I am also baffled by this thread, but for different reasons. People have been raising their hands on thrill ride drops for decades. Now suddenly people are whining about it. Those who are accusing those who do it of being self absorbed or rude could also be accused of the same thing. I guess a case could be made either way, but the main point of the ride is the thrill ride aspect of it. Perhaps it is a sign of the times that something that has been accepted as a normal practice is now considered by some to be unacceptable. I still believe that if a photo or a view is more important than the actual ride to someone, than they should request the front row. Anyone who doesn't realize that some people will raise their hands during the ride must have spent their lives in a bubble, I just don't see it as being an unanticipated occurrence.
Then wait for the front row. Problem solved. I'm not lessening my enjoyment of a ride so you can get a picture when you have a very easy way around it if it bothers you. Responsibility is on the person wanting the picture - not every other rider.
So a family is there for the first time, never been on the ride, let alone the DIS, are you going to hit their 12 year old son's hand out of the way? This is a ridiculous thread. These types if things should not be dwelled upon. Talk about first world problems.
This. I have once in a lifetime photos ruined by self-absorbed idiots. No, I am not calling anyone here an idiot. Just those teenage boys who decided to 'flash' the camera on Splash Mt and have our once in a lifetime photo 'washed away'!!! Nice. Or the idiots on ToT who all at the same time, flipped off the camera...again, our family photo was gone. Yes, we could have done the ride again, but that isn't the point.
So...the thought of 'if you want a good photo, ask for the front row'?? Sure, but there are going to be people who feel that their young children might be freaked out in that front row. Or, those who have no idea what is coming.
Really??? Raise your arms, don't raise your arms. In the big picture of life, I guess it doesn't matter much. But to say that you don't much care about the folks behind you..that you will continue doing what you want regardless of how it impacts others? I'm sorry but that's just a wee bit entitled.
I mean, seriously. When my family heads into a show, anywhere, not just at WDW, my dh looks around to see who is seated behind him. At 6'4'', he doesn't like to take a seat in front of a youngster who may not be able to see over/past him. He is entitled to sit anywhere he wishes, but he chooses to not negatively impact someone else.
The same goes for attractions like ToT and Splash Mt. Sure, go ahead and raise those arms. But, wouldn't it be nicer to check who is seated behind you and then raise them accordingly??? Open your arms a bit wider to enable those behind you to be seen raising their arms as well? Everyone is entitled to ride the way they choose to....well, within reason anyway. One would think that everyone could make allowances for those around them.