Fantasmic FastPass Section Aggressiveness...One-off or Norm?

[CO2CA]

Having gone to Disneyland many times one year we were fortunate to be at the front of a gate on our first day. This had never happened before as we have 3 kids. So we had been standing there about 40 minutes and a long line formed. Suddenly the people in the line next to us (who were first in their line), same gate different turnstile, demanded that we had cheated all of them because they had been told to form one line before we arrived and we had formed a second. At this point every gate had two lines, one per turnstile, that backed up halfway through the esplanade. We had dozens of people behind us. If they had said something initially we would have told them they could form one line for each turnstile and stood behind someone in their line or found a different gate. But at that point we were not moving. Someone from their group went and got a CM and claimed we had cut. I explained to the CM what happened. The CM allowed the second group in the other line to move in front of ours. It was probably the most tense and bizarre interaction with other guests we've had. I didn't argue with the CM because I knew she was just trying to appease them, but it was not a happy moment. When people are in these situations they feel very vindicated in their actions. I was upset with those other people and felt we had every right to be first because we knew there should be a line for each turnstile. But they were clearly upset too because they had arrived before us and we were now going to enter at the same time as them and before the group behind them. We tend to be wrapped up in our own thoughts at Disneyland and get tense when others "spoil" our plans.

That's so frustrating, especially for the CM to take their side when you were in the right to be first. My question would be why they didn't say something before that point. Over 40 minutes later is kinda too late to call someone out for a (incorrectly) perceived wrongdoing. It's unfortunate that they had, to some degree, spoil the day for both your party as well as there's by throwing a fit over something so small. The difference upon entering would be negligible.

 

[figment_jii]

I'm sorry to read about the negative experiences folks have had. While I don't think it's the "norm", I wouldn't say it's a "one-off" either. It seems to be happening more often, but while there are always bad actors out there, there are also plenty of guests that are well behaved.

We had something kind of like this at World of Color many years ago. We saw a random stroller (note: this was the cadillac of strollers - large, in charge and double widing it.) with no one touching it and no child in it next to the fence. We were in the reservation area. We figured someone left their stroller there and went to move it just a smidge so that one of our children could stand in front it against the fence.

The minute we laid hands on the stroller, we had a guy come out of nowhere, his chest all puffed up, his eyes filled with fury. He yelled at us not to touch his stroller. When looked and saw his family was actually not even NEAR the stroller. They were a few feet to the left with people in between us.

We dubbed him the stroller mafia at that point and got a CM.

It's funny...I was on the other end of something like this. I had a child in a stroller with me, and I was standing next to the stroller so I could talk to the little one while we waited for the show to start. A group of adults was standing at the railing next to the stroller, but then kept bumping into the stroller pushing it back slightly. It took me a bit to figure it out, but they were edging in front of the stroller with each bump. I could give them the benefit of the doubt and say it was accidental, but I kind of doubt it...

 

[Tasmen]

Oh my gosh! You have great storytelling, but now I'm too invested - what did the CM do to the stroller mafia? lol

Thank you The stroller got moved. It was supposed to be in stroller parking. Our kids got their spot and Mr. Angry Pants expended a lot of extra energy shooting us unpenetrating dagger stares during parts of the show.

It's funny...I was on the other end of something like this. I had a child in a stroller with me, and I was standing next to the stroller so I could talk to the little one while we waited for the show to start. A group of adults was standing at the railing next to the stroller, but then kept bumping into the stroller pushing it back slightly. It took me a bit to figure it out, but they were edging in front of the stroller with each bump. I could give them the benefit of the doubt and say it was accidental, but I kind of doubt it...

In your case, you had a child in the stroller. Definitely different. I would also doubt that it was accidental on their part. A lot of people go on vacation with a sense of entitlement, I've noticed. As if they are the only ones on vacation and everyone else is just serving as extras in their very special blockbuster.

 

[Chickinvic]

What a biotch - and she's also teaching her kids all the wrong things (entitlement, rudeness, etc). Just horrible.

 

[Cal-Pie]

A lot of people go on vacation with a sense of entitlement, I've noticed. As if they are the only ones on vacation and everyone else is just serving as extras in their very special blockbuster.

This, exactly. I once had a lady try to weasel her way into my kids spot for Paint the Night that we'd saved for 2 hours. When I protested, she said, "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I'VE SPENT TO BE HERE?!?" I said, "Yes, the same amount I spent to be here."

 

[Erin M]

This, exactly. I once had a lady try to weasel her way into my kids spot for Paint the Night that we'd saved for 2 hours. When I protested, she said, "DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY I'VE SPENT TO BE HERE?!?" I said, "Yes, the same amount I spent to be here."

Had this happen last Christmas at our Holiday Parade Dinner package seating spot. We paid for the meal, then showed up half an hour early just to be safe and make sure my kiddo could see. Someone walked up with 5 minutes to go asked me to to scoot my daughter down the curb so they could squeeze in, they did not have the proper passes. I declined and she tried anyway. A kind gentleman beside me on the non-reserved seating area asked her to leave.

Part of me wants to think some people are just oblivious (not that it excuses it) but I know in reality many of these people know exactly what they are doing.

 

[IDigDug]

The OPs story reminds me of trying to get good spots for WoC, haha. It was way too much of a battle to keep a good railing spot and way too stressful. Now I just do WoC Desert Party and Hungry Bear dinner for Fantasmic.

Haha.... I was reading this thread thinking of you. I've had parents try to push (their sometimes crying) kids in front of me and my kids at F! and WoC. I think most of us will let little kids have get in front for a better view, but it is inconsiderate of people to expect you to move aside after you've been waiting for 2 hours and they show up at the last minute.

So now it's dining packages and dessert parties... expensive, but I love the shows so much I look at it as part of the DL budget. (DaveNinja is my husband and I "torture" him and our kids every trip with Fireworks, WoC and F!). I will add the kids LOVE WoC now that we only watch it when we have dessert party reservations..lol.

 

[Tasmen]

So now it's dining packages and dessert parties... expensive, but I love the shows so much I look at it as part of the DL budget. (DaveNinja is my husband and I "torture" him and our kids every trip with Fireworks, WoC and F!). I will add the kids LOVE WoC now that we only watch it when we have dessert party reservations..lol.

*praise*

I am a firm believe in throwing money at a problem/inconvenience when possible. We do the same thing. It's just an expected expense for us.

 

[jammyjam25]

I've told this story elsewhere in the forums but I had a grandma show up literally as a parade was starting (Paint the Night, I believe) and SIT ON ME with her toddler grandchild in her lap because there wasn't enough room between me and the next person on the curb. We'd been waiting probably an hour an half and she just waltzed up. I'm sure all the people behind us who she weaved through to get to the curb really appreciated it as well.