For Gosh Sakes...Act Like You Got Some Sense!!!

[Julylady]

We are just back from 9 days at WDW. I have just one request. If someone unknowingly does something to annoy you, please be kind! My 72 year old Mom was throwing away her lunch trash at the Land pavilion last week. She must have accidentally stepped in front of a young woman who was just leaving the cash register. This woman just started screaming at how my Mom almost made her drop her food and that she needed to watch where she was going! I was right behind her and know she never made contact with her. My Mom said she was Sorry and the woman just kept yelling at her. It really made my Mom feel bad.

Just remember, there are a lot of people moving around and sometimes people step in front of you. It might be better to assume that people meant no harm and keep your lip zipped. I am not sure that every "wrong" needs to be addressed.

Donna

 

[NanaDarling]

Great post, akaDaddy! Your list should be included in the information that is provided to guests at check-in!

 

[Brianne]

I saw WDW from the perspective of a wheelchair for the first time this weekend--it may or may not be the last time either. I have to say, even though I've been very cautious about things before (stopping in walkways, etc), I know I'll be even more aware than I was before. It's quite the eye opener.

The exit line for IASW is divided into two sections. Please do not use the lane that is marked with a wheelchair symbol when you are leaving the ride! Really, this goes for any ride. I can't tell you how hard it is to wheel down that ramp to the wheelchair access area, even with help, without having a bunch of people coming at you! Thank you to those who saw us coming & quickly moved out of the way, but a pox to the woman who kept going anyhow, causing me to have to shove the chair over to the right quickly.

My wheelchair is NOT a foot rest! I had someone (who was in a wheelchair, although I can't be certain if they needed it because the group was playing musical chairs with it) prop their feet up on the back of my chair's tires. People, the brakes on those rented chairs stink as it is---don't put your feet on the tires!

Don't stand in front of people in wheelchairs during parades. You have the option to stand anywhere to see the parade---we don't. And we'd like to see more of the parade than your behind, thank you!

All in all though, I was amazed & thrilled to see how much I could do at WDW, even from a wheelchair. Don't let my little list scare you from going if you have to be in a chair. The CMs were fantastic in helping me to enjoy my trip as much as I could!

 

[Harambe]

OK-This thread is hysterical. I know this is not a place for a good defense as most of these posts are absolutely not intended for the legitimate park goers in need. But I have to say that...

Sadly there are many children for many different reasons that need a stroller long past when some think it is necessary

Mine are still young and it is a safety, sleep and inability issue. My friends that have autistic children use it for a bit of a barrier from the outside chaos. They get a double bacause he is too big for a single. Please don't judge until you have walked in their shoes. There are many super functioning autistic kids that have melt downs and triggers that only the family can know about and attempt to prevent.

Of course, I understand that people need to keep their children safe, especially if they have any issues (I am a sped. teacher). When I was referring to the kid with the tatoo - he actually had a tatoo!!! I didn't think he had a legitimate reason for being pushed around AKL, but you have opened my eyes to the possibility.

Please forgive me if I offended anyone!

 

[nyfinfan]

We just returned from 10 wonderful days at Walt Disney World.



During our stay it became apparent that the experiment in humanity is alive and well within the confines of lands that Walt built. As the week progressed, it seemed the “Love Bug” were screaming the words of my saintly grandmother; “Act like you got some sense”. To assist those socially challenged individuals who may be attending the park in the future, I feel obligated to give you some advice. I am fully aware that some may be offended with these suggestions and if you find yourself to be one of the guilty parties, I mean, offended, feel free to open the box of matches and strike the flames.



Here are my suggestions:

• When the CM (that’s Cast Member or the person with a name-tag to those this post is meant for) informs you there is a problem with your ticket and you need to go to guest services, you need to proceed to guest services. The CM nor the numerous people behind you in line don’t care what store you bought your tickets at, how long you been visiting the park without a problem, that your uncle hand-carved the dolls in It’s a Small World or that your grandfather is the next door neighbor of Walt Disney at the cryogenics lab. There is a problem with your ticket and you need to get it corrected.
• While standing in line, any line, whether for a ride, food, a bus or at the checkout, give the person in front of you some room. I can’t count the number of times I reached for my wallet to pay for something and was afraid I put my hand in someone else’s pocket. As a general rule of thumb, you are too close if you step on my heels or if you can count the threads on my shirt. And by all means, if your belly meets my backside while standing still, be fully prepared to buy my dinner with optional cuddling afterwards.
• If you have a stroller, wheelchair or scooter, rule #2 applies to you as well. Trust me a shoe on my heel is far more pleasurable than a piece of steel plowing into my ankle.
• And while I’m on the subject of scooters, don’t use WDW as your test track. If you’ve never driven one before, take a little time in a quiet corner of the park to practice. I say this after I witnessed a lady plow down a family standing\waiting for the evening parade. She then backed into backed into a building on Main Street. After which, she cussed like a sailor about how she couldn’t drive the scooter.
• Continuing on the subject of the Queen’s English, please watch you language while at WDW. While I am fully aware we live America, freedom of speech and all those excuses that come from those who will disagree, WDW is a family environment. The vast majority of the visitors have children and although the many of the offenders of the language were mere children themselves, please watch your tongue. The language you use in your local pub is inappropriate, rude and down-right vulgar.
• Lines are there for a reason. When you see a group of people, standing front to back in a somewhat uniformed fashion, that is a sign to you they are waiting on something. More than likely they are waiting to see the character you just discovered. Or maybe they are all waiting on the concierge you just walked up to.
• Now if a group of people are standing in a formation that has them standing side by side, this is not a line, it is a barrier. It is inappropriate for you to walk around them, squeeze in between them and fully unacceptable to crawl in-under them. While everyone is aware you paid good money to see the show or parade, those who have showed up early and staked out position have seniority, no matter how loud you are or how hard you can push. By the way, the ropes are there for a reason as well. That’s where the barrier begins.
• When at an exhibit, those people in front of you are there for a reason, they are looking at the exhibit too. Be patient, when they move away from the exhibit is when you move forward to view, not before. Disney is pretty good about not closing down exhibits in the middle of the day without notice. If you’ve waited three minutes to see the snake behind the glass at Animal Kingdom, I’ll be it will still be there when the couple from Ohio move.
• The fish in the Coral Reef restaurant look the same as they do from the Living Seas. It is not necessary to crowd between the tables while others are eating to get a look at the fish from six inches from the glass, you can walk 50 feet from the entrance of the restaurant to the other exhibit and see it all there too. If you must see the fish that close only in the Coral Reef, please be so kind as to gently slide between the chairs to get up against the glass and not push the children onto their table (as happened to our three year old…yes, I about lost it) just so you can touch the glass.
• Just because there is no “wrangler” around the strollers, doesn’t give your children permission to turn it into their private playground. I witnessed a couple of kids crash a half dozen stroller together in front of Tony’s one evening before the fireworks. Their parents looked on for a couple of minutes until a couple of CM’s finally broke them up and asked for their parents.
• Make your food choices wisely. If you take food from the buffet or a muffin from the counter, DON’T PUT IT BACK! I don’t want to eat your rejects and I don’t want your rejects touching the food I might eat.
• Animal calls on the Safari or at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are annoying. I don’t care if you have a scout badge in Ostrich calling, the animals at WDW must speak a different dialect, because they are ignoring you.
• The hallways and terraces are not playgrounds, especially late at night. A game of Marco Polo in the hotel at 11:00 pm is really a downer for those not involved.

I hope this will help those who are manners inept. Other suggestions are welcomed. Have fun at Walt Disney World.

While I agree with everything you have written, I don't think it applies to people on these boards. I've been a reader/lurker/sometime's poster for a few years now and I can say that a very large percent of Dis'ers understand all too well these problems. The people that do these things don't care about your enjoyment or mine...just their own. They will never be stopped and usually get their way because no one wants to confront them. Especially on vacation. JMHO.

 

[KrisTX]

Of course, I understand that people need to keep their children safe, especially if they have any issues (I am a sped. teacher). When I was referring to the kid with the tatoo - he actually had a tatoo!!! I didn't think he had a legitimate reason for being pushed around AKL, but you have opened my eyes to the possibility.

Please forgive me if I offended anyone!

about the tattoo. No offense taken. I am sure most of the people on this thread are making a list in a humorous way. In the parks, I am never really bothered by much of the antics. I assume they do not know any better. Kind of like a driver that is a jerk on the road, I now assume he is racing home to get on the toilet. It makes interstate driving a lot funnier

AND bless you for being a Special Ed teacher

 

[chigirl]

We just returned from 10 wonderful days at Walt Disney World.



During our stay it became apparent that the experiment in humanity is alive and well within the confines of lands that Walt built. As the week progressed, it seemed the “Love Bug” were screaming the words of my saintly grandmother; “Act like you got some sense”. To assist those socially challenged individuals who may be attending the park in the future, I feel obligated to give you some advice. I am fully aware that some may be offended with these suggestions and if you find yourself to be one of the guilty parties, I mean, offended, feel free to open the box of matches and strike the flames.



Here are my suggestions:

• When the CM (that’s Cast Member or the person with a name-tag to those this post is meant for) informs you there is a problem with your ticket and you need to go to guest services, you need to proceed to guest services. The CM nor the numerous people behind you in line don’t care what store you bought your tickets at, how long you been visiting the park without a problem, that your uncle hand-carved the dolls in It’s a Small World or that your grandfather is the next door neighbor of Walt Disney at the cryogenics lab. There is a problem with your ticket and you need to get it corrected.
• While standing in line, any line, whether for a ride, food, a bus or at the checkout, give the person in front of you some room. I can’t count the number of times I reached for my wallet to pay for something and was afraid I put my hand in someone else’s pocket. As a general rule of thumb, you are too close if you step on my heels or if you can count the threads on my shirt. And by all means, if your belly meets my backside while standing still, be fully prepared to buy my dinner with optional cuddling afterwards.
• If you have a stroller, wheelchair or scooter, rule #2 applies to you as well. Trust me a shoe on my heel is far more pleasurable than a piece of steel plowing into my ankle.
• And while I’m on the subject of scooters, don’t use WDW as your test track. If you’ve never driven one before, take a little time in a quiet corner of the park to practice. I say this after I witnessed a lady plow down a family standing\waiting for the evening parade. She then backed into backed into a building on Main Street. After which, she cussed like a sailor about how she couldn’t drive the scooter.
• Continuing on the subject of the Queen’s English, please watch you language while at WDW. While I am fully aware we live America, freedom of speech and all those excuses that come from those who will disagree, WDW is a family environment. The vast majority of the visitors have children and although the many of the offenders of the language were mere children themselves, please watch your tongue. The language you use in your local pub is inappropriate, rude and down-right vulgar.
• Lines are there for a reason. When you see a group of people, standing front to back in a somewhat uniformed fashion, that is a sign to you they are waiting on something. More than likely they are waiting to see the character you just discovered. Or maybe they are all waiting on the concierge you just walked up to.
• Now if a group of people are standing in a formation that has them standing side by side, this is not a line, it is a barrier. It is inappropriate for you to walk around them, squeeze in between them and fully unacceptable to crawl in-under them. While everyone is aware you paid good money to see the show or parade, those who have showed up early and staked out position have seniority, no matter how loud you are or how hard you can push. By the way, the ropes are there for a reason as well. That’s where the barrier begins.
• When at an exhibit, those people in front of you are there for a reason, they are looking at the exhibit too. Be patient, when they move away from the exhibit is when you move forward to view, not before. Disney is pretty good about not closing down exhibits in the middle of the day without notice. If you’ve waited three minutes to see the snake behind the glass at Animal Kingdom, I’ll be it will still be there when the couple from Ohio move.
• The fish in the Coral Reef restaurant look the same as they do from the Living Seas. It is not necessary to crowd between the tables while others are eating to get a look at the fish from six inches from the glass, you can walk 50 feet from the entrance of the restaurant to the other exhibit and see it all there too. If you must see the fish that close only in the Coral Reef, please be so kind as to gently slide between the chairs to get up against the glass and not push the children onto their table (as happened to our three year old…yes, I about lost it) just so you can touch the glass.
• Just because there is no “wrangler” around the strollers, doesn’t give your children permission to turn it into their private playground. I witnessed a couple of kids crash a half dozen stroller together in front of Tony’s one evening before the fireworks. Their parents looked on for a couple of minutes until a couple of CM’s finally broke them up and asked for their parents.
• Make your food choices wisely. If you take food from the buffet or a muffin from the counter, DON’T PUT IT BACK! I don’t want to eat your rejects and I don’t want your rejects touching the food I might eat.
• Animal calls on the Safari or at the Animal Kingdom Lodge are annoying. I don’t care if you have a scout badge in Ostrich calling, the animals at WDW must speak a different dialect, because they are ignoring you.
• The hallways and terraces are not playgrounds, especially late at night. A game of Marco Polo in the hotel at 11:00 pm is really a downer for those not involved.

I hope this will help those who are manners inept. Other suggestions are welcomed. Have fun at Walt Disney World.

I love your post! Totally right-on! Plus thanks for the cyrogenically frozen Walt comment...that is my DH's costume for MNSSHP!!!!

 

[makinorlando]

Disney strollers are for small children, not for a rolling "home base" with backpacks, stuffed animals, etc. And they are not for big kids. If the kid has a tatoo, he is too old to be in the stroller.

I actually saw a very petite MOM sitting in the front of a double stroller crossed legged at EPCOT on Saturday! I had to take a double take - but it was the mom, and the child was sitting behind her while the dad pushed.

I guess I'm jealous since I don't think my tush would fit in one of them let alone my whole body!!!!

 

[unbroken chain]

My son's souvenir from one of our WDW trips (he picked it out, can you tell?) is a t-shirt that says, "I'm surrounded by idiots." I've forgotten what park it came from.

This thread puts that shirt in a new light.

 

[luvthemouse71]

That is so true!!! I hate to see parents treat their kids like that anywhere.

How about the men that sit on the buses and boats and refuse to give their seat up for the poor woman trying to juggle a stroller, diaper bag and 2 kids? When did chivalry die?

I honestly don't hate children and/or parents but that person who "refuses" to give up his/her seat may have issues of their own, ie. recent surgery, medical conditions etc. Some of these parents cart around strollers the size of a small hotel room. Why should this person be expected to give up a seat when they've waited often in a very long line? I actually saw a father make his son get up(the kid was around 7-8) and offer his seat to a woman who was standing. Bravo to that father for raising his son to respect adults-it won't kill a healthy kid to stand and the mom with the stroller and diaper bag made a conscious decision to bring the kids and all the paraphrenalia with her. If I'm feeling nice, maybe I'll even suck it up and offer her a seat. But it shouldn't be an expectation.

 

[DJSMOM]

This post is hilarious but I have to chiime in about the bus comments.

I am a father of four (DD's 13, 7 and 18 months and DS 6). Typically when we board the bus i find a corner, get the kids seated then stand while holding the folded stroller at my side. That way there is more space for those needing to sit. That being said, everyone has a decision to make when boarding the bus. If you are not willing to stand for the ride back to your resort you obviously should not board a packed bus. If you choose to get on the bus, expect to stand and take delight when someone is "courteous" enough to give up their seat, but don't go in with that expectation. It is like going to the resort and getting a free room upgrade; appreciate it when the opportunity arises but don't go in expecting it.

I guess I wasn't clear in what I said. I have no problem with standing on the bus, if I needed to get back to my room for whatever reason, and could not wait until there was a seat available. (By the way if anyone was staying at ASMo last week, you would know how horrible the bus situation was most nights) I was the recipient of the kindness of a few strangers on a few occasions. The problem I had was with men who obviously had no physical ailment as I saw them run to catch up with other members of their party, who then got on the bus and took seats from women standing with small children.
I am not trying to start a flame session or debate. I just thought I should clarify what I was originally saying.

 

[maxiesmom]

The problem I had was with men who obviously had no physical ailment as I saw them run to catch up with other members of their party, who then got on the bus and took seats from women standing with small children.

Let me first say that if I am capable fo giving up my seat to someone who appears to need it more, I will. And if I saw my 15yr ond nephew not get up for someone, he would probably get a nudge until he did move. That being said, I have a huge problem with the above quote. Women and children are not entitled to bus seats over anyone else. Was it rude? Probably. But you make it sound like women and kids get first dibs on seats. Which is not true. Again, if you saw someone take the last seat and you felt it was not safe for you to stand with your child, wait for the next bus. That is something you can control. You cannot control how complete strangers behave.

 

[cybrkitn]

2~ Many, many of us take our vacations at WDW partialy due to the fact that our children will have a magical time. Please remind yourself, if need be, that yelling at, smacking, or dragging your children by their arm will take the fun out of their trip (unless ofcourse they are used to being abused)

Sometimes yelling at a child is a last resort a parent uses (sometimes it's not). I have a very strong willed child and sometimes trying to get his attention on something else is nearly impossible. Especially if I have told him to stop doing something that is annoying us or bothering someone else. Also, if my son is getting too "cranky", it is usually because he is tired and is forcing himself to stay awake. Thereby making mommy and daddy miserable as well as making me feel bad for those around us who have to hear our DS4's temper tantrums.

Most of what I have read so far, I agree with. Common courtesy and manners have gone out the window for the more "pc" of "Me, Me, Me".

 

[cybrkitn]

Maybe we can start our own 'community of tomorrow' where manners/courtesy/consideration of others are the LAW.

Sadly, all the things people have problems with at the parks (and I agree with everything posted here!) come from people who have the same rude, selfish, pigheaded mannerisms at home.

Let's call our new town Mannerville.
The OP can be Mayor if s/he wants.

Ok, this is a play on words (same pronunciation, different spelling and meaning). There is a town here on Long Island, NY called Manorville.

Would love to see a town where Manners rule though

 

[disneymommyof3]

 

[cybrkitn]

When they say No Flash Photography..it means....NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY. You can say it aloud a million and one times and scream it in their ears yet people keep snapping away.GRRRRRR

Thank you! That is one of my pet peeves and one I almost forgot about. When I was with my family at MK for the 2nd or 3rd time (I was a teenager) there was someone sitting behind me at the Country Bears Jamboree snapping pictures. I wear glasses and boy did it blind me for a few seconds when their flash reflected back into my eyes. Those were the pre-digital days.

 

[phillybeth]

Oh and here's another one..

If you see a smoker in the smoking area it is not acceptable to go tell them off. I actually watched some do gooder who apparently wanted to be in the smoking area first try to get a CM to make then put thier smokes out and then stand there and "FUSS" at them about how they were Killing her... HONEY MOVE IT! (That was what they told her, they were in the designated smoking area and it was WELL out of the way, there was a TON of other empty space she could have camped.. It was 7 pm and she was "camping" for the fireworks at Epcot. It was going to be a LONG two hours for her. One man was blowing smoke on her on purpose LOL! I was there with my mom the smoker who ONLY smokes in the designated areas...)

Here's another one along those same lines:

Last year I was visiting the World with my parents- my mom is a smoker so I also got to see the Smoking Areas of the World Dad and I used mom's smoking breaks to sit down, have a snack and a drink, and just chill. So we are in MGM in the smoking area near Star Tours. We are the only ones there when along comes a woman with a baby in a stroller. She sits down next to us, grabs a bottle and the kid, then turns to my mom and says, "How dare you smoke while I am feeding my child!"
First of all, there were plenty of open benches to sit at, she CHOSE to sit next to us. Second, it is a clearly labeled smoking area! When we pointed that out, she got huffy and went to get a CM- drug the poor CM back with her who said, "Ma'am, it's a smoking area, people are allowed to smoke there. You might be more comfortable feeding your child at the smoke-free Baby Care Center."

 

[DepCor0311]

Great post OP...

I must admit that I too am sometimes guilty of stopping in the walkway. We must, however acknowledge that there is some shared fault here...Try as I have over the years I have not been able to develope the ability to see directly behind me. If I stop and you bump into me that means one of two things 1) You too are guilty of not paying attention -or- 2) You were following too closely.

Overall, though...A little common courtesy goes a long way.

 

[akaDaddy]

While I agree with everything you have written, I don't think it applies to people on these boards. I've been a reader/lurker/sometime's poster for a few years now and I can say that a very large percent of Dis'ers understand all too well these problems. The people that do these things don't care about your enjoyment or mine...just their own. They will never be stopped and usually get their way because no one wants to confront them. Especially on vacation. JMHO.

Sorry you didn't understand me, my tongue was in my cheek.

 

[Boncho]

My son's souvenir from one of our WDW trips (he picked it out, can you tell?) is a t-shirt that says, "I'm surrounded by idiots." I've forgotten what park it came from.

This thread puts that shirt in a new light.

My husband has the same one bought it at Pop Century.