The popcorn cart guy almost ruined our trip!

[Princess Stitch]

If my DS was sitting there crying for it and he still said no I probably would have kicked the bag and told him to clean it up. Not very nice, but neither was he. I hate it when adults are mean spirited to kids. Be mean to me all you want but I won't let you do it to my kid.

Wow! That's a little much. OP I'm sorry your son was disappointed, and I would have hoped that in the Disney spirit they would have given you some popcorn, but the CMs hands may have been tied. Once the till is shut down it's shut down and you are NOT allowed to sell something anymore. He could have just given it to you, but if it was crowded someone else may have wanted popcorn, then another person would come along etc.. Maybe the CM got in trouble before for keeping the cart open late and was following strict orders from his manager? Maybe he wasn't mean spirited, maybe he just wanted to keep his job?

Knowing people who have been on the College Program ODF (outdoor foods) seems to be pretty strict with policies for their employees. Hopefully your son will not be disappointed next time Do they have some sort of Disney microwave popcorn down there? I'm going in September and I'd be happy to send him some from "Mickey" if it would make him happier

 

[TruBlu]

Do they have some sort of Disney microwave popcorn down there? I'm going in September and I'd be happy to send him some from "Mickey" if it would make him happier

That is so sweet! Thank you for the offer.
I'm afraid it would just remind them. When we first got home that was the only story they would tell of our trip. Since then we've watched our video, so now they are telling the fun stories. Hopefully they will forget all about the popcorn incident. DS5 and I went on youtube and watched some ride videos, so now he is walking around singing the Figment and Splash Mountain songs. No more talk of the mean popcorn guy.

 

[LOLA2]

So true. You don't know the CM's situation- the rules are strict, they have to cut the line at a certain point, no exceptions. Also, since the line was officially closed, they would have gotten into trouble for selling it to you. As for throwing it away in front of your child, what did you want them to do? They are assigned/trained to do things a certain way, and 1 upset child should not change that the workflow of an employee. It is sad, and my child would be sad too, but I don't know why you felt that the rules (the cart closes at specific time, no sales after it's closed) don't apply to you. It's unfortunate that you were unable to get popcorn 2 times in a row, but it was obviously not malicious on the CMs' parts. Please don't blame them.

Please - why are you defending this cm? The cm could have waited for the kid to at least walk away before throwing it all out, it was like he did it intentionally and got his kicks. As far as rules are rules Did you not hear the stories above about giving away free popcorn? Why would it be O.K. with Disney to do that but the same supervisor or whoever trains say nope you can't give to the last person in line at closing when there is popcorn left? If they are "allowed" to act magical then it should be all the time not only to certain guests.

 

[Princess Stitch]

That is so sweet! Thank you for the offer.
I'm afraid it would just remind them. When we first got home that was the only story they would tell of our trip. Since then we've watched our video, so now they are telling the fun stories. Hopefully they will forget all about the popcorn incident. DS5 and I went on youtube and watched some ride videos, so now he is walking around singing the Figment and Splash Mountain songs. No more talk of the mean popcorn guy.

I'm glad they're remembering the happy parts of the trip now! I don't leave till Sept 8 so you can PM me if you change your mind! I bet next time you go your first stop is going to be that popcorn cart though LOL.. popcorn for breakfast today kids!

 

[TruBlu]

I'm glad they're remembering the happy parts of the trip now! I don't leave till Sept 8 so you can PM me if you change your mind! I bet next time you go your first stop is going to be that popcorn cart though LOL.. popcorn for breakfast today kids!

You better believe it! Breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Our first trip we learned not to wait until the last day for souviners. We got really sick and could barely make it to the airport, so the kids came home with nothing. That was a lesson learned. We bought DS a splash mountain t-shirt on the first day this time! Now we have learned to buy popcorn at every cart.

 

[emh1129]

You now know and I know that is a bunch of bull honky!!! We have used every exit in the Haunted Mansion in our attempts over the years to get our oldest son to ride it, LOL!

Oh, I know. Even at the time (before I saw the exit) that didn't seem right to me- because the ride has to break down once in a while and people have to exit somehow. He was just a lazy jerk who didn't want to be bothered to show us the way out.
Luckily he was in the minority that week and we met many more nice CMs

 

[inkkognito]

While I understand the circumstances here, there are people who will use their children to try to manipulate the system. For example, "It's our last day here (even when it's not) and the only ride we wanted to ride was Space Mountain, and now you tell us it's closed! Look, you made little Johnny cry!" They have heard lines like that a thousand times, and often it's a load of BS so it's not surprising that some have gotten jaded. Not that it makes it any better when your child wants popcorn, but that's reality.

 

[ecuagoddess]

Please - why are you defending this cm? The cm could have waited for the kid to at least walk away before throwing it all out, it was like he did it intentionally and got his kicks. As far as rules are rules Did you not hear the stories above about giving away free popcorn? Why would it be O.K. with Disney to do that but the same supervisor or whoever trains say nope you can't give to the last person in line at closing when there is popcorn left? If they are "allowed" to act magical then it should be all the time not only to certain guests.

I'm defending the CM because they have to follow the rules to keep their jobs. How long would you have liked him to wait to throw out the popcorn? Until after the kid stopped crying? Until after they moved away from the area? Until the park was empty so no one else might get upset? Why should he have to possibly go home late/get off schedule because of 1 child?

You are assuming he was being mean, I am simply assuming he was not. What about the OP says that he was "getting his kicks?" It simply says that the CM was closed down and refused to sell the lefotver to the OP. No taunting, "HA HA HA you wanted some now it's going in the garbage!!!!!" Don't assign a mean spirit when none existed.

The free popcorn stuff has nothing to with it- that was another CM at another time. I agree that Disney is inconsistent with quite a few of their rules, and it's really a shame that they couldn't get the popcorn the previous night, when it is included in the Dining Plan and they were entitled to it. But being Magical doesn't mean breaking the rules to satisfy your (or your child's) desire.

 

[misshilda1]

I'm so sorry you had that experience....To some it may seem like your making to much outta nothing but I tell ya when I wait all year to go somewhere and center my year around it I want it to go off smoothly. Regardless of what people may think children do remember things that you hope and think they want and I'm sorry that is the last thing your child remebers. Maybe to soften his last impression you could tell him that Mickey had Tinkerbell sprinkle fairy dust on the popcorn man and that he will be nice from now on so he won't have some awful memory of this..I hope you get to go again and I hope that you and your family have an extraordinary time....

 

[louise']

Gosh, I hope you are exaggerating when you say it almost ruined your trip. That is just one of those things you brush off and move on.

I totally agree.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I'm not sure if this helps...but he didn't throw it away.

Those are clean trash bags and very often ODF workers take those bags of leftover popcorn back to their homes at the end of the shift. Or give them to other CMs to take home and eat.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Please - why are you defending this cm? The cm could have waited for the kid to at least walk away before throwing it all out, it was like he did it intentionally and got his kicks. As far as rules are rules Did you not hear the stories above about giving away free popcorn? Why would it be O.K. with Disney to do that but the same supervisor or whoever trains say nope you can't give to the last person in line at closing when there is popcorn left? If they are "allowed" to act magical then it should be all the time not only to certain guests.

I am thinking the same thing. Well said.

We had a nice chat with a "Dream Squad" CM one night. He said after his wishes were all given out for the night they wondered around and talked to guests, finding out things like "I wanted to ride this, but the line is too long." "I wanted popcorn, but it was sold out" and granting little things like that. It was the end of our trip and we were ready to go home in a few hours. Still we had nothing to ask him for, we were happy relaxing and talking with him before going. What a great job to have.

Sorry that CM didn't out out of his way to make a kids day a little better.

When we get home we often get a survey in the mail and they ask about everything. I would try to give them some feed back on the situation. Not to get anything free but to let them know this something that needs working on.

 

[LoveMyBoys]

OP I can certainly understand how something as little as this can leave a bad taste in your mouth. Just reading this made me squirm, and I wasn't even there. I am sorry this happened to you, and I am glad your kids are remembering happier times

 

[ksumn1]

I feel so sorry for your little boy. I see both sides of the situation. Havong worked in restaurants for years, you have to close the doors (or cart) on time because if you don't there will always be another person in line. I do think however that he should have made some type of announcement. "Sorry folks, but I'll be closing in 5 minutes and the last guest I can help is you in the red shirt." At least you would have known BEFORE you reached the front of the line. However, if you're sent a survey I would definately mention it.

Maybe he'll forget the popcorn thing eventually. Maybe not. But next time I would get the popcorn 1st!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Well, at least we can all learn from this - don't wait until the park is starting to close down to try and get something you promised/is very important to your child, especially if it is your last night. Thanks for the heads-up!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm sorry for your little boy...

We had a bad popcorn experience also. It was MNSSHP last year and we were waiting on Main Street for the parade to start. I told DH watch the kids and our spot and I'll go get us popcorn and I'll be back. Well the line was long and it took about 20 minutes for me to get to the front of the line. I am 1 person away and the CM says I can't take the dining plan cards only cash. Well me and a couple other people started freaking. I just stood for 20 minutes, there were 2 other CM's with her , someone couldn't announce to the line cash only before we stood all that time.

We stood our ground and asked for a manager. I guess the CM didn't want to deal with it, so she gave us our stuff for free.

 

[TruBlu]

I'm sorry for your little boy...

We had a bad popcorn experience also. It was MNSSHP last year and we were waiting on Main Street for the parade to start. I told DH watch the kids and our spot and I'll go get us popcorn and I'll be back. Well the line was long and it took about 20 minutes for me to get to the front of the line. I am 1 person away and the CM says I can't take the dining plan cards only cash. Well me and a couple other people started freaking. I just stood for 20 minutes, there were 2 other CM's with her , someone couldn't announce to the line cash only before we stood all that time.

We stood our ground and asked for a manager. I guess the CM didn't want to deal with it, so she gave us our stuff for free.

Was it the cart to the right near the exit? It sounds like you had the same problem that I did. There was a sign on the card that said they took the dining plan. I just assumed that something was wrong with the machine. I didn't even question that they couldn't take anything but cash. Now I wish I had. I had stood in line at least 20 minutes on the night I was turned away for not having cash. It put us really far back in the bus line - empty handed.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Was it the cart to the right near the exit? It sounds like you had the same problem that I did. There was a sign on the card that said they took the dining plan. I just assumed that something was wrong with the machine. I didn't even question that they couldn't take anything but cash. Now I wish I had. I had stood in line at least 20 minutes on the night I was turned away for not having cash. It put us really far back in the bus line - empty handed.

No actually it was the one up by the castle. I was thinking since it was the night of MNSSHP and it was later than what the parks are open usually during that time the machines may just shut off at a certain time. But now that I hear your story who knows.

We got popcorn at the stand by the exit when we were leaving one day no problems. But I learned my lesson, before I stood in line, I asked the CM, do you take the Dining plan,? he said yea.

I feel bad for you, my thing is, I already paid for the dining plan I shouldn't have to pay OOP for something I already paid for, then have credits left over when I check out and go home.

The DDP has been around long enough, if Disney is going to offer this then stories like mine and yours shouldn't happen.

 

[dburg30]

Let's say this CM did either sell it to you or make a little 'magic' and give your kid some, against whatever rules they are supposed to abide by. Now, let's just say that a supervisor or who knows what was watching, and saw them give popcorn away, after the line was closed. What's to say that giving that popcorn couldnt cost the CM their job??? I'm not saying that would've happened, I'm saying that's probably a pretty slim chance of the person getting fired / in trouble for it, BUT the possibility exists for that exact thing to happen. How would you have felt if that person would've gotten in trouble for making 'magic'?

One of the PP's mentioned something about talking to a 'dream squad' person. It sounds to me like THOSE are the people that are allowed to 'make magic' for guests. They are the ones that are somewhat outside the rules, but maybe not ever CM is allowed to do that.

While I think it's great with magic happens from a normal CM, I would never, ever get ticked at someone following the rules.

Also, this

SO, on our last night... I made sure I had cash. We watched the last Spectromagic parade then rushed for the popcorn cart.

Why wait?!??! Why not get the popcorn before the parade? You arent one of those people that waits to show up at a store at 8:59 when they close at 9:00 and get upset and call the workers rude because they are trying to lock up are you? I tell people we close a 1/2 hour before we do on the weekends for JUST that reason, and sure enough, we're slammed the last 1/2 hour with the 'last minute people'. You can darn near set your watches by it. Maybe I just see it different since I have to deal with the general public every day.

 

[TruBlu]

Also, this


Why wait?!??! Why not get the popcorn before the parade? You arent one of those people that waits to show up at a store at 8:59 when they close at 9:00 and get upset and call the workers rude because they are trying to lock up are you? I tell people we close a 1/2 hour before we do on the weekends for JUST that reason, and sure enough, we're slammed the last 1/2 hour with the 'last minute people'. You can darn near set your watches by it. Maybe I just see it different since I have to deal with the general public every day.

I didn't wait on purpose. We rode Splash Mtn. over and over until they blocked the entrance. (Our favorite ride, so we wanted to ride as many times as possible on our last night.) After that we found a nice place to sit and watch the parade near the Country Bears. DH and the kids held our spot while I went in search of popcorn. I passed several carts that were closed. I walked all the way to Casey's before the parade started. I couldn't find any popcorn. I finally gave up and just got them a drink. (I even returned to our spot thru Adventure Land just in case there was a cart there.) It was only as we were leaving that we saw the open cart, filled with popcorn, with people in line buying it. The kids got very excited.... and you know the rest.