Crowd and walkway etiquette

[Travel60]

For the last several years, we've spent about 4 weeks January/February at DVC in Orlando. Often Saratoga Springs because we ike walking over to Disney Springs. This year seems much busier than the last few. Also, this year, for the first time in five years, we went to a park because friends visiting wanted to. The frustration dealing with crowds led me to the following etiquette suggestions:
*In the US, we drive on the right side of the road and defer to the right. Do that when walking on busy pathways.
*Don't walk more than 4 abreast and if four abreast takes up more than half the available pathway, walk two abreast.
*if you know you walk slower than most due to physical issues, walking with a child, pushing a stroller or just have your nose in a phone, stay on the far right of the path so regular-speed walkers can pass.
*If you feel the need to suddenly stop - child crying, phone ringing, shoe untied, discussion about where you are going - get to the far right and if possible behind an obstruction - a sign or corner that others have to go around anyway. Don't be another obstacle.
*If the shop or restaurant you are going to is on the left, work to the right, assess the incoming crowd and dart across. Don't meander around aimlessly.

I think these would be great reminders for airports, amusement parks, busy downtowns, festivals, etc.

Any more?

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Exactly! Nothing irks me more than when a bunch of people think they have to walk side by side and block the whole sidewalk or they think they’re the only people around and stand right in the middle of the way. I’ll admit on a few occasions as I’ve pushed my way through I “might” bump them a little to get their attention as I’m saying a snarky “excuse me”.

 

[Karin1984]

Don't forget escalators! Stand right, walk left! We have signs on some escalators where I live, but people don't seem to understand the concept. Especially annoying during rush hours.

 

[kymom99]

I always get mad when a group walks side by side and plays chicken with my family. We get in a single file and still get jostled around. People can be rude.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I'm sorry, I've seen Disney commercials clearly showing the parks not crowded at all. Are you saying we won't be able to mosey down the middle of the walkway 6 abreast and stop on a dime to check our map?

/sarc

 

[RedAngie]

Don't forget escalators! Stand right, walk left! We have signs on some escalators where I live, but people don't seem to understand the concept. Especially annoying during rush hours.

Also on escalators. Move out of the way when your ride is finished. Don’t just stand there at the top or bottom when people are right behind you. We had to yell at one absent minded couple to MOVE!!! or else crash into them.

 

[_19disnA]

There are probably of hundreds of these types of examples. In general terms, it seems like people who are in any public place need to be more aware of those around them. Far too many seem self-absorbed, act like they are the only ones on the planet, have their noise in their phone or always seem distracted. The unfortunate thing is those types of people never realize they are causing issues and would never read any of these recommendations.

 

[Micca]

*If you feel the need to suddenly stop - child crying, phone ringing, shoe untied, discussion about where you are going - get to the far right and if possible behind an obstruction - a sign or corner that others have to go around anyway. Don't be another obstacle.

I created a term for this: Pedefreeze. Pedestrians who come to a sudden halt among a crowd of people walking in the same general direction.

 

[Southernmiss]

Now get off my lawn!

 

[AppleDumpling]

It all seems like common sense and consideration for others, which as we know, some people lack.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I created a term for this: Pedefreeze. Pedestrians who come to a sudden halt among a crowd of people walking in the same general direction.

I've always called it transition points. Did you ever notice that people often stop where they have to make a decision of which direction to take? That's why when they designed the parks they tried to avoid right angles as much as possible to reduce this behavior.

In a similar vein at a fast food restaurant the menu is often invisible for some till they get to the register to order?
Same principle.

 

[Uncle Coaster]

My biggest reminder is to always pay attention to your surroundings and be ready to adapt to anything. Don’t assume that people will follow your rules.

 

[Micca]

And another thing! Ever stand in line behind someone at a QS or a popcorn cart and the person ahead of you collects an armload of items and turns to leave and they act surprised that someone is behind them???

 

[Mysterian]

Oh don't get me started!

Ok I'm starting!

I see these all the time, especially someone stopping right at an entrance, unaware that people are behind them- or the usual crowd of Family A that has to talk to Family B, obstructing everything and everyone.

For grocery stores, there should make a horn app so you can honk at people who camp in the aisles/entrances.

While we should always be respectful of someone trying to make their way in a wheelchair, there are those that take advantage of the situation. I've seen grumpy folks in wheelchairs/electric scooters rush around corners without looking or bothering to stop, and speeding through populated areas while griping that people aren't being respectful of them. Some of you may have seen the same in the parks with people on ECVs.

That said, many of those people aren't going to read this thread, and will have to learn by experience.

PS - There's a cafe at work where we can get coffee. Some people get coffee, then sit there in everyone's way mixing in their sugar and cream. Get the coffee and your stuff, and move over!

 

[Micca]

For grocery stores, there should make a horn app so you can honk at people who camp in the aisles/entrances.

Or you could just carry an air horn On second thought, that's a bad idea. You could startle someone and create a "Clean-up on aisle 5" situation.

 

[GoingSince1990]

Don't walk backwards to take a photo or for any other reason. WDW is not a good place to walk backwards.

 

[focusondisney]

For the last several years, we've spent about 4 weeks January/February at DVC in Orlando. Often Saratoga Springs because we ike walking over to Disney Springs.

You’ve been spending weeks going to Disney Springs for years & the crowds are just getting to you now?? . We’ve avoided Springs for years because the crowds are so horrendous. Worse than the parks most of the time IMO.

 

[Caseheidi]

I have one more thing to add to your list. If you are going to pass someone, let them know. I use the same phrase I do when biking "on your left" to prepare them for being passed on their left side. It can sometimes be startling when a person/group whips around you, and helps to prepare you, especially if you were getting ready to turn.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I haven't been in a few years, but it seems like guests are almost forced to spend significant time on their phones to try and get fasspasses (I know that isn't a thing anymore so whatever the latest thing is called), check wait times, consult maps, order food, etc. Seems like a lot of people get distracted by the phone and then either slow way down, stop right in the way, bump into people. It's no excuse, but I can see how it easily happens and it's exacerbated by how much they've made visiting the park reliant on phones. I've also found in busy times and in certain areas, it almost doesn't matter where I locate myself to stop and check something on the phone - I am still in the way or have people jostling into me just because of the sheer volume of people present.

 

[mmouse37]

Our visit to WDW last year in March and this year in December we kept saying to ourselves....did Covid rob everyone of their common sense and ability to walk in a straight line? People were so willy nilly with walking anywhere. I felt the stay to the right went out the window. Huge groups of people would just stop in front of us or stop in the middle of the walkway instead of heading over to the side. Saw so many of those covered wagons as well. It was a free for all!!!