The popcorn cart guy almost ruined our trip!

[CheshireVal]

It isn't really about a box of popcorn. It is about the last memory my kids have of "the happiest place on Earth". Tired, hungry, crying, begging their Mom for popcorn as they watch someone throw it away and knowing they can't come back tomorrow to get some.

If I had kids who had been talking about popcorn for two days and who were apparently looking forward to it so much, I might have made it a priority and bought some before the park was closing.

Sorry it almost ruined your trip, but I think this is more of a time management problem on your part than the fault of the popcorn guy.

 

[TruBlu]

I'm not sure why my reaction is being considered extreme??? I didn't make a big fuss. I didn't try to go over the CMs head or complain about him or anything. I was just sad that this is the memory my kids left Disney with. Had it happened on the first, second, third day - any time but the last night as we were leaving the park it wouldn't have left such a vivid memory for my boys. I guess my title should have been that the popcorn cart guy almost ruined our memories of Disney. Would that make me seem less extreme?
Any way you phrase it, I don't think it was a very nice thing to do.

Also, does Disney really put the popcorn in a trash bag at the end of the night and then pour it back into the cart to sell the next morning?

 

[sk!mom]

I guess my title should have been that the popcorn cart guy almost ruined our memories of Disney. Would that make me seem less extreme?
Any way you phrase it, I don't think it was a very nice thing to do.
QUOTE]


New title wouldn't have made a difference to me. It's still just popcorn.

I would have been more annoyed by my 8 yo crying over something so insignificant than I would have been at the popcorn guy. and I am a loving caring mom- I would have reminded my child that we have enjoyed a wonderful time at a fun place and to cry over popcorn is quite frankly- silly.

I do agree that it was an unfortunate incident and I would have been annoyed to have waited in line and not gotten the snack but we would have just moved on to a mickeybar.

 

[trulygoofy]

I'm not sure why my reaction is being considered extreme??? I didn't make a big fuss. I didn't try to go over the CMs head or complain about him or anything. I was just sad that this is the memory my kids left Disney with. Had it happened on the first, second, third day - any time but the last night as we were leaving the park it wouldn't have left such a vivid memory for my boys. I guess my title should have been that the popcorn cart guy almost ruined our memories of Disney. Would that make me seem less extreme?
Any way you phrase it, I don't think it was a very nice thing to do.

I don't understand the reactions either. I would have been upset that the guy was so inflexible. I thought the exact same thing that if this had happened earlier in the trip, it would not have been as big of an issue, but I would still think that the popcorn guy was ridiculous (I can understand having to stop the line somewhere, but then just letting a crying kid watch as he dumped the popcorn ). Yes, I would be upset that my 8 YO was crying about popcorn after having a great time at Disney, but Disney does wear you out. I can't believe that some of these people have young kids that NEVER have meltdowns over little stuff (and what is little to adults isn't always little to kids). I have seen adults have meltdowns at Disney because they were hot and tired. I have gotten a cranky there myself a few times.
The kid cried. The OP did not say that he had a temper tantrum (and I have seen plenty of kids have tantrums at Disney, not to mention tons of kids crying because they are tired and over stimulated). To the OP, I would have been upset too to end my trip that way.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Originally Posted by TruBlu View Post
I'm not sure why my reaction is being considered extreme???

I think it is the title "Almost ruined our trip."

people have a hard time understanding how not getting a box of opcorn could possible be so significant that it "ruins" a Disney World trip.

Look at it from the view of the Popcorn guy. He has been out in the hot July sun all afternoon, probably making $9 an hour. He's tired and he wants to clean up his area and go home. He can't just start handing out free popcorn left and right - he would get swarmed and it would make the people who just paid $6.75 or whatever it is pretty ticked.

It is like the line to get your picture taken with Mickey. At some point, they HAVE to draw a line and say...this is the last one. Invariably, the person just immediately on the wrong side of that line is going to be disappointed. But they have to do it because otherwise, they'd never get to go home. Also, he wasn't the one "letting" your son stand there and cry. You're the parent, that would be you who was doing that.

I have to agree with the others, if the Popcorn was so significant that it had the power to ruin a trip, you should have made sure you bought it before the parade.

 

[jenrein]

I cannot believe I got a warning and an infraction for my responses to this thread. I think I may have a meltdown and blame the board

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

What I can't believe is how often I've seen fights start on this board lately. Mostly over things that are quite silly. It can be exhausting.

 

[jenrein]

What I can't believe is how often I've seen fights start on this board lately. Mostly over things that are quite silly. It can be exhausting.

I was giving my opinion...not starting a fight. We are all adults here and I for one do not need someone to hold my hand and guide me through conversation. What is the point of a message board if all we can do is post happy loving messages and never disagree?

Here...




Excuse me while I go throw up now

 

[trulygoofy]

I cannot believe I got a warning and an infraction for my responses to this thread. I think I may have a meltdown and blame the board

I don't think this is a very nice post either and has rude implications to the OP.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Here...




Excuse me while I go throw up now

Just when I thought I was done with this thread.
Jenrein - That was pretty funny!

You forgot my all time favorite -

 

[jenrein]

I don't think this is a very nice post either and has rude implications to the OP.

Really? Why? What does this point to the OP?

 

[yeartolate]

I have said this on other threads....

When planning a vacation and there is the possibility that the absence of one thing would possibly ruin your trip, you have a few choices.

1. Don't go save your money until you have more reasons to go - (or)

2. GO out of your way to make sure the one thing happens first (or)

3. Take a deep breath and be thankful for the things you do have


small things like popcorn, exact room location, parade, meeting a specific character, dole whip, etc shoud not be the cornerstones of a WDW vacation. THey should be the icing on the cake of your day.

 

[trulygoofy]

Really? Why? What does this point to the OP?

I read your post as saying that she/her son had something unpleasant happen, had a meltdown and blamed someone else. Since you asked, hopefully you did not intend it that way but that is how I interpreted it.

 

[Aristomommy]

I'm not sure why my reaction is being considered extreme??? I didn't make a big fuss. I didn't try to go over the CMs head or complain about him or anything. I was just sad that this is the memory my kids left Disney with. Had it happened on the first, second, third day - any time but the last night as we were leaving the park it wouldn't have left such a vivid memory for my boys. I guess my title should have been that the popcorn cart guy almost ruined our memories of Disney. Would that make me seem less extreme?
Any way you phrase it, I don't think it was a very nice thing to do.

Also, does Disney really put the popcorn in a trash bag at the end of the night and then pour it back into the cart to sell the next morning?

I hope you can turn this into a learning experience for your child. My child is the same age as yours and by now she has had disappointing experiences in her life. Through those we have been able to teach her not to let one negative thing overshadow a great day otherwise. That way the entire vacation isn't ruined over one incident. I totally understand the melt downs kids can have after days of excitement, stimulation, sugar rushes and little sleep. It happens to all of us. I hope you can turn this around for them, even though you may feel justified in your frustration.

Sometimes we go to WDW expecting everything to be perfect. Most everything will be as their CMs go above and beyond 99% of the time. But there are a few that may not deliver the magic we have come to expect. It should not mean the vacation was a bust or ruined. Where else in life do we hold these high standards that our children should go without disappointments? Good luck to the OP.

 

[LOLA2]

I cannot believe I got a warning and an infraction for my responses to this thread. I think I may have a meltdown and blame the board

Yes I also got a warning - probably defending the op. Live and learn

 

[Brier Rose]

Gosh does anybody really think that the OP literally meant that their trip was almost ruined by this whole popcorn experience??

I just figured that was her way of expressing how sad she was/is over having the last moment of an otherwise great trip be sour!

Like I might say... I could have KILLED my husband..but I don't really mean it!

I know all too well what it's like to have a trip end that way! It's already so hard to leave, and then that's compounded by the very last moment of your trip ending in tears from something bad happening.

Of course all the rest of the trip has been wonderful..but if it HAS to end..does it HAVE to be like that!

OP..I hate that things went down like they did for you and your DS! As someone who has been to the world 46 times, we have been on the receiving end many times of wonderful CM's who have gone out of their way to make a child happy..even if it meant bending the rules a little.

Should that be EXPECTED..NO! But it can and does happen..everyday!

God help you for feeling down about it, and then posting your feelings here!

SO what if the OP was just wanting some sympathy and a few hugs???
That USED to be OK around here!

 

[LeftCoaster]

No, not his fault but throwing it away in front of them wasn't very nice.

As I said before, I tried to get it earlier. I couldn't find a cart open.

I thought you said you didn't get it earlier because you were riding Splash Mountain over and over until the blocked it off?

 

[TruBlu]

I thought you said you didn't get it earlier because you were riding Splash Mountain over and over until the blocked it off?

That's right. But I also said that I walked really far looking for some before the parade started. Every cart I passed was closed, so I settled for drinks. I didn't know that the cart near the exit was still open or I would have missed the parade to get it. We didn't know it was open until we passed it on the way out. The kids had already dealt with the fact that they weren't going to get any (without tears), but when they saw the open cart they got really excited. That was why they were so sad to watch someone throw it away. It wasn't the popcorn, it was that he threw it away instead of letting us BUY it. I DID NOT WANT IT FREE.

 

[TruBlu]

Gosh does anybody really think that the OP literally meant that their trip was almost ruined by this whole popcorn experience??

I just figured that was her way of expressing how sad she was/is over having the last moment of an otherwise great trip be sour!

Like I might say... I could have KILLED my husband..but I don't really mean it!

I know all too well what it's like to have a trip end that way! It's already so hard to leave, and then that's compounded by the very last moment of your trip ending in tears from something bad happening.

Of course all the rest of the trip has been wonderful..but if it HAS to end..does it HAVE to be like that!

OP..I hate that things went down like they did for you and your DS! As someone who has been to the world 46 times, we have been on the receiving end many times of wonderful CM's who have gone out of their way to make a child happy..even if it meant bending the rules a little.

Should that be EXPECTED..NO! But it can and does happen..everyday!

God help you for feeling down about it, and then posting your feelings here!

SO what if the OP was just wanting some sympathy and a few hugs???
That USED to be OK around here!

Thank you!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Gosh does anybody really think that the OP literally meant that their trip was almost ruined by this whole popcorn experience??

I just figured that was her way of expressing how sad she was/is over having the last moment of an otherwise great trip be sour!

Like I might say... I could have KILLED my husband..but I don't really mean it!

I know all too well what it's like to have a trip end that way! It's already so hard to leave, and then that's compounded by the very last moment of your trip ending in tears from something bad happening.

Of course all the rest of the trip has been wonderful..but if it HAS to end..does it HAVE to be like that!

OP..I hate that things went down like they did for you and your DS! As someone who has been to the world 46 times, we have been on the receiving end many times of wonderful CM's who have gone out of their way to make a child happy..even if it meant bending the rules a little.

Should that be EXPECTED..NO! But it can and does happen..everyday!

God help you for feeling down about it, and then posting your feelings here!

SO what if the OP was just wanting some sympathy and a few hugs???
That USED to be OK around here!

ITA with the above! And, it seems lately on the boards, if you don't phrase something exactly right, the whole point of your topic is missed and people jump all over that one little thing! And if someone doesn't agree with what you're trying to convey - watch out! You'll be fed to a pack of hungry dogs!