Has anyone ever had an altercation with another guest and/or family while at WDW?

[perkinsrose]

Never had an altercation but I have given the look of death to those who violate my personal space bubble. And if someone doesn't catch that look I start discussing with my dh in a loud voice about a sudden rash that I've developed on my back and I really hope it's not contagious but boy does it itch...I don't care if it creeps them out, at least then they back off of me. Also have used the sweeping pointy elbow trick (hand on hip, elbow jutting out).I've used the handicapped stall but I also have hip replacements so I prefer the higher toilet in that stall than the lower ones in the other stalls. But people see me a 30 something and don't know of my disability. I've gotten yelled at, my response is just flipping them the bird. I'm tired of explaining my disability to those who would rather just flipout on me than see that hey I may look 30 but if you watch for a minute you'll see that I walk with a noticeable limp and one leg is actually smaller than the other. My DH is trying to think of what to say if someone goes off on us for parking in the handicapped lot (I have a placard to park there but inevitably I always get yelled at by someone who thinks I have no right to it).
It bothers him when this happens, I've just gotten used to it and ignore it.

THAT is great!!

 

[perkinsrose]

I understand your concern but I don't really think a slap in the face was a need to call a CM or Bronz zoo worker over. Some parents do believe in a spanking or a slap in the mouth for backtalk. I am not debating if it is right or wrong but I don't think it is abuse. YMMV.

A slap in the face is NOT spanking!!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I can definitely understand to you all about the dd and hair issue. My dd is almost 4, bi-racial and she's got beautiful black, curly, LONG hair that is pretty much down to her butt. I have people come up all the time putting their paws all over her. I usually just move dd away from them and leave. One time I'd had enough when this one older lady came up (and yes she was American) and after she wouldn't leave my dd alone, I then started pawing her. I think it got the point across. You put your hands on my child, I'll put mine on you.

I really laughed at this one! That's great! I only wish I had the guts to do that.

 

[mamaLori05]

Agreed. Handicap accessible means just that. Not handicap exclusive. Is the same true for doors and ramps?

I hope it's not a law because I am again guilty of using the handicapped doors when traveling with the stroller. It's sooo much easier to push the button and roll through than to try to hold the door open with one hand and roll through with the other. It's probably quite comical to watch!!

 

[SereneOne]

I was on the receiving line of things about 5 or 6 years ago. At the time my son was on the mend from some significant medical issues and remained under a doctor's care.

I'll share with you that we're really lucky, today, he's a healthy 10 year old child who has fully recovered from his early medical issues. We had come close to losing him several months before that Disney trip and we were celebrating that things were looking up while still cognizant of the fact that he had a long way to go and we wanted to take him back to Disney "just in case." Anyway, here's what happened.

We entered the bathroom (the one near Peter Pan) and the only stall open was an accessible stall. I took my son in there because he needed lots of extra help with several medical devices that were hidden by his clothing and a bag he carried. Anyway, we weren't in there long...just long enough to address his needs, get everything secure, wash our hands and leave.

This woman on a scooter comes over to the stall as we are leaving with her 2 daughters (both teens or older) and begins yelling at me for taking my "able bodied" son into a handicapped stall that is reserved for the use of people in a wheelchair! She and her daughters who are yelling at us at the top of their lungs then begin to follow us out as I pushed our way through outside and then another of her relations...a man...tells my son and I that he's a police officer and that he should arrest us and throw us both in jail while the rest of the family has kinda circled around us!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a CM (one that tends to the restrooms) standing right there and never once did she help us, even as I was standing there yelling for someone to please help me that I was scared these people were going to hurt us and yelling for the family to leave us alone and stop threatening us. I finally picked up my son and ran through the circle of the family to get away. We were both terrified and kept on moving to get out of the park, and I was praying they weren't following us as they were clearly not rational people!

When we got out of the park, I sat on a bench and cried while trying to console a terrified child that thought the "police man" would take me away from him. What's really sad is that a man in a "uniform" who was a Disney employee came up to us and my son started screaming at him "don't take my mommy." I explained to the man what had happened and he was kind enough to get someone to escort us back to our hotel room to make sure we didn't have any problems. For that, I am forever grateful!

What I learned from my experience with my son is that not all "disabilities" are visible and I never question someone who appears to be "able bodied" who parks in a handicapped space or uses a handicapped bathroom stall. I'm sure they have their reasons and it's up to them to make sure they are valid because I'm only responsible for my actions and the actions of my child.

What I also learned is that there are people who aren't very nice everywhere you go and when you're in a bad situation, get out of it! If no one will help, do everything you can to get away from it!

Finally, the last thing I learned is that "bad" people come in all shapes, sizes and abilities and they can be anywhere so it's important to remain aware of your surroundings so you can navigate a pathway to safety.

Let me also add this, I was really lucky that I was able to get away and that no one physically harmed us in any significant way. They pushed us, yelled at us and cornered us...but we escaped!

I will tell you that we have been back to Disney several times and have met some truly wonderful people.

To this day, I'm glad my mom taught me to get away by any means possible when you find yourself in a bad situation...and I'm doing my best to teach my son that as well.

For a while the "magic" of the Magic Kingdom was lost for us, but I decided about a year after this incident that the "magic" was still there and that bad people could never take it away from me or my son unless I allowed them to do so. I also realized about this same time that the reason the CM (the restroom attendant person) didn't help was because she didn't know how to and that was OK since I really didn't either.

 

[5 for WDW]

Maybe she had a friend bumped or who was flying standby. Had the seat been checked and the child become a "lap baby" there would have been another seat.

However, even that requires her not thinking things through, since the seat was paid for.

That was what my husband and I said to each other at the time. No matter what we said or how we said it, she just couldn't get it. I thought the Flight Attendant could have set her straight but, she still kept going.

I guess she was just a grump that day.

 

[WDWdreaming09]

First the bathroom thing is not the same as parking spots even though some seem to think it is. I am tall and a bit on the Pooh size. Many places have squeezed the bathrooms so tight and the toliet paper roll holders have grown so much that sometimes it makes it hard to do what I need to do in there. If there is no one coming in that is elderly or handicapped I use the larger stall. Also have used it when DD has gone in with me. It is marked handicapped acceseble to let them know that is one they CAN use, not marked to say others CAN NOT. Again I am respectful to someone that looks like they need it more than me and if you can tell someone came in, like a wheelchair, I hurry up. I do not let DD go in there by herself because she has no problems in a regular stall, unless the others are busy. Also I am far from disabled but have a messed up back from being hit by a drunk driver. There are days that it hurts to bend down and the handicapped toliet does not put me in tears.

Okay now my stories. We have not been in about 5 years but when we went when dd was 3 we were watching a parade. I nice family had let her sit down in front with her children and I just stood behind them with her. Then this older guy, it sounded like he was from South Africa, started pushing his way in front of us and was getting between us and our children. Now I am more out spoken and I would have put him in his place but back then I kept quiet and tried to keep an eye on my DD. Well the other mother was an out spoken Brit and let him have it when he was about ready to start stepping on our little ones. They started arguing. The reason I mentioned they were foreign tourists was it was kind of amusing listening to her tell him to bugger off. Sounded so much better than if my husband had heard and told him to f- off. I was actually glad DH was farther back and not hearing because he is not as cool tempered as I am.

The other one was a very unmagical Disney bus driver. DH, DD and DH's friend and I were staying at OKW. We had a late dinner at the Boardwalk and enjoyed a night there. Well it got very late and the only way back was to take the DTD bus. We waited an hour for the bus. By time the bus came it was almost 2 am. We were the only ones at the bus stop and were at the dD pick up point. DD was 2 and sleeping in the stroller. When the bus was pulling up dh picked her up while DF starting folding up the stroller standing by the back door of the bus. The bus was pretty full with people coming back from DTD and Boardwalk was the first stop. Before in this situation the drivers had us take the stroller on the back since there is no room in the front and you bang everyone trying to get to the back. Anyway when the doors opened I was walking to the front to ask if they could take the sleeping child and stroller on the back. 10 seconds after opening the doors, before I could even get to the front he started closing them again. Now mind you we had already sat for an hour waiting for this bus. We were obviosuly wanting to get on and were in the correct spot. DF freaked and tried to jump on as the door was closing to tell him to stop. Door closes on him and the bus did stop. I got on the front and the guys got on the back because they were afraid of him taking off again. Before I could explain the driver started yelling at us for them getting on the wrong way. Would not let me get a word in. Finally I said whatever and walked to the back to join them. Okay bus doesn't move and there is silence for a good minute. The driver stands up and orders us to get off the bus, dragging a sleeping 2 year old and stroller at 2 am. I looked at him and said 'are you serious, you are making us get off!' He said yes, get off and if you can get on the correct way you can get back on. So we dragged everything and everyone off and drug it all back on feeling like a scolded 2 year old in front of a full bus. Everyone on the bus was sitting there with mouths open in complete shock and disbelief. We were at Epcot the next day and went straight to guest services and complained. They were in shock also and gave us free meals and such and helped us file a formal complaint.

I understand it is dangerous and against the rules to get on through that door BUT I was going to the front and he never gave me a chance, tried shutting the door in my face. Like I said we were at the DTD stop at 2am making obvious preperations to board the bus and he was going to leave us. 7 years ago and it still ticks me off.

 

[TexasMinnie82]

We had this happen to us, kind of. The bus was completely full. Me and DH were standing up and had been pushed all the way up against the back door. The first stop wasn't ours (I don't remember where it was), but alot of people were getting off. So me and DH step off to let other people get out. When everyone was off we just stepped back in not really thinking about it. It was a short lady bus driver and she came running over to the back of the bus and started yelling at us that we could not board on the back and started pointing at signs that said that. I was trying to explain to her that we just stepped off and then back on, but she wouldn't listen to me. She just said don't do it again and turned around. Me and DH both just said OK, have a wonderful Disney Day.

Another day we were at MK and waiting to get on Splash Mountain. My aunt got up to the front with her family and they told them which line to get in. Well I guess my aunt didn't hear which or wasn't paying attention, or something. But she got in the wrong line. The CM came over and very loudly and rudely yelled at her, I said Line 2, Line 2. Grabbed my aunt by the arm and pulled her over into line 2. We were all laughing at her and all my aunt said was, Well isn't that the Disney spirit!!!!

When people are rude to me I usually just try and smile and say have a nice day. That usually pisses them off more than anything else I could say or do. And it is always funny to see their reaction.

Now if they mess with my kids that is a whole 'nother story!!!!

 

[parmtoo]

After reading all of the "touching the hair" stories, I just had to share this one.

We were in Epcot, in Germany, and I had just been in a character line with my older ds. My younger ds and DH were playing by a bench. There was an older woman from another country just kind of watching and laughing at him. (He is pretty adorable, I must say ). When I walked up, she started inching across the bench and holding out her hand to him. DH tells me that she has been trying to get ds to interact with her.

I don't really think anything of that because he's just kind of staring at her and not interested. Then her granddaughter starts laughing at somehting the old lady is saying and telling her no. This goes on for about a minute and then the woman asks if the older woman can have her picture taken with my son. Huh???

I didn't really know what to do, so I said that it would be okay. I figured that she just meant that she wanted to sit where she was...she was a few feet away on the bench, but close enough for the picture. She actually picked him up and put him in her lap!!!

I was shocked and the younger woman quickly took a picture and I just grabbed him and left. She was incredibly disappointed that I took him away. And she just kept smiling eerily at him as we walked away. It was so weird! She acted like she'd never seen a kid like him before. I think it's the blond hair blue eye thing. That's not the first time something like that has happened with my kids before, but it's the first time they've asked to take a picture!

This happened to us in Washington DC many years ago when our children were small.
A tour group from another country was taking pics of the white house when DH noticed some of them taking pics of our DD, then about 6. He asked them to stop, and they didn't! We started to leave when their tour guide let us know that they didn't see the white-blonde that our daughter has in their country. They wanted photos to take home and share.
It was creepy!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

A slap in the face is NOT spanking!!

That is true (and I am not advocating either) but in some cultures it is the norm. Also just because you or I don't agree with it doesn't make it abuse or such. Not flaming just saying that cultural differences sometimes play a role. I know plenty of people who have gotten a slap in the face growing up for being sassy. It was not abuse and they never got sassy again. Of course we weren't there to see just how bad this event was, and while I can say that no, I wouldn't do that to my kids, there are many people who do use it in their parenting.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Oh! I just remembered something with all the bus stories. On our first trip we had 2 kids then. 2 and 8 months. We went to the Boardwalk for dinner. So we had a double stroller with us. Well, we pack it in early because we don't want the kids to get cranky and well, we have had enough ourselves. So we go and wait for the bus back to WL. Well we waited over an hour and a half. We were not the only people waiting but needless to say by the time the bus came everyone was really tired. Well a bus finally comes and it is packed. We go to get on. My DH folds up the stroller and I am balancing the kids. It is standing room only. We have no choice since we have no idea when another bus will come since it was almost 2 hours for this one to come. I get on and then the bus driver tells my DH that he has to leave the stroller. He cannot bring it on the bus! Yeah right! I am going to leave MY stroller at the Boardwalk. I told him no way. We're not leaving it but thanks. I can't believe he expected us to leave our stroller! He drove like a maniac and we were so thankful for the lovely girls from Bath and Body Works (they were having a convention) who surrounded me and helped me balance the kids so none of us fell. Oh and if you are sitting and not giving up your seat for someone who needs it (not that you should have to either) don't try to engage my children by trying to play with them. If you cannot help and let me sit with them then do not make it more difficult for me by trying to play all sorts of games with them. OK- that's a little vent but that night there was some woman who was sitting with her friend trying to engage the kids and it was annoying.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

A tour group from another country was taking pics of the white house when DH noticed some of them taking pics of our DD, then about 6. He asked them to stop, and they didn't! They wanted photos to take home and share.
It was creepy!

If I saw a child I wanted to take a picture of in a public place, I wouldn't think twice of snapping the shot.

I do not understand the "asking them to stop". What harm could come from a simple photo?

To get back on topic, my husband was smothered in poo by a little kid and the parents never apologized for what their little angel did. She stuck her had in her pants, pulled out poo and rubbed in on my husband's shorts.

He was too busy ripping his shorts off and tossing them in the trash (and I was gagging) to confront them.

 

[parmtoo]

If I saw a child I wanted to take a picture of in a public place, I wouldn't think twice of snapping the shot.

I do not understand the "asking them to stop". What harm could come from a simple photo?

The real point is, it's creepy! It was making my DD very nervous, and she started to cry. Why would you want a pic of someone you don't even know? What's to stop these people from putting the child's pic on the internet somewhere? It's about respecting a families privacy. It isn't like she just happened to be in the backround of a pic of something elese, there were about 5 people she didn't know taking pictures of her.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If I saw a child I wanted to take a picture of in a public place, I wouldn't think twice of snapping the shot.

I do not understand the "asking them to stop". What harm could come from a simple photo?

The real point is, it's creepy! It was making my DD very nervous, and she started to cry. Why would you want a pic of someone you don't even know? What's to stop these people from putting the child's pic on the internet somewhere? It's about respecting a families privacy. It isn't like she just happened to be in the backround of a pic of something elese, there were about 5 people she didn't know taking pictures of her.

I agree.

 

[luvsJack]

I have red hair and know exactly how some of you feel about people wanting to touch your child and/or take their picture. When I was a kid and we were around people from another culture, they would want to touch my hair and take my picture. Apparently in some countries red hair is unheard of?? I'm really not sure, but it made me very uncomfortable.

The only confrontation I was almost a part of, happened in MK on our last trip. When everyone started gathering in front of the castle for the show (not sure of the name??), everyone was pretty much standing around. Well, when the show started everyone toward the front sat or crouched on the ground. Except one woman, she was standing next to her child in a stroller. Several people started yelling for her to sit down. At first I told her to sit too. Then I realized how angry some of those behind us were getting and I realized that she was trying to figure out what to do. Apparently by the time she realized she needed to sit down, everyone had moved forward and there were people right up against her and no room to sit. I could see the panicked look on her face. I'm afraid she thought some of those people might really do something to her! Added to that the fact that everyone was so crowded in there that she couldn't leave the area either. After the show, I still heard one woman shouting about the one who was standing. I hope they stayed far away from each other! The thing was, the way the stage is and the way they do the show; everyone could see fine!

 

[HerdOHuds]

If I saw a child I wanted to take a picture of in a public place, I wouldn't think twice of snapping the shot.

I do not understand the "asking them to stop". What harm could come from a simple photo?

To get back on topic, my husband was smothered in poo by a little kid and the parents never apologized for what their little angel did. She stuck her had in her pants, pulled out poo and rubbed in on my husband's shorts.

He was too busy ripping his shorts off and tossing them in the trash (and I was gagging) to confront them.

If you took a picture of my children in a public place, I would be sure to let you know that I did NOT approve, give consent or appreciate that. It has happened to us in the past, when we were using a gigantic stroller, and I always let people know that I didn't want strangers taking pictures of my children.

I agree with pp's who said that you don't know where those pictures end up. There are lots of creeps out there that would get their jollies off an 'innocent' picture.

I even had one guy readjust where he was standing when me bending over and giving him a lovely hiney shot didn't deter him. Then I started asking him if I knew him and why was he taking pictures of my children. He gave me some half-a$$ed story about his daughter and it was a great stroller. I gave him the name of the company and told him to look it up on the internet. I think I embarrassed my husband, but Mama Bear was in the house.

I am sure there are folks out there that may not mind and would take it as a compliment, but it is only good manners to at least ask before taking a picture of someone in public.

 

[TiggerStac]

Thank you! This is what I thought and I guess what happened to the OP really steamed me because of the rude person/family with the wheel chair. Just because they have a wheel chair doesnt mean the stall is exclusively for them. It's just equipped for whomever uses it.

Just a comment on the handicap stalls. A lot of places, not WDW, but stores, etc the baby changing table is inside the handicap stall. I would say I find them in there about 50% of the time.

I will use the stall if I have my kids with me. If it's my older, he is fine but if I'm with my youngest, my options are either bring him in with me, leave him in his stroller outside the door or hold it. The last 2 are not options for me.

 

[TexasMinnie82]

If you took a picture of my children in a public place, I would be sure to let you know that I did NOT approve, give consent or appreciate that. It has happened to us in the past, when we were using a gigantic stroller, and I always let people know that I didn't want strangers taking pictures of my children.

I agree with pp's who said that you don't know where those pictures end up. There are lots of creeps out there that would get their jollies off an 'innocent' picture.

I even had one guy readjust where he was standing when me bending over and giving him a lovely hiney shot didn't deter him. Then I started asking him if I knew him and why was he taking pictures of my children. He gave me some half-a$$ed story about his daughter and it was a great stroller. I gave him the name of the company and told him to look it up on the internet. I think I embarrassed my husband, but Mama Bear was in the house.

I am sure there are folks out there that may not mind and would take it as a compliment, but it is only good manners to at least ask before taking a picture of someone in public.

I agree!! There are to many creeps, weirdos, pervs, whatever you want to call them, out there. That would really freak me out. I can't even imagine how my DH would react!!!

 

[srwarden1928]

Just a comment about the pictures:

DW likes to take pictures of the characters. We dont need to meet them, not that we would mind, but we have NO intention of waiting in line to meet them. She just wants a pic of the character. Some child meeting the character is no problem for us. We understand that small children really enjoy meeting the characters. So if a child is meeting a character, she will just take a pic of the character she wants with whatever child is there.

 

[perkinsrose]

That is true (and I am not advocating either) but in some cultures it is the norm. Also just because you or I don't agree with it doesn't make it abuse or such. Not flaming just saying that cultural differences sometimes play a role. I know plenty of people who have gotten a slap in the face growing up for being sassy. It was not abuse and they never got sassy again. Of course we weren't there to see just how bad this event was, and while I can say that no, I wouldn't do that to my kids, there are many people who do use it in their parenting.

I DON't want to start an OT debate. But i'm against spanking and think slapping in the face is a step worse--and i do think it is abuse; physical and emotional.