A SG's complaints were rewarded by Guest Relations. Why?

[DebbieDoesDisney]

I must start this post by apologizing for bringing a SG along with me on our last visit. My husband had to work so I took a friend and her 2 yo son. Now that I know she is a SG, I won't make the mistake again. :o:

Our second park day, we went to MK. Her son is in the process of potty training, and he had to pee every 3 minutes because she was giving him cup after cup of juice. Early in the day, she started complaining that MK didn't have enough bathrooms. Her solution to her perceived problem was to let her kid pee in the flower beds. :eek: :o: Totally embarrassing. Yes, I asked her repeatedly to stop, and I was showing her restrooms on the map.

Sometime during the day, the kid wet his pants so she had to change his clothes. I'm not sure why he wet his pants because there wasn't a lack of flower beds. :rolleyes: She had packed pull-ups, but for whatever reason he was wearing regular underwear. That incident only worsened her mood.

She wanted to eat a CS for dinner, but when we got to the one she had picked it was closed for a private party. I calmed her down, and had her pick another CS. She picked Columbia Harbor House so we went there, and it had closed about 30 min earlier. This sent her into a rage. At the same time, her kid starts saying he needs to use the bathroom again. She took him over to a gate between CHH and the Hall of Presidents, and she was about to let him urinate on the asphalt walkway! :eek: I told her where the nearest RR was, but she was dead set that the RR was too far. I gave her a water bottle for him to go in. Well, it was too late. . . he had already wet his pants again.

She was throwing a fit. . . going on and on about how it was a place for kids and there weren't enough potties. . . and that she was hungry. She took out the map and announced she was going to Guest Relations to complain. :confused: I tried to talk her out of it, and reason with her that none of this was Disney's fault. She lit into me and proceeded to ream me out. I told her fine and that I'd meet her outside GR.

I went and waited outside on a bench with my kids. After about 20 minutes she came out. The GR CM she complained to gave her $50 Disney Dollars as compensation for the two CS's being closed, and vouchers to buy her kid new underwear and a new outfit! :eek:

Please! Why was the SG's stupidity rewarded?! How was it Disney's fault that she didn't put her kid in a pull-up?! Why did Disney give her money for food because 2 places were closed when there were still at least 3 more available to choose from?!

Why didn't a CM come talk to her and make her stop having her kid pee in flower beds?! Her cousin who is a CM joined us on our last day. She told her repeatedly to stop it just like I had been doing for the 4 previous days in a row. :rolleyes:

The day we went to Animal Kingdom. . . we walked in and she saw the lush flower beds and said, "Oh, this is great! These flower beds are so thick I can let him take a crap in one." :confused:

[DebbieDoesDisney]

One of my 2 yo's has special needs, and I was able to get a GAC that allowed me to use her stroller as a WC. I want to say thanks to all the great CM's who went out of their way to make our park visits as comfortable for her as possible. It meant the world to me! :)

[lady ulrike]

Please! Why was the SG's stupidity rewarded?! How was it Disney's fault that she didn't put her kid in a pull-up?! Why did Disney give her money for food because 2 places were closed when there were still at least 3 more available to choose from?!

Why didn't a CM come talk to her and make her stop having her kid pee in flower beds?! Her cousin who is a CM joined us on our last day. She told her repeatedly to stop it just like I had been doing for the 4 previous days in a row. :rolleyes:


Well, first off, as for the peeing in flower beds, did a CM see her, and if so was it after he was done cause sometimes it's easier to avoid a confrontation to be perfectly honest and you kind of assume/hope that it was a one time deal, and if it was a new CM who saw her they may have been so shocked that they weren't sure how to react.
But as for the main question, Disney's outlook is basically that we want everyone to walk away happy and will do just about anything to make that happen, even if it's no fault of our own. Things can happen to ruin a vacation that have little or nothing to do with Disney or anything that anyone connected with Disney did. Sometimes things can happen to ruin a vacation that wasn't even the person's own fault (not really so in this case) and Disney realizes that too, but they want everyone to have a great experience so that they will come back again.

An example that I deal with a lot at Storybook is that when kids are getting in or out of the boat they don't pay attention to where they are walking and will often step right into the canal. Most of the time our CMs kind of catch them before they get more than the bottom of their shoe wet, so no big deal. Sometimes, however, the kids whole leg ends up in the water. Now most guests are pretty much, whatever it'll dry, but there are times where the parents or the kids are really upset, or if it's a really cold day then I'll actually offer them vouchers for new pants, etc cause, quite frankly it sucks to walk around all day with wet pants, shoes, and socks and if it is cold out the kid could get sick.

Now with this situation, it's not the CMs' fault and you can't really blame the kid they're excited and there's a lot going on but we will still give them the voucher because it moves the focus to, "oh this thing happened and while they didn't have to do anything to make it better they did, isn't Disney great?" And it always depends on the guest. If they're ranting and raving so much that I can't get a word in edgewise I'm not going to offer them as much, if anything, as a would someone who is much more calm about it.

That's a bit more than I meant to say but I think it answers your question.

[Big Wallaby]

Hi Debbie,

Thank you for that post. It's certainly interesting to read the story of a SG from the viewpoint of someone that is with them and thoroughly embarassed by them. Your friend (and after your time travelling with her, I'll go ahead and use the term quite loosely) sounds like she has that entitlement mentality that makes so many the greatest SGs they can be.

Regarding the CMs' response, I am sure she didn't say anything about the flowerbed pottytimes, or else they probably wouldn't have been so nice. Because her kid came in and "just" wet his pants, vouchers for new underwear doesn't have to be that expensive for Disney, compared to when she gets home, tells her family that Disney World is horrible, that it's gone downhill since she was there last (if she ever had been before), or that it wasn't all that magical. :eek: So instead, they go ahead and give her new underwear and a meal, just to make her think they did a great job. However, I guarantee that if they knew her real activities, there would have been reprocussions, and hopefully not for you too. At that point, she's making a health hazard in the parks, and from what I understand they don't take to that too kindly.

Now, who knows what she will go home and tell her friends, but it's no fault of Disney's if she disparages them. I am sure that if she is everything you describe, she's not going to have much good to say about Disney World, possibly for reasons you have yet to imagine.

EDIT: Oh, sure, let me finish my post, but get a far superior explanation in before me, Lady Ulrike... :D:
Actually, your explanation is much better than mine could ever be.

[Pinoy_Stitch_84]

I went and waited outside on a bench with my kids. After about 20 minutes she came out. The GR CM she complained to gave her $50 Disney Dollars as compensation for the two CS's being closed, and vouchers to buy her kid new underwear and a new outfit! :eek:

Please! Why was the SG's stupidity rewarded?! How was it Disney's fault that she didn't put her kid in a pull-up?! Why did Disney give her money for food because 2 places were closed when there were still at least 3 more available to choose from?!

Why didn't a CM come talk to her and make her stop having her kid pee in flower beds?! Her cousin who is a CM joined us on our last day. She told her repeatedly to stop it just like I had been doing for the 4 previous days in a row. :rolleyes:

The day we went to Animal Kingdom. . . we walked in and she saw the lush flower beds and said, "Oh, this is great! These flower beds are so thick I can let him take a crap in one." :confused:

Perhaps urine makes the flowers so bright and smell great :D:

The Queen from Snow White would say: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the stupidest guest of all?" The mirror would say, "The lady who allowed her kid to pee and poo in the flower beds" :D:

Disney believes the children are the future and that they must teach them well and let them lead the way. On the other hand, many parents don't know how to show them all the beauty they possess inside or let the children's laughter remind them how stupid they are.

At the Animal Kingdom, a CM should've called Rafiki from the Lion King and have him sing to her "Asante sana squashparara wehweh nugu..." (The song he sings from the movie). Rafiki would tell her, "It means you're a baboon and I'm not. And it's true since you let your child pee and poo in the bushes, therefore destroying our precious circle of life" :eek:

[bingie]

Ummm...

So, what is wrong with your friend that she thinks it's ok to let her child do their business where ever they feel like it...

[DisneyMom]

I wonder what would have happened if you went to guest relations and complained about her letting her kid pee in the flowers! :twisted: Just kidding, but I know as a guest I wouldn't want to see that kind of thing. I know, I'm uptight! :p:

[mechurchlady]

I would have walked away. I cannot understand this behavior. I have hear of the emergency cannot wait type of flower watering but that woman needs to see a doctor to have the kid checked out and then sent to the nut house.

[lady ulrike]

EDIT: Oh, sure, let me finish my post, but get a far superior explanation in before me, Lady Ulrike... :D:
Actually, your explanation is much better than mine could ever be.

My explanation is only better because I'm more Disneyfied than you. :) And how was I supposed to know you were responding at the same time?

[Cranbiz]

Next will be the complaint that we don't have facilities on the Motor Coaches.

Will she let her child pee and poo on the Motor Coach because the driver won't stop at the closest flower bed? :confused:



I'm using the term Motor Coach here because it seems that our buses have been upgraded. At least that what the new spiels say.

[Big Wallaby]

I'm using the term Motor Coach here because it seems that our buses have been upgraded. At least that what the new spiels say.

I'm still looking for the plush, all-forward-facing seating... Although, the Hybrid has nice, plush seating. I would call it a Motor Coach... and by the colors, a Jamaican Motor Coach.
It's strange to hear that thing pulling by you at Fort Wilderness, going 20 mph at an idle speed. I guess GM has anyone who drives it sign a contract that they won't drink and drive while using it, and that they won't hit anything with it.

[BirdMom]

I have to say that I also find it annoying that bad behavior gets rewarded in order to pacify the offender. The thing that really gets to me is that Guest Relations appears to simply take the jerk's word for whatever has them on fire, without question and simply gives them *something* to get them to shut up.

Right up there is guest conflicts with CM's over policy. To make a long story short, I had some "problem children" who wouldn't co-operate over a stated policy that is pretty much established. These creeps gave me a bunch of grief and I wouldn't cave. Lo and behold, one hour later I get called into the office because they've complained to City Hall that I shoved them and screamed at them - never happened, but of course, they get a "sincere apology" and who knows what else because they were jerks. It's just so wrong.

[leftcoaster]

I think the OP should have her son or husband pee and poo in her "friends" flower bed at home, and see how her "friend" feels about it. :twisted:

[disneyprincess1988]

I think the OP should have her son or husband pee and poo in her "friends" flower bed at home, and see how her "friend" feels about it. :twisted:


LOL! Great idea!

[mechurchlady]

People do not seem to understand that they should not do in public things they would not do at home. Do they really let their kids use the yard as a restroom or do they at dinner time let their kids run around the kitchen then throw food at the table.

Knowing the luck of SGs, I would not doubt that the OP would be in jail for letting her kid use the friend's yard as a toilet. How dare she neglect her kid type of charges. If her husband did the dirty deed then he would be in jail for indescent acts, lewd acts, labeled as a sex offender for life and lose a lawsuit for his emotionally traumatising acts. SGs seem to have a hedge of protection and blinders on that keep them from seeing reality.

[Theme Park Where]

I had a SG one time at Muppets in Disney MGM Studios. He came up about 5 minutes before the preshow ended and the next show started and asked where the nearest restroom was. I told him it was outside the theater. He decided he didn't have time to make it and went back to his family. A few minutes later, I spotted him with his child in the back of the preshow, behind the wooden crates that delineate the wheelchair viewing area. When I approached, sure enough, he had decided to let his child relieve himself right there, INSIDE the building, on the carpet! ICK! By the time I got to him, he was done and inside the theater where I couldn't get to him. We had to call in a protein spill and shampoo the carpet overnight.

[scottishduffy]

You know, I caught a lady at AK with her two sons in the bushes. I could not believe that she just had the two boy's relieving themselves right on the edge of the walkway. She even had the nerve to yell at anyone who dared to stare at her... sheesh.

[Anna]

Our second park day, we went to MK. Her son is in the process of potty training, and he had to pee every 3 minutes because she was giving him cup after cup of juice. Early in the day, she started complaining that MK didn't have enough bathrooms. Her solution to her perceived problem was to let her kid pee in the flower beds. :eek: :o: Totally embarrassing. Yes, I asked her repeatedly to stop, and I was showing her restrooms on the map.


Why didn't a CM come talk to her and make her stop having her kid pee in flower beds?!

Here's a guest who was told to stop letting her kid pee in the bushes. She thinks the CM named Ralph was wrong:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1579569


Disney Nightmare
Caution ahead: long post
While I was in Disney for the trip I had waited so long to enjoy a cast member single handedly ruin Disney magic for me.

My son (5) is a special needs child with a severe developmental delay. One of the issues that we have dealt with in his therapies has been potty training. We have stuggled with this for two years. He has been accident free for about four months before our trip (yea). Well, while we were at Epcot he had an accident because he told us he needed to go potty right when the doors to the preshow at test track closed. We had to wait for the doors to reopen before we could get out. We didn't make it to the bathroom, and my son had an accident. We got him cleaned up and the sweet cast member gave us fast passes so we wouldn't have to wait in line again. However, my son was SOOO disappointed. He was in a depressed mood for the rest of the day at Epoct. I have to explain this so it will explain why this other cast member ruined our trip.


As we were leaving Epoct several hours later, my son informed us that he needed to go to the bathroom. We were already out of the main gates and halfway to our bus stop for All Star Movies resort. I had to make the spilt second decision to either turn around and fight against 50,000 people exiting the Epcot gates and to take the time to explain to a cast member why I needed to return to the park or contuine to a building that I could see a pay phone and lockers. I picked up my son and ran to the building with lockers and the pay phone. At this time my son was holding himself and crying. I could not let him have another accident in the same day. That would be a negative step in my child's development and therapy. When I arrived at the building, there were no restrooms. I made the only decision that was left for me. Out of desperation, I took my son behind that building, pushed him behind some bushes and allow him to void in the bushes. At that moment, the cast member named Ralph stepped behind me. I turned to look at him and apologize for being behind the building. Before I could say anything, he started to yell at me. He stepped about five inches from my face and was literally screaming into my face. I will pharaphase what he said to me because I was so shocked I cannot remember the exact words he use, however, I remember exactly what he said. He yelled at me that I didn't need to be there, then he saw that my child was voiding. He contuined to yell that "my cast members don't need to see that". He yelled that I was irresponsible and an unfit parent because I would allow my child to use the bathroom in this area (the bushes behind the building). He yelled that I made a horrible decision. He literally screamed at me for about forty seconds into my face. I looked at my child, and saw that my son was terrifed. I told the man, in the most calm way I knew how that he had no business yelling at me like that. I turned around, tended to my son and left the area. After I left, I found my husband and told him what had happened. Ralph contuined to stare at my family until we were able to get on the bus. All I could think about was getting away from this man

I do not understand how a cast member could verablly assalt my son and myself like that. It has been a week since my vacation and I can not forget it and "just move on". I feel like the victim of a crime. That cast member stole disney magic from me.

[DisneyMom]

Here's a guest who was told to stop letting her kid pee in the bushes. She thinks the CM named Ralph was wrong:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1579569


WOW...This one is sad on so many levels.Obviously the Mom should have planned better for her child's needs. It is possible she was screamed at, but we will never know if it is actually true. I kind of doubt it went exactly as she described.

[Big Wallaby]

Ralph was absolutely wrong. I mean, aren't all the Cast BREAK ROOMS guest bathrooms? That's right, the place she is describing is a bus driver break area.

So yeah, I can understand Ralph being upset for going into the break area and finding a kid peeing in the bushes there.

[BRWombat]

WOW...This one is sad on so many levels.Obviously the Mom should have planned better for her child's needs. It is possible she was screamed at, but we will never know if it is actually true. I kind of doubt it went exactly as she described.I'm sympathetic to the special needs... but I can't help but put this one on the mom. You'd think she'd know, like any parent with a less-than-perfectly-potty-trained child, that you take extra "stops" when facilities are available rather than risk being caught in a situation like the one she describes.

[Theme Park Where]

I love the other people defending the Mom on disboards too. Obviously they've never had to work around people doing things that are completely illegal, immoral, and well, unhygenic! Yeah, I put it on the Mom too. Emergencies happen, but had she been in a public place other than a theme park, and had Ralph been a police officer, she would have been more than yelled at. She'd have been ticketed and fined as well.

[ktulu]

I'm willing to bet that "Ralph" didn't re-act in that manner either, she probably was the one yelling and screaming at him.

I agree with you Wombat, she should be sensitive to her child and MAKE him take potty breaks. Once again, the attitude of "it's not MY fault" prevails...

[Rob562]

I just love the reply from the person who said *they* were considering writing a complaint letter to Disney about the CM, based solely on the original poster's story! Or trying to do the same thing specifically to instigate another incident.

At least there are SOME people on there defending the CM, or at least pointing out that the mother should have been more careful with her semi-potty-trained son.

-Rob

[Big Wallaby]

Hate to break it to you, but if I found your kid relieving himself in my break area, I would probably go unhinged as well. I mean, c'mon! We do provide plenty of restrooms for you to take care of your kids, and "behind the bushes" is not always just behind the bushes around here. While I do have empathy for the mother (and I really do), she should have taken a very different course of action.

[DebbieDoesDisney]

OP here! I came to lurk and I was surprised to see this thread back on page 1. :D:

FTR, I'm still annoyed with my friend for embarrassing me with her backwoods hick behavior, complaining to guest services, and for being REWARDED by them for HER own stupid guest tricks. :rolleyes:

It makes me feel better to talk about it with people who understand. ;)

I remember that Disboards thread. Totally annoying. I wanted to slap the poster who wanted to do the exact same thing as an attempt to instigate a confrontation. Nice. :rolleyes:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

OP here! I came to lurk and I was surprised to see this thread back on page 1. :D:

FTR, I'm still annoyed with my friend for embarrassing me with her backwoods hick behavior, complaining to guest services, and for being REWARDED by them for HER own stupid guest tricks. :rolleyes:

It makes me feel better to talk about it with people who understand. ;)

I remember that Disboards thread. Totally annoying. I wanted to slap the poster who wanted to do the exact same thing as an attempt to instigate a confrontation. Nice. :rolleyes:

I was on the "other" (brand x) board also, and I am quite suprised at some of the attitudes there. I guess they want the self justifiction of the "me too" comments. I had posted several topics and was suprised at some of the comments directed toward me, that I couldn't have seen and heard what I did, because if I had, it would have reflected badly on a "guest" and the CM was the victim! (I gues they believe that a SG can do no wrong!)

That is why I have found a "home" on the SGT board! (Of course my DW chose my name for me, don't understand why.......) Arrhhhhhh arrrgghghh!! :pirate2:

[Big Wallaby]

I told Ralph all about it the other day. He still remembers the lady. We had a good laugh.

[Brettchief]

LOL.. I just read this post.. That is unbelievable:eek:

[StephM]

I told Ralph all about it the other day. He still remembers the lady. We had a good laugh.

Unless I am mistaken, isn't there a restroom building within like 50 feet of where she let her son go? I know there is one we went in after leaving Epcot because I always take my daughter before waiting for a bus...she is one of those kids who waits until the absolute WORST time to say she has to go. :D:

I got all snarky on Board X tonight....I just could not help myself. Some people over there just annoy the hell out of me.

So I came here where my snarkiness is appreciated. :p:

[Big Wallaby]

So I came here where my snarkiness is appreciated. :p:
And we don't just welcome you, we do it with open arms.

[CelebrationNM]

I feel like the victim of a crime. That cast member stole disney magic from me.
Or the ever popular, "I'm never coming back here again." It kills me when people don't enjoy their vacation, but 90% of the time I think they cheered up as soon as they left my area and moved on with their life. So hearing that didn't burn so badly in the end. And plus, I wouldn't want to steal someone's Disney magic...I'll keep my own, thank you.

It's quite the concept though: the reputation of an entire company hinging on nearly 60,000 WDW cast members acting in a certain way when on-stage. It's a great idea and something of which everyone should be very proud to be a part. As a guest in the parks I know I've come across countless CMs that were the epitome of Good Show.

But then a SG goes on Board X and posts something like: "God help a [rude CM] if they get me....I would then make many, many calls complaining about that CM and write a letter or two. There is no need for a CM to act that way." -boardx (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1627987&page=2), I think they've forgotten that the very thing that makes a CM perform well is that they are a real human being. "Traditions" isn't a divine conversion. Often for reasons more situational than dispositional, we will act in a certain way that maybe isn't "Disney-like". The alternative to that (replacing all CMs with robots) seems much worse.

I've said things to guests that I shouldn't have said, I've gotten worked-up over things I shouldn't have gotten worked-up over. I've been less than helpful a few times when I was getting annoyed. I'm thankful for the guests that have forgiven that and held onto their "magic" anyway. I'm even more thankful for the ones--and it's usually the kids--that showed me what "magic" really is.

[BRWombat]

Or the ever popular, "I'm never coming back here again." It kills me when people don't enjoy their vacation, but 90% of the time I think they cheered up as soon as they left my area and moved on with their life. So hearing that didn't burn so badly in the end. And plus, I wouldn't want to steal someone's Disney magic...I'll keep my own, thank you.

It's quite the concept though: the reputation of an entire company hinging on nearly 60,000 WDW cast members acting in a certain way when on-stage. It's a great idea and something of which everyone should be very proud to be a part. As a guest in the parks I know I've come across countless CMs that were the epitome of Good Show.

But then a SG goes on Board X and posts something like: "God help a [rude CM] if they get me....I would then make many, many calls complaining about that CM and write a letter or two. There is no need for a CM to act that way." -boardx (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1627987&page=2), I think they've forgotten that the very thing that makes a CM perform well is that they are a real human being. "Traditions" isn't a divine conversion. Often for reasons more situational than dispositional, we will act in a certain way that maybe isn't "Disney-like". The alternative to that (replacing all CMs with robots) seems much worse.

I've said things to guests that I shouldn't have said, I've gotten worked-up over things I shouldn't have gotten worked-up over. I've been less than helpful a few times when I was getting annoyed. I'm thankful for the guests that have forgiven that and held onto their "magic" anyway. I'm even more thankful for the ones--and it's usually the kids--that showed me what "magic" really is.Wow, well said!!

[Radar]

Our second park day, we went to MK. Her son is in the process of potty training, and he had to pee every 3 minutes because she was giving him cup after cup of juice. Early in the day, she started complaining that MK didn't have enough bathrooms. Her solution to her perceived problem was to let her kid pee in the flower beds. :eek: :o: Totally embarrassing. Yes, I asked her repeatedly to stop, and I was showing her restrooms on the map.



I was just a DLR last week and saw something just as bad. We were waiting in line to see Tinker Bell and the other fairies when a little girl had to use the potty. The mother proceeded to pull out one of those travel pottys intended for when you are driving or camping, and let the daughter pee right there in line with everyone around her. Then she gave the bag to her DH to tie up and leave the line to throw away. There are restroom so close to Pixie Hollow and the line was so slow, I don't know why she had her daughter do it there. Some people are yucky.

[xliath]

SGs at their prime.

One day while working greeter at Nemo i had a lady come out of the line asking where the nearest toilet is and she needed to take her son to the bathroom. I tell her where they are and a minute or two later i see the same lady with her kid by their stroller with his pants at his ankles peeing into a Wal Mart bag and the mom just throws it away like it is spoiled lemonade. but what is worse then making the parks the world's largest potties are people who thinik they can change diapers anywhere they want to even on tables at the resturants. there are changing tables in every single rest rooms. as for the lady at MK she is one of the many SGs that don't plan accordingly for their trips. most guest complaints are easily solved by planning ahead it is amazing what a few minutes could do.:D: