Celebrity treatment

[WeCantWait]

Along the same lines... I'm wondering how ya'll feel about this....

Very often when we are riding, a CM will ask us if we want to ride again. Big Thunder Mountain (on several occassions), Buzz Lightyear, Dumbo.... I know there were a couple more rides.... I just can't think right now.

DS uses a wheelchair..... and I guess the CM realizes how much effort it takes to get him out of a chair and into a ride..... so they've asked if we would like to ride again.

The majority of the time the CM will ask my son.... and of course (as any child would) he screams YES!

I guess it probably is considered "bad manners" on the Dis for us to accept the second ride...... I think I have a pretty good idea what everyone will say!

I see this situation as completely different. I would have no problem at all with your son riding the ride as much as he wanted before having to move back into his wheelchair.

 

[AdamsPrincess]

I think I saw something on the E network about TH. It was a while ago, but if I remember correctly, he got into a fight with another celeb (maybe a rock star?) at a crowded night club. Anyone remember this? Maybe they were afraid of him "starting something" in line!

ha ha...it was Axel Rose!

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Are you kidding me? You actually sound sorry for celebs? They chose this career and are living lives of luxury. I feel sorry for children who are too sick or poor to go to WDW.

Im not feeling sorry for the celebs at all. What Im saying is that they choose to do what they love, whether it be to play music, star in movies or design clothes. Unfortunately, people feel that these people are of some great entity and need to sign pieces of paper and shake hands, etc. So if you choose to do what you love and are very good at it, you are signing up to be harassed by people you don't know? Think of this, how many of us have something that is signed by a celebrity. Where is it? Probably not framed on our wall, its probably stored away somewhere and we never even think about it. But we did interrupt that persons life so that they could sign a piece of paper that we ignore.

You are all assuming that these celebs are choosing not to stand in line and that they are just as bad as someone who rents a wheelchair for front of the line access. How do you know whether or not the celeb wants to stand in line or not? Did you ever think that maybe its not their decision and maybe Disney would tell them they have to be VIP'ed around as not to cause chaos in queue lines. If its my first vacation to WDW and Im in line enjoying the queue that Disney has setup, the last thing I want is a celeb causing all sorts of a ruckus in line because people want an autograph.

And what does them living "lives of luxury" have to do with anything? Unless your just jealous, it makes no difference whatsoever.

Im not feeling sorry for celebs, Im trying to point out the celebs and Disneys point of view on the situation without letting my "oh my god, they are cutting in front of me in line and riding twice in a row" attitude obscure my vision.

 

[RFrank9504]

Seriously-let them go ahead-i'd hate to stand in line with them watching the mob form and come over hearing can I have your autograph and pose for a photo-getting pushed around...just let them go and be done with it...they get in and get out and we can enjoy our day...I dont get star struck so to me its no big deal-and if a line is 85 minutes-I would not wait anyway...I go off-peak times for that purpose alone. The longest wait for us was 45 minutes-and that was pushing it. I dont think they are "pampered" its a sercurity issue not just for celebrities but for us common folk too. And for all we know - they have called ahead and planned this and they had "waited" for the time Disney scheduled them to come in...who knows

 

[cmassey]

i'm wondering why you all care so much. really, how many minutes (or seconds) longer would you wait in line because one vehicle was filled two times prior to your turn?

how many people receiving this sort of benefit are even in the parks on a given day? i would think not many. it seems like a very minor problem to me.

some of you people just like to get your panties in a wad over the most insignificant things.

whatever happened to just enjoying a vacation to wdw? it seems like too many people allow themselves to get all worked up over stupid nonsense rather than simply enjoying the well-earned time time with their families.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

They should have to wait with us, honestly there is really nothing special about them that should give them the right to get in front without waiting and then to be able to go around again is ridiculous

The issue isn't with the celebs, its with society. We put them high on a pedestal and make them who they are. A perfect example is right here on the Disboards. Use ROBO as an example. The guy has alot of knowledge and uses fancy maps to help people. All of a sudden, we are now seeing threads being started directed right at ROBO in the title. He didn't choose to have the spotlight put on him, he was just being helpful and now he is put on a DIS pedestal by some.

If the celebs can't stand in line because they will be harassed, what else are they to do? What if a celebs child wanted to ride again? They shouldn't be allowed to because their dad / mom is famous?

Just because YOU may be able to control yourself, we all know that many others will NOT be able to control themselves.

Maybe someone can explain to me how it benefits ANYONE to have a celeb stand in line with everyone else?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

We had this come up in another thread discussing perks and privaleges. I was told that the MK (and all of WDW for that matter) was suppose to be where everyone was equal, free love in the streets, Donnie and Marie. You know. All that kind of stuff.

This is completely different. Yes, Disney has made a policy of equal treatment for all guests. However, where celebrities are concerned, saftey becomes an issue and the do receive special treatment.

The way celebrities are treated, does not bother me in the least. I could care less.

BTW I would recognize Tommy Hillifiger immediately, I don't think he would be mobbed but that is not my call.

For those who say celebrities choose that life, you are absolutely right, but their children DO NOT get to choose. I feel very fortunate that my child was able walk under the railroad tracks and see Cinderella Castle for the first time as it is meant to be seen. She didn't have to be shuffled through the backstage area, to go from attraction to attraction. I assure you the backstage area may be magical for adults, but that is certainly not the case for children. I'm glad my family can experience WDW as the imagineers intended. So IMHO I think celebrities don't get the best experience at all, I think I have a better experience.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

This is completely different. Yes, Disney has made a policy of equal treatment for all guests. However, where celebrities are concerned, saftey becomes an issue and the do receive special treatment.

I'm going to ask again: How would standing in line surrounded by bodyguards be unsafe?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I'm going to ask again: How would standing in line surrounded by bodyguards be unsafe?

Ask Reese Witherspoon.

She tried to visit Disney with her kids (and security detail) and they were still mobbed and one of the mobsters pushed one of her children down to get a shot.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-Attacked-Again-By-Paparazzi-7830.shtml

 

[Feralpeg]

Guys, you're getting all bent out of shape for nothing. Yes, it happens. It only happens because Disney wants it to happen. If they didn't, they wouldn't allow it. The number of celebs that are getting on rides before other guests is so small on any given day that it doesn't really make much of a dent in the overall scheme of things.

Now, think about it. If someone gave you the option of bypassing the line and riding something you like multiple times, are you honestly saying you wouldn't do it? I don't believe very many people would turn this down. It is true that celebs get certain perks. They also pay a pretty high price for being celebs. Personally, I'd hate to be noticed everywhere I went or have to take people with me everywhere to feel safe. I'll continue to stand in line any day over the other way of life.

 

[bytheblood]

Peggy, I understand where you are coming from, I honestly do. If that were me, I would do it once, but I would not expect everybody to stand and wait again and again just for me. Maybe I am a different kind of person, but I would feel very selfish acting that way.

 

[bytheblood]

i'm wondering why you all care so much. really, how many minutes (or seconds) longer would you wait in line because one vehicle was filled two times prior to your turn?

For me, I dont care about the time, I just think there is some courtesy missing on his part. Of course, I can honestly say I see it from both points of view.

 

[sandym718]

I understand the safety and also enjoyment problems that could be caused by recognizable celebrities waiting in a normal line. I think it is perfectly acceptable for them to wait in another, more secluded/secure area. However, I don't think it's right for them to just skip to the front of the line/bypass it entirely and I think it was really wrong for him to ride again and again. Just such a sense of entitlement. However, unfortunately that entitlement is SO pervasive in our society and Disney has chosen to fulfill that for celebrities. I'm sure they have their business reasons for that. So, unfortunately I guess we just have to deal with it. Or write Disney that you don't like it, I guess!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

Ask Reese Witherspoon.

She tried to visit Disney with her kids (and security detail) and they were still mobbed and one of the mobsters pushed one of her children down to get a shot.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Reese-Witherspoon-Attacked-Again-By-Paparazzi-7830.shtml

I'm not doubting that this happened and crazy things happen all the time unfortunately at WDW, DL and DCA. However, I think that in general when people are surrounded by a gaggle of their own security (was she?) along with the park security's presence, they are reasonably safe standing in a queue.

 

[TaylorsDad]

The issue isn't with the celebs, its with society. We put them high on a pedestal and make them who they are. A perfect example is right here on the Disboards. Use ROBO as an example. The guy has alot of knowledge and uses fancy maps to help people. All of a sudden, we are now seeing threads being started directed right at ROBO in the title. He didn't choose to have the spotlight put on him, he was just being helpful and now he is put on a DIS pedestal by some.

If the celebs can't stand in line because they will be harassed, what else are they to do? What if a celebs child wanted to ride again? They shouldn't be allowed to because their dad / mom is famous?

Just because YOU may be able to control yourself, we all know that many others will NOT be able to control themselves.

Maybe someone can explain to me how it benefits ANYONE to have a celeb stand in line with everyone else?

I guess the truth is out now. Robo doesn't help just to help spread the Disney Magic, its for the Fame and Glory. Robo do you get like a day of unlimited FP for every 100 dissers you assist. lol. Don't worry Robo you can cut in front of me anytime you want lol

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This thread cracks me up!

I mean really! It's not up to you and me. WDW has decided to offer this service. End of story. Getting mad about it is a waste of energy.

And for the record, I DO feel sorry for celebrities. I think many are groomed by zealot parents. I think the rest have no idea of what their lives are going to be like. The children of celebs are pure victim. How many of them end up totally dysfunctional as adults?!?!?



I'm certain the impressionable kids who tryout for American Idol DO NOT understand ahead of time fully what they are getting in to. They sign away their rights without any clue.

I don't care who you are, nobody should have the right to stalk you day and night every time you want to go out for a cup of coffee. And everyone who buys/watches paprazzzi crap is guilty! If you don't like the VIP treatment at WDW, then don't contribute to the problem by feeding the paparazzi frenzy!

Sorry for the rant....I'll get off my soapbox now....

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

I'm not doubting that this happened and crazy things happen all the time unfortunately at WDW, DL and DCA. However, I think that in general when people are surrounded by a gaggle of their own security (was she?) along with the park security's presence, they are reasonably safe standing in a queue.

The queue lines in many attractions are very slim in width. How are you going to block both sides of a celebrity when the queue lines are meant to have one, maybe two people max side by side? Most celeb security are very large in size. Think of all those attractions where you go through a maze of a queue passing back and forth between people. Or how about the attractions where it gets dark during the queue like TOT or HM? How can you ensure protection when you can't see? Even if the celebs were perfectly protected in the queue, what about all the people holding up the line to try and get photos from a distance? So you've got a celebrity in line with security, people hollering to the celebrity, people trying to take photos and slowing up the line. Its a recipe for disaster and there is no sensible reason to have a celebrity in the queue line with the rest of us.

And again, in regards to riding more than once, I don't see an issue with it. If Disney doesn't want the celebs in the normal queue line, then they have no option but to ride again immediately. If Tommy Hilfigers children's favorite ride is TSM and they want to ride again, what is he supposed to do?

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I also as a guest prefer not to have cameras and flashes going off every 5 seconds because some celebrity happens to be in the queue. Not to mention, the yelling that accompanies the picture taking.

 

[mousebit]

Interestingly, I just saw on The View this morning that Whoopi took her grandkids to DisneyLand last week. They showed a picture of her with all the kids and Goofy and I thought to myself, "Now how did Whoopi Goldberg and her family make it down Main Street without creating a mob scene?" I have to admit, I sort of felt sorry for the kids.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

The queue lines in many attractions are very slim in width. How are you going to block both sides of a celebrity when the queue lines are meant to have one, maybe two people max side by side? Most celeb security are very large in size. Think of all those attractions where you go through a maze of a queue passing back and forth between people. Or how about the attractions where it gets dark during the queue like TOT or HM? How can you ensure protection when you can't see? Even if the celebs were perfectly protected in the queue, what about all the people holding up the line to try and get photos from a distance? So you've got a celebrity in line with security, people hollering to the celebrity, people trying to take photos and slowing up the line. Its a recipe for disaster and there is no sensible reason to have a celebrity in the queue line with the rest of us.

But there are other ways to wait in line without physically being in the queue area, right? Many people have suggested alternatives. The point is, there are ways for them to be safe AND wait their turn like everyone else.