The worst moment at Walt Disney

[Experiment_626]

My one less-than-stellar experience was completely out of Disney's control. It was my first trip with my then-girlfriend, now wife. The night we were to leave (we drive about four hours from north Florida), I got sick with a bad cold. Ordinarily, I would have been over it in about two days. On this trip, I would feel better in the mornings and then push myself, so I felt close to death at the end of each day. The worst day was when we went to the Magic Kingdom at night. It was almost Halloween, but the weather was pleasant. As soon as it got dark, I started getting horrible chills -- shivering, teeth chattering like a cartoon character -- the works. But I stayed, with grim determination. We watched SpectroMagic -- even feeling as bad as I did, I wasn't going to miss it! I told my wife later that I couldn't imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else that would have kept me out of bed. But I think she learned on that first trip together just exactly how much of a true Disney freak she was getting in me!

SSB

 

[annagirl]

First time I went was on my honeymoon. I ended up with an ear infection and could not hear out of one ear the whole trip and it was painful. But it didn't keep me from doing everything anyway.

I'm lucky I didn't rupture my eardrum - I never went to the doctor for it.

 

[brandylouwho]

We have never had a horrible vacation, but one wasn't as stellar as the rest...September 2007. My husband got a sinus infection. He did not go to the Dr. (we won't make that mistake ever again) and there is no cold & sinus med with pseudoephedrine in it on property (which is the only drug that seems to really give him any relief). So he was pretty miserable and crabbier than usual. He got one of those, "I'm Grumpy becasue you're Dopey" T-shirts that year.

Plus, my MIL was along. She is a kind lady, but had been experiencing health issues leading up to trip. She used a ECV as her stamina was low and she was rather unsteady on her legs. She was uneasy trying to maneuver the parks on the ECV too. That year we took things at a much slower pace. Months later it comes out that her health issues were being caused by the fact she was a closet alcoholic .

Her rehab counselor told us she was very lucky to not have had serious health effects while we were there as she was certainly going through withdrawal after a week without any alcohol! (She had drank herself into a stupor so that she could sleep every night for about 15 years).

So that was our worst trip ever. But it was not all bad and we still have fond memories of parts of it. I hope that is as bad as it ever gets.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I'm moving this to the Theme Parks Community Board.

 

[Tink_Taylor]

When I Was REALLY Little, I Was On The Playground By Splash Mountain I Think, And This Little Boy Was Running Around Me, And The Little Boy Pushed My Face Into The Ground... By Nose Was Completley Cut Open, And I Had To Go To First Aid In Disney... And Im 13 Now, I Have The Scar Still On My Nose... But Thats The Only Time! I Still Love Disney <3

 

[zackiedawg]

Put me in with the crowd that never had a bad time or incident at Disney - at least nothing worth any fuss. Stubbing a toe, having a minor cold, etc...nothing to worry about.

Even the mistakes or problems that I have encountered were so quickly resolved and in such a friendly and apologetic manner that I can't consider them bad! For example, I checked in once at Old Key West, drove to my building, hauled my luggage up to the 2nd floor, opened my room, dragged everything in the door, only to find a guy and his daughter sitting in the living room staring back at me incredulously. I apologized and noted I had just been given the room he apparently already had. We called the desk, whereby they apologized, sent someone over to get my luggage, had me go back to the desk for reassignment, then gave me a much nicer room in a much nicer building close to Hospitality House, and $200 credit for spending in the parks. That ended up being a very good trip!

Back when there were still smoking rooms, I was traveling with a smoker, and had requested a smoking villa. We checked in at Saratoga Springs, went to our room, and found the 'no smoking' sticker on the door. We went in and called, whereby we were told they were sorry, and they were sending someone over to help. The man arrived to help with our luggage, and armed with key cards for another room up 2 flights. We went up, got to that room, and once again were confronted with the 'no smoking' sticker on the door. Even more apologies as he called back, discussed with them, ran back to the front desk, got new cards, and brought us to the next room, which was finally the right one. He gave us $100 gift card, which we used promptly to go to dinner at Jiko. The next evening, we returned to the room to a gift basket of chocolates and fruits, and two all-day fast passes. We never complained once, yet they still bent over backwards to apologize and make things right. That too was a very good trip!

So far, no bad trips to Disney. Oh, and on the poll question, I've been to Disney approximately...let's see...maybe 1,100 times? 80 times to Disneyland, and another 1,000+ to WDW. Yes...some of us have definitely been to Disney a few more than the 10+ count in the poll.

 

[2trips06Mom]

My worst time at Disney World was really just an incident. DS and I left my DH and other son at Ft. Wilderness to "relax" and we went to Epcot to do Soarin, Test Track and other stuff. We were there the end of June 2006 and the wait time for Test track was 90 minutes, but DS and I decided we'd just wait, so I said to him... I'd better run to the ladies room first. Well I went in and did my stuff and as I was goiing to wash my hands I slid on the water on the floor and tore my hamstring. I heard the pop and saw stars. I quickly washed my hands and hurried out of the restroom due to embarrasment (there were kind people in there trying to help me but I just wanted to escape). So I go outside and see my son (who is 19 at the time) and burst into tears because I hurt so bad. He helped me find a place to sit and rest (took about 45 minutes before I could move) and pretended for the rest of the trip that everything was a-ok. (of course, DS, DH and the other son could all tell I was in terrible pain). Of course, we never did ride test track and Sept. will be my 3rd time back there and DH says he doesn't want to do it... so I may never get on this ride!

I should also say, I never saw a dr until I was home for 2 weeks and it wasn't improving. I spent a few months in phyiscal rehab after that!

 

[chcsmomof2]

Our first family vacation to Disney was in August of 2003 and it was truly "magical"! It was a 6 night, 5 day Park Hopper with extra options like the the water parks and putt putt golf. We stayed at Carribean Beach Resort and everything was perfect throughout the entire trip. On the last day, we had some free time and the kids really wanted to go putt-putt golfing. We took advantage of our "free" pass and went to Santa's Winterwonderland Putt-Putt Golf adventure. This course/attraction is so absolutely adorable and we were having a great time. We were exactly 1/2 way through and were starting the 9th hole. DD was 4 at the time and stepped up to tee off, she was holding the club "wrong" (yeah, whatever controlling mother! LOL) so I stood behind her to help her. The last thing I heard was "Mommy, this one's going into the parking lot"!! ....and then.....STARS!! and then....BLACKNESS!!! She roundhoused the club and hit me on the right side of my nose! I saw stars and then passed out. Blood was gushing out of my nose and the kids were screaming and I was screaming and we were all trying to run back to the front to get medical help. My husband was half pushing me, half carrying me as blood was pouring out of my nose all over the front of my shirt, my shoes, my hands and all over the walkway of the putt-putt course! CM were less than helpful and took forever to get us ice. Then had to be told twice to get the paramedics. Paramedics arrived and were great! My nose was broken, so they re-set it, clean and bandaged me up and sent us on our way. What a way to make memories!!!

 

[littlewitch34]

This is a very mild story in comparison to the others. I was disappointed by the woman I spoke to on the phone at Disney Dining.

My father made ADRs for us (4- Dad, me, and my two DBros) at the Hoop Dee Doo Review (I believe our show began at 7:15 PM). We weren't sure about driving there, so my father thought taking the buses was a good idea. I disagreed and thought we should drive our rental car there. Diney Dining told him to park at Animal Kingdom and take the bus from there to Fort Wilderness for Hoop Dee Doo. I absolutely did not trust this because the timing seemed funny to me. Dad felt that Disney would never steer us wrong with something like that... so I called to verify.

The woman I spoke to told us to park at Animal Kingdom and take the bus, and that we would take the bus back from FW to get to the car. Because we were told this twice, we decided to go to Animal Kingdom for the day and then take the bus to FW for our dinner and show. Hoop Dee Doo was absolutely fun and adorable! The food was great and the show was awesome too. Our waiter was great...

but then we needed to get back to our car. At Animal Kingdom. We take the FW bus back to the main bus stop to wait for a bus back to AK (it's 9:30 PM now). We see the same buses come and go for more than an hour. My father asked bus drivers for help, and were told, 'Sorry. Can't help you.' My father tried to use the phone at the bus stop-- broken. He asked people employed at FW and were given the only suggestion of going to Downtown Disney and taking a bus from there. By now, it's after 10:30 PM. AK closed at 8 that night. The buses are no longer running to AK.

There was a wonderful bus driver (Carmen!) who stopped at the end of her run and drove us to AK. We thanked her a million times. She dropped us at the bus stop, and then we walked (and hopped a fence!) to get to our car. The only cool thing about that was that I saw guys painting the bus stop with a fresh coat of paint... even though it looked freshly painted already!

We went to Guest Relations the next day at DHS and explained what had happened. We were given fastpasses for RnR and our complaint was registered. I guess next time Daddy should listen to me when I say something seems fishy!

 

[pilesoflaundry]

Going home is the worst!

Our first trip ds had an all out meltdown flip out and that put a damper on everyone's mood for a bit. He's autistic and sometimes in the heat gets extra upset so we were expecting it but that doesn't make it any easier!

 

[Amanda_the_awesome]

Basically my worst moments are the same and both involved bringing friends that did not enjoy the magic. First one was going through a rough time with her family so I thought it would be a nice thing to take her to Disney with me being that she always talked about wanting to go. Well she didn't care about it at all when we went. Everything was just "it's cool" with the I don't care voice. She spent the whole trip crying on the phone talking about how she missed home. I know it sounds mean but we spent good money on her so she could come down and enjoy herself not so she could complain all day.
Next friend did not want us to do anything about sit by the pool and tried to control our whole vacation to what she wanted. On the days we actually got her to go to the parks she didn't want to ride anything. She was scared to ride Spaceship Earth (she was 18). Basically I got in a fight with her and told her that she should be happy that we paid for her trip and if she wasn't happy she could just go home. We sent her home on a plane the next day. I just felt like she took advantage of my family's generosity and I do not like that at all.
Other then those two trips all other trips have been wonderful.

 

[chrismom3]

Besides some small "episodes" (son almost being hit by the carts at the Polynesian, waiting 6 months for a ressie at Le Cellier and having a thunderstorm knock out the electric as soon as we sat down and was not able to be served anything but soup - you get the idea....) - the only really bad time we have on our trips is..........riding to the airport on the ME bus. Watching that movie with the characters waving goodbye to you just puts me and my DS9 over the edge every time (DH just sits there and laughs at us).