Woman Says Disney Bungled Case Of Tempest In Tea Cups

**hgraber** · 05-30-2007, 11:23 AM

I didn't see this story posted and I wanted to know what everyone's first impression is.

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Local/2...ed_attack.html

I wonder if WDW has video of this happening? I would assume that if they have an undercover secret-service-like security team, they've got an extensive security camera system. Anyone know for sure?

**SamIAm717** · 05-30-2007, 01:03 PM

My first impression is how horrible to be attacked like that while on vacation. I wish they would have elaborated on what led up to such an attack, not that an attack of that nature is warranted under any circumstance, but I wonder what would cause someone to become so violent. I feel sorry for the people who had to witness something so violent and with all those children present...

**tizzo** · 05-30-2007, 06:11 PM

Well that's interesting. Not that it's anywhere near the same thing, but I was in an auto accident on Disney property last month. Disney security responded, and talked me out of getting the FHP involved. The other driver was at fault, and wasn't disputing that he was, so it all seemed like it would work out OK. When he got home and made his statement to his insurance company, however, he changed his story, and because there was no police response, no citation issued, and not even a police report, it's my word against his and I'm going to be stuck for the damages to my car.

Others have told me that my experience is not unique -- apparently Disney has a reputation for being averse to having law enforcement activity on property, at least where traffic accidents are concerned. I'm wondering if they are required to pay for police response, since they have their own government and technically are not part of any local municipality or county.

Anyway, word to the wise -- if you are in a situation where you need the police, be prepared for resistance from Disney security. All I can say is be insistent. Especially if you're in a car accident caused by someone else, make sure you get the police on scene.

**disneydreamer98** · 05-30-2007, 06:16 PM

What is wrong with people?!?!

**hgraber** · 05-30-2007, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by tizzo

Well that's interesting. Not that it's anywhere near the same thing, but I was in an auto accident on Disney property last month. Disney security responded, and talked me out of getting the FHP involved. The other driver was at fault, and wasn't disputing that he was, so it all seemed like it would work out OK. When he got home and made his statement to his insurance company, however, he changed his story, and because there was no police response, no citation issued, and not even a police report, it's my word against his and I'm going to be stuck for the damages to my car.

Others have told me that my experience is not unique -- apparently Disney has a reputation for being averse to having law enforcement activity on property, at least where traffic accidents are concerned. I'm wondering if they are required to pay for police response, since they have their own government and technically are not part of any local municipality or county.

Anyway, word to the wise -- if you are in a situation where you need the police, be prepared for resistance from Disney security. All I can say is be insistent. Especially if you're in a car accident caused by someone else, make sure you get the police on scene.

You could always just skip all the "hush hush" stuff (I'm sure Disney doesn't want cops running around ruining the magic) and call the police on your cell phone. Seriously, no matter what, get a police report in a car accident. And you can be sure if I was assalted (anywhere) or saw someone assaulted, I would be on the phone with 911 as soon as humanly possible.

**GaRain** · 05-30-2007, 08:07 PM

Wow, I would hate to see something like that happen while at the happiest place on earth.
Funny how the captions to the pictures said the "new tea cups ride".
I didn't see any marks on the woman, but I would think if it was as major as she made it out to be, people would have reacted more - I think I would have.

I was also involved in a traffic accident on Disney property. A car ran into a Disney bus in the bus lane at MGM Studios. My friend and I were trying to get to the Wilderness Lodge for dinner. We were delayed over an hour as everyone on the bus had to sign written statements. No one ever followed up with me though.

**tizzo** · 05-30-2007, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by hgraber

You could always just skip all the "hush hush" stuff (I'm sure Disney doesn't want cops running around ruining the magic) and call the police on your cell phone. Seriously, no matter what, get a police report in a car accident. And you can be sure if I was assalted (anywhere) or saw someone assaulted, I would be on the phone with 911 as soon as humanly possible.

I actually did call the police first. The first thing they asked was if there were any injuries or road blockage. When I said no, they asked me where I was. When I told them, they transferred me immediately to Disney security.

**The_Heat** · 05-31-2007, 12:12 AM

I didn't see any marks on her either.

Does Disney even have security cameras inside the parks? I've heard from several CMs that there are none inside.

**aeronautxearth** · 05-31-2007, 07:21 AM

Am I the only one who doesn't really believe this woman? I can't see any marks or bruises on her.

**Timbo** · 05-31-2007, 11:20 AM

We were at the parks this past week for 4 days and I saw plenty of sheriff deputies in and around the parks the entire time. I can't comment on this specific case...the news report doesn't even say when it happened, but I can tell you I saw plenty of cops on WDW property. I saw at least three specific cases of cops with lights on dealing with vehicular incidents and I also saw FHP clocking people on WDW roads.

**Nenny_Mouse** · 05-31-2007, 03:42 PM

HUH i didnt see any injuries either. I seriously think if this incident or others that have happened, it wouldnt have gotten the publicity as it did, but because its disney, thats why its "exaggerated".

WHAT happened to the lady who supposedly injured this woman?????

**hgraber** · 06-01-2007, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by aeronautxearth

Am I the only one who doesn't really believe this woman? I can't see any marks or bruises on her.

Okay, this is why I posted this in the first place. My first reaction was disbelief: "I wanted to know what everyone's first impression is."

If the woman recieved the beating she described, she would have very visable marks. (There was recently a man on the news here that recieved a similar beating, caught on secirity cameras, BTW, and he was black and blue all over.) Plus, with all the people that she says were around, why haven't cell phone cam videos popped up on YouTube or on the news? I would think that even if noone would help her, some idiot would record it or take a picture on their cell phone or digital camera.

So, I have a theory. She thought she would get the royal treatment (or even a settlement) from Disney if she kept her "attack" out of the papers. Disney didn't do much about it (probably because they could smell the truth a mile away), so she got ****** and made a HUGE deal about it.

LOL! You can't say ******! Okay, mad...upset, etc.

**DisneyLeo18** · 06-01-2007, 10:06 AM

I deffinately dont believe this woman, shes really reaching for a case on this one. If anything escalated in disney we all know someone would step in and it wouldnt continue with no interruption for 40 minutes. also eventhough mad tea party is a popular ride, i dont know if i have ever seen 80 or 120 people in line for it

**hgraber** · 06-01-2007, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by tizzo

I actually did call the police first. The first thing they asked was if there were any injuries or road blockage. When I said no, they asked me where I was. When I told them, they transferred me immediately to Disney security.

Man, I wonder why the police would turn a traffic accident over to a private security team? I guess it's just a matter of being under-staffed. In that case, I'd probably be in the same boat as you. I guess that's a lesson for us all in the future. When they try to pawn you off on Disney security, be persistent.

I had to call the police one evening (at home) because I had been having problems for quite some time with people parking in front of my garage and making it really difficult to get in and one night, I came home with a car-load of groceries and two cars were parked directly in front of my garage making it impossible to get in. The police came and told me that there was absolutely nothing they could do because it was private property. They couldn't have the people towed (only the property owners could do that), but they COULD write a report. So, I don't see what (other than under-staffing or sheer laziness) kept the police from coming to write a report about the incident.