the person's gender tell you about who they are as a person AT ALL? I am glad I missed that thread.

There was a lot more to that situation, too - it was not a case of a nice man sitting around with stuffed animals. He posted here on the DIS as a young person and took his stuffed animals with him in order to obsessively stalk some of the characters. On other boards he was quite adult in tone.

Anyway, in the case of the lady at the GF, someone earlier in the thread asked "would you rather she be in a homeless shelter or at the GF?" and my reaction really would be, "Neither." What I would wish for her and anyone else in her circumstance was an emotionally healthy recovery from grief and the ability to live a full and happy life with all sorts of activities a person of her age ought to be enjoying. Coming over to the GF lobby once in a while and listening to the music would be one of those activities - bringing a duffle bag of stuffed bears and doing it to the exclusion of all other activities doesn't seem healthy to me. It's not a question of "who does it hurt?" but a comment on the fact that to me, it crosses a line into unhealthy behavior, and it makes me sad to see and hear of anyone who seems stuck in some disordered behavior.

As a general rule, adults do not carry stuffed animals with them, period.

 

[Magpie]

There was a lot more to that situation, too - it was not a case of a nice man sitting around with stuffed animals. He posted here on the DIS as a young person and took his stuffed animals with him in order to obsessively stalk some of the characters. On other boards he was quite adult in tone.

Anyway, in the case of the lady at the GF, someone earlier in the thread asked "would you rather she be in a homeless shelter or at the GF?" and my reaction really would be, "Neither." What I would wish for her and anyone else in her circumstance was an emotionally healthy recovery from grief and the ability to live a full and happy life with all sorts of activities a person of her age ought to be enjoying. Coming over to the GF lobby once in a while and listening to the music would be one of those activities - bringing a duffle bag of stuffed bears and doing it to the exclusion of all other activities doesn't seem healthy to me. It's not a question of "who does it hurt?" but a comment on the fact that to me, it crosses a line into unhealthy behavior, and it makes me sad to see and hear of anyone who seems stuck in some disordered behavior.

As a general rule, adults do not carry stuffed animals with them, period.

We don't know that she's doing it "to the exclusion of all other activities", and the nice thing about being a grown up is that you can mostly do what you like - even carry your stuffed animals around, if you want.

I think it's presumptuous to feel sad for someone who is evidently content with their life.

There's a man in my town who has glued Christmas lights all over his van, and has light-up bobblehead toys in the windows. He's happy gallivanting around town every day in his sparkly, shiny vehicle. The little kids are thrilled to spot him, whenever he drives by, and they run up to talk to him when he stops. He's definitely different, but he harms no one.

It's be a very boring world if everyone was "psychologically healthy" and all of us only did activities a person "our age ought to be enjoying". When I was small, "eccentrics" weren't considered mentally ill, and I used to try to imagine just what kind of "eccentric old lady" I'd like to be some day. Because eccentric old folk always had the MOST fun. If you were old enough, it seemed to me back then, the rules of polite society no longer applied to you. You could play in your princess dress and fill your back yard with frogs and convince little children that you were a Real Witch...

I'm still looking forward to being an Eccentric Old Lady some day, and when sensible adults shake their heads and cluck and mutter about my sanity, I'll just laugh.

 

[NHdisneylover]

There was a lot more to that situation, too - it was not a case of a nice man sitting around with stuffed animals. He posted here on the DIS as a young person and took his stuffed animals with him in order to obsessively stalk some of the characters. On other boards he was quite adult in tone.

Anyway, in the case of the lady at the GF, someone earlier in the thread asked "would you rather she be in a homeless shelter or at the GF?" and my reaction really would be, "Neither." What I would wish for her and anyone else in her circumstance was an emotionally healthy recovery from grief and the ability to live a full and happy life with all sorts of activities a person of her age ought to be enjoying. Coming over to the GF lobby once in a while and listening to the music would be one of those activities - bringing a duffle bag of stuffed bears and doing it to the exclusion of all other activities doesn't seem healthy to me. It's not a question of "who does it hurt?" but a comment on the fact that to me, it crosses a line into unhealthy behavior, and it makes me sad to see and hear of anyone who seems stuck in some disordered behavior.

As a general rule, adults do not carry stuffed animals with them, period.

Okay--i the person in question was actually stalking people that would be an issue. I am confused on the other thing. Was it an older person pretending to be a younger one or something? Not that it really matters, IF the situation were the same as what is described in this thread, but it were a man instead of a woman, I would fee no differently and I would hope others would not either.

WHY is it unhealthy? What line does it cross? Is the woman unhappy? Is she letting her physical health or hygiene go? IS she hurting anyone or anything with her behaviour? Why is it wrong and even mentally unbalanced simply to find joy in things most people your age do not? How about people who vacation ONLY at WDW to the exclusion of all other vacation destinations? Are they unbalanced? Does this rule apply to genders too? Is my son unbalanced because he love something most 11 year old boys do not (ballet)? Maybe my 13 year old girl should seek help, after all she does not care about boys, make-up or fashion but she adores Star Trek and can waste hours of her life watching the old reruns and reading up on trivia.

Seriously, who gets to make up the "line into unhealthy behaviour"? If the line is not being unhappy, or hurting yourself or others or being unable to care for yourself, but simply acting differently then who gets to decide what is allowed and what is not? I would not want to live in a world where ANYone had that power.

 

[DVCLiz]

Okay--i the person in question was actually stalking people that would be an issue. I am confused on the other thing. Was it an older person pretending to be a younger one or something? Not that it really matters, IF the situation were the same as what is described in this thread, but it were a man instead of a woman, I would fee no differently and I would hope others would not either.

WHY is it unhealthy? What line does it cross? Is the woman unhappy? Is she letting her physical health or hygiene go? IS she hurting anyone or anything with her behaviour? Why is it wrong and even mentally unbalanced simply to find joy in things most people your age do not? How about people who vacation ONLY at WDW to the exclusion of all other vacation destinations? Are they unbalanced? Does this rule apply to genders too? Is my son unbalanced because he love something most 11 year old boys do not (ballet)? Maybe my 13 year old girl should seek help, after all she does not care about boys, make-up or fashion but she adores Star Trek and can waste hours of her life watching the old reruns and reading up on trivia.

Seriously, who gets to make up the "line into unhealthy behaviour"? If the line is not being unhappy, or hurting yourself or others or being unable to care for yourself, but simply acting differently then who gets to decide what is allowed and what is not? I would not want to live in a world where ANYone had that power.

The sister who is the OP of this thread described the lady as having OCD and said that one day she would no doubt tire of the GF and move on. Certainly some people see this as a harmless fantasy life that hurts no one and spreads pixie dust. Others see it as a mental health issue. I don't think we have to all be on the same side of that fence, but neither do I think it's wrong to have the dissenting opinion that it's weird and crosses a line. If you don't then that's fine with me. I'm just giving my opinion of the situation. If she were my relative I would be concerned. Just my opinion...

The man was young - I think in his twenties - but posted in a style similar to a mentally disabled person on this and other boards. Other
people who followed him around the net saw posts that indicated he was much more capable of adult conversation and tone. My personal opinion was creepy internet troll and stalker. He was ultimately banned from the board.

 

[Disney Doll]

And just how many would be understanding if this was a man?

If it was a man sitting there essentially minding his own business and speaking pleasantly to people on occasion, I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

[Magpie]

The sister who is the OP of this thread described the lady as having OCD and said that one day she would no doubt tire of the GF and move on. Certainly some people see this as a harmless fantasy life that hurts no one and spreads pixie dust. Others see it as a mental health issue. I don't think we have to all be on the same side of that fence, but neither do I think it's wrong to have the dissenting opinion that it's weird and crosses a line. If you don't then that's fine with me. I'm just giving my opinion of the situation. If she were my relative I would be concerned. Just my opinion...

Can't it be both?

Not all mental health problems need to be fixed.

 

[MushyMushy]

The man was young - I think in his twenties - but posted in a style similar to a mentally disabled person on this and other boards. Other
people who followed him around the net saw posts that indicated he was much more capable of adult conversation and tone. My personal opinion was creepy internet troll and stalker. He was ultimately banned from the board.

He's in his 30s now. He was banned because people harassed, mocked and tormented him until he started fighting back. He was a genuinely nice man who was extremely different. Not my place to say if he had any diagnosis or mental disorder. Yes, he is capable of communicating as an adult, but he seems more comfortable communicating in a "sweet" and childlike manner.

I don't think he stalked anybody at WDW any more than this woman is stalking the GF lobby.

I don't believe it's wrong for anyone to think he's weird or want to stay away from him. What I think is wrong is how he was treated and the heinous things he was accused of with absolutely no basis in fact.

I just hope he's found a place that's more accepting of his differences.

 

[DVCLiz]

Can't it be both?

Not all mental health problems need to be fixed.

That's a really interesting comment, Magpie. I guess I am of the opinion that yes, all mental health problems should be fixed, if possible. I suppose that is really what is at the heart of this thread.

 

[DVCLiz]

He's in his 30s now. He was banned because people harassed, mocked and tormented him until he started fighting back. He was a genuinely nice man who was extremely different. Not my place to say if he had any diagnosis or mental disorder. Yes, he is capable of communicating as an adult, but he seems more comfortable communicating in a "sweet" and childlike manner.

I don't think he stalked anybody at WDW any more than this woman is stalking the GF lobby.

I don't believe it's wrong for anyone to think he's weird or want to stay away from him. What I think is wrong is how he was treated and the heinous things he was accused of with absolutely no basis in fact.

I just hope he's found a place that's more accepting of his differences.

Ask Susie and Perla if they agree!

And, in fairness it wasn't on the DIS that he had most of his criticisms, was it? I can't really remember.

Again, two different opinions - some saw sweet and innocent and others saw threatening and unbalanced.