The popcorn cart guy almost ruined our trip!

[Hannathy]

I also don't see the big deal with a child having a memory that isn't happy, happy, 100% perfect experience. That is what is wrong with this generation of kids, this generation of parents try too hard to only have perfect memories for their kids. It is good to have a less than perfect memory and you know what chances are this trip and this experience will stay with your boys longer than if they had got that silly box of popcorn. It also taught a valuable lesson that will stick with them all their lives(much more than you just saying it) That if you want something bad enough you have to prioritize it and do it first.

Ruin your trip hardly, give them a memory that they will remember possibly all their life, definitely. I still remember the vacation at the lake that it rained everyday and the most excitement was watching to see if the stream would flood our cottage. I can still describe that cottage and what my Mom did and various other small things about that week, and while we went every year almost all the other weeks of fun have slipped from my mind this one is still strong after 40 yrs.

 

[TruBlu]

I also don't see the big deal with a child having a memory that isn't happy, happy, 100% perfect experience. That is what is wrong with this generation of kids, this generation of parents try too hard to only have perfect memories for their kids. It is good to have a less than perfect memory and you know what chances are this trip and this experience will stay with your boys longer than if they had got that silly box of popcorn. It also taught a valuable lesson that will stick with them all their lives(much more than you just saying it) That if you want something bad enough you have to prioritize it and do it first.

Ruin your trip hardly, give them a memory that they will remember possibly all their life, definitely. I still remember the vacation at the lake that it rained everyday and the most excitement was watching to see if the stream would flood our cottage. I can still describe that cottage and what my Mom did and various other small things about that week, and while we went every year almost all the other weeks of fun have slipped from my mind this one is still strong after 40 yrs.

So are you saying that I should treasure the memory of my boys crying because someone threw food away instead of letting them buy it?

Also, that I should be happy that our $5000 vacation ended with my kids crying? Two years in a row. Last year couldn't be helped (well, maybe no food poison from HDDR), but this year could have easily turned out different.

 

[sk!mom]

So are you saying that I should treasure the memory of my boys crying because someone threw food away instead of letting them buy it?

I think that it was wrong of the popcorn cart to refuse to sell to you although someone has to be the last customer if those employees are ever going to get to go home but it would probably be better if they disappointed an adult rather than a child.

HOWEVER----

I really think that given all of that, you are blowing this incident way out of proportion and it sounds as if you need to begin teaching your children to deal with life's little disappointments. If a trip can be even "almost ruined" by a box of popcorn how in the world will they handle real disappointments.

Don't give the popcorn so much power

 

[mom2aredhead]

So are you saying that I should treasure the memory of my boys crying because someone threw food away instead of letting them buy it?

Also, that I should be happy that our $5000 vacation ended with my kids crying? Two years in a row. Last year couldn't be helped (well, maybe no food poison from HDDR), but this year could have easily turned out different.

I am truly sad for you that this was such a big deal.

I think that it was wrong of the popcorn cart to refuse to sell to you although someone has to be the last customer if those employees are ever going to get to go home but it would probably be better if they disappointed an adult rather than a child.

HOWEVER----

I really think that given all of that, you are blowing this incident way out of proportion and it sounds as if you need to begin teaching your children to deal with life's little disappointments. If a trip can be even "almost ruined" by a box of popcorn how in the world will they handle real disappointments.

Don't give the popcorn so much power

Amen!

 

[LisaInNc]

I can see where you might think that is it silly to throw the popcorn away and not give it to the child BUT that could have started a bigger problem. Someone else sees that happen and then THEY want their child to have free popcorn. Then someone else and someone after that and then they run out and there is a child disappointed that they didn't get any.

What if word gets out that after the popcorn carts are closed they give it away? That would mean that Disney would lose out....gasp.... on some of our money . People might just wait for the free popcorn and not buy it.

I am sure you can appreciate that they have rules and standards. I can't think of any other restaurant or store that would be expected to give your child something after they closed so why did we all expect Disney to do it?

To say that is ruined your trip, I just cant get my brain around that.


Lisa

 

[Poly Pal]

I am sorry that the little guy ended up crying on his last night at Disney. The OP can only tell his/her side of the story and we do not know what the CM's situation was. The comment about "ruining a vacation" does seem a little over-the-top.

That said, the few times I have been out right treated rudely by CM's has been at food carts at Disney Parks. The first was at Disney Paris. We were in line at a walk-up window where you could purchase sandwiches. I ordered and paid for my sandwich and stepped aside to wait at the "delivery window". Then the person I was with stepped up to order and the CM slammed the shutters in his face without saying a word.

The second time was at MGM at an ice cream cart. My family and I were waiting on a shady bench waiting for a nearby ice cream cart to open. The CM came over to the cart, removed the cover, put up the umbrella, set out a napkin holder, and opened the register. When it appeared she was all set to sell ice cream, I got up from the bench to go purchase a round of Mickey Bars for my wife and kids. As I stepped up to the cart, this CM indignantly shouts at me, "I AM NOT OPEN YET!" She was an absolute, total you-know-what and had my youngest son accompanied me to the cart, he probably would have been in tears, too. I was so angry I was ready to tell her where she could put put her frozen solid ice cream, but the power of Mickey Bars was too much (gotta have 'em) and I stared her down until she was "ready" to sell (all of 10 seconds later).

 

[bennythepug]

gotta say, I read your story the 1st day you posted and it stuck with me. Hoping we don't have any issues like that on our coming trip. I feel for you

 

[jenrein]

So are you saying that I should treasure the memory of my boys crying because someone threw food away instead of letting them buy it?

Also, that I should be happy that our $5000 vacation ended with my kids crying? Two years in a row. Last year couldn't be helped (well, maybe no food poison from HDDR), but this year could have easily turned out different.

awww... the kids werent happy with the $5000 already spent on them? They had to have the popcorn too??

 

[Maria395712]

my DD is 23 and loves disney's popcorn andis mad when we get to the cart and they are out of it this happens alot at the end of the night . it was crazy to close the line when you were in it the CM should have stood behind the last person and then said the line was closed. also they could have given it away for free my DD23 and her friend 22 are always given free popcorn and ice cream they are told it's a magical moment but then it always given by a guy and not a girl. she's very happy with her popcorn or ice cream magical moment .also my DS got a free pretzel from a girl as his MM, hum I see a pattern here LOL. so they could have given free popcorn and yes the small one is on the dining plan and you should have sent for a mananger as you pointed it out on the sign

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I don't know, we have two toddlers, hit the parks every day and hopped. We slept late and went back for naps and yet were ready to stay longer Our daily lives are usually go-go-go though.

Sorry but this comment just makes me laugh.

Whose lives aren't go go go anymore? I work outside of the home, take care of 2 kids, cart them around to their numerous activities, volunteer at their school, plus all the other crap that goes with being a wife and mother, and let me tell you when we come back from WDW we are tired.

I don't know one person who has gone on vacation to WDW and didn't say they needed another vacation when they returned home.

 

[LOLA2]

awww... the kids werent happy with the $5000 already spent on them? They had to have the popcorn too??

This is why it is never worth it to pour your feelings out on these threads. Better to just stick with asking questions, providing answers and sticking with the facts. Otherwise you have people like this responding to your concerns.

 

[jenrein]

This is why it is never worth it to pour your feelings out on these threads. Better to just stick with asking questions, providing answers and sticking with the facts. Otherwise you have people like this responding to your concerns.

The truth hurts....huh?

 

[LOLA2]

The truth hurts....huh?

I'm not the op so why would the truth hurt me? I can't stand when people are picked on so I defend them. I sure hope you don't have kids.

 

[DisneyPhD]

The truth hurts....huh?

I really don't understand why people are being mean about this. Yes ruined a whole trip is an overstatement. You can't let things like this ruin things for you. That gives others too much power. It sure can leave a bad taste in ones mouth though.

However it was a sucky situation that was not handled well. The OP learned from it (don't wait until last min if it is important) and the CM was NOT magical. I don't understand why anyone would even try to defend their actions. Everyone knows a cast member is not going to get in trouble for making a guest happy in a very simple way.

I am sorry for OP that it happened. I would hate for it to happen to anyone (I know things like that have happened to me.) Compassion is all that is needed. Would it really be that hard to be nice about it or not say anything?

I just don't see why anyone would get snarky about this. It isn't like the OP is trying to sue WDW!

 

[jenrein]

I'm not the op so why would the truth hurt me? I can't stand when people are picked on so I defend them. I sure hope you don't have kids.

I do have kids and that is why I think this is so ridiculous. My kids were so happy to just go to Disney and if they got that upset over popcorn I would have been beside myself. I guess my kids know how to be grateful for what they have been given and have learned that life isnt made of sugared peaches.

 

[jenrein]

I really don't understand why people are being mean about this. Yes ruined a whole trip is an overstatement. You can't let things like this ruin things for you. That gives others too much power. It sure can leave a bad taste in ones mouth though.

However it was a sucky situation that was not handled well. The OP learned from it (don't wait until last min if it is important) and the CM was NOT magical. I don't understand why anyone would even try to defend their actions. Everyone knows a cast member is not going to get in trouble for making a guest happy in a very simple way.

I am sorry for OP that it happened. I would hate for it to happen to anyone (I know things like that have happened to me.) Compassion is all that is needed. Would it really be that hard to be nice about it or not say anything?

I just don't see why anyone would get snarky about this. It isn't like the OP is trying to sue WDW!

Why does every CM have to be magical? Thats all you hear about....magical CMs. Do you understand they are employees making about minimum wage to wait hand and foot on thousands of people a shift? They are not magical. The idea of Disney is magical, yes. But it isnt a wonderland where all bad things go away- it is an amusement park. Do you think that every person that works there is happy to wait hand and foot on people who are so ungrateful they let POPCORN ruin a $5000 trip????

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I really don't understand why people are being mean about this. Yes ruined a whole trip is an overstatement. You can't let things like this ruin things for you. That gives others too much power. It sure can leave a bad taste in ones mouth though.

However it was a sucky situation that was not handled well. The OP learned from it (don't wait until last min if it is important) and the CM was NOT magical. I don't understand why anyone would even try to defend their actions. Everyone knows a cast member is not going to get in trouble for making a guest happy in a very simple way.

I am sorry for OP that it happened. I would hate for it to happen to anyone (I know things like that have happened to me.) Compassion is all that is needed. Would it really be that hard to be nice about it or not say anything?

I just don't see why anyone would get snarky about this. It isn't like the OP is trying to sue WDW!

Yeah, what she said!

In response to another poster's suggestion, I don't teach my child to accept disappointment. I teach him to rise above it and find another way to make himself happy. You can bet a million dollars I would have been ticked in the same situation, but I would have turned to him and said, "That's okay, we will do XXX instead!" This strategy is already paying off. Whenever I get visibly upset about something, DS says to me, "It's okay, mama!" and suggests something else we could do. That's my boy!

The only thing we control 100% is our attitude. It's a powerful statement and I feel it applies to this situation, in more ways than one. Sorry to the OP and her children for an un-magical moment!

 

[gottagodisney]

Yes, popcorn ruining a trip is quite dramatic. One could say well, it was dissapointing for her child, yes. To post this on the board begs the question...what is the point in telling this story? To warn others not to go to evil popcorn sellers? Disney owes her something? It's not worth it to go to Disney- please don't waste your money because you might be dissapointed in something? Could it possibly be to get sympathy from others? Most likely.

How about all using this as a lesson in ...don't wait to get something that's SO IMPORTANT(2 days in a row no less) until the last second. If you succeed - great...if not....don't blame others for your lack of planning.

Not trying to be mean, just truthful. I really think the OP and her child will survive this trauma in their lives without hugs from the DIS board.

 

[trulygoofy]

Why does every CM have to be magical? Thats all you hear about....magical CMs. Do you understand they are employees making about minimum wage to wait hand and foot on thousands of people a shift? They are not magical. The idea of Disney is magical, yes. But it isnt a wonderland where all bad things go away- it is an amusement park. Do you think that every person that works there is happy to wait hand and foot on people who are so ungrateful they let POPCORN ruin a $5000 trip????

I don't know why anyone needs to be grateful to an employee at Disney for letting them buy popcorn. People are spending a lot of money to have a magical time at Disney. Everyone has a bad day, but if a CM is having a bad day, he probably will not remember it a year from now. The OP and her son will remember this popcorn incident (and she never said that it did ruin their trip). Everyone has bad days, but I would not let a kid leave crying at the "most magical place on earth" because I made minimum wage and didn't need to do more than the minimum.
If a CM doesn't want to spread the magic, then they probably are working in the wrong place.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I don't know why anyone needs to be grateful to an employee at Disney for letting them buy popcorn. People are spending a lot of money to have a magical time at Disney. Everyone has a bad day, but if a CM is having a bad day, he probably will not remember it a year from now. The OP and her son will remember this popcorn incident (and she never said that is did ruin their trip). Everyone has bad days, but I would not let a kid leave crying at the "most magical place on earth" because I made minimum wage and didn't need to do more than the minimum.
If a CM doesn't want to spread the magic, then they probably are working in the wrong place.

Agreed.

And what is so wrong about hugs?????????