Do you care?

Chucky · Post by **Chucky** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:29 pm

Over on another unoffical Disney site we got into a little tiff today. A man made reservations for a Disney World trip as a suprise for his wife. Only he didn't realize that reservations needed to know the ages of his kids at the time of the trip. They have 4 kids, and one of them will turn 3 before the trip, so they technically don't fit into the room he booked. A few of us told her she should call, explain the mix up, and change rooms, if that is what the CM said she should do. Well, I was truly shocked at how many people thought it would be ok for the family to just pretend this one time that their child was still 2. And not only stay in the room they have, but not buy park passes, or pay for meals either. The few of us who told her she should do the right thing and adjust her vacation were told how judgemental we are, and that the CMs do not give a rip anyway.

So that is my question: Do you care when people knowingly cheat the system? Is there anyway you all are empowered to make a guest prove how old a child is, and pay for passes/meals if needed? Or should we have just shrugged it off?

It just really hit a nerve. To me, it is stealing. Just as sure as if you walked into a store and shoved something into your pocket. The fact that the hubby goofed does not make it ok for the wife to continue to lie. And to tell her kids that they are going to pretend that their youngest child is still 2 yrs old for this trip.

I should tell you that this family is staying at the Grand Floridian, so there are tons of cheaper options out there for them.

goalman43 · Post by **goalman43** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:24 pm

For a kid who just turned 3 does it really make that much of a difference? In most cases I always side with CM's but this one is a bit of a stretch. Its not like the kid is 15 trying to pass off as 12. You're talking about the difference between 2 and 11 months versus 3 and 2 months, not really earth shattering. Its not like the kid is all the sudden going to eat a full adult meal, or start riding ToT.

I know you guys deal with crazy crap every day, and I know the little things at my job drive me nuts, but I think if you take a step back from it for a minute and realize that this kid is not going to be experiencing all of WDW that is included in that 3+ age range, nor does it seem that any evil SG trickery was intended. Its a small technicality that is probably more of a hassle (changing rooms, looking for a new reservation, adding meals, adding tickets, etc.) for parents and CM's, than it is to just leave it as is, and just chock it up to an inexperienced dad.

All jut my opinion, though.

hobie16 · Post by **hobie16** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 10:30 pm

Rather than lie and get the other kids to lie, I'd be up front if anyone asked and say we screwed up. My guess is most CMs would say, "Oh noooo." with a wink and a smile and let them pass.

Zazu · Post by **Zazu** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:03 pm

hobie16 wrote:Rather than lie and get the other kids to lie, I'd be up front if anyone asked and say we screwed up. My guess is most CMs would say, "Oh noooo." with a wink and a smile and let them pass.

There's a world of difference between, "My husband is a moron who doesn't know how old our kids are," and "Don't listen to the kid, he's not three."

As for caring, yes. Yes I do. Not only it is my job to make sure guests have the right ticket, I'm also a stockholder. More importantly, I'm a CM who's had nine years of SGs trying to con him, and I'm more than a little tired of it.

But if somebody is nice, doesn't try to lie to me, sure, I'll give 'em the benefit of the doubt. A gracious wink and pass can be worth more to the company than a kids ticket -- so long as they're the right sort of guests.

hobie16 · Post by **hobie16** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:22 pm

Zazu wrote:A gracious wink and pass can be worth more to the company than a kids ticket -- so long as they're the right sort of guests.

It's just amazing what people will do for you and what you can get if you just pass the personality test.

GRUMPY PIRATE · Post by **GRUMPY PIRATE** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:05 am

If he fesses up, he just made an honest mistake. I am sure the CM's will take that into account.

As to the attitude on another board to cover it up...well, here thats called being an SG!

ktulu · Post by **ktulu** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 12:08 pm

Way to teach the kid to lie! When Abby turns three (in 6 days!), we already know that we'll be paying for her. If you don't want to pay for your child, then you have two choices, don't have children, and if it is too late, don't go to WDW with them!

mechurchlady · Post by **mechurchlady** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:42 pm

a sin is a sin and a wrong is a wrong. It is teaching the older kids that it is ok to lie about "little things" but eventually those little lies get the kid used to little lies then the kid makes big lies.

I do care as there are rules. On average a kid at age 3 is old enough to enjoy a lot of things. If people cheated often enough then Disney could say age 2. People should be happy that it is 3 and not 2 or 1 years old and that under 12 get a discount instead of 6.

It is wrong wrong and triple wrong.

Ms. Matterhorn · Post by **Ms. Matterhorn** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 1:54 pm

Used to be under 12, now it's 10. Hmm, what happened there?

February · Post by **February** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 3:23 pm

Yes I care and what's more, I believe in karma.

Lie, cheat, steal, it'll come back to you in a much more expensive way.

Just pay for the freaking ticket and change hotels. Sheesh. Teach your kids to do the right thing for crying out loud, is it really that difficult?

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