Eyebrow Raisers

[H.E. Pennypacker]

It's ALL about the kids.

Guess I better cancel our trip for October. We don't have any kids, so I guess that means we don't belong there. And I guess we don't have any right to sit on a curb for an hour to reserve a spot just for us and not feel like we have to give it up to the first kid that walks up. If little Johnny or Janey or their parents want to pay for my Park Hoppers, my air fare and my accomodations, I'll gladly save them a spot at every parade. I won't even make them squeeze in. I'll vacate it completely so they can all spread out.

 

[dogluva]

I don't think the issue here is whether or not to let kids see the parade...it's the parents who just come along at the last minute and guilt other people into letting their kids in. Why is that fair, and more importantly, what is that teaching the child? That they can go up to some stranger and act all cute and ask to stand in front of them because mommy said so and the stranger "can't possibly say no to a child"? To me that seems a bit arrogant, I'm sorry to say.

If you want a prime viewing spot, get there in plenty of time to stake out your own. That way you'll have your prime viewing locale and you won't have to put someone else out who has already been there for an hour. Plus you'll be teaching your kids that careful planning can reap great rewards.

Oh, and it's NOT all about the kids at Disney, it's about EVERYONE. And yes the parade experience is very, very important to some folks, young and old.

You are right, I probably would be a little taken back. I had this happen to me, I was yelled at by a grandmother. She pushed a little girl near me and said very rudely "Kids shoud sit up in the front!". I was actually just kneeling down next to my daughter. I was a little perturbed at the grandmother, not the little girl who ended up sitting next to my children. I don't think she set a very good example but I also think she was a little taken back herself to be shoved up front.

I would never, personally, send my kids up front. We have been fortunate in getting a spot by arriving about a half hour before parade starts. The few times we didn't get a spot up front, well the kids had to look through people and they didn't seem to mind. My kids are shy, they would never ask a stranger anything and I would never put them in that position.

I don't expect anyone to move to accomodate my kids. However, if I do see a small child who absolutely cannot see, I will ask the parents if they want to squeeze in near my children or I will move over so they can see. I am not asking anyone else to do it. Just like I wouldn't expect anyone to give up a seat on the bus when I am holding my daughter. I would give up a seat to someone holding a baby, but I know some don't feel that should. I think people should do what they feel comfortable doing but not expect the same behavior from others. People are who they are.

 

[pta-mom]

^If you teach your children to believe it is all about them, it will lead them into a false sense of entitlement that will not serve them well as they grow older and are forced to experience the real world.

Yup...I do agree with that statement!

As for the whole parade issue, I'm a little confused because I always figured that the people "in front" were the people who were "sitting" on the curb....How can you than go "in front" of them? They can't sit on the road as the parade passes so they could not be in front of anyone already on the curb.

As for pushing your kids "next too" someone, it's been my observation that there usually isn't any room "next too" another family as everyone gets really close to start with. And certainly, kid or no kid, you will not be sitting on my lap!!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I don't expect anyone to move to accomodate my kids. However, if I do see a small child who absolutely cannot see, I will ask the parents if they want to squeeze in near my children or I will move over so they can see. I am not asking anyone else to do it. Just like I wouldn't expect anyone to give up a seat on the bus when I am holding my daughter. I would give up a seat to someone holding a baby, but I know some don't feel that should. I think people should do what they feel comfortable doing but not expect the same behavior from others. People are who they are.

See, this is my mother's problem--she doesn't have it figured out the way you do. She does get kinda miffed when people won't let all the kids up front, BUT, she is the kind of person who would give a stranger the shirt off her back if they needed it (and maybe even if they just wanted it, lol), so she really doesn't understand that it's not selfish to keep the spot you came early to get. She would always let kids in front so she thinks everyone is as magnanimous. I've tried to explain this to her before, that no one owes us (well, our son) a better view, but I don't know if she will ever understand.

 

[KorieDWnut]

I figure this is a good time to present another eyebrow raiser, in hopes this thread doesn't deteriorate into an arguement. Years ago we took our 4 yo DS onto BTMRR. On his second time on the ride (he LOVED it), a woman in front of us said very loudly to her DH, "I thought there was a height requirement for this ride" and looked pointedly at our DS. Of course, he'd made the height requirement, but she wasn't convinced. I'm sure her eyebrows were raised.

I posted a pic of me "wearing" my 1 mos old dd on a ride. On that trip I got MANY raised eyebrows from other guests about me bringing her on rides, even some rude comments. It didn't bother me. So long as the CM's felt it was ok to bring her on then I really couldn't have cared less what other people though. of course I didn't bring her on anything that was wild, duh, She was 1 mos old and asleep so even things that were "scary" like Snow White, didn't phase her. Anyway, people bring 9 mos old babies who move around and fidget with no raised eyebrows, so what is wrong with an infant firmly strapped and going nowhere?

ooh I vented, didn't mean to do that. lol

 

[Dorisk3]

I think for myself- the kind of person I want to be and want to teach my kids to be is someone that would be kind hearted enough to let a kid in to see when there is even just a little room available.
I'm certainly not saying Disney is just for kids- it's a great way for all of us to keep a sense of wonder and fun in our lives- but what I am saying is that a kind heart is always better than an angry grumpy heart. For those that wouldn't let a little kid sit next to you or scoot in front of you if possible- then you've missed a chance to create some kindness and then the Disney magic has just flown over your heads.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

You truly had people offended that you had your infant on rides? That is a little unreal. Unless you had him/her on RnRC or Space Mountain.

 

[mking624]

I think for myself- the kind of person I want to be and want to teach my kids to be is someone that would be kind hearted enough to let a kid in to see when there is even just a little room available.
I'm certainly not saying Disney is just for kids- it's a great way for all of us to keep a sense of wonder and fun in our lives- but what I am saying is that a kind heart is always better than an angry grumpy heart. For those that wouldn't let a little kid sit next to you or scoot in front of you if possible- then you've missed a chance to create some kindness and then the Disney magic has just flown over your heads.

I think it's wrong to imply that someone who doesn't move is not kind hearted and has an angry grumpy heart. I think it's also wrong to imply Disney magic has flown over our heads if we don't move. I'd say it's rather unkind to expect people to move for you and you're letting the Disney magic fly over your head if you expect people to do this. I think that if parents want to teach them something, they should also teach them that Disney is a very well loved and well visited place, and if they want to do something or sit somewhere in specific, they need to plan for it.

I know for myself I don't have some angry grumpy heart and I always treat people with kindness. But I also would hope parents have a little more consideration for fellow vacationers. And quite honestly, I'm sick and tired of people who believe I should put everything aside so their kids can have the magic...and if I don't, I somehow don't have the magic. For some people, it's a parade. For others, it's a seat on a bus. For some, it's a particular item in a gift shop, or spot to watch the fireworks, or an ADR, the list goes on and on and on...until it comes to the point where there's literally nothing my husband and I can enjoy because we're too busy trying to accommodate all the people who believe we're missing the Disney magic by not letting them get their way.

I am not saying I would spread myself out and block people...there have been times where I have invited a child to sit somewhere (provided there actually is space). But the expectation that someone should move for people who couldn't bother to get there early enough to get those seats is just ridiculous. Sorry, but that kind of expectation is anything but kind hearted.

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

I think for myself- the kind of person I want to be and want to teach my kids to be is someone that would be kind hearted enough to let a kid in to see when there is even just a little room available.
I'm certainly not saying Disney is just for kids- it's a great way for all of us to keep a sense of wonder and fun in our lives- but what I am saying is that a kind heart is always better than an angry grumpy heart. For those that wouldn't let a little kid sit next to you or scoot in front of you if possible- then you've missed a chance to create some kindness and then the Disney magic has just flown over your heads.

That's not really the point here. The point is the OP just expects other people to accomodate her children whenever they feel like it.

I have often invited other people's children to stand in front of me for a better view. That's the key word...invited. Not guilted or harassed into it by a parent who thinks the world revolves around them and their children.

 

[SusanneD]

Hmm. I think they are all a bit iffy. Calculating and waiting for a certain spot in the theatre? Using your children as traffic cones? Sounds as if the joy is being taken out of all these outings and they are covert missions for the best view, the best this the best that. Who cares. Have fun. If you don't get the front row this time, well maybe you will next time. And if you want a good seat get there early. Like the people in front of you did.
Me and my kids when we go to the theatre, we scatter, sit wherever we please. A different spot each time. Nothing is worse than people climbing over you at the movies. But planning it and doing it anyway? Reminds me of going to church in the old days. People fighting over there personal space in the pew. Doubt God really cares where you sit and Life doesn't care where you are in the field either becuase she knows it is way tooooo short. So enjoy it and let others around you do the same.

 

[DVCLiz]

I think for myself- the kind of person I want to be and want to teach my kids to be is someone that would be kind hearted enough to let a kid in to see when there is even just a little room available.
I'm certainly not saying Disney is just for kids- it's a great way for all of us to keep a sense of wonder and fun in our lives- but what I am saying is that a kind heart is always better than an angry grumpy heart. For those that wouldn't let a little kid sit next to you or scoot in front of you if possible- then you've missed a chance to create some kindness and then the Disney magic has just flown over your heads.

Sorry, but no.

I'm all about Disney magic for little ones. Now that my daughters are older, one of our favorite things to do is watch the reactions of little ones at Disney. We love to say, "Oh, look, a REAL princess!" every time a little girl walks by in a costume, just to watch her smile. We like to ask, "Hey, Peter - did you catch Captain Hook?" when we see a boy with a felt cap on his head. We're the family that will take your picture when you ask us. Good grief, we even walk around with princess crowns on our heads all day!! We love everything about Disney, and we wouldn't dream of ruining a kid's magic moment if we could help it.

But staking out parade territory is completely different, and the majority of people who want to do this aren't the people on this thread who are talking about small well-mannered children whose parents don't mind them being separated by at least a layer of standing strangers between them.

Instead, they are the family who didn't stake out a spot because they didn't want to waste the time when they could be riding a ride. So they show up and surprise!! there's a layer of people 3 or 4 deep and their kids can't see. That's when I do object to having them try to squeeze their way in front of me. Because it's almost never just the one or two kids who do this - it's a whole family and they usually aren't very nice about it.

And playing the "It's for kids " card doesn't work on me at parade time. To me, it's the same as seeing a line for Peter Pan that's a 60 minute wait and insisting you go the front of the line because "it's a ride for kids and my kids can't wait that long."

Hmmm, guess I am more heated up about this than I thought I was!!!!

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

Hmm. I think they are all a bit iffy. Calculating and waiting for a certain spot in the theatre? Using your children as traffic cones? Sounds as if the joy is being taken out of all these outings and they are covert missions for the best view, the best this the best that. Who cares. Have fun. If you don't get the front row this time, well maybe you will next time. And if you want a good seat get there early. Like the people in front of you did.

Completely agree! Very well said.

 

[KorieDWnut]

You truly had people offended that you had your infant on rides? That is a little unreal. Unless you had him/her on RnRC or Space Mountain.

yeah. I had this one lady behind me at Peter Pan mumbling to her dh the whole time about how I shouldn't be bringing a baby on rides. I am non confrontational so I just pretended to ignore her.

 

[sassyat30]

Wow-you see lots of things at WDW, and many of them are adults acting
"territorial". I would always allow a child in front of us to view the parade.

Thank you!!!! Finally someone is understanding of my point.

I guess I did come across that I simply pull up to a parade spot and the first open curb just tell my kids to "squeeze" in.

Really, I've almost never walked up to a parade and DIDN'T have some parent (or myself to another parent) say, "Does your kid want to sit up there with my kid", assuming there is room on the curb.

The responses in this thread that are a bit troublesome are the ones that say, "Hey, maybe the adults want to sit on the curb." Really? Even when you know there is a kid behind you that could have an up front view???

I have gone to DL and WDW without kids and prior to having kids and still felt that it is all about the kids.

Sorry, I disagree. DH and I are going in January...and leaving our kids home...on purpose!!

 

[rosiep]

I think for myself- the kind of person I want to be and want to teach my kids to be is someone that would be kind hearted enough to let a kid in to see when there is even just a little room available.
I'm certainly not saying Disney is just for kids- it's a great way for all of us to keep a sense of wonder and fun in our lives- but what I am saying is that a kind heart is always better than an angry grumpy heart. For those that wouldn't let a little kid sit next to you or scoot in front of you if possible- then you've missed a chance to create some kindness and then the Disney magic has just flown over your heads.

I agree with you.

I always try to act with kindness. Not everyone knows to "stake" out a spot for the parade. I for one will always try and put someone littler than me in front. It's what I taught my children (now adults) and I'm proud to say they give up their seats on trains and buses, they hold doors open, they generally act in the world with great thoughtfulness and I am extremely proud of them!

 

[CPer'sMom]

The responses in this thread that are a bit troublesome are the ones that say, "Hey, maybe the adults want to sit on the curb." Really? Even when you know there is a kid behind you that could have an up front view???

I think it's troublesome that you find fault with an adult who wants to sit on the curb and watch the parade. If an adult party gets to the curb spot (at least) an hour early and stands in "their" spot waiting for the parade, of course they should be allowed to sit down on the curb during the parade. Acutally I feel sitting down would be very polite as it then gives the people behind them a far better view than if they remained standing. Any child standing behind a sitting adult would still have "an up front view".

When our girls were younger I would never have even considered thinking they should be able to push past people and get up front at a parade or show. If I wanted them to have a "good view" we arrived early enough to get the spot we wanted. They were taught to be polite and respectful of others, adults and other children alike.

We now have our favorite spots for parades that don't involve standing/sitting along the curbs

If we are standing somewhere watching a show & have a good view and I know there are children behind us, we will most always ask if they would like to get in front of us so they can see better ~~ But I'm sure more likely to ask kids who are not pushing and trying to just worm their way up front!!

My youngest DD is a part-time CM and she loves doing special little things for kids throughout her day in the park, both when she's working and when she's just at the parks playing. She will often comment on just how rude many of the kids (and parents) are in the parks "now days"!! Which is one reason she finds it great fun to be able to do something a little "magical" for some of the well-behaved kids she sees!

 

[teethrdh]

I really must be missing something here.... What is the #6 Stuffing everything into the Mr. potatoehead box, I am confused

and if I am standing on the curb your children can sit right in front of me, next to me 2 year old. I will be watching their faces more than the parade anyway.....

 

[lovin diz]

my problem with #4 is on our first trip to dw, a family of 5 came and kicked us on the street, so they could squeeze in; when i confronted her she said in no english. i got fussed at by a cm for being in the street.

From now on NO ONE will get in front of me, or my family

 

[Schmeck]

I wouldn't do #4 because I wouldn't want my kids up front with strangers while I'm 2-3 adults behind them. Could I grab my kid in an emergency? What if there's a pervert waiting for someone to ask if a kid can stand in front of him? And if I have someone else's kid in front of me, am I now legally responsible for that kid, since I agreed to let that child there? What if the crowd after the parade passes gets so dense that I can't get to my kid?

 

[reallybadeggs]

I wouldn't do #4 because I wouldn't want my kids up front with strangers while I'm 2-3 adults behind them. Could I grab my kid in an emergency? What if there's a pervert waiting for someone to ask if a kid can stand in front of him? And if I have someone else's kid in front of me, am I now legally responsible for that kid, since I agreed to let that child there? What if the crowd after the parade passes gets so dense that I can't get to my kid?

Wow, Schmeck. How's the psychotherpy going for the paranoia???

I never let my kids out of my site and I think I'm very protective, but....do you have your kids on one of those leashes??