What was the biggest Disney meltdown you've witnessed?

[Lei]

I've witnessed two meltdowns, both came from me

1. My mother and I have a very strained relationship. We never really got along since I was little.

One time, for 4 years, I was dating someone I truly loved, but my mother loathed him. All the time I was in the relationship, I was constantly battling her.

Unfortunately, we came from a country which culture upholds parental approval very highly. If your parents don’t approve of your spouse, there is almost no chance you can marry him/her.

One time, we went on a family trip to USA, including WDW. Little did I know, my mother had a secret agenda of hooking me up with her friend’s son, whom she thought would be a better match (husband) for me. He lives in New York, and while he was nice, I wasn’t interested at all. I was also mad about this surprise “arrangement”.

My mom even took him to Disney World with the family. One night, we were watching the firework show at MK, and I was thinking, if only my then-boyfriend was with me, watching this very magical show with my family, instead of this guy. If only my relationship with my mother wasn’t so hard. If only she’d approved of my then-boyfriend. If only I don’t NEED her approval. If only, if only, if only.

MK was perfect that night, but I felt I was enjoying it with the wrong people. After the show, I split up with my family without saying anything, found a quiet spot in Tomorrowland, and just cried, cried, cried for 20 min. I even went to Cosmic Rays to get some napkins and then continue crying, lol. Many passersby turned their heads, but no one said anything.

2. Around two years ago, I visited WDW without my family. Right before I left to USA, my then 1-year-old son had a high fever. On my second day at WDW, I received news that my baby got typhoid fever and had to be hospitalized. I was a first-time parent and my heart broke in pieces because I was 10,000 miles away from him.

(on top of that, since before I left, I was receiving anonymous hate comments on my blog, saying how selfish I am for going on a solo trip to WDW without my child)

Though my husband said everything’s under control, I decided to cut the trip short and go home early. While asking Pop Century’s manager if my room and ticket could be refunded, I started to sob uncontrollably. It was one of those reflex motions I really couldn't control. Right in the middle of Pop’s lobby. The on-duty concierge looked alarmed, and I was super embarrassed! The kind manager took me to his office and he was being very sympathetic. He even dabbed tissues on my wet cheeks

(unfortunately, I bought a vacation package, so my room and ticket couldn’t be refunded.)

 

[chelynnah]

(unfortunately, I bought a vacation package, so my room and ticket couldn’t be refunded.)

What a shame. I hope your little one was ok

 

[Lei]

What a shame. I hope your little one was ok

Thank you, thank goodness he was fine

 

[brewhome]

A few years ago, we were in line for BTMRR and there was a boy just big enough to ride in front of us who was very nervous about going on it. He kept telling his Dad he didn't want to go, and his Dad kept telling him he'd be fine, he's a big boy, blah blah. The closer we got, the more upset the little boy got, and the angrier and louder the Dad got. The Dad actually punched the kid in the upper arm and told him to shut up! At that point, my husband, who is 6'1" and a big guy who played rugby, had seen enough and calmly said to the Dad, "if you put your hands on that boy or raise your voice to him one more time, you're going to have to deal with me." The Dad shut up REALLY fast, apologized to his son, and when they got to the front of the line, we saw them head towards the chicken exit. The rest of the trip we worried about that little boy, and I still think about him when I'm in that line!

The other one that comes to mind was a lady on a scooter at MK. It was a really rainy day and we were on Main Street heading out of the park when we saw this lady driving a scooter, and her front wheel was stuck in one of the rails that the parade floats go on. She had a huge soft pretzel hanging out of her mouth and she was trying to maneuver the scooter by yanking the handlebars back and forth really hard. You could hear her trying to yell even with the pretzel in her mouth! We were going to go help her, but before we could get there, she jumped off her scooter, PICKED IT UP, got it out of the track, and sat back down and took off - and the whole time, the pretzel was still in her mouth! My sons were in hysterics!!

 

[MinnieFigment]

Waiting in line to check in for Ohana and hear a BANG. I look around thinking a sign had fallen off the wall or something. The (full grown) man behind us says, "that was me." He had stamped his foot so hard it sounded like an explosion. He started ranting about how awful his trip had been, how nothing was working, vacation ruined, and how unfair it was that he had to wait in line. I think I just smiled, nodded, and turned around. Fortunately it was our turn next, because my fiance was starting to get cracked up over his temper tantrum. He told me later he wanted to say to this man, "Awwww, do you need a little pixie dust?" 100% would have gotten himself punched.

 

[Jade K.]

On our last trip my family and I were trying to cool off in Pecos Bills (September heat is a killer in Florida holy cow) and my nephew, almost 2 at the time, was snoozing in the stroller. I'm the first to admit that strollers can be a bit cumbersome so I always try to plant us in a corner out of the way. As we were strategizing our next move, a mother and her daughter, I'd say she was about 11, stop in front of us in the midst of a heated argument. We try to ignore their yelling because it's none of our business, plus we're unaware of their circumstances (mental health issues, learning disabilities, etc.) and I know personally how cranky the heat can make a person. Their argument escalates and they both, child AND adult, grab our stroller (still holding our sleeping kid) and begin violently shaking it and bouncing it. I had to stand up, yell at them, and physically yank the stroller away from them to get them to stop. My family and I are still unsure of what caused their argument, what I yelled, and whether or not blacked out lol

 

[here757]

On our last trip my family and I were trying to cool off in Pecos Bills (September heat is a killer in Florida holy cow) and my nephew, almost 2 at the time, was snoozing in the stroller. I'm the first to admit that strollers can be a bit cumbersome so I always try to plant us in a corner out of the way. As we were strategizing our next move, a mother and her daughter, I'd say she was about 11, stop in front of us in the midst of a heated argument. We try to ignore their yelling because it's none of our business, plus we're unaware of their circumstances (mental health issues, learning disabilities, etc.) and I know personally how cranky the heat can make a person. Their argument escalates and they both, child AND adult, grab our stroller (still holding our sleeping kid) and begin violently shaking it and bouncing it. I had to stand up, yell at them, and physically yank the stroller away from them to get them to stop. My family and I are still unsure of what caused their argument, what I yelled, and whether or not blacked out lol

I would have lost my mind

 

[Jade K.]

I would have lost my mind

My friend and mom sat there stunned with the most dumbfounded looks in their faces and I just remember thinking "WHO DOES THIS." before jumping up and taking action haha

 

[Goofyyukyukyuk17]

That is insane!!! I think the worst thing has been an argument between our family and a woman and her kids before a parade in MK. We were saving spots for the rest of the family before the parade with bags, and this woman steps over the bags and sits down with her kids. We told her that the spot was saved and she proceeded to tell us that it doesn't count if you save spots and stayed there. This resulted in an argument that led to my grandfather making room for them in front of his scooter because he didn't want us to be arguing.

 

[Annadesu]

On my most recent trip, I was staying at POP Music and went to the front desk to ask a question. There was a woman ahead of me who had not set up her dinner reservations, or some of the fastpasses, before she got to Disney. I guess she never linked her park tickets to her account, or something like that? She was mad, and also had a group of 5, which made it harder. She was yelling about how she "shouldn't have to" do everything in advance, and that it "wasn't fair", etc. I felt SO bad for the CM dealing with her. The CM was trying really hard to explain to her that it would be hard to get her what she wanted, since she hadn't booked anything ahead of time, and the woman just kept yelling, and yelling. At some point, a manager (I think) came over, and said something I couldn't hear. The woman then screamed, at the top of her lungs, "DON'T LECTURE ME, JUST CHANGE THE FASTPASS." Then, another manager came over and asked her to calm down, and she stormed away from the desk.

The CM called me up, and she smiled at me, and was really nice, etc. but she was BRIGHT red in the face, and I knew she was trying very hard to forget what just happened. I was really nice to her, and told her she didn't get paid enough, and she laughed. So, hopefully I helped her a little. I do wonder what happened to that woman and her group, though. They probably didn't have the greatest start to their vacation.

 

[perditax]

On my most recent trip, I was staying at POP Music and went to the front desk to ask a question. There was a woman ahead of me who had not set up her dinner reservations, or some of the fastpasses, before she got to Disney. I guess she never linked her park tickets to her account, or something like that? She was mad, and also had a group of 5, which made it harder. She was yelling about how she "shouldn't have to" do everything in advance, and that it "wasn't fair", etc. I felt SO bad for the CM dealing with her. The CM was trying really hard to explain to her that it would be hard to get her what she wanted, since she hadn't booked anything ahead of time, and the woman just kept yelling, and yelling. At some point, a manager (I think) came over, and said something I couldn't hear. The woman then screamed, at the top of her lungs, "DON'T LECTURE ME, JUST CHANGE THE FASTPASS." Then, another manager came over and asked her to calm down, and she stormed away from the desk.

The CM called me up, and she smiled at me, and was really nice, etc. but she was BRIGHT red in the face, and I knew she was trying very hard to forget what just happened. I was really nice to her, and told her she didn't get paid enough, and she laughed. So, hopefully I helped her a little. I do wonder what happened to that woman and her group, though. They probably didn't have the greatest start to their vacation.

I've had something very similar to this happen on a cruise. I don't even remember what the guy was screaming at the customer service rep about, probably also something trivial like dinner reservations, but he was dropping F bombs left and right. After he stalked off, I was next, and in a very low, calm voice I said "I promise I'm not going to yell or scream obscenities at you", and the rep just smiled weakly.

You just know those people are miserable no matter where they go. I can't imagine a situation in which I would scream at someone behind a counter or cash register.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

On our last trip my family and I were trying to cool off in Pecos Bills (September heat is a killer in Florida holy cow) and my nephew, almost 2 at the time, was snoozing in the stroller. I'm the first to admit that strollers can be a bit cumbersome so I always try to plant us in a corner out of the way. As we were strategizing our next move, a mother and her daughter, I'd say she was about 11, stop in front of us in the midst of a heated argument. We try to ignore their yelling because it's none of our business, plus we're unaware of their circumstances (mental health issues, learning disabilities, etc.) and I know personally how cranky the heat can make a person. Their argument escalates and they both, child AND adult, grab our stroller (still holding our sleeping kid) and begin violently shaking it and bouncing it. I had to stand up, yell at them, and physically yank the stroller away from them to get them to stop. My family and I are still unsure of what caused their argument, what I yelled, and whether or not blacked out lol

Uh did no one report them? I would think that grabbing someone's property such as a stroller especially with a child inside and proceeding to shake it and violently as you described it, which can cause harm to the child, would be something to be reported. The least I would be doing is getting my child back (though I personally would be grabbing for my child not the stroller at that point). I would be raising you know what for sure.

 

[perditax]

In times of extreme stress/emergency, no one knows which way they're going to jump until they're in the moment. I think that's why the OP jokes about blacking out--his/her body probably reacted and went for the stroller long before the brain caught up. I've been in a situation like that recently where beforehand I would have sworn I'd react one way, but when the frightening emergency happened I did the exact opposite on reflex before I even had a chance to think. I was quite surprised. (Essentially I charged INTO a dangerous situation, yelling, when everything about my personality would point towards me being the person who hung back and dialed 911. Wasn't too pleased to discover this, because running towards danger may sound heroic, but it's not smart, at least not when you're a 5'4" untrained unarmed woman.)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

In times of extreme stress/emergency, no one knows which way they're going to jump until they're in the moment. I think that's why the OP jokes about blacking out--his/her body probably reacted and went for the stroller long before the brain caught up. I've been in a situation like that recently where beforehand I would have sworn I'd react one way, but when the frightening emergency happened I did the exact opposite on reflex before I even had a chance to think. I was quite surprised. (Essentially I charged INTO a dangerous situation, yelling, when everything about my personality would point towards me being the person who hung back and dialed 911. Wasn't too pleased to discover this, because running towards danger may sound heroic, but it's not smart, at least not when you're a 5'4" untrained unarmed woman.)

I was saying what I would do. But you better believe if someone is truly shaking my child violently in my stroller I'm going to be reporting it. No matter the situation the mother and daughter should have been escorted off the property for their actions. My comment was more or less in regards to the poster using words like shaking, violently and bouncing which is a very serious matter.

 

[Jade K.]

That is insane!!! I think the worst thing has been an argument between our family and a woman and her kids before a parade in MK. We were saving spots for the rest of the family before the parade with bags, and this woman steps over the bags and sits down with her kids. We told her that the spot was saved and she proceeded to tell us that it doesn't count if you save spots and stayed there. This resulted in an argument that led to my grandfather making room for them in front of his scooter because he didn't want us to be arguing.

Oh my gosh I completely forgot about another one similar to your story! It happened during the same September trip. I don't know what it is about parades that make people so hostile crazy but they do. We had been waiting in our spots for almost two hours for one specific parade (long enough to make acquaintance with the lovely little family behind us) and our whole party was present. About twenty minutes before the parade this huge, and I mean HUGE like 20 people huge, family appears on either side of us and begins pushing, literally physically pushing, into our family and the small family behind us trying to take our spots so their family could stand together. The big family didn't like us standing our ground so they stand on the opposite side of the tape line and when the CM appeared to put the posts in to the ground she had to tell them to scoot back which in turn was going to force us and the smaller family back. We told the CM (in the least whiney way possible) that we'd been there for two hours and because we wanted our child to see this parade. She basically told us too bad and that because this family was bigger they deserved the front spot, which caused the dad of the smaller family to come to our defense and tell the CM that we'd been there forever. When the parade started we moved the two little ones from the smaller family up in front of us so they could enjoy it, all while struggling against the huge family. And struggle isn't an understatement. My best friend is a petite woman and the grown adult man from the huge family was actually leaning into her trying to move her (I have pictures of how he was pushing on her and shoving her). I'm a bigger woman (apparently it's called pooh-sized? I've always called myself just chubby or fat lol) so I wedged myself between the man, my friend, and our baby and that's how we stood for the duration of the parade. I will never understand the line of thinking of "oh my family deserves to be here more than yours" and parade crowds really bring out the worst of this in people. We definitely need more gentlemen like your kind grandfather to keep the peace (even though personally I think the lady should be ashamed of herself and people should just learn that rude behavior is indeed rude)

 

[Jade K.]

Uh did no one report them? I would think that grabbing someone's property such as a stroller especially with a child inside and proceeding to shake it and violently as you described it, which can cause harm to the child, would be something to be reported. The least I would be doing is getting my child back (though I personally would be grabbing for my child not the stroller at that point). I would be raising you know what for sure.

They walked away after my freak out and I gave myself a talk down haha our baby wasn't harmed, in fact he didn't even wake up. Nothing was broken but I definitely wondered if they frequently did these shenanigans to other families.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

On my most recent trip, I was staying at POP Music and went to the front desk to ask a question. There was a woman ahead of me who had not set up her dinner reservations, or some of the fastpasses, before she got to Disney. I guess she never linked her park tickets to her account, or something like that? She was mad, and also had a group of 5, which made it harder. She was yelling about how she "shouldn't have to" do everything in advance, and that it "wasn't fair", etc. I felt SO bad for the CM dealing with her. The CM was trying really hard to explain to her that it would be hard to get her what she wanted, since she hadn't booked anything ahead of time, and the woman just kept yelling, and yelling. At some point, a manager (I think) came over, and said something I couldn't hear. The woman then screamed, at the top of her lungs, "DON'T LECTURE ME, JUST CHANGE THE FASTPASS." Then, another manager came over and asked her to calm down, and she stormed away from the desk.

The CM called me up, and she smiled at me, and was really nice, etc. but she was BRIGHT red in the face, and I knew she was trying very hard to forget what just happened. I was really nice to her, and told her she didn't get paid enough, and she laughed. So, hopefully I helped her a little. I do wonder what happened to that woman and her group, though. They probably didn't have the greatest start to their vacation.

Today was my ADR start date. So here I am finalizing what places I'd like to eat at that will require a dining reservation and I'm trying to get my husband's opinion on certain places and he's just like "this should not be that difficult" I was like "I know but you need to make reservations if you'd like to eat at more than just quick/counter service places and just be glad I'm doing the hard work on it "

We last went in 2011 and let's just say it's very different ballgame now...we'll see how he is when it's time for FP selections

He likes to plan just like I do but he sorta resents the steps Disney has taken to reward the more indepth planners.

That CM shouldn't have had to deal with a screaming woman like that so props to her for keeping it as together as she could.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They walked away after my freak out and I gave myself a talk down haha our baby wasn't harmed, in fact he didn't even wake up. Nothing was broken but I definitely wondered if they frequently did these shenanigans to other families.

That's good that your baby wasn't harmed. Like I said in another post I was commenting on the word usage of shaking, violently and bouncing with respects to your story.

 

[Jade K.]

I was saying what I would do. But you better believe if someone is truly shaking my child violently in my stroller I'm going to be reporting it. No matter the situation the mother and daughter should have been escorted off the property for their actions. My comment was more or less in regards to the poster using words like shaking, violently and bouncing which is a very serious matter.

All was ok with our child and stroller and in the heat of the moment I definitely just wanted them to get the heck away from us, which they did. Honestly, we didn't even consider reporting them which, in hindsight, I think never occurred because we were so hot and tired and flustered. Hopefully something like this never happens again, but if it does I will definitely have to bring up reporting the shenaniganizer.

 

[goofyernmost]

Oh my gosh I completely forgot about another one similar to your story! It happened during the same September trip. I don't know what it is about parades that make people so hostile crazy but they do. We had been waiting in our spots for almost two hours for one specific parade (long enough to make acquaintance with the lovely little family behind us) and our whole party was present. About twenty minutes before the parade this huge, and I mean HUGE like 20 people huge, family appears on either side of us and begins pushing, literally physically pushing, into our family and the small family behind us trying to take our spots so their family could stand together. The big family didn't like us standing our ground so they stand on the opposite side of the tape line and when the CM appeared to put the posts in to the ground she had to tell them to scoot back which in turn was going to force us and the smaller family back. We told the CM (in the least whiney way possible) that we'd been there for two hours and because we wanted our child to see this parade. She basically told us too bad and that because this family was bigger they deserved the front spot, which caused the dad of the smaller family to come to our defense and tell the CM that we'd been there forever. When the parade started we moved the two little ones from the smaller family up in front of us so they could enjoy it, all while struggling against the huge family. And struggle isn't an understatement. My best friend is a petite woman and the grown adult man from the huge family was actually leaning into her trying to move her (I have pictures of how he was pushing on her and shoving her). I'm a bigger woman (apparently it's called pooh-sized? I've always called myself just chubby or fat lol) so I wedged myself between the man, my friend, and our baby and that's how we stood for the duration of the parade. I will never understand the line of thinking of "oh my family deserves to be here more than yours" and parade crowds really bring out the worst of this in people. We definitely need more gentlemen like your kind grandfather to keep the peace (even though personally I think the lady should be ashamed of herself and people should just learn that rude behavior is indeed rude)

One of the many reasons why I hate parades and avoid them as much as possible. The funny thing is that there are places, obvious places where you can stand and watch the parade completely in the open. No one ever seems to think these spots are good, but, you see everything and no one is pushing or shoving. I'd tell you were they are, but, then I'd have to kill you! Hint: Not very far from where the parade starts. Same parade just a different location.