Disney world vent/rant

[Smokin Joe]

I first need to preface this, this topic has nothing to do with the military, the government, nor SF, so mods/admins if you need to delete this thread feel free but I needed to vent/rant and wanted to share an experience.

The wife and I decided to take the little one to Disney World this week, and on 4/22/09 between the hours of 1625 hours and 1730 hours (local time) my kids' BOB Revolution jogging stroller (estimated value 400 dollars) was stolen outside of the Finding Nemo musical attraction located in the Disney world Animal Kingdom.

I contacted security, who was slow to respond, the jackass security guard treated the incident like no big deal. The MF'er shrugged his shoulders at the incident and I had to talk him into, calling the security guards at the front gate to be on the lookout for the stroller and to take a report. Which I had to spoon feed him the appropriate information for....... I mean does Disney not teach these guys how to A) Conduct and investigation and B) How to write a friggin report and what is appropriate information to put in said report.

After that I filed a report with the Orange County Deputy at the front gate, good dude who knew his business.

We then contacted Disney about any potential reimbursement and they have told us to pound sand any claim will be denied.

Lessons Learned:
1) Do not bring an expensive stroller to Disney
2) Disney security sucks
3) If you file a claim with Disney be prepared for your claim to be denied
4) SUCK BAGS ARE EVERYWHERE (I already knew this one but the wife got a fresher lessen)

......Ahh thats much better

[/Rant off]

[Pete]

Had one of those "3 bike tire" jobs that got loaded down with everything.

Looked like a commo ruck on wheels.

It was so loaded down D3 had to sit on top of stuff and it could not be parked alone somewhere.

Some butthead who couldn't plan ahead got worn out toting junior and stole your's.

Sucks.

[FILO]

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

The wife and I decided to take the little one to Disney World this week, and on 4/22/09 between the hours of 1625 hours and 1730 hours (local time) my kids' BOB Revolution jogging stroller (estimated value 400 dollars) was stolen outside of the Finding Nemo musical attraction located in the Disney world Animal Kingdom.

I contacted security, who was slow to respond, the jackass security guard treated the incident like no big deal. The MF'er shrugged his shoulders at the incident and I had to talk him into, calling the security guards at the front gate to be on the lookout for the stroller and to take a report. Which I had to spoon feed him the appropriate information for....... I mean does Disney not teach these guys how to A) Conduct and investigation and B) How to write a friggin report and what is appropriate information to put in said report.

After that I filed a report with the Orange County Deputy at the front gate, good dude who knew his business.
[/Rant off]

The first year I lived here in Florida, I bought a DW annual pass since my girls need their DW fix. We took our double stroller 1 time and that was it. Decided on subsequent trips to go with the rentals, far easier to deal with and didn't have to worry about your unfortunate situation. I've got a couple of colleagues in FDLE and they've yet to report anything close to praise involving DW security policies and actions. Apparently short of a mass murder witnessed by more than 100 people and captured on video and posted on You Tube, they will deny the existence of such vicious rumors.

[Sigaba]

SJ--

I was sorry to read of your unfavorable experience at DW.

FWIW, Disney has its corporate offices and primary production facilities in Burbank. A poorly kept secret in the entertainment industry is that Disney employees are frequently unhappy. So much so that, years ago, staffers coined "Mauschwitz" to describe the Disney experience.

[Utah Bob]

Originally Posted by FILO

The first year I lived here in Florida, I bought a DW annual pass since my girls need their DW fix. We took our double stroller 1 time and that was it. Decided on subsequent trips to go with the rentals, far easier to deal with and didn't have to worry about your unfortunate situation. I've got a couple of colleagues in FDLE and they've yet to report anything close to praise involving DW security policies and actions. Apparently short of a mass murder witnessed by more than 100 people and captured on video and posted on You Tube, they will deny the existence of such vicious rumors.

Disney World is an odd entity. When Walt built it in the middle of nowhere back in the late '60's the county gave them virtually everything they wanted. Orlando was a small town in the middle of orange groves and cattle ranches. They are actually chartered by the State of Florida as a municipality and can have their own police and fire departments. They try to keep any bad news suppressed. Kinda like Cuba. It's all about the $$. They have tremendous political clout. They couldn't care less about a few customers having a bad experience. The Disney corp is just like their park in my opinion. All surface fantasy with nothing substantial underneath.

[Dozer523]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

SJ--

I was sorry to read of your unfavorable experience at DW.

FWIW, Disney has its corporate offices and primary production facilities in Burbank. A poorly kept secret in the entertainment industry is that Disney employees are frequently unhappy. So much so that, years ago, staffers coined "Mauschwitz" to describe the Disney experience.

Everytime we drove by those offices (on our way to Universal Studio) we'd look up at the Mickey Mouse on the top floor and yell "Jump, Mickey, Jump!" Seemed to get on the "Reason For Livings" nerves but me and the kids would detour just to do it.
BTW regarding kids. The logistical requirements of a human being are in inverse proportion to their size.

[nmap]

Smokin Joe , have you considered the fine art of the executive complaint?

For example, you might consider writing to Ronald L. Iden,
Senior Vice President, Global Security. The management "team" is listed HERE.

Their address is at the bottom of the page HERE.

And the annual report is HERE.

Let's see now...what does Bobby Iger (CEO of Disney) have to say...

Ahh, yes...

It has been a very long time since our country has faced the kind of economic turmoil we are currently experiencing, and The Walt Disney Company, while strong, is certainly not immune to the difficult market conditions that exist today. With consumers spending more carefully and spending less, and advertisers doing the same, our media, consumer products and theme park businesses all face significant business challenges.



Perhaps a pleasant, but pointed, letter to Mr. Iger, referencing his letter to shareholders, and pointing out how the multiplier effect of disappointed visitors might prove detrimental to the long-term growth expectations of the company, might help the staff develop a more proactive attitude? (Evil grin)

It costs little more than a stamp. The worst that can happen is nothing. And you just might get some satisfaction - or at least the pleasure of spreading some hate and discontent.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Smokin Joe

The wife and I decided to take the little one to Disney World this week, and on 4/22/09 between the hours of 1625 hours and 1730 hours (local time) my kids' BOB Revolution jogging stroller (estimated value 400 dollars) was stolen outside of the Finding Nemo musical attraction located in the Disney world Animal Kingdom.

I contacted security, who was slow to respond, the jackass security guard treated the incident like no big deal. The MF'er shrugged his shoulders at the incident and I had to talk him into, calling the security guards at the front gate to be on the lookout for the stroller and to take a report. Which I had to spoon feed him the appropriate information for....... I mean does Disney not teach these guys how to A) Conduct and investigation and B) How to write a friggin report and what is appropriate information to put in said report.

After that I filed a report with the Orange County Deputy at the front gate, good dude who knew his business.

We then contacted Disney about any potential reimbursement and they have told us to pound sand any claim will be denied.

Lessons Learned:
1) Do not bring an expensive stroller to Disney
2) Disney security sucks
3) If you file a claim with Disney be prepared for your claim to be denied
4) SUCK BAGS ARE EVERYWHERE (I already knew this one but the wife got a fresher lessen)

......Ahh thats much better

[/Rant off]

SJ,

Am so sorry for your loss, of course not just of property, but of confidence! How horrible that this happened to You, of all people, but that it happened at a "Disney" themed park...SHAME ON THEM!!! (To Add: For having such poorly trained security officers on hand.)

It may be a simple thing to some, but I can appreciate taking my little nieces and nephew out to the parks, and it really is a big deal!

Hope all is well SJ!

Holly

Sorry for your loss, but Disney is no more responsible than the City of New York would be if your bicycle were taken from a bike rack in the middle of Central Park. Locks are manufactured for a reason.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by nmap

Smokin Joe , have you considered the fine art of the executive complaint?

For example, you might consider writing to Ronald L. Iden,
Senior Vice President, Global Security. The management "team" is listed HERE.

Their address is at the bottom of the page HERE.

And the annual report is HERE.

Let's see now...what does Bobby Iger (CEO of Disney) have to say...

Ahh, yes...

It has been a very long time since our country has faced the kind of economic turmoil we are currently experiencing, and The Walt Disney Company, while strong, is certainly not immune to the difficult market conditions that exist today. With consumers spending more carefully and spending less, and advertisers doing the same, our media, consumer products and theme park businesses all face significant business challenges.



Perhaps a pleasant, but pointed, letter to Mr. Iger, referencing his letter to shareholders, and pointing out how the multiplier effect of disappointed visitors might prove detrimental to the long-term growth expectations of the company, might help the staff develop a more proactive attitude? (Evil grin)

It costs little more than a stamp. The worst that can happen is nothing. And you just might get some satisfaction - or at least the pleasure of spreading some hate and discontent.

SJ,

Sounds like the info nmap is providing may help you get some compensation.... Should give it a shot, worth trying any way.......................

GB TFS

Sigaba brought up an interesting point; Disney's employee are often unhappy, I've heard the same of Walmart, Costco, etc.

Consider the implications of large corporations like the ones mentioned. In size and shape they're run like federal work camps of the 1930's FDR program. Imagine the "mind of the employee" who feels that working for such a company is the only thing I can find?

I took my boys last year to Anahiem, CA - same thing, "employee depression", I call it. I'm laying out $500 in travel, $400 in lodging, $120 in tickets, $80 in food, (inside the gate), another $100 for gifts, the list goes on. I would at least expect someone to smile as we walk-in.

During a down market, these large corps charge outragous event prices, and treat their employees like a "wet dog", and act like were doing them a favor by visiting thier space.

I'm looking for a break as to when we can acquire season tickets for a ball game and not break the bank. Just taking the boys to one game is a $300 commitment.

No room for the average working man.

[JNC]

Thats a shame about your stroller. I still love Disney. Very military friendly. I'm going this year b/c it is free to service members, with a good discount to their guest. I never put anything down though, carry a pack with everything I need in it.
The line at the claims department is out of control though. Not saying the bad attitude is right, but understandable when you have 100s of people yelling at you about their stuff being stolen. Especially since there is not much they can do. Even if they found the guy with your stroller, all he would have to say is it was his. Hard to prove otherwise. Chances are he ripped a couple things off to make it appear a little different.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by JNC

Especially since there is not much they can do.

I Disagree. At events at large and small venues that I participated in the promotion of, those in charge did hire the best security teams, for starters, to ensure public confidence, for one.

Realizing that the venue itself cannot be held liable, the venue still owes it to their patrons to provide "good" safety and security, IMHO.

Just my .02, as if this is the type of security they provide...what if a "man-made disaster" would occur? I would not feel safe knowing that this type of authority is in place.

Holly

[Kyobanim]

As a rule, the majority of Disney employees, at least the one in orlando, are happy campers. That's part of the hiring process and employee reviews. Sure there's going to be a few losers but they quickley get weeded out.

Sometimes they will have a bad day, they're human. That doesn't excuse what happened but that's life. Shit happens.

[Richard]

Heeeere's Mickey!

Richard's $.02