Beca said:
I saw MANY teenagers getting off of city busses and going into DL completely unattended. This makes a huge difference. They are not on vacation with their family....they are "hanging out" with their friends, much like teenagers hang out at the malls. They do behave differently in the parks.
When I was riding Small World, to pre-teen boys were shooting "spit-wads" at the dolls. They boarded the ride with whole pockets full of paper covered straws to do this. Now, their parents were with them, but didn't notice. The boys seemed to have a whole "system" of what dolls were easy to get, and what were the real "winners". I couldn't take it...I HAD to say something to them...my dd was 2, and that was her favorite ride!!!!
I have had (many times) parents tell their children to "walk around and go sit in front of that lady" as a parade is starting....after we have been waiting for an hour. I have even had them try to sit in front of my dd...she is tiny!!!
Hello, Beca~Just an FYI...many of the local area RESORT hotel properties, which work in conjunction with DL (in providing guest accommodations), utilize a city bus/trolley system for transportation to/from the parks. Therefore, these groups of teens you witnessed getting off the city bus, could have merely been "teens" from an extended family traveling from another state to visit DL! Teens are permitted to "hang out" with friends and family, unattended/unsupervised at both WDW and DL. Haven't you come across these groups at WDW, the waterparks, or DTD in Orlando? Boy, we certainly have! Any young person, apart from the scrutiny and supervision of their parents or chaperones, will undoubtedly behave differently.
I also would have said something to the parents of the boys shooting "spitwads" at the dolls inside the small world attraction at DL. Vandalism is NOT acceptable behavior, anywhere or at anytime. While in NYC, I witnessed a girl writing her name on the wall inside the Statue of Liberty. I immediately alerted authorities, and she was promptly arrested for vandalism/defacing public property. Perhaps she'll be less apt to pull out a sharpie and write on ANY wall again.
WDW also has MANY local AP holders, whom also frequent the parks on a daily, weekly, monthly, etc., basis. Some of these people also exhibit similar attitudes with regards to "their" parks. Since traveling/vacationing guests (from outside the area) are viewed on a seasonal basis by WDW & DL, they MUST attract locals to support the park/employees during the interim. These persons are constantly encouraged and welcomed to visit the parks through a host of promotions and special advertisements.
As for the parade scenario, it's just as bad (IMHO) at WDW. People begin to line-up hours in advance for a "good" spot, and encourage their children to sit and "hold" preferred spots.
I've personally witnessed this for years. Therefore, I rarely stand and view ANY parade while at either park. The attractions are usually less-congested during parade times, providing a perfect opportunity to experience E-rides with little/no wait time!
Personally, we prefer the small size and quaint "feel" of DL over the MK park of WDW. Especially in the late spring, on a cool and misty day.
I can almost SEE Walt walking up the nearly vacated main street at dusk, and still smile everytime I enter the park...and look at his beloved crow's nest view above the fire station. His kind & smiling face of approval, is nearly etched into the glass of the apartment's front window.
DL IS and ALWAYS will be the
original, and there is simply no arguing this fact.
P.S. As
MinnieM21 posted...
Disneyland has a more "laidback" atmosphere over WDW. There have been MANY posts and threads with respect to this issue. I have always attributed it to the CALIFORNIA culture, which in general, is much more "laid-back" than the East Coast. We absolutely LOVE it, as we never see the hoards of familes *(12-20 or more) rushing "COMMANDO~STYLE" through the parks. It just isn't done here. This, in itself, makes the entire park experience much more enjoyable!
I'm sorry if that came across the wrong way, I wasn't trying to sound mean at all. 
