Is It Okay To Fill An Open Space?

[PattnFmly]

I look for the post holes in the ground and sit right there, so that the rope will end up just over my head. I'm barely 5' tall and don't mind if kids were to sit in front of me - but they have to be short kids! Even my own son if he sits in front of me I cannot see over his head! Because of my height I make sure I'm right at the rope and I put a DS on either side of me. DH usually stands behind us and films. My only problem comes when the people next to me are standing and once the parade comes they lean in front of me and into the rope to take pictures and then I can only see their thighs. I just think people need to be aware of who and what is around them. Too many people are selfish in all areas of life (think of the road rage incidents where everyone needs to be first and fastest!). Consideration is key!

 

[Fionasmommy]

I think it depends on how you define open space. When we were at Spectro Magic last week, there was almost no open space left at the front within 20 minutes of the show. Spots for 1 or 2 here and there, but for the most part the curbs had be staked out and others were filling in behind. However, right across from us a large family apparently decided that the street in front of the curb was open space and camped out right in front of others who had been there for atleast an hour!!

A CM did come along and make them move, and they went about a block down and tried the same thing again - and had to move again.

Oh, and then there was the group of about 7 high school girls who showed up right before the parade and tried to squeeze in between us and another family. We were next to a trash can and there was room for maybe 2 on the curb between us and the next family. 3 of the girls squeezed in and then the ones left standing looked impatiently at us and the other family, as if waiting for us to move back so they all could sit! I don't think so!!!

Sorry, getting off track! To the OP - I'm sure you mean well, and I don't see anything wrong with filling in extra space at the curb if no one is there. Your post just brought back my Spectro magic memories!

 

[LaDonna]

I have noticed when people stand in front of somebody that's sitting, though, and I don't think that's the politest way to go about it.

That reminds me of when we saw Cinderellabration(not sure if I said that correctly) We got right up front with with a small crowd in front of the castle and we were all sitting, well one lady and her husband comes up to join her group and they stay standing up. I couldn't believe they were actually standing in a crowd of sitting people of course everyone sitting behind them couldn't get a good view so a few politely asked them to please sit or go stand about 10ft behind the sitting crowd with the others. They didn't budge! After the sitting crowd start to vocalize their displeasure they grumpingly walked away.

 

[beattyfamily]

I really haven't encountered a problem like that. I always choose a spot with a curb so I can sit and there is no way anyone can get in front of me.

We have, however, been squeezed very tight together by later comers who slowly make our curb spot for 4 a curb spot for 2. I don't know how it happens but it does. Not always but sometimes.

I also save our spots while DH takes my girls to the bakery. Never considered it rude and will continue to do it. They don't go off and do rides and are only gone for a few minutes. We save their spots with the stroller, backpack, coats, ponchos etc...

I can see how this could be more of a problem in a location where its just a rope and not a curb to see on and that's why I avoid those locations!

 

[lorrainesy]

I try not to fill in space upfront....I usually only watch each parade once per trip and when I do I get there early for a good seat. I don't like it when people jump infront of me or crowd me so I try not to do it to others. That being said I know that sometimes it gets crazy at parade time, all those people, and cms closing off roads....sometimes people don't relize they are cutting infront of people.

 

[taximomfor4]

On a related note, how much "space" should one person be able to save, before it gets out of hand?

We were at Disneyland Resort last week, and while waiting for the Block Party Bash in California Adventure, we encountered a woman lying on her back, literally spreadeagled, to reaserve space in every direction. At Disneyland, we witnessed a mother who spread out her stroller, jackets, shopping bags, diaper bag and guidebook to save a good 5 or 6 feet of space.

I will get to the parade route VERY early. DH will, when necessary, take the 4 kids on a potty run. One dd has some hidden disabilities and can NOT stand being jostled or bumped. I will use our stroller, bags, etc to save the space my family was occupying before they got up, so that the exact same amount of space is still available for them when they get back.

I do know what some of you are griping about, btw. We were on the curb waiting for Spectro when CMs came and took our kids hands and led them into the street, while calling other kids into the street as well. They were going to have the kids dance the Hokey Pokey. As soon as my kids bottoms left the curb, a mom shoved her teen toward my kids' spots. Another mom (whom I did NOT know) saw it at the same time I did, and both of us threw our legs across the space.

 

[Going Broke]

We sat out for a parade about an hour early one year (we sat right on the curb). Just as the parade started A GROUP of people walked up, stood to the side of us, but in the STREET (completely blocking my family's view of the oncoming parade). Needless to say, the first CM to come along fixed that problem! Do I have a problem with filling an open space--absolutely not, just make sure it is a "space" and it is open!

 

[belle&beast]

That reminds me of when we saw Cinderellabration(not sure if I said that correctly) We got right up front with with a small crowd in front of the castle and we were all sitting, well one lady and her husband comes up to join her group and they stay standing up. I couldn't believe they were actually standing in a crowd of sitting people of course everyone sitting behind them couldn't get a good view so a few politely asked them to please sit or go stand about 10ft behind the sitting crowd with the others. They didn't budge! After the sitting crowd start to vocalize their displeasure they grumpingly walked away.

We had more trouble at Cinderellabration than any parade! Once the music started, people just swarmed- kids on shoulders and adults pushing right in front of the little ones. It was very rude. Unfortunately it was our last day and the only show of the day that didn't have to be cancelled for technical reasons, so it was our last chance, or I would have left.

On a brighter note, we had great luck ot parades and spoke with many nice people all around us.

 

[va32h]

However, honestly, how about my strategy at Spectro? To me it seems reasonable to save space for my immediate family of 4 until closer to parade time. I think though that a lot of people will say no, you all have to wait.

I couldn't bring myself to criticize a pregnant lady for sitting down and taking up as much space as she wanted, actually!

I understand that little kids have a hard time waiting (I have 3 kids myself), so I don't begrudge a parent saving a spot for their younger kids, while another adult takes them to the bathroom or to get a snack or drink.

But I do think there comes a point where people get carried away. If you are in line for an attraction, and you think you're next, and then the person in front of you waves over his group of six friends that he's been holding a place for - that's annoying. Similarly, when one person blocks off several feet of space for people who just don't want to be bothered holding their own spot - that annoys me too. IMO, able bodied adults, teens, and older kids should save their own spot, if they want to see a parade.

Obviously, there's no real way Disney can put a limit on parade-space-holding, unless it becomes a safety hazard, like my example of the lady lying on the ground.

 

[MeggP]

I had one of those plastic tablecloths in the stroller. I folded it into a nice rectangle just the size for my 2 girls to sit on. I'd put it right up on the front line and then I usually stood behind them. Interestingly no one tried to move into any of the space covered by the tablecloth.

MeggP

 

[Lora]

Lots of good points here - especially about how much "open" space is available and how much room people need to be comfortable.

My worst experience was on Columbus Day in 2002. We had spots at the rope for MGM's Stars and Motor Cars parade. There were people pushing us from behind to the point that my kids (7 and 5 at the time) were shoved in front of the rope a few times. The CM's told my girls to move back a couple times, but there was no where to go. People had pushed and shoved to the point where there was practically no room to even shift your weight. We eventually gave up because it was just not enjoyable watching a parade like that.

I will often make room for small children to go in front of dh and myself if a family is not pushy or rude. I usually wait until right before the parade and make an offer to the parents.

On the other hand, sometimes we've had a lot of fun waiting with other guests for parades, etc. I'm not in the least bit shy in situations like that and have had fun conversations and experiences with some people.

 

[tink1978]

As soon as my kids bottoms left the curb, a mom shoved her teen toward my kids' spots.


That is sooooooo rude!!! I mean, she saw your kids sitting there.