Being Kind at Disney

[PirateBrigade]

I honestly can't believe any employee/cast member wouldn't tell them to do that elsewhere.

man…and people wonder why I bring Clorox wipes in a plastic bag and wipe down the table before we eat, lol.

I also do that to the toilets before my daughter goes. If ever I need another job, Disneyland janitorial services will be a great fit, hahah.

 

[Matrixleos]

man…and people wonder why I bring Clorox wipes in a plastic bag and wipe down the table before we eat, lol.

I also do that to the toilets before my daughter goes. If ever I need another job, Disneyland janitorial services will be a great fit, hahah.

I'm the same way, need to wipe down any table before we eat. I also do the same when we first enter a hotel room. That whole hotel room gets a complete Clorox wipe down.

 

[redleader74]

That whole hotel room gets a complete Clorox wipe down.

I used to bring those small spray cans of lysol to spray down all fixutres and surfaces in a hotel room before we settled in, but I think this time I'm switching to 90% alcohol, both for the economy and because I dont' like any of the perfumes that these cleaning products include. Even pre-pandemic I always thought hotel rooms have the potential to be some of the most disgusting places. Dare I say it, even more than a public bathroom ha ha! because at least public bathrooms only have hard surfaces (i.e., no carpet, fabrics, etc.)

 

[LizzyS]

I used to bring those small spray cans of lysol to spray down all fixutres and surfaces in a hotel room before we settled in, but I think this time I'm switching to 90% alcohol, both for the economy and because I dont' like any of the perfumes that these cleaning products include. Even pre-pandemic I always thought hotel rooms have the potential to be some of the most disgusting places. Dare I say it, even more than a public bathroom ha ha! because at least public bathrooms only have hard surfaces (i.e., no carpet, fabrics, etc.)

90% alcohol actually evaporates too quickly to adequately kill germs, so use something with 70-something percent instead, which is plenty adequate and stays on the surface long enough to kill germs. I work with a Certified Industrial Hygienist who gave me this advice and has done some testing at actual hotels to measure efficiency of cleaning products during this pandemic.

 

[redleader74]

90% alcohol actually evaporates too quickly to adequately kill germs, so use something with 70-something percent instead, which is plenty adequate and stays on the surface long enough to kill germs. I work with a Certified Industrial Hygienist who gave me this advice and has done some testing at actual hotels to measure efficiency of cleaning products during this pandemic.

Oh good, because I just checked and 70% is all I actually have....

 

[evilmommie]

Being kind thread or keep your distance - I’m gonna whack you in the face with my backpack thread?

I witnessed quite a few acts of kindness at the DLR on 6/27. People giving up seats, so that older folks were able to sit in the shade..strangers sharing tables and bar space in Oga’s and helping take pics of each other. Adult park goer’s letting kids get in front of them in the churro line. Just a few examples…

 

[SherylLC]

Being kind thread or keep your distance - I’m gonna whack you in the face with my backpack thread?

I witnessed quite a few acts of kindness at the DLR on 6/27. People giving up seats, so that older folks were able to sit in the shade..strangers sharing tables and bar space in Oga’s and helping take pics of each other. Adult park goer’s letting kids get in front of them in the churro line. Just a few…

Great post.

On my last trip to DL (last month), I took a pretty spectacular fall coming out of the restroom and several strangers from three different parties stopped and made sure I was all right. They helped me up and brushed me off and said so many concerned and caring things! Most people are very kind!

 

[dorchrislen]

Being kind thread or keep your distance - I’m gonna whack you in the face with my backpack thread?

I get it. But the idea is to share things that are pet peeves that others might have been unaware of and that will teach us each some thing for next time, to be more aware of things that bother others and to be more considerate of those things. I am learning a few things to be more conscious of when I’m at the park next. And a little bit of venting, as long as it isn’t hateful, is also good to get off your chest.

 

[pindecisive]

I feel this thread so much. On a visit a few years back a couple kids were screaming on HM. It really shook me up and ruined the rest of my day.

On a recent visit a family kept inviting friends to cut in front of everyone else in line to join their tea cup. It meant, during COVID, that they had to squeeze past everyone else in line. Really not cool all around.

Funny thing I noticed during a recent trip to Turkey is that bumping into other people is NBD there. No apologies, no indication they or you hit them accidently. Jamaica had a similar thing where they would just trail off when speaking to you. No communication wrap up of "thanks" or "you're all set". I think rudeness, like politeness, is just a cultural construct based on where you're from.

 

[dorchrislen]

I feel this thread so much. On a visit a few years back a couple kids were screaming on HM. It really shook me up and ruined the rest of my day.

On a recent visit a family kept inviting friends to cut in front of everyone else in line to join their tea cup. It meant, during COVID, that they had to squeeze past everyone else in line. Really not cool all around.

Funny thing I noticed during a recent trip to Turkey is that bumping into other people is NBD there. No apologies, no indication they or you hit them accidently. Jamaica had a similar thing where they would just trail off when speaking to you. No communication wrap up of "thanks" or "you're all set". I think rudeness, like politeness, is just a cultural construct based on where you're from.

This is a very good point. Further, it would be really egocentric for any of us raised in the United States to expect tourists from other countries to research and accommodate our ways. This is where some extra patience and understanding needs to be applied.

 

[brentm77]

This is a very good point. Further, it would be really egocentric for any of us raised in the United States to expect tourists from other countries to research and accommodate our ways. This is where some extra patience and understanding needs to be applied.

I am not sure I agree with this sentiment. When traveling to other countries, I try to have a basic understanding of cultural norms and follow them. I am not expecting detailed knowledge. And I also realize that you can't pick up a book titled "How to Act in Theme Park Lines in America," but some general awareness of how the locals are acting around you when you are visiting another country isn't too much to ask.

A friend tells the story of the time he bought birdseed offered for sale in a tourist location to let his kids feed the birds, and a tourist from another country, literally walked up, took the bird seed from his daughter's outstretched hand, and fed it to the birds like it was perfectly normal. I often think of that example when traveling and wonder what I am doing that could be considered extremely rude to the locals.

Sometimes our family takes it too far and we disadvantage our own well being looking out for others' feelings. We are actually working on finding the right balance and being more assertive when needed. For some of these examples, we would all do well to speak up and set boundaries with those impeding on our own space or the like.

 

[dorchrislen]

Funny thing I noticed during a recent trip to Turkey is that bumping into other people is NBD there. No apologies, no indication they or you hit them accidently. Jamaica had a similar thing where they would just trail off when speaking to you. No communication wrap up of "thanks" or "you're all set". I think rudeness, like politeness, is just a cultural construct based on where you're from.

I don’t think we necessarily disagree. I was just speaking in general terms. But I do believe it’s an unrealistic expectation for all tourists from other countries to learn and apply all our norms, since with excitement it would be easy for someone with different norms to forget. Being aware of customs from other countries at least allows us to give some grace WHEN they forget.

One thing that I am guilty of in the past is double booking restaurants if I’m not sure which I prefer. I haven’t done this in a couple years but I did previously. I guess that can be considered inconsiderate, but I always justified it by knowing I would decide a couple weeks out and then open a reservation up for someone who couldn’t get one earlier.

 

[colormegreen]

I know what I meant regarding backpacks is the huge ones that stick WAY out, not a regular backpack that's full. Generally when I've been hit (I do NOT stand on top of people because I hate it, too), it's because the backpack wearer has backed up towards me for some reason, like when they're interacting with their party, and they are unaware of where their huge backpack is and whip around, smacking me. Sometimes it ouches.

oh no! My backpack is the small loungefly which don’t expand…I’ve seen those packed pack packs and have gotten bumped into them when I’ve been in line and the people were horsing around while walking by.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Woosh, this might be an unpopular opinion but here's mine... Parents that act entitled just because they've got small children. This could probably tie into the whole diaper changing on restaurant tables and being run over with strollers too. My son has been run over by many strollers over the years- that's his pet peeve for sure haha.

But here's the unpopular part: I'm not obligated to give up my front row spot to your kids. If you wanted them to have front row view, you should have shown up as early as my family did. We had this happen at the Christmas parade. We got our spot over two hours in advance and right before the parade starts this family with a ton of small kids squeeze in the back and then come up and say "Can my kids sit in front of you?" Um, what? I told her no and if looks could kill... she was so mad. But in that situation letting this group of five kids would essentially push us back from the front entirely. Nope, not happening. It's a nice idea but I don't think it's polite to assume folks should give up their spots for your kids. If it's something like WOC where it won't impact ya, sure but at parades or other squished situations? Don't put people on the spot and expect that of them- THAT is rude.

 

[abent]

I wonder if we started a “spreading Pixie dust” (thread full of kind acts we do or plan on doing in the park“ if it would catch momentum and action! Maybe inspire kind acts when we are all happy to be back where we love!

 

[redleader74]

But in that situation letting this group of five kids would essentially push us back from the front entirely. Nope, not happening. It's a nice idea but I don't think it's polite to assume folks should give up their spots for your kids. If it's something like WOC where it won't impact ya, sure but at parades or other squished situations? Don't put people on the spot and expect that of them- THAT is rude.

I'd have to completely agree with this, I'm glad you held your position. Any front row spot to anything is something that comes at an expense (your time) and for someone else to ask you that is basically saying, I'm to lazy or cheap to pay for (whatever it is) so can I please have yours? I'm sure there are thsoe who would gladly do it and that's great of them (if not enabling), but I don't think your not doing should be demonized.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Any front row spot to anything is something that comes at an expense (your time) and for someone else to ask you that is basically saying, I'm to lazy or cheap to pay for (whatever it is) so can I please have yours?

This is exactly what it is!

I feel like parades bring out the absolute worst behavior in people. Not just at Disney but everywhere. This is why having some kind of a blanket to sit on works wonders- protects your space a bit!

Despite that, boy I sure miss being annoyed by strangers at parades- please bring them back, Disney!

 

[azdisneylover]

I'm the same way, need to wipe down any table before we eat. I also do the same when we first enter a hotel room. That whole hotel room gets a complete Clorox wipe down.

Since we drive, I have a big can of Lysol Spray.

 

[tsumgirl]

I just wish people would look where they're going. I had a lady T-bone the side of my ECV, scream in pain, and act like I hit her, glaring at me with the dirtiest look. She slammed into me pretty hard and she's not the first to practically fall on top of me. Sad to say, I was a bit relieved it was me that got slammed into and not one of the many toddlers around me.

And yes, getting run over by strollers is just insane. It happens way more than it should to be considered an accident.

 

[Wesley815]

I'm sure it's been said or thought of.... but no shoulders for fireworks (unless you're way in the back behind others). I've even seen grown adults/older teens climb on each others shoulders for better view- yet ruining it for all the people behind them.