What Have Been Your Least Pleasant Experiences at (or Trips to) DLR??

[BecBennett]

It must be a March trip thing! Mine happened in March too!

Nothing too serious, but I had the worse cold of my life, couldn't talk, couldn't sleep, barely able to breath, constant coughing, and got an infection that caused conjunctivitis... yucky

But having said that, the crowds were so minimal when we were there, that I'd definately go back in March again!

 

[Sherry E]

Wow...nothing I've experienced comes close to what Leash went through. You poor thing!!

There are a couple of things for me. First was when I lost my magic at about 10 years old. I went to DL on our annual trip and boom, no magic. I don't know what happened but I suddenly noticed seams, missing ceiling tiles, emergency exits, and things like that. I was so deflated. I was also terrified I'd lost the magic forever, but the next year it was back

The second time was when I went with my sister. It was Memorial Day weekend, about 1985. We were in SoCal for something else and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to DL for the day. It was so crowded...I mean CROWDED...that you couldn't see or do anything. It was like the crowds right after the parade has ended only it was everywhere. It was so un-fun that we gave it up and left.

The third time was a few weeks ago. I had a kidney stone attack in the middle of DL but managed to make it back to the hotel. It got a little better with the help of some Vicodin so I made the mistake of trying to go back. I made it to the entrance of Tomorrowland before the pain overwhelmed me. I didn't want to mess up the family's vacation and I knew they couldn't do anything for me in the hotel room, so I told dh and the kids I was not feeling well and was going to go back but for them to stay and have fun. I almost regretted that, as I really thought I was going to pass out trying to get back. I also thought I was going to be sick, but I did manage to get back to the GCH and to our room, where I collapsed on the floor. It hurt too much to lift myself onto the bed so I just stayed on the floor. Luckily, it wasn't a giant stone and it finally passed. Since I'm a chronic stone maker, it has always been my secret fear that I'd have an attack at DL. Thank heavens it was just a mild one.

I must confess, Cheri - your recent experience was partially what inspired me to start this thread! I had been thinking about the pain you must have been in after reading your TR, and then wondered what other kinds of health issues or mishaps or trips gone awry have befallen other guests! I still say you were a trooper for trying to let your family go on and have a great time when you were suffering so badly. I am a wimp - I am sure I would have passed out from the pain. I almost passed out when my back was acting up really, really badly (you said your DH has the same problem with a disc in his back?) and the pain was unbearable. I caught myself as I was about to hit the ground and somehow snapped myself out of fainting, but my head was spinning and I was queasy for a while after that. If I had been in your situation, trying to make my way back to GCH, I probably would have passed out en route, right in the middle of DTD!

 

[Sherry E]

Disneymom23 and BecBennett further prove the point that March is the worst month in the entire year to go as far as luck goes (but as far as crowds, it is okay!).

If I had a child, I know I would be super-worried in a place like DLR, where there are thousands of people everywhere. You could turn your back for one second and the child could disappear in a sea of bodies! I trust the CM's to take good care of lost little ones when they find them - they are probably quite used to it - but I would be thinking of my child being scared by all the other people until a CM got to him/her, not knowing where mommy was. How nerve-wracking!

 

[Leash]

I am sorry that happened. I hope that it never does again. I do not know why the hotel phone did not work. 911 should work from any phone. I would have asked the front desk about that, for how annoying and frustrating that experience with their phone had to have been.
Regarding seizures, based upon what first aid training that I have, and can remember, unless there are exceptions to which I am not aware of, it is recommended not to use anything to place into the mouth of the person that is seizing, for they can swallow x item, or choke on it otherwise. Also, it is important to move any obstacles out of the way of the patient, so as to minimize injury upon their person. If the person is wearing constrictive clothing, loosen it up. After a seizure is over, yes, a person can be afraid, confused, may have had wet themselves, etc. and not even be aware of what had happened. There are two kinds of seizures that I am recalling, grand mal (full blown seizure) and petite maul (tiny seizure, not as intense as the grand maul)



I am so very much hoping that your next visit will truly be a most wonderful, terrific, and extremely magical one!

It is entirely possible I wasn't using the phone correctly, might have had to dial 9 to get out or something. I know I was getting upset that it wouldn't work but I knew I needed to call so just went for the cell phone. I was so tired when we went to check out that I completly spaced it but now anytime we stay in a hotel I check the phone when we get in the room. I was also happy that the hotels address was listed on the phone cause the 911 dispatcher asked me and I had no idea I was just saying "it's the Howard Johnson next to Disneyland" but then I saw the address, so if the address isn't near the phone I write it down and put it next to it.
Yeah when I was on the phone with the 911 dispatcher she told me to take it out, by that point though he had it locked between his teeth so I had to wait till the seizure stopped to pull it out. I talked to the ER doctor and he said it is not possible to swallow his tounge so not to put anything in there. It was determind that he had a grand maul, judging by the length of time the seizure lasted and how much damage he did to his back during.
Thanks you for your well wishes, I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I think you are right - any of the minor annoyances that would normally put a damper on a trip seem petty and insignificant after you have endured all that! I know someone else who is on anti-seizure meds for the rest of his life and it is not a picnic for him. I am glad that your husband has not been having anymore seizure activity. It must have been so scary for you to witness someone you love suffering like that. I may have panicked in the same circumstances. I give you credit for even wanting to go back to DLR, because I think an ordeal like that would kind of scare me off for a long time. Can't say I blame you for not wanting to stay in the GCH again - it would just conjure up uncomfortable and scary memories. You need to go back and start with a clean slate in a whole different hotel!

Sherry E - DH is not happy about having to take the meds but he knows he has to and still feels bad about how scared I was so he doesn't complain too much. I am nervous about going back to the park, what if it was something there that caused it, but I am a true Disney addict and I need my fix of the Magic! We were actually at the HoJo for this (GCH before), and you are exactly right the room would just bring up bad memories. I am going to soak up the magic and just let the annoying things go while we are there.

 

[Leash]

Wow...nothing I've experienced comes close to what Leash went through. You poor thing!!

There are a couple of things for me. First was when I lost my magic at about 10 years old. I went to DL on our annual trip and boom, no magic. I don't know what happened but I suddenly noticed seams, missing ceiling tiles, emergency exits, and things like that. I was so deflated. I was also terrified I'd lost the magic forever, but the next year it was back

The second time was when I went with my sister. It was Memorial Day weekend, about 1985. We were in SoCal for something else and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to DL for the day. It was so crowded...I mean CROWDED...that you couldn't see or do anything. It was like the crowds right after the parade has ended only it was everywhere. It was so un-fun that we gave it up and left.

The third time was a few weeks ago. I had a kidney stone attack in the middle of DL but managed to make it back to the hotel. It got a little better with the help of some Vicodin so I made the mistake of trying to go back. I made it to the entrance of Tomorrowland before the pain overwhelmed me. I didn't want to mess up the family's vacation and I knew they couldn't do anything for me in the hotel room, so I told dh and the kids I was not feeling well and was going to go back but for them to stay and have fun. I almost regretted that, as I really thought I was going to pass out trying to get back. I also thought I was going to be sick, but I did manage to get back to the GCH and to our room, where I collapsed on the floor. It hurt too much to lift myself onto the bed so I just stayed on the floor. Luckily, it wasn't a giant stone and it finally passed. Since I'm a chronic stone maker, it has always been my secret fear that I'd have an attack at DL. Thank heavens it was just a mild one.

Thanks. I can only imagine how bad you felt. An ex-boyfriend suffered from kidney stones while we were dating. I remeber going to the ER one night when he had an attack and they gave him morphine and I remeber looking at him once he was out and he had actually bruised the skin around his eyes sice he was squeezing them so tight from the pain. He had to have surgery to remove them, I can't imagine passing them! That is one fear I had was getting really sick at DL. I really hope you don't ever have to go through that again.

 

[kaoden39]

Yes, I think maybe March is turning into a cursed month for you and your family, Kaoden39! That is one of my fears - getting violently ill at DLR or in a public place I am either not familiar or comfortable with being ill in. Given how ill you were, 4 days in the parks sounds like a lot of time to spend. You really are a trooper, and you were only concerned with making sure your family had the best time, despite how bad you felt. I can see your reasons for wanting that 2007 trip to be so special for your kids, but just the fact that you could even think about a DLR trip when you thought you were going to die is amazing! Obviously, I don't know the specifics of your situation, but I am SO glad to hear that your wonderful surgeon helped you in what I imagine was an awful, frightening, terrible time. I do hope that everything is okay now. You seem like a very nice, decent person with a good family (how sweet that your son ordered the soup because that is what you would want!), so you deserve to have a lifetime of many happy trips to DLR!

Thank you. I had an incarcerated hernia, which in other terms mean that my intestines were caught in my stomach lining. I was basically toxic. As far as being a trooper I don't look at it that way. I look at it as I really love my family and this was my gift to them. I wouldn't trade that trip for a thing. A little over two weeks later I was in intensive care fighting the fight of my life. I went in the hospital on April 4, 2007 and I got out on September 11, 2007. I was unable to walk without a walker and I was unable to use my right arm or hand. I have now completely recovered now. And I am anxiously awaiting a return trip to Disneyland. A well one.

 

[kaoden39]

Well, there must be something about March, because that was when DD12 got so sick on the plane on the way to DL for our first trip. We made the best of it we could, and she did get to the parks some, but she missed so much.

The worst moment was on our second evening. I had planned a suprise for the family-- I'd bought reserved seating for Fantasmic!. However, DD12 was back in the room, feverish and nauseated, when I went to go stand in line and choose our seats around 6:15 p.m. I finally got up to the podium about 7:15 and got okay seats, second row center. I was wondering if DD12 would feel ok enough to see the show, and I was worrying as usual. As I got done, my phone vibrated with a new text message. It was DH, and all he said was, "Sitting on a bench over by the entrance to Adventureland. [DD10] says her stomach hurts."

All I could think was, "Oh, no. Not another one." I turned to one of the pillars there by ROA and found myself putting my head down on top of it in my arms and trying not to cry.

It turned out ok, though. I got a grip on myself and went to find them, and DD10 had just taken a restroom break and felt much better. DH went to the hotel to see how DD12 was, and she was awake and feeling pretty good, too, so she came to the show and did fine, and enjoyed it.

She got progressively worse until we left Friday, but on the whole, we made the best of it. And best of all, she and I did our "do over trip" (see link below) and had a fabulous time making up for it, last month!

I remember that. I was so glad to read the report of the triumphant return trip.

 

[kaoden39]

Just before our scheduled trip in 2004 my wifes mother died suddenly and in tragic circumstances, the funeral was the day after we were due to leave. We tried to reschedule the trip but the flights were all full, the airline was brilliant, they were happily going to refund our tickets in full but suggested if we still wanted to go to not cancel till the last possible day and to ring every day. We did this and on the very last day they managed to get us in an out two days after the funeral. Then we contacted the hotel who also moved heaven and earth to get us accommodated, we had given them a heads up earlier.

In the end the holiday was just what my wife and family needed at that terrible time, the incredible efforts everyone went to to get us on our trip was amazing.

Oh how sad. How nice of everyone to work with you on this. Thankfully everything worked out okay.

 

[kaoden39]

Backstory: We got married on the beach in Laguna on 11-17-06 and as our wedding -gift my parents put us up in the GCH concierge for five days around the wedding! We went to WDW for a 9 day hoenymoon Decmber 5th-14th '06. After all that we decided to take a break from Disney for just a bit. So when our anniversary rolled around in '07 we decided to go to DL for four days and go back to the beach we were married on for a day.

So the trip: Day one drove out from Vegas and went to the beach! Day two (anniversary) went to DL for the day, I was silly and ate too much ice cream in the afternoon so I was queasy for the rest of the night which sucked. We went back to the hotel early cause I didn't want to risk getting sick on a ride. About 3 am I hear a weird noise so I poke DH because I assume it is him snoring (as usual), he doesn't stop making the noise so I turn on the light. I look at him and it took a couple seconds to process but then I realize he is having a seizure.
He has scar tissue on his brain from a car accident when he was a teenager but he hasn't had a seizure in 11 years and we had only been together for 5 at this point so I freak out because I don't know what to do and I honestly think he might be dying.
He jokingly told me once "If I have a seizure put a spoon in my mouth so I don't swallow my tounge", as soon as I realized what was happeing I looke around for something to use and alll I can find is a pen so that's what I used. I then tried to call 911 but couldn't get the hotel phone to work so I fumble for a cell phone. I get someone on the phone and she talks to me until the paramedics arrive.
By the time they get there he has stopped seizing but has no idea where he is so they take him in the ambulance and I follow in the car to the hospital. The hospital wouldn't let me in to see him for 45 minutes and in the meantime I am trying to get ahold of my parents and they aren't answering the phone. So I call my best friend who wakes up and drives across town and bangs on their door until they wake up (all this with my cell phone dying). So I talk to my mom and she helps me calm down a little and then they finally let me in to see him. By this point he is stable and got his memory back but we have to wait while they take CT scans and get him pumped up on anti-seizure meds. They had no idea what caused it but they say with all the meds he should be fine, however he pulled nearly every muscle in his back during the seizure and can barely walk. Around 10 am they release him we went back to the hotel and he rested while I packed and then we got back in the car to head home, 2 days early.
I drove all the way on very little sleep but I was wired because I was terrified he might seize again in the middle of nowhere while I was driving. We made it home with no problems but I didn't sleep well for nearly 3 weeks.
He is good now and hasn't had another seizure since but will likely be on anti-seizure meds for the rest of his life since they still don't know what caused it.

We haven't been back to DL since and I have to admit I am nervous but I am keeping a good thought and allowing myself to also be excited. However I find I just can't bring myself to stay in that hotel, I know it wasn't the hotel but I just can't get past it.

So that is the worst trip to DL I ever had, I think it will actually serve to make me feel a lot better about any little annoyances we might experience this time. Line cutters, breakdowns, bad food- if that is the worst stuff we have to deal with I will be extremely thankful.

Oh I'm so sorry. How frightening for you. And I think you were brave. I understand being afraind to go back because I am. I cancelled a second honeymoon to Disneyland because of that. I am hoping to plan a trip for the family after the first of the year. Not in March.

 

[kaoden39]

Wow...nothing I've experienced comes close to what Leash went through. You poor thing!!

There are a couple of things for me. First was when I lost my magic at about 10 years old. I went to DL on our annual trip and boom, no magic. I don't know what happened but I suddenly noticed seams, missing ceiling tiles, emergency exits, and things like that. I was so deflated. I was also terrified I'd lost the magic forever, but the next year it was back

The second time was when I went with my sister. It was Memorial Day weekend, about 1985. We were in SoCal for something else and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to DL for the day. It was so crowded...I mean CROWDED...that you couldn't see or do anything. It was like the crowds right after the parade has ended only it was everywhere. It was so un-fun that we gave it up and left.

The third time was a few weeks ago. I had a kidney stone attack in the middle of DL but managed to make it back to the hotel. It got a little better with the help of some Vicodin so I made the mistake of trying to go back. I made it to the entrance of Tomorrowland before the pain overwhelmed me. I didn't want to mess up the family's vacation and I knew they couldn't do anything for me in the hotel room, so I told dh and the kids I was not feeling well and was going to go back but for them to stay and have fun. I almost regretted that, as I really thought I was going to pass out trying to get back. I also thought I was going to be sick, but I did manage to get back to the GCH and to our room, where I collapsed on the floor. It hurt too much to lift myself onto the bed so I just stayed on the floor. Luckily, it wasn't a giant stone and it finally passed. Since I'm a chronic stone maker, it has always been my secret fear that I'd have an attack at DL. Thank heavens it was just a mild one.

That was a mild one? Oh my! Thank you but no.

 

[kaoden39]

Last March, my son (6) went to use the bathroom. We were in line at Rancho del Zorro (not sure if that's the right name). I thought DH was with him but then he came into the restaurant and said our son was not in there. I panicked. It was only about 2 minutes until a CM found us. He had left the bathroom and didn't see DH. He started crying and a mom went up to him and then found a CM. It was the longest 2 minutes of my life.

Oh my goodness. That is the scariest thing that can happen to a parent. Thankfully a Mom was there to notice. On the first March trip there was a couple that was pushing a stroller filled with bags and happily talking when they realized that they didn't have their little one with them. It was horrible. Thankfully everything was resolved okay.

 

[kaoden39]

It must be a March trip thing! Mine happened in March too!

Nothing too serious, but I had the worse cold of my life, couldn't talk, couldn't sleep, barely able to breath, constant coughing, and got an infection that caused conjunctivitis... yucky

But having said that, the crowds were so minimal when we were there, that I'd definately go back in March again!

I have a friend whose daughter is a cheerleader and March 2009 is their time at Disneyland again. I will avoid March like a bug.

 

[wendylady36]

Hmmmm... Note to self: do not EVER go to DLR in March! It is a cursed month! (Although...isn't that when the Girls-Only DIS-ers trip is?)

Well great. I guess I'll post something here in March.

Sorry to hear about everyones bad experiences. I've had my own bad experiences, but nothing to the degree of all of yours. Hopefully everyones trips from now on are safe and magical.

 

[Califgirl]

This young couple sat down sort of next to me, and when the "Aladdin" sequence started running, the song "Whole New World" was playing. The irritating girl in this couple began singing the song along with the soundtrack at the top of her lungs. Now, I love singers who can really sing, and if she had been any good, I might not have minded that she was interrupting the 'show.' Needless to say, her singing was HORRIBLE! It was off-key, as though she was tone deaf, and she was still singing it even after the song ended. And it did not appear to be a joke, like she was intentionally singing bad. It sounded like she thought she was on key. At least, if you are going to let everyone hear you sing, you had better have a darn good voice to show off!

I, on the other hand, don't care how good a voice you THINK you have - don't sing along! Please! Just don't do it! Unless it is a sing-along situation, then sing as loud as you please.

I don't go to Disneyland (or anywhere) to hear someone in the crowd sing and ruin the ambiance of the attraction or quality of the professionals performing. Even if you have a lovely voice, I didn't come to hear you sing, I don't want to hear you sing - save it for the shower!

Disclaimer:
yes I have a degree in music and I know a good voice when I hear it. I just don't want to hear it when I'm trying to enjoy the attraction (or performance) as intended.

 

[Sherry E]

I, on the other hand, don't care how good a voice you THINK you have - don't sing along! Please! Just don't do it! Unless it is a sing-along situation, then sing as loud as you please.

I don't go to Disneyland (or anywhere) to hear someone in the crowd sing and ruin the ambiance of the attraction or quality of the professionals performing. Even if you have a lovely voice, I didn't come to hear you sing, I don't want to hear you sing - save it for the shower!

Disclaimer:
yes I have a degree in music and I know a good voice when I hear it. I just don't want to hear it when I'm trying to enjoy the attraction (or performance) as intended.

I wanted to clobber the girl on the head, that's for sure, no matter how she sang. I do agree - I certainly didn't want to hear her stupid voice at all. I guess I just thought she was so oblivious to the fact that because she felt the need to sing the Aladdin song, she was shining a spotlight on her bad singing! So, at least, she may have redeemed herself somewhat if she had sung well. But I have been in movie theatres before where people start singing along with a song on the soundtrack just because they know it!

One time I was in a theater seeing a movie with a friend of mine, and the song "Jessie's Girl" by Rick Springfield began playing. My friend for some reason decided to begin singing along with the song. This wasn't a concert. was is a movie in a theater. We were not listening to the radio. I was so embarrassed and annoyed at my friend. Why did she have to start singing? Was it SO important for her to let other people know that she knew the words to that song (just like the Aladdin-singing girl)? It was like she was trying to draw attention to herself and wasn't really paying attention to the movie. I wanted to clobber her, too, and she had a pretty decent voice!

 

[Sherry E]

Well great. I guess I'll post something here in March.

Sorry to hear about everyones bad experiences. I've had my own bad experiences, but nothing to the degree of all of yours. Hopefully everyones trips from now on are safe and magical.

Share with us your bad experiences, whether they were comical bad experiences or more serious in nature! I am interested in hearing them all!

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you. I had an incarcerated hernia, which in other terms mean that my intestines were caught in my stomach lining. I was basically toxic. As far as being a trooper I don't look at it that way. I look at it as I really love my family and this was my gift to them. I wouldn't trade that trip for a thing. A little over two weeks later I was in intensive care fighting the fight of my life. I went in the hospital on April 4, 2007 and I got out on September 11, 2007. I was unable to walk without a walker and I was unable to use my right arm or hand. I have now completely recovered now. And I am anxiously awaiting a return trip to Disneyland. A well one.

It was a very altruistic thing you did by wanting the family to continue on and have a great time at DLR even while you were suffering, because you love them so much. I wish all people were as selfless, but, sadly, I think in your situation, or DizMe's situation, many of them would have cancelled the whole trip or insisted on going home immediately because they felt so poorly!! I am glad your kids/family were able to enjoy themselves when they knew Mommy wasn't feeling well! (I still think your son ordering the soup is so precious!) I do hope your next trip is 100% magical for everyone from beginning to end - but don't go in March!!!

 

[Sherry E]

I am trying to now remember all of my trips to DLR in my life, and if any of them have ever been in March!! Perhaps not, since I don't have any particular disasters coming to mind off hand. I think I went in April, and I think I went in May a few times, but I actually don't think there has ever been a March trip!

 

[kaoden39]

I am trying to now remember all of my trips to DLR in my life, and if any of them have ever been in March!! Perhaps not, since I don't have any particular disasters coming to mind off hand. I think I went in April, and I think I went in May a few times, but I actually don't think there has ever been a March trip!

Smart woman.

 

[Gisele]

However.......... if everyone was to avoid a certain day or month or season, out of fear, or negative thoughts or feelings, or other trials and tribulations, then no one would ever be going anywhere. Ah....... then when I go to Disneyland, I can have the entire park to myself. he he!