Have a heart!

[NannyBeBe]

After reading all of this, I am glad that we do not do parades, WOC, or Fantasmic. And we watch the fireworks from the end of Main Street near the exit. Fighting the crowds and attitudes is just not worth it.

 

[TheDisneyNurse]

I definitely can see both sides of this. I like to come early and get a spot in the front for parades. Usually at least an hour early. And there has been many times where people (teens especially) have arrived late and pretty much shoved their way in front of me. It really irritates me. Then again, I'm always quick to invite people to come closer if I see some extra space near me. Especially kids! I love parades, so as long as there's space, I'd never mind letting someone come and fill up the gap. I just hate people that squirm their way through and get in front of you the second you turn around for a quick sec.

 

[mt mommy]

So terribly sad. We ALL are enjoying the "HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH". Think about SHARING!! What is wrong with others? Saddens me to see selfish people. The best we can do, is teach our own families and especially impressionable children by example how to be KIND!!! Have courage and be KIND!!!!! Kindness can be contagious. So sad, others did NOT choose this. SO sorry your experience was not a good one!

 

[fantasmicfantastic]

DW and I went to the 3AM WoC show on Friday (wait...Saturday) and this guy was on the level below our section using a selfie stick to hold his camera at least 3 feet above his head. This placed the camera in direct line of sight of us and everyone around us. We heard everyone grumbling their disapproval, but nobody did anything. I stopped a passing cast member (manager by the looks of his attire) and I pointed out the "THE STICK" (say it with an ominous, voice...it makes the selfie stick villainous ).The Cast Member just said, "I got you" with a reassuring grin , went directly to the man with "THE STICK", and asked him to lower it to his eye-level. A few people in our area actually thanked me for saying something. The man with "THE STICK"complied, but then started to ask us if he placed the camera in different places if it was blocking anyone. No matter which angle he put it, "THE STICK" was in someone's direct line of sight. He went to another area.

At least he was good about leaving, and I really commend the cast member for being so responsive.

 

[disney144]

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 think every generation tries to raise their kids to be respectful and polite, but for some people it just doesn't stick. The lady that spoke very rudely to us was a boomer also.

 

[disney144]

The problem is the late comers, not those that hold their spots, IMHO.

I should point out that we were not late comers. We were there an hour before the parade started and were simply hoping to stand in the empty space behind this woman. I was not pushing kids up there, hitting anyone with a backpack or anything. Just two thin adults trying to fit into a space that could have easily fit 3 or so additional people.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

Heart has nothing to do with it - one person's squeezing in, is another person's losing space.

People aren't as thin as they think they are.

 

[Staceycs]

I was at Tokyo Disneyland a few months ago and was amazed at how civil this process was. The Japanese live for their parades and character meets and will camp out for hours before the start time. They bring a rectangular piece of plastic and place it neatly on the curb. They'll take off their shoes, place themselves and all belongings on the mat, and sit quietly for hours. When the parades etc. start, everyone in the crowd must sit down, so no one is really in anyone's way. It really took the stress out of jostling for a spot!

 

[SMD]

I was at Tokyo Disneyland a few months ago and was amazed at how civil this process was. The Japanese live for their parades and character meets and will camp out for hours before the start time. They bring a rectangular piece of plastic and place it neatly on the curb. They'll take off their shoes, place themselves and all belongings on the mat, and sit quietly for hours. When the parades etc. start, everyone in the crowd must sit down, so no one is really in anyone's way. It really took the stress out of jostling for a spot!

We saw a family using Tokyo Sea mats at the parade on Friday! I told my friends I want to go now just for that.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I don't know - I can see both sides of this. I agree if there is room, people should be willing to share space, but people have a different view of "space". I for one am not comfortable with people right up on me and often times that is how it is at parades. We were there on Sunday and I would venture to say there was NO room on Main Street an hour before the parade, although we did not walk the entire length of it. We saw what it looked it like and headed for IASW - 2.5 hrs before the parade. We were a big group and for the most part we were all there the entire time. Two of left to get food for the group and then once we were back two left with all the kids to take them to the bathroom - that however ended up being 8 people (2 adults, 6 kids). We had numerous people ask for the extra room, but the truth is we needed it. Most were respectful, but one did call me a *****. We had numerous people try to squeeze in without even asking if the space was being used. There is a chance we could have fit 2 more in, but from experience in the past, that has always ended up with kids who are not mine in my lap, over my shoulder, pushing my kids out of the way, etc, so we just said it was all occupied. Years ago, I actually had an adult stranger suggest that I put MY child on HIS lap so he could have the curb spot.

That said, there have been plenty of times a family has come last minute with small children and I've happily given up my curb seat to stand behind my children so that their children could see. But those are only offered when the adults/children are polite and don't try to push their way ahead of me. This parade is new and popular, so I can really see people not wanting a bunch of people squeezing in last minute - and yes for this, I would say an hour before on Main Street was last minute. JMO of course.

 

[dotfurio]

I've experienced both sides of the issues. I try not to get too worked up about other people's attitude either way because I don't want it to ruin my fun, but too many people seem to forget we ALL paid a premium price and want to have the same experiences! When I really want to see something well we plan it out and stake a spot. I do get pretty annoyed though when one person is holding a spot for a whole slew of people. I get if you have a restless kid someone might need to entertain them elsewhere or someone may need to use the restroom, etc, but it shouldn't be half a dozen people showing up at the last minute for their front row spot.

One DL parade we arrived early and were crowded out of our near the front spot. They moved in beside us and slowly partially in front of us. Another time for a HS Musical show at DCA a family tried to crowd us out but we held our ground. We arrived early and were at the crowd cutoff line for the show. As the time neared a family came and stood in front of us, in front of the cutoff line. When the CM pointed out the line they tried to back up and push us back. We wouldn't budge and they finally gave up.

I've also inadvertantly been the last minute person. We were really just trying to leave, but were too slow and when DD saw the parade coming she wanted to see it. We were by the main gate but behind the parade rope in the walkway. A CM was nice enough to open the rope for us to join the crowd instead of shooing us away, and as people in front of us saw DD they invited her to move forward so she could see better (it was only a couple rows thick, so I let her move forward and I stayed back, but where I could see her). Those encounters really make you appreciate the kindness of others and a little Disney Magic.

 

[tiffjoy]

I was at Tokyo Disneyland a few months ago and was amazed at how civil this process was. The Japanese live for their parades and character meets and will camp out for hours before the start time. They bring a rectangular piece of plastic and place it neatly on the curb. They'll take off their shoes, place themselves and all belongings on the mat, and sit quietly for hours. When the parades etc. start, everyone in the crowd must sit down, so no one is really in anyone's way. It really took the stress out of jostling for a spot!

This.

We were so amazed at how polite and "rule following" everyone was in Japan, not just the park. I commented to my husband how if we were all like that in the US, see how pleasant everyone's experiences could be?

It was really a lovely experience.

 

[Sweetpea2011]

We'll be a big party of 12 when we go in August, adults, teens and tweens. Any suggestions on where we can comfortably see the parade without the hassle of trying to keep a spot for hours? I remember years ago when my girls were little, we saw the parade right down near IASW, there was a ledge somewhat back from the curb where the kids could sit up higher and the adults could stand. Not sure, but is this still a decent spot to try for? We were behind those sitting on the curb but the ledge allowed us to see from a bit higher? Main street sounds like a zoo and really not my idea of a fun time.

 

[ter-moo]

There were people holding spots for the parade FOUR HOURS before it even began on Monday. For those of us who were only there for the day, spending most of it sitting on a hard cement curb is a ludicrous thing. We were some of those who went 30 minutes before parade time and squeezed in the back where there was room. Why anyone would WANT to spend their day waiting for a parade that long is beyond me.

IMHO, Disney should not promote this by setting up the ropes so early. In fact, I think they should shoo people away until about an hour before parade time. It made the sidewalks crowded, made everyone stressed and just didn't make sense in any way! Why do we always feel the need to be FIRST in line, FIRST at a show, FIRST to buy something? It seems like the more it happens, the longer the wait becomes and people are expected to wait for everything.

We had a wonderful time chatting with the people next to us while waiting for the parade to start (they were from Denmark) and even traded spots with them so their kids could see better. I think that people can enjoy the time spent with other people and give and take with them, or they can be miserly and miserable and act entitled because they made a choice (foolish in many ways) to sit for three hours in one spot. I understand the frustration, but really?!? You can't expect everyone to have the same style. And you've got your front row seats, so just relax and let other people fill in behind you--even if it's last minute.

Sorry for the rant, but this has been bugging me for a long time at Disneyland. I've even noticed now with the Fastpasses for Fantasmic (their effort to stop the day-long place-holding that was happening) that people are just clogging up the area around Pirates waiting to be let in with their fastpasses, and the poor C.M.s are constantly having to disperse them. If you can't wait on the river shore, then you have to wait somewhere else, I guess. Just go enjoy the park and come back at the instructed time!

The parade was awesome, by the way!

 

[White Rose]

I am short. 5'1". I never get to see anything without hopping, jumping, etc. there are many "children" who are taller then I. I dislike it when someone wants their tall child to stand in front of me!! No...your 5'6" "child" can not stand stand in front of me! Lol!

I might be an adult but I am pint sized and deserve a fair chance to see what is going on, too. This is always a stresser for me...at movies, plays, Broadway musicals, fireworks, parades...you name it. I just can't see!

We avoid scenarios where my experience will be watching people's rather interesting hairdos from the back. If it is something important, we try to do it as part of a plan where some sort of reserved area is set up so I do not get squished, stepped on or pushed behind Andre the giant.

If you want to make sure you get a good view and not deal with rudeness...maybe either avoid it, or look for an alternative vip or reserved area if possible.

 

[Angrose]

IMHO, Disney should not promote this by setting up the ropes so early. In fact, I think they should shoo people away until about an hour before parade time. It made the sidewalks crowded, made everyone stressed and just didn't make sense in any way!

This! I was just saying this exact thing to DH. I'm stressing out a bit now because I will be there in a couple weeks with DS7, and he LOVES parades. It will just be the two of us and it would be very difficult for us to save a spot more than a hour or so in advance. What if he has to go potty? I can't send him off on his own and apparently you can't leave an empty blanket on the ground. We would lose our spot. We will just have to rely on people to "have a heart" and not get too upset with us for trying to squeeze in!

 

[Mousequake]

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.

Am I reading that last bolded part correctly? You stand up at the curb to get better pictures, knowingly blocking the view of those behind you, just so you can get better pictures?

 

[jammyjam25]

I am short. 5'1". I never get to see anything without hopping, jumping, etc. there are many "children" who are taller then I. I dislike it when someone wants their tall child to stand in front of me!! No...your 5'6" "child" can not stand stand in front of me! Lol!

I so feel you on this! I'm 5'1" as well and I had a parent get extremely mad at me once when I wouldn't let their same height 10-12 year old child squeeze in front of me at the zoo once! The kid was standing directly beside me, I don't know how standing in front of me would be any better of a view??

I know I'm short so I always try to get to things like WoC early so I can get a rail spot, or as close to a rail spot as possible so I'm not stuck behind all the tall folks.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

When we were at the parade Tuesday night, we got there around 5:30, and sat on the curb with some other people to hang out and wait for it. About an hour before the parade (and our area was pretty full), a couple came and stood right in front of the people next to us. It was a little annoying because 1) it blocked our view of people watching, and 2) we really didn't want to look at someone's butt as they stood there in front of us. It really looked like they expected everyone to scoot back and make room for them. Finally, about 15 minutes before the parade they went to the back of our group to watch it.

The cast member told me that the "rule" is going to be that people sitting and saving spots can account for 3 spots (saving for two), and towels or other items left unattended for an hour (I think it should be less -- 15 mins to half an hour, and not an hour before the parade) will be taken to Lost and Found. I am considering going to City Hall and leaving a comment that I support this effort, and I hope that they enforce it. There were a lot of cast members manning the route on Tuesday.

 

[pamcarey]

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.

Yes! You made exactly the point I was going to make. I appreciate that people who sit in a spot for hours deserve THAT SPOT. I've done it myself. But once the parade or show starts, it is to be expected that all available space will be filled in, short of physically touching other people.

Also, why do people think it will hurt them to let small children move to the front, when they can EASILY see over the children's heads? If I'm in the front row, I'll let a few small children in front of me (but not their parents). It's not the kids' fault that their parents didn't want to sit on the curb for hours waiting for a parade. Everyone should be able to see. I'll be honest, I'm short. And on the occasions that we watch a parade or show without arriving early, I will do my best to get as close to the front as I can. And as long as I'm not rude, there's absolutely no reason why I (or anyone else) shouldn't be able to do that. Fill in all the space, people! Getting there early does not entitle you to a 3 foot radius of space around you. Rant over.