Kids on shoulders

[2Tiggies]

There are extremes on *both* sides of the spectrum. As another PP said so well, there are jerks everywhere. Including at Disney. Not giving up a parade spot for another family doesn't make someone a jerk.

 

[wendybeth75]

This is a pet peeve of mine. I don't care that they put the kids up, but please move to the side of Main street where you won't be blocking so many people. I have never said anything to anyone, and usually just move, but it is annoying.

 

[ariane37]

This is a ridiculous statement. There is no aggression present. If we are watching a parade, I will let little kids come and stand in front of us. However I'm not going to let anyone, adult or child, block my view when I have been standing here for 45 minutes and they come in 5 minutes before the parade or show starts. I'm helpful and thoughtful of others. I'll move over, I'll let the little ones stand in front of me. But I'm not going to miss out on seeing something for a stranger. If you (or anyone) wants your child to see, plan accordingly like we do. The world doesn't revolve around anyone in particular, we all have to coexist. We all paid admission so we are ALL entitled to see a parade, a show, fireworks. Not just the "unders 5's" (or whatever age people want to use)

Holy Crap this thread has grown since the last time I read it! I don't even know what to say but I gotta say something...................so I'll start with agreeing with the above Sounds like maybe you don't have kids DisneyPrincess83? Sorry if I'm wrong I DO have kids but I feel the same as you. I have let small children in front of me and asked my kids to scoot over so other kids who've come later than us can stand in front with them - as long as their parents are ok with their kids being up front while they remain a bit behind me. And, IF we arrive late for a parade or my kids decide they want to watch one after saying they don't, so we can't get a good spot - guess what? We're out of luck. I wouldn't think of asking an adult to move or pushing in front of an adult. Geez, my kids wouldn't be going on their 9th trip in August if it wasn't for MY grown-up love for Disney And I love a parade!!!!!

 

[CdnCarrie]

A few years back I set up my tripod on the hub at MK (there were about 3 others around me doing the same thing) so I could take pictures of the fireworks. When the lights went down, everyone stayed seated except one guy who stood up and had his child on his shoulders and it was about 20' in front of me. At this point it was very difficult to move since it was so dark. It took 15 minutes of a number of people yelling at him to sit down before he finally sat. There were people seated behind him who couldn't see anything. I saw 2 people throw something at a him. 3 different times he even turned around and saw that everyone was seated yet he still chose to stand with his child on his shoulders.

Another trip I staked out a spot near Casey's Corner to set up my tripod. I was there a good hour before the fireworks. About 10 minutes before they were supposed to start a family of about 6 stood about 15' in front of me and there were all wearing Cat In The Hat style Christmas hats. UGGGHHHH Luckily I was able to adjust my tripod and lens enough were their hats didn't bother my photos to much. You can see a few hats in some of the pictures, but since I was using long exposures they mostly blended into everything else because they never stood still.

I cannot believe people are rude enough to bring freaking tripods into a crowded theme park. That to me is the height of ignorance and selfishness.

Who the heck needs to rewatch fireworks after their vacation? Beyond dumb.

 

[MattRyan]

I cannot believe people are rude enough to bring freaking tripods into a crowded theme park. That to me is the height of ignorance and selfishness.

Who the heck needs to rewatch fireworks after their vacation? Beyond dumb.

I like to watch fireworks on YouTube sometime, what's wrong with that?

 

[pjhootch]

You guys are really funny. There are a bunch of folks on this thread getting personal and calling names and bashing each other over watching a PARADE. Seriously folks, it is a freaking parade. There are crowds of people all trying to watch a parade and apparently, acting like fools- and you are arguing about it.

 

[smokeyblue]

I cannot believe people are rude enough to bring freaking tripods into a crowded theme park. That to me is the height of ignorance and selfishness.

Who the heck needs to rewatch fireworks after their vacation? Beyond dumb.

Ouch.

 

[bella2117]

Wow

 

[smokeyblue]

Really? I wasn't aware of that...

Seriously, I don't use elaborate touring plans and schedules to the minute. We wing it a lot of the time. There's not a lot of planning involved in saying "I want to see the 3pm parade, and I want to sit up front...maybe I should get there by 2:30". There are lines for EVERYTHING in Disney World. The concept of having to wait for something to get a good view really shouldn't be all that foreign.

The part of what was posted in terms of adults allowing kids to move up was the part I was commenting on as a real world example of the point I was trying to convey. While, I think it occurs, I think the experience of adults being intentionally cruel to a child is probably an extreme case. Allowing room for a child, is not an extreme case and most reasonable people would probably consider it common courtesy.

For all of the judgements being made on parenting, I find it interesting that there is such a contingency of people who do not believe that children will tend to reflect the examples they are given. If they are shown inconsiderate and self centered behavior, that is what they will probably emulate as they get older.[/QUOTE]



I don't know who this vast *contingent* of people are.

What it comes down to is that you need a contingency plan if you arrive to the parade late.

 

[Sammie]

Many people have said they do what they can to accommodate young children. It is when the parent *also* wants to go in front...so they can see their child experience the event/take pictures of their child/whatever...that is what many people have a problem with. When it's not *just* the child.

If a family feels they need to experience a parade or fireworks all together as a family, AND they feel that their youngest children need a really great spot, THEN, they should be reserving a spot early. At *that* point, it is not the responsibility of those around them to accommodate their lack of planning.

If something is important to me to have happen a certain way, I don't leave it up to anyone else to decide if it will or not. If I really have to make a parade and have a great front row seat for DD, we'll stake out the seat early because I find it rude and inconsiderate to *expect* others to give up their seats for my child. It's my job to plan for my child's experience - no one else's.

If we get there late and someone offers to let DD go in front of them, I will be very grateful for their consideration. But I will not *expect* it of them, and then be upset if they don't offer or if they say no to a request.

That's what this whole conversation comes down to. Expectations.

Exactly, it it one thing to let a child slip in front of you to see, something entirely if that child has an entourage that has to come too. That ain't happening.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

This thread has been rather entertaining. I am a kid less adult that loves WDW. I have stood in lines to meet characters and have waited for parades. I don't feel that anyone is more entitled to a spot than anyone else. My personal belief is first come, first serve. If parents think their kids need the front row spot, they should be stakkng it out ahead of time.

My next trip will be with my sis and her family (niece is 5 and nephews will be a month shy of 7). After reading all the comments, I think the additional cost of the pirates n Pals cruise will be worth the $. I also do believe I'll be adding another day so we can FP+ MSEP and Wishes.

 

[smidgy]

Exactly, it it one thing to let a child slip in front of you to see, something entirely if that child has an entourage that has to come too. That ain't happening.

 

[smidgy]

as far as tripods go. I find it extremely irritatingto ahve to try to watch parades, fireworks, the nemo musical show, the lion king show, etc. etc through someone elses tablet, Iphone, etd.

I'm certainly not going to worry about keeping a clear path between a camera on a tripod and a parade, fireworks, etc. many feet away so a Cecil B. DeMille wannabe can get a perfect film. really...

how often do you see people trying to get a phot from many feet away.. acroos a busy path? I often accidentally walk between. if I notice it, I'll try to wait, or walk around.. if I have time, I'll offer to take the shot so they can all be in the picture.

hey! what a great plan! I'll buy a cheap tripod and stick a fake camera on it. an tell everyone, "you can't stand in front of me! can't you see I'm filming?" lol

 

[kittyninja]

IBTC!!!

Isn't that what the kids are saying nowadays?

In before the close!!

I knew this thread would be fun!

Some people just:

 

[Kristine316]

This has been one entertaining thread. I had a few comments earlier in the thread but since then it has really taken on a life of its own. It has also gotten sort of personal at times and very snarky... entertaining but, snarky. lol

We had our kids young and when they were little my husband was working and going to college so we did not have the money to take an expensive WDW vacation. When the money was there we started taking nice vacations but, that wasn't till my sons were in middle school.

I don't know what it is like to take a small child to WDW and have to worry about their line of sight for things like parades and fireworks. I am sympathetic but, I am also in agreement with those who think no one is more entitled than any other WDW guest.. child or not. I will move for a child to see better, if I am asked politely I will happily do that. We don't usually go to parades but, for fireworks I would move.. just ask us.. be polite and ask.. ok? However, If you are a parent who thinks the "World" revolves around your child and expects people to make way for them no matter what then I do have an issue with you, and someone putting their kid on a shoulder and blocking another's view is just plain wrong and rude, no matter how some of you want to spin it. I said it before in this thread and I will say it again... the person you maybe blocking could be another child so it makes the argument that children come first rather hollow, what a parent like that is really saying... THEIR children come first.

This thread did confirm something for me... not long ago there was a thread on here about adults meeting characters and someone asked if it was ok, or if they should feel weird about it. Most replies were positive and people said the OP should meet the characters, WDW is for children of all ages.
I had mentioned that a couple that we know had gone to WDW and stood in line to meet characters and had judgmental and disgusted looks from parents in line thinking an adult should not be taking up a space in a line to meet a character. I wrote about it in that thread to show that not everyone was understanding of WDW being for people of all ages, and that some would have an attitude about it....

This thread just proved my point in spades... some people think WDW is only for kids and their kids in particular and if you are an adult enjoying WDW you are heartless and just trying to pathetically relive your childhood.

I am sure WDW is in agreement with this.. I mean who needs all the business that adult only trips provide? Certainly the only money that means anything to WDW is the money coming from parents with kids.

 

[spritna]

 

[peoplemover]

This thread just proved my point in spades... some people think WDW is only for kids and their kids in particular and if you are an adult enjoying WDW you are heartless and just trying to pathetically relive your childhood...

As an adult with no kids who loves the Disney parks, this is what I have taken away from this thread as well. I enjoy character m&g's. I have no hesitation joining the line & having a character attendant take some photos for me when I am touring by myself. No one should feel out of place in the Disney parks. No one should be making others feel out of place, either. It's not all about me or any other individual.

I agree with all who have said that if one wants a prime spot up front for viewing entertainment in the parks, one should arrive at the viewing area early & claim a spot. If one has secured a spot, it is not their responsibility, civic duty, whatever you want to call it, to let anyone in, regardless of age or size. In my opinion, if one asks someone on the curb if a child can join them, it places a lot of pressure on that person. People will hear & watch that exchange. That isn't fair to the person who staked a claim to a spot ahead of time. They should not be pressured to allow it, or vilified if they refuse.

There are many options for viewing entertainment. FP+ is one of them. I have used FP+ for viewing the MSEP. Everyone in the FP+ area sat down & watched the parade. It was lovely & I recommend it.

As for adults putting children on their shoulders, that is prioritizing one person's "need" over that of someone else. It will deprive someone else the experience of viewing the entertainment. No one has the right to place a value on another's enjoyment of the entertainment. Guests with disabilities excepted, everyone is a guest & everyone has the ability to choose a place to watch the entertainment well ahead of time. One may choose to go on attractions during that time instead; one must accept that they may not be able to view the entertainment later.

When one places a child on their shoulders in front of another, that person is saying their experience is worth more than that of those in the vicinity. I feel that is wrong. If one is a parent & wants to ensure that their child is able to view the fireworks, the FP+ viewing area & the dessert party are two options that will allow a family to avoid having to get in a spot early & wait for the entertainment. I suggest taking advantage of those options instead of possibly infringing on others.

 

[mgomoll]

Thanks to you all for the entertainment..killed almost an hour on the treadmill reading all of this

 

[LilyWDW]

This thread did confirm something for me... not long ago there was a thread on here about adults meeting characters and someone asked if it was ok, or if they should feel weird about it. Most replies were positive and people said the OP should meet the characters, WDW is for children of all ages.
I had mentioned that a couple that we know had gone to WDW and stood in line to meet characters and had judgmental and disgusted looks from parents in line thinking an adult should not be taking up a space in a line to meet a character. I wrote about it in that thread to show that not everyone was understanding of WDW being for people of all ages, and that some would have an attitude about it....

It is so sad that people would be like that. That couple (or any adult without children) has every right to enjoy the parks. If they want to meet characters, then they should. If they want to watch the parade, then they should. And they shouldn't have to deal with rude and mean people who seem to think that their child is more important that anyone else to do so.

I'm going to Disney in October with my aunt. I was supposed to be going with my mom (and actually was supposed to go last year) but she passed away last May. I never have had a chance to meet Mickey and my mom and I had planned to do that on this trip... so I am going to still do it in memory. If someone complains, well that just shows the type of person they are. I will feel bad for them that they are so grumpy while they are at Disney. But they won't bother me. It's their own problem.

 

[MudQueen22]

Of course I feel my child is special. Special to me. As should everyone's child be special to them. Please provide me with one example of where I said that my individual child was more special than anyone else. Just because I feel that little children should be given some consideration at parades and special events of the like? That is drawing a pretty harsh and uninformed conclusion for the rest of your accusation.

Why wouldn't their parents give them that consideration by getting there early or using a FP?