Have a heart!

[disney144]

Disneyland vet here back from a very disappointing visit on Monday. We knew it was Memorial Day and would be crowded, and we prepared for that. We did not prepare for the extreme selfishness displayed by other Disneyland guests.

It was a perfect (though crowded) day. When it got dark, it turned into one of the worst Disney experiences I have ever had. We arrived an hour before the parade, hoping to grab a spot in the back to view the parade. People were walking down Main Street shoving other people out of the way, yelling at people to move and huffing and puffing at others.

We found an opening big enough for us and asked if they were holding the spot or if we could squeeze in there. The woman standing there said "we've been standing here for an hour, so I'm going to say no." She stepped back and filled the gap where we had planned to stand. This happened two more times.

I understand if you are holding a spot, but to refuse others the opportunity to view the parade simply because you think you deserve it more is not ok. We eventually found a spot, and tried to turn the situation around by letting a shorter mother and her child stand in front of us.

The crowds seem to bring out the worst in people. I have never experienced the level of hostility and selfishness at any Disney park. We are all trying to celebrate together, and that is not the way to do it.

I am extremely disappointed by the actions and attitude of other Disney fans.

 

[Amore Disney]

Hey disney144, I have also experienced this on a previous trip so I really feel for you. I stepped into a large gap with my family where there was clearly nobody holding a spot. However, the big family behind us (I am not sure why they decided to sit at the very back), were not happy and "accidentally" spilled their soda to try to make us leave. They didn't even bother muttering an apology. I suspect that big gap in the crowd was there because this malicious family was driving them away. It is truly sad how people can become selfish and cranky when there are big crowds.

BUT of course, not everyone is like that, and thank you for having the bigger heart and making another family's day. I hope that more guests at Disneyland can follow suit.

 

[SMD]

I can understand the Main St frustration on Monday to a point. After 4 straight days of people staking out spots all day and making it impassable, especially if this was a 4 day trip for people that happened to cover those 4 days. I also know it's frustrating to stake out a spot for hours, only to have someone who has been enjoying the rest of the park like you've wanted to expect to scoot in at the last minute. Disney could do something about this, like open up certain sections for waiting closer to the start of things. Not that it's ok to shove a guest, but I have seen the rudeness go both ways with spot savers and the people expecting to squeeze a large family into very little space right at the end.

There are so many ways that people are subtly rude to other guests, sometimes without even realizing it. Like this woman who rushed in front of me while I was walking to the turnstile. Fine, she can go in first, I don't care if I'm delayed 30 seconds. Well, she then pulls out 5 military vouchers and signals for her family sitting on a railing with 4 adults and 2 strollers to come over, and by now there's 3 of us lined up behind her. The CM asked her to let me pass and she said no. The the rest of us had to ask her family to back the strollers up so we could go to another gate. They probably thought they were making it convenient for themselves and didn't care how rude that was to everyone else. Or people who hold spots in CS lines while their party holds a table. But then when they get to the front they want to rejoin the line and make separate transactions. Making 3 separate orders and paying 3 times is totally different than a parent ordering for the whole family and paying once. I wouldn't have gotten in that line if I knew there were going to be those 2 extra transactions.

Recently I've experienced 2 groups who refused to take off their ear hats during AP screenings at the Opera House. One was Oswald ears! When did taking off any hat in any theater stop being the accepted thing to do? Especially Mickey ears.

At the Friday WOC show we waited until 20 minutes before the show to use FP, knowing that when everyone stands up there would be more space. So we found a spot where people were sitting, but we could stand tight together without stepping on anyone, asked if the spot was saved, they said no. When everyone was told to stand the CMs came by and put more people in the section. This family in front of us was very upset that they did that, which was ridiculous because even then it was only like 2/3 full. Well, when the show starts the father puts his 5 year old up on his shoulders and starts dancing around. He was moving side to side a good 4 feet and bouncing up and down. I asked him if he could stay in one spot so I wouldn't have to move every time he moves and he said no. He then purposefully turned around and swapped with his wife twice to move in front of me again after I had moved. And then there's the couple with media credentials who screamed at a CM because the front of the line access they wanted was only on Thursday and wasn't being honored on Friday. And just to round it out, also on Friday at RSR they scan DAS return tickets at the start of the FP entrance. Then the CM who collects FPs scans them again because DAS has no FP to turn in. I saw a guess unload on that CM that it takes too long to have their tickets scanned and why not trust them. She continued to argue and refuse to produce the tickets, which took longer and held the line for everyone.

 

[Gisele]

I can understand the Main St frustration on Monday to a point. After 4 straight days of people staking out spots all day and making it impassable, especially if this was a 4 day trip for people that happened to cover those 4 days. I also know it's frustrating to stake out a spot for hours, only to have someone who has been enjoying the rest of the park like you've wanted to expect to scoot in at the last minute. Disney could do something about this, like open up certain sections for waiting closer to the start of things. Not that it's ok to shove a guest, but I have seen the rudeness go both ways with spot savers and the people expecting to squeeze a large family into very little space right at the end.

There are so many ways that people are subtly rude to other guests, sometimes without even realizing it. Like this woman who rushed in front of me while I was walking to the turnstile. Fine, she can go in first, I don't care if I'm delayed 30 seconds. Well, she then pulls out 5 military vouchers and signals for her family sitting on a railing with 4 adults and 2 strollers to come over, and by now there's 3 of us lined up behind her. The CM asked her to let me pass and she said no. The the rest of us had to ask her family to back the strollers up so we could go to another gate. They probably thought they were making it convenient for themselves and didn't care how rude that was to everyone else. Or people who hold spots in CS lines while their party holds a table. But then when they get to the front they want to rejoin the line and make separate transactions. Making 3 separate orders and paying 3 times is totally different than a parent ordering for the whole family and paying once. I wouldn't have gotten in that line if I knew there were going to be those 2 extra transactions.

Recently I've experienced 2 groups who refused to take off their ear hats during AP screenings at the Opera House. One was Oswald ears! When did taking off any hat in any theater stop being the accepted thing to do? Especially Mickey ears.

At the Friday WOC show we waited until 20 minutes before the show to use FP, knowing that when everyone stands up there would be more space. So we found a spot where people were sitting, but we could stand tight together without stepping on anyone, asked if the spot was saved, they said no. When everyone was told to stand the CMs came by and put more people in the section. This family in front of us was very upset that they did that, which was ridiculous because even then it was only like 2/3 full. Well, when the show starts the father puts his 5 year old up on his shoulders and starts dancing around. He was moving side to side a good 4 feet and bouncing up and down. I asked him if he could stay in one spot so I wouldn't have to move every time he moves and he said no. He then purposefully turned around and swapped with his wife twice to move in front of me again after I had moved. And then there's the couple with media credentials who screamed at a CM because the front of the line access they wanted was only on Thursday and wasn't being honored on Friday. And just to round it out, also on Friday at RSR they scan DAS return tickets at the start of the FP entrance. Then the CM who collects FPs scans them again because DAS has no FP to turn in. I saw a guess unload on that CM that it takes too long to have their tickets scanned and why not trust them. She continued to argue and refuse to produce the tickets, which took longer and held the line for everyone.

Omg!

 

[MommyJKM]

It's always sad to see/hear about this, and even sadder that this is becoming a more common occurrence. My husband says it's because people feel entitled because they are spending so much money to be in the parks. But I believe it's inherently people deciding THEY are more important and not worried about teaching their children how to delay gratification and social values and to appreciate others.

But we can all do our parts to help as the PP above said. Those who are nasty are probably feeling bad the rest of the time and you can only have sympathy for them

 

[Gisele]

Those who are nasty are probably feeling bad the rest of the time and you can only have sympathy for them

I agree. And makes me think of something that someone told me a long time ago about people that are rude, and the like, being having to imagine how their life must be that they behave the way they do. I think that is a very good point. Be it at the time or for their life in general.

 

[SMD]

My husband says it's because people feel entitled because they are spending so much money to be in the parks.

I think this has been a trend that's been happening for awhile and has reached critical mass the last few years. I also think that the emphasis on social media is starting to make things worse. Now that it's more in your face that other people got to do certain special things it makes people become more desperate to have the same or better experience. Plus they need to go all out to get the best picture of everything they're doing, despite the negative impact that constant camera flashes, holding up cameras to block others views have on others.

 

[jammyjam25]

During Christmas time we were in the second row (behind those sitting on the curb for the Christmas parade). The family in front of us not only had an EMPTY stroller (they had taken the child out of it and he was sitting in mom's lap) taking up a curb spot which you're not supposed to do, but their 6 foot tall father refused to sit down like the CMs ask everybody on the curb to do. After multiple requests for him to sit down and pointing out how many people's views he was blocking behind him he finally moved the stroller and sat down after I threatened to go get a CM, but he wasn't happy about it.

I didn't feel bad being the "bad guy" in this situation and asking him to sit down over and over again because not only were they not following CM instructions, it was just extremely rude in my opinion to be blocking the view of everyone behind him.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with other guests! Some people either don't know or just don't care about how rude their behavior is towards others.

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I remember watching a parade a few years ago and the family behind us had a young child (probably 4 or so) that was standing right behind me and kept touching me and leaning on me. He was breathing really heavy right behind my ear, touching my hair, etc. His parents seemed completely unconcerned, so I asked the boy to please stop touching me, which he did for a little while but then started doing it again. I was so happy for that parade to be over.

I wish I were brave enough to speak up more in situations like this. It takes a LOT for me to reach the point of overcoming my shyness and saying something. I know a few people who are good to have around for this purpose.

 

[NannyBeBe]

Rude behavior is especially perplexing for someone of my generation (baby boomers). We were raised to be polite and respectful. And I hesitate to speak up when it affects me because one never knows what an angry or rude person will do.

 

[Aladora]

Rude behavior is especially perplexing for someone of my generation (baby boomers). We were raised to be polite and respectful. And I hesitate to speak up when it affects me because one never knows what an angry or rude person will do.

I'm not a boomer (GenX) but I was also raised to be polite and respectful...however, I do not hesitate to speak up politely when someone is being rude.

This does go both ways though. It is rude to take up more space than needed on a parade route but at the same time, it is as rude to walk up minutes before the parade starts and expect to be able to get a prime spot when others have been waiting for hours.

 

[Gisele]

Sometimes it is best to just walk away, when encountering an unpleasant situation. But sometimes it's more important to stand your ground in order to defend your position. Sometimes it's a matter of assisting someone who may need or want such. Anyway, for me it is a matter of deciding what is best to do within each particular situation. There is no cookie cutter type of solution to use when dealing with human emotions.

 

[SMD]

Rude behavior is especially perplexing for someone of my generation (baby boomers). We were raised to be polite and respectful. And I hesitate to speak up when it affects me because one never knows what an angry or rude person will do.

The woman with the military tickets in my example, the people with media credentials yelling at the CM and the angry DAS holder were all boomers. I also saw a boomer try to move a medical stroller with a child in it from a wheelchair spot in a theater because he wanted it for a wheelchair. That one was awful, the mom of the child was yelling that this was a single spot and the guy just kept pushing the stroller over while the child was helpless. He also showed up just as the show was starting and expected a wheelchair spot to be open. Although in that case I think the CMs should have been more aware that all spots were taken before letting more people in.

 

[pamcarey]

This does go both ways though. It is rude to take up more space than needed on a parade router but at the same time, it is as rude to walk up minutes before the parade starts and expect to be able to get a prime spot when others have been waiting for hours.

Excellent point! It goes BOTH ways!

 

[pamcarey]

I also saw a boomer try to move a medical stroller with a child in it from a wheelchair spot in a theater because he wanted it for a wheelchair.

OMG, the nerve of that guy, moving a medical stroller with a child IN IT!

 

[T0rrent]

People sadly can be rude. I remember a couple of years ago, we were trying to cross the walkway (was about 15 minutes before the parade started) and asked this lady if she could please move so we can slide through and continue on our way. She said absolutely not as the parade is starting and you can't be on the street. We wound up just having to muscle past her. Probably thought we were trying to steal her spot despite the fact we had no interest in it, just wanted to cross.

 

[modegard]

I just have to say I am one of those that will sit in my parade or fireworks spot for hours and be happy to wait. I do not hold space for anyone else accept those that are sitting with me, if the kids walk away, I tell them to expect to lose their spot. And every single time I have had people push, shove and yell to take up my space. At Halloween (after a two hour wait at WDW) one lady suggested my family move so her and her family could squeeze in. I said the same thing - I have not been here two hours so YOU could see the parade. I do not want to stand so close to strangers they are touching me. I have had people shove their kids in front of me and even sneak in if I turn my shoulders a bit to speak to someone. I do not feel entitled anymore than the next guy that stood or sat in his spot for hours waiting while others enjoyed the park. If you want a good spot to see the parade, find one, don't expect to rush in at the last minute and take someone else's space. And don't think because you have kids they deserve to be in front of everyone else at the last minute. If they want to see the parade, find a spot early.

I have also stood up when the parade comes by instead of sitting on the curb. Photos from ground level are not good, standing photos of the floats are much better. Why do I have to sacrifice my view for yours? If you want a view with no people in front of you, get there early.

I am all for Disney instating a fastpass system or reserved seating system for parades and fireworks. I would gladly pay for those services, and have for Fantasmic and World of Color at DLR and have used fastpasses at WDW for parades and Fantasmic. It is better business to have people enjoying the park and spending their money in the shops and on food than it is to have people sitting on curbs for hours on end.

The parades are enjoyable for everyone if all involved show common courtesy. The problem is the late comers, not those that hold their spots, IMHO.

 

[SMD]

OMG, the nerve of that guy, moving a medical stroller with a child IN IT!

And if he didn't realize it was a medical stroller he at least could have said something like, "This spot is for wheelchairs and not strollers" and let the mother explain. And then he just left his wheelchair blocking the walkway and sat in a regular seat.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Seeing people be selfish and rude is always disheartening. Over the years, we've seen guests do some great things for other people and other guests be unbelievably rude and mean. Disneyland seems to bring out the best or the worst in people.

 

[SMD]

And if he didn't realize it was a medical stroller he at least could have said something like, "This spot is for wheelchairs and not strollers" and let the mother explain. And then he just left his wheelchair blocking the walkway and sat in a regular seat.

The parades are enjoyable for everyone if all involved show common courtesy. The problem is the late comers, not those that hold their spots, IMHO.

I can see this one from the late comers' perspective, though. Camping out all day shouldn't entitle people to a spot to sit sideways on the curb with their legs out and a spot of their tray of food and backpack during the parade. I understand wanting to spread out while you wait, but you need to allow the extra space to be filled in when it gets closer to parade time. It's similar to the space the opens up at WOC and fireworks when everyone is asked to stand up. Someone shouldn't have their chest pressed into your back breathing down your neck, but there are going to be more people added to the limited space by design.