Worst Guest Experience?

[BandMan]

On our last trip, we were heading from Adventureland to the Castle to watch Wishes. We had just enough time (we thought) to stop and grab a Dole Whip float (our favorite treat after a hot day in MK :thumbsup: ).

I got in line behind this - well, I'll use the word gentleman - who proceeded to take about 15 minutes to order. First he wanted to know if he could have the souvenier cup, but could he have the drink seperate. After he gets it, he then orders two Dole whips. Then his wife jumps in from the side and asks him to order several more drinks. Everything he ordered he wanted altered in some way from what was on the menu, and he asked a dozen questions about price, size, etc. And he ordered ONE THING AT A TIME. :mad:

In the meantime the line was stacking up behind us. At one point I just turned around and looked at two strangers in line behind me and went :shrug: . One guy just shook his head, while the other muttered "unbelievable".

The CM was great; even thanked me for my patience while he had to wait on this guy.

Soooooo .....

My question is: What experience have you had from other guests who just don't seem to have a clue about etiquette, or just common sense?

[Marker]

Again with searching for negativity.

Y'all have fun, but I'd prefer remember the good stuff, and let the rest go. For me, no need to dwell on it.

I wonder if somewhere there's a guy telling a story about trying to order drinks for his family and the people in line behind him were getting all impatient and hostile because he had a couple of questions.

[MickeyChick]

I'm all for having a Pollyanna outlook on life but sometimes, you just need to vent a little. Sometimes, expressing the negative stuff and asking if others have had similar experiences helps to verifiy that you weren't "abnormal" in feeling the way you did. I really don't see anything that wrong with it.

Heck, I got chewed out over several pages for saying I think the mural at the Contemporary is ugly and outdated.

So, anyway, yea, I encountered some clueless people at the World who took up major time doing something that seemed simple. It's annoying when you have two impatient children who want ice cream and when there's only one person ahead of you in line and that person chooses to deliver a monologue to the CM about why she needs a drink lid at the Animal Kingdom.

I didn't have so much of a problem with other guests as several cashier CMs who were incredibly slow moving.

[divinedi]

I'm with you 'marker:number1:', I try to just let the bad stuff go. I'm sure I've posted a couple of instances on the boards, but in general, unless it's something I found REALLY offensive, I tend to forget it, why waste time, energy and anger on things when you can just remember all the good stuff that happened? And to be honest, I've never had a dole whip(although from all the raves on here, I really want to try one!), so I would probably be one of those annoying people asking questions too, until I got to know what I want and liked, then I'd be done in a flash. It really is all about perspective.:mickey: isn't it, and to quote someone semi-famous (sorry, I don't remember who :blush:) no matter how flat you make a pancake, there are always two sides.

[Marker]

Pollyanna outlook

according to the Compact Oxford English Dictionary :


Pollyanna

• an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.

I can live with that.

Hey, like I said, Y'all have fun. It's just not my thing.

However, I will agree that rude and impatient guests that feel they have to let everyone around them know they're unhappy are rather annoying. But honestly, as I sit here right now, I couldn't give you any specific examples, although I know I've enountered them.

[Jenemmy]

You know, I think these threads serve a purpose. Some folks are just clueless about things they do that come off as rude to others. I will include myself in that arena, too!

For instance, I like to think of myself as a courteous and consciencious person....but there was a thread a while back about folks who walk into a crowded restaurant and send half their party to find a table while they hop in line to order...."CRUD!!! Is that bad???", I thought to myself. I had probably done that on occassion with the thought of not dragging the kids through the line, but never thought that it was something that could be construed as rude by others. Now I know...now I know I won't do it again.

I don't dwell on the negative, either....but I don't have a problem with a vent on a public forum -- better than a toussle in real life!

So -- here's mine....when DS was about 18 months old, we took him to WDW for the first time. Knowing he would enjoy the parade, we got to Main Street early, got some great spots and waited it out. As the parade started, two women pushed through the crowd and stood square in front of my kiddo. I politely tried to tell them he couldn't see, and realized they were from another country and didn't really understand what I was saying. OK - no harm -- we all have different customs...so, in charade form, I show them he needs to see (he was in a stroller) They scooch a little, but not much.

What got me was then she started taking pictures of everything that moved on the parade route and as she had her arm in the air, her souvenier bag was swinging and bopping my son in the head repeatedly. Again, I point this out - with a smile -- and realize that she really didn't care. Didn't stop, didn't move the bag - just kept clicking away. I sat for the entire parade and held her souvenier bag - while still on her arm -- to keep it from hitting my son and she was all good with that solution.

LOL -- you know, now I think it is kind of absurdly funny, looking back on it. She probably went home and told people about the great customer service Disney has that someone will even hold your bag for you during the parade!!

[MNNHFLTX]

Just a moderator reminder to everyone--venting about something on the boards is fine, as long as it is kept within INTERCOT's Terms of Service. The trouble we have encountered in the past with these types of threads has had to do with people making broad (and often offensive) generalizations about groups of people and/or becoming too descriptive (in a non-family friendly way) in their posts. As long as we avoid both of those situations, the thread should be okay.

For those who have nothing to vent about, no problem--there are plenty of other threads to wander through! :mickey:

[dumbo_buddy]

thanks beth!

marker - rather than poo-pooing someone's thread subject, perhaps it would be better to just ignore the ones you don't like instead of making people feel bad about wanting to talk about something.:thumbsup:

really the only thing that gets me annoyed is when people take pictures using their flash when they aren't supposed to. isn't it engrained in people's heads by the fifth ride that "no flash photography" is allowed?

luckily, i've had examples of guests being EXTRA nice which is always great. one time i totally bit it - fell with a full tray of stuff at the POR foodcourt. this couple raced over to me to make sure i was ok (i was, just embarrassed) and the guy even bought me a cookie b/c he figured i needed something "good after such a fantastic fall!"

[Von-Drake]

Gee Worst Guest Experience.

I was in 8th grade and had a cold and sinus infection. It was a very slight drizzle late in the afternoon and everyone in my family party, except me and my mom, went to go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We were supposed to wait for them in Pecos Bill Cafe. Well being upset I could not go I sat down in a huff in a seat with no back and flipped clean over. I rushed back to my feet in time to see a man across the cafe hold up "10" on a napkin.
:funny:

We laugh about it all the time now. I guess not all bad experiences are the results of someone else's actions.

[dumbo_buddy]

:haha::funny: sheesh! at least somebody helped me after my fall!:D

[vicster]

I'm on vacation at the happiest place on earth so nothing bothers me while at WDW!

[1EeyoreFan]

I was getting some much needed a.m. coffee at the food court of ASMu when a lady splashed hot coffee on me. I yelped more out of shock than pain. However, it was quite hot. The lady that spilled it looked at me like I was insane, turned her nose up at me, then left her trash on the counter and turned and walked off without even looking back. I was fine but my white Mickey shirt may never be the same after the coffee stain set. lol. An onlooker came to see if I was ok and commented on how inappropriate some adults can act.

I guess this can happen anywhere and anytime. It just happened to me when I was on vacation.

[BandMan]

I'm sorry if I started something I shouldn't have. Our overall WDW experience was wonderful - everyone was generally so polite and well-mannered that this incident just really stuck out. We do look back on it and laugh, precisely because it was SO over-the-top.

I am a very patient person, and do not get upset when people need to take their time. But this guy didn't have "a couple of questions", he wanted to special order every single item. When the CM would explain that he couldn't have it a particular way, he'd try to special order it another way. He ordered 6 drinks this way, one at a time. That is, after he recieved and paid for each one, he'd then proceed to order another. I am not exaggerating when I say we were in line for 10 minutes waiting for him to order and receive 6 drinks.

I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similarly comically-bad experience like that. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone.

[PirateLover]

I'm sorry if I started something I shouldn't have. Our overall WDW experience was wonderful - everyone was generally so polite and well-mannered that this incident just really stuck out. We do look back on it and laugh, precisely because it was SO over-the-top.


Hey bandman, don't worry about it! It's all good here on Intercot :thumbsup:
I thought you clearly detailed your experience and that the family in question was definitely rude. You should have your order ready when you approach the counter. I have had it happen to me a few times where the person finally reaches the front and either doesn't know what they want or keeps changing their order around.

I wouldn't say I have a worst guest experience. But I do think it's bothersome when some guests monopolize character time. Sometimes I stop and try to get character pictures even if I'm not going to wait in line (Is that creepy since they are interacting with others? I just love the characters!) Anyway, once a CM announced that Stitch had about 10 mins left and wouldn't be coming back...Of course there were still a gazillion people in line. Up comes a man, no children. OK no prob here, I don't have kids and I wait in line for characters. He takes about 5 poses... OK I like great character pics....
But then he proceeds to pull out -no lie-about 15 different items to be autographed. And I guess the CMs didn't want to cause any problems because Stitch signed every single thing. What should've been a 1 min meet and greet turned into at least 7. Only one more family got to get a picture. I felt bad for all the other kids.

[Marker]

I'm sorry

No worries BandMan. A perfectly valid topic it is, and as I have been repeatedly told, "venting" is a healthy and educational thing. In fact, I'd be lying if I tried to say that I don't occasionally "vent".

However, we do seem to be getting an abundance of "what's the worst" topics lately. Perhaps that's my vent about worst guest experience. Perhaps for me it's the trend to look for things on the bad side rather than on the good side, be it here or at the parks. I'm sure we've all been around people at the parks who do nothing but complain, and if they don't have something legitimate to complain about, they reach for anything they can find. There are no doubt some folks who are not bothered by that at all, and that's fine. But if that's my vent, then that should be just as fine.

It can also be important to remember, that all those things we might complain about, all those things we find annoying.... there are two sides to every story.

[DisFan01]

I wonder if somewhere there's a guy telling a story about trying to order drinks for his family and the people in line behind him were getting all impatient and hostile because he had a couple of questions.

Good point...I would have never thought of it that way. :blush:


I'm all for having a Pollyanna outlook on life but sometimes, you just need to vent a little. Sometimes, expressing the negative stuff and asking if others have had similar experiences helps to verifiy that you weren't "abnormal" in feeling the way you did. I really don't see anything that wrong with it.

Another good point!! :thumbsup:

Well, I agree with both point of views, but I really haven't had any bad experiences with guests, other than the usual (ex: flash pix..ect). ;)

:thumbsup:

[PirateLover]

However, we do seem to be getting an abundance of "what's the worst" topics lately.
I think it's just cycles. I would say that 90% of posts on here are typically positive. But sometimes reading one post jogs your memory and you want to share a similar experience that might warrant it's own thread. In the Water Cooler there are currently 3 separate threads about cars and 2 about houses, all spawned from each other. It's just kind of how message boards go I think. I also typically like to look more towards the positive, but I have had some bad experiences at WDW just like any other place and if I want to share them, that's OK. I do think that there are people out there who always look for the negative, but there are also people who refuse to admit that anything could ever be wrong. Both sides can be annoying. :shrug:

[Tink's Mom]

For instance, I like to think of myself as a courteous and consciencious person....but there was a thread a while back about folks who walk into a crowded restaurant and send half their party to find a table while they hop in line to order...."CRUD!!! Is that bad???", I thought to myself. I had probably done that on occassion with the thought of not dragging the kids through the line, but never thought that it was something that could be construed as rude by others. Now I know...now I know I won't do it again.

Could you please tell me how long ago this was posted? I would like to read it. When we eat counter service, sometimes our DD's go and get the plastic tableware, napkins, and condiments, then they sit down and sort of "set the table" and wait for us to bring the meal. I never considered that this was rude :blush:. I would like to see opinions about the topic. I would never want to offend anyone. Thanks much!

[irish1967]

Could you please tell me how long ago this was posted? I would like to read it. When we eat counter service, sometimes our DD's go and get the plastic tableware, napkins, and condiments, then they sit down and sort of "set the table" and wait for us to bring the meal. I never considered that this was rude :blush:. I would like to see opinions about the topic. I would never want to offend anyone. Thanks much!

I guess it goes to show we can have different opinions about this topic - We generally have only 2 people get in line to handle to food order as a means to keep the lines flowing smoothly - why have 7 people stand in line when 2 are sufficient?

As for bad experiences - we tend to let them become inside jokes for the rest of the trip.

[Marker]

Could you please tell me how long ago this was posted? I would like to read it. When we eat counter service, sometimes our DD's go and get the plastic tableware, napkins, and condiments, then they sit down and sort of "set the table" and wait for us to bring the meal. I never considered that this was rude :blush:. I would like to see opinions about the topic. I would never want to offend anyone. Thanks much!

I kind of have mixed feelings about this. All in all, I don't think it's a "bad" thing. I think where the trouble comes in, at least in my experience, is if there is a very long line, and someone is holding a table for 20 or 30 minutes, whiles others with food can't find a seat. On the other side of that, if the lines are of reasonable length such that they are only holding the table for a few minutes, I think it's a smart thing to do.

Courtesy does play a role in this. If someone is holding a table when their party is nowhere near to getting their food, the courtesy thing to do would be to let someone who is looking for a table have it and look for another. But if you're party is being served, or basically on their way, then I'd hang on to the table.

There's the flip side too. If your party has finished eating, and there are people looking for seats, then by all means, MOVE. To sit and chat endlessly while people are look for a spot to eat is just as inconsiderate.

[mouselover93]

1 time i was the contemporary grab' n ' go after a day of being the mk and goin to mgm. i picked up a bottle of soda and waited in line.while i was in line the lady at the fron caused a scene and the lady in front of me was yelling at her kids who kept running around me and hitting me. this got me mad because her kids had been hitting me for 10 minutes straight and i was thinking it's ok they're only kids. it got on my nerves when one of them tried punching the other and got me instead. i then said to the lady " excuse me ma'am but your children are running around and hitting me would you please do something ". when i said this she yelled at me calling me a little mental impatient teenager while i was puttin up with her children for 10 minutes and i was twice her size. i then told her that maybe she should get these kids some muzzles and leashes. when i said this she yelled and attempted to swing a cm then came over and asked if everything was alright i said no this lady is allowing her kids 2 abuse me.he asked her to leave i said she doesnt have to. 1 minute later she said and i said something under my breath i cant post on intercot. i then threw my soda back in the fridge and as i was gettin on the monorail she was gettin in line mouthed some words i cant say on intercot and she then flipped me off. i was so happy because a cast-member had seen wat she mouthed 2 me and when she flipped me off.he then took her with another cm by her and she was escorted back to her room

[adoptionislove]

that is unbelieveable!!! I am glad they took her away!

[PirateLover]

Could you please tell me how long ago this was posted? I would like to read it. When we eat counter service, sometimes our DD's go and get the plastic tableware, napkins, and condiments, then they sit down and sort of "set the table" and wait for us to bring the meal. I never considered that this was rude :blush:. I would like to see opinions about the topic. I would never want to offend anyone. Thanks much!

Here (http://intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=114763) is the link. The topic got closed as it got kind of off track and heated, but most people seemed to feel the same as you. :mickey:
PS here (http://intercot.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=92876) is another.

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

I haven't encountered the problem with the tables. I've only been twice when it was crowded and that was 15 years ago.

As far as the issue with people ordering I have had that. During MNSSHP there was a lady who got in line and spent 19 mins ordering. She had one person that kept going back to a table to get what each person ordered. She ordered for 7 or 8 people and asked about every single item on the menu.

The only other thing that bothers me is people standing in the middle of door ways and not moving when you say "excuse me" and people smoking in non-smoking areas of the park.

Sometimes I think people just don't think when they are on a vacation.

[disneydeb]

Gee Worst Guest Experience.

I was in 8th grade and had a cold and sinus infection. It was a very slight drizzle late in the afternoon and everyone in my family party, except me and my mom, went to go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We were supposed to wait for them in Pecos Bill Cafe. Well being upset I could not go I sat down in a huff in a seat with no back and flipped clean over. I rushed back to my feet in time to see a man across the cafe hold up "10" on a napkin.
:funny:

We laugh about it all the time now. I guess not all bad experiences are the results of someone else's actions.

This was the best laugh I've had all day! THANK YOU!!!

[chicade88]

I am normally a glass half-full type of girl as well but I think normal venting is totally healthy!

My DBf and I had sat down over by Mexico in the WS about 45 minutes before Illuminations was to start. About 15 minutes before it started, a large family came up around us and were literally pushing for our spots. We were seated on the ground up close to a barricade/fence. The family had an older lady in it in a scooter and highly suggested to us that we needed to move so that she could see, even making comments such as "Young people just don't have the respect that they used to." The thing that they didn't know was that I have REALLY bad scoliosis/back problems and if I had moved, I would have had to stand the whole time and would have had terrible back spasms by the end of Illuminations. It was an incredibly uncomfortable and awkward situation. We actually left about halfway through the show because we had such a weird, angry vibe surrounding us. I still have a very bad personal view for Illuminations - possibly due to the fact that this, my first experience, was so unenjoyable.

I'll agree with everyone though, most people at Disney are there to have a great time! There are always a few bad apples in the mix, no matter where you are..

[WDWFREAK101]

My church group always goes to NOJ and last year we were on Splash Mountain and after the drop when you get to the little "Pitter-patter waterfall" on the right of your boat before the "Welcome Home Brer Rabbit" part, the ride stopped. It stopped for a decent amount of time. Boats started to pile up behind us and the boat behind us was a rather "Playful" group. They kept splashing the water at a boat in front of us and getting US wet in the process! The guy on the intercom told them to stop but yet they continued anyway. It took them about 4 times to finally stop.
We were soaked from those guys. I was sopping wet because of the ride AND those guys. It was hard to go in anything Air Conditioned because we were so cold.

[JuicyMoose17]

I hate strollers with a pasion in Disney. I know you need them, but keep 'em moving!!!

[monkeycity]

Can I offer my :twocents: and perhaps a different twist on these "venting" threads? I learn from all the things that are said (O.K., most of what is said :blush:) on these threads. That allows me to change behaviors that I did not otherwise in all innocence think needed changing.

For example, the thing with the tables was a new thought for me, and I never would have thought about some of the other things that have been posted in the past. I am a firm believer that a lot of us, myself included, get so wrapped up in our own little worlds sometimes that we are clueless about our actions. What I mean is that I could be that guy ordering for 10 minutes and not even realize what a pain I've been to everyone else. I did what I thought was necessary at the time, and I didn't stop to think that others would be adversely affected. (P.s. I was not that guy) What if he just thought that was what happened with most all the customers, that it took 10-15 minutes to order? He had been standing in line all day as it was. What's another 10 minute wait? I have family members who, if things are not exactly like they wanted, then it has to be fixed right there and then, which would require standing in line again. Is their attitude excused? Well, that might end up being a subject for another thread later... So, get it right the first time, and you won't have to pay for it later. The point of this is that posting this experience has encouraged me to think more about the people behind me when I am in line being indecisive.

I am not defending stupid people (can I say that on a Family Friendly Thread?). Smokers where they ought not to be :mad:, trigger-finger flashers, and witless water wetters (see WDWFREAK101's previous post). And I agree that posts such as these are beneficial in more ways than one and, at the same time, could lead us down paths of negativity that we would be better off staying away from.

I say, keep the stories coming. If anything, you're changing one person's life... mine, and I thank you for it. :rocks:

[NJDad]

It seemed every food line I stood in this last time I was behind someone who was on the Dining Plan and there were always some time consuming negotiations going on about which dessert equalled what appetizer or which dinner was on the plan and which wasn't, etc etc.

Was wondering if they could make up different lines-dining plan, no dining plan. Reading this thread, maybe more line choices:

We Know What We Want, No Special Orders Line

We Haven't Yet Decided, Yet Here We Are At the Front of the Line, Imagine That! Line

We Don't Know What We Want, And We're Pretty Sure We'll Have to Modify Your Menu To Get It Line

All I Want is A Lousy Dasani Line

[Von-Drake]

:haha:

It seemed every food line I stood in this last time I was behind someone who was on the Dining Plan and there were always some time consuming negotiations going on about which dessert equalled what appetizer or which dinner was on the plan and which wasn't, etc etc.

Was wondering if they could make up different lines-dining plan, no dining plan. Reading this thread, maybe more line choices:

We Know What We Want, No Special Orders Line

We Haven't Yet Decided, Yet Here We Are At the Front of the Line, Imagine That! Line

We Don't Know What We Want, And We're Pretty Sure We'll Have to Modify Your Menu To Get It Line

All I Want is A Lousy Dasani Line
:funny:
Thanks for the morning laugh.

[BandMan]

:haha:

We Know What We Want, No Special Orders Line

We Haven't Yet Decided, Yet Here We Are At the Front of the Line, Imagine That! Line

We Don't Know What We Want, And We're Pretty Sure We'll Have to Modify Your Menu To Get It Line

All I Want is A Lousy Dasani Line

:funny: :joy: :funny:

I think we're definitely on to something here. How about the:

I'm Too Busy Talking On My Cell Phone To Notice It's My Turn To Order Line?

[DisneyBunch]

There was a time when we first started visiting WDW that certain situations would aggravate us, but not anymore. When we were not familiar with WDW, we always felt "rushed," like we would miss something if we didn't hurry. After our first few trips to WDW, I felt like I needed a vacation after our vacation. Now we actually relax during our WDW visit......what a novel concept! In fact, everyone in our party (there are seven of us) is specifically instructed to leave all complaints and gripes at home. If anyone feels compelled to "cut in the line" ahead of us, more power to them. "Rudeness" simply makes us more grateful that we are not that way. I can definitely sympathize with those who choose to complain, but having seen the "Pollyanna" side of things, I'll never let the little things affect my WDW vacation again. :mickey:

[Dragongirlx]

There was a time when we first started visiting WDW that certain situations would aggravate us, but not anymore. When we were not familiar with WDW, we always felt "rushed," like we would miss something if we didn't hurry. After our first few trips to WDW, I felt like I needed a vacation after our vacation. Now we actually relax during our WDW visit......what a novel concept! In fact, everyone in our party (there are seven of us) is specifically instructed to leave all complaints and gripes at home. If anyone feels compelled to "cut in the line" ahead of us, more power to them. "Rudeness" simply makes us more grateful that we are not that way. I can definitely sympathize with those who choose to complain, but having seen the "Pollyanna" side of things, I'll never let the little things affect my WDW vacation again. :mickey:

No that is a good attitude. Think I will tey that in September Thanks:mickey:

[Dragongirlx]

No that is a good attitude. Think I will tey that in September Thanks:mickey:

You can tell I have had a long day. This should read Now that is a good attitude. Think I willtryThat in September

[Disney Doll]

I feel ya! I don't sweat the small stuff at Disney, but it is amazing how clueless and inconsiderate some people can be. I love to people watch and Disney is a great place to witness some crazy stuff. Once I saw a lady with a double stroller duck under the rope into the path of a parade to cross the street. A CM immediately motioned her to the side. As the lady was about to be plowed down by the oncoming parade the crowds parted to allow her to get out of the street. Instead of passing on through she whipped that stroller around and presto a front row seat. :jaw: The people who were previously occupying that spot were clearly miffed, but didn't say anything. It was an elderly couple. Had the parade not been blocking the street I think DH would have marched over there and got them their space back. We still remember that as one of the rudest things we have ever witnessed. Also on my list are:
- smokers who choose to smoke in crowds when I cannot get away from their pollution.
-strollers that block traffic (I'm a stroller driver myself, but just like driving a car I pull to the side if I need to stop.)
- Line hogs. Nobody like lines so let's keep em movin. I fail to see how one can wait in line 15 minutes or more and still not know what to order by the time they reach the front. How much deliberating does it take to decide between the burger or the chicken fingers?
-Litter bugs. My momma taught me to pick up after myself and I believe everyone should do the same. Find one of the many conveniently located trash cans and dump your tray when you finish eating.

That's all. Stepping down down. :soapbox:

[LudwigVonDrake]

I limit my bad guest experiences to:

A) People who don't feel the need to wear deodorant or effective deodorant :sick:

B) People who slam your ankles with strollers :mad:

Have a Magical Disney Day! :tink:

[Dakota Rose]

I can honestly say I've never had a really bad experience at WDW. I've had some funny ones, all of them involving visitors from France but none that rate re-typing.

But once I went to DLR w/DH when I was 6 mos pregnant. We were in a post-parade crowd. The man behind us was pushing a stroller and pushed his way between DH and I, nearly knocking me over. DH gave him a dirty look and then the guy deliberately pushed the stroller (w/sleeping kid inside) into DH's ankles and said, "Well move!" DH said, "I can't. You have my foot trapped between the curb and your stroller." The guy said something about people being so rude in front of kids, meaning DH, and charged off, running over our toes and bumping into other guests. Somebody behind us said, "Boy, he's grumpy." We laughed and moved on.

[vamaggie]

It seemed every food line I stood in this last time I was behind someone who was on the Dining Plan and there were always some time consuming negotiations going on about which dessert equalled what appetizer or which dinner was on the plan and which wasn't, etc etc.

Was wondering if they could make up different lines-dining plan, no dining plan. Reading this thread, maybe more line choices:

We Know What We Want, No Special Orders Line

We Haven't Yet Decided, Yet Here We Are At the Front of the Line, Imagine That! Line

We Don't Know What We Want, And We're Pretty Sure We'll Have to Modify Your Menu To Get It Line

All I Want is A Lousy Dasani Line

Love these line suggestions but I would also recommend a new Disney ride: "The Counter Service Adventure." When entering each CS place you are given a short interactive experience (ie quiz) which directs you to one of a number of lines, each with a curtain at the front. The folks who answer the questions correctly (know what they want, no special orders, no orders over 6 at a time etc) get sent to a line where they go behind the curtain, order, get their food and move on with their lives. All the others are directed to other lines, go behind the curtain, are given a set amt of time to order (say 4 mins?). If they are not successful, they drop through a trap door and are ferryed back to the CS entrance to experience the ride again at no add'l charge.

[bshaw96]

Well, I'd like to add this to a "bad experience" list, but in actuality, it turned out well for us. :mickey:For whatever reason during our last trip, certain Disney registers would not read dh's debit card. At a CS meal once, the lady literally tried 10 minutes to get it to go through. Then we'd get to others and have no problems. Just seemed to be on every other register :confused: But it worked in our favor, b/c rather than asking us to pay some other way, they'd just say "Mickey will pay for it" and gave it to us free. Even when we offered to use another card. Probably saved 100.00 during our stay just off that quirk. Wonder if Mickey would've payed for our park tickets had that happened at that register :D?

[Here we go again...]

There was a time when we first started visiting WDW that certain situations would aggravate us, but not anymore. When we were not familiar with WDW, we always felt "rushed," like we would miss something if we didn't hurry. After our first few trips to WDW, I felt like I needed a vacation after our vacation. Now we actually relax during our WDW visit......what a novel concept! In fact, everyone in our party (there are seven of us) is specifically instructed to leave all complaints and gripes at home. If anyone feels compelled to "cut in the line" ahead of us, more power to them. "Rudeness" simply makes us more grateful that we are not that way. I can definitely sympathize with those who choose to complain, but having seen the "Pollyanna" side of things, I'll never let the little things affect my WDW vacation again. :mickey:

I agree.
Now that we are DVC members we have learned to really relax. We actually go to a park just to walk around and people watch!!

I do not know if it our more relaxed attitude or if it is time I spent in a wheelchair, but something made us change our attitude about the rude people in Disney.
Now we just laugh and talk about them later.

The only thing that still bothers me is people smoking in non-designated areas... and only because my DD gets so sick when she is around smoke. I smoked for years and know how hard it is not to smoke one when you really want one. I just wish Disney would do a better job of marking the smoking areas.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

I am a pretty darn positive person and I like these threads for the learning value.:mickey:
Like several other posters - sometimes you don't think that your behaviour is rude - but others do. This is a great way to see it and maybe, just maybe, that obnoxious person in line will read it and recognize himself!:D
Me and my hubby - you'll recognize us - we moo in the line ups like cattle when we move!:)

[Marker]

-strollers that block traffic (I'm a stroller driver myself, but just like driving a car I pull to the side if I need to stop.)


I know what you mean, but to their defense, sometimes it difficult to define "pull to the side", I think I've stepped in between two trash cans before an still managed to be in somebody's way.

As long as we're mentioning strollers, can I mention empty strollers that occupy a front row viewing spot during parades. I know, the child was in it, but now that the parade is going, you've picked the child up, or the child has gotten out of the stroller to sit on your lap, and the stroller sits there empty while in a prime front row spot.

[BelleLovesTheBeast]

I just happened to think of a story about strollers. We went to exit a ride and some people had put 3 rows of stollers in front of the gate so you couldn't get out. There was a rather tall big man getting off the ride with us. When he got to the gate he knocked down all of the strollers to get out. I guess those people won't be parking their strollers were there is an exit sign again.

[LauraleeH]

We were in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We finally got to the loading area, and the CM's came over and asked us if we had 4. We did, so they sent us to the last 2 lanes. They said that the guests in front of us were going to cross over to the other side when the gates open, because their kids were not tall enough for the ride. How they got through in the first place, I don't know. But anyways, the gates opened and the father and son went through to the other side, but the mother and daughter sat right down and refused to get off. That meant there was only enough room for 2 of us, so we refused to go separately. The CM's yelled for us to get on, but we told them we didn't mind waiting for the next train, as long as we could ride together. They didn't understand what we meant because the other family was supposed to get off, so they just started the ride. I can see how they were thinking how rude we are, while we were thinking the other family was rude.


About slow customers...I haven't really encountered too many of them, but at MVMCP last year, we were in line for hot chocolate and cookies, and the CM making everything was causing a line out the door. It was obvious that she didn't want to be working there, because she was taking at least 5 minutes to fill up each person's hot chocolate order and did not look happy about it. It all worked out though...the woman in front of us turned around a made a joke about how the CM must not have any stress, because if she were the one working, she'd be going crazy fast. We ended up laughing about it and later told the rest of our family about the nice lady we met in line ;)

[mrsgaribaldi]

It seemed every food line I stood in this last time I was behind someone who was on the Dining Plan and there were always some time consuming negotiations going on about which dessert equalled what appetizer or which dinner was on the plan and which wasn't, etc etc.

Was wondering if they could make up different lines-dining plan, no dining plan. Reading this thread, maybe more line choices:

We Know What We Want, No Special Orders Line

We Haven't Yet Decided, Yet Here We Are At the Front of the Line, Imagine That! Line

We Don't Know What We Want, And We're Pretty Sure We'll Have to Modify Your Menu To Get It Line

All I Want is A Lousy Dasani Line


I love it:thumbsup:

[applecore72]

I'm on vacation at the happiest place on earth so nothing bothers me while at WDW!

I second that!

:mickey:

[huzzah4]

My worst experience happens to me every single trip we make to WDW. It always seems to occur on the very last day of our trip. It is, of course, getting in the car to drive home. What could be worse than having to leave the World?

[kbean]

This happened when everybody was exiting the park for the night (when everybody is tired and cranky). There was an old lady in an electric wheelchair in front of me honking the lil horn it had yelling for people to move out of her way. I thought it was funny.

[NYCGirl2582]

I guess it goes to show we can have different opinions about this topic - We generally have only 2 people get in line to handle to food order as a means to keep the lines flowing smoothly - why have 7 people stand in line when 2 are sufficient?

As for bad experiences - we tend to let them become inside jokes for the rest of the trip.

I guess I might have been considered rude while I was there back in September, because I let my cousins sit at a table while I got the food. The ironic thing was that I did it because I felt it was unnecessary to have the 8 and 10 yo stand for longer than they needed to.

As for bad experiences, my aunt had no problems with the guests, but with a worker at CSR. The guy was rude to my aunt when she requested no ice in her drink. One day later, he was rude to her again, and proceeded to complain about the annoying witch on line. Unknowingly to him, my uncle, who is about 5'8-6'0, heard the man say some very insulting things about his wife and proceeded to chew the guy out. The next day, my aunt sent my 8yo cousin to get a drink, and the guy deliberately unscrewed the lid, so you had an 8yo girl walking back with her drink while spilling it all over herself in the process. Sorry to go off topic here, but that is beyond rude to take out your frustrations on a little girl

[azdisneymom]

Our worst experience also turned out to be one of our best memories. A bit lengthy - be prepared.

We were at AK and DH wasn't feeling well at all. A bit cranky would be an understatement. To top it off it started to pour so we rushed inside the Restarauntasourus (sp?). The only table available was under a canvas roof. As dh continued to complain a CM came over to clear our table. He returned several times clearing other tables. At that point dh started complaining about the canvas roof starting to leak. The rest of us thought dd was doing something funny because she was smiling. Turned out our CM had a dino squirt gun under the cloth he had used to 'clean' tables with. I don't think he had a clue about dh mood, just was being entertaing. Every time he came in he would squirt dh. One by one the rest of our family caught on, as did the rest of the room. When dh found out he burst out laughing along with everyone else. It is what we all needed. The CM gave the squirt gun to my dh who still has it sitting on his computer at work. A reminder to lighten up. We still smile when we think of that day.

[KineGirl]

My worst thing was also probably one of the craziest things too..

About 2-3 years ago me and my then 15 yo daughter were heading into Mk up Main St just as the fireworks were over. We didnt plan it that way - just the way it worked out. We literally hit a wall ppl at the entrance of Main St. So of course we're fighting an uphill battle. Im trying to be accomodating and have myself squished against the wall fighting the tide & trying not to be run over by strollers myself. Im small - 5'2' around 110 lbs so I know I can be easy to miss in a crowd and generally was taking the whole (bumping) thing in stride but all of the sudden Im seeing the crowd part in front of me and this guy who looked to be in his early 20s was hauling through the crowd like a linebacker! He was knocking ppl left and right. Well when he got to me, he knocked me so hard I went sprawling into the wall and onto the ground. I could feel my knee already was skinned up. Im getting up (some nice ppl were helping me actually) and I hear "let me go! LET ME GO!" I look over and my daughter has this guy on the ground in what I like to refer to as the cross faced chicken wing! (??) She had his arms jacked up behind him with her knee on his back and the guy was struggling to free himself. I guess I should tell you all she has been practicing some form of martial arts most her life and holds several black belts in tae kwon do and hopkido and even then was a nationally ranked jr sparrer. I was shocked! I think she was shocked! Shoot.. the whole crowd around us was shocked! Ive never actually seen her use her knowledge outside of a ring or class and generally she is rather humble about what she knows! I yell for her to let him go. She did and the guy gets up rubbing his shoulders and stammering about how he was trying to catch up with his group. The crowd around us all start telling (yelling at) the guy that everyone was trying to catch up to their groups. I thought for a second it was going to start a mini riot! I was shocked like I said and was harshly questioning her as to why she did that. She said he was coming at her full speed and it was just her reaction! I thought she did it out of retalliation for me but she hadnt even seen that! Well of course I told her to never do that again - she DOES know how to use ppls own momentum against them and that wouldve been much better to deflect the guy than to have his face in the ground like that! Even though I walked away with a bruised and skinned up knee I couldnt help but think that guys ego was so much more bruised being manhandled by a 15 yo girl.

You think he learned his lesson?

Now that Im thinking about it I probably just told THAT guys worst guest experience!

[mouseketeer mom]

We had a snack in the Poly lounge before heading out to the MK..before we boarded the monorail, DH realized he left his backpack in the lounge. We all walked back with him only to realize his backpack was there, but his walkie talkies were no longer clipped onto the backpack. They were stolen.:( We filed a report, but they never showed up.

[AlliMo]

I definitely try not to let other people bother me especially in disney but I still think about this mean lady I encountered at DL.
My mom and I were waiting for the main street electrical parade to start in one of those roped off areas. A lady, her husband, and her kids were all seated right next to us (I didn't even think that you were allowed to sit down??!!) Anyway, it was a very tight area and apparently I was standing a little too close to this lady. So So she slapped me (yes, slapped) on the leg and yelled at me (like I was a 6 year old...I am 28) and told me to move. I'll never forget it...it's so hard to imagine how people can be like that at the happiest place on earth.

[FriendsofMickey]

Since you asked.....

the winner goes to....

We were in line for The Festival of the Lion King. It was about 25 minutes before they would let us in. We were standing behind a family (Dad, Mom, 6 ish child, 3 ish child, 18 mths child, and I believe Dad's parents).

3 ish child tells dad that she has to go potty. Dad and Mom tells 3 ish child to go potty in her pull up. 3 ish child does not want to go potty in her pull up..... fight ensues... 3ish child loses.

A few minutes later 6 ish child has to go potty, daddy takes her.

While daddy is gone 3 ish child want mommy to pick her up. Mom gets really upset abou the whole situation puts 18 month old down on ground crying. 18 mth old is crying with her face, face down on the ground. Mom is laughing and refuses to pick either of them up....
daddy returns grandma tells dad to pick up his child.

I was shocked! First, I can just see what happens when they get home and 3ish child decides it is just easier to go in her pants then to the potty. She is the one that will get reprimanded for that behavior, though her parents forced her to do it at Disney.

Then, to have 3 adults (quite capable of picking up said child, just to have her laying there face down crying....).... my heart was breaking. I so wanted to pick her up myself.

A mother of twins, I know what it is like to have a bad day. I know what it is like to have two wanting you to pick them up.... I was appalled by the behavior, there was no call for it (IMO)....:mad:

Okay, just cause you asked.

Back to my regularly scheduled 'Happy Disney Memories!" :mickey:

[mrsgaribaldi]

About 2-3 years ago me and my then 15 yo daughter were heading into Mk up Main St just as the fireworks were over. We didnt plan it that way - just the way it worked out. We literally hit a wall ppl at the entrance of Main St. So of course we're fighting an uphill battle. Im trying to be accomodating and have myself squished against the wall fighting the tide & trying not to be run over by strollers myself. Im small - 5'2' around 110 lbs so I know I can be easy to miss in a crowd and generally was taking the whole (bumping) thing in stride but all of the sudden Im seeing the crowd part in front of me and this guy who looked to be in his early 20s was hauling through the crowd like a linebacker! He was knocking ppl left and right. Well when he got to me, he knocked me so hard I went sprawling into the wall and onto the ground. I could feel my knee already was skinned up. Im getting up (some nice ppl were helping me actually) and I hear "let me go! LET ME GO!" I look over and my daughter has this guy on the ground in what I like to refer to as the cross faced chicken wing! (??) She had his arms jacked up behind him with her knee on his back and the guy was struggling to free himself. I guess I should tell you all she has been practicing some form of martial arts most her life and holds several black belts in tae kwon do and hopkido and even then was a nationally ranked jr sparrer. I was shocked! I think she was shocked! Shoot.. the whole crowd around us was shocked! Ive never actually seen her use her knowledge outside of a ring or class and generally she is rather humble about what she knows! I yell for her to let him go. She did and the guy gets up rubbing his shoulders and stammering about how he was trying to catch up with his group. The crowd around us all start telling (yelling at) the guy that everyone was trying to catch up to their groups. I thought for a second it was going to start a mini riot! I was shocked like I said and was harshly questioning her as to why she did that. She said he was coming at her full speed and it was just her reaction! I thought she did it out of retalliation for me but she hadnt even seen that! Well of course I told her to never do that again - she DOES know how to use ppls own momentum against them and that wouldve been much better to deflect the guy than to have his face in the ground like that! Even though I walked away with a bruised and skinned up knee I couldnt help but think that guys ego was so much more bruised being manhandled by a 15 yo girl.

You think he learned his lesson?

Now that Im thinking about it I probably just told THAT guys worst guest experience!


Your daughter rocks :number1:

[thatkindofday]

The only thing that comes to mind for me is once when we were at the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. The first time we went, I was 12 years old and I LOVED that show. The next time we went I was 15 and I was sooo looking forward to it again. Well, they do the whole 'no flash photography' routine and half way through the show, Someone in the third row, takes a picture, with the flash, of course, and all you see are these people dancing around on stage with the fish puppets on their hands. Really ruined the magic of the ride for me.

[c&d]

Mine is and was funny.

We were staying at Pop in April. DS was in the arcade so DH and I decided to have a drink but wanted to be close to the arcade in case DS needed us.

We found a table right outside the main door by the food court and promptly sat down. When we put our drinks down the table wobbled and our drinks almost spilled. It explained why the table was empty. We couldn't stabilize the table since it was the main pole up the middle that was loose not uneven legs. When the table next to us freed up we moved over.

I went to check on DS and when I came back DH left to get something. When I returned there was a man sitting at the wobble table, but since he was by himself holding packages I didn't say anything, figuring he was just waiting for someone. A few minutes later his wife sits down and puts down a drink. I say excuse me, that table is wobbly. Well she whips and I mean whips her head around and yells at me "Yeah so what." Completely taken aback I said, I just wanted to let you know because your drink could spill. The husband looking mortified says thanks for letting us know and grabs her drink.

After they left I told DH what had happened and we both just laughed. Her reaction was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen when being told something helpful

[joonyer]

. . . . I wonder if somewhere there's a guy telling a story about trying to order drinks for his family and the people in line behind him were getting all impatient and hostile because he had a couple of questions.

No, he's not. He is one of those people who are completely unaware that there were other people in line behind him who might also want to order something. Oh sure, he might have been aware that people were standing back there, but not once did it ever enter his mind that anything he was doing (or not doing) had any effect on some other human being. This is because he was thinking only of himself.
This is one small example of the epidemic of selfishness has nearly overtaken our society, and in my opinion is due to the emphasis our culture has placed on glorifying the rights of the individual over everything else. WE have become a ME ME ME culture, and everything and everybody else can just wait while MY needs are satisfied.

I was raised by parents of what Tom Brokaw referred to in his book as the "Greatest Generation", who taught me and my siblings to think of other people before ourselves. Especially whenever we were in any kind of public setting where our actions or inactions may directly affect others. My children have had a hard time understanding why my wife and I insist on them doing the same, when they see so few other people thinking of others first. But they are learning to do it.

Unfortunately, this concept has become nearly forgotten in our post modern culture. The world (including WDW) would be such a nicer place to be if we would all ask a simple question about everything we do(especially in public): "How is what I am doing (or want to do) going to affect other people?"

We are not in this world alone, but then, some people just don't care.

[kellyisbusy]

Two years ago we were staying at the all star music and I picked up a case of food poisoning :sick::sick:two nights before we were to leave. The hotel was not concerned that the only thing I had eaten was a chicken ceasar salad from their food court. I spent the last day of vacation in bed :ill::ill: and the kids stayed in the pool.

Later that year we were back and at Epcot and my 8 year old son had to go to the bathroom. So I show him where it is at and wait outside. When he returns he tells me that some man in the bathroom called him the "F" word. I said WHAT? and he pointed out the man that called him the name. I asked what happened and my son said he went to the restroom and walked in, he did not notice there was a line and jumped in a stall in front of someone. The man he went in front of had the nerve to walk by me and tell me how rude my son was and I proceeded to tell him how polite he was for calling my son a little "F" word. This man then began yelling at me and said he would not have said that if it were not true. I was appalled and asked him how old he was, the guy was at least 30 and pushing around little kids in the restroom. I thought my husband was going to kill the man, but he politely told the guy to back off and get lost, but the guy continued to yell explatives at all of us. I considered calling security but was afraid they would throw all of us out of the park so we just walked away. This also happened on our last day, maybe I should cut my vacations short by one day.