How do you deal with "spot poachers"

[tsme]

If someone sat on my feet, I'd accidently kick them while moving them. I'm only 5ft & petite so I only have a few options. But I never give way! Usually as it gets crowded I stand as tall as I can & with a wide stance using my arms on hips with elbows out to give me some room. If someone continues to try & push me or bump me I move around elbowing them until they get the message. If all else fails, I yell "STOP IT!" This has happened once when the person kept ramming me with her stroller. I don't know where she thought I was going to move, over the rope & join the parade? So stupid.

 

[FirstTripEver]

 

[marmalade]

Someone sat on my feet and I asked them to get off and move on- how is that rude exactly? So if someone sat on your feet you'd be fine with that?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't remember calling you rude. I was making a generic comment about how I feel towards "spot savers" and after reading many of posts on this boards about people trying to steal parade spots, some posters are rude.

How is someone holding their own spot rude? It doesn't matter if the next person along doesn't know how long you have been in that spot, you are there! It is obviously taken!

While you may think it is a waste of time to hold a parade spot, for some of us, it is a great way to slow down and soak in the atmosphere of the park. It is relaxing to get a little snack, grab a spot on Main Street, and watch the castle change color. Plus you usually meet some pretty nice people. It may not be your cup of tea, but not everyone considers waiting for the parade a waste of time.

It's not holding the spot that I think is rude it is the way people treat others who may not realize that the spot holder has been there since 10am for the 3pm parade. That's great that you enjoy sitting and watching the caste and meeting others while eating a snack, I would enjoy that also except I would not be so protective of my parade spot. Everyone is there to have a good time and if I have to move 6 inches for someone big deal.

So since you don't care for 'spot savers' OR for 'spot stealers', I'm wondering how you think parade viewing happens? Do you think that suddenly, we all hear the faint music of a parade, turn happily and expectantly and just casually watch as the parade passes by? Seriously? Not that I'm all commando or anything, but yeah, when I'm in the parks, I actually think to myself 'whoa, I'd like to see the 3pm parade' sometime prior to 3pm, take myself to a likely viewing spot, and park my fanny. Does that make me a 'spot saver'? I guess. Or is there some specific amount of time you have to be 'parked' to be a 'spot saver' in your eyes?


KC

There is nothing wrong with waiting to see the parade but it is when one thinks they "own" the spot they are standing in or have their stroller or bags in and refuse to allow anyone else into their territory.

 

[mesaboy2]

There is nothing wrong with waiting to see the parade but it is when one thinks they "own" the spot they are standing in or have their stroller or bags in and refuse to allow anyone else into their territory.

I "own" any spot I occupy. It's called personal space. If someone decides to violate that personal space, too bad for them.

 

[KCMiller]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't remember calling you rude. I was making a generic comment about how I feel towards "spot savers" and after reading many of posts on this boards about people trying to steal parade spots, some posters are rude.



It's not holding the spot that I think is rude it is the way people treat others who may not realize that the spot holder has been there since 10am for the 3pm parade. That's great that you enjoy sitting and watching the caste and meeting others while eating a snack, I would enjoy that also except I would not be so protective of my parade spot. Everyone is there to have a good time and if I have to move 6 inches for someone big deal.



There is nothing wrong with waiting to see the parade but it is when one thinks they "own" the spot they are standing in or have their stroller or bags in and refuse to allow anyone else into their territory.

I fail to see the logic. If I'm standing or sitting in a spot, or my friend and I are sitting and we have our bags between us, how is it rude to not allow someone to stand on top of us? Or shove in between us? I don't know how many parades you've been at, but ordinarily, unless you are really advocating strangers literally sitting on top of each other, there is no 'move 6 inches for someone'. Yes, everyone is there to have a good time - me, included, and my good time includes being allowed to enjoy the parade I've waited patiently to see, not being forced to step aside for someone else who arrives at the last minute.

Sigh.

KC

 

[Alesia]

If someone sat on my feet, I'd accidently kick them while moving them. I'm only 5ft & petite so I only have a few options.

You'd kick a little kid?

 

[maxiesmom]

It's not holding the spot that I think is rude it is the way people treat others who may not realize that the spot holder has been there since 10am for the 3pm parade. That's great that you enjoy sitting and watching the caste and meeting others while eating a snack, I would enjoy that also except I would not be so protective of my parade spot. Everyone is there to have a good time and if I have to move 6 inches for someone big deal.

Sometimes though there isn't 6 inches to spare. Last year at the Mvmcp my dad and I were waiting between the ropes for the parade to start. Many people came into that section, but after a while there was simply no room for another human being. Still some woman tried to shove in, and thought that her draping her upper body across another person's stroller in order to fit into what small space was left was ok. Thank goodness the person with her yelled at her and made her leave. Most people don't mind being a bit squished, but after a while you can squish no more!

 

[marmalade]

I fail to see the logic. If I'm standing or sitting in a spot, or my friend and I are sitting and we have our bags between us, how is it rude to not allow someone to stand on top of us? Or shove in between us? I don't know how many parades you've been at, but ordinarily, unless you are really advocating strangers literally sitting on top of each other, there is no 'move 6 inches for someone'. Yes, everyone is there to have a good time - me, included, and my good time includes being allowed to enjoy the parade I've waited patiently to see, not being forced to step aside for someone else who arrives at the last minute.

Sigh.

KC

This is why I said I think spot savers and spot stealers are equally obnoxious. I actually avoid the parades because of the people who think they own their spot on the parade route and because of the people who think it's ok to walk up as the parade is starting and sit right in front of you.

I enjoy the parades, but I will watch from a distance.

 

[xbonnie38]

So since you don't care for 'spot savers' OR for 'spot stealers', I'm wondering how you think parade viewing happens? Do you think that suddenly, we all hear the faint music of a parade, turn happily and expectantly and just casually watch as the parade passes by? Seriously? Not that I'm all commando or anything, but yeah, when I'm in the parks, I actually think to myself 'whoa, I'd like to see the 3pm parade' sometime prior to 3pm, take myself to a likely viewing spot, and park my fanny. Does that make me a 'spot saver'? I guess. Or is there some specific amount of time you have to be 'parked' to be a 'spot saver' in your eyes?


KC

You took the words right out of my mouth and your too funny! I love it , come on dont you just love when the faint parade music comes and we all calmly and politely go to our curbs and sit without hassle....LOL....I AM A SPOT SAVER!...if I do the time at the spot with my hot little hiney and you did not well then thats your fault not mine, I will save my seat and my husbands and if you do not like it well thats your problem, certainly not mine. I will say if there is a child behind me or children, and they cant see... I will if I can move my spot or make room for said kiddos and mom or dad , that is what is respectfully caled sprinkling pixie dust. And watching the kids faces when they see the shows is priceless anyways. Boils down to this, be polite to people dont try to force your way in when clearly they are there and have been , you get more flies with honey than with vinegar and more times than not , if you are nice and polite people dont mind moving a bit atleast that has been my experience. But if your nasty to me and push Im pushing back only in a nice way I will push,, and if you then go to far expect it right back. Sorry but thats just me.

 

[marmalade]

You took the words right out of my mouth and your too funny! I love it , come on dont you just love when the faint parade music comes and we all calmly and politely go to our curbs and sit without hassle....LOL....I AM A SPOT SAVER!...if I do the time at the spot with my hot little hiney and you did not well then thats your fault not mine, I will save my seat and my husbands and if you do not like it well thats your problem, certainly not mine. I will say if there is a child behind me or children, and they cant see... I will if I can move my spot or make room for said kiddos and mom or dad , that is what is respectfully caled sprinkling pixie dust. And watching the kids faces when they see the shows is priceless anyways. Boils down to this, be polite to people dont try to force your way in when clearly they are there and have been , you get more flies with honey than with vinegar and more times than not , if you are nice and polite people dont mind moving a bit atleast that has been my experience. But if your nasty to me and push Im pushing back only in a nice way I will push,, and if you then go to far expect it right back. Sorry but thats just me.

I would not catergorize you as a spot saver, I would think you are someone who is waiting for the parade to start and is accomodating to the other people around you and by people I mean non-spot stealers. There is a big difference IMHO.

 

[ftballfan7]

Whenever I suspect that there are poachers in the area of any type (spot or otherwise), I call Simba 1 for assisstance.

 

[larryz]

There is nothing wrong with waiting to see the parade but it is when one thinks they "own" the spot they are standing in or have their stroller or bags in and refuse to allow anyone else into their territory.

"My territory" includes the physical boundaries of my body, the upper/lower surface of any clothing that I'm wearing, and the extent of any ground I'm physically standing on, including the surface area eclipsed by my girth. And yes, I'm possessive of "my territory" to the point of invoking my right to self-defense if someone encroaches on it.

 

[LaurenT]

I'm another one who watches the parades from Frontierland.
But, in life in general, people don't often try crap with me. I'm not tall or tough looking....but I think I give off some sort of vibe that says "I'm nice as long as you behave yourself". Maybe it's a New York thing - I'm upstate now, but grew up in the city...

 

[Triple O.G.]

and no offense but I'm not a big fan of those who use objects to reserve their spots, you are either in your spot or you're not in you're spot, strollers, bags, jackets, blankets are not an appropriate representation of where you will be, most often because they are symbols of you holding spots for others... akin to having 2 people wait in line, and their whole group cuts in front of everyone at the end

Exactly. Your personal space is you. Don't spread out 12 feet worth of coats jackets and sunglasses to compensate for your family who is riding Splash and will be back in a few.

 

[KCMiller]

Exactly. Your personal space is you. Don't spread out 12 feet worth of coats jackets and sunglasses to compensate for your family who is riding Splash and will be back in a few.

OK, I'm calling for some clarity here. Does my personal space end exactly at the perimeter of my outer clothing, or can I have a respectable distance of maybe 5 or 6 inches between me and a total stranger? Or does my unwritten contract with the Mouse allow for a dogpile on the rabbit in order to watch Cinderella come down Main Street?

Seriously, people - how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

KC

 

[Wadecool]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I think "Spot Savers" and "Spot Stealers" are equally obnoxious. It's wrong for someone to knowingly try to intrude on someones space. But it is also obnoxious for someone to think because they wasted their time sitting on the curb for however long that they suddenly think they own the spot and can be rude to others who try to see the parade. Most people don't know how long a person has been sitting in their spot waiting for the parade.

People are obnoxious for saving a space for themselves prior to a parade? Give me a break.

Never mind the flame retardant suit, you're going to need to rent a bunker inside Cheyenne Mountain after firing off a shot like this one.

 

[WillAustin]

If someone sat on my feet and was rude and insisted on staying there in front of me, I'd give them the choice between moving to a new spot or testing my commitment to get us all escorted out of the park.

 

[Wadecool]

"My territory" includes the physical boundaries of my body, the upper/lower surface of any clothing that I'm wearing, and the extent of any ground I'm physically standing on, including the surface area eclipsed by my girth. And yes, I'm possessive of "my territory" to the point of invoking my right to self-defense if someone encroaches on it.

 

[Ed J]

I lay out 2 or 3 Rain ponchos on the curb and hour or so before the parade to save a spot on main street for my family so they can shop till a few minutes before the show starts. You can't believe how many rude people try and poach my turf, but I use my mad skills to fend them off .

 

[MikeSF]

OK, I'm calling for some clarity here. Does my personal space end exactly at the perimeter of my outer clothing, or can I have a respectable distance of maybe 5 or 6 inches between me and a total stranger? Or does my unwritten contract with the Mouse allow for a dogpile on the rabbit in order to watch Cinderella come down Main Street?

Seriously, people - how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

KC

Well if you get 6 inches on either side of you, and there are 300 people in a line on main street along the curb waiting, each wanting their own 6 inches of personal space that translates to an entire football field length of space because people wanting some allowance. 6 inches is a LOT of room to have a "no-fly zone" when you're watching a parade at the busiest place on Earth.

My rule is "am I touching someone else" if not, then I'm ok as far as space. Obviously if its not crowded I won't go that far, but if its super busy with tons of people, yeah I think 5-6 inches is a little much to ask.

People are obnoxious for saving a space for themselves prior to a parade? Give me a break.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but I see "space saver" as one who's saving space for others who are not around, not for yourself. That would be "space occupier" in that case, since 99% of the space is in use, the 1% better not try to get infringed on... ok that analogy sucks... but seriously. Saving space for others, is no different than letting someone cut in line on a ride IMO.