SGT Action from our April Trip: Concentrated just like. . .

[February]

. . .condensed soup. Cause I do not want to remember these people in my regular trip report that I write to remember the good stuff.

I may forget people at first and add them as I continue to remember them- you all know by this point how my brain works (or doesn't- maybe a more accurate assessment) so here we go.

Day 1. . .

Stupid Traveler Tricks: Before we even get on the plane:

-The family in front of us at check-in- and the employee helping them- nearly made a bunch of people miss their flights because they had about a dozen pieces of luggage to check between them and NO ONE had filled out a SINGLE luggage tag. Apparently they had trouble remembering where they lived too because writing them out took an eternity.

-The Airline employee, who, instead of taking care of other people while said family did their luggage tag filling out- let the line back up while she teased the four year old that she had to have a drivers license to show to board the plane if she wanted to go see Mickey Mouse *bangs head against wall*

We ended up letting a couple ladies trying to make an international flight swap places in line with us and as a result, got way behind. Going through security is such a work out and ordeal for me- taking off the shoes, handing over the crutch, getting it all back together, etc that I almost pulled my very own stupid trick- I didn't realize by the time we got thru security (Which also took for-e-ver) that it was almost time to board.

We did not realize this until we sat down with our McD's breakfast and I look out the windows at how bright it now was and ask my husband, "Um, what time is it?" I thought he was keeping track.

He was not.

Turned out we had 15 minutes to get to the gate before they began boarding- and we were at the other end of the huge terminal. Luckily we caught the tram and we were able to board as soon as we got there- no waiting at the gate (which I do hate) but it's a good thing that I didn't pull my own stupid traveler trick and end up with us missing our plane or this story would not be the amusing cautionary tale it now is LOL

Next Stupid Traveler Trick- the man in the row behind me who let his child continuously kick my chair- through the whole boarding process before the plane even took off. His wife was sitting across the row in her own little world and he had the two little boys with him, with him in the middle in the seat behind my husband- and he knew damn well the kid was kicking the hell out of my seat.

I looked over my shoulder- he knew I was also aware of the kicking then-but still I waited to see if he would finally tell the kid to stop. He did not. Finally just before take-off I stood up, turned around, and looked at the kid (Who was about 4) and I said, "Hi! Honey, I have to ask you to do me a big favor, OK? I have big boo-boos in my back, and when you kick my chair, it really, really hurts me." I now glanced at the father then back to the kid, still smiling quite pleasantly. "So if you could do me a big favor and not kick my chair, then I won't have owies."

Of course Kid looked at the floor, father looked at me like he wished I'd vaporize- but kid quit kicking the dissolving discs of my lumbar spine. For the most part.

I made a little small talk with the boys after that- asking if it was their first trip to see Mickey- I even suggested to the dad that they should get first time visitor buttons- trying to let him know I wasn't a shrew- but there was no way that I could go thru 2 1/2 hours of some kids toes right in my damaged spine.

The rest of our flight was, literally, a joy and a blessing and unbelievably, one of the highlights of our whole trip because of the family seated with us. But that is a story for my 'happy' trip report.

[February]

---------------------

Magic Kingdom- how can you be so crabby in such a happy place?

I think I found the only mean, angry British tourist in the history of WDW.

My husband had never been on HM in his life- he's only been to WDW a handful of times and he was scared as a kid and his parents didn't push him- but he wanted to go this time. I've only been on it once and that was about four years ago- so I had no memory of the way the queue worked- and I had never been taken in the back entrance with the wheelchair parties before who were transferring.

We had a family in front of us who seemed to be cranky overall- but one guy in their party just radiated 'big and tough'. I tried to distance myself from him but they kept shuffling positions as to who in their party was where as we moved thru the hallway and toward the stretching room.

My working eye was struggling to adjust to the dim lighting after the bright sunlight outside and after the flashes of lightning and all in the stretching room- I was shocked to discover when the doors opened leading out toward the ride car loading area that I was completely unable to see. At ALL.

So I clutched my DH's arm and I said, "I am totally blind in here, you have to help me or I'll kill somebody."

He was leading me forward and I was trying to find a wall to travel along but a crush of people from another stretching room (I think) came in behind us in the queue area and I was just about freaking out. Suddenly I had no idea where I was going- and my poor husband had no idea how the lines worked never having been there before.

The area narrows at some point- right before you get to the buggys I think he said it was- and I realized that I was about to be crushed by the people coming in behind me. The party ahead of us kept shuffling/meandering and wasn't really paying attention- they didn't seem to care if they kept together as a group. I knew the cars loaded continuously so I was in no hurry to get to the front or anything. I was just scared to death because it was my first time being thrust into a situation where I couldn't see at all in a huge crowd of people.

It was completely terrifying.

We get to a point where suddenly, I feel an opening to my left and I step into it- my husband right behind me and next thing I know Angry Big British Man is screaming at me.

"There IS a QUEUE here you know!" He shouts at me, and I swear, I was so shocked I nearly burst into tears. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't trying to cut him off, that I couldn't see- but I didn't get the chance he stormed up the platform and was in a buggy and he was gone.

I couldn't see anything of the ride at all, I just put my head on my husband's shoulder and cried waited for it to be over :(

When we got off the ride, there was Angry Man. I wanted to tell him that I was sorry- I didn't mean to cut him off but I was now blinded again by the bright sunlight and his party almost ran me over backing up the ECV they had in their group as my DH led me to my chair. Then they were gone.

It took me a long time to shake off the experience- I still wish I could have told him I didn't mean to cut into his party- I mean there was nowhere for us to go anyway they had so many people there was no way we were going to try to get around them (we're not line jumping types anyway!)

Lesson learned- if you're visually impaired, be sure that whoever is leading you knows where they're going or ask for help from a CM. Cause other guests will assume the worst about you (even though I have to think that it had to be evident to anyone around us that I was being led by the arm like a blind woman and couldn't see where I was going) . . .and they will eat you alive.

A scary experience -later that night after our dinner at Cali Grill I was not feeling well at all and wanted to get back to the room in a hurry (Wasn't the food btw, it was me. the food was amazing.)

We went to the monorail station- a train pulls in and the doors open and we hear someone screaming "Call 911!"

To which the CM runs as fast as he can to the other end of the train screaming, "What is the emergency?"

"CALL 911!" the guests repeat.

"WHAT is the EMERGENCY???!" CM shouts again while calling for assistance. This happened at least half a dozen times before he got to them. It was scary.

As we were backing into the elevator- knowing we'd need to get a cab instead, we heard "Is she breathing?" then- "She passed out" and "We need water" "We need oxygen!" and this was all from guests surrounding whoever was passed out. Just chaos.

My heart went out to the poor monorail CM, and as we left we saw the EMS guys heading up from the lobby. . .I hope whoever it was, was okay in the end.

Bru

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

WOW, GOOD report. (SG stuff that is!)

IT seemed almost like Murphays law, you have back problems, and the seat kicker is right behind you!

The HM thing shows a "perfect" SG! He was with someone that had to do an alternate enterence, WITH YOU! and didn't figure out that you needed some SLACK on boarding. What an ass!

Don't let the (Blank) get ya down!!

have some RUM, relax!!

[February]

Okay- quickly here's an overview. I can elaborate (or not) as it interests folks to hear:

SGT: Woman tells me during bus ride that another woman in their Grand Gatherings party made her kid um, relieve himself, into a cup in front of the castle because the fireworks were just about to start and the woman refused to take the child because the 'timing was bad'. :eek: I don't know who was more upset, me after hearing the story (all the while smiling politely and nodding because I didn't want to start a brawl by saying what I was thinking) or the woman who was ratted out by her relative LOL. She said "You didn't tell her that story, did you???" Then she started trying to justify the action saying "no one could see what was going on" (Just as wishes is starting? I beg to differ! It's not as dark as before Illuminations, you can see!) She said that they 'discreetly disposed of it" I'm thinking, how? Throwing the cup into a trash can??? There are bathrooms for a REASON! GAH!!!!!!!!!! It's not sanitary!!! Did she have him wash his hands? did she wash hers??? Doubtful! GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

They were also talking about having kids sleeping on the floors of their rooms at the GF- I had to wonder how many of their kids were declared on the reservations.

I felt so sorry for that little boy. What a memory to have of your mother making you humiliate yourself like that right in front of the castle. He'll talk about that in therapy some day.

SGT: Hellies abound. 'Nuf said.

SGT: tourists beside us loudly discussing and then declaring to crowd just before Wishes started that Tinkerbell was in fact a man. I said, "Of course she's not, she's a fairy!" and they just laughed.

SGT: Person who drained their can of tuna fish into a DRINKING FOUNTAIN in Adventureland-leaving behind bits of tuna in the drain, my husband said after seeing her do it. If I hadn't already been feeling queasy that day (and I do not care for tuna as it is) I would have tried to clean it up to spare the CM's

SGT: Line jumpers at Test Track (I posted about this in another thread already)

I know I'm forgetting some. . .

And the WORST one of all (though the potty story was the most horrific and a biohazard!)- with this one- I had to say something- the parents allowing each of their children to weigh themselves in turn on the baggage scale at the airline check in desk- which was bad enough the kids were big- but then allowed all THREE of them- totaling more than 285 pounds- to all stand on the scale together and start JUMPING up and DOWN on it!!!

We were next in line- I was feeling like crud and ready to get rid of our luggage- and I had visions of being told we couldn't use the check in because her brats broke the scale. Finally I said "I'm sorry, but I'm next to check in and I do not feel well today. If I can't check in my bags because you broke the scale, I am not going to be a happy person."

It is so unlike me to be so blunt with people (must have been the virus talking- yeah- that's it!) but I was at my wits end. We already had to deal with my chair and all that being disabled entails when you're traveling, and this woman was just ignoring her children's horrid behavior while the husband jawed with the bellhop (whom, I think, had been stiffed by them on a tip and was likely waiting around for them to fork over LOL)

Finally, the woman, not even turning or acknowledging me, said "Get down." and the kids proceeded to jump on to the golf cart of the bellguy and start hanging off of the canopy like monkeys. One of these kids was a teenager! The CM's, who were not saying anything because they're not supposed to (I confirmed that with another CM later) finally had to tell them to get down.

I don't want to start a war so I won't say where from- but I will say that three specific states were on school break over the time we were there- and as soon as the one group arrived- we knew it. The whole mood in the parks changed- everyone was short and rude and angry- and we literally got to the studios one morning, turned around, and left- it was so bad.

We were actually longing for the high school groups to come back- that's how bad it was- and it was because of rude parents with even ruder children.

SGT: Stiffing the skycap on the tip when you check in at resort airline check in. If your bags go to Hawaii, don't blame the airline. Blame your own cheap *ss. Esp. when they're staying at the grand and checking in for first class seats- it kills me. We save up for years to stay there and fly coach- and we still tip VERY well!!!

I'm sure more stories will come to me- those are the ones that jump out for now.

Discuss LOL

Bru

[February]

The HM thing shows a "perfect" SG! He was with someone that had to do an alternate enterence, WITH YOU! and didn't figure out that you needed some SLACK on boarding. What an ass!

Don't let the (Blank) get ya down!!

have some RUM, relax!!

Aww, thanks Pirate! You know, that is exactly what my DH said- the guy had someone in their party who needed special help- you'd have thought he'd be more sympathetic!

I do not drink as a general rule, but I swear that I thought of you recommending Rum to calm the nerves on a WDW trip while we were there- and by mid-trip, I did have a whole glass of wine at dinner one night (it DID help, and DH even tasted it! LOL) and we did share the little bottle of champagne another night that the GF Staff sent to us as an anniversary pressie. They were so good to us! So contrary to what I had thought before, there is even a time and place for a little wine (now that I'm not on any conflicting medications- I have the luxury! ;)

I had a really hard time shaking the HM experience off- but managed to thanks to my DH's quick thinking and a little help from another of your pirate brethren, Jack Sparrow. . .whose interaction with me, while literally lasting a nano-second, was one of the most memorable moments of our trip in the parks.

More on that story in the regular trip report ;)

Bru

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Aww, thanks Pirate! You know, that is exactly what my DH said- the guy had someone in their party who needed special help- you'd have thought he'd be more sympathetic!

I do not drink as a general rule, but I swear that I thought of you recommending Rum to calm the nerves on a WDW trip while we were there- and by mid-trip, I did have a whole glass of wine at dinner one night (it DID help, and DH even tasted it! LOL) and we did share the little bottle of champagne another night that the GF Staff sent to us as an anniversary pressie. They were so good to us! So contrary to what I had thought before, there is even a time and place for a little wine (now that I'm not on any conflicting medications- I have the luxury! ;)

I had a really hard time shaking the HM experience off- but managed to thanks to my DH's quick thinking and a little help from another of your pirate brethren, Jack Sparrow. . .whose interaction with me, while literally lasting a nano-second, was one of the most memorable moments of our trip in the parks.

More on that story in the regular trip report ;)

Bru

That is good, sometimes a little wine can make you feel better!

And me pirate brethern ALWAYS be looki'n out fer Wenches!!!

hehehehehe

[February]

Okay, so now I can't stand it, I have to tell the Jack story here even though it goes with the 'good' ones later.

Knowing that my spirits were flagging after the HM experience- My husband wheeled me toward Adventureland.

He was thinking only one thing; Pirates :D

I knew that we'd missed the last Sparrow show for the day- he knows Jack is my favorite- and so he says, "Well it's not quite over yet. I have an idea."

Then he told me that on our previous trip he paid attention to how the show was staged, where Jack ran at the end- which doors he vanished through. "Maybe if I put you somewhere over there . . ." he said, bringing me to a stop a ways from the doors (before you say anything, we were WELL out of the way- we did NOT want to crowd the man or worse- block his way, obviously! We're not SG's LOL) We were well out of the way,

"As he runs by, maybe he'll give you a high five." he said. Then DH added that he had seen Jack high-five people in the crowd as he ran on a previous visit= something he saw as he stood back to take pictures. I thought that it would be fun to watch him run by, regardless because his run always cracks me up no matter what.

Just as we came to a stop Jack and Mack were finishing up the show. Well, not a moment later I hear DH say "Okay, here he comes." and I'm looking up in the sunlight with my one decent eye, squinting, trying to see, and I see a big brown blur with dreads run by and I say , "Hey, hi Jack!"

Instead of running past, Jack skids to a stop, lurches forward toward my wheelchair, does that great 'drunken gesture' thing he does where he swings his arm way around dramatically, looks me over up and down and says to me:

"I will remember you."

Then he high-fived my husband and disappeared!

ROFL!!!

It was priceless! I don't know if he noticed my tri-colored hair (several streetmosphere actors played on it/commented on it- it was a hit) or the Product Red shirt I was wearing, which said "treasu(red)" on the front. But he definitely looked me over in a most in character, Jack like way and then made the remark- which my husband kept repeating to me gleefully for the rest of our trip. LOL

Needless to say, after that my spirits were once again, high. We'd already had two great interactions at park entrance soon as we arrived with two other Citizens of Main Street who remembered me from before- and then that. . .

Jack saved my day :) Thanks, Jack!!! We will remember YOU!

Bru

[CMGUY89]

How was your soarin' experience? I know you said it was little better, but I need to know who I should give a backhand to when I get there. ;)

[DisneyMom]

Okay, so now I can't stand it, I have to tell the Jack story here even though it goes with the 'good' ones later.

Knowing that my spirits were flagging after the HM experience- My husband wheeled me toward Adventureland.

He was thinking only one thing; Pirates :D

I knew that we'd missed the last Sparrow show for the day- he knows Jack is my favorite- and so he says, "Well it's not quite over yet. I have an idea."

Then he told me that on our previous trip he paid attention to how the show was staged, where Jack ran at the end- which doors he vanished through. "Maybe if I put you somewhere over there . . ." he said, bringing me to a stop a ways from the doors (before you say anything, we were WELL out of the way- we did NOT want to crowd the man or worse- block his way, obviously! We're not SG's LOL) We were well out of the way,

"As he runs by, maybe he'll give you a high five." he said. Then DH added that he had seen Jack high-five people in the crowd as he ran on a previous visit= something he saw as he stood back to take pictures. I thought that it would be fun to watch him run by, regardless because his run always cracks me up no matter what.

Just as we came to a stop Jack and Mack were finishing up the show. Well, not a moment later I hear DH say "Okay, here he comes." and I'm looking up in the sunlight with my one decent eye, squinting, trying to see, and I see a big brown blur with dreads run by and I say , "Hey, hi Jack!"

Instead of running past, Jack skids to a stop, lurches forward toward my wheelchair, does that great 'drunken gesture' thing he does where he swings his arm way around dramatically, looks me over up and down and says to me:

"I will remember you."

Then he high-fived my husband and disappeared!

ROFL!!!

It was priceless! I don't know if he noticed my tri-colored hair (several streetmosphere actors played on it/commented on it- it was a hit) or the Product Red shirt I was wearing, which said "treasu(red)" on the front. But he definitely looked me over in a most in character, Jack like way and then made the remark- which my husband kept repeating to me gleefully for the rest of our trip. LOL

Needless to say, after that my spirits were once again, high. We'd already had two great interactions at park entrance soon as we arrived with two other Citizens of Main Street who remembered me from before- and then that. . .

Jack saved my day :) Thanks, Jack!!! We will remember YOU!

Bru

Ahh....a few seconds with Jack....I wish!:p:
There is a joke in here somewhere about my ex-husband, but I will refrain!:twisted:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Okay, so now I can't stand it, I have to tell the Jack story here even though it goes with the 'good' ones later.

Knowing that my spirits were flagging after the HM experience- My husband wheeled me toward Adventureland.

He was thinking only one thing; Pirates :D

I knew that we'd missed the last Sparrow show for the day- he knows Jack is my favorite- and so he says, "Well it's not quite over yet. I have an idea."

Then he told me that on our previous trip he paid attention to how the show was staged, where Jack ran at the end- which doors he vanished through. "Maybe if I put you somewhere over there . . ." he said, bringing me to a stop a ways from the doors (before you say anything, we were WELL out of the way- we did NOT want to crowd the man or worse- block his way, obviously! We're not SG's LOL) We were well out of the way,

"As he runs by, maybe he'll give you a high five." he said. Then DH added that he had seen Jack high-five people in the crowd as he ran on a previous visit= something he saw as he stood back to take pictures. I thought that it would be fun to watch him run by, regardless because his run always cracks me up no matter what.

Just as we came to a stop Jack and Mack were finishing up the show. Well, not a moment later I hear DH say "Okay, here he comes." and I'm looking up in the sunlight with my one decent eye, squinting, trying to see, and I see a big brown blur with dreads run by and I say , "Hey, hi Jack!"

Instead of running past, Jack skids to a stop, lurches forward toward my wheelchair, does that great 'drunken gesture' thing he does where he swings his arm way around dramatically, looks me over up and down and says to me:

"I will remember you."

Then he high-fived my husband and disappeared!

ROFL!!!

It was priceless! I don't know if he noticed my tri-colored hair (several streetmosphere actors played on it/commented on it- it was a hit) or the Product Red shirt I was wearing, which said "treasu(red)" on the front. But he definitely looked me over in a most in character, Jack like way and then made the remark- which my husband kept repeating to me gleefully for the rest of our trip. LOL

Needless to say, after that my spirits were once again, high. We'd already had two great interactions at park entrance soon as we arrived with two other Citizens of Main Street who remembered me from before- and then that. . .

Jack saved my day :) Thanks, Jack!!! We will remember YOU!

Bru

SEE, Pirates stick together!!

(and it shows that the CM's ARE the best, at WDW or DLR!!)

[February]

Ahh....a few seconds with Jack....I wish!
There is a joke in here somewhere about my ex-husband, but I will refrain!

ROFL Disneymom!

Yes, Pirate they are the best! That Jack sure knew how to perk up a fairy's droopy wings (shush) *lol* I swear, I think it was the Jack that we had last September when my daughter was in the show- because he was much more interactive with the crowd than the second one- and the second time we saw the show this time- the Jack was not the same jack as the one who said he'd remember me *loL* If that makes any sense.

But the Mack we had at the second show LOVED mugging it up with my crutch- I offered it to him after Jack took his sword- and he took it up to Jack and held it up and said "I like this one better." LOL then Jack glared at him and gave him back his sword LOL

I forgot another SG from our trip! The woman who will forever be known as Backpack Popscicle Lady!

We were trying to catch the Jedi Training Academy- we had never seen the show- and we find a spot toward the side where all the strollers were parked and the CM says "You can't stay there." and I said, "Oh, sorry. Is there a spot where I can go where I might be able to see?" and she said "No." :/ I was thinking, okay, this is not a well staged show. Only about ten people can really see what's going on and they all crowd to the front (of course, only natural). So finally I was so wanting to see it that I said to my husband, it's not very long, we'll park the chair and I'll stand with my crutch as long as I can, if I get too overheated we can leave." So he parks it safely out of the way in the designated stroller location (We're very good, safety conscious guests after all) and he comes back to me. We were standing near the back but I'm tall, so I could see pretty well. There was a man standing next to me with a camcorder, all was fine, having a lovely time, enjoying the show...

...then his wife pushes her way through the crowd and stands directly in front of me with an armful of frozen goodies and starts nagging loudly at him to pick one. He doesn't want one, it's obvious, he's enjoying the show. But she didn't care. Finally after several minutes in which all we could hear was "Wouldya pick one already?" he picks, and she begins to unwrap the now drippy, hugly long rod-like popscicles they have at the Studios (shush) and of course they're dripping everywhere by now.

He's trying to eat, and she's trying to film, and he can't apparently eat and film so he hands her the camera, which she (being a pretty short person) then hoists up high and sticks RIGHT in my face.

I'm trying to see around her, I go to the left, I almost get her popscicle in my face. I back up, then she backs up, and almost hits me with her flailing camera. I cannot imagine what the footage looks like.

Then, after she finishes her drippy popscicle and is still holding the camera in my face with one hand, she unzips the backpack her husband is wearing and begins to rifle around in it with her other hand. What she was looking for I will never know- she never brought anything out of it. But she went into the frigging thing at least three separate times before the end of the show.

So, thanks to Backpack Popscicle Lady and the fact that the Studios layout sucks for wheelchair guests when it comes to viewing for the Jedi show- we'll have to try to catch it again next time.

Oh, and CM GUY if you're still reading, our experience at Soarin' was fine- we were directly in the center of our fastpass time ;) LOL but no one was smiling! That's why I said they need you. They need someone who actually looks like they know how cool their attraction is and enjoys working there.

We only went on it once this trip= and I found that after two times in the third row and once in first- the once in first being the only time it bothered me motion wise- that third row is the way to go for me.

Bru

[Shorty82]

Okay- quickly here's an overview. I can elaborate (or not) as it interests folks to hear:

SGT: Woman tells me during bus ride that another woman in their Grand Gatherings party made her kid um, relieve himself, into a cup in front of the castle because the fireworks were just about to start and the woman refused to take the child because the 'timing was bad'. :eek:

GROSS!!!! That is why you take your kid to the restroom BEFORE finding your place for the fireworks.

SGT: tourists beside us loudly discussing and then declaring to crowd just before Wishes started that Tinkerbell was in fact a man. I said, "Of course she's not, she's a fairy!" and they just laughed.

Ummm, no. Tinkerbell is a fairy and her friend is actually a small woman and her mother (the mother was the friend originally but is now mostly retired from it). Any man is to big and heavy to be friends with Tink. I can't stand it when people talk about the characters in what I call inappropriate ways.

Finally, the woman, not even turning or acknowledging me, said "Get down." and the kids proceeded to jump on to the golf cart of the bellguy and start hanging off of the canopy like monkeys. One of these kids was a teenager! The CM's, who were not saying anything because they're not supposed to (I confirmed that with another CM later) finally had to tell them to get down.

No offense but those weren't CMs they were employees. No way a true CM would allow that nor would Disney tell us to not say anything. Safety is #1 and jumping on a scale and hanging from a cart's canopy is very unsafe.

I will not hesitate to tell people to climb down from railings and other things like that and neither will my managers. The other day I was heading into Expo Hall from the cart by the train station and on the way I told this kid to get down off the rail (around one of the big planters). At about the same time a security host going the other way told them the same thing and as we passed he smiled a smile that said "thank you". One time I was in the Chapeau and saw some kids on the planter rails closest to the shop. I couldn't step out to say anything at that moment but I told one of my managers who was in the shop at the time and she immediately went out there and told them to get down.

[February]

Oh, Shorty, I knew these were going to about kill you. They need to start cloning you so there will be more CMs like you!

I still can't believe that anyone would be so disrespectful to Walt and all the CM's who try to fulfill his dream for millions as to make their kid go in a cup instead of going to one of the many MANY bathrooms.

I told hubby when we talked about this, this is why you drag the kids to the rest room fifteen minutes before the fireworks, whether they think they need it or not. Otherwise, you miss the fireworks. Simple as that.

Ummm, no. Tinkerbell is a fairy and her friend is actually a small woman and her mother (the mother was the friend originally but is now mostly retired from it). Any man is to big and heavy to be friends with Tink. I can't stand it when people talk about the characters in what I call inappropriate ways.

That has to be the coolest thing I've ever heard. What a 'family business' to go into!!! *sigh* I love Disney.

[Shorty82]

Oh, Shorty, I knew these were going to about kill you. They need to start cloning you so there will be more CMs like you!

Thanks for the compliment!

I still can't believe that anyone would be so disrespectful to Walt and all the CM's who try to fulfill his dream for millions as to make their kid go in a cup instead of going to one of the many MANY bathrooms.

That's why they are stupid guests, they don't think about things like that.

I told hubby when we talked about this, this is why you drag the kids to the rest room fifteen minutes before the fireworks, whether they think they need it or not. Otherwise, you miss the fireworks. Simple as that.

Agreed.

That has to be the coolest thing I've ever heard. What a 'family business' to go into!!! *sigh* I love Disney.

I'd love to meet Tink's friends, it looks like a neat job though I could never help with it, the height would kill me.

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Ahh....a few seconds with Jack....I wish!:p:
There is a joke in here somewhere about my ex-husband, but I will refrain!:twisted:

Oh, no! Did I marry your ex-husband?

[Sarah Magdalene]

I think I had met Tink's friend when they were discussing auditions in the MK "Zoo". She was talking about situations when, say - the Pixie Dust isn't quite full strength and Tinkie has to do a bit of manual labor. Little fairy fingers have been hurt in the process, poor thing.

(A good many candidates they were seeking are tiny gymnast girls with incredible strength in case such instances happen.)

Oh, I love reading about SG's. Thanks for highlighting them out from your trip Bru. I am always lost for words at some situations.

[February]

Ah! Shorty, your mention of One Man's Dream in another thread reminded me of another SGT:

My husband is very sentimental about OMD and we didn't really get to pay full attention to the models and all with our group trip last time, so we planned to really see it this time. We did and when we went into the theater there were only about a dozen people in the theater over all- and then as SOON as the movie rolled- this woman on an ECV up the aisle from me flips open her phone, dials, and begins to have a very boring, every day conversation that did NOT need to take place in the theater! I was so livid. She talked, loudly, through at least 2/3rds of the film before hanging up, sighing, and then as soon as it was over, she wheeled on out and disappeared.

She could have made that phone call ANYWHERE. Why did she have to ruin it for the other guests in the theater? By the time she started the one elderly CM running the show had vanished- and we were out of luck. She just kept on yakking.

AHHHHHH!!!!!! Why do people think others want to hear the lame details of their boring lives! In the middle of the Walt movie!!! AHHHHHH!!!!!!

[Sarah Magdalene]

I will not hesitate to tell people to climb down from railings and other things like that and neither will my managers.

Even Friends are in on the act if they see things like that. Stitch often is seen wagging his finger at the kids who climb the rocks in their line near Mercantile. He and Lilo, as pains in the rumps they can be - do not allow misbehavior in their line. They are supposed to be the brats, not the guests! Also, "please do not climb on the rocks" get really annoying after the attendant says it OVER and OVER again.

I read on board x that a women, after her kid was told not to climb all over the display in the Pirates line, gave her boy a kiss on the head and told him he was being silly. Oh yeah, what a way to "reward" the misbehavior.

[DisneyMom]

Oh, no! Did I marry your ex-husband?


Hopefully Not ! But on the other hand, no one knows where he is lately:rolleyes:

[Princess Susi]

WOW, GOOD report. (SG stuff that is!)

IT seemed almost like Murphays law, you have back problems, and the seat kicker is right behind you!

The HM thing shows a "perfect" SG! He was with someone that had to do an alternate enterence, WITH YOU! and didn't figure out that you needed some SLACK on boarding. What an ass!




SO TRUE, GP!!

Don't let the (Blank) get ya down!!

have some RUM, relax!!

You know that is true. Murphy's Law and when you are disabled at DL or WDW, you tend to notice more idiots because they tend to pretend you are not there in your chair or on your ECV or crutch. SGs get stupider around the disabled. I dion't know why, they just do. Or maybe we have to be so much more aware of our surroundings, we just see more of it!

sues

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

You know that is true. Murphy's Law and when you are disabled at DL or WDW, you tend to notice more idiots because they tend to pretend you are not there in your chair or on your ECV or crutch. SGs get stupider around the disabled. I dion't know why, they just do. Or maybe we have to be so much more aware of our surroundings, we just see more of it!

sues

That might be it. DW and I did notice three or four trips ago that there was several types of people in ECV's! The ones that we were afarid of were the ones that sneak up on you (they should plays JAWS music over a speaker!!)
or put a bike bell on them!! once we saw them, we got out of the way to let them pass.

The funniest one was when a lady was trying to back up, and people were doing the"look over there and I can't see you" bit. Several people standing around started imitating the "Beep Beep" of a truck bcking up, and everyone gave her some room!! She apologized, saying it was a rental and she was still learning!

got a chuckle from everyone!!

[February]

I forgot one! LOL

The guy who, when people in his party asked him what a companion restroom was, replied "Those are the conjugal visit rooms." :autoslap: especially after our experience on our last trip, that really frosted my cookies!

And a bonus SG from my daughter's trip (she was down there with her 'other' family, the week after DH and I were there- they were elsewhere in FL while the pair of us were at WDW) she said there was a woman who was so angry that she had to wait 45 minutes for a bus from Typhoon Lagoon back to the AS Resorts that she literally ran into the street and blocked the path of an oncoming bus, waving her hands. She did not realize (sign in the front didn't say) that it was the correct bus she'd been waiting for, she was screaming at the driver, and my daughter said her family was just looking the other way really quietly and finally after the poor driver finished telling her that she could NOT stand in the street- and that if she wanted to speak to a manager he'd be happy to call one for her and the manager would arrive in about 20 minutes. She said she didn't want to wait any longer, and they driver finally called for a manager to meet her at the resort.

Ultimate SG trick- run into the street to stop bus. I'm sure if she'd have gotten herself killed, her family would have sued! *smacks forehead*

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I forgot one! LOL

The guy who, when people in his party asked him what a companion restroom was, replied "Those are the conjugal visit rooms." :autoslap: especially after our experience on our last trip, that really frosted my cookies!

And a bonus SG from my daughter's trip (she was down there with her 'other' family, the week after DH and I were there- they were elsewhere in FL while the pair of us were at WDW) she said there was a woman who was so angry that she had to wait 45 minutes for a bus from Typhoon Lagoon back to the AS Resorts that she literally ran into the street and blocked the path of an oncoming bus, waving her hands. She did not realize (sign in the front didn't say) that it was the correct bus she'd been waiting for, she was screaming at the driver, and my daughter said her family was just looking the other way really quietly and finally after the poor driver finished telling her that she could NOT stand in the street- and that if she wanted to speak to a manager he'd be happy to call one for her and the manager would arrive in about 20 minutes. She said she didn't want to wait any longer, and they driver finally called for a manager to meet her at the resort.

Ultimate SG trick- run into the street to stop bus. I'm sure if she'd have gotten herself killed, her family would have sued! *smacks forehead*

That almost sounded like the scene from soapdish, when she tries to get hit by a bus, but it stops at the bus stop she is standing front of!!

hehehe

What a total SG!!

We were on the bus to MGM (now DHS) and stopped by to drop off pick up at one of the water parks, and some lady began to complain to OUR driver that they had been waiting "forever" for their bus. The drive asked where she was going, (couldn't here her reply) and then told her. "Its the bus stop, two spaces down, and at least three busses an hour drop off and pick up!!"

Didn't hear her reply , as her and her family were moving toward the stop, where a bus was waiting!!

[joanna71985]

I'd love to meet Tink's friends, it looks like a neat job though I could never help with it, the height would kill me.

Me too!! I'm scared stiff of heights!

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

SGT: Woman tells me during bus ride that another woman in their Grand Gatherings party made her kid um, relieve himself, into a cup in front of the castle because the fireworks were just about to start and the woman refused to take the child because the 'timing was bad'. :eek:

I had a similar experience, but on an airplane. First flight of the morning a few years back Albany to Orlando via Pitsburgh. Announcement was made several times that the bathroom was not operating correctly on the plane and due to the short duration of the flight everyone should take care of business before they board. I happened to be sitting near a family of 3 Mom, Dad and Jr. about 6 y/o. Jr. wants to go to the bathroom just in case but Mom is too involved with her gossip rag and Dad is too busy stuffing his face with an egg McMuffin. Fast forward 30 minutes and 20,000 feet, Jr. finally gets relief into 2 airline cups (the clear plastic kind) and Mom is indignant to the stewardess who winds up having to dispose of the biohazard. And that is why I will never fly American Airlines again.

Sean

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I had a similar experience, but on an airplane. First flight of the morning a few years back Albany to Orlando via Pitsburgh. Announcement was made several times that the bathroom was not operating correctly on the plane and due to the short duration of the flight everyone should take care of business before they board. I happened to be sitting near a family of 3 Mom, Dad and Jr. about 6 y/o. Jr. wants to go to the bathroom just in case but Mom is too involved with her gossip rag and Dad is too busy stuffing his face with an egg McMuffin. Fast forward 30 minutes and 20,000 feet, Jr. finally gets relief into 2 airline cups (the clear plastic kind) and Mom is indignant to the stewardess who winds up having to dispose of the biohazard. And that is why I will never fly American Airlines again.

Sean


One incident is not indicative of an airline. I have flown on AA for hundreds of thousands of miles and no incident like that. Most planes have more than one restroom.

However, That would put me off of being seated next to children!

[hobie16]

And that is why I will never fly American Airlines again.
I don't understand why it's AA's fault? Should the F/A have made the mother hold the cups until landing? Mechanicals happen. That's why Disney had 101s.

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

And that is why I will never fly American Airlines again.


That probably should have read And that is why I will never fly American Airlines again.

I guess it was one of those things you had to witness to see the irony in (A child trying to be responsible and the parents being anything but). That and admitedly I am a horrible story teller.

Sean

[Zazu]

Me too!! I'm scared stiff of heights!That's because you're young. When you're my age, you tend to be more afraid of widths. Especially your own.

[joanna71985]

That's because you're young. When you're my age, you tend to be more afraid of widths. Especially your own.

I'm worrying about that now.:o:

[EeyoresButterfly]

I will never fly. I either drive, take the train, or take a ship. I really want to go to England and Scotland, so I'm hoping to save up money and take Cunard over and back one summer.

[Zazu]

I will never fly. I either drive, take the train, or take a ship. I really want to go to England and Scotland, so I'm hoping to save up money and take Cunard over and back one summer.Let me know when you plan to go. I'd like to join you for the cruise.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Zazu, as I am currently a grad student and my chosen profession is teacher, it won't be for a loooooooong time.

[Zazu]

Zazu, as I am currently a grad student and my chosen profession is teacher, it won't be for a loooooooong time.And yet you taunt me like this. Fine. See if I take one of your classes!

[joanna71985]

I will never fly. I either drive, take the train, or take a ship. I really want to go to England and Scotland, so I'm hoping to save up money and take Cunard over and back one summer.

I hate flying too.:(


Hey, let me know (whenever it is in that loooong time) when you go. I'll go too!

[Randy B]

That's because you're young. When you're my age, you tend to be more afraid of widths. Especially your own.

Or depths (as in 6'.....). :D:

Randy

[EeyoresButterfly]

Fine by me, you're not invited to one of my classes anyway since I'm teaching elementary school. That might be construed as creepy! :p:

[Syndrome]

I hate flying too.:(

That is where a special little friend named Xanax comes in handy. Heck, I don't even remember much of my CA flights 'cause I made sure I spend 'em drugged out of my skull.

[EeyoresButterfly]

That only works if your phobia only comes into play once you are on the airplane. Once I'm on the airplane, I'm fine because I figure I'm dead, might as well enjoy the ride. It's the time leading up to it, and frankly, being stressed for several months is not my idea of a good time. I figure the extra time driving/sailing/or taking trains is worth the stress it saves me.

[joanna71985]

That is where a special little friend named Xanax comes in handy. Heck, I don't even remember much of my CA flights 'cause I made sure I spend 'em drugged out of my skull.

I'll have to remember that in 2 weeks, when I will be flying down to FL for my CP. I honestly prefer the 19-hour drive to being in a plane. I like being close to the ground.

[Rob562]

That only works if your phobia only comes into play once you are on the airplane. Once I'm on the airplane, I'm fine because I figure I'm dead, might as well enjoy the ride. It's the time leading up to it, and frankly, being stressed for several months is not my idea of a good time. I figure the extra time driving/sailing/or taking trains is worth the stress it saves me.


Sounds like you need to have your significant-other secretly buy the plane tickets and pretend like you're driving for your trip. Then on the morning you leave, say "Oh, by the way, we're flying..." No time left to fret about it.

-Rob

[Randy B]

Sounds like you need to have your significant-other secretly buy the plane tickets and pretend like you're driving for your trip. Then on the morning you leave, say "Oh, by the way, we're flying..." No time left to fret about it.

-Rob

Unfortunately if the fearful one is the one to suggest that trick the benefits won't happen. Also even if it is a suprize it will only work once. Then after that every trip, even those that WILL be made by car will result in the same stress.

I would suggest some other form of stress relief. Maybe Hypnotizm therapy or even professional counciling. Or maybe something simple. The OP mentioned that once at the airport the flight is calm due to resignation to a done deal. So try to set their minds to that "done deal" state earlier. If the OP resigns themself to "can't back out now" state as of the moment the tickets are purchased, the resignation state can set in at that point. After several trips with the long calm prior to the trip working it may be possible to convince the mind to believe that is normal and the problem will just fade away entirely.

It's amazing what we can trick our own minds into accepting if we work at figuring the triggers and using them intentionally to get the desired results. For example, I knew someone who was trying to lose weight and was afraid of snakes. So they simply wrapped rubber snakes around the handle of the fridge and the snack cabinet handles. They knew full well that they were rubber, but the fear response made them resist touching the snakes, allowing the intentional mind to take control long enough to resist random snacking. :D:

Randy

[EeyoresButterfly]

I don't need to be psychoanalyzed on the internet, thank you very much. If you must know, two family friends were on TWA Flight 800. Their funeral is the first one that I attended that I was old enough to remember. Frankly, with the way things are with airports these days, I feel it's better not to fly. I don't have to worry about waiting 8 hours on a tarmac with on an unairconditioned plane no food or water and toilets that don't work. I don't have to go through all of the hassles of security and making sure I don't have anything that is contraband. I don't have to worry about being randomly chosen for a more intensive search. I don't have to worry about no-fly lists. My cousin's husband was almost denied a flight to his own wedding. He is in the military and lived in a different state. His flying patterns flagged him in the system.

I get sick and tired of people trying to tell me that it's no big deal, that statistics show it is the safest way to travel... yada yada yada. It's called a phobia, by definition it is irrational, and I know that. I have a degree in psychology. I know all about the different types of counseling that are meant to help people with phobias. I even attempted to see a University counselor last summer, but the guy was a jerk and made me feel like an idiot.

I'm sorry if this post comes across too strongly, but you have really touched a nerve. So please quit trying to tell me how to work around it or get over it or that I need professional help. Plenty of people are phobic of airplanes and make do everyday without any extra hassle. Heck, driving, sailing, or taking a train allows you to see places you otherwise wouldn't have experiences that are unavailable to you if you fly.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Oh, and if my SO ever pulled a stunt like that, not only would I absolutely refuse, our relationship would be over then and there.

[Randy B]

I don't need to be psychoanalyzed on the internet, thank you very much.

I wish to tender my profound apologies. I had no intention of doing anything but be helpful with my poor suggestions.

I know I have PLENTY of quirks in my makeup and so those that I want to "fix" I have learned ways to work around them. And there are still plenty that I know I have and don't have a desire to change. So I understand your feelings. I was only voicing some of my personal findings in hopes that an idea could be useful if you, or anone reading the posting with a similar desire, could find useful.

Please forgive me for pressing a button I truely had no intention of pressing. I like being helpful when possible but never intend to stick my nose into anyones business when it is not wanted. Forgive me.

Randy

[EeyoresButterfly]

Thank you for trying to be helpful. I probably shouldn't have reacted so strongly, I just get tired of people trying to "fix" the problem. Hopefully your post will be helpful to somebody who might be reading this board and want to get help for their phobia.

There are several types of therapies for phobias, most based around Behavior and Cognitive models of psychology. The most common is desensitization. This involves slowly exposing the person to approximatinos of whatever their phobia is in non threatening situations until they can be around the real thing. I'll give an example. A person who is afraid of snakes may be started out talking about snakes, then looking at a picture of a snake, then holding a toy snake, then seeing a real snake from a distnace, then seeing the snake close up, and eventually holding a snake. Another popular theraphy for those dealing with phobias is Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. This is a hybrid of the Behavior and Cognitive models. REBT teaches you to redirect your thoughts. The cognitive model of therapy believes that we are responsible for our thoughts, that with help we can change our thoughts. It is how we think about a situation that causes us problems, not the situation itself. Using forms of behavior theraphy like positive reinforcement, REBT teaches the patient to change how they think about events.

Whenever dealing with somebody with a phobia, you need to realize that a phobia is by definition irrational. Most people with phobias may recognize this, but it does not make the phobia any better. For some people (like me) a phobia may stem from traumatic incident, while for others the phobia may have no apparent cause. Using platitudes or trying to reason with a person with a phobia does not work due to the irrational nature. Chances are the person with the phobia knows rationally what you are telling them, but their emotions tell them something different. I know that statistically planes are by far the safest way to travel, but my emotions still tell me that if I get on a plane it will crash. The person afraid of snakes knows that the chances of getting bitten by a poisonous snake and being killed are low, but even a snake in a cage is perceived as dangerous on an emotional level. Trying to make somebody get over a phobia by using platitudes and statistics simply does not work and will probably irritate them.

While there are many phobias, they are not considered to be a mental illness unless the interere with a person's ability to function. For instance, a person with agorophobia who stays inside and has no contact with others and therefore cannot work, shop,etc. would be considered to have a mental illness. A person who is phobic of planes who must fly for their job and is unable to do so putting their job in jeopardy or becomes so stressed that they make themselves sick might be considered to have a mental illness. It all depends on how much the phobia impacts the person's ability to function in everyday life. If a wants to overcome their phobia, they need to seek out a professional psychologist with experience with phobias. Many of the self help programs out there do not work and are scams to take your money.

[hobie16]

I flew in Huey helicopters a lot when I was in the Army. The best time was sitting in the door, eating a PBJ at 3,000 feet. An interesting one was flying with two pilots who were firing 17 pound rockets at tank hulks and having molten aluminum spray through the cockpit. My job was to put out the fires on the pilot.

[DisneyMom]

A plane crashed a block away from us in El Segundo near LAX when I was little, so it is no coincidence that I have never been on a plane. I still remember seeing the small plane on fire and inserted into the apartment building....:(

However, even a live poisonous snake in my fridge would only slightly delay my random snacking!:D:

[hobie16]

I averaged about 100,000 air miles a year when I was teaching.

[February]

I don't need to be psychoanalyzed on the internet, thank you very much. If you must know, two family friends were on TWA Flight 800.

I'm really sorry to hear about that :(

You should never feel that you have to justify your decision not to fly to anyone. If asked, I'd just give a simple, three word answer: "I don't fly."

You don't ever have to go into more detail than that unless you choose to- because the choice is yours alone for whatever reason you make it. There are people who live their whole lives never having flown on an airplane, it's not mandatory or anything!

Back on topic- anyone have any recent SGT stories to share???

Bru

[joanna71985]

Back on topic- anyone have any recent SGT stories to share???

Bru

Not currently. But give me a couple of weeks, and I'm sure I'll have some!

[Zazu]

... even a live poisonous snake in my fridge would only slightly delay my random snacking!:D:Makes sense. A snake at 40 degrees is so slow and sluggish you could stand there and make a sandwich before he noticed the door had opened.

You might want to be careful about defrosting, though. :snake:

[February]

Ooo! A thread from another board got me thinking.

Another SG trick we saw on our last trip- avoid paying the double stroller rental by renting a wheelchair and plunking two obviously healthy kids into it.
And I know from hidden disability- when you see someone ask the price of a double stroller and then two seconds later their kids skip and hop into the wheelchair seat- that's not right!

Yes, we saw it happen. Dispicable.

Bru

[Ms. Matterhorn]

Ooo! A thread from another board got me thinking.

Another SG trick we saw on our last trip- avoid paying the double stroller rental by renting a wheelchair and plunking two obviously healthy kids into it.
And I know from hidden disability- when you see someone ask the price of a double stroller and then two seconds later their kids skip and hop into the wheelchair seat- that's not right!

Yes, we saw it happen. Dispicable.

Bru
Oh, that is just wrong, wrong, wrong! I hope Disney finds a way to put a stop to that.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Oh, that is just wrong, wrong, wrong! I hope Disney finds a way to put a stop to that.

Sad to say, as some other posters have pointed out on other threads, WDW personnel are not allowed to ask if you are disabled.

I believe the reason is that it would violate the ADA.

[EeyoresButterfly]

You are correct. We cannot ask what the disability is, the wheelchairs are available for any guests to rent. I don't know for sure, but I suspect that there is no rule that states a guest has to have a disability to rent one. I have seen this behavior before, sadly there are families that will rent them to take advantage of wheelchair entrances that bypass lines. I suspect with the increase of stroller prices it will only get worse.

I wonder if they could make a rule that anybody using the wheelchair has to be over a certain age (like they do for the ECVs). If you have a child below that age who needs it you could have the family rent a stroller and then get a use stroller as wheelchair GAC. It could even be in the rental agreement that if a person under a certain age is caught using it it will get taken away. That's what we do for the ECVs. (Although for the ECVs it's a legal thing since you have to be able to drive them.)

[Cheshire Figment]

EB, that is a very good idea. If we set the cutoff age to at least 10 for a wheelchair rental we can ask to see the tickets for the family.

[Mayonnaise]

Ahhh, but say you have one 11 year old on antibiotics (who's tiny and looks about 8,) and one healthy 8 year old, and the 8 year old hitches a ride in the chair with the 11 year old, partly because he's a lazy little bum, and partly because it alleviated some of his sister's embarrassment about being made to sit in the chair when she would rather be walking but has been disallowed from walking due to the 103 degree fever she had the day previous before the antibiotics kicked in.... that would look like what you just described, except the 11 year old really probably shouldn't be walking all over the park, no matter how much she may prefer too.

Note: We left the chair in stroller parking and queued up like everyone else, since the point of the chair was to avoid fatiguing a recently sick kid with unnecessary WALKING, and queuing is mostly standing about.

Or maybe my parents were being SGs... wouldn't be the first time. Still chaffing over being made to pretend to be 12 when I was 14 so they didn't have to pay for me at the Holiday Inn. 12 year olds need accompaniment to the continental breakfast buffet, but 14 year olds can serve them selves.

8^S

[EeyoresButterfly]

This will not be a popular opinion, but a child who had such a dangerously high fever the previous day should not be in the parks. Their body needs time to recover. Even with a wheelchair being in the parks can be very exhausting. Plus, most illnesses that require antibiotics are still contagious within the first 24 hours of treatment, which means that you risk spreading your child's illness to other guests. As Susi and Bru have pointed out before, many of our guests do not have healthy immune systems, and it's hard enough for htem to avoid illness when standing in line with perfectly healthy guests. Not to mention the number of MAW kids we have, many of whom also have compromised immune systems due to their illnesses and treatments.

If you have a child that sick, the best thing to do is stay in the hotel the next day and give the antibiotics a chance to work. Your child will feel much better after a rest and treatment meaning you will probably be able to get back into full swing quicker the following day, and you will not be exposing the other guests to your child's illness as by then they should no longer be contagious.

[Mayonnaise]

This was the day AFTER the day off for the antibiotics to kick in and make me not contagious. Not that I was responsible for the decision. I was 11. And like I said, my folks had been SGs in a number of other ways... just clarifying that I was no longer contagious at the time.

8^)

[February]

I didn't read any replies so if anyone already said this I apologize- but this just totally jumped out at me:

Ahhh, but say you have one 11 year old on antibiotics (who's tiny and looks about 8,) and one healthy 8 year old, and the 8 year old hitches a ride in the chair with the 11 year old, partly because he's a lazy little bum, and partly because it alleviated some of his sister's embarrassment about being made to sit in the chair when she would rather be walking but has been disallowed from walking due to the 103 degree fever she had the day previous before the antibiotics kicked in.... that would look like what you just described, except the 11 year old really probably shouldn't be walking all over the park, no matter how much she may prefer too.


I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend you but as a person with chronic health issues who gets sick every time they're exposed to something that bad- I just have to say that it's my (probably very soon to be flamed) opinion that if your child had a 103 degree fever the day before, she should not have been in the theme park- period. Antibiotics do not start working that fast and if she coughed or sneezed on anyone, I bet they had the fever the next day.

Once again I realize why I keep getting sick every time I go to WDW. A kid that sick should not be around massive groups of people it is NOT fair to do to others! ARG!

and as far as your eight year old- I'm still of the opinion that he should have been walking instead of riding in the chair. But it's a free country.

[EeyoresButterfly]

Mayonnaise, in your post it said she had the fever the day before if I am reading it correctly. Even if they are no longer contagious, if the child cannot walk around without getting fatigued, they are clearly still sick and shouldn't be in the parks. The heat, standing in lines, and riding rides can take it out of you very quickly. The poor kid was probably miserable as they were still sick, and I wouldn't be surprised if they had a relapse or if it took them longer to recover than it otherwise would have.

I know it sucks missing days of a trip for a person who is sick, but it's the best option for everybody. When we were at WDW over spring break my mother caught a horrendous cold the last two or three days, one that lasted for three weeks. She did not feel up to the parks so she stayed at the hotel and felt much better for it.

[February]

This will not be a popular opinion, but a child who had such a dangerously high fever the previous day should not be in the parks. Their body needs time to recover. Even with a wheelchair being in the parks can be very exhausting. Plus, most illnesses that require antibiotics are still contagious within the first 24 hours of treatment, which means that you risk spreading your child's illness to other guests. As Susi and Bru have pointed out before, many of our guests do not have healthy immune systems, and it's hard enough for htem to avoid illness when standing in line with perfectly healthy guests. Not to mention the number of MAW kids we have, many of whom also have compromised immune systems due to their illnesses and treatments.

If you have a child that sick, the best thing to do is stay in the hotel the next day and give the antibiotics a chance to work. Your child will feel much better after a rest and treatment meaning you will probably be able to get back into full swing quicker the following day, and you will not be exposing the other guests to your child's illness as by then they should no longer be contagious.


*Standing Ovation* Thank you Butterfly! You said it much better than I did!

Mayo, if you were the kid in question yeah you didn't have any say in the matter. But I just have to say there's no way you can know you weren't still contagious. As many times as I have gotten sick during WDW trips and missed out on my last days fun and all someone HAS to be bringing their kids into the parks sick! I'm sure if Susi were here she'd back me up on this.

What always worries me is kids on Wish trips. I worry about them getting sick from Sgs bringin in kids that have no business being out in public.

Many Wish kids have even more frail immune systems than I do (and mine is pathetic lemme clue ya) esp. if they've been on Chemo, and I see these kids in the parks sounding like they're hacking up a lung and obviously not enjoying themselves because they're too sick but the parents drag them along anyway- and that is SG behavior on the parent's part, plain and simple.

I think I know who I got sick from our last trip- we were in a monorail car with a baby that looked very ill- she was about two, she wasn't even holding her head up and was obviously very uncomfortable. Her grandmother was holding her and telling the grandfather "I told you we should have stayed at the room to begin with this child is burning up." By the time we got off the monorail, I feared I was doomed.

A day later, that was it for me. I didn't realize how sick I was getting- all I can say is that the two days after we got home, I don't even remember, the fever was so high.

If I could just once enjoy a whole trip without getting sick, that would mean the world to me and my family :( People with good immune systems don't know how good they've got it.

[Mayonnaise]

Well then I can add that to my list of SG moves my parents pulled when they brought me there as a kid. Like I said, it wouldn't be the first time they'd done something stupid to get their money's worth.

8^P

ETA: Sorry about that kid giving you a blackout fever. That's actually the sort I had that kept me out of the park for a Day on our first trip... unfortunately no one who might have got sick off me would have been able to trace it back and have any idea what they were in for. I was asymptomatic or I would have still been at the hotel, since my fever was from one of those ear infections that feels like somone's hammering nails into your ear drum.

8^S

[joanna71985]

This will not be a popular opinion, but a child who had such a dangerously high fever the previous day should not be in the parks. Their body needs time to recover. Even with a wheelchair being in the parks can be very exhausting. Plus, most illnesses that require antibiotics are still contagious within the first 24 hours of treatment, which means that you risk spreading your child's illness to other guests. As Susi and Bru have pointed out before, many of our guests do not have healthy immune systems, and it's hard enough for htem to avoid illness when standing in line with perfectly healthy guests. Not to mention the number of MAW kids we have, many of whom also have compromised immune systems due to their illnesses and treatments.

If you have a child that sick, the best thing to do is stay in the hotel the next day and give the antibiotics a chance to work. Your child will feel much better after a rest and treatment meaning you will probably be able to get back into full swing quicker the following day, and you will not be exposing the other guests to your child's illness as by then they should no longer be contagious.

Hear, hear!!

[mechurchlady]

How did the SG get into heaven and get the best place in heaven?

He was the world's best prayer envoker of his time. Today I, the former catholic wannabe, and baptist said 134 hail marys, 50 our fathers, 21 lord's prayers, and 434 Dear Gods. lol Nothing like someone who says "what stop sign?" My computer is over at whatshisname's house and he works for ribs and beans, wow that is cheap.

Purpura it was reheated brisket but at least it was a real meal for a real lady, hugs. Hope to see you soon.

[felinefan]

I swear every year I was at Knott's, as an emplyee, I would come down with something. Usually a cold which would persist as chronic sinusitis--which I still have, BTW--though one time it was strep throat. So I went to the doctor, only to have him spend most of the visit bawling me out over my high blood pressure.

And when you're a ride operator, especially in Camp Snoopy, you have little brats coughing and sneezing right in your face all the time. And as for kids coming to the park sick--one mother said her son had chickenpox, and since he couldn't go back to school until he was no longer contagious, she brought him to Knott's! I was thinking 1.) thank God I had chickenpox as a kid and 2.) thanks alot, you biotch--make us all sick. Why do they do that? Why can't the kid stay home? When we were sick we didn't leave the house unless we were going to the doctor. What was that dame thinking????

[February]

I hate to tell you this but having had pox as a kid doesn't protect you from getting it again as shingles. . .or in my case, from getting it again, period. I had it when I was a toddler but then had a horrble full blown case at 24 in the very first weeks of pregnancy with my daughter. They told me that immunity to it is really only good for about 20 years!!!

This is why I get so angry when people bring their kids to the parks sick. . .

Bru

[EeyoresButterfly]

I don't know if I've told this story before, but here it goes...

I was a friend of Minnie at DAK when I got a call right before the last set that my stepgrandmother passed away. This woman was the only grandmother I had ever known. I decided to go out on set because honestly, that is better therapy than anything else. The captain comes running in a few minutes later (about 10 minutes before set) asking me to suit up quick. A kid with chicken pox had come up and hugged Minnie before they could stop him. They had to immediately pull her and send all of the clothes to the burn bin. Some people are just incredibly insensitive.

[joanna71985]

Wow, that's really scary!:eek:

[February]

I don't know if I've told this story before, but here it goes...

I was a friend of Minnie at DAK when I got a call right before the last set that my stepgrandmother passed away. This woman was the only grandmother I had ever known. I decided to go out on set because honestly, that is better therapy than anything else. The captain comes running in a few minutes later (about 10 minutes before set) asking me to suit up quick. A kid with chicken pox had come up and hugged Minnie before they could stop him. They had to immediately pull her and send all of the clothes to the burn bin. Some people are just incredibly insensitive.

((((Butterfly))))) I remember that story because of how touched I was that you went 'on with the show' despite your grief. My grandmother was the mother of my heart and I lost her a few years ago, so I know something about that kind of pain (((((hugs))))) and it's remarkable that you did what you did that day.

Far as the SG who let their kid hug Minnie with chicken pox, all I can say is :mad: and it's a good thing they caught the event and pulled Minnie to get her. . .um. . . a clean dress (Yeah that's it!) before she hugged any other children!

[smart1hermione]

I don't know if I've told this story before, but here it goes...

I was a friend of Minnie at DAK when I got a call right before the last set that my stepgrandmother passed away. This woman was the only grandmother I had ever known. I decided to go out on set because honestly, that is better therapy than anything else. The captain comes running in a few minutes later (about 10 minutes before set) asking me to suit up quick. A kid with chicken pox had come up and hugged Minnie before they could stop him. They had to immediately pull her and send all of the clothes to the burn bin. Some people are just incredibly insensitive.

That's great that you could go on like that.

What really stuck in my head was the concept of Minnie in a burn bin. Melting Minnie... o.0; They seriously destroy the suits, not just sanitize?

[EeyoresButterfly]

If the clothes get bodily fluids on them or have something like that happen, they have to burn it, it's a safety precaution. I certainly wouldn't want to take my chances with that dress after a kid with chicken pox hugged it. A lot of the clothing cannot be washed in hot water which is the best way to kill the germs.

[mechurchlady]

That's great that you could go on like that.

What really stuck in my head was the concept of Minnie in a burn bin. Melting Minnie... o.0; They seriously destroy the suits, not just sanitize?

Instead of burning minnie would you prefer a fluff and folded Minnie?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

If the clothes get bodily fluids on them or have something like that happen, they have to burn it, it's a safety precaution. I certainly wouldn't want to take my chances with that dress after a kid with chicken pox hugged it. A lot of the clothing cannot be washed in hot water which is the best way to kill the germs.

Its too bad they couldn't put them into some sort of container, and disinfect them, then air out. seems like a waste.

[felinefan]

I hate to tell you this but having had pox as a kid doesn't protect you from getting it again as shingles. . .or in my case, from getting it again, period. I had it when I was a toddler but then had a horrble full blown case at 24 in the very first weeks of pregnancy with my daughter. They told me that immunity to it is really only good for about 20 years!!!

This is why I get so angry when people bring their kids to the parks sick. . .

Bru



One of my mom's sisters had the mumps four times, the last time when she was 19. And you're right, if you have had chicken pox, you are almost certain to get shingles, because the virus stays in your nerves and pops up when you're middle-aged to elderly and under alot of stress. Fortunately, you only get shingles once.

[DisneyMom]

I believe some of my patients have had shingles more than once, so not sure, I'll have to look it up.
True story with my kids.....
Son #1 comes home early from Preschool. Seems some kid 2 weeks earlier had chickenpox, so they are watching all the kids like hawks. He had 1 small pink bump on his chest. I think they're crazy but I keep him home for the week until 1 small pink bump disappeared, no pustule or scabbing. Exactly 2 weeks after son#1 sent home, son #2 who had NO CONTACT with anyone except me,dad,and brother breaks out with a Full Blown case of Chickenpox.
So son#1 gave it to him. Fine, I think we are done. Oh No, exactly 2 weeks after son #2 has it, son #1 gets a full-blown case.
Kids who have chickenpox should be isolated at home. PERIOD.:mad:

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I believe some of my patients have had shingles more than once, so not sure, I'll have to look it up.
True story with my kids.....
Son #1 comes home early from Preschool. Seems some kid 2 weeks earlier had chickenpox, so they are watching all the kids like hawks. He had 1 small pink bump on his chest. I think they're crazy but I keep him home for the week until 1 small pink bump disappeared, no pustule or scabbing. Exactly 2 weeks after son#1 sent home, son #2 who had NO CONTACT with anyone except me,dad,and brother breaks out with a Full Blown case of Chickenpox.
So son#1 gave it to him. Fine, I think we are done. Oh No, exactly 2 weeks after son #2 has it, son #1 gets a full-blown case.
Kids who have chickenpox should be isolated at home. PERIOD.:mad:

But you can ALWAYS use the eggs!!

Baaa dum dum dum!!!:rimshot:

[felinefan]

But like I said, my aunt had mumps four times, and supposedly you can't get it twice, or more than two times. Might apply to the rest of us, but if you've got a weird immune system--my aunt also had polio in one leg--anything's possible. My youngest sister had chickenpox and scarlet fever when the rest of us kids just had chicken pox. Mom took her to the doctor, and the next thing she knows the doctor goes and brings in a bunch of other doctors to see my sister. They're saying things like, "I saw that one time in medical school...." and mom's wondering what the heck was going on! That was when we found out about the scarlet fever plus chicken pox. My sister also had ear problems, etc.. She's a total hypochondriac now. She always did get all the attention....:mad:

[hobie16]

my aunt also had polio in one leg--anything's possible.
My paperboy from years ago had polio which withered his left arm. He used his right hand/arm for everything and got so strong he could do 100 reps of one arm chin ups and break steel pliers. He got into laser technology and ended up doing laser shows for rock bands and corporate gigs.

[February]

But like I said, my aunt had mumps four times, and supposedly you can't get it twice, or more than two times. Might apply to the rest of us, but if you've got a weird immune system--my aunt also had polio in one leg--anything's possible. My youngest sister had chickenpox and scarlet fever when the rest of us kids just had chicken pox. Mom took her to the doctor, and the next thing she knows the doctor goes and brings in a bunch of other doctors to see my sister. They're saying things like, "I saw that one time in medical school...." and mom's wondering what the heck was going on! That was when we found out about the scarlet fever plus chicken pox. My sister also had ear problems, etc.. She's a total hypochondriac now. She always did get all the attention....:mad:

OMG! I so hate being the 'you'll see this once in your career' person too! I know how your sister feels! Every time I go in for something, it seems like they troop in the residents and students and say "You'll never see this again in your career!" The latest thing is with my eyes. All kinds of defects in them and they always say it's so cool to see the rods and cones in my eyes light up like spokes on a wheel. Well tha'ts great @@@)*^! but you've been shining the frigging light in my face for fifteen minutes, could you knock it off now??!!!! I am totally not a hypocondriac though there is so much documentable that's wrong with my body who the heck would need to imagine anything else!

News from the specialist about my eyes scared the heck out of me and now I don't know if I'll be having the lens replacement surgery. They said they may need to use all kinds of little bungie cords and tension rings to hold my iris in place because it's "Floppy". I'm absolutely freaked way the hell out over this and may just live with the loss of vision in the one eye until the other one goes bad too- which they say could happen tomorrow, or could happen ten minutes after I"m dead. They can't predict. They only know that the line of vision in my left eye is totally obscured and that's why it's now purely decorative :/

I HATE being the 'rare' case!!! GAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry, felt good to get that out after days of stewing!)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

OMG! I so hate being the 'you'll see this once in your career' person too! I know how your sister feels! Every time I go in for something, it seems like they troop in the residents and students and say "You'll never see this again in your career!" The latest thing is with my eyes. All kinds of defects in them and they always say it's so cool to see the rods and cones in my eyes light up like spokes on a wheel. Well tha'ts great @@@)*^! but you've been shining the frigging light in my face for fifteen minutes, could you knock it off now??!!!! I am totally not a hypocondriac though there is so much documentable that's wrong with my body who the heck would need to imagine anything else!

News from the specialist about my eyes scared the heck out of me and now I don't know if I'll be having the lens replacement surgery. They said they may need to use all kinds of little bungie cords and tension rings to hold my iris in place because it's "Floppy". I'm absolutely freaked way the hell out over this and may just live with the loss of vision in the one eye until the other one goes bad too- which they say could happen tomorrow, or could happen ten minutes after I"m dead. They can't predict. They only know that the line of vision in my left eye is totally obscured and that's why it's now purely decorative :/

I HATE being the 'rare' case!!! GAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Sorry, felt good to get that out after days of stewing!)

Next time take a laser pointer.. Tell the doctor that you will start shining it in HIS eyes, two minutes AFTER his exam of your eyes start! That way you will all be on the same playing field!!


hehehehe

[February]

Or at the very least a nice sizable Maglite! Believe me, I've considered it!

It's by the time the third person is blinding you with the slit lamp and they've dialated your eyes so big you look like PussNBoots from Shrek, then you know that you're in trouble. . .

I should have said in the previous post that I may wait until my right eye gets 'as bad' as my left one. They tell me that the obstructions behind the lens are about the same size in each eye, only difference is that the one in the right hasn't crossed that vital line yet wherever that is.

I just don't like the idea of them stretching my iris out like a drumhead and then clamping it into place to, what was that LOVELY term the docs used. . .oh yeah, "shore up" the eye. :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: That was when I almost tossed my cookies on his shoes.

I kept it together- but the thought still makes me weak kneed. And I'm no whimp medically. Something about this just freaks me out completely.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Or at the very least a nice sizable Maglite! Believe me, I've considered it!

It's by the time the third person is blinding you with the slit lamp and they've dialated your eyes so big you look like PussNBoots from Shrek, then you know that you're in trouble. . .

I should have said in the previous post that I may wait until my right eye gets 'as bad' as my left one. They tell me that the obstructions behind the lens are about the same size in each eye, only difference is that the one in the right hasn't crossed that vital line yet wherever that is.

I just don't like the idea of them stretching my iris out like a drumhead and then clamping it into place to, what was that LOVELY term the docs used. . .oh yeah, "shore up" the eye. :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: That was when I almost tossed my cookies on his shoes.

I kept it together- but the thought still makes me weak kneed. And I'm no whimp medically. Something about this just freaks me out completely.

Hmmm, I have several old maglights that I could loan you!

My favorite is a 4 "D" cell model. a little old, and only has a few teeth marks on it!!

[DisneyMom]

But you can ALWAYS use the eggs!!

Baaa dum dum dum!!!:rimshot:

HEHE, we DID have chickens at the time!:p: Ex-Husband going through a "We'll raise our own food" stage.....:rolleyes:

[EeyoresButterfly]

I could never do the raise our own food thing. I get way too attached to animals (and I've seen way too many Disney movies). I remember going to a crab shack on the Chesapeake with my family when I was 15. They bring out the whole dang crab, and I just couldn't do it. I gave up after one crab. I kept expecting it to get up and start singing "Under the Sea." Another time I was at a luau complete with a pig with apple in its mouth. I couldn't eat it, all I could think about was Wilbur from Charlotte's Web. If it can look at me with big sad innocent eyes, I do not eat it. I know where meat comes from, I just prefer to not think about it when I'm eating it.

I could also never cook lobster or crab. I hear when you drop them in the pot it sounds like they a screaming due to the steam escaping their shells. Not only could I never drop a live animal into a vat of boiling water, if I heard what sounded like screaming, I would cry. Does anybody else find the whole idea of pick your own lobster at Red Lobster disturbing? I wouldn't like to think that it's by my choice that cute innocent lobster gets sentenced to death. It's morbid.

[DisneyMom]

I could never do the raise our own food thing. I get way too attached to animals (and I've seen way too many Disney movies). I remember going to a crab shack on the Chesapeake with my family when I was 15. They bring out the whole dang crab, and I just couldn't do it. I gave up after one crab. I kept expecting it to get up and start singing "Under the Sea." Another time I was at a luau complete with a pig with apple in its mouth. I couldn't eat it, all I could think about was Wilbur from Charlotte's Web. If it can look at me with big sad innocent eyes, I do not eat it. I know where meat comes from, I just prefer to not think about it when I'm eating it.

I could also never cook lobster or crab. I hear when you drop them in the pot it sounds like they a screaming due to the steam escaping their shells. Not only could I never drop a live animal into a vat of boiling water, if I heard what sounded like screaming, I would cry. Does anybody else find the whole idea of pick your own lobster at Red Lobster disturbing? I wouldn't like to think that it's by my choice that cute innocent lobster gets sentenced to death. It's morbid.

To make you feel a (little) better, we ate the eggs, not the chickens:D:
Unfortunately, some of our chickens fell prey to a wandering Bobcat:eek:
We did raise a couple of pigs too....ummm, I felt bad until I was eating all the meat. Funny how we are able to disconnect our mind from a lot of things.

Did anyone else think it was weird that Ariel was almost treated to a Sebastian dinner?

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

To make you feel a (little) better, we ate the eggs, not the chickens:D:
Unfortunately, some of our chickens fell prey to a wandering Bobcat:eek:
We did raise a couple of pigs too....ummm, I felt bad until I was eating all the meat. Funny how we are able to disconnect our mind from a lot of things.

Did anyone else think it was weird that Ariel was almost treated to a Sebastian dinner?

And if you think about it, what do fish eat?

really sort of a "circle of life" thing, but we don't give it that much thought.

[Bochocho]

I could also never cook lobster or crab. I hear when you drop them in the pot it sounds like they a screaming due to the steam escaping their shells. Not only could I never drop a live animal into a vat of boiling water, if I heard what sounded like screaming, I would cry. Does anybody else find the whole idea of pick your own lobster at Red Lobster disturbing? I wouldn't like to think that it's by my choice that cute innocent lobster gets sentenced to death. It's morbid.

I'd never second-guess anyone's decision not to eat meat (or lobster or whatever) but I'm a New Englander who lives for lobster. We have it at our house a few times a year, and over the course of my entire life I've never heard the 'scream' people say happens. (Like you said, it's steam escaping, supposedly.)
I'm not saying it doesn't happen, I just don't think it's that common.

But again, I'm not judging the decision not to eat it, by any means. (More for me!) I just think if someone grew up in a fisherman's household they wouldn't give it a second thought. Also, when I look at the spiny, prickly, spider-like nightmare appearance of a lobster, the last word that comes to mind is 'cute.' ;-)

And the idea of Red Lobster is disturbing. Not the 'pick your own lobster' part, just the idea of Red Lobster. (Said the seafood snob.) ;-)

[February]

I could never do the raise our own food thing. I get way too attached to animals (and I've seen way too many Disney movies). I remember going to a crab shack on the Chesapeake with my family when I was 15. They bring out the whole dang crab, and I just couldn't do it. I gave up after one crab. I kept expecting it to get up and start singing "Under the Sea." Another time I was at a luau complete with a pig with apple in its mouth. I couldn't eat it, all I could think about was Wilbur from Charlotte's Web. If it can look at me with big sad innocent eyes, I do not eat it. I know where meat comes from, I just prefer to not think about it when I'm eating it.

I could also never cook lobster or crab. I hear when you drop them in the pot it sounds like they a screaming due to the steam escaping their shells. Not only could I never drop a live animal into a vat of boiling water, if I heard what sounded like screaming, I would cry. Does anybody else find the whole idea of pick your own lobster at Red Lobster disturbing? I wouldn't like to think that it's by my choice that cute innocent lobster gets sentenced to death. It's morbid.


It's so hard for me to eat meat! If I could tolerate most of the soy-based veggie-burger type foods I'd be a total veggie. But I get sick(er) if I don't get enough protein and I can't do the tofu stuff well. I can't think about where it comes from and it's become nearly impossible for me to cook and handle raw meat. If I had to kill something to eat it I'd starve.

I didn't eat any seafood for two years after Mermaid came out. . .

and I think even more disturbing than the pick your own lobster (which does freak me out esp. since the time we saw the lobsters piling up on top of each other to try to escape the tank- and the hostess told us once, a couple of them actually made it out by doing that!) but the Coral Reef at the Seas in EPCOT totally freaks me out. Ask for a window table, they say, so you can watch the friends of your dinner swimming around you while you dine on their buddies??? that's just wrong.

[Amphigorey]

I'm totally with you both on the seafood* front. I used to work as a docent at an aquarium, and I was very attached to the fish; I can hardly imagine how people can eat them. They're so beautiful.

Also, anyone who says fish don't have personalities hasn't spent enough time with them. There's a sturgeon at the aquarium who likes belly rubs. Seriously - I've seen him approach the divers and turn on his side to encourage it.

Oh, and last time I was at the Monterey aquarium, I saw one of the wolf eels swim right up to a diver, who hugged it and scratched it under its chin. I nearly died of cute.

*Incidentally, for those of you who do eat seafood, check out Monterey Bay's Seafood Watch list. It's really useful for keeping track of what seafood is good to eat and what isn't. Some seafood is very environmentally destructive (farmed salmon, I'm looking at YOU), but there's still plenty out there that's safe. Generally you want stuff that's from the United States, not imported, because we have better regulations, and whether you want farmed or wild-caught depends on the species.

Anyway, Monterey has produced these handy little guides you can order or print out to take with you, and they've even divided them by region. http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/SeafoodWatch.asp

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Mmmmmmmm Rubio's fish tacos!!!




:homer:

[lady ulrike]

and I think even more disturbing than the pick your own lobster but the Coral Reef at the Seas in EPCOT totally freaks me out. Ask for a window table, they say, so you can watch the friends of your dinner swimming around you while you dine on their buddies??? that's just wrong.

When my husband and I ate there, we had a window table and made sure first that none of the fish on the menu were ones that were listed as being in the tank. Cause we certainly weren't going to eat, for example, a trout if there were trout swimming around in there.

[February]

The two times I ate at Coral Reef the food was so disgusting anyway that we couldn't eat much of it.

The best thing was the peanut butter play-doh dessert, but it was happily seafood free. Esp. since they did the whole pavilion over with Nemo characters, there is no way I could eat there now regardless of who is swimming in that tank LOL

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

When my husband and I ate there, we had a window table and made sure first that none of the fish on the menu were ones that were listed as being in the tank. Cause we certainly weren't going to eat, for example, a trout if there were trout swimming around in there.

Hmmm, we made reservations to dine there for the first time.

Have to order something beef!!!


hehehehe

[EeyoresButterfly]

Don't get me wrong, I love seafood! Crab is my favorite, I also eat Salmon (only wild, the farmed stuff has many issues) and I like lobster if it's in something. I just prefer not to see it while it is still alive or remotely resembling its live form. I hate when you got the store and they sell the whole fish complete with eyes. My food should not look at me! I used to be the sample girl at a grocery store and whenever I had meat samples I was stationed by the lobster tank. When it got slow, I would stand there and watch the social interactions of the lobsters, it was kind of fun.

[BRWombat]

I've heard this attributed to Ellen Degeneres: "Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I'm halfway through my fishburger and I realize, Oh my God....I could be eating a slow learner."

[ktulu]

I could totally eat something while watching it's friend swim/run around. It would be fun to look into the tank and be like, I want that one, and they fish it out, cook and serve :D:

[Mayonnaise]

When I was younger, I used to hate to eat something if there was a living one around... and I could never eat lobster as a result, because they had you pick one. But I dated a Vegan for four months my Junior Year of College, and came to the conclusion that if I was going to continue eating meat, I needed to face the fact that every time I do, something dies, and make peace with that. So I don;t have that trouble anymore. Yes something has to be killed to be on my plate, but that's the cycle of life for those of us who aren't herbivores. I know it sounds cold, but I see it more as owning my responsibility for the death of my dinner.

8^)

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

When I was younger, I used to hate to eat something if there was a living one around... and I could never eat lobster as a result, because they had you pick one. But I dated a Vegan for four months my Junior Year of College, and came to the conclusion that if I was going to continue eating meat, I needed to face the fact that every time I do, something dies, and make peace with that. So I don;t have that trouble anymore. Yes something has to be killed to be on my plate, but that's the cycle of life for those of us who aren't herbivores. I know it sounds cold, but I see it more as owning my responsibility for the death of my dinner.

8^)

Like I said before, its a circle of life thing!

Mmmmmm seafood!

[JugglingFreak]

I admit to being tempted to feed a cow some hamburger.. And I have fed a pig bacon...

I'm evil, I know..

[EeyoresButterfly]

Does anybody else find it disturbing that they serve bacon and pork at Crystal Palace? I cannot count the number of times I have had some ahole dad say, "Piglet, I'm eating bacon" thinking that he is being original. It's at least one a set. I get so sick of it... It seems akin to serving duck at a restaurant with Donald. Thank God they don't do that.

[I LUV Chip]

Ah but Donald is more Goose than Duck so....hehee

The first time we went down with the kids the hubby asked Mary Poppins if something or other (can't remember what it was exactly) cost a tuppense (spelling??) a bag. She had a hard time keeping her jaw off the floor. LOL When she finally got over her surprise she told him that it was the birdseed that cost that not whatever it was (I think the swords at Cindy's breakfast.)

Hopefully that wasn't that bad. :) We like to actually talk to the characters when we have the chance.

[vixen101485]

Ah but Donald is more Goose than Duck so....hehee

The first time we went down with the kids the hubby asked Mary Poppins if something or other (can't remember what it was exactly) cost a tuppense (spelling??) a bag. She had a hard time keeping her jaw off the floor. LOL When she finally got over her surprise she told him that it was the birdseed that cost that not whatever it was (I think the swords at Cindy's breakfast.)

Hopefully that wasn't that bad. :) We like to actually talk to the characters when we have the chance.

LOL...did you learn that from House of Mouse? They have an episode that explains Donald's relationship to Gladstone Gander. I need to watch other channels once in a while. LOL

I love to interact with the characters. We told Alice we had seen the White Rabbit behind the shops at the UK pavilion and she jumped up from greeting my DD and starting looking around and asking "WHERE WHERE????" I liked her she was good. We met with princess Belle this last time and she said something to my DD and I asked her if she had learned that from a book. I think I kinda surprised her. (toontown meet and greet) ;)

[I LUV Chip]

LOL...did you learn that from House of Mouse? They have an episode that explains Donald's relationship to Gladstone Gander. I need to watch other channels once in a while. LOL ;)

Yep! House of Mouse. I watch that show even when the kids are at school. Yes I am sad. LOL It's from the episode where Clarabelle is writing a tell all book about everyone and that's one of the secrets. :p:

[Ms. Matterhorn]

I admit to being tempted to feed a cow some hamburger.. And I have fed a pig bacon...

I'm evil, I know..

Isn't that how MAD COW DISEASE got started? :cow3:

[drcorey]

Does anybody else find it disturbing that they serve bacon and pork at Crystal Palace? I cannot count the number of times I have had some ahole dad say, "Piglet, I'm eating bacon" thinking that he is being original. It's at least one a set. I get so sick of it... It seems akin to serving duck at a restaurant with Donald. Thank God they don't do that.

Or the genius in marketing who decided Ariel should host a FISH Restaurant?

[February]

I've heard this attributed to Ellen Degeneres: "Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant? I'm halfway through my fishburger and I realize, Oh my God....I could be eating a slow learner."


But...Ellen played Dori! Fish are friends not food, and if she's a fish and she's eating fish. . .

*thud*

[February]

Does anybody else find it disturbing that they serve bacon and pork at Crystal Palace? I cannot count the number of times I have had some ahole dad say, "Piglet, I'm eating bacon" thinking that he is being original. It's at least one a set. I get so sick of it... It seems akin to serving duck at a restaurant with Donald. Thank God they don't do that.


That's awful!

You know, I'm reminded of my daughter when she was much smaller, and we knew she was a good reader (she was about five at the time) but we hoped that she hadn't noticed rabbit on the menu at one of the Wilderness lodge restaurants, I forget which one we were at, but I know my dad and DH ate buffalo :rolleyes:

anyway, little girl is reading the menu, and the waiter comes to take our order, and she says "I would like macaroni and cheese, and please, I don't want any rabbit in it."

Can't get anything past these kids- poor thing saw rabbit on the menu and was afraid it was in everything. She had two pet rabbits at home at her dad's house at the time. . .

[JugglingFreak]

LOL...did you learn that from House of Mouse? They have an episode that explains Donald's relationship to Gladstone Gander. I need to watch other channels once in a while. LOL



Oh that reminds me. There is a great site: http://www.seite42.de/e_index.htm

It has tons of little paper models and games from the German Micky Maus Magazin

If you select the alphabetical listing, one of the items is a large poster of Donald Ducks family tree.

The paper models and games are fun to but it being a German magazine, the instructions are usually in German. Go figure.

It's like those Germans have a different word for everything...

[BRWombat]

...It's like those Germans have a different word for everything...Heh... quoting an old Steve Martin stand-up routine, right? (On French.) I love that whole routine -- I still crack up when I think of him saying "omelette du fromage."

[JugglingFreak]

Heh... quoting an old Steve Martin stand-up routine, right? (On French.) I love that whole routine -- I still crack up when I think of him saying "omelette du fromage."

You are correct sir.. ("I'd like an old shoe with cheese on it and I'd like to massage your grandmother..")

I highly recommend his book "Born Standing Up". Very good reading.. :hijack:

In keeping this somewhat Disney related he has an entire chapter about his time at the Disneyland Magic shop in it..