Nightmare at Norway

[MouseWorshipin]

Anyway, since you were speculating about my personal perspective: I would expect that if I knew if it were my last visit to WDW, I would want to focus on all the wonderful aspects of the visit, and not let myself or my family expend any energy on negative thoughts (or, if a family member wanted to do so, I would expect their love for me to prompt them to keep their negative thoughts to themselves). That's what I would want, if I knew it was my last visit.

I am confused re: negative thoughts.

You've been burned in the past by readers who told you lies. You told us that, which is, of course, a negative thing. And it has stuck with you so much that you're willing to risk deepening someone's sorrow. (Because, of course, if she's NOT lying, you are adding insult to injury.)

So, how come you can have negative thoughts about postings on an internet board (and all the liars!), but you can't have them about dying and final disappointments?

Please clarify this issue. I am suddenly curious about Pantheism and the inclusion / exclusion of negative thoughts.

 

[metsfan11]

i am so sorry!
disney should be ashamed with themselves!

 

[Sammie]

Edited: out of respect to the OP

The best lesson learned from this experience is check your ADRs before leaving home. Mistakes do happen, with the volume Disney does it would be impossible not to.

You can get a print out of all your ADR's when you check in.

 

[JennyMominRI]

***Sympathy:the act of sharing the feelings or interests of another
***Empathy:the action of understanding,being sensitive to,and vicariously experiencing the feelings and experiences of another without having those feelings communicated in an explicit manner.
While we're here, let's talk about 'reality"...everyone's 'reality" is just a bit different, isn't it? everyone has their own perspective, and views on this world. But here's one reality that never fails...terminal illness,and impending untimely death can alter seriously what we previously thought was our "reality." Everyone deserves a respect and validaton of their own personal suffering. This OP was hurting because of SOMEONES insensitivity to what their very real,imminent reality has become.(a manager,another post...) I just don't think it's anyones place on these boards to be so sure of ourselves,and our own perspective and view on the world,that we should add to anyone's hurt.
The REALITY is, none of us can know what it felt like to them. OP let us know their hurt. What choice do we have,but to have empathy,and most importantly acknowledge that our own (maybe limited) experience in life can't possibly equip us to know what it feels like to live another persons feelings. I haven't yet had the horror of my mom or aunt wasting away in illness,therefore I cannot know OP's "reality".
I sympathize with your family OP- I know it doesn't change the past, but I understand from your posts that you weren't just sobbing"woe is me" but sincerely would like to see something change.
Disney is a place many ill people go to, maybe to forget for while the reality of life(and death)-I can't pretend I know- But I do empathize.

This would be exatly what WDW world is to me..I know that every trip could be my last.It makes every trip that much more special..I to am trying to buld memories for my family for when I'm gone. Every time I drive under that Welcome to WDW sign is another personal victor to me..To the OP,I'm very sorry this happened. I would have been heartbroken

 

[OceanAnnie]

The fact that the OP and her sister did not have the meal as planned is horrible.

I agree it was horrible.

Beyond that we truly do not know who is at fault.

I disagree. You have the OP and her daughter stating what happened. At the very least it is evident there was a lack of compassion for the situation. And that is the manager's shortcoming. Sad state of affairs.

 

[Sammie]

Prayers to the OP and your sister. I hope you have memories to take the place of this.

 

[OceanAnnie]

You have one side of the story, how can you possibly know what happened. I would not want you to sit on a jury trial if you truly can determine fault with one side of a situation.

Ok. No worries. You have my promise I will not sit on a jury trial for you.

 

[Merriwind]

I am so sorry to hear about your awful experience--and on such a special trip.

 

[Sammie]

Agreed. The difference being that it is the business of Disney to try to make for wonderful experiences. I know that if any Area Manager had been made aware of this situation, mountains would have been moved to accomondate or offer an alternative experience.
Once this fall I had an ADR for The Plaza Restaurant. WDW Dining had actually given me a confirmation number on a date and time for which the Plaza was not scheduled to be open. I contacted a CM who immediately got me face to face with the AM and he had my group seated in Tony's within 30 minutes. I am not saying the OP is being intentionally deceptive, I am saying something was/is very wrong in this situation--ie (perhaps) the "manager" wasn't really the Manager, but someone who lacked that level of training and didn't actually go upline with the situation for an acceptable resolution.

This is my point exactly. Also for future guests ADR's can be printed out by Guest Services on the day you check in for your entire trip.

 

[sara74]

In Bicker's defense, it was DVCConvert that made the comment doubting the OP's veracity!

I think that Disney, and any other restaurant, resort, etc. should do their best for all their guests and then go the extra mile for a family on a trip such as the OP's. Some people can't go back again, try another resort or wait til next year. They deserve extra consideration.

 

[ElleBelle]

To the OP- I am so sorry for you and your situation. I believe that the situation should have been handled differently- shame on the restaurant manager for not better ressurecting the situation. I'm sure that knowing the trip may have been her last made you want everything to be just perfect. A while back, I posted this on a thread about "your most magical disney world memory":

My most magical Disney World memory:

My first trip to WDW came in 1997- only 3 weeks after my dad underwent a radical neck dissection for newly diagnosed metastatic thyroid cancer. The surgery left him battered and his voice hoarse (they gave him a 20% chance of ever talking again post-op). This was a trip that was the result of three years of planning- and at the time we thought it may have been our first (and last) trip as a family. My dad (who was initially less-than-thrilled with the idea of going to Disney World) insisted we ALL go as a family. The one moment that stands out in my mind about that trip was watching Spectromagic for the first time and looking over at my dad sitting in his wheelchair. I remember listening to the music (quietly crying) and saying a small prayer that everything would be alright.

Fast forward to the very next year- 1998- and we once again were standing in the same spot watching Spectromagic- AS A FAMILY. My dad had undergone two more surgeries and was doing well and in remission. Spectromagic was nearing the end (...~"On this magic niii-iiight"~...) and I turned around to look up at my dad only to realize he had tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and mouthed- "I told you we'd make it back"- All I could do was rest my head on his chest and cry. We really had made it back.

My dad continues to do great- I'm now married- and my parents are returning to the world with us in March. I'll always look forward to watching Spectromagic with my "daddy". And that, is my most magical Disney memory!
__________________

I can not imagine how upset you must have been when something like this occurred on your vacation- sometimes all it takes is one little thing to leave a sour taste in your mouth. Saying a little prayer that someday you may also make it back to wdw with healthy family members by your side.

And to a few specific posters on this site- shame on you for "bickering" when an OP is looking for some compassion and encouragement.

 

[Sammie]

 

[cstraub]

To the OP- I am so sorry for you and your situation. I believe that the situation should have been handled differently- shame on the restaurant manager for not better ressurecting the situation. I'm sure that knowing the trip may have been her last made you want everything to be just perfect. A while back, I posted this on a thread about "your most magical disney world memory":

My most magical Disney World memory:

My first trip to WDW came in 1997- only 3 weeks after my dad underwent a radical neck dissection for newly diagnosed metastatic thyroid cancer. The surgery left him battered and his voice hoarse (they gave him a 20% chance of ever talking again post-op). This was a trip that was the result of three years of planning- and at the time we thought it may have been our first (and last) trip as a family. My dad (who was initially less-than-thrilled with the idea of going to Disney World) insisted we ALL go as a family. The one moment that stands out in my mind about that trip was watching Spectromagic for the first time and looking over at my dad sitting in his wheelchair. I remember listening to the music (quietly crying) and saying a small prayer that everything would be alright.

Fast forward to the very next year- 1998- and we once again were standing in the same spot watching Spectromagic- AS A FAMILY. My dad had undergone two more surgeries and was doing well and in remission. Spectromagic was nearing the end (...~"On this magic niii-iiight"~...) and I turned around to look up at my dad only to realize he had tears streaming down his face. He looked at me and mouthed- "I told you we'd make it back"- All I could do was rest my head on his chest and cry. We really had made it back.

My dad continues to do great- I'm now married- and my parents are returning to the world with us in March. I'll always look forward to watching Spectromagic with my "daddy". And that, is my most magical Disney memory!
__________________

I can not imagine how upset you must have been when something like this occurred on your vacation- sometimes all it takes is one little thing to leave a sour taste in your mouth. Saying a little prayer that someday you may also make it back to wdw with healthy family members by your side.

And to a few specific posters on this site- shame on you for "bickering" when an OP is looking for some compassion and encouragement.

What a tear jerker. I'm so happy for your family. Your story gave me goosebumps.

 

[OceanAnnie]

ElleBelle, you are right. I'm sorry I detracted from the post.

I am truly sorry for what the OP and her family went through. I'm sure it was heartbreaking.

ETA- Your post made me cry.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

You have one side of the story, how can you possibly know what happened. I would not want you to sit on a jury trial if you truly can determine fault with one side of a situation.

This is what I am having a little problem with. Nobody asked us to sit and judge whether or not the OP is lying.

As you say, it is possible that she is lying. But it is just as possible that she isn't. We're all online, nobody knows with absolute certainty.

The idea of extending kindness to someone undeserving is far preferable to me than kicking someone who is already down. Even the implication that she's not telling the truth would be hurtful if she wasn't.

This woman (assuming she's telling the truth) came here for support when she was down. And now she hears people saying what she should have done, how they would feel in her place (puhleeze!), and that they think she is either lying or maybe she just has perceived a problem where there really wasn't one.

I really think a discussion about liars belongs on another thread, and some kind words belong here.

...but that's just me.

 

[bicker]

Please clarify this issue. I am suddenly curious about Pantheism and the inclusion / exclusion of negative thoughts.

Pantheism provides for the reverence for reality. The issue of my preference to avoid negative thoughts, should I be facing a suitably fearsome situation, however, is a reflection of my own optimism, and not related to Pantheism. There are optimistic Pantheists and pessimistic Pantheists, I'm sure. However, this is off-topic and evidently some folks are finding such tangential discussion disturbing, so let's take it off-line.

In Bicker's defense, it was DVCConvert that made the comment doubting the OP's veracity!

Precisely. My reply was substantially in response to the general disrespect paid to DVCConvert's comments. Thanks for pointing that out -- I wasn't aware that that was the source of the confusion.

 

[Sammie]

Out of respect to the OP, I have removed my comments. I would appreciate the same from others in removing any of quoted me.

Compassion works both ways.

My only point was the people who work at Disney have feelings too. They have families and many of those famlies have life threatening illnesses. It's a hard job, and most do it very well, some don't.

 

[iradi8]

***Sympathy:the act of sharing the feelings or interests of another
***Empathy:the action of understanding,being sensitive to,and vicariously experiencing the feelings and experiences of another without having those feelings communicated in an explicit manner.
While we're here, let's talk about 'reality"...everyone's 'reality" is just a bit different, isn't it? everyone has their own perspective, and views on this world. But here's one reality that never fails...terminal illness,and impending untimely death can alter seriously what we previously thought was our "reality." Everyone deserves a respect and validaton of their own personal suffering. This OP was hurting because of SOMEONES insensitivity to what their very real,imminent reality has become.(a manager,another post...) I just don't think it's anyones place on these boards to be so sure of ourselves,and our own perspective and view on the world,that we should add to anyone's hurt.
The REALITY is, none of us can know what it felt like to them. OP let us know their hurt. What choice do we have,but to have empathy,and most importantly acknowledge that our own (maybe limited) experience in life can't possibly equip us to know what it feels like to live another persons feelings. I haven't yet had the horror of my mom or aunt wasting away in illness,therefore I cannot know OP's "reality".
I sympathize with your family OP- I know it doesn't change the past, but I understand from your posts that you weren't just sobbing"woe is me" but sincerely would like to see something change.
Disney is a place many ill people go to, maybe to forget for while the reality of life(and death)-I can't pretend I know- But I do empathize.

What a great post -- very well said. I couldn't agree more with everything you said. It is so sad that some people are so self-absorbed that they can't possibly understand and acknowledge another's pain, hurt or disappointment.

 

[iradi8]

What a tear jerker. I'm so happy for your family. Your story gave me goosebumps.

I know -- I have tears, too. What a touching story!

 

[bicker]

Compassion works both ways.

This is a good point Sammie, of course. However, I think a lot of folks would prefer that such discussions be undertaken in another thread, keeping this thread exclusively for expressions of sympathy with the OP, going forward. I'm going to comply with that request, and hope everyone else will as well.