*Lightbulb Moment* Why people act brash at disney world! (IMO)

[5kidsmommy]

Exactly

If you want to stroll through the parks. Knock yourself out. Just move out of the way so that those of us speed walking to the next attraction can get pass you. And please, don't get offended when once of says excuse me and scoots around you.

At Disney I do tend to take my time, we always plan plenty of time to see everything we want to see, Disney is my relaxation place, so I get out of the way and keep my relaxation to the sidelines.

But at my home amusement park (Cedar Point) I know exactly where I am going and what I want to do, we move quickly from point A to point B and I do try not to bump into people but when they stop in the middle of a walkways suddenly and pull out their maps they might get bumped.

 

[JayRee]

I really enjoyed reading this post and comments. I think the OP has a good point which I can relate to other experiences. I live on Long Island. I've noticed that within the last few years whenever the weather people are predicting a really bad snow storm or blizzard, people here start going crazy, heading to the grocery stores buying up tons of milk and bread. This year there were so many memes and videos posted on social media making fun of this. The funny thing is, 2 to 3 hours after the storm is over, these people seem to be back in their SUVs driving around again. Human nature can be so manipulated you just have to shake your head.

To think you can "do it all" at Disney in 4 days, 10 days, 30 days, is so not realistic. Disney planned it that way, they want you to come back, and I am by no means editorializing. Last year we had FP for POTC. We got there and the ride broke down. They issued us another FP for another time. We went back again, the ride broke down. We went back a third time and still didn't get on. This is one of our favorite rides and we haven't been to MK in a long time and we were really looking forward to it. I finally said to my DH remember what Dr Malcolm said "John when the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, they don't eat the tourists", and did we want to take that chance? HAHAHA, we both laughed it off and still enjoyed a lovely time. Next year when we go, my plans and only plans for MK is KTTK and POTC. And we'll let the rest as it comes.

 

[Goofey Drool]

A lot of good changes have come, but in my 18 years of law enforcement and my wifes 22 yrs. in teaching we encounter more reckless assaultive behavior at a younger age etc. I cant believe some of the stuff I see now compared to when I started. We both come home at the end of our day and sometimes our crazy stories are pretty similar. I don't believe that the media has no bearing on society behavior either. I am in the trenches so maybe I just don't see the whole picture. But the HEE Haw analogy was funny.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Idk. An experiment with candy? That's pretty small. If we changed it to something like free gallons of gas you think people would "leave gas for others?" No I think they would hog it right up. Free diamond rings? I'm 99% sure the very first person would take them all turn to the second person in line and say...."Sooooryyy!" I think it's just human nature.

 

[Cee]

Very interesting. I've fallen victim to "not wanting to hurt their feelings" myself.

 

[Pats Dragon]

I think that there is some truth to this theory but another issue is that people are now me-zers. That is, they only think about "me and mine". There are tailgaters, line crashers, people who call me after hours for routine things even if they don't work during the day. People expect to be first and their kids to be first. Not everyone thank goodness but way too many!

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I will say, my friends who aren't used to Disney, are almost 'too nice' and I can never get them to follow me! I'm not rude, but I've learned you will make no ground if you don't move THROUGH the crowd. As I make my way thru the crowd, they don't get anywhere...because it's not nice not to let EVERYONE in front of you.... Sheesh! They will never catch up with me and they give me this look like 'you are being rude...' no I'm just moving forward!

 

[Magpie]

A lot of good changes have come, but in my 18 years of law enforcement and my wifes 22 yrs. in teaching we encounter more reckless assaultive behavior at a younger age etc. I cant believe some of the stuff I see now compared to when I started. We both come home at the end of our day and sometimes our crazy stories are pretty similar. I don't believe that the media has no bearing on society behavior either. I am in the trenches so maybe I just don't see the whole picture. But the HEE Haw analogy was funny.

My mum has over 40 years of teaching experience, and I grew up in university housing, listening to her and her colleges vent. Every teacher I've ever known starts talking about the decline of civility, competence and quality in their students after a few years of teaching. But here's the thing - they were complaining about this in the seventies!

I used to believe them, but as the decades rolled on, I got suspicious. The very students they're holding up as examples of a better era were the same students I heard teachers complaining about the first time around.

I've come to the conclusion our memories play tricks on us. It smoothes off the rough edges, highlights the good and bad, and bathes everything in nostalgia. I loved how Inside Out showed how we can forget that our best memory might also be our worst.

I suspect people haven't changed much over the last many centuries. Some are good, some are bad, most are just plain human and imperfect.

 

[bjakmom]

So many very interesting and valid points/observations in this thread. As a regular visitor since 1972, I have noticed the greatest change in guest behavior over the last few years.
Personally, I attribute much of this change as a result of Disney's increased 'upselling' of everything in the park. IMO it seems to be creating a me-vs-you/ us-vs-them kind of attitude/competition. With the upsell of special events (dessert parties and special events such as Frozen Fun in the Parks and last year's Sinister Soiree, etc), more and more of the best viewing spots, show access and character access that used to be shared by all who purchased an admission ticket, is limited to those who can or are willing to pay more $$ for the 'privilege' of entrance to the coveted areas and characters.
On our trip last August, we had to by pass our usual preferred spots for the Halloween parade (taped off for the 'special, special event' guests who paid dearly over and above the party ticket price), crowding into the open spaces and standing shoulder to shoulder while watching the Soiree guests spread out comfortably in their huge area. And I have no sour grapes (except to WDW), as I did purchase the Frozen package for myself and DGrD. But as much as I enjoyed the evening dessert party and then being the one with tons of room and space, we were both uncomfortably aware of the masses literally crammed into the smaller remaining viewing spaces in front of the stage, just on the other side of the CM patrolled tape.
Add to that the extension of this type of 'upsell' contained within the new FP+ system itself. Not just a faster line for getting on attractions, as FP- used to be, but now blocked off and limited viewing areas for parades, fireworks, and shows. While planning my last few trips, I have found myself feeling disappointed and sometimes envious (6 mos to 60 days before my vacation even begins lol), of the guests with longer trips than mine or who checked in before me and had the earlier access to book up the most coveted FP+s and ADRs.
I am already wondering what affect the rumored Halloween "Party within a party" will have on my party experience and whether they will, as I've read, expand the new experience to accommodate more guests since last years "Soiree" (which took away a portion of the Parade/fireworks viewing and Villains access to the normal party guest) sold out so quickly.
I understand that Disney is a business, that they are in it to make $, and that guests love having a special VIP experience - but I have felt in my last 6+ trips over the past 3 years, that there is a consequence in stress level and what I experience as a subtle (or not so) disappointment between guests whose experiences, access and often enjoyment seem to vary more and more as Disney expands these practices. So yes, $ value vs experience vs limited resources - and I believe that there is a new experience of 'comparison' that is so in your face that it is affecting guest behavior and stress levels.

 

[boomgoesthemickey]

I disagree. But, that said, I am a Canadian so my culture may be quite different from yours.

However, I have not seen any "deterioration" of my culture. Instead I've seen many improvements.

In my lifetime...

Teachers are more sensitive to issues around bullying. The school environment is kinder.

People in general are more tolerant of each others differences, with regards to religion, race, and sexuality.

Boys and men are considerably less grabby, entitled and disrespectful toward women.

People take better care of their pets, and are less likely to behave as if they're disposable.

People are better informed about the world around them.

Seeking mental health treatment is less stigmatized.

Casual racism and sexism are no longer socially acceptable.

To see the positive changes in our culture, all I have to do is look at the teenagers who volunteer with the elderly at our local hospital. They're frequently shocked by the things these old folks say and do, that would have been acceptable once upon a time. (Making crude comments about the nurses, saying things that are racist or homophobic toward minority staff or male nurses, etc...)

Reality TV is not real. It's nonsense - a clown show, cut and paste and faked up for our entertainment. I don't think it changes how most of us behave any more than Hee Haw turned people into yokels.

People always throw around the point of view that its so violent now and society is going down the tube, I usually bring up the point that less than a 100 years ago it was perfectly ok in some parts of this country to hang people for no other reason that their skin color and womens rights were thought of as a joke. But people spend so much time on the internet and social media that they think every single person is out to get them, mankind as a whole is infinitely more evolved and civilized than at any other point in human history. So smile and be glad you're lucky enough to be around for it.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

I disagree. But, that said, I am a Canadian so my culture may be quite different from yours.

However, I have not seen any "deterioration" of my culture. Instead I've seen many improvements.

In my lifetime...

Teachers are more sensitive to issues around bullying. The school environment is kinder.

People in general are more tolerant of each others differences, with regards to religion, race, and sexuality.

Boys and men are considerably less grabby, entitled and disrespectful toward women.

People take better care of their pets, and are less likely to behave as if they're disposable.

People are better informed about the world around them.

Seeking mental health treatment is less stigmatized.

Casual racism and sexism are no longer socially acceptable.

To see the positive changes in our culture, all I have to do is look at the teenagers who volunteer with the elderly at our local hospital. They're frequently shocked by the things these old folks say and do, that would have been acceptable once upon a time. (Making crude comments about the nurses, saying things that are racist or homophobic toward minority staff or male nurses, etc...)

Reality TV is not real. It's nonsense - a clown show, cut and paste and faked up for our entertainment. I don't think it changes how most of us behave any more than Hee Haw turned people into yokels.

I want to move to Canada.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

I always attributed it to:
1.) people are buttheads.
2.) people are bigger buttheads when money is involved.

Obviously, I'm not a psychology professor.

 

[DVCcurious]

People in general are more tolerant of each others differences, with regards to religion, race, and sexuality.

No way. People are more intolerant than I've ever seen.

My dad was a Republican and my mom is a Democrat. They got married in 1971.

Do you think a Republican and Democrat would get married today? People aren't even Facebook friends with those from a different political party. I've had lifelong friends "de-friend" me after I talked about politics on Facebook.

There's a reason political discussions are forbidden on this website.

We are a completely INTOLERANT culture. And, frankly, we HATE those from the other political party.

I think a big reason for bad behavior at Disney World is that we've been taught, by politicians, that it's OK to "Hate" the "other". If you listen to campaign commercials they are always putting devil horns on their opponent. They are rarely positive, they are almost exclusively negative.

If I've been told that it's expected to "hate" the "other" why wouldn't that attitude follow me out of politics and into every aspect of my life?

 

[JoshuaShaw]

No way. People are more intolerant than I've ever seen.

My dad was a Republican and my mom is a Democrat. They got married in 1971.

Do you think a Republican and Democrat would get married today? People aren't even Facebook friends with those from a different political party. I've had lifelong friends "de-friend" me after I talked about politics on Facebook.

There's a reason political discussions are forbidden on this website.

We are a completely INTOLERANT culture. And, frankly, we HATE those from the other political party.

I think a big reason for bad behavior at Disney World is that we've been taught, by politicians, that it's OK to "Hate" the "other". If you listen to campaign commercials they are always putting devil horns on their opponent. They are rarely positive, they are almost exclusively negative.

If I've been told that it's expected to "hate" the "other" why wouldn't that attitude follow me out of politics and into every aspect of my life?

If you think that's a new development, may I direct you to a history book? Politics have been dirty since day one. At least today politicians don't get into cane fights on the floor of the senate. Or vice presidents shoot and murder the secretary of treasury.

We are definitely an intolerant culture, but things are better today than they have ever been. I'll stop there before further derailing the topic.

There are lots of reasons people are inconsiderate at Disney World. All we can do is make sure we're not the ones contributing to the problem.

 

[WishingMom]

I love this analogy!

 

[dfb]

I've seen numerous post about how rude folks are or how someone was wronged or disrespected, etc. and they get on the disboards and describe their woes and some sympathize with them and some disagree. Rarely do I see them post comments about how they confronted the actual person causing them grief.

I think rude behavior sometimes is enabled because they feel no one will call them on it! Not promoting picking a fight but just standing up for yourself. If someone pushes my kid to the ground trying to get somewhere, they will hear about it. If someone is cutting line I'll block them and ask what are they doing? If someone is cussing in public, I'll ask them to stop. I've been told to mind my own business and they usually get mad at me (thankfully none have hit me) but most times they alter their behavior.

I've been chewed out many times on these disboards for a viewpoint or maybe a strategy or whatever but I bet if those same folks saw me in the park they would say nothing!

 

[disneyjunkie]

No way. People are more intolerant than I've ever seen.

My dad was a Republican and my mom is a Democrat. They got married in 1971.

Do you think a Republican and Democrat would get married today? People aren't even Facebook friends with those from a different political party. I've had lifelong friends "de-friend" me after I talked about politics on Facebook.

There's a reason political discussions are forbidden on this website.

We are a completely INTOLERANT culture. And, frankly, we HATE those from the other political party.

I think a big reason for bad behavior at Disney World is that we've been taught, by politicians, that it's OK to "Hate" the "other". If you listen to campaign commercials they are always putting devil horns on their opponent. They are rarely positive, they are almost exclusively negative.

If I've been told that it's expected to "hate" the "other" why wouldn't that attitude follow me out of politics and into every aspect of my life?

People learn to hate from their family, friends and those in their communities, not from politicians.

 

[larryz]

In light of the recent thread about folks acting rude at the parks, I wanted to share a thought that came to me this morning. If this is belongs in a different area, I totally understand.

When I was in grad school, one of our books we read in The Psychology of Money class was by a guy who writes a column for the WSJ and teaches (or taught) at Duke. It was a book about human behavior and how our social and business norms affect our decisions.

It was so valuable and has saved me thousands on mortgage and auto deals, because I can now spot when a sales person is trying to switch me from business norms to social norms.

This is what I think (In my opinion) is happening at WDW and why people don't seem to act, in the theme parks, as caring as they might act at a neighborhood park.

Here's how it works: (specific details may be paraphrased here and this is only one of many experiments which demonstrated this principle)

The author did an experiment at a college where they offered a tray of candy. For free.

People were thrilled and took one, maybe two...this was not a money transaction. So it did not tap into our business values and norms. It was a social transaction and tapped into SOCIAL NORMS.

Folks took one and left the rest for the fellow students. Because Social Norms cause us to keep our fellow man in mind. We are tapping into our love for our fellow man, our caring selves, showing our good side. We are less likely to be selfish. We smile, we take one, and we thank the person giving us this candy, we don't want to be greedy because others are coming by and they may want one.

But...when they changed the sign from 'free candy' to 'CANDY for 2 cents!", suddenly the social norm changed to BUSINESS NORMS.

Now that money was involved, this transaction no longer tapped in the social norms but was strictly a business transaction. Money for goods.

The emotion driving the action no longer tapped into the same area as the social norm. It was all about the financial deal. The students pulled out money and wiped the platter clean. They would buy ALL the candy and leave NONE for the fellow students. The caring for the fellow man disappeared. This business transaction involved sacrificing hard earned money for goods, and tapped into a completely different area of emotion. This was a business deal. they could buy as much as they wanted and if the next guy walking by wanted some, he should have gotten there sooner.

This principle is why we tend to see a good salesperson try to get personal. If they can get us to transfer over from our business norms to social norms, then we begin to care about the salesman as a person. We don't want to 'hurt his feelings' if we don't close the deal and we feel guilty for going to a different car dealership to chase the better deal because, well...this sales man and I are now kinda friends and I don't want to hurt his feelings.. This is a widely used trick and I've seen it played out many times.

When people come to Disney Parks, they are handing over THOUSANDS of their very hard earned dollars. This is a very serious business transaction and they are tapping into business norms when they make the exchange.

I am guessing, that for many, the business norm follows them into the park and they act out in a way that says, "This is for me, I am protecting my transaction" and they display behavior that is not tapping into the social, more caring side of their emotions.

I know many, MANY are kind and don't do this. I have seen many be incredibly kind. I realize there is most likely much more kindness displayed than rudeness. I am not painting a broad brush. But I do wonder....if the ones we DO see acting out, in what seems to be, a very selfish manner, if they are following this principle.

I would wonder if these same people pushing and shoving would surprise us by acting kind and mannerly at the free park down the road. Business norms and Social Norms. It's a fascinating observation.

Urinalysis is good.

 

[momtosam]

Free tickets from now on!

 

[momtosam]

Urinalysis is good.

Autocorrect????