Would you Complain - Bad Experience at Chip and Dales Campfire Sing-Along

[lauren5406]

We have been back for a little over a week now and I am still pretty upset about an experience I had at Ft. Wilderness at the Sing-Along.

We were staying at POR and had an empty evening and decided to try it for the first time. Not knowing much about what we were getting into we were very early for the festivities.

I was sitting in the front row in front of the stage while my DSis and DNiece were playing around. We were the only ones in the area. Some CM were getting ready for the show I suppose up near the stage area. I was sitting there when they walked in so I know they saw me. One of the girls proceeded to use some foul language in front of me. She said "what the hell" (not that bad but not something I want a CM saying around my DN(4)). Then she proceeded to use the s**t word. I have never heard a CM curse and was surprised. I mean, so what some one uses foul language but a Disney CM with a child present. I couldn't believe it. She did apologize after she said it but she shouldn't have said it.

If that were it I would not be writing this.

So, like I said we were early. The place started to fill in. The way the crowd was behaving seemed slightly unreasonable. Long story short by the time it started we were surrounded. We were sharing our bench with one lady and a few girls and then more of their party came and just went all around us, including directly in front of us with lounge chairs and directly to the side of us. When I say we were surrounded I am not kidding.

So the show starts and they announce C&D are coming out into the crowd, just stay in your seat we will get to you. So, we do as we're told. The CM goes to the row behind us and asks people to clear the isle so the characters and go through, but never in front of us. The CM is standing in the center isle by our row and states generally with an attitude of disinterest that if anyone over here wants to meet the character you'll need to get up and come to him.

Like I said we were surrounded by the time I got myself up and managed to crawl over someone in a lawn chair with a 4 year old in my arms they had moved to the row behind us. DN was so excited to meet C/D. They were already with another family so we were patiently waiting our turn directly behind the seats we had been occupying.

The CM keeps moving right along saying in the rudest way I have ever heard that C/D only has time for people who can follow the rules.

I was floored. I couldn't believe it. I was the only one in our general area following the rules and you're going to punish us, not just me but a 4 year old.

I did not ask to be blocked in. He cleared the way for those seated behind us. I waited an hour to be told that there wasn't time for us. Crowd control at this event was a joke.

We ended up fighting our way out shortly after that and went back to POR pretty upset.

My DSis wanted to let the guest services at our resort know what happened (we even got into a fight because I didn't want to). It really brought down the trip; it was our last night. I've never complained to Disney before and don't even really know how.

This won't deter any future Disney trips obviously but I just needed a place to vent and seek any kind of advice. Am I being unreasonable?

 

[Leajess99]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience. I would have been upset as well and maybe a letter or email to let Disney know of what transpired would help. I have not been to this campfire and now not sure I would want to try it. It is sad when people are able to ruin a fun time by being rude.

 

[daleswife]

Ugh, sorry about your experience. Ive never done the sing a long, but while we were at Typhoon Lagoon last august getting donuts at that little mini donut place, the CM's were talking and My DH and I heard them say S**T and F**K and some other bad words and DH said to them, "now thats not the kind of language anyone working for Disney should say while guests are around". The guy appologized and DH said "just be glad my kids weren't around when you said it or it would have been worse than me just saying something". Some people just dont realize that its rude. Its just a way of life for them. Im not excusing it at all, but you just gotta speak up and tell them it offends you. I dont know what Disney would do, but you could call and complain.

 

[maxiesmom]

I am not kidding.

My DSis wanted to let the guest services at our resort know what happened (we even got into a fight because I didn't want to). It really brought down the trip; it was our last night. I've never complained to Disney before and don't even really know how.

This won't deter any future Disney trips obviously but I just needed a place to vent and seek any kind of advice. Am I being unreasonable?

It is always best to complain while you are there and Disney can do something about fixing the problem for you. Who knows, they may have been able to set up a greet and meet with C&D for you.

Why didn't you want to complain at the time?

 

[jennifer293]

I would say if anything were to be done about it, then it should have been taken care of at the campfire. Time has now passed and they may not be as inclined to do much about it since you waited.

If it were me I would let it go this time, but keep your guard up next time and if it ever happens again I would pipe up and find the nearest person with authority because that is ridiculous! Out of all the places in the world they should know better than to use that kind of language in WDW..that is almost as bad as cursing in church..

 

[karen624]

I would absolutely write a letter. I would use a mature tone in the letter (like you did in the post) and not just blasting them. I would tell them how much it has affected you since it is still bothering you a week later. They need to know if things like this happen. Who cares if they don't comp you with anything now, at least something like this won't happen to someone else in the future. I would include the specific dates and times in the letter.

 

[tjmw2727]

While I agree with PP's that the time to address the problem was just after the experience I would still definately write. Obviously its not going to change your experience but it could help address the issue so it doesn't happen in the future.

I had an issue at Indiana Jones where we were supposed to have VIP seating - as a recovery for another issue. We had alot of problems with the CM's not understanding that we had the VIP seating for that show (we were on the list) and then not knowing where to take us. The mgr got involved and did find our names but not before it became very unpleasant. Had I not been persistant (I was kind but persistant) we would not have been able to see the show let alone in the VIP. To top it off another CM messed up and dropped the rope separating the VIP from the regular seating. I didn't care where we sat but it was just another "snag" and what was supposed to be a special expereince turned into a nightmare.

FWIW we just wanted to see the show and didn't care where we sat but another lovely CM tried to do us a favor.

I did complain - and noticed later in the week that they way they handled the VIP seating was changed. (We were not in it!) So at least another guest won't have the same experience we did.

In your case I would probably write a short note explaining the details and your dissapointment without too much extra emotion (drama!). If nothing else maybe it will make you feel better that you have done something.

TJ

 

[~Kristina~]

Complain! It's DISNEY! They have a reputation to uphold and protect and obviously these CM's don't care about that reputation.

 

[kimberleeJohnston]

That sucks!! Im sorry your had such a terrible experience!

 

[dzneelvr]

You have a wealth of very specific words used, time, date, location etc so make sure your letter focuses on what went wrong. I do agree it should have been addressed before you left the resort. like any customer service issue, they want to resolve it as quickly and appropriately as possible if given the chance. It sure sounds like behaviour that Disney would want to have those folks change and quick

 

[Kathymcbain]

I would write a letter. I'd explain that your vacation that was enjoyable, but that this event on your last night was upsetting. Explain the details - whether they compensate you in any way, at least they are aware of the problem.

 

[lauren5406]

Thank you for the advice.

I did not complain at the time mostly because I'm just not a confrontational person and I was feeling very emotional at the time. I didn't want it to become some dramatic thing. I'm not looking for compensation. I will write them mostly because I want to make Disney aware. If it had happened to someone other than myself who wasn't such a Disney nut it may have really ruined their magic all together.

Thank you for the kind words, I do think Disney needs a few more guidelines and crowd control efforts for the Sing-Along.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

In our many trips to Disney I've only written a negative letter one time concerning a cast member at Mama Melrose's.

I wrote a very detailed letter, I had what the incident was, what time it happened, what the results were, and I included the receipt for our dinner so they would know who our server was. I prefaced it by saying that we enjoy Disney and are very supportive of the magic that castmembers are instrumental in creating.

I kept the tone of the letter positive but said, hey, if stuff like this is allowed to happen at Disney it's really going to bring it down for all the guests. They wrote me back a very nice letter thanking me for alerting them to the particular situation and refunded my dinner.

You'll be doing a good thing for other guests if you write it, and helping to make Disney a better place.

 

[budbeerlady]

I would drop them a couple of polite lines about it, silence is acceptance.

 

[MickeyMouse'sBFF]

ANY time I ever had a problem with a meal or something I had a problem with at Disney, I take it to my resort people. I had a problem with some things when eating at CS resort. I told them at the main desk and they refunded me those meal service points. I had another year a different problem, and they did the same thing by refunding those meal points to try again somewhere else. They want you happy, let them try and make it up to you. They can't do this and have you going home happy if you dont tell them.

 

[fussymonkey]

I guess I'll have the unpopular opinion here, but here it goes anwyay...

If it were me, I'd let it go. I think if it had been something I'd paid for, like a character meal or experience, then I'd complain becuase I'd have lost something. But complaining about a CM being rude at a free event seems like kind of a waste of breath. I don't know... I think its more energy focused on a negative experience for little value, you'll never know if the situation was resolved (or indeed if your experience was just a fluke). You can be perfect and on point 99% of the time and its that 100th day when things aren't going well that people complain. It doesn't seem worth it to me, not for such a little thing like hearing a cuss word and a snooty CM.

 

[Tanzanite]

who comes to the barbeque is it just the two of them was it good .We thought we might do this never did it .

 

[emh1129]

Oh, I'm sorry you had such a miserable experience. That CM sounded so rude! Definitely write that letter with specific information.. they need to address that asap.

 

[eeyorethegreat]

Walt Disney World Guest Relations
P.O. Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

I have written two letters one about two less than stellar experiences during one trip (and believe me I am NOT a complainer) and another to recognize some outstanding CMs that we met during our trip (not the same trip as the first). Should issues be addressed at the time of the incident? Sure but when they are not for what ever reason it is perfectly fine to address them using the above contact info. Don't expect to "get anything" except an apology but if you feel that this issue should be addressed with the CMs involved, by all means write WDW guest communications.

 

[LoveTheEars]

I would write them a letter or email with the date and all your details. As some one else stated: It is disney and they do have a reputation to uphold. It is one thing for other guests to have poor attitudes but CM should never.

We went to the Sing-a-Long in 2006 and had a great time. There were a bunch of people but they did not get under control. Chip and Dale did however only come to those who were sitting.