Grumpy Guests

[Pigtails]

I'm sure that most of us at some time have been a bit grumpy, testy, moody while in the parks. Sometimes it's due to the heat, the crowds, our travelling companions or whatever.

Last night I was in the MK for a few hours, mostly to see Wishes. I was only there for a short time, but I saw sooo many cranky people. One stands out from the rest:

I hadn't eaten dinner, and it was around 9:30, and I went into Cosmic Ray's. There weren't that many people in there, and I ordered a cheeseburger. There were several people waiting at the counter waiting. After a few minutes, the woman in the line next to me started complaining. The CM's behind the counter told us that the broiler was not working, but that it would be fixed shortly. As time went by, the woman started complaining louder, and more often. She was saying, "It's been 10 minutes..... It's been 11 minutes... This is ridiculous... It's been 12 minutes... " and so on. I had to concentrate really hard not to just yell Shut Up! :zipit: I mean, I know it was annoying, but it's not like the CMs were being slow or lazy, something was broken! All the whining in the world wasn't going to fix the thing any faster. Everyone else, while understandibly frustrated, was waiting patiently. Some asked for (and got) refunds.

The funniest part was when the thing was fixed, and they started to bring out the food. They were just taking the reciepts that they had first, and giving out the stuff. Well, the woman was still waiting, and they were doing the people farther down the counter. She starts again, "I was here before all those people! Where's my stuff? We've been here for 17 minutes!... blah blah." Then I got my order. She was there way before me, and we had almost the same thing. Hehe. I smiled and really wanted to say, "Bad karma stinks, doesn't it?"

What examples of guest temper tantrums have you seen? Any bad meltdowns?

 

[TheDisneyQueen]

I had a personal experience when i was little... my cousin had been in the park from the moment they opened till about 7;00 and didn't have that much to eat.... finally at the end of the night my cousin (age 4 at the time) finally figured out that he was so hungry.... he had a complete melt down in the park and was yelling at everyone.... a cm came up to him to see what was the matter and he said just go away!!! talk about cranky.... he finally figured out that he was hungry... i guess he didn't realize how hungy he was since he was having so much fun during the day!!Disney can do that to you... make you forget about everything LOL

Angie

 

[HennieBogan1966]

working in retail myself, I can understand your reaction to this ladys constant nagging of the staff. I'm in the golf business, and can't believe how people will act over a game. I love the game, but not enough to lose sleep over a piece of golf equipment. I mean, grow up already. Besides, you're supposed to be on vacation right? What else have you got to do? Go to your hotel room? Wow. Big plans. Let it go already.

I got to thinking about working at the parks, and how even on my worst day there as a cm, I would still be happy to be working at the best place on earth. Even if I had to deal with someone like this. Which I'm sure occurs a lot in the parks, given the attitudes of people these days. Seems like people think the price of a ticket buys you the right to insult everyone you come into contact with that works for the parks/resorts. I clearly don't understand people these days when it comes to their attitudes. Maybe it's a generational thing or something. But why the big deals about everything? Is life that critical that you would make a scene over a meal? A golf club? A plush toy? How silly do those scenarios sound? But it happens all of the time. I just laugh about it when I see it, cause I realize how much I've grown and how little these people have.

 

[TnkrBelPixiDust]

GRRRR!! Just reading that makes my blood boil.. I hate when peope get all impatient and start acting ignorant! It seriously makes my skin crawl when they start getting all redneckish and making rude comments.. it's like your yelling isnt going to make a difference so SHUT IT!.. I give you props because you kept your cool though! I would have probably just said something under my breath.. pretty much because I wouldnt want to stoop to their level and make a scene lol!

 

[RandeB]

One of our fun waiting-in-line activities is to note how grumpy/bored most of the guests look when they're done with a ride...it seems many people aren't having fun if you judge them by their expressions.

 

[Irene]

hi,
Heres one for you 2 years ago my hubby and son and I were waiting in line at SM fast pass entrance. The ride just went down the CM said it should be up in a few, this woman came up and asked what going on that the line isn't moving. The CM told her the ride was down she pitch a fit. My hubby being one who does not put up with garbage was getting mad. :fork: The woman tried to get in front of him. Wrong move at this point he turn and said look the ride is down so either you can wait like the rest of us or leave, and by the way the line is behind me. :wave: The woman look at him and went all the way in back of the line. the Cm said ty for say that because she chould not. :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[KevinPage]

Grumpy Guest = my wife if we walk past Mexico and she doesn't get a Frozen Conga :lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun

 

[phlydude]

I was thinking about making "Grumpy Guest" cards to take with me on vacation and give out to people who are acting in a non-Disney mood. It would say something like:

You have been awarded the Grumpy Guest Card. This is given to those who are not enjoying their stay in Walt Disney World. We would like to thank you for bringing down those around you and confirming the thoughts of other guests that you truly long to be Grumpy of Seven Dwarfs fame. If you have any questions, ask them to yourself because only you can help yourself get happy.
Have a Magical Day!

I'm a big guy and will be about 20 feet away from them before they read it so I don't worry too much about retaliation but I thought that might help enlighten the mood of those not feeling the Disney experience.

 

[awallaceunc]

I have never been to WDW and not seen a guest being rude, if not downright immature and mean. Whether it's directed towards me and my party (it's happened) or towards someone nearby or even a CM, I see it at least once on each trip. It upsets me that people are willing to spoil the magic like that, but you just have to kind of overlook it and not let it put a damper on your vacation. There are sometimes legitimate reasons to be mad or to make a complaint, but that's not the case with the incidents I'm referring to.

-Aaron

 

[Pioneer Hall]

My favorites are the people who think they are better than everyone else. They get to the parade at 2:50 and try to get seats right on thecurb at Main Street. Then they stand in front of you or try to push you out of the way. When you say something they get nasty and proclaim that since they spent thousands they deserve to be there.

Some people just think the parks are for them and that they deserve better than the rest. I can't stand these people.

 

[brich]

I can see how it happens. Having a 5 year old and a 2 year old can be trying at times but for goodness sake, your at the happiest place on Earth. I can get irritated just like the next person but why become a grump? I think part of it is people try to cram in to much to fast. They don't stop long enough to smell the roses. All I can say is, when I'm reaching my limits, I just have to look around and in no time, I can spot a grump, then I look at my little one's faces and presto, Disney Magic kicks in and I'm a new person. But let's not come down too hard on the grumps. They certainly provide added entertainment... :lol:

 

[Coastieboy00]

Try working here. It's just as annoying on our side. I was restocking the floor in my shop and this guy wanders in and I ask if I can help him and he says no so I was like let me know if you need any help. well 5 minutes later, the guy starts yelling across the store that no cast member would help him and that he was upset that he was waiting for so long to get help and that Disney has no good help these days. I almost didn't want to help him check out. What a jerk. he then told me I should get a different job where time wasn't an issue. I almost wanted to tell him I am a seasoned lifeguard and lifeguard trainer but that just wouldn't be right. Some grumpy guests make me want to screen and quit but I just smile and nod and then screem on my break. Welcome to Walt Disney World where guests go on vacation but leave their brains at home.

 

[westie]

They do have a Grumpy Guest pin. I know, my wife gave it to me the day I had the worst hangover of my life. Everything was wrong, hot, too long of a line/wait. Anyways, it put me in my place.

 

[AStarOnMars]

I haven't been to WDW yet (Dec. 2004) but....

The last time I was at DCA I saw a grumpy guest. My bf and I were leaving ToT. There was this old woman in a motorized wheelchair and a group of young teens who were heading for the ToT. One of the teens had her eyes focusing on the ride and did not see the old lady trying to get her chair up on the sidewalk (Old woman didn't see the teen either). The teen and woman crashed into each other almost knocking the lady out of the wheelchair. The park was not packed, so there was more than enough walking room. The teen said she was really sorry and asked if she was ok but the old woman started yelling at her about needing to learn how to walk. The teen then gave her one of those evil glares.

It didn't end there ....

The old lady then started using bad language towards her family a couple of feet in front of her and said she wasn't going to use the *fill in the blank* chair anymore and was going home. She got out of the wheelchair and started speed walking down the path leaving one of her family members controlling the wheelchair.

My bf and I were shocked at how fast her temper blew then laughed b/c of how fast she started walking.

Then there was another time when a lady was yelling at all of the people who had strollers in the stroller sections on the trams to the parking lots, telling then to fold them up to more people could get on. Her husband was embarrassed and told her to please stop.

 

[MichRX7]

My favorites are the people who think they are better than everyone else. They get to the parade at 2:50 and try to get seats right on thecurb at Main Street.

Hasn't every Disney Veteran experienced this? I am amazed how we can get there early, I put the four little one's down on the curb (3, 3, 3, 4) and we sat on each side and behind them. Then right before the parade starts I have to fend off the late-comers. I don't mind moving back and giving the seat I am in to a youngster who I can see over, but don't try and move my little ones out of the way because you had to get in one last ride on Space Mountain and were late for the parade.

 

[Enderikari]

I've seen some real winners, too. One day I was sitting in City Hall to comment about how one of the CM's did a great job and the man in front of me started yelling at one of the Guest Relations guys, eventually throwing a bag at the CM. It wasn't a good situation at all, two more CM's took him into a backroom, and he still hadn't come out by the time I had finished my compliment...

(note: Compliment the CM's as much as possible that day by going to the park's Guest Relations office, they can call that CM's manager right there.)

 

[MichRX7]

Temper...Temper...

I have one really good story. When my stepson was 8 (now 15) we skipped the Epcot Millenium parade that we had already seen and ran over to TT. While in the line the ride broke down for some time (shock, shock). Well, we had a group of teens behind us who were complaining a bit and I just tried to spend a little quality time with my stepson and ignore them.

Well, when the ride re-opened a lot of fastpass people went through first which I understood, but the teens were having no part of it and started cussing out the CM. I really didn't feel like having my 8 y/old listen and started to turn and say something to them when at that point the CM looked at me and said, "Sir (boy do I feel old now), I don't think you and your son need to listen to this, please join the FP line. I thanked him and walked on by the teens. Then I turned to watch as a few large security types escorted them out of the park to the cheers of the rest of the people in line. I've never had that happen at any other park, and don't expect it ever will... Just a small part of what keeps me coming back to Disney. I just wish I had gotten the CM's name so I could have told Guest Relations how much it was appreciated.

 

[Pixie Duster]

Having a job in the service industry is a study of human behavior. We see so many types of people. You have to have a thick skin and do whatever you can to satisfy the upset guests. Kill 'em with kindness! If someone is angry towards you don't just sit there, smile at them. They may be a mean person by nature (unlikely) or they may be a regular person who has had a series of disappointing experiences and if you work your magic you could be the one to turn them back to their normal selves.

 

[WDWScottieBoy]

I agree with Pixie. If I'm ever around someone that's having a bad day or is upset, I go the Disney way to fix that problem. I give them a magical day, smile at them, treat them the way the haven't been treated that day, do something special for them even if it is out of my way. I don't like to see people down, and when I'm in WDW it's even easier for me to help them. I will go up to a complete stranger and at least try to get a smile on their face, no matter what I have to do to get them in a better mood. It not only makes their day but it makes mine even better too. And it all happened with what I've seen and learned at Disney. They teach the best, that's for sure. My role model forever will be Walt Disney and his castmembers! :sohappy:

 

[DDuckFan130]

Wow, these stories have really depressed me :lol:. I have a story of my own so here goes: My family and I were getting ready to go into Epcot in the afternoon through the International Gateway when this man in front of us tried to get in and his ticket wouldn't work. The CM told him he had to go to Guest Relations to get it fixed or whatever. He made a fist, slammed it on the metal machine we put our tickets in (sorry I don't know the name :lol: ) and yelled at the CM "I have 4 children in there! I have to get in NOW!" and the poor girl that had to tell him to fix it was freaking out but luckily security came and took him away. My cousin was so freaked out, being right behind him, she thought he would pull out a gun and hold her hostage until he got inside :lol:.