Just back....some observations and opinions

[M2DD's]

Just got back from a wonderful 7 day vacation at Disney. We stayed at the WIlderness Lodge for the 4th time and had a very nice stay...noticed things that bothered me this vacation that have not bothered me in the past


Rudeness of foreigners...Not just to me but to other people...They would push in line (or worse push their kids in lines at character greetings)...Many times acted like the rules did not apply to them. Now I know Americans can be just as rude, we just happened to encounter many rude people from other countries this trip

SMOKERS.....ugh...Flame me if you want, but you have certain spots you can smoke...that does not mean while you are waiting in line for a ride, or as you are running to get in line to see a character and especially not while you are standing right in front of my 1 year old while waiting for a boat to come...Smoking is your perogative...not my babies

I have been reading about rude CM's and I have thought, well I know people have bad days, but let me tell you..we ran into several CM's that just did not seem to enjoy their jobs at all. I think they are few and far between, but when you have so many CM's that are so nice and wonderful, the grumpy ones really stand out!!

I have never heard so many f-words in my life...I felt like I was in an R rated movie...It just is such a part of so many people's vocabulary...It just doesn't seem to fit at Disney

Now this didn't personally bother me, just thought it was interesting...I saw so many women wearing HIGH heel shoes and sandals at the parks. Maybe they are comfortable..I know my feet would be cramping before I got past security..But to each his own

All in all, we had a wonderful trip..temps were great first part of the week...it rained part of Thurs and all of Friday..but we still had fun. Food was wonderful and we can't wait to go back!!!

Was it warm enough for shorts? What about in the evening?
Sounds like you had a great vacation

 

[dismagiclover]

Regarding the "rudeness" of those from other countries that don't queu up like us in line, I like to think of it as a cultural difference rather than the idea they are being intentionally rude. After spending time traveling in Europe I realized that in many countries they don't stand in line the same way we do here in the US. The farther south you go in Europe the more "agressive" queuing becomes. By the time you get to southern Italy it is literally a contact sport On the other hand, the English make our queus look like absolute chaos.

 

[irunnoft]

I wish CM's would ENFORCE the smoking in designated areas rule. Every year, I've experienced people walking about the park smoking wherever they felt like lighting up. It shouldn't be up to guests to point out that there are designated areas, so rather than create a potential incident, I just keep walking. About 13 years ago, I used to be a smoker, but even when I smoked, I was courteous about it. Now I can't stand the smell of smoke and would prefer not to smell it, breath it, etc. If smokers stay in their designated area, I can avoid the smoke. They also get to smoke. That's a win win scenario.

That being said, encountering people breaking the rules with smoking has never ruined a vacation for us. Thinking back, the only time I've ever reported anybody for smoking has been when they've been doing it on their balcony at a resort. Last summer, somebody at Animal Kingdom Lodge was smoking on their balcony right next door to us. It made it impossible for my family to use the balcony and look at the animals. Also, the rooms (especially at AKL) are smoke-free. I called Security on those people. I also had to report a next-door neighbor at Bay Lake Tower at Christmas. We were trying to watch the Holiday Wishes fireworks from our balcony when somebody next to us started to smoke. Again, this was somebody blatantly ignoring the smoke-free policy of the rooms. I know if Disney catches somebody smoking in the room, it's about a $200 fine and I had zero remorse for bringing Security down on them.

As to rude foreigners/line cutters. . . that's just part of Disney no matter what country you hail from. I've seen rude, line-cutters from the good old USA and I've seen them from Europe, South America, etc. There's not much Disney can do about rude people, but CMs can be more vigilant about line cutting. It all goes back to Disney, though. Like smoking outside designated areas, it's up to Disney to enforce it. Most times, their approach has seemed to be lacking in handling things directly. I think emails to guest relations would be required and in enough volume to make Disney take notice.

That being said, I've noticed that the tour groups have seemed to be better behaved and smaller. Last December, I noticed several tour groups and they all seemed to be much smaller and super well-behaved. Perhaps Disney has done some work with the tour guides/companies?

Bad language at Disney is inexcusable. Period.

 

[bouncy54]

Regarding the "rudeness" of those from other countries that don't queu up like us in line, I like to think of it as a cultural difference rather than the idea they are being intentionally rude. After spending time traveling in Europe I realized that in many countries they don't stand in line the same way we do here in the US. The farther south you go in Europe the more "agressive" queuing becomes. By the time you get to southern Italy it is literally a contact sport On the other hand, the English make our queus look like absolute chaos.

 

[aaarcher86]

I can't agree with the idea that smoking outside the parks can be done where one sees fit.

I just quit smoking 1.5 months ago on a bet and if I hadn't I would have been a smoker in Disney. Me personally, I've never thought of it as 'not in the park, I can smoke where I want.' I actually thought until reading this that designated areas were enforced on all Disney property - which I would consider waiting in line for a boat.

If not, I still wouldn't be smoking in a group of people. I would stand in a corner, away from others. I completely understand that it's my choice to smoke - and I don't think it's difficult to understand that it's a nasty habit, it smells and it's harmful. I wouldn't want to harm anyone that made a better decision then I did not to put poison into their bodies. Even when I did smoke, I refused to walk around outside and smoke at the same time even though that's legal. I just found it rude. At least if I stay in the same spot people don't have to get stuck walking behind me inhaling toxins.

A little courtesy goes a long way... and really isn't that difficult.

 

[KellyNY]

I am not sure where the foreigners were from..I know several of them spoke Spanish. And the encounter we had at Starring Rolls in HS I believe they were European

Spanish speaking people may be just as Americans as you and me. Not an indicator of being foreign.

 

[Vickilynn42]

I can't agree with the idea that smoking outside the parks can be done where one sees fit.

I just quit smoking 1.5 months ago on a bet and if I hadn't I would have been a smoker in Disney. Me personally, I've never thought of it as 'not in the park, I can smoke where I want.' I actually thought until reading this that designated areas were enforced on all Disney property - which I would consider waiting in line for a boat.

If not, I still wouldn't be smoking in a group of people. I would stand in a corner, away from others. I completely understand that it's my choice to smoke - and I don't think it's difficult to understand that it's a nasty habit, it smells and it's harmful. I wouldn't want to harm anyone that made a better decision then I did not to put poison into their bodies. Even when I did smoke, I refused to walk around outside and smoke at the same time even though that's legal. I just found it rude. At least if I stay in the same spot people don't have to get stuck walking behind me inhaling toxins.

A little courtesy goes a long way... and really isn't that difficult.

Yes, this!!!!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't agree with the idea that smoking outside the parks can be done where one sees fit.

No. I said there are no specfied/designated smoking areas outside the parks, i.e. smoking outside the parks is not regulated. Common sense would indicate no smoking in lines, but int the absence of specific signage, a smoker could 'reasonably' argue that they're allowed to smoke there.

and I don't think it's difficult to understand that it's a nasty habit

As are generalizing and judging

 

[aaarcher86]

No. I said there are no specfied/designated smoking areas outside the parks, i.e. smoking outside the parks is not regulated. Common sense would indicate no smoking in lines, but int the absence of specific signage, a smoker could 'reasonably' argue that they're allowed to smoke there.

As are generalizing and judging

I don't think I'm generalizing or judging about smoking as I smoked until just recently for 8 years.

I don't know one person that smokes that wouldn't admit that when your done with cig your fingers smell like an ashtray and it's a known fact that smoking is harmful - therefore I don't know a single person that would call it 'a great habit to form.'

In regards to common sense of not smoking - I would think that it's common sense not to smoke unless there is a specified sign saying you CAN, not that you can't since it's clearly laid out in the documents you get that smoking is only permitted in designated areas.

But who reads paperwork anymore...

 

[lugnut33]

So, if I go out and drink a lot of beer am I allowed to pee on smokers?

 

[Shmily01]

 

[aaarcher86]

So, if I go out and drink a lot of beer am I allowed to pee on smokers?

Only if they aren't in designated areas

 

[gisgt]

And attitudes like that make the World so very magical. I'm not sure if you were speaking in the first person because you're a smoker and wouldn't think twice about lighting up at the boat launch or if you were speaking hypothetically. I'll assume the latter...but...

You're seriously suggesting, in the specific example of waiting for the boat, that someone exit a line to wait for another half hour to get to a park so someone can smoke in line on top of others? Folks have to know that's horribly rude. What if my desire was to juggle fire batons. I mean it's not specifically prohibited. Yet, being around me could result in others' harm. So it would be perfectly okay for me to stand in line for the boat, tossing my fire? And if folks had concern for their safety, they should move. And if another member of my fire baton tossing family shows up for the next boat line, they should stand aside and wait for another boat to avoid harm. Wouldn't it just be easier for me to say, "You know, we're pretty crowded here. Maybe i'll put my fire batons away as to not post potential harm to all of those around me"?

Smoking is legal. As you've said, it's one's perrogative to do so. Enjoy 40 packs a day for all I care. Folks should just do what they can to not affect others doing something that can cause them harm by smoking in designated areas.

No, I'm suggesting if they don't like the people near them in line, they can go to the end of it. The same option you have if the people near you are loud, smelly or otherwise annoying you without doing anything illegal or prohibited. And as for the fire batons - I would LOVE to be in line with someone who did this. Although, you could make a mint in tips if you did it *next* to the line instead. It'd be like those street musicians that hang outside of the stadiums for the crowds to leave.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But, um, doesn't lugnut33 alsl need to be in a designated peeing area?

 

[gisgt]

So, if I go out and drink a lot of beer am I allowed to pee on smokers?

Hey, if you can find a place that doesn't prohibit public urination (although, I think most municipalities do) you're free to pee near them even without the beer. I think ON them might qualify as assault however, lol!

 

[aaarcher86]

But, um, doesn't lugnut33 alsl need to be in a designated peeing area?

Not if they are outside the park

 

[Dan Murphy]

I have not seen people actually smoking while in line waiting for a boat at Disney, nor could I imagine ever seeing one. I have seen some smokers at bus stops, but they seem to drift off and away from the larger group waiting and jump back in when a bus arrives. At the boat stops, there is more of a 'formal' line, almost like a line for a ride.

I guess common courtesy would prevent a smoker from smoking in a boat wait line.

 

[BillyLitt]

I get irritated with foreigners. I don't look for them, but I notice them when they are rude like jumping lines or cutting someone off.

I also get irritated with smokers. If you are smoking in areas were it's allowed, nothing I can do. I will still give you looks, especially if the smoke is going in my children's air.

But, I am that person at the park that will make sure you know you aren't allowed to smoke in the park. And I will be sure to embarrass you anyway that I can!!!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I also get irritated with smokers. If you are smoking in areas were it's allowed, nothing I can do. I will still give you looks, especially if the smoke is going in my children's air.

If meteorologists can't control the weather, neither Disney nor smokers can possibly be expected to control the wind direction. Since you're aware these people are smoking in (the diminishing) areas in which Disney permits, it's your responsibility to keep your children out of the direction of the wind.

But, I am that person at the park that will make sure you know you aren't allowed to smoke in the park. And I will be sure to embarrass you anyway that I can!!!!

Wrong on both counts. First, Guests ARE allowed to smoke in the parks, in designated smoking areas. Crusaders - and I mean that nicely - would be best served by ALSO informing themselves on the locations of the DSAs and, instead of intentionally embarrassing anyone for any reason, direct the offending smoker to such an area: "Did you know smoking is only allowed in certain areas in the park? There's one right over there down that ramp - see? Where all the smoke is rising?"

 

[PatsMom]

I get irritated with foreigners. I don't look for them, but I notice them when they are rude like jumping lines or cutting someone off.

I also get irritated with smokers. If you are smoking in areas were it's allowed, nothing I can do. I will still give you looks, especially if the smoke is going in my children's air.

But, I am that person at the park that will make sure you know you aren't allowed to smoke in the park. And I will be sure to embarrass you anyway that I can!!!!

If I am smoking in an area where I am allowed and you are giving me looks, it is quite possible I will wave at you. And I may not have all five fingers extended. I no longer smoke but when I did nothing irritated me more than walking to a designated area, lighting up and then having some smoking nazi busybody start hacking up a lung or giving me "looks".