Problems at Contemporary

[paulamom]

Lots of problems this week. We arrived on the 10th and saw emergency personel, firetrucks and medical people near the enterance to WDW. Come to find out a little girl died in a car accident. So much damage control no one seems to no how. The next day we had reservations at California Grill (Easter Sunday) at 7:30. We got the perfect table by the window with a lovely view when the resturant started filling with smoke. Mass caos as you can imagine trying to get on the elevator to leave after they anoused not to worry but you could only have cold food (as the smoke was increasing) . I got my children on an elevator but DH didn't get down for about an hour. I went to feed the kids in the food court and medics and fire people all headed up stairs. Talked to a manager and he apoligised(I was visible upset because my DH was stuck up there at the time) for the inconvienence of having to close it down for the night.
Today was cold but my daughter was scheduled for Pirate Cruise from Grand Floridian so I thought my 14 DS would like to ride the water mice. I asked about the family special because he would be using it for a couple of days. They told me that the rules are now changed. Yestrerday at the CR two children collided in the mice and were taken to the hospital. Sammy Duvals people hadn't heard how the kids were yet but now you have to be at least 16 and be a licensed driver due to this accident.
We have been managing the crowds really well until tonight.
Magic Kindom is open untils 12 and was packed. We were walking on the side walk when a person rammed my 8 DD with her stroller. I said becareful and she said my daughter better move or she was going to hit her again. I couldn't believe my ears. My husband was holding her hand and I was behind my husband and daughter with my son. She was going to hit her again and I put my hand on the plastic hand rest in front of her child to stop the stroller. The next thing I know the woman pushed me and I went flying into the crowd landing on all fours with a little girl who was about three people up from us. My husband called out for security and her hasband grabbed my husbands glasses and threw them on the ground hard enough that the lenses flew out and then they ran. The whole time my husband called for security but the workers just looked at us and asked if we were all right. He said please call security and all they said was they don't have radios. Very scary experience.
We've found this trip WDW has been run with the bare minimum of staff. All the CM's look and say they are exhausted.
The CR is location, location, lacation but is just to old. They really need to modernize because of safety.
I do not feel safe and feel you only hear half the stories because they are doing a great job of damage control.
Hope this isn't repeat info but I just got the internet cable today.
Don't get me wrong, despite it all we are having a great time.

 

[dizanimator]

I haven't had a situation quite that bad with strollers, but I'm coming to the conclusion that people with strollers should have to be responsible for not hitting others. When I was in the Magic Kingdom in March, I was walking out of the park after Wishes, and got bumped or hit or rolled over by strollers countless times. I finally decided that if people didn't care enough to watch out and not hit or roll over others with their strollers, and not seem to notice or apoligize, I don't need to worry about where I fall or if I land on the kid in the stroller if they hit me hard enough to do a good attempt at knocking me down. I can understand that rolling a stroller in a crowd can be hard, but watching out for others can be a good thing. I was thinking that If I did get hurt by a stroller, I should yell for security, but it's disturbing that you got no help when you did. Hope in the future disney can do something about people hurting others with strollers, because it can HURT to have a foot run over when you're wearing sandals.

 

[Momster]

I said becareful and she said my daughter better move or she was going to hit her again. I couldn't believe my ears. My husband was holding her hand and I was behind my husband and daughter with my son. She was going to hit her again and I put my hand on the plastic hand rest in front of her child to stop the stroller. The next thing I know the woman pushed me and I went flying into the crowd landing on all fours with a little girl who was about three people up from us. My husband called out for security and her hasband grabbed my husbands glasses and threw them on the ground hard enough that the lenses flew out and then they ran. The whole time my husband called for security but the workers just looked at us and asked if we were all right. He said please call security and all they said was they don't have radios

OMG, that is shocking! Sorry you are having such bad luck but glad you are still able to have a good time. I'm not sure what to expect when we arrive for my kids first visit soon. I hope the people won't be so badly behaved.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm sorry to hear about all the problems that you had. That stroller incident was ridiculous. I know what you mean about the CM's. DH and I were in DD at one of the stores. There was a long line to checkout at the register. Well, a CM opened a new register and motioned for me to come over there. Just as I started walking over, some idiot almost ran me over with his scooter, I was so ticked off. I started screaming at him. Then his wife, comes over in her scooter and starts on me too. I let them both have it. DH finally sees whats happening and comes over to intervene. But the CM does absolutely nothing. We asked for security also because even though they were in scooters, they were young and getting pretty obnoxious. Then the CM even takes the scooter guy first for checkout. UGH!!!

 

[Sammie]

You are a better person than me, I would have had them arrested for assault.

Not surprised about the boats. These are not toys and kids with no experience have no business in them by themselves. They have no brakes and can be very dangerous. I hope the kids are ok.

We have had a few trips from the Nether Regions too.

As to staffing and such at Disney, we have Michael Eisner to thank for that.

Please copy your post and mail it to Al Weiss at Disney. I really think we all need to let them hear from us.

The really sad thing about the strollers, ECV's etc, it seems there are a lot of rude, uncaring people. I not sure what the answer is. You could easily break an ankle being hit by a stroller from behind.

I know some people need the scooters to be able to get around, but lately I have seen a lot use them because they are just lazy. If you can walk you have no business on one especially in a store.

 

[BambiTamby]

So sorry to hear about all your problems!

And as for that awful couple.....

Some people are just downright disappointing to be acting in such a horrible way!

BTW...were you there for the water main breakage on the 7th floor?
Travellady's there right now at the CR with that report.

hope things improve on your vacation!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Hi paulamom, I hope the rest of your vacation is definetely more magical. We just got home. We heard all that fire truck, ambulance etc. but we never knew what happened. We had our 3 ds drive the water mouse boats at the poly on the 6th. I am glad they got to do that before those rule changes. Looks like oldest ds will be the only driver next time. He will have to take turns carting his brothers around I guess.

 

[stemikger]

That sounds pretty tough. I had an experience coming home on the plane. My daughter was 4 at the time and accidentally kicked the man's chair in front of us. He turned around and threatened my wife. Well I didn't take that too good and told him if he had half a brain he would shut up or I would make him wish he never looked in my direction. With that he became a big baby and wanted to get me arrested. Thank God this was years ago before airline security got so tight because of 911. I wouild have been arrested. I couldn't believe the nerve of this guy - he starts a fight and dosen't expect me to stick up for my wife and kid. Im a peaceful guy but if I was in that park with the stroller incident - I don't know what I would have done. I'm a native New Yorker and we don't play that here. If your gonna start something you better be able to back it up. It's sad that adults (who should be acting as role models) act this way in front of kids.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just out of curiosity--does Disney Security have the power to DO anything?? Can they arrest anyone? Make those who are misbehaving leave, etc.??

 

[QJ411]

Originally posted by stemikger
I'm a native New Yorker and we don't play that here. If your gonna start something you better be able to back it up. It's sad that adults (who should be acting as role models) act this way in front of kids.

It's terrible what happened w/ the stroller. And it IS sad that these ppl doesn't give a hoot about others...and to act like this in WDW?! In front of your kids?! It's just plain disguesting. No other way around it.

Sorry to hear about your experience at CR also. I've read about the water main break too...I can't believe they're having so much maintanence problems...but I hope every one was ok!!!

I do hope you enjoy the rest of your trip, sorry to hear about all these crummy problems! Try to enjoy the magic!

Save Disney!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

People can be so rude!

I see life from the other side of the stoller. I'm alway's watching where I going but I can't say the same for pedestrians. You don't step in front of a truck and expect it to stop on a dime, why do people step in front of a stroller carring 100 pounds of toddler and not expect to be hit? I had someone step in front of me on the sidewalk of Main St. and in an effort not to do some ankle damage I swerved and the wheel caught the edge of the curb sending me into the street. It was hard to keep it upright and to make matters worse the family of the child who stepped in front of me glared at me!

Everyone needs to pay attention where they are going.

 

[Grumpy92]

Disney security is limited as to what they can do. But due to an incident about 10 yrs ago their hands have been tied in many circumstances. WDW is private property and if they wish to expel you they can. Believe me everything that occurs out in the real world also occurs at WDW. They just have better PR. In most cases for any resolution to occur the Orange Co Sheriffs dept has to be brought in.

I can also tell you that the pressure of budget cuts, low pay and extended work weeks over time take their toll on employees no matter where you work. You also get desanitized to things like you all have described because thay happen so frequently. It is very sad.

I am sorry to hear of your experiences at CR. I also read about a couple other incidents there involving water & flooding last week. Sounds like CR needs a major overhall. I also agree you need to send a letter or email to guest comments or Al Weiss. They need to know what is occurring and the more of us that do that the better.

Saying all that I still enjoy visiting WDW with my family. My expectations just are not as high.

 

[Selket]

Pushing a stroller can be very difficult in a crowd of people - especially when a few people try to weave in and out and step right in front of the stroller. It is sort of like driving a car - if you weave in and out of traffic and weave in front of someone and then have to slow down you're probably going to get hit. There is no excuse for the behavior described in the woman's post though. If they were trying to rush through crowds that is the way to cause problems - stroller or not! We had no problems our last trip with strollers.

Threatening behaviour is always scary - I'm surprised there is not better security in the parks

 

[floridafam]

I haven't read all of the responses so this may have already been said.

If the building is filling with smoke, the last place anyone should go is on an elevator.

Sorry for all of the other problems. Hope the rest of the trip is wonderful.

 

[vicb]

To the OP, sorry for all your troubles, I hope things get better for the rest of the trip!

I ran into a young girl with my stroller (several trips ago). I was mortified, I wasn't paying attention. She was apparently already in a bad mood because she was wearing black jeans and black shirt on a hot day and arguing with her mother. I felt so bad, apologized directly to the young girl and then to her mother. Both were mad at me. : I made sure to be extra careful the rest of that trip. People should just own up to their errors and apologize in those situations.

 

[ChesireMeg]

I'm so sorry that this happened on your trip. Some of these strollers/scooters are ridiculous. I've had so many people run into me with these and then they get miffed and look at me like I'm the problem! Whatever. I'm glad you still managed to look on the bright side of your trip and had a decent time. Thanks for the info!

 

[Wendi]

Well unfortunately we had a bad experience 2 years ago, but ours was with a character hogger. They literally would NOT leave the characters and then hung around when the lady motioned them to leave. They then proceeded to stand directly in front of me and my father who where taking pictures of the girls. When politely asked to move, the witch turned around, sighed and told us point blank that she could stand wherever she wanted to. We again asked to take a few pictures and she could have as much time as she wanted with the character. That's when she really made and fool out of herself. (we where the last in line and the funny thing was is that we knew the characters would be running in to change costumes which they did so she really got mad) We have come to the conclusion that most of the problem is due to cut backs, but the fact of the matter is that some people are down right rude. The lady we had the problem with said it well, "I am paying to be in this park and I will spend as much time as I want with the characters"! Some people just think that they are entitled to do whatever they want since they are paying to be there, while NOT thinking of anyone other than theirselves. We are ALL paying to be there, but others of us are curtious to others. My family hurries in lines with characters so that the other kids in line can get their pictures and autographs.

As for strollers, I am a certified, licensed Mom and drive a double stroller. I watch for the rude, elderly and disabled. I take other people into consideration, but I would have jumped that lady with both feet. She was rude, disrespectful and a mennis to the general public. She should be ashamed of herself. I suppose she wanted the front row seat for the parade and fireworks when she walked up as it all started. NOT!

That's horrible about the 3yr. old. Not a Disney experience.

Just keep a possitive thought and know that next time will be better.

Sorry you had a bad time, but not all was ruined.

Wendi

 

[ericamanda01]

I believe completely in karma, and trust me when I say that people like that will have this nasty behavior return to them. I can't believe that anyone would basicly threaten a child. People like that need to get a lifetime ban from anything Disney! I really hope that the rest of your trip was better.

 

[undertheradar]

Months ago we had a phone conversation with Guest Relations a suggested that WDW/ all Disney Parks create stroller and wheelchair lanes. The danger of trying to get down the streets and sidewalks after a parade or at closing time is horrifing. It appears that more parents are using the strollers as bulldozers instead of the comfortable ride that they were intended for. Perhaps if we all write to the Corporate Offices in Burbank, we will be able to see quick action to this problem.

 

[HappyMommy2]

Originally posted by floridafam
I haven't read all of the responses so this may have already been said.

If the building is filling with smoke, the last place anyone should go is on an elevator.

That's exactly what I was thinking! Surely there's a staircase down from that restaurant! If not, I'm never going there--that's for sure!

I hope the rest of your trip had a lot more magic and a lot fewer "real world" problems!