How to handle rude people at parades and how not be one?

[Disneyonmymind]

We have been to WDW twice before in slow seasons and I don't remember having any problems with crowds for the few parades that we watched. However, we are going in June with three little kids and are planning to see most of the parades. I have just read the "What bugs you thread" and there are very many gripes about extremely rude people who push you out of the way to get in front of you at parades. While I totally believe that this happens (many wrote with same complaint), I am having a tough time understanding how these rude people manage to get away with this. Do they start leaning on you or something till you give them your spot? Also, if you have the front spot on the curb, how do they get in front of you? Do they stand on the street and push you back? I don't know how I would react to this behavior. What if you just stand your ground?

Also, forgive my ignorance but what is the proper parade etiquette, if there is any (LOL)? Can I just park my stroller on the curb and stand next to my kids or behind them? I read one comment where someone said you should park your stroller in the designated parking area. Is that the norm? I would think I'd want my kids to sit in the stroller - for the shade and/or if they wanted to take a nap while waiting. I know that's what we did last time.

Also, someone complained that the people in the front were so inconsiderate that they "stood up" when the parade started. Is that really rude? Do most people in the front stay seated? Physically, I can't sit on the ground for very long, and I would definitely be standing up for the parade. Does that mean everyone behind me will be mad (assuming I'm in the front)?

Jackie

 

[Lizzybee]

My Senior Citizen parents can't sit on a curb at all, we found a curb spot near a light post and they leaned on that. They wouldn't really be obstructing the view much more than the pole itself. Mostly only the people right on the curb sit down, all others seem to stand so standing behind a stroller doesn't seem rude to me . We ajdusted and moved in specifically to allow more children to have a front row seat for the parade.

 

[Aidensmom]

Something I learned from a recent post that I made is that, well, there may always be someone who complains about something but mostly the people venting on this board are doing it because of some extreme circumstance. As long as you actually are thinking about others (and you apparantly are because you posted this question), you are probably acting in what would be considered a considerate manner to most people.

During a really crowded time we don't usually attend the parades because the extreme crowds really overwhelm both DS and I to the point where we don't enjoy it, but in less crowded times, I have noticed that people right on the curb sit, but everyone else stands. If near the front, I would put my stroller in front of me so my child could see well (I just feel he is more comfortable in the stroller, and will therefore be better behaved. I am sure there is at least one person who finds this to be rude, but, well, they would probably complain if my son was whiny because he was uncomfortable too). If not able to get near the front, I would hold him so he had a better chance of seeing (though I am only 5'1", and I can't always myself see, it is better than trying to view at a height of 38" from the ground). Last time we went, I staked out a really good spot at Cinderellabration right behind the camera crew and had him in his stroller. At the last minute, someone squeezed in front of us, so I just held him up with his as well as I could. (Before someone tries to tell me this was rude, again, I am 5'1", so he was held to a height of no higher than 5'4"). He could see but I could not, but all that really mattered to me at that point was his enjoyment so it was not a big deal.

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another post)
You need to stand your ground, bringing your brother in law if necessary. One of the advantages of going to Disney as a large multi-family group.

If you are in the normal frontmost position for a parade and others simply sit in front, you do not have to please move back and the people behind you please move back and so on and so on and so on. Instead the latecomers should depart and go someplace else.

If others lean on you it is OK to push them off.

People in front should stay seated, but if for any reason your child cannot see, you are allowed to put him on your shoulder.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[safetymom]

What about those of us behind the person with a child on his shoulder?

 

[dck12ga]

We were at WDW last Feb when it was crowded with the mardi gras, daytona 500 and superbowl people werre all at the parks. We did not even attempt to see any parades because of the people 6 deep along the street. When we are watching the parades we always look around and have the other little kids come up in front to us to see the parade. It is all about the little kids! I would love a front row seat but it is more important that the kids see it better than I do. It is hard not to be rude to the people who push and shove their way up front. They don't know any better. It was how they were raised! But if I say something rude to them, I lower myself to their level!! I am really not this good person that I am sounding like. I just try and keep telling my self that!! So if you ever see me doing something wrong, please let me know nicely!! I will be the one wide eyed with my mouth open with a very big smile on my face!! I hope everyone has a "magical day"!!

 

[DisneyMomx7]

In all our times watching the parade we have experienced "rude behavior" only twice. The first time we had waited about an hour at our "spot" to watch the parade. We weren't even the people sitting on the curb. we were the people right behind the "curb sitters". Ds was two and was still in a stroller. About two minutes before the parade starts this woman comes over the pushes herself and her son in front of my kids. DH tells her nicely, we've been saving this spot for an hour. She ignores him. He keeps repeating it and the people on the curb turn around and tell the woman you can't just come here right before it starts and stand in front of people. It got heated and finally she left in a huff. THe second time we were looking for a spot for the parade after finishing dinner. We knew we weren't early enough to sit on the curb so we were just looking for find a decent spot behind the people sitting down. We found one and started to push the strollers there when this lady (older one no less, probably a grandmother) jumps up and spreads her arms out like we were going to take her seat. My DH was really annoyed and said let's just find another spot what does this lady think we're going to run her over to watch the parade? Both times were upsetting but it's only happened to us twice and we've seen the parade lots ot times. We usually try to go early so we can get a good spot and then DH and I will scooch back so some smaller kids can sit on our spot on the curb to get a better view.

 

[CheshireVal]

Also, someone complained that the people in the front were so inconsiderate that they "stood up" when the parade started. Is that really rude? Do most people in the front stay seated? Physically, I can't sit on the ground for very long, and I would definitely be standing up for the parade. Does that mean everyone behind me will be mad (assuming I'm in the front)?

Jackie

Cast members will NOT let anyone sitting curbside stand up for the parade.

 

[mach5]

My suggestion is don't stand in the walkway. We just got back last week. We went to the MK to do the extra hours at night. We got there when the lighted parade started (our first mistake). We started to head back to the Buzz ride. We got stopped on the sidewalk. Nobody was moving. We were stuck in the middle of people for at least 1/2 hour. It was terrible. We had to carry the kids so they didn't get squished by people trying to plow their way through. I don't know what would have happened if there was an emergency. It was a scary situation.

 

[taximomfor4]

Cast members will NOT let anyone sitting curbside stand up for the parade.

True. As the parade started at MK, some people began to stand up (like everyone does for parades at home) and a few CM's came down the street signalling the front people to sit back down. That is fair, since then 2 rows of people have unobstructed views. Little kids were allowed to stand, since standing, they are no taller than the sitting adults though.

BEth

 

[ReggieB]

I never realized how short I was until I tried to see Disney parades!! I'm 5'4, so not really small, but I always seem to get huge guys (who appear from nowhere, I might add) standing in front of me as the parade starts! However saying that there are a lot of very kind people that will make space for you or your kids.

 

[buzz2400]

We don't bother doing parades and such anymore. we always go in summer when it is very busy and everytime we stake out our place and sit for at least an hour before the scheduled event. Everytime some jerk shows us, pushes there way in front of us or pushes us over so that we have to be on top of each other. We started to put a backpack between us and sit a little bit aways so that there was room but it still happens. Last year a guy with a stroller just comes up and stands in front of us. I said something to him but he just ignored me. If you are going to see the parade at MK, I would recommend staying away from main street. This is the most congested. A few reminders for all:

1. If you have a balloon tied to your stroller, please make sure it goes down when parade starts, people standing behind you would like to see the actual parade and not the balloon you purchased.
2. Please don't put your child on your shoulder. there are other kids behind you that would prefer not to see the bottom of your child.
3. If you are in the front, please don't stand so that people behind you can also see.

 

[disney junky]

I like to take the "all in this together approach" and usually that works. However, there have been times, more for fireworks than parades where certain people do the lean thing and you really have to be direct. I don't even know if they are intentional about it, but it's really annoying. Some great tips about the balloons and kids; I've often let other shorter people stand in front of me since I can see over them.

 

[MickeyMouseGal]

I posted this in the "Have you ever had a shock" thread, http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=8102510&postcount=1312 but during one night time parade, I was rammed repeatedly by a stroller. The parade had already started, nobody was moving (I wasn't on the street, but about two people back), yet the couple behind me thought they could ram their way to the front.

 

[jlowejd5]

My biggest gripe about parades is that it always seems like I'm trying to get to the back of the MK at 7:30 or 8:00 to do EMH, and I always feel like I'm swimming upstream and trying not to trample little tiny people.

Luckily, I've figured out that if I can just get into one of the Main Street shops, they're all interconnected and I can just scoot through them to get clear of the biggest amount of ugliness and hit some open space.

But no biggie...

 

[DisOrBust]

I don't think its worth the hassle during busier times. We had staked a spot for sspectro 1.5 hrs prior. My 5yo was sitting and I had the stroller with my 11monthold sleeping. After an hour it became gridlock . a group of teens plopped down in front of us and I told them NO WAY! We've been here an hour an a half. The crowds was ten people deep and a family with a person in a WC decides to go thru the crowd to get to handicap seating across the street instead of using the roped off walk way provided. I couldn't move I was literally stuck. If I moved I would running the 4 kids over in front of me with my stroller. I pointed out the walkway and they were actually relieved I don't think they saw it. I did not enjoy feeling like a "witch" in order to keep our spots. Never again!

 

[Disneyonmymind]

Are they all this bad or just at the MK? What about the AK and MGM parades? The kids are so looking forward to them, and I would enjoy them too. I hate to skip them. It's good to have this information so I can be prepared.

I'm glad I asked about the front row people staying seated. Sounds like I will have to get a second row spot if I want to stand. I will plan to put the stroller and kids in the front row and stand behind them. From the sounds of it, I need to stand behind the kids anyway to protect them from getting pushed into the street, lol. Maybe I will get lucky and a group of really polite, 6' tall football players will stand right behind us.

Just wondering, do the CMs try to put a stop to this boorish behavior or do they look the other way?

Jackie

 

[buzz2400]

ak, staked out a spot, when parade was about to start a bunch of people pushed through the crowd and stood right in front of us. epcot, illuminations, knowing from previous times, we spread out with backpack between us so that we would have space. this group of girls sat on each side of us and they kept going from one side to another. when it was about to start more girls showed up and pushed us out of our spot.

 

[Sorcerer Figment]

The MK parades are always the worst crowds. Knowing where to be (a la Tour Guide Mike ) is a big help. But realize that the above posts are about the worst conditions (either in time or location.) In the days approaching last Christmas I was able to see SpectroMagic with only about a 45 minute wait. Oh, and I was in a rocking chair, munching a churro, with only a few people in front of me and a great view. It is possible, people. Just do your homework ahead of time. I promise it helps. And keep being the nice, polite, courteous people helping kids to see, etc. (That does not mean you shouldn't defend your spot. Just don't be one of the party crashers.) More often than not I've had pleasant experiences with the parades. Hope they work out well for you!

 

[Amy&Dan]

One of the most important things to remember in a parade is to speak up! Sometimes when somebody stands up in front of you they may be so engrossed in the moment they don't realize what they are doing. Sometimes they are just rude! While see Share a Dream Come True last Thursday some man just walked up and stood in front of my daughter. His wife directed him on what pictures to take by walking over and generally stepping on my husbands toes so she could yell in her husband's ear. I tapped the guy on the back and told him he was blocking my daughter. He moved only slightly but was then blocking my husband. I told him to move he ignored me. He kept inching over towards my daughter and would then hold up his digital camera so I had a nice view of his arms and camera. The guy on my other side told me later if somebody will stand in front of a small child wearing pink Minnie Mouse ears imagine what he does in the real world! All of our other parade and fireworks experiences were great last week and even the bad one wasn't that bad. I guess that old guy just really wanted to see the parade. Never saw him crack a smile once however so I wonder!