Sad Meeting with Buzz Lightyear

[Martin2062]

For a 4 year old, meeting a favorite character is Very important.

Most Disney World cast members have good training and can handle this (complicated, to say the least) job; but I had a sad experience with my 4 year old son a few weeks ago, leaving one of the attracions, Buzz lightyear was finishing his greeting time, and unexpetedly my son let go of my hand and ran to him.
The supporting cast member helping Buzz acted like a bodyguard in a dangerous neighborhood cantina, aggresively stepping in front of my son...

The few seconds it took for me to control my child were realy disappointing for me because the attitude of these guy was really completely devoid of basic common sense. Attitude, voice, all rude; with a 4 year old...

It took me a few minutes of explaining to my son that Buzz was very busy and on his way to an important mission. (As I write this my boy is playing whith a Buzz action figure...)

I would have thought Disney training prepares cast members for this kind of situations. But I see it does not...

 

[Kat&Dom]

I think you handled the situation very well by telling your son that Buzz had an important mission so that he can still enjoy all his Buzz Lightyear stuff.

My son is 5 so I know how you feel - I now avoid character lines unless they are really small because we have had a couple of times where we were 2 people away and the character had to leave so my son was super disappointed and we wasted time being in line. I understand the characters have certain breaks scheduled and the costumes are hot but it would be nice if they made sure all the kids in the line got to meet the character before they left.

 

[brymolmom]

While that is very sad....I would guess that they are very trained and, in fact, acting in the manner they were trained (except, of course, for the rudeness, but that is subjective).

They likely are trained to be very 'short and sweet' and 'nope, sorry Buzz's time is over' or similar. And not to draw it out or offer more explanations. After all - with the thousands of people they encounter every day, a large portion of them are 4 year olds, and a large portion of them could keep Buzz from exiting quickly (which is likely necessary as 'another' Buzz is probably scheduled to come out and obviously not allowed to have two out there at the same time) if they didn't quickly bypass all excited 4 year olds.

Just think how unhappy a parent of another 4 year old would be if they were standing at the end of the line for greeting and then Buzz wen to 'take his break' and then the CM's allowed Buzz to shake your boy's hand on his way out. That wouldn't be fair either.

Of course, no one should be rude. But I totally get them being very quick and basically just about walking past all little kids they encounter with a quick 'It's buzz's break time' or other.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

That's horrible I'm so sorry to hear this

 

[MiniGirl]

/'m sorry you were dissappointed with this interaction, but I'm glad that it hasn't seemed to dampen your son's enthusiasm for Buzz.

Most likely you son would've gone up to and hugged Buzz if the character handler hadn't of intervened and you would be amazed at the crowd that could develop in just the seconds that it took to do that. Now, of course, there is no reason to be rude, but what you consider to be rude, this person could have just thought of as stern and not necessarily rude. KWIM?

Who knows? It is just now starting to get hot n around here. A new Buzz who is not used to the heat could've given the handler the sign that he was getting sick and needed to get out of there NOW. When that sign is given, you do what you need to do to get the character offstage as soon as possible. Not saying that's what happened. Just saying there are many factors at play.

 

[azdizzymom]

While that is very sad....I would guess that they are very trained and, in fact, acting in the manner they were trained (except, of course, for the rudeness, but that is subjective).

They likely are trained to be very 'short and sweet' and 'nope, sorry Buzz's time is over' or similar. And not to draw it out or offer more explanations. After all - with the thousands of people they encounter every day, a large portion of them are 4 year olds, and a large portion of them could keep Buzz from exiting quickly (which is likely necessary as 'another' Buzz is probably scheduled to come out and obviously not allowed to have two out there at the same time) if they didn't quickly bypass all excited 4 year olds.

Just think how unhappy a parent of another 4 year old would be if they were standing at the end of the line for greeting and then Buzz wen to 'take his break' and then the CM's allowed Buzz to shake your boy's hand on his way out. That wouldn't be fair either.

Of course, no one should be rude. But I totally get them being very quick and basically just about walking past all little kids they encounter with a quick 'It's buzz's break time' or other.

I totally agree with you. We have seen the lines where they cut off and say no one else in line. Although I have teenagers the last time we went I wanted pictures of them with some of the characters (oh they were not happy but they did it). We saw them turn away people once the line reach the end. They always 'whisk' the character off when the time is done. I have never seen any cast member being rude to a child when they try to walk up at the end.

OP I am not doubting the rudeness you say you encountered, but could it be it seemed rude to you because they would not allow your child any contact with Buzz. They can't do that because it is not fair to the other kids who they turned away. I like the way you stated that Buzz had a special mission....that was a wonderful way to handle it. BUT just think of the other kids this happens to daily.....with their favorite characters.

 

[collegejunkie]

eeek, i'm sorry that happened to you. you should have gone to guest services, as they probably would have helped you out. i'm glad you were quick to think of something to say to your child. hopefully next time you will get to see buzz

 

[maxiesmom]

eeek, i'm sorry that happened to you. you should have gone to guest services, as they probably would have helped you out. i'm glad you were quick to think of something to say to your child. hopefully next time you will get to see buzz

I'm not sure why this would warrent a trip to guest services. It is sad for anyone's child to be turned away from talking to their favorite character, but when the character's time is up, its up. Disney is pretty strict with it. Especially if the weather is really warm. The character can get sick with all those layers on. As a previous poster pointed out, a quick stop to say hi would have most likely turned into a group of more children wanting their turn with Buzz. And his alotted time out and about was up.

The OP did a great job with coming up with a reason her son would understand. I don't see the need for a trip to guest services in the hope of getting something.

 

[azdizzymom]

eeek, i'm sorry that happened to you. you should have gone to guest services, as they probably would have helped you out. i'm glad you were quick to think of something to say to your child. hopefully next time you will get to see buzz

OMG...I think this is some of the silliest advice I have ever seen on this board! You think guest services honestly would have done something when a parent came in and said Buzz walked off and didn't acknowledge my child. IMHO the rudeness probably wasn't as 'harsh' and evident as OP stated. CM was probably quickly trying to get Buzz out of the way....OP probably took this quick answer as 'rudeness' Either way suggesting someone go to guest services and complain a character walked away and their child didn't get a chance to meet them is absurd! The line would be miles long if people did this. This happens all the time....daily to countless children. Guest services can't 'magically' make the time limit be extended. They can't make characters appear when it is break time, etc. Each time we have been to Disneyland or Disney World I have seen it happen. OP did a great job of handling the situation.

I think your advice is terrible. CM's can't make things perfect for everyone all the time. This child did get to see Buzz ..... I am sure lots of kids spend a week at Disney without even a glimpse of their favorite character.

 

[andymattmom]

For a 4 year old, meeting a favorite character is Very important.

Most Disney World cast members have good training and can handle this (complicated, to say the least) job; but I had a sad experience with my 4 year old son a few weeks ago, leaving one of the attracions, Buzz lightyear was finishing his greeting time, and unexpetedly my son let go of my hand and ran to him.
The supporting cast member helping Buzz acted like a bodyguard in a dangerous neighborhood cantina, aggresively stepping in front of my son...

The few seconds it took for me to control my child were realy disappointing for me because the attitude of these guy was really completely devoid of basic common sense. Attitude, voice, all rude; with a 4 year old...

It took me a few minutes of explaining to my son that Buzz was very busy and on his way to an important mission. (As I write this my boy is playing whith a Buzz action figure...)

I would have thought Disney training prepares cast members for this kind of situations. But I see it does not...

1. The CM does act like a body guard protecting both the character AND the children running up to the character. I imagine it is hard for the character to see and to have an unattended child run towards them when he or she is trying to leave does call for a body guard. The CM was doing his/her job. You as a parent were not.

2. Disney does train cast members. The cast member was doing his or her job in stepping between Buzz and your child. Your child could have caused an uncontrollable situation. Buzz could have been surrounded by more and more kids if your child had been allowed to interact even if for a second with Buzz. There were obviously numerous other kids who had been turned away from the line who also has Buzz as their favorite character. You as a parent were not trained at how to handle your child in this situation. Yes, you did a good job explaining Buzz had a mission to do. But to complain weeks later is petty.

To the person who said to go to guest services. That is so stupid! This happens all the time and people just have to let it go. Kids these days need to learn to handle disappointment- not meeting their favorite character, not making the travel team, losing a game of soccer, baseball, football AND NOT GETTING A TROPHY! To suggest a parent go whine and complain that a character walked away from their child is stupid. Think of the terminally ill kids or special need kids who don't get to meet their favorite character. Think of the just plain ordinary child who didn't get to meet Buzz because it was time for him to go and the line cutoff was right after he/she walked up. Cast member says...sorry Buzz can't see anymore people now. Is this rude, is person acting like body guard...nope. This cast member is doing their job. The parents have no right to go whine and complain to guest services.

Be happy your kids get to go to Disney. Be happy you are able to afford to go. Be happy your child is healthy and can enjoy the trip. Be happy your child got to see Buzz up close even if without interaction. Grow up and put it behind you. Don't whine on the boards later or tell someone to go to guest services to see if they could make it right!

 

[declansdad]

I think you handled the situation very well by telling your son that Buzz had an important mission so that he can still enjoy all his Buzz Lightyear stuff.

My son is 5 so I know how you feel - I now avoid character lines unless they are really small because we have had a couple of times where we were 2 people away and the character had to leave so my son was super disappointed and we wasted time being in line. I understand the characters have certain breaks scheduled and the costumes are hot but it would be nice if they made sure all the kids in the line got to meet the character before they left.

That is why the handler cuts off the line or makes sure to tell you they will be right back. Many times they return in 5 to 10 minutes unless they are leaving because of a parade or it really is the end of their shift.

If they stayed in line until everyone got to meet the character, they would never leave.

 

[java]

That is why the handler cuts off the line or makes sure to tell you they will be right back. Many times they return in 5 to 10 minutes unless they are leaving because of a parade or it really is the end of their shift.

If they stayed in line until everyone got to meet the character, they would never leave.

I don't understand why they don't do something like they do at Kings Dominion. The last person in line holds a balloon. Then you know if you see that balloon - you will not be seeing that charcter.

We had a disaster when my the 4 year old daughter was waiting in line for her favorite Eeyore. We had been standing in line for about 10 minutes. She was holding her stuffed eeyore that we had just bought. Daughter is next. They close the line. They won't be back.

That broke my heart seeing her crushed by her favorite character. I know that they have to take breaks-just work out a better way of ending the line. I like that they now have "pavilions" for meet and greets. So you know what you are in for.

Sorry for your little guy.

 

[Schmeck]

After numerous assaults on characters (just search for them on youtube) and some lawsuits about improper touching by characters, yes, the CMs are trained to behave like bodyguards.

What if the OP's son did make it up to Buzz, grabbed him from behind, got tripped up, and fell and got hurt? Or what if Buzz got tripped and fell, and his helmet came off?

It's not the CM's fault that the OP's son broke away and ran after Buzz. The CM's response was also appropriate, in as much that the child was stopped. Can't judge on the rudeness level, as I did not witness the exchange.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't understand why they don't do something like they do at Kings Dominion. The last person in line holds a balloon. Then you know if you see that balloon - you will not be seeing that charcter.

We had a disaster when my the 4 year old daughter was waiting in line for her favorite Eeyore. We had been standing in line for about 10 minutes. She was holding her stuffed eeyore that we had just bought. Daughter is next. They close the line. They won't be back.

That broke my heart seeing her crushed by her favorite character. I know that they have to take breaks-just work out a better way of ending the line. I like that they now have "pavilions" for meet and greets. So you know what you are in for.

Sorry for your little guy.

How long ago was that? I know for a while now they do have a handler who stands there if the line is closed, and lets people know that. It would be horrible to wait in line that long and be turned away.

The balloon thing wouldn't work at every park, as they don't allow balloons in the Animal Kingdom. They are unsafe for the animals. But I think it would be cute to do at the other parks, then they could give the balloon to the child who was holding it.

 

[Macduffy]

OMG...I think this is some of the silliest advice I have ever seen on this board!
I think your advice is terrible. CM's can't make things perfect for everyone all the time. This child did get to see Buzz ..... I am sure lots of kids spend a week at Disney without even a glimpse of their favorite character.

I think the point of going to guest services would be to let Disney know about character interactions around the park to better their service in the future, companies need feed back for training - especially in the tourist industry. Going to guest services is not always about getting something in return but sometimes about making things better for other 4 year olds when they go to visit characters.

I'm sorry that happened but it always amazes me how resilient kids are

 

[azdizzymom]

I think the point of going to guest services would be to let Disney know about character interactions around the park to better their service in the future, companies need feed back for training - especially in the tourist industry. Going to guest services is not always about getting something in return but sometimes about making things better for other 4 year olds when they go to visit characters.

I'm sorry that happened but it always amazes me how resilient kids are

That person I was referring to said guest services probably 'would have helped them out'...I took that as the person meaning they would have assisted in that child meeting Buzz or something else. What good does it do to report the interaction when the CM was just doing their job. There is no need to complain. IMHO OP blew the rudeness out of proportion. We could say OP didn't control her child, she should have had a firmer grip on the child's hand, she should have taught her child not to run ahead, etc. etc. No one went and complained at how the parent handled the child! Going to guest services is when there is a real situation that needs to be taken care of, when you need assistance, etc. Not to complain when a CM is doing their job. Not to complain when your child didn't get to meet character. I wonder if Buzz was there when OP went IN to ride!

 

[bear_mom]

I think that being one of the character handlers has got to be a very difficult job.

They have to protect the character who, unless it is a face character, probably has a very limited field of vision and can't see much of anything, has a big bulky costume on, and can probably be tripped very easily.

They have to be the one to tell kids that "no, they can't see X character right now" or "sorry, the line is closed", etc.

In your case the handler was probably trying to keep your ds away from Buzz so your ds didn't trip Buzz or have ds bumped to ground while Buzz was walking, while still keeping Buzz safe from other obstacles. Stopping to talk to your ds and explaining why he couldn't see Buzz at that time would have taken him away from protecting Buzz.

I think you should just chalk up to a learning experience and I think the way you handled it was appropriate. I'm not sure you expected from the hanldler, his job is to keep his character safe.

Emily

 

[fireflymedic]

I think you handled the situation very well by telling your son that Buzz had an important mission so that he can still enjoy all his Buzz Lightyear stuff.

My son is 5 so I know how you feel - I now avoid character lines unless they are really small because we have had a couple of times where we were 2 people away and the character had to leave so my son was super disappointed and we wasted time being in line. I understand the characters have certain breaks scheduled and the costumes are hot but it would be nice if they made sure all the kids in the line got to meet the character before they left.

Me too; I cant stand that; We were next in line for buzz and he left, after a few minutes I fianly thought of getting pics taken of the boys by the battery and other props, at least buzz is inside not the hot outside. I try to talk the kids out of seeing any charecter.

 

[Mama Who]

The balloon thing wouldn't work at every park, as they don't allow balloons in the Animal Kingdom. They are unsafe for the animals. But I think it would be cute to do at the other parks, then they could give the balloon to the child who was holding it.

No, but a pennant would work just as well. I think it's a great idea, even if it needs some tweaking for special situations.

 

[tjmw2727]

No, but a pennant would work just as well. I think it's a great idea, even if it needs some tweaking for special situations.

Our last couple trips there was a CM at the end of every character line letting folks know where the end of the line was. A few times were were close to last and many times were were warned entering the line that the characters were going to take a rest prior to us getting to the front of the line - so it was our choice.

A few times we were not allwed to enter a line as the characters were done for the day and the last guests were already in line. No need for ballons or banners - it was made very clear by the CM's.

This was in January and April of this year - all parks.

Have to add that while I feel for the OP's son - I saw so many kids trying to see the characters without waiting in line I can't imagine the grief the "handlers and characters get". Oh its so cute that little jonny wants to hug Tigger so much - to bad for the 30 people waiting in the Queue. I am in no way saying this was the OP but after a day of kids running for the characters there really is no way for the handler to tell the difference from a kid doing it deliberatly and an overenthusiastic 4yo. His/her job is to keep the character safe and treat the guests fairly.

Kudos to the OP for handling it well, the days of kids randomly meeting the characters in the parks are gone. Now its line up or do a character meeting.