No Dreams Here

[Melindarella]

We were there Sept 8th-15th and didin't win a darn thing
We never even saw a member of the dream team at any of the parks.
Still had a great time-boy was it hot though!!

 

[MapleGirl]

To me that just reinforced the notion that to be someone you have to have kids and it really bothers me because I'm never having any, I don't have any desire to and so I will spend the rest of my life a second class citzen because of that choice, which is wrong.

I understand what you are saying honugirl. DH and I will not be having children either and some people get very upset by this. I feel as though some people think my only use is as a 'baby maker'.... that I'm a failure as a woman because I will not be having kids. It is also very sad that some people still don't realize that families come in all shapes and sizes. It was wrong of Disney to discriminate against you and your family based upon your martial status. But I hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Oh well that's a bummer the resort didn't quite work out as you had hoped. I would recommend requesting a handicap room next time though...it's not just other people who might need it, YOU need it too! Don't put your needs to the side!

I do see you're returning to POFQ...that's our favorite. It's so beautiful there!

I just wanted to point out that handicapped accessible rooms are usually scattered all over the resorts, so requesting an accessible room does not guarantee that you will be close to the front/features, etc.

Many people with disabilities don't actually need a handicapped accessible room. My youngest DD uses a wheelchair full time because she can't walk. But, some of the 'features' of a handicapped room actually made things more difficult when she was little. She was small, so the raised seat toilet was WAYYYY to far off the ground for her (and her older sister was too small for it too) Until she got too big to lift into a tub, we just got a regular room. We did request first floor for medical reasons and requested to be near the check in area/food court.

 

[SereneOne]

Next time you post a problem or concern I hope people are just as nice to you. My mother told me once if you have nothing nice to say then keep it too yourself.

Ummm...you started a whole thread on saying nothing nice about Disney....


I have a special needs child with multiple birth defects, her twin died. Every day she lives a happy healthy life is a dream come true to me. The fact that I may be able to make this vacation come true for her will be a dream come true for me and I will know for sure in the next week or so if I am able to. She is having heart surgery next year.

It is all in how you look at it, I think. I am thankful that I have a home and utilities and cable and a cell phone, transportation...that I have sight and hearing and so many other things that are wishes for others...

 

[DisDarling]

Next time you post a problem or concern I hope people are just as nice to you. My mother told me once if you have nothing nice to say then keep it too yourself.

You should also remember that

 

[DisDarling]

Ummm...you started a whole thread on saying nothing nice about Disney....


I have a special needs child with multiple birth defects, her twin died. Every day she lives a happy healthy life is a dream come true to me. The fact that I may be able to make this vacation come true for her will be a dream come true for me and I will know for sure in the next week or so if I am able to. She is having heart surgery next year.

It is all in how you look at it, I think. I am thankful that I have a home and utilities and cable and a cell phone, transportation...that I have sight and hearing and so many other things that are wishes for others...

Couldn't agree more!!! (I also have a child with special needs that is a cancer survivor, couldn't agree with you more!!)

 

[maxiesmom]

I posted previously that I did tell the CM Mgr at check in of our needs. I don't think we need a handicapped room per say. My DD is not bound to her wheel chair and does not need any appliances in the resort room. She can walk short distances. We only require a first floor room or elevator access. I mentioned my time at POR was completely soured due to being put at the back of the resort. It was so far to walk to the front we were unable to use the facilities. When we did it was so crowded we just gave up. I feel the mgmnt at POR was unresponsive to a simple request to be moved a little closer to the front. If that was too much to ask I am sorry.

As you waited until check in to let them know your requests, you pretty much tied their hands. All they can do at that point is see if a room that fits your needs is available. They cannot make a room with a certain locatation available if it is not! And you picked one of the most spread out resorts for your stay, so the odds were not with you. Plus you went during free dining, so all of the food courts and restaurants were bound to be mobbed! Sounds like you need to do more research ahead of time, and not place the blame for your lack on the CMs.

I'm beginning to think that in order to have a "Dream" the magic must be inside of you to begin with.

 

[DisDarling]

As you waited until check in to let them know your requests, you pretty much tied their hands. All they can do at that point is see if a room that fits your needs is available. They cannot make a room with a certain locatation available if it is not! And you picked one of the most spread out resorts for your stay, so the odds were not with you. Plus you went during free dining, so all of the food courts and restaurants were bound to be mobbed! Sounds like you need to do more research ahead of time, and not place the blame for your lack on the CMs.

I'm beginning to think that in order to have a "Dream" the magic must be inside of you to begin with.

Your end quote here is SOOOOO true!!! I think if you go with no expectations, make the best of everything that crosses your path, you will have the time of your life!

 

[kimmikayb]

I'm beginning to think that in order to have a "Dream" the magic must be inside of you to begin with.

YES! Totally agree!

 

[SueM in MN]

Your end quote here is SOOOOO true!!! I think if you go with no expectations, make the best of everything that crosses your path, you will have the time of your life!

We have a number of 'unmagical' things happen to us on nearly every trip -

• we can't ride the bus because all the wheelchair spots are full or the lift doesn't work
• DD's wheelchair doesn't fit under the table in the restaurant, so she can't get close enough to feed herself and we have to feed her
• we arrive in time for a show, but all the wheelchair spots are filled (even though people who can walk in are able to go in)
• someone says something rude about DD or her wheelchair
• DD has a seizure and we have to stop touring
• the companion restroom is in use when we get there (or otherwise unavailable - door stuck, etc)
• someone uses part of DD's wheelchair as a footrest or leaning post while we are in line or in a show
• we have to stop for the day because we are tired from lifting 5 foot tall, 90 pound DD on and off rides that people need to get out of their wheelchair for
  and on and on

But "magical things' also happen to us on nearly every trip

• another person waiting for the bus says how sorry they are that they will be able to get on that bus, but we can't
• someone says it's a shame that all the tables/attractions are not wheelchair accessible
• someone opens a door for us or asks another guest to move out of the curb cut so we don't have to
• a stranger says something nice to DD
• someone stops and asks if we need and help when DD has had a seizure
• someone tells their child that DD's wheelchair is like a part of her and they may not sit on her footrest even though they are tired in line[
• there are rumors that an attraction is going to get a wheelchair accessible car

I agree, the magic is in you.
And, you can't make the magic come; it has to come on its own, on its own time. If you try to force it, there will be no magic.

 

[DisDarling]

We have a number of 'unmagical' things happen to us on nearly every trip -

• we can't ride the bus because all the wheelchair spots are full or the lift doesn't work
• DD's wheelchair doesn't fit under the table in the restaurant, so she can't get close enough to feed herself and we have to feed her
• we arrive in time for a show, but all the wheelchair spots are filled (even though people who can walk in are able to go in)
• someone says something rude about DD or her wheelchair
• DD has a seizure and we have to stop touring
• the companion restroom is in use when we get there (or otherwise unavailable - door stuck, etc)
• someone uses part of DD's wheelchair as a footrest or leaning post while we are in line or in a show
• we have to stop for the day because we are tired from lifting 5 foot tall, 90 pound DD on and off rides that people need to get out of their wheelchair for
  and on and on

But "magical things' also happen to us on nearly every trip

• another person waiting for the bus says how sorry they are that they will be able to get on that bus, but we can't
• someone says it's a shame that all the tables/attractions are not wheelchair accessible
• someone opens a door for us or asks another guest to move out of the curb cut so we don't have to
• a stranger says something nice to DD
• someone stops and asks if we need and help when DD has had a seizure
• someone tells their child that DD's wheelchair is like a part of her and they may not sit on her footrest even though they are tired in line[
• there are rumors that an attraction is going to get a wheelchair accessible car

I agree, the magic is in you.
And, you can't make the magic come; it has to come on its own, on its own time. If you try to force it, there will be no magic.

I am so sorry you have to deal with all of the bad, but I am truly happy to hear people also are helping you out on the positive end as well. Also, a stranger saying something nice to your child, I can SOOO relate. My daughter has a "fake" eye and people stare because it is sometimes a bit droopy and when people make a big deal on how pretty she is, I just about cry.

 

[honugirl]

Thanks to everyone who was nice to me in this thread.

It really hurt because I relayed the story of how much my boyfriend and I loved Disney that we were going to the Keys, but turned the car around and headed for Disney World instead, so it really hurt not to be picked because I don't fit the definition of "family."

Somedays I just don't have a whole lot of tact because I was actually still pretty fired up about it and I had just gotten off a plane with a screaming child right behind me who screamed the entire flight across the country. Forgive me if I just don't find kids cute. Not everyone does. Not everyone enjoys them. I don't enjoy sticky hugs or drooly kisses. I don't enjoy trying to dechipher what a kid is saying and it hurts my ears to listen to their high pitched anything (laughing, giggling, screaming, etc). I don't find their lack of attention to things around them and the fact they don't watch where they are going cute. Most of the time I keep my mouth shut and don't say anything. Sometimes I just can't hold it in anymore. This was one of those times. Still don't quite think I deserved the harshness that was directed to me since none of it was directed to anyone's specific child.

And I still deserve the chance to go to Disney World just like I don't deny famlies the opportunity to go there. It is not just a family destination, it's an everybody destination.

Truly, we did have a great vacation there and we're already planning next year's trip. We've learned some things this year and have an idea of places we will avoid, but there are things that we still want to do. We'll go back just to visit Kitty Calico at MGM (if you're there, she's the street performer in the Red and White outfit, absolutely hilarious!), I swear she's trying to steal my boyfriend, but it's all in good fun and if you wear red (her favorite color), she'll swoon all over you. We'll eat our way around EPCOT again and ride Spaceship Earth a billion times.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Thanks to everyone who was nice to me in this thread.

It really hurt because I relayed the story of how much my boyfriend and I loved Disney that we were going to the Keys, but turned the car around and headed for Disney World instead, so it really hurt not to be picked because I don't fit the definition of "family."

Somedays I just don't have a whole lot of tact because I was actually still pretty fired up about it and I had just gotten off a plane with a screaming child right behind me who screamed the entire flight across the country. Forgive me if I just don't find kids cute. Not everyone does. Not everyone enjoys them. I don't enjoy sticky hugs or drooly kisses. I don't enjoy trying to dechipher what a kid is saying and it hurts my ears to listen to their high pitched anything (laughing, giggling, screaming, etc). I don't find their lack of attention to things around them and the fact they don't watch where they are going cute. Most of the time I keep my mouth shut and don't say anything. Sometimes I just can't hold it in anymore. This was one of those times. Still don't quite think I deserved the harshness that was directed to me since none of it was directed to anyone's specific child.

And I still deserve the chance to go to Disney World just like I don't deny famlies the opportunity to go there. It is not just a family destination, it's an everybody destination.

Truly, we did have a great vacation there and we're already planning next year's trip. We've learned some things this year and have an idea of places we will avoid, but there are things that we still want to do. We'll go back just to visit Kitty Calico at MGM (if you're there, she's the street performer in the Red and White outfit, absolutely hilarious!), I swear she's trying to steal my boyfriend, but it's all in good fun and if you wear red (her favorite color), she'll swoon all over you. We'll eat our way around EPCOT again and ride Spaceship Earth a billion times.

Yep, and I don't like it when they whine when they don't get things they want!

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

Somedays I just don't have a whole lot of tact because I was actually still pretty fired up about it and I had just gotten off a plane with a screaming child right behind me who screamed the entire flight across the country. Forgive me if I just don't find kids cute. Not everyone does. Not everyone enjoys them. I don't enjoy sticky hugs or drooly kisses. I don't enjoy trying to dechipher what a kid is saying and it hurts my ears to listen to their high pitched anything (laughing, giggling, screaming, etc). I don't find their lack of attention to things around them and the fact they don't watch where they are going cute.

And I'm sure you NEVER did any of those things as a child, did you?

It's certainly your right not to like children and I'm not trying to pick on you, but a little more tolerance would be nice. Maybe the child on the plane had an earache...it happens. Kids get sticky and drooly...they are not born with sharply-honed fine motor skills, they have to develop them as they grow. They have high-pitched voices...they can't help it. They don't always pay attention to keeping themselves safe as they learn and discover new things every day. They're children, not miniature adults. Please try to keep that in mind.

There is more I want to say but I will refrain, as I really don't want you to think I'm flaming you or anything, so I'll leave it at that.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

It is a natural feeling to be a little disappointed when we don't get things we want. But to put blame on Disney for you not being picked out of the thousands of other guests there to receive a pair of Mickey Ears??? Seems a little ridiculous to me.

When my family goes in August next year, it would be great if we were picked to receive a dream. But if we don't, I have no intention of pitching a fit! Heck, my five year old knows better than that. But, now that you have got me going....

I went gambling once and I actually LOST money! Didn't win a thing. The senior citizen lady next to me won. Not me. I blame the casino!!!

 

[LilGMom]

I just read this entire thread and Wow, at not only the OP but at some of the other comments. I agree with those that said you have to make your own magic and one should feel thankful and happy about being able to go to WDW. We are fortunate that we get to go a few times a year, since the YOAMD started we've gone twice and will be going again in 26 day yay. My oldest DS did get some Tinkerbell pins for helping a CM out which thrilled all of us but we were more thrilled that DS got recognized (by someone other than us) for doing something nice and he did so without any prompting from us. Do I get angry when I read about people getting mulitple prizes? Do I get angry when I read about all of the people that get free resort upgrades (sometimes to a much nicer resort)? No because I am thankful that we get to go so often and that vacation might be that person's one and only trip to WDW. Even if it isn't, so what? Even if a person has won ten prizes who cares. Do we go hoping that we get a YOAMD? You bet but we don't let it get us down if we don't get one. I start feeling magical as soon as we drive under the big gates.

 

[inkkognito]

Do I get angry when I read about people getting mulitple prizes? Do I get angry when I read about all of the people that get free resort upgrades (sometimes to a much nicer resort)? No because I am thankful that we get to go so often and that vacation might be that person's one and only trip to WDW.

Amen! We live in Celebration so we visit WDW a LOT, and all we've ever gotten is the Dream Parking. But it gives me a thrill to see other people win because most of them are not as fortunate as us, to be able to look out the window, see the sunshine, and say, "Hey, let's drive over to the Magic Kingdom for a couple of hours!" It would be nice to win a Dream Fastpass, but it probably means a lot more to someone who only gets to WDW once a year than to someone like me who can get my fill in the off-season. The hats and pins are nice, but better for someone whose house isn't brimming with too much paraphenalia (an inevitable result of living too close). Don't get me wrong...I sure wouldn't turn down a night in the Castle or a DVC membership! But that would just be one-in-a-lifetime icing on the cake...for me, the magic is in going to the parks, and there is a little extra pixie dust when you see someone all excited because they got a prize.

 

[mking624]

Thanks to everyone who was nice to me in this thread.

It really hurt because I relayed the story of how much my boyfriend and I loved Disney that we were going to the Keys, but turned the car around and headed for Disney World instead, so it really hurt not to be picked because I don't fit the definition of "family."

Somedays I just don't have a whole lot of tact because I was actually still pretty fired up about it and I had just gotten off a plane with a screaming child right behind me who screamed the entire flight across the country. Forgive me if I just don't find kids cute. Not everyone does. Not everyone enjoys them. I don't enjoy sticky hugs or drooly kisses. I don't enjoy trying to dechipher what a kid is saying and it hurts my ears to listen to their high pitched anything (laughing, giggling, screaming, etc). I don't find their lack of attention to things around them and the fact they don't watch where they are going cute. Most of the time I keep my mouth shut and don't say anything. Sometimes I just can't hold it in anymore. This was one of those times. Still don't quite think I deserved the harshness that was directed to me since none of it was directed to anyone's specific child.

And I still deserve the chance to go to Disney World just like I don't deny famlies the opportunity to go there. It is not just a family destination, it's an everybody destination.

Truly, we did have a great vacation there and we're already planning next year's trip. We've learned some things this year and have an idea of places we will avoid, but there are things that we still want to do. We'll go back just to visit Kitty Calico at MGM (if you're there, she's the street performer in the Red and White outfit, absolutely hilarious!), I swear she's trying to steal my boyfriend, but it's all in good fun and if you wear red (her favorite color), she'll swoon all over you. We'll eat our way around EPCOT again and ride Spaceship Earth a billion times.

You're right, WDW is an everyone destination. But Disney does primarily cater to families with children. Hence, you see much more of them then you do anything else. So if children are that much of a nuisance to you (which, as someone else pointed out, I'm sure you were never like that), then expect continued "trouble" at Disney World. May come as a shocker, but those "nuisances" are running all over WDW. And you would have been putting yourself front and center in front of all those children you can't stand by being in the parade in which they wanted families with children to participate. So perhaps your complaints about these children can be your comfort for not getting what you wanted with the parade...since they wre not only going to watch it, but be in it.
As for the "tact"...I know in another thread you complained about the CM's supposed lack of tact, but then here readily admit that sometimes you don't have a whole lot of it. So perhaps some compassion can be had for the CM since you can relate? Being nice goes both ways.

 

[JzeroT1437]

I used to hate being around children, but they've grown on me. Still, I'm empathetic towards your sentiments and understand. Of course, you shouldn't complain about not being chosen for something special--you got to go to Disneyworld. Almost any given person would be grateful just for that.

 

[honugirl]

I am grateful for getting to go to Disneyworld. I'm tired of being a second class citizen because I don't have kids. I've never seen the family fun parade so I have no idea what it's like, therefore I would have no idea that it's all kids. All I know is that I'd like to be in a Disney parade and that opportunity was taken away from me.

No, I never acted the way I've seen many kids at Disney World act because if I did, I wouldn't have been at Disney World any longer, I would have been headed home or at least back to the hotel. From a very young age I was expected to act like an adult.

Now, are people done bashing on me or should I go put my ice hockey goalie gear on so that you all can beat on me a little more? Or if you'd like to flame me, I'm more than happy to borrow my boyfriend's old set of turnout gear from his firehouse, just tell me beforehand so I can put it on first.