Kids on shoulders WHILE in the front row. Does this annoy anyone else?

[Orion Nebula]

(VENT)

It seems like every time we go we tend to get a decent spot for the parades (or so we think). Usually one row behind with a good view between people. As the parade starts a ton of the parents raise up their children and create a wall blocking everyone behind them. I don't get why as the kids standing in front or next to them have a great view, but it's so bad the people end up having to disburse and try to find another spot.

WHY!? I have three kids and while in the park I do my best not to block other people's view. It just seems polite and allows everyone to enjoy the events. Has anyone else dealt with this or am I just unlucky?

(/VENT)

 

[Disney Frenhines]

Yes, why can't parents hold their kids on their hips. If the parent can see then the child will be able to as well. Even worse is the kid on the shoulders playing with a phone with no interest in what is going on.

 

[jayb5]

I totally agree - be mindful of the people around you. When we're in the front row, I'll actually have my kids sit down if they can. That way, people behind us will have a better view - plus our kids can rest their feet

 

[maxiesmom]

Yes. In fact I remember one time where I was in the middle of Main Street, waiting to see the fireworks show. Just before they started someone lifted a child up onto his shoulders. He apparently heard all of the grumbles from behind him, turned and looked, and then lowered his child back down.

I think very few people are rude on purpose. Most of the time, they just aren't thinking. On the third of July last year it rained, delaying the start of the fireworks in the Magic Kingdom. We were packed in like sardines on main street, and one person left their umbrella open long after the rain stopped. It took quite a while for them to close their umbrella, and then applause broke out. I'm thinking they just didn't realize what the heck they were doing, and were probably a bit embarassed.

 

[MeridaAnn]

I always watch the parade from the front row, right up against the rope, because I don't trust that what is a clear view before it starts might not get blocked by people having last-minute family members join them or have them change their position or lift up a child or anything else (and because I want to be right up close to the parade for good character interactions). Personally, I do sit until the start of the parade, but I always stand up for the actual parade so that I can see better and, again, for better character interactions. I try to pick spots where there won't be too many people behind me when I stand up, but the parade is my favorite attraction at MK and I claim my spot really early to make sure that I have a front row view. I'm also almost always there solo, so it's not as hard for me to find an empty spot along the rope line and hopefully it's not too difficult for folks to see around me when I do stand up.

 

[DisneyGal24]

Drives me crazy! We say they are in their “Disney bubble” and completely oblivious to everyone around them. It could also be that they’re entitled and think “I paid thousands of dollars for this trip and if my kid deserves to have the best view of the fireworks!” Either way, I feel that if people are behind you then you shouldn’t block their view.

 

[pannm]

I totally agree! It bothers me A LOT when people do this! Your kid can't see, you put them on top of your shoulders and now 10 people behind you can't see. People are so entitled. Others paid just as much money to be there as you did and this vacation is not just about YOUR family. There was a lady in a wheelchair who was sitting in the first row of a wheelchair viewing area. We were sitting right next to her on the other side of the wheelchair rope. We started talking to the couple. The husband works as a bus driver for Disney and they get to see the fireworks weekly. We were in the second row, perfect view and right behind another family. BOTH parents put their kids up on their shoulders even though these two kids had NO obstructed view at all (they were first row/by a railing next to a grassy area and they could have sat on the ground and seen everything perfectly!!!). This couple in the wheelchair section was so mad that they actually spoke to these parents and the parents acted like everything was about them. They said "We only get to come here a few times a year! the kids want to watch fireworks like this!" Well, what about those people sitting behind you that are on their FIRST trip and may never get back? Or the kids behind you that can't see and they have been waiting all of their lives for this "dream" of watching fireworks over the castle? Eventually, a cast member got involved- because these people became OBNOXIOUS about their kids on their shoulders- the kids didn't even care about being up there and one of them looked WAY too old to need to be on dads shoulders (maybe 10 or 11) it was ridiculous!

 

[Magical2017]

Yes, but most parade behavior can be frustrating. At any given time there are the kids-on-shoulders people, adults who walk up at the last minute and stand in front of small kids, people holding up phones/tablets to record while blocking the view of others, the very-close standers who need to be on top of you, and the list goes on. All that said, I miss the fireworks and parades at Disney World!

 

[Karin1984]

While annoying I think in Disneyworld with the current Festival of Fantasy parade, it is also something to blame Disney for. In this parade the characters are standing on high floats, like Flynn, Ariel, Merida, Peter Pan & Wendy, Mickey & Minnie. For kids standing on the street, they cannot see the characters I understand why Disney does this, to give the people in the back rows also something to look at, but it causes other problems.
It's not the only parade with this problem, but one where I remember it. Soundsensational in DL also had this.

 

[Boopuff]

I remember one trip my pre-teen daughters staked out a spot right on the curb for the parade. They held on until the CM asked them to stand up. They did. Suddenly a boy (around 6) pushed to the front. My kids didn't mind, they said he could stand in front of them to see. Well that wasn't good enough for them, mom, dad, brother, uncle etc. tried to push in to be with him. My kids held fast. They sorta moved the boy off to the side when they realized what was happening. Other people around were very vocal.

On the same topic: let's not forget those great, big guys who hold up their I-pads to film the fireworks/parade. Rude... (and does anyone really, honestly watch those poorly filmed fireworks/parade, when professional versions are readily available?)

 

[Rockbro]

I have a 16 year old that I lift on my shoulders.

Oh, yes, my name is Gaston and I eat 5 dozen eggs, so I'm roughly the size of a barge. And of course, I have biceps to spare.