Have you ever had a shock?

[rosiejo]

I actually have two stories. DD and I were near Splash Mountain. A man had his daughter, who appeared to be about 2, sitting on his shoulders. He wasn't holding on to her and she leaned backward. She fell to the concrete. He was very upset. The little girl was screaming. I'm sure that he never dreamed she'd fall. Now everytime I see someone with a small child on their shoulders, I cringe.

Kids on shoulders always scares me since we went to the flea market on the 192 and a tall bloke was carrying his kid on his shoulders - and walked under a fan... It made quite a noise and caused the kid to scream - luckily no serious damage done but I hate to think what could have happened there...

 

[mitros]

Reminds me of Beverly Hills cop, when Eddie Murphy checked into the B.H. hotel with a laundry bag as his "luggage".

 

[rosiejo]

Yep, definately a rural country problem! We parents out in the sticks often swap stories like yrs You just never expect it until that 1st red-faced time the little loves choose to surprise you & everyone else! Yikes! you notice they are all looking at you like your craft just crash landed!

Jean

That reminds me of the time my cousin used the toilet in the DIY store - she wasn't too know they're only for display purposes only...

 

[lauran cameron]

...yup...you read that right...buttcheek janglin' across the world...or at least that's what I called the sight I saw today in fron of Dinosaur!!!

This girl probably in the age range of 18-20 was out side of dinosaur pushing a stroller besides her mother and father and parked it out front, and once she turned around to park it

YIIIIIKESSS!!!

Who wears short shorts?! Her two far from cinnamon buns were EXPOSED. The shorts were rolled up so high you could see all but 3 inches of cheeks!!!!!!!!

Everyone was starring the young and old alike...no one knew what to say or do. And as she walked to the stand-by entrance of the ride guess what???

SHE REACHED DOWN AND ROLLED THEM UP MORE!!!

But lemme just add the best part was a British couple walking by and saying "oh, oh my, my, what a pity that girl has her knickers rolled up so far with that terrible behind!"

*faints* I just keep seeing the poor childrens faces...I couldn't stop saying to my mom "Someone has to tell her...oh lord please someone say something"


There is my tale for today.

 

[LiteBrite]

Just wondering, would you also have stood in front of a person sitting in a wheelchair who was already there when you came along? When we take my MiL, who is in a wheelchair, and cannot stand, we find a spot, and almost without blinking an eye, people will stand in front of her like she was invisible. One time during the millineum parade in WS, this happened yet again. And we had her wheelchair right on the masking tape that marked the area that you were supposed to stay behind. Sure enough, a group {no speaka english} stood right in front of her and were on the other side of the tape line. This time a CM saw what was happening, and asked them to move and pointed to my MiL. She got a no speaka english as well, but they moved anyway.

2 parts to my answer: If the wheelchair was right on the line, as you describe, no, of course not. I also would not stand in front of any able-bodied person who was waiting right on the line, because there's no more "open" space in front of them - that would be the same as shoving somebody out of line, which I would also never do. There's no excuse for people standing in front of her in that situation.

However, if you had parked your MIL on that porch, with open space in front of her, I'm not so sure. I probably still wouldn't stand in front of her, because I would feel bad about blocking her view when she can't stand up. At the same time, I wouldn't really fault anyone who did stand in front of her, because that open space would have been left in front of her, and in my mind, it's always "legal" to fill the open space, even if it's not the most considerate thing to do. Your MIL has the same chance to come early and get a spot on the front line as everyone else.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

it's always "legal" to fill the open space, even if it's not the most considerate thing to do. QUOTE]

A couple of points:

Personally, I would not stand in front of someone in either situation, however, I have seen it happen so many times, it would not surprise me to see it. As we have seen, many people will try to fill it in and get a good spot, with no regard for what is considerate or not. Also, I think people in Disney can get tunnel vision when looking for a spot, etc. Some normally considerate people may see a spot and think it's up for grabs without even noticing the person behind them.

This is why as a cast member who worked the parade route in the Studios often, I would often tell people who were in a position the was set back from the route a little that people would fill in that space as it got crowded and point them to a better spot before it *did* get crowded. Sometimes they weren't even waiting for the parade, but they were always grateful I took the time to update them before it got too crowded. I am a little disappointed when other cast members don't do the same thing for the early birds that they see parked along the parade route, who probably have no idea that people usually fill in the area in front of them. I think they are a little understaffed right now and quality is not quite the bounding-over-100% level it used to be. (If the "big wigs" would *not* get a payraise for a year or two, and instead put that into hiring more CM's that were paid well, we wouldn't see this.) As a guest now, if I see people in that situation, I will tell them myself just so they have a heads up.

So, I really feel like it's not just the fault of the standers or the person sitting a few feet back, neither really know the situation in most cases. The CM's do, and there should be enough of them to keep everything running smoothly, IMHO.

 

[Epcot83]

A while back, when the Main St. Electrical PArade was still going on at WDW, my family and I were waching the parade, we had a perfect view. Then all of the sudden we heard this lady screaming, "Stevey where are you," she was pushing her wasy throught eh crowds, and people let her through so she could look for her child. But it turns out she was jsut looking for a better view. When she finally made her way throught the crowd, she jsut stood up in front and started taking pictures of the parade.

 

[Fridye]

Epcot83 -- Too bad no one asked her, "Where's Stevie?" This thread is great because it's like learning the secrets of the scammers. It helps me be even more prepared for WDW!

 

[Aidensmom]

But lemme just add the best part was a British couple walking by and saying "oh, oh my, my, what a pity that girl has her knickers rolled up so far with that terrible behind!"

 

[eclectics]

Ya gotta love those Brits!!!!!!!

 

[lauran cameron]

Ya gotta love those Brits!!!!!!!

They made my day when they said that

 

[babiesX2]

bump. . .

 

[Maps05]

After reading the whole ( I do mean whole) thread, wouldn't the answer to most of the problems be more visible security? They could then deal with most of situations before they got out of hand. It would also stop people p*@#* in public if they thought they could be seen. A leaflet handed out with tickets in multi languages spelling out what is and isn't appropiate behaviour in the parks and that it will get you thrown out if you persist, might also help (for the countries who think it's normal).

 

[Amyality]

Not sure what " p*@#* " is! Probably don't want to know, he, he, he!

Anyway, it does seem like a good idea to post a few ground rules and concequences promently (maybe where folks are waiting in line to get in and again here and there inside the parks, maybe by the restrooms). That would deffinitely remind the forigners to keep their tops on, (no offense intended to foreign folks) and give the lowlifes a reminder to keep their diapers changes out of the public eye and their foul language at least under thier breath. I'd sure like to see the folks who smoke outside of the designated areas ejected from the parks. I really can't stand that and report it every time I can (of course, all the CM's do is tell them to put it out...ooh, theres' a deterant).

 

[thptrek]

When the lady with the dead dog goes through bag check do they just wave here through?? It could be worse, she could have the dog on her lap.

 

[Big Fat Disney MaMa]

About the parents dragging reluctant kids on rides....
My daughter is often apprehensive about going on some of the bigger roller coasters (I am not! going on that ride! You can't make me!) but when she does, she has her hands up in the air screaming "awesome!" and asks if we can go again. So
some of us parents may not be as cruel as you think.

I can relate to the above too. My daughter LOVES RnRRC at MGM. She has ridden it too many times to count, but every time we get in line she gets apprehensive - sometimes to the point of tears because the sound of it taking off scares her. She never does this on any other ride and is generally not a sensitive kid so I don't know why the drama on this one.

Last year when we were in line and I knew it was coming so I was talking to her to calm her down about the ride when this guy in front of me lays into me and starts calling me names. His buddy says something to the CM and they actually ask us not to ride the ride, which upsets her even more. I was so embarrassed by this time that I did leave and she didn't ride that time which was all I got to hear about for the rest of the day.

Not all parents are being cruel and trust me, once we get through the initial fear of boarding there is nothing but smiles, screams of "Oh Yeah" and hands in the air.

 

[Tiffa]

Ok here's a gross one one our first day we went to AK this was on Aug 1st, we got on triceratops spin (sp) as we were ending the ride it goes by the exit and someone spit on me - I was grossed out and my kids wanted to do it again- I was done! I dont think I'll ever ride it again- And those parade moochers are out in force! I tried setting a backpack down to save my seat while I was sent to get drinks and they kicked it out of the way! It was hot ! And I had no fight left in me I just stood behind my kids and made sure no one stepped on them!

 

[raksha2]

I promised myself I would not post until I had read the whole thread….

So as I did finish it today, I can now post my events….

Oct 99 – we were spending the day in AK, it is our 1st Wedding Anniversary (and honeymoon cos we did our wedding on a budget and could not afford to go away as well!)
We are walking around AK with big silly grins on our faces and Mickey & Minnie B & G hats on our heads, having a great time …. About the middle of the day we are stopped on a bridge somewhere. DH had wandered to the other side to get a photo and I am admiring the view and not really paying attention to what was going on around me…and this “living statue” comes over and wraps his/her self around the pole I am next to and stands over me – they have long extensions on their hands so they are moving around on all fours about 6ft in the air. The statues CM handler then starts to have a go at me!, Telling me to move out of the way???? I am not a small waif person, I am worried if I try and duck under these legs that surround me I am going to knock this person flying…
I said excuse me I was here first, I will let them move first so I don’t knock them over, and she just went off on one.
All of a sudden the statue moved and she just turned and stomped off following them, if I had known what I know now I probably would have complained, as it did put a downer on the afternoon.

Oct 01 – surprise trip for DH for our WA- I booked everything including his leave from work without telling him, unfortunately by the time we got to 9/11 the only thing I had not booked was the flights…. Cutting along story short – I had to try three different agents before one would agree to book them for me. [No one understood why I still wanted to go???]
So we arrive 3 weeks after 9/11 to heightened security, which is fairly normal for DH & I we have both worked in central London our entire adult lives.
I have to say what shocked me was the sign by MK entrance stating “Hand Guns” are not permitted in the parks!!!! I have to hold up my hands and say until that point I would NEVER have considered that anyone would bring one.
[ have we got everything we need for the parks – money, passes, keys, id, gun, kids – yep lets go!!! – do people really do this???]

May 05 DLRP

Our 3rd trip to the park, I personally think DLRP is cute in its own way, just wish the attitude of CM & guests was better, I have been ashamed to be British here some times. We were staking out a spot to watch a parade and decided to have an ice-cream as the weather was pleasantly warm (previous trips- dec= -2 on a good day )
So we queued up in the ice-cream parlour at the bottom of main street, and the queues are moving veeerrrry slowly, then all of a sudden two foreign older teenage girls decide to batter each other – no idea what the argument was about there was no raised voices before hand just a belt form one and the other kid went down like a sack of potatoes! Her friend stepped between her and the girl that hit her and then the shouting started, think they were speaking Dutch so no idea what the problem was.
Security were very slow to get there but a manager came out of the back area, and she took no lip from them, she spoke to them very firmly and they did back down and leave.

Side note: most French people seem to hate queuing, lost count of how many tried (and failed ) to push past us in the rides, shows and parades.

We are back in Oct for our 7th WA – hoping this will be a nice one with no unpleasant surprises as it is our first stay on property

 

[DisneyMom5]

I have to say what shocked me was the sign by MK entrance stating “Hand Guns” are not permitted in the parks!!!! I have to hold up my hands and say until that point I would NEVER have considered that anyone would bring one.
[ have we got everything we need for the parks – money, passes, keys, id, gun, kids – yep lets go!!! – do people really do this???]

Well, actually, some people are legally able to carry guns and do so everywhere for legal reasons, but the law says they are not allowed to do so when it is posted, such as the sign that you noticed. Of course, people who go through all the hassle to be able to wear a firearm legally (having to jump through all kinds of hoops, and rightly so) are also the kind of people who are very concerned about the law, and willing to follow it. They will not be carrying in the parks.
That said, I have to agree its a sad state of affairs when WDW has to tell you not to bring a gun!

The ones you have to worry about are the ones who don't bother carry a firearm legally and probably wouldn't take one off even if the sign tells them to. So, hopefully none of them are going to WDW any time soon.

 

[MickeyMinnieMommy]

The ones you have to worry about are the ones who don't bother carry a firearm legally and probably wouldn't take one off even if the sign tells them to. So, hopefully none of them are going to WDW any time soon.

My brother is a CM at MGM. He told me that the security guards were finding guns mostly in purses and that's why there are sheriff's deputies at the gates.

As for my own new stories: This trip was the first time I had encountered the big tour groups. Now, I can't actually think of a worse way to see WDW than with a huge group; we had 9 family members one of our days and it was difficult, so I can't imagine what it would be like with one of those big groups. The worst encounter by far was at the Electric Umbrella in Epcot; my brother had my 3-yr-old and 6-yr-old waiting for a table when a tour group came in and hijacked the table. This happened just as I found him with the tray of food; I snarked "What a class act, to steal a table from a three-year-old;" they're all staring at me blankly so I repeated an approximation in Spanish (their shirts indicated that they were Brazilian; I had an exchange student from Brazil in one of my classes who at least understood Spanish). Anyway, the result was that every time I saw someone with one of those flags, I just wanted to grab it and beat them about the head with it.

The other shock story: Actually, I hope I misunderstood this conversation, since I only heard half of it. I was activating my annual passes at guest relations outside Epcot when a woman approached the window next to me. She told the person behind the window that she had the rental receipt for her wheelchair and she needed the special card. The CM spoke; then the lady said, "The card you use to get past the lines." The CM answered her, and then she said, "Well, what's the point of getting a wheelchair?"

Not wanting to reactivate the wheelchair debate--but it sure sounded like she thought people in wheelchairs don't have to wait in line and that was what she was renting it for.