Ever needed security in the parks?

[FredS]

After many WDW trips, we had our first "incident" with a seriously rude visitor on our trip last month, and it has crossed my mind several times that it could have gotten uglier and I was not sure how to handle.

Everyone was lining up for the Spectromagic parade. We were tired and park was full so we staked out our spot in Frontierland early. Shortly before the parade started a small group of, oh, late teens to early twenty-year-olds sat down behind us. They were on the porch-type walkway that runs directly in front of many of the buildings in frontierland, effectively blocking the only route in which traffic could still flow (as the entire space between the rope and the steps to the porch area was filled by this time. I noticed because folks attempting to get by were grumbling at them.)

Anyway, the parade starts. Everyone was seated, then a group in front stands and everyone behind them, including my family, also stands to see. A guy on the porch just behind us yells out "Sit down." I didn't particularly think it was addressed to me, so I don't turn around. He yells, "Hey, you, hey, EXCUUUUSE ME!" until my daughter turns around and tells him that we had to stand up to see. He shouts "JUST SIT DOWN" at her! I took a deep breath and told him that we had to stand to see because the people in front of us stood, and that he will just have to stand, sorry. He keeps muttering and the occasional cursing. Then my daughter says "Mom, he threw something at me!" I look down and see something (it was pretty dark) that looked like maybe a wadded up park map. I am standing there at a loss, because we are pretty well trapped by the crowd and can't just move away easily, as well as being livid that this jerk had definitely ruined our parade viewing (DH and younger son were not aware of the throwing incident at the time it happened).

All that I could think was to just ignore him unless and until he did anything else. Fortunately that was all that we saw (or felt) and then we moved on as soon as the parade passed and the crowd loosened. There were no CM's in my area that I could see, and I was imagining the headlines if this guy threw something else at my daughter -- something relating to this mini-van driving mom beating the pulp out of some smart aleck guy and getting evicted from Walt Disney World! At that point the mama tiger was definitely coming out in me and I guess I am glad that nothing else happened.

The point (finally got there, sorry!) is that I would like to have a plan for if something similar ever occurred again. Maybe if we had pushed our way to the rope and followed it and found a CM, but then what? How serious are they about that type of harassment? And are you automatically banned from the most magical place on earth if you take down someone who is cursing at and throwing things at your family? Hopefully this was my first and last time for such an experience, but has anyone else been there and how did you handle it?

 

[Darian]

Thats a good question. I have called security at DL in the past and the results were, to be polite about it, depressing. DW and I had just gotten off the train at Toon Town station, when we noticed two guys getting high walking around the dark areas by the bathroom. It was easy to see from their appearance that they both had just gotten out of jail (and their conversation DW and I overheard confirmed that.)

We walked over the the little booth that sold film by IASW and had the CM there call security. After 10 minutes of no one showing up, we had her call again. I was asked to "go investigate and see if they were still there." My reply was, "sure I will, right after I get put on the Disney payroll." Having had heart surgery a month before, I was in no mood to get my disney buttocks kicked all the way to Yesterland. No one ever showed up. We left and went to City Hall and met with the head of security to discuss what went on. For some reason, after our meeting, security people kept an eye on DW and i for the rest of the night as we wandered all around the resort... DTD etc. We enjoyed their company but I think they were kind of surprised we realized they were keepin an eye on us. Maybe our druggie friends from Toon Town were looking for us? What I do know is that those security people are just a wonderful group of people. But I do think they are stretched a bit thin.

So, I don't know how effective it would have been to get a CM to help you with your "teenage" problem. Sounds like you did the right thing though. At DL, everyone except those on the curb are required to stand once the parade begins. I bet you really didn't have a choice about standing. Ironic huh? If you HAD stay seated (as the thugs wanted) I bet a CM would have been right there telling you to stand! LOL

Darian

 

[CourtasanSatine]

only for a stalled car

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi FredS.

The point (finally got there, sorry!) is that I would like to have a plan for if something similar ever occurred again.

I would imagine any reaction depends upon the individual circumstances.

He yells, "Hey, you, hey, EXCUUUUSE ME!" until my daughter turns around and tells him that we had to stand up to see.

My suggestion is not to acknowledge the schmuck. He cannot proceed if no one pays attention.

Then my daughter says "Mom, he threw something at me!" I look down and see something (it was pretty dark) that looked like maybe a wadded up park map.

You were wise to ignore him. He was looking to provoke a confrontation. Had the idiot persisted, my recommendation would be to take his picture if you have a camera. Then locate a CM and file a report.

 

[Selket]

I remember a threat awhile back where someone mentioned that a couple got into a fight at one of the WDW restaurants and threw something (a glass?) and there were security folks there immediately....making it sound like they have the place crawling with undercover security, cameras and the like. I would imagine that a place where many people are congregated and standing, waiting like for a parade it is the hardest to get help if you need it. What if the guy had thrown a bottle - something like that at you? I suppose if the situation had seemed threatening enough the best thing to do is to get out/away/ into an open area (inside the parada area perhaps?) that would have attracted CM's and some help. I also think that people beside you would have helped if necessary. Sorry you had that experience!

 

[tink2]

While it wasn't my family that got security, it was a nearby family. Don't these things usually happen while waiting for a parade? lol We had been waiting for Main Street Electrical Parade about 4 years ago. We had been sitting on the curb for at least an hour and a half- if not 2. We used the time to eat dinner and let my niece and her dad ride space mountain. Anyway, about 15 minutes before the parade, the lines were about 7-10 people thick behind us. This lady and her children come barreling through the crowd with her stroller, refusing to use the pathways set aside by ropes for those not watching the parade. She was loudly cursing and complaining that all these people just decided to sit down and others couldn't get through. Well, she proceeds to cut right through the people lined up for the parade. During this, she ran over a little girl's foot with the stroller- the little girl was about 5. I know the stroller had to hurt and it was holding a child about 10 years old in it. When the little girl screamed, she looked down and said something very rude about she shouldn't just be sitting there and to MOVE! Well, her dad had had enough and found a CM. The CM politely showed the lady where walk through areas had been roped off. Fine, she says a few words but continues to go to the designated areas. Everyone is happy again. Well, about 5 more minutes later, we all here the same voice cursing and telling people to move or she will run over their feet. This time, she was headed towards us. My brother covered his 4 and 7 year olds' ears to try to block the profanity. She kept screaming at everyone. Well, she did it again and ran over the feet of a child next to us. Someone in the crowd had already gone to get a CM and they saw it. She was escorted out of the park and everyone clapped!!! She really caused a scene!

 

[ChrissyDerekOKW]

Last August my hubby, Mum and I were on Main Street in MK to watch Share a Dream Come True parade. It was not busy, plenty of room for all. Just before the parade started, an elderly woman, younger woman and four children came directly in front of us and plonked all four children on the bin. They never shut up talking, yelling and being a general pain. I asked that the children stopped kicking my Mum and the younder woman was so rude to me. She turned and pushed me so hard I dropped the drinks I was holding and I fell backwards. I was so upset, went into a nearby shop and asked a CM to call security. The CM was so nice, security came and I explained what had happened. They asked me if I wanted to press charges and if I needed to see a nurse. I said no, I was just badly shaken up. This family know very well what they had done and disappeared up Main Street rather too quickly. Security chased them, never found them. It was a wonder because they were all wearing bright red teeshirts!!
We wandered up Main Street after the parade, then I noticed I had lost my Ears, the 100 years with the Sorcerer's Hat. Then I started to cry and wept buckets. They must have fallen off when the woman pushed me. Called at City Hall, no one had handed them in, so a very nice CM gave me a voucher to go and buy some more. I felt so silly crying at my age 50 something, so upset over losing my ears and missing the parade. Going back this August and doing Epcot and MGM. Thanks for listening. Chrissy.

 

[colleen costello]

ChrissyDerekOKW, what a terrible thing! I am so sorry that happened and I pray you know that MOST Americans are not like that. Nowadays, in any public place, there are crazy folks. It's unfortunate but true. Thank goodness you weren't seriously hurt.

 

[bobcat]

Thankfully no, but I did see a teenage boy get a serious scolding in front of City hall buy an upper level CM. I still wonder what he did but she was getting her point across that if they ever caught him doing what ever it was again he would be thrown out. I assume they were waiting for his parents to arrive.

 

[CarolA]

I have seen security called and I have a very good feeling there is a lot more security then you see.

I keep laughing about these parade things because I PROMISE that my one and only parade in DLP had all of this with one exception. Half an hour before the parade I am the ONLY person on the curb. I decided that there was something wrong with my guide and went and found a CM. He said the parade would start in half an hour, but that I would have to FIGHT to hold my place (gave me details)

I promise at the exact moment the parade started about 50 people kept trying to push me into the parade route and out of their way, they were yelling at each other (in French, so I have no idea if it was rude,but ....) I was just amazed. Queing does not appear to be a french thing. (Don't get me wrong, I love France, but they don't seem to understand parades). Thanks to the CM tips I was able to maintain my front row spot.

One other difference was that they would shove their kids up front where the parents could not see them. I could not imagine a lot of moms I know doing that in the states.

 

[WDWAurora]

CarolA, I can totally believe the shoving of the kids! I've been going to WDW FL since I was 3 (now in my 20s) and I have seen that repeatedly!! It's not just in France, Americans do it too! The worst was at Stars and Motor Cars, and we didn't even have good places, but at MK I generally get the kids in front of me anyway....but yeah, the shoving I mainly saw at MGM. I can't remember specific instances at MK, but I'm sure it happens just as much there too.

 

[FredS]

Chrissy, I am so sorry! I can understand your tears because what should have been a magical time in WDW turned into an ugly, scary incident due to some moron's complete lack of manners and inability to behave. I definitely hope your future visits have none of that sort of ugliness again.

 

[Bill From PA]

Two observations: Most unpleasantness seems to center around late parades and such. Last year we started the practice of viewing the MK fireworks from in front of Gasparilla's at the GF. Unless WDW unveils a spectacular new parade, we're through with that scene.

Second, plainclothes security is more a factor than most realize. I enjoy shooting 'street scenes', just normal everyday park activities as these capture the feel for being there and put me 'in the moment'. I've noticed on a number of these that there will be the occasional 'guest' who makes it a point to repeatedly turn away or otherwise avoid appearing on camera as I pan to take in the scenery. Few real park patrons know or care if they're in someone's viewfinder, security personnel make it a point not to show up in your vacation album. They're there.

Bill From PA

 

[DEH3rd]

i an one to confront the idiot immediately. i usually have a way of pursuading them to 1. cease & desist immediately, 2. appologize, and 3. move away. I can be very convincing. am i wrong, depends on your perspective, but no one should let peolpe be picked on or bullied. Even if it is not your family being abused, people need to stand up to these people when you see it. If they know that they cannot get away with acting like jerks, they are more apt to not act like jerks. The problem is that they have been getting away with it for too long.

 

[JetMom]

Not At WDW, but Sea World. My DS (9 yrs. old at the time) wandered away from us in the shark exhibit. We called security to locate him.

It was the longest 7 minutes of my life.

 

[SteveInOmaha]

Darian,

QUOTE: "when we noticed two guys getting high walking around the dark areas by the bathroom. It was easy to see from their appearance that they both had just gotten out of jail"

I must be rather naive. How is it easy to see from one's appearance that they had just gotten out of jail? Were they wearing bright orange jumpsuits? Did their ankles still have shackles on them? Just wondering.

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by SteveInOmaha
Darian,

QUOTE: "when we noticed two guys getting high walking around the dark areas by the bathroom. It was easy to see from their appearance that they both had just gotten out of jail"

I must be rather naive. How is it easy to see from one's appearance that they had just gotten out of jail? Were they wearing bright orange jumpsuits? Did their ankles still have shackles on them? Just wondering.

If you are naive, I'd say this is something that its good to be naive about. If you have any friends who are law enforcement (particularly if they have worked the jails) they can almost always spot ex-cons on sight. Being in jail does something to people that effects their demeanor, which is unmistakable, but usually fades with time away from prison. That demeanor is your best clue. You can see it in their eyes. They seem nervous, always looking over their shoulders. (survival skills from jail and the constant threat of being jumped.)

Someone who works out in jail (lifting weights) has a lot of time to do it in, but often without proper training or the same variety of equipment you would find in your local fitness center. As a result, former inmates will often leave jail with unusually large arm and chest muscles from weight lifting, but without the same development in other parts of their bodies, as you would see in a dedicated body builder.

You can also look for "jail house" tatoos, and the lack of a tan but that may or may not be helpful. There are a number of other habits and behaviors that identify a person as someone recently released from incarceration. But this post is already way off topic. My apologies to the moderator.

Darian

 

[colleen costello]

I am truly amazed at the stuff you learn on these Boards... Darian, it sounds like you would be a GREAT security guard at WDW when you retire someday!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Darian. Thank you - some fascinating information.

But they COULD be inept body-builders!

They seem nervous, always looking over their shoulders.

Children have that same look after pooping in their pants...

 

[epcotfan]

Some people are idiots. We had to get a cast member at the MGM Stars And Motor Cars parade because a family shoved in front of some little kids at the last minute and wouldn't move. These imbeciles weren't even behind the parade route line. They thought they could just push everyone back.
I think it would have been harder getting them to move if the parade had started.