Just back some observations.

[BonnieA]

I just got back last Saturday and except for a few smokers out of place, I didn't even notice any rude people or stroller nazis. I think because I was solo most of the time, I was able to maneuver quicker than a group to avoid any problems. I guess I'm just lucky in the many, many, times I have been to DisneyWorld I haven't been hit by a stroller (and I'm a pretty good sized target). In fact, during my recent trip I observed many considerate people, moving to make sitting space on boats and monorails. I never really noticed it before but this time it was evident. I must have been in the right place at the right time.

 

[Quinn222]

I'm quite certain that at least some of people's experiences with getting hit by strollers are due to their own 'not noticing' the stroller and getting right into its path.

I have no doubt at all that happens. In the case of my poor sister who nearly got flattened twice by the same family though it was on an almost empty walkway that was at least 40 feet wide and these people each came rushing up behind her and slammed her. First one and then the other. While it's certainly possible we cut someone off now and then, especially when it's crowded, it's usually because we are walking too slowly for the stroller maniacs and they just ram into us trying to get around us or something. Accidents happen and I'm sure it is hard to push a stroller all day that's fine but you can tell the difference between an accident and someone using the stroller as a battering ram to get through the crowd.

 

[Tortuga Joy]

I just got back Friday night and I have to honestly say that I didn't notice most of the things that we comment about being so irritating here on the DIS and I was LOOKING for these offenses.

I only saw TWO people smoking in non-smoking areas and both times they were way off to the side away from other people....NOT that this makes it right, but I did not see anyone walking around with a lit cigarette or anyone smoking in a crowded area.

I had NO problems with strollers or ECV's.

I was never on a standing room only bus, so I can't comment on that one...

The ONLY annoyance I noticed ALOT was the "dead stopping in a walkway"
I'd be walking along behind someone and all of a sudden they and the rest of their group would just dead stop. Have to admit it drove me crazy...even with assured clear distance, sometimes you can't help bumping into people who do this.

All in all, we had a WONDERFUL trip and even with me LOOKING for the common irritants, we didn't see them much, if at all. I was very pleasantly surprised.

I feel your pain and I must admit, my husband is bad about doing this and it drives me crazy!!! I get upset with him because I know it ticks others off behind us. He'll even do that driving...slow down because he's thinking too hard or something like that. It's like a brain freeze...it drives me crazy I guess when I'm walking, especially at Disney, I try to be very conscience of what I do, how fast or slow I walk and who is coming toward me. It's like some people play "chicken" in the parks....two objects walking very fast towards each other and each one is daring the other to back down. ....usually I back down unless I'm feeling feisty! But I continually apologize to people behind us who are stopped short because of my husband's brain freeze!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi OP
You know, I did see a CM talk to a guest about smoking in a non-smoking section. It was Snow White, and she cheerfully but firmly told him to put out his cigarette. I think it was at Disneyland, though.
I would gladly dress up as a character and go around patrolling the park for the aforementioned infractions. In fact, I would pay Disney to do so. Wouldn't that be a hoot?

I would have been so happy to see that. It's a real pet peeve of mine that guests get away with smoking right in front of CMs and the CMs never say anything. One day we were waiting for a tram in the parking lot at MGM and about 4 people in a group all lit up. When the tram came along, the CMs never said anything, but the 4 people at least didn't even try to get on the tram with their cigarettes. But you know, a part of me sometimes understands why CMs may be reluctant to say anything, especially the young CMs, when the smokers are adults. As I saw once, when a CM did nicely ask a guest to move at a parade viewing, the guest was so rude and responded, "I'll stand wherever I want!" and just stood there. I felt so bad for that CM-some people have this, "I paid all this money (which the CMs aren't getting, but that's a different problem!) and I've 'bought' the right to do whatever I want."

 

[Quinn222]

All in all, we had a WONDERFUL trip and even with me LOOKING for the common irritants, we didn't see them much, if at all. I was very pleasantly surprised.

We did too and we had decided before we went to just take it all in stride and not get aggravated. Except for my mom almost getting knocked down (after all she's 80) and my sister with the stroller folks we never got upset. My invisibility factor actually caused quite a lot of laughter after a while.

 

[bstnsprts]

I agree! I have some pet peeves of my own. This is a good place to share.

1. Why all the wheelchair spaces in the parking lots. It makes me mad that some of them are doublewide for vans and this just takes up too much space. I think the wheelchair spaces should be in the back of the lots or create a lot for w/c's only and charge double. Since they are wheelchairs, they can travle further and should not be allowed to force us walking folk to walk further.

2. I hate it when there are so many people ahead of me at the turnstiles to enter the parks. Don't they realize that I am more important. Maybe I should just have my own private entrance.

3. Strollers! Strollers! If they are too young to walk through the park, then they shouldn't be there. An infant has no idea who Mickey and Minnie are.

4. Groundhogs. Not the cute animals on February 2. I'm talking about those park guests who seek-out and reserve space on the ground for parades, shows, etc. 12 hours before the shows happen. I personally will walk by them and "accidentally" kick them in their fat &$@.

5. AP holders. You guys are the worst. Just because you fork out thousands of dollars to visit the parks everyday doesn't give you the right to think that you own the place. Whether you are a first time guest or it's your first time this week, you are still a guest and you should act the part. Guest means that you are visiting someone else's place. When you get back from visiting a family member's house, do you complain that grandpa was outside smoking, or that you couldn't find a parking place because the neighbors were having company too?

Finally, I have this question for those who love to complain about their Disney experiences. What do you think others are saying about you when you are in the park? Moving because of the birds, complaining about a complete stranger who is smoking and probably doesn't know that he shouldn't be, griping because somebody is trying to take a picture on a bridge. How could your trip NOT have been ruined by all of this. Sounds to me like your expectations are a bit too high and that you have been sniffing too much Pixie Dust.

You are what I often refer to as a FUNGRABBER. You can't have fun unless you are taking the fun away from others. You are selfish and think you have special rights or privilages that other Disney guests don't. Maybe you need to stay away from Disney for a few years and let others enjoy themselves a bit.

As I said, I agree with your point...

This includes you. Have a magical day.

So if I was a guest at your house you would have not problem with me lighting up, kicking your dog, puking on your couch, and then taking a dump on your kitchen floor. Because if you did you would be a FUNGRABBER. I was just having a good time at your expense, or maybe I didn't know any better. As a guest I should be able to enjoy myself no matter how it affects others, right? Rules don't matter, just do as you feel. Next trip I'll sneek in a six pack and toast the cameras on Splash Mountain with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth while pulling up DW's shirt. Thanks to you I now feel that I'm entitiled to do this and will start to have more fun at Disney.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Ok, I guess I'm the only one that thought this was funny........

I did too. The Wheelchair spaces in the front rant gave it away as complete snark.

On to the subject of the thread.

On our trip we discovered that if we told a CM about the smoking, they'd say something. But if we didn't, they wouldn't. Yes I know they probably should enforce it anyway. But maybe they feel more emboldened if they are resolving a complaint from another guest rather than unilaterally deciding to go lay down the law to someone.

We actually got advice from several sources to rent a stroller and use it as a battering ram. We decided not to.

Dunno why so many can't grasp the concept of letting people off the elevator before they get on.

I think many feed the animals now because they almost have to to keep em away. Long ago, these birds ceased being viable for anything other than scavanging and it did neither the birds, nor the species any good to feed them. But now it's just too late to do much about it other than destroy the aggressive ones and I don't think Disney is allowed to do that.

 

[msgrimm23]

for all the times i have been down there i have seen all of that too. i am a smoker and go to the smoking areas and get sooo mad when i see people smokeing else where. picture taking i got to the point if some one is taking pictures durning shows where they say no flash photo and there flash keeps going of i will put my hand up in front of them or move my head so my fat head is in the pic if they are behind me i sit up tall. i normaly stop for picture taking of a family out side at a photo stop many people are nice and will stop but to close the bridge thats weird. but i still love going and it won't stop me o and for the people that stop in the middle of a row in a show and don't move stepping on there feet is alot of fun. read this stuff somewhere don't do where but its fun stuff

 

[MadamMim]

My pet peeve is actually quite silly... I get head-butted by children!

I'm really tall for a woman (6') and so my *ahem* rear is just about the same height as a 4-6 yr old child and without fail I get it in the "end" everytime I stand in line. I've taken to standing with my back to a wall whenever possible, or shielding myself with whoever is with me, but no matter what precautions I take... bump! I should probably take those kid-magnets out of my back pockets huh? lol

 

[msgrimm23]

My pet peeve is actually quite silly... I get head-butted by children!

I'm really tall for a woman (6') and so my *ahem* rear is just about the same height as a 4-6 yr old child and without fail I get it in the "end" everytime I stand in line. I've taken to standing with my back to a wall whenever possible, or shielding myself with whoever is with me, but no matter what precautions I take... bump! I should probably take those kid-magnets out of my back pockets huh? lol

i have the same problem too with the head butt
i like to eat alot of beans before going so no one will stand with in 2 feet of me

 

[santonucci]

I have finally found a system to deal with people (with or without a stroller in front of them), who walk straight towards me on a pathway in one of the WDW parks, looking like they think I should move out of the way.

I simply STOP dead in my tracks without moving at all.

That gives them four choices: (1) walk around me, (2) turn around and go the other way, (3) stop and stay in place, or (4) run into me.

Either choice works to my advantage as I can react or not act depending upon my mood, which at Disney is almost always mellow.

I do this too. When you stop, you force them to acknowledge you. They will typically not run into you...

However, something I haven't seen posted, is the very simple fact that a lot of us don't push a stroller every day! As a working dad, I don't really know what I'm doing behind the wheel. You'd think that would be obvious to a lot of people, but it isn't.

I usually try to avoid people who don't look like they need to be run over with a stroller, but there are some folks that don't get their minds right until they've been whacked by someone like me. I'm happy to oblige.

Here's the conversation that always follows:

Them: "Ouch, that really hurt... you could at least apologize!"

Me: "Wasn't an accident..."

Once someone realizes that there are people like me, they stop being people like them.

Steve

 

[sjcmi]

Them: "Ouch, that really hurt... you could at least apologize!"

Me: "Wasn't an accident..."

I love it!

I don't condone being rude but people just sometimes need a wake-up call to remind them that there are indeed other people in the world.

I used to be a smoker, up untill 15 years ago (yes I still miss them). I would like to take a moment and apologize to every non-smoker that I smoked around. I hope I had enough consideration not to be too rude or obnoxious with them, but I have my doubts.

With that said I am astounded by the way some smokers feel that it is thier right to smoke wherever they want.. It is not thier right to make us breath thier second hand smoke. There are places in this world that I go to that I accept are the smokers territory, like bars and casinos. Disney World is not one of them. The last time I was there I had to physicaly push a smoker who was walking through Adventureland away from my son because he almost hit him with the hot end of a cigarette. A good way to see me go from Happy to Grumpy real quick is to hurt my kid.

It is no longer a smokers world and they need to realize that they are now the minority.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Pushing those rental double strollers from WDW can be hard. People have to realize that you can't stop on a dime! I've had so many people cut us off. I'm not talking about me going one direction, and another family walking perpendicular to us (so it seems as if we both have the right of way). I'm talking about a family that is trying to get around us and steps directly in front, leaving about an inch. Yeah, I hit your ankle!!! I couldn't help it!!! I didn't expect you to step over my children in the stroller!! I try to walk slow with the stroller so I can stop easier, but then it reminds me of driving during rush hour in downtown Chicago: if you give a little bit of room SOMEBODY is going to cut you off. So, I've come to the conclusion that there is no right way to walk with a stroller. Rude people are going to cut in front of you and stop/slow down. Sorry I hit you, but don't expect me and my family to disappear just because you are there!!

The only thing that truly bothered me at WDW was when my dd7 accidently bumped into a woman standing in line for a ride at MGM. This woman was sooooo upset at my dd (and of course, my dd apologized). This woman stopped and let us get in front of her, and then proceeded to trip my dd7. I didn't realize what was happening until dd7 tells me, "mommy, someone keeps on tripping me!" I turn around and the look on this woman's face was so full of rage. We got out of there quickly because I was sure there was going to be a fight!!! I kinda felt sorry for her. How can someone let a harmless bump while waiting in line get to them so much?

Mary

 

[boxer]

The only thing that truly bothered me at WDW was when my dd7 accidently bumped into a woman standing in line for a ride at MGM. This woman was sooooo upset at my dd (and of course, my dd apologized). This woman stopped and let us get in front of her, and then proceeded to trip my dd7. I didn't realize what was happening until dd7 tells me, "mommy, someone keeps on tripping me!" I turn around and the look on this woman's face was so full of rage. We got out of there quickly because I was sure there was going to be a fight!!! I kinda felt sorry for her. How can someone let a harmless bump while waiting in line get to them so much?

A GROWN woman tripped your daughter? Ok, that would be about enough for me if I would see this happen. All kidding aside, there is NO reason to even touch someone else's child for any reason. Woman or not, if I would see her do this to one of my kids, there would be a big problem.

 

[hightown]

Sort of OT but

Just had to post after seeing post #4 by 100AcreWood--too true about Seaworld.

Last time we were there, we sat out at a table having breakfast. When a squirrel jumped on my daughters chair with her. She sort of screamed, I looked over and as I did, a bird swiped my Croissant right out of my hand!

I swear they planned it!

 

[mrsltg]

If someone tripped my daughter purposely I'd be banned from WDW! Who would do such a thing? I do understand being unable to react at that point.

We went to Sea World in January and were over by the horse barn. DD6mos was in her stroller and I am a VERY careful stroller driver (aside from not wanting to hit you, I don't want to jolt my child). We were walking and this man PURPOSELY walked right into it - hard - so hard the baby started crying. The look on his face said it all. Then he said, "oh, sorry" with a smirk. I have no idea why he did it, nor did he have any idea that he bullied the girl with the 6'3" 240lb husband 3 people behind her. I let him go on his merry way and grabbed my dh and told him what happened. Apparently a bully is only one when they are bigger than the person they are bullying... Dh, with a smirk on his face, walked dead into this guy with his elbow up. The man was nearly knocked down. He was STUNNED! It was great. Then my dh goes, "oh, sorry." I'm sure the guy had no idea what had happened until he crossed in front of the four of us on a foot bridge taking a picture. The look on his face was priceless.

Now, normally I let things roll, HOWEVER, you hurt my child on purpose and we have a problem. There really are some morons in the world.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Ugh! Yes, the smoking anywhere you please is annoying! I don't get it...people walk all over the parks all day but they can't manage to walk 5 more steps to the smoking area?

Something else that was annoying was everywhere you looked there were kids on these shoe/skate things wheeling about, losing control and nearly knocking people down. I really don't understand why those are allowed. I guess maybe they are too hard to detect if they look like shoes? Seems dangerous and like a law suit waiting to happen if you ask me. I know if my child got knocked down by some hoodlum on wheels, I wouldn't be very happy.

And another thing that is ALWAYS a pet peeve...stupid kids--or adults for that matter--who apparently have parents that don't care about morals who think it is funny to chase the ducks/rabbits! I just want to say, "I promise you, you are NOT going to outsmart them and catch them. Don't know if you knew this, but ducks have wings...they can fly, can you?"

 

[k5thbeatle]

It would be interesting to hear from a cm as to what (or if) exactly they are told regarding people who are smoking in the parks?

I haven't really noticed too much of this over the years but the bird thing was kinda out of control one time when we were there.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Where there are people, there will be clueless rude people! The CM's should be out there enforcing more! It's really sad! However, the biggest thing that bothers me when reading this is the smoking! It's just way out of line!

 

[marygraycesmom]

I must jump to the defense of the rural folks. The majority of us have encountered an elevator in the past and understand the simple concept of letting people off, before we get on. It is similar to unloading the cows from the trailer into the pasture, before loading more on to take back to the barn, right?

That's too stinkin' funny.

We live in a some what rural area in NC, and for some reason we understand that concept. Cows off, cows on...always be sure to close the gate of the trailer, too. BTW, cows move at their own pace, so don't go gettin' in a hurry!