What about when it's not so magical?

[LisaT91403]

OP make sure you speak with the captain when requesting rides in the wheelhouse. another CM may say they can get you up there but the reality is (as others have stated) the Captain has the final say and if he/she has already promised this privilege to someone else you will be denied. We've told the girls we were going to do something and then not been able to, we just put that at the top of our list for the next visit.

And the pass you got from PP, I love that pass.....we got one when RR broke down and we were stuck on it for 30 minutes minimum.....OMG I wanted to stab myself in the eye. LOL It was so loud and annoying where we got stuck (the room with the loud machine with the mouth that opens and closes)....lol They gave us the pass and we tried to use it like 5 times, no one would take it, they boarded us immediately but then let us keep the pass. We finally ended up using it to ride PP, which had a wait time of 40 minutes, so we got our use out of it.

to answer your question, when it's less than magical we just understand that sometimes things don't go the way we want them to and when that happens we can either let it affect us negatively or we can shrug it off and move forward. But that's our basic life philosophy so....... I'm sure you will get your DS in the wheelhouse soon enough, when you do make sure you sign the log book!

We did talk to the Captain the first time, so I'm not sure what happened. Live and learn! Maybe next time.

We tried to use our pass on Autopia. The CM at the entry (where it tells you how long the wait is) said that the wait was only 5 minutes or so...so we didn't need the pass. But, that if we wanted to use it, just to go in and give it to the first CM we meet along the way. So we walked until we caught up with the line...and then would have had to wait until we actually boarded to see a CM...so it made no sense. We decided to walk over to the exit and talk to that CM instead, and he took the pass and directed us down the stairs to wait. So we waited, and waited, and waited. I finally asked one of the CMs by the track how long we'd have to keep waiting for our car, and he said "I don't know, how long have you been waiting?" Kind of a smart alecky reply, if you ask me. Anyhoo, then he got us a car right away...but we really didn't save any time at all. We could have just stayed in the original line and gotten on a car faster. So, the pass was a bust for us, but I can see how it would have been really useful if it had been earlier in the day (or if we had chosen a more crowded ride). But I didn't pick the ride

Look, I'm not angry. I hope my OP didn't come across that way. It did not "ruin" our trip (if some think I inferred that, it was not my intention). They were just some big bummer moments for us, and I was wondering if others had good ideas for 3-year-old disappointments at the Happiest Place on Earth. No biggie...nothing to get worked up about

 

[tanyaewa]

I am sitting here wracking my brain for a single time either of my sons at 3yo (or 4 or 5 or 6) could have been devastated and had their day ruined by not being able to do a little thing.....
I am counting my lucky stars they are as easy-going as they are.

 

[LisaT91403]

Geez...I said he was sad and disappointed. I said it was a bummer. Never did I say we didn't have a great time at the park. Never did I say his day was "ruined." Never did I say that anyone promised anything and then didn't deliver. It's a pretty normal 3-year-old emotional response to be sad when there's a loud alarm blaring and then you get removed from a ride. I guess I'm glad that my son is able to express his feelings and emotions...and then move on. It's a good skill to have in life. And so is reading comprehension

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I have 3 kids, and know how hard it can be to see them upset. Sometimes as parents, we can't "fix" everything, you know? I also think that situations like this are good teachable moments for our kids. When my kids get upset with how something turns out at Disneyland, I always try to impress upon them how lucky they are to even be at Disneyland at all--think about the rest of the world and poverty and suffering that is going on. I understand that this is very hard to explain to a 3 year old who just wants what they want when they want it--but there are ways to simplify the message to their level, I think. Focus on the good experiences and emphasize the positive if you can.

We have had some not so magical experiences at Disneyland as well, but I guess that is to be expected given the reality of what they do on a daily basis. My husband and I still laugh about our first trip when our two oldest were just 3 and 5. Everything went wrong on that trip--and both kids were terrified of the rides and characters. Our son spent the entire meal at Goofy's kitchen hiding under the table from the characters that would walk by. Goofy's son peaked at him under there, and you would have thought that Freddie Kruger was peaking at him! Both the kids were afraid of the rides--after one terrifying pass through Snow White's Scary Adventure, both kids came out of that ride screaming bloody murder. I remember looking at my husband and saying "we should never come here again!". Ha. Obviously we all got over the fear factor.

I am with you on Autotopia--that is the worst ride as far as lines. The smell, the long line up, the confusing waiting areas. Probably if you had used the front of the line pass on any other ride you would have utilized the pass better--but it is impossible to know that before you get on that ride.

I hope you have a better next trip and that eventually you get to ride with the captain.

 

[Ingrid0382]

I'm sorry your little one was disappointed. I think people have made some pretty good points and suggestions. As far as people's "reading comprehension," your description of your son screaming and crying may have led people to believe that he was more that just a little "bummed out" since not all three year-olds exhibit that kind of behavior when encountering a disappointment.

I hope your next trip is more magical.

 

[Sally_fan]

Hopefully you can have a do-over & he will be able to ride with the captain one day. When my kids got to go up with the captain it was he that came down & asked them to come up. And there was another family there that was angry because they had been told by someone else that they could go up. Sounds like it happens from time to time? But it really shouldn't. However I think you just mentioned that it WAS the captain that you spoke with?

Just a little story to share...I remember on our first visit, my then 4 year old daughter's favourite character was Ariel & she just happened to be out in her shell (back when she was out in the park) meeting people & signing autographs. We zipped on over & a cast member stepped right in front of us & abruptly said "The line is closed!". There was no indication of this or we wouldn't have come on over. Well, my daughter was crushed. She cried quietly so I hugged her but there was really nothing I could do to make it better. I just made up some silly story about how Ariel is tired & needs to go back into the sea for a bit of a break (the break part was true enough I guess! lol). I also said hopefully we will be able to meet her later. Well, we never were able to. She still vividly remembers this moment & I STILL feel sad for her when I tell people that story so I TOTALLY get it that your little guy was dissapointed. It is so hard for us as parents to see them so dissapointed & really not be able to fix it.

It's always a sad thing to not be able to ride that last ride that you wanted to ride but you will be back! Maybe try to make Peter Pan your first ride next time?

 

[LisaT91403]

Thanks, everyone

 

[Disney Dreams]

We did have a lot of fun, of course!

The pass was useless...there were no lines for us to bypass at that time of night. Too bad we couldn't have saved it for another visit

With MT, the CM asked DS if he wanted to stay and ride again so that he could go up with the pilot. I didn't think she'd offer something she couldn't make happen.

Anyway, sounds like it must all have been my fault, so I'll just let this one go....

I'm sorry the magic wasn't in the form you were looking to receive. I never said it was your fault, so not sure where you took that from. It sounds from your future replies on this thread that you did indeed have a fun day, which is great! Maybe next time your group can get to pilot the Mark Twain. I've bee trying to ride in the Lily Belle for 7 years. Most of my friends - and my husband who could care less - have a ridden in Her. The many times I've been turned away does not mean there wasn't pixie dust elsewhere, just not for me to ride the Lily Belle --- yet.

Maybe next time, for us both. Something to dream about.

- Dreams

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Geez...I said he was sad and disappointed. I said it was a bummer. Never did I say we didn't have a great time at the park. Never did I say his day was "ruined." Never did I say that anyone promised anything and then didn't deliver. It's a pretty normal 3-year-old emotional response to be sad when there's a loud alarm blaring and then you get removed from a ride. I guess I'm glad that my son is able to express his feelings and emotions...and then move on. It's a good skill to have in life. And so is reading comprehension

I totally understand your frustration with the situation, and the mother to boys ages 2, 4, and 7, I more than understand your guy's reaction. Different kids will be excited to different degrees about certain activities, and different kids have different levels of passion and emotional expression. My youngest would be a lot like your guy in general, and my eldest would be like that about something he really, really hopes to do. Neither is a "brat" or somehow defective.

I actually wanted to thank you for relating the tale so others could come and clarify about complications in the process that in other threads sounded so easy and simple by people's descriptions. I've never read anyone mentioning these "double bookings" and other wrinkles. Now I know to not trust any old CM and what they say, that I need to talk to the captain specifically to have any hope, and so on, thanks to you relating your story. Thank you.

 

[momrek06]

When I was in kindergarten I was promised a first class seat to Hawaii. Decades later my parents hadn't come through on that promise.

See the mistake they made? They made a promise on something they couldn't deliver. See the mistake you made?

Next time you go don't promise to deliver everything you have no control over.

This!

 

[kirstie101]

I actually wanted to thank you for relating the tale so others could come and clarify about complications in the process that in other threads sounded so easy and simple by people's descriptions. I've never read anyone mentioning these "double bookings" and other wrinkles. Now I know to not trust any old CM and what they say, that I need to talk to the captain specifically to have any hope, and so on, thanks to you relating your story. Thank you.

Ditto this!!!!! By sharing your experience you've probably saved others the same disappointment. Thank you!

 

[pixiewings71]

We did talk to the Captain the first time, so I'm not sure what happened. Live and learn! Maybe next time.

We tried to use our pass on Autopia. The CM at the entry (where it tells you how long the wait is) said that the wait was only 5 minutes or so...so we didn't need the pass. But, that if we wanted to use it, just to go in and give it to the first CM we meet along the way. So we walked until we caught up with the line...and then would have had to wait until we actually boarded to see a CM...so it made no sense. We decided to walk over to the exit and talk to that CM instead, and he took the pass and directed us down the stairs to wait. So we waited, and waited, and waited. I finally asked one of the CMs by the track how long we'd have to keep waiting for our car, and he said "I don't know, how long have you been waiting?" Kind of a smart alecky reply, if you ask me. Anyhoo, then he got us a car right away...but we really didn't save any time at all. We could have just stayed in the original line and gotten on a car faster. So, the pass was a bust for us, but I can see how it would have been really useful if it had been earlier in the day (or if we had chosen a more crowded ride). But I didn't pick the ride

Look, I'm not angry. I hope my OP didn't come across that way. It did not "ruin" our trip (if some think I inferred that, it was not my intention). They were just some big bummer moments for us, and I was wondering if others had good ideas for 3-year-old disappointments at the Happiest Place on Earth. No biggie...nothing to get worked up about

Well, if it was the Captain who had said you could ride up there then I think I'd be stopping by City Hall to make a statement. Not necessarily a complaint because things change but still, that's so not right. Same for the smart mouth kid, sheesh......

You didn't come across as angry to me, just disappointed that something you were led to believe was going to happen didn't and your DS was disappointed as well. I'm sorry it happened to you, I'm sure you will make it happen another visit.

 

[Mama Who]

A big thank you to the select few of you who "got it" regarding 3 year olds (you know who you are!) I appreciate your compassionate responses! We did make a trip down Main Street on our way out, and DS picked out some of those candy coins with the characters on them (like the ones you get for turndown service at the hotels). That definitely helped! And we will have a do-over sometime soon!

You seem to have mistaken "not agreeing with you" for "not getting it." The PA comments about compassion and "getting it" are kinda rude after you came here and asked for help. You are not obliged to take all advice but it would be lovely if you could be polite about it.

Phrase everything as an attempt until it happens.
Learn to see silver linings when they are gifted to you. (FOTL passes)
Redirect a disappointed child by having them help choose the next stop and moving on quickly.
Avoid expressing your own disappointment. Kids pick up on that.

 

[RainyDayPixie]

You've gotten some strange/harsh responses to your expressed frustration and vent. Those little things adding up can be so hard for a 3 year old (they are such concrete little guys!).

Sorry it was a rough day. Hopefully next time will be better!

Hugs from a fellow parent of a 3 year old!

 

[iheartdisney]

Teach your child the following statement. Make it a family motto.
YOU GET WHAT YOU GET AND YOU DON'T THROW A FIT!!
That goes for frustrated mommies as well as screaming 3 year olds. If you blow it off, smile at him and move on, he likely will too. If you huff and make backhanded comments about how long you have been waiting, how useless a pass is, etc. he picks up on that. If not the words, he still feeds off the mood. Believe me, it took 2 kids to figure that one out- which is why my third child is so much more "go with the flow" than is my first.

And about the Mark Twain incident- don't mention it to the three year old until you are actually IN the wheelhouse. Then he doesn't know he is missing anything. This was our strategy for Jedo Training Academy as well. We just go to watch. And guess what- none of my 3 kids have ever thrown a fit over not being picked. If it happens one day, awesome. If not, we enjoy the show.