[Dopey]

Originally Posted by caver_jeffery

That was the underground passage I was trying to squeeze through. I use the ID "caver_jeffery" for a reason. We discussed it in another thread. Here's the link:

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=13363

ooops, sorry I asked.

[MerlinMatt]

OK, my turn.

The only "bad" experience I had was when DW and I were on our honeymoon. It was a bizarre week. DW became very ill on the second day and ended up with a 101 fever. We spent a day at Typhoon Lagoon baking it out of her, and it was acutally really nice to have a place like that where she could enjoy herself despite being sick.

That night, we went over to Epcot to see IlluniNations for the first time. (I had actually seen it before a few years earlier, but she had never seen it.)

So, we had dinner at Alfredo's and then found a spot by the railing near Germany. I left DW there to go get us each a cup of ice cream. When I got back, she was flustered and told me the story of what happened.

Shortly after I left, an English woman sidled up next to her and my wife politely informed her that I was going to be standing there. She tersely responded, "I don't see him, so I guess he lost his place." Well, after being sick all week, she wasn't going to allow this to happen, so they got into a short argument and eventually the woman gave up and left. Her son came over about a minute later and apologized for his mother's behavior. As he walked away, DW muttered under her breath, "British b****." Well, at least she THOUGHT it was under her breath. The son must have told his mommy what she said, because she came storming back to confront DW again.

Anywho, all was fine when I got back and I was proud of DW standing her gound despite feeling a little under the weather.

The fireworks were great!

That was the trip that DW fell in love with Maelstrom. Norway was very new back in '91. To this day, Maelstrom is her favorite ride, although last time we were there, it seems that certain things need a little maintenance

It's funny. It seems that about 90% of any bad experiences that people have come from interaction with "less than magical" guests. Goes to show how great Disney really is.

[Captgoodguy]

Matt,

Thanks for this post. It reminded me of something I forgot to do. I made special effort to remember the names of two CM's that really made our most recent trip more enjoyable. I fully intended to send something to Disney about them and in the process of catching up on everything, it slipped my mind. So thanks for helping me to remember and let me also thank you to the CM's here in case the read this board.

To Judson at the CP in the MK - we really enjoyed our breakfast with you as our server. We were a table of four adults with no children, but you spent time with us anyway and quizzed us on our Disney knowledge. It was very enjoyable and I'm glad we were both able to stump each other with some great questions.

To Scott at the HM in the MK - you played your part very well and took extra time for your guests on the last ride of the night by following us through the entire ride and "playfully" scaring the lady in our group many times even after we left the building.

These are the things that make Disney magical.

[MerlinMatt]

Oh, I should have posted this earlier.

There have been a number of threads about great memories. Here's one of the more recent ones that has 4 pages of great posts:

http://www.disneycentral.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=9924

[Dana]

Matt -

I had a similar experience to your DW's. I was a MK for what was then the Electrical Light Parade. I staked my spot out two hours before the parade (it was easter). My DD who was 6 at the time was sitting in a stroller at the curb and I next to her on the curb. Directly behind us was a vendor selling popcorn and drinks. I went to the vendor to get drinks and popcorn leaving DD at the curb. I came back to a lady who moved my DD's coach back and planted her family in my spot. I lost it. Not for the spot loss, but for them having the nerve to MOVE my DD's stroller back. At one point I had a man behind me cheering me on..lol The "family" eventually moved.....I was embarrassed at my behavior, but it was one of those things that was coming to a head anyway. I spent the entire trip trying to not get aggrevated when people cut in front or pushed us out of the way.....I just snapped. Similar incident this last trip with a mother who planted her kids in front of mine at an autograph signing. I was standing off to the side as she did this. My DD just looked at me and I went over to the lady and said "that is my DD that you planted your kids in front of. Tell them to go to the back of the line and wait like everyone else" The CM handler ended up telling the kids to go to the back of the line or they wouldnt' get a picture or an autograph.....funny they understood English when she said that, but not when I aksed her to move her children....amazing actually.

Please note that I have given up my curb parade spot to a child who could not see in the back more than once. It takes A LOT to get me angry enough to completely blow up. I may get short tempered, but that is gone as quick as it started. For me to lose it, I have to be pushed to the point of no return. I never yelled at the ignorant woman and her nasty little kids who cut in front....I just asked them to move...I snapped on the other one... Just wanted everyone to understand I am not starting fights at WDW.lolol

[tigger]

I can't think of one bad memory caused by WDW but I have to concur that I have had a number of bad experiences with fellow guest (But I have also had lots of great experiences with fellow guest as well). I try really really hard to be nice to my fellow guest and thank the CM's for their help.

[lovemysons]

I totally agree. The only times that were less than nice were when we had problems with other less than polite guests. It's just like almost everything else in life. You have to make the best of it. Overall, the CM's have always been friendly, helpful and courteous. I wish other people would come to Disney to study the true meaning of "customer service."

Our best memories seem to be of the parades and the character meals.

[fiona1188]

Bad Experience: Epcot - Test Track - Horrible wee man would not let myself and my two daughters sit together, with my husband in the back. He decided to put myself and one daughter plus another young lady in the front, with my husband and other daughter in the back with another young man.....

Didn't make sense to me, I was really angry and complained (which is something that I never do - but he made my blood boil..). I was offered to ride again, and go directly to the front but I declined the offer.

BUT OF COURSE THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT DISNEY ALWAYS OUTWEIGH THE BAD.

[Pooh Fan]

The good always outweighs the bad on a Disney vacation. We have never really had a problem. We try to stay away from rude guests and shake our heads. We go with the attitude that noone and nothing will ruin our wonderful vacation. We are there to have fun. The only bad experience we have ever had with a CM was on our last trip. We had made reservations for the kdis to go on the Pirate Cruise at the Grand Floridian. We were given the wrong time to show up and when I called to confirm, we were given the wrong time. Needless to say, we showed up a half hour after the cruise had started. They had already charged our credit card and said they could not give us a refund or reschedule, so we asked if the kids could do whatever was left. The people working did give the kids a private boat ride to catch up with the pirate ship and they got to enjoy what was left (about 40 minutes). The kids loved it, but when I asked for a partial refund, I was told that since my kids got to do part of it there was no way possible. After speaking with the manager, I was told they would give me a partial refund. I never got the credit back on my card. When I disputed the charge with my credit card company, I was unable to get the partial refund because teh kids did go on the cruise and I had no prook that the manager told me she would credit my card. When I was there, she said that she could not issue me a credit slip because her machine was down, but she promised she would as soon as she could. I was dissappointed that I was lyed to, but the kids love the Pirate Cruise so we will probably do it again on our next trip. Other than that, all the other CM's have always been wonderful!

[Cavey]

Originally Posted by Dopey

ooops, sorry I asked.

Don't apologize. I LOVE to talk about caves as much as about Disney. Michigan doesn't have many caves, but if you ever get down here to Illinois, I'll let you crawl in front of me.

[fjs08]

Hi,
I've been coming to WDW since '79. Over the years, I've seen loads of changes. Many good and many bad.
Good:
Evolution of multiple themed resorts to cover many price ranges.
Fast Pass. I find it revolutionary. Waiting to have them predone on my resort card<g>.
Multiple Theme Parks
Expansion of Downtown Disney from the Marketplace to Pleasure Island to West Side.
Beach & Yacht Club complex. For my money, there is no other like it, although the Boardwalk is a close 2nd.
Addition of special events such as VMCP and Epcot Food & Wine festival.
The monorail to anywhere
Spending your 40th birthday at Disney!!
Spending your 50th birthday at Disney!!!


Bad:
Park hours have shrunk over the years.
Hours that used to be on the regular admission are now charged as an extra-and they try to make it special--yeah right!!
Lots of resort goodies have vanished. Anyone remember the bands that played in the Beach Club and Yacht Club lobbies???
Service has lapsed badly. Last summer I got so mad at the Beach Club front desk I wrote a letter to Disney. From my readings here it seems like reservations are getting fouled up more and more.
The friendliness of cast members is sorely lacking. A few have the Disney spirit, but only a fraction of the early ones.

I'll stop here.

Frank

[MrDisneyfan1]

Frank I agree with all your remarks. I think part of the lack of the disney spirit is partly do to the college program. Where they bring in these students, and do not properly train them. "Why train if they are going to be there for just a summer..." seems to be the spirit. Now I think there is still a tremendous amount of talent ang great people there, and good still outweighs the not so good.
I still see the same CM's from when we were young and dating working there. Many years later...they're still there...Michael the hair cutter on Main Street, Performers in the Adventurers Club - In fact last time we were there we told a CM how we been watching her for years, she said if we come back when we're in our 50's and she's still here to shoot her.

So much has changed from the once single park, to now so many thousands of CM's later, but it still blows away the average resort destination, the average amusment park (ie SIX FLAGS)!!
Den

[Fran]

Most of our experiences have been good. No let me make that outstanding. Only a few bad ones come to mind.

1. After indulging at the Cape May Buffett, which I have to say is outstanding, my husband must have eaten something that did not agree with him. It was over 1 hour, and several Immodium before we could leave the restaurant.

2. We found while visiting Disneyland Paris, that a great deal of the guests were very rude, and thought nothing of pushing and stepping ahead of you in line. The cast members however, were polite as usual.

[Mommy2boys]

Hi! I'm Jill. Nice to meet you all!

I had one bad experince at Disney World that I will never forget. We went in 2003 during Easter break (ahhhh!). The parks were, needless to say, very crowded! Me, my Husband and our 3 year old son standing in a crowed of what seemed to be millions of people. We were squished and so was everyone else but we were still making the best of it watching the fireworks. Then this Man comes charging through everyone, he was obviously frustrated with the crowds. Anyway he walks right by us and he decides to pick up our stroller and give it a good toss (which hit the guy behind us) and started cussing outloud in front of our 3 year old and the other kids standing around us. I was so mad!! I wouldn't let my husband say anything to him cause I didn't want to make things worse. It only takes one person to ruin your whole day.

[MerlinMatt]

Jill, Welcome to DC!

OK folks, we need more happy stories. This thread was SUPPOSED to be about balance!

Last May, we ate dinner at Ohana and watched Wishes from our table. It was great. But, by the time we got to the MK for our bus, the lines were HUGE! And of course, the buses for the All-Stars were nowhere to be found.

Then, we noticed a couple of the really cushy tour buses drive up and pick up a charter group (or so we thought) and I, being the loud obnoxious sort, said aloud, "hey! we'd love to get one of THOSE back to our hotel!" Then, a bus finally came by and wouldn't you know it, we were 6 people shy of being able to get on. It was so frustrating until I looked up and saw another bus... a cushy tour bus!!!

We got to ride in style back to the hotel on a bus with reclining seats!

Now that was cool!