Elevator Rage - My Story

[TartanFan]

Having been around the Board for a while now I know "elevator kids" are a MAJOR cause of irritation! So I thought I'd share my experience of my own elevator rage on the 08/31 Western Magic! It probably doesn't reflect well on my powers of self-control but it made me feel better!

I lived on Deck 6 and wanted one early evening to go up to Deck 9 to retrieve my DD from QuarterMasters to get ready for show and dinner. Since I had been relaxing on our verandah, I didn't really feel like taking the stairs as I usually did (OK - small white lie but stay with me!) so I strolled to the midship elevator bank. For those of you in the know, these are the very scenic elevators with the glass backs where you can see the great murals from Deck 6 upwards - a magnet for sightseers!

After a (relatively) short wait I heard the welcome ping of an arriving elevator and, after scanning right and left, I sprinted towards the up sign (still with me? I'm almost at the point of this story!) and when I lunged in there were 3 young men there, around 10-12 years old. I was about to punch the button for Deck 9 when I noticed that it was already selected - as were Decks 7 and 8. "No worries" I thought "I'm on the scenic elevator and I'll enjoy the ride". A split second later we had arrived at level 7, the doors opened and none of my companions seemed to want to leave. Being the considerate person that I am, I blocked the door and inquired who wanted to get off. Since no-one made a move, I remarked that since the button had been pressed someone must want to get off and I would hold the door until someone did. After a hasty conference (when I could hear one say "She could just press the close button"!) one of the "young men" was elected to get off! Funilly enough, when we got to Deck 8 my other two companions almost knocked each down to get out of the elevator! I then continued my short but entertaining journey to Deck 9!

Sorry this is so long and probably very boring but it did make me chuckle for the rest of the evening!

[ennazus]

I think you handled that in a very diplomatic way!! And still got your point across to them (hopefully) that what they were doing was wrong.

[mom2grace]

EXCELLENT!!!! You did exactly the right thing and I wish I could've been there to watch! If more adults would do this, the problem would go away! I wonder if they told their parents and if their parents were outraged at the boys or YOU?!

[dis4me]

LOL Tartanfan. That was an entertaining story. I wish I would have thought of that. The boys must have died when you held the elevator.They wanted to play so they were played with.I like your way of thinking.You would think though that they all would have just gotten out together. LOL

[imgoingtodisney]

on the other hand - maybe you should have made them alllll get off - the parents might have sent them all together in case something happened - how would you have felt if the 1 10yr kid you made get off got hurt?

[TartanFan]

I did think of that and they were all given the opportunity to leave together but chose not to. I didn't MAKE anyone get off - we're talking 10 year olds here and logic is not their strong point! I know, coz the DD I was retrieving is 10 and not capable of rational thought when in the company of her peers but I trust in her innate survival instinct. If she hurt herself rushing upstairs to join her friends when they were "joyriding" the elevators, she knows she'd have to explain to me too!

[KAMLEM]

TartanFan-

That's great. By the end of our 7 day cruise in August I was very frustrated with unsupervised children. There were kids as young as 6 and 7 running around by themselves and playing in the elevators. I have a 6 and 8 year old and there is no way that they would be allowed to roam the ship alone. Twice I got onto an elevator with 2 children and every button pushed. If it happens again I'll use your tactic!

Shari

[nearlychildless]

I think you did the right thing! If told to stay together then they all should have all gotten off. Also if told to stay together I hope they were told other thing such as not playing on the elevators. I'll bet the parents were never told. I know mine would not have told me because she would have been trouble. Also I hate to tell you but my 15 year old still has trouble engaging her brain when in the company of peers, but we keep working on it. Then or now I would comend the person who did what you did if it had been my child.

[Doctor P]

LOL. Good job!

[jlawall]

I was on the 8/10 Eastern Caribbean Magic cruise and a few times I went on elevators with all the buttons pushed. The most aggravating part of this was THAT THE CHILD'S PARENTS WERE ON THE ELEVATOR!!!! I was so mad that they all thought this activity was funny!!!

One tip I learned on the cruise is that the aft and forward elevators were easier to get on than the midship elevators.

:rolleyes:

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I am 35 years old and I think that 25 years ago I may have pushed all of the buttons on an elevator once or twice (as I am sure a lot of you have; be honest). Kids probably did this on the first elevator that was made and will continue to do this for as long as elevators are around. There are kids shooting each other all over the country, a few extra stops on an elevator isn't a crisis.

You handled it well Tartan Fan. I am sure they were good kids just screwing around. Heck in some places they may have cussed you for doing what you did.

[TartanFan]

You got it! The point I was trying to make! Riding the elevator is the epitome of fun to kids and a minor irritant to us oldies but if the kids can play, why can't we?!

PS I'm even older than you so I've probably pushed even more elevator buttons - It doesn't make me a bad person - just getting my own back!!!!!!!!

[Tiiiigergirl]

I'm fighting a sore throat and really needed a good laugh! My family is wondering what in the heck I'm down here cackling about. That is just the think I would do if I'd thought of it! And for all of the reasons cited, why my son will NOT have check in and out privledges. Nine or ten is just too young to roam the ship. At least my nine year old is!

Tartan you would get along with my mom. Some girl called and asked if her refrigerator was running. My sweet mother said no. The girl just said Oh and hung up.

[my3kids]

I was at an Embassy suites a few weeks ago with my kids. They had 2 of the semi open glass elevators. I was in the elevator with ds 8 and when the doors to both of the elevators opened at the same time, on the wrong floor, he turned with a gleem in his eye and darted into the other elevator. Well, my doors shut and went one direction, he another. I got off and tried to watch through the semi open glass as he would dart from one to the other and change up and down direction everytime the elevators were on the same floor at the same time. He wasn't pushing buttons, and he wasn't seeming to bother the other passengers, he was just along for their ride. Anyway, he had a great time with his elevator games. Please don't hunt my children down on the ship if they have pushed a button or two. They are frequent jokers(not that that one is funny if in a hurry) I love what the origional poster did. It shows the kids how adults can be bothered by the button game without actually accusing them of being naughty.

[Tluvs2talk]

Hey, can we make the parent's of the darling little children who push every button with their parents standing right there get off too. :D I think every elevator we got in had parent's with children pushing every button. Oh, well If I get in a hurry I'll take the stairs.:D

[my3kids]

The instances of mine being in an elevator without either DH or I are likely negligable.....we just won't allow them to wander. The chance of them doing that when their father is in the elevator is even more remote. They know whose buttons NOT to push!;)

[poopie]

getting in the elevator with an ADULT who proceeds to push all the buttons? He is lucky I didn't back hand him upside his head.
My glare assured he NEVER does that in presence again.

[natsmom125]

There is one worse problem than a child and elevator..that is an
adult and an elevator.

I am never going to finish my trip report so those waiting for this...here it is as I promised.

I'm afraid I wasn't as cool headed as Tartan...I sort of lost my
cool in both instances I had on our recent Wonder cruise.

First...

I was TRYING to get off the aft elevators on Deck 5 to go to our cabin. PICTURE THIS: The doors open, I am in front and take one
step to get off. A LADY(and I'll use that term lightly) walked right in to the elevator, I had to step back to let her in. As she does this a GENTLEMAN(and I'll use that term lightly) starts to enter the elevator with a double stroller...not back to back..but side to side stroller. He bangs the stroller into my leg. Now, neither one
of these PEOPLE bothered to say "excuse me" or "pardon me"...
so I looked this man right in the eyes and said as loud as I could,
"DO YOU THINK THAT I COULD GET OFF BEFORE YOU BARGE YOUR
WAY IN"...I stepped off the elevator and just kept walking.

I have no idea what was said behind my back...and don't really care!!!!


Second...

DD was able to get a Teen Thing at the Spa. DH took her up while I went to flush money down the toilet (ie play Bingo) with
explicit instructions to stay at the Spa until I came to get her
after Bingo. Bingo was late getting started because of it being
the last game of the cruise. So,

PICTURE THIS

I rush out when Bingo is over to get to the midships elevators on Deck 3 going to Deck 9 to get DD. I press the call button(s). Elevators come and go....usually full, but some people walking up and as the doors open..get on. So, after a few elevators come and go...one finally comes and I start to walk on. Before I can get on...two LADIES(again that term)come out of nowhere and barge on in front of me. Well, that does it. I get on the
elevator too and one of these LADIES says, "There is no more
room" and I just lost it when she made that comment. I said
"I'm getting on this elevator..I have been waiting for 20 minutes...and I'M GETTING ON THIS ELEVATOR..why don't you
wait for the next one"....One of them murmured something about being late for a show. They were going up one floor to the
WD Theatre!!! As the elevator stopped on DECK 4, I, being the last one in...stood and blocked the door so they couldn't get off...
one of them said again...we're going to be late for the show and you(meaning me) should have thought about walking. Still blocking the door, said "No...I've been summoned(small white lie) to pick up my child on Deck 9.....you should have thought about walking up one deck..your show is more important than a child". I moved out of the way and they murmured something and ran to the theatre. I got back on the elevator and I don't think any of the other people moved or even breathed until it
was time for them to get off. I think they were scared of me..lol

I know I didn't handle it very well...but I'd had it with rude
elevator people. I'm usually pretty calm and collected...but
when I'm tryng to get to my child....you better stay out of my
way!!

OK...enough about this...it sure didn't ruin my trip and now it's
actually somewhat funny!!

Phyllis
:cool:

[hazmat1212]

i admire your restraint, TARTAN (di)

and 8/31 was a 'lite' sailing ---- can't imagine the ELEVATOR pandemonium with a FULL LOAD.....

made us grateful we were so far AFT most times we took the stairs!

cin in NJ

[Jhondy(210)]

lighten up a tad on the kids pushing buttons. i honestly can say i did the same thing and rode the elevator to many different floors for fun. although i would say 99% of the time there was no one else in the elevators because we were in the front elevators. like one person mentioned before kids have fun just riding the elevator...especially on the last night. i say if you are on a ship with lots of kids and need to get somewhere fast don't take the elevators i did walk up and down 9 flights of stairs numerous times so it isn't that hard.
oh and even adults push buttons. i know we were talking to a cast member who was talking about pushing all the buttons cause it makes people mad so hey its not just us...then again she does it on the cast member only elevators.

[DreamsDoComeTrue]

OK, I've grown up near a metropolitan area, so I've had the experience of elevators for awhile... but really... isn't stopping at every floor BORING? Unless it's your first time in an elevator, why do it? Life is outside of the box!
(P.S. by taking the stairs, you earn an extra dessert!)

[peagreenid]

I respectfully disagree. We always took the stairs......and probably always will, but, GOSH, I believe that I have paid for the right to take an elevator when and If I would like. I also believe that DISNEY has provided all children with enough "FUN" things to do, that playing in the elevators for 7 days straight is un-necessary? The elevators are entirely too small to manage the crowds that are on these ships. Please remember that this ship has elderly, small children and Handicapped that NEED an elevator. Someone NOT quite as able-bodied as yourself could be forced to walk that extra distance to try and find an elevator that kids aren't playing in. Let's try to use the elevators for their intended purpose. Moving people between floors.


smiles Patty

[minniegidget]

Thank you Peagreenid. I was going to say the same thing. My mother is 71 years old has a bad knee. Walking up or down stairs hurts her. So for someone to say if you need to get somewere fast just use the steps it is not a option for her. She paid for the use of the evevators and yes she would wait 10 -12 minutes for one. While I use the stair and I got to were we were going much faster than she did. There is alot more things for kids to do then press bottons.

[bnickle3]

some basic courtesy. At the risk of sounding like all the people who made me nuts when I was young....there seems to be an overall lack of civility and courtesy in our culture nowadays. My mom says that her generation tried to instill courtesy and politeness in their children because that is how people function in a civilized society. Now, I teach my children the same things simply hoping it will rub off on some of their friends.

While the whole elevator button thing seems trivial to some, simply laughing it off as that thing that all kids do sends a message to children that I think is bad. Flame away, but I think it's disrespectful and rude, and to teach our children that it's ok blurs the lines between what is polite and what is not. Inconveniencing other people is not polite. That's the deal. I have no doubt my kids would think it's funny, and might try it when they think I'll never find out (they are, after all, normal kids....all appetite and little thought beyond the next ten minutes) but I would hope that at least of of them thought better of it, or that I found out about it so I could address it.

I'm not Miss Manners here...5 year old Andrew can belch the alphabet and is proud of it. But I just think this is an example of a small lesson of common courtesy we can pass along. Just my little ol' opinion.

Brenda

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Is anyone aware of any instances in which these young "button pushers" went on to commit more serious offences. Things such as talking by the Quiet Cove pool, maybe going on the Mickey slide when they knew that they were 2 inches to tall, possibly not following the dress code at supper?

I have an 8 month old son that I have given 70 shots in his leg since July 3rd of this year to control seizures. He is doing very well, thank God. I quickly learned in the last few months that there are things worth worrying about and things that aren't. I don't think the button pushing is that big of a deal. I do agree that there are a lot of rude idiots in this world and several of them do make their way on to the ships but they won't bother me. If someone pushes their way on to the elevator and we can't get on we'll walk. When they get where they are going they will still be a rude jerk and when I get where I am going I will still be having a great time.

[peg2001]

As sad as it may sound, many people just do not KNOW the courtesy rules regarding elevators. If they were not taught as children by their parents (maybe they never went anywhere with elevators!), no one is likely to say anything to them as adults for "violating" the courtesy rules.

I make it a point to verbally instruct my children (2 and 5) while we are waiting for an elevator. I don't just do this once either, I do it almost ever time we use elevators. Children aren't born knowing how to behave!

For those who don't know and are too embarassed to ask, here's some general rules:

1. Let people get OFF the elevator before getting on. This one is key! Once on, step to the back and/or side. Do not hover near the front unless you are getting off at the next floor or the elevator is full.

2. If you are the first to enter an elevator, push your floor button and either step away from the buttons, allowing the next person to push theirs, or better yet, politely ask what floor they need and push it yourself. If you find yourself by the button panel, as on a crowded elevator, continue to ask each person who gets on for their floor number.

3. If the elevator is obviously full, do not squeeze in. Either wait for the next elevator or take the stairs, if you are physically able.

4. If someone needs to get on an elevator with a wheelchair or stroller, let them on first. It is much easier for YOU to step on the elevator and get around the wheelchair or stroller than it is for the wheelchair or stroller to navigate around you. Even if you are already ON the elevator, it would be nice to step out and hold the door for someone in a wheelchair and then step back in.

Does anyone have any others? I'm willing to learn!

Peggy

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Peggy,

I agree with your comments but this is just common sence. There is no such thing as "Elevator Rules". Who would arrest you if you violated them? The Elevator Police?

[RickW]

Well, on the 9/5 Wonder cruise (Which I believe is the same one as natsmom125 was on), we had better luck with the elevators.

We had a single incident with a kid on an elevator, that I thought I would share to help show the other side.

On Friday evening, we had Palo reservations for 7:00. We decided to go to the show, then head straight for dinner. We left the WD Theater and walked to the other end of the ship and got on the aft elevators to go up to deck 10. Just as we got on and pusshed the button, a 11 or 12 year old boy ran on to the elevator after us. He was headed up to Deck 9. He pushed the button for deck 9, and as we were riding up, we had the following exchange:

Boy: "Where are you headed?"
Us: "We're off to dinner at Palo"
Boy: "Are you enjoying the cruise so far?"
Us: "Yes, we are having a great time."
Boy: "Me too."
At this point we arrive on deck 9
Boy: "Well, enjoy your dinner."
As he leaves the elevator.

I think it is important to mention the good experiences in these areas, since as humans, we tend to sometimes dwell on the frustrations.

[DisneyCruiseluvr]

We RARELY rode the elevators on our cruise. We took the stairs as much as possible. Sure kept our weight down after eating all of those great meals!!! :p

[TartanFan]

.... start a debate - although I can appreciate all the valid comments made. Just thought I'd share what I thought was an amusing episode which shows that us "oldies" can be mischevious in our own way too! (As Barb says in her signature - "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"!!!!!!!!!!!)

[hazmat1212]

i'll be the next elevator police on the next cruise, LOL
so i get a badge, LOL
and handcuffs ....
sorry, folks, this is a family cruise!
LOL LOL LOL
i'm still in favor of dryer stuffing all incorrigible children, LOL
cin in NJ
(ok, sitting back, prepared to get slammed)

[Jhondy(210)]

i should prboably clarify myself. when we pushed buttons in the elevator it was because it was 2am. now the ship gave us some things to do but at 2am there was nothing to do and we had talked and what not so we rode the elevator.
now if i had an elderly woman in the elevator with me or i knew it was prime time for the elevators i wouldn't push the button but at 2am there is nothing to do.
as far as 10-12 years old pushing the buttons in the elevator they obviously arn't doing it at 2am. they also arn't in there clubs(obviously at the time) so besides swimming, movies, and the arcade (oh and the gift shop) there is not much for them to do. yeah i think after the 1st time riding the elevator with all the buttons pushed it is boring but it was better then them pushing the buttons and running out.
on a tangent about that. if you saw people in the elevator with all the buttons pushed they possibly could of had someone before them do that. i know my sister has tried that(not on the cruise) and i've yelled at her and told her then she has to ride the elevator to all the floors she pushed that deterred her from doing it.
but kids pushing all the buttons in the elevator has been going on for aslong as elevators were around and its something that will continue. you can't yell at parents for things there kids do. when i'm with my friends i couldn't care less what my mom said if its nothing major. i'm going to goof around not act like a propor lady. also kids pushing a button is not a big problem, so its a little of an incovenice so what you are on vacation who cares if you are in the elevator for 2 minutes(at the most) longer then you are used too, just pretended you had to wait that time for the elevator. its no biggie and doesn't ruin anyones vacation.

[ennazus]

In reference to the children... I have to ask....

Where are their parents?!! Do they let their small children run around their town unsupervised? Then why do they let them do it on the ship? (rhetorical question)

Bravo, bnickle3!

[Jhondy(210)]

depending on age they might let there children run around the town. i was running around my town at a young age (younger the 10 prob. by the time i was 8) i was with my best friend or my twin so it was all cool. i run around in my new town and so does my sister who is 10. on the ship i guess its no different. we do remeber our manners when there is people older then us around but when its 2am and i'm with a bunch of friends manners fly out the window.;) but 10 isn't that young of an age to being running around the ship by themselves during the day. i mean its a ship they can't. i understand there might be some 'bad' people on the ship but during the day and when kids our in groups of friends most likely nothing will happen.

[Tluvs2talk]

Jhondy(210),
Parent's can be blamed when their children are running around unsupervised at 2am. I certainly think parent's should give their children some freedom but 2 a.m is a little late. You said yourself "When it's 2 a.m. and I am with a bunch of friends manner's fly out the window" This is exactly why parent's should check up and see what their kids are up to.:(

[Mike Bartenhagen]

I thought of another "elevator rule" that was not mentioned.

Under no circumstance is it appropriate to relieve yourself of gas on the elevator. This is especially true when you are by yourself as you may get off and the next rider may be unfairy blamed for your inapropriate behavior.