My Disney Rant

[dwdeb]

We have been coming to WDW for over 30 years multiple times a year, with friends and family and have stayed in all levels of Disney resorts. We are also DVC members since 96.

Each trip has been unique and magical in its own way, and we have always found new and wonderful things to see, experience, or share with friends and family traveling with us.

Many changes have occurred throughout WDW over the years; some great, some good, and some not so good. Throughout the years we have always experienced great cast member interaction, even if there were issues( hardly any, and all minor).

Sadly though,what we have noticed is an increase in rude, inconsiderate guests, with a sense of entitlement, that I can't comprehend.
Families don't pick up after themselves at the pools, or fast food restaurants.
Strollers and ECVs have been weaponized in that people go so fast, we've been run into too many times to count.
Why can't people wait for those on busses and elevators to get OFF before they try to push their way in?
I won't even begin to talk about the parents who like to "share" with the world when their kid has a tantrum for whatever reason.
Or a parent who won't deal with a child who is misbehaving and infringing on someone else's experience.
And yes I am a parent.

This is not unique to Disney, but seems more prevalent because we choose to vacation here.
Our choice I know, and if we don't like it we don't have to vacation here.

I am just stunned at the lack of consideration people have for others.

Ok rant over.

 

[New England Mickey]

I agree every year guests get way more inconsiderate towards other guests and people in general. It's just flat out rude and not OK.

 

[hammie59]

Seems like this is the way of the world nowadays. I feel your pain.

 

[New England Mickey]

Seems like this is the way of the world nowadays. I feel your pain.

Yeah, it's sad to see it take this turn

 

[Hopefully]

I couldn't agree more. It is both aggravating and very sad that we have such an entitled generation in our midst.

 

[New England Mickey]

I couldn't agree more. It is both aggravating and very sad that we have such an entitled generation in our midst.

Well said.

 

[cornflkgrl]

We have been coming to WDW for over 30 years multiple times a year,

I have been a handful of times in the last 36 years and I have never noticed any increase in rudeness or apathy of other guests or the stroller and ecv vigilantes everyone on these boards talks about. Maybe a possible cure for your problem might be to decrease your visits. Go somewhere else on vacation (a spa? National Parks? somewhere relaxing?) Go back after 5-10 years and everything will seem magical again. I can't promise this will work. I don't know that there is a direct correlation between my not visiting that often and not seeing all the problems. It is just a suggestion. Not being snarky.

 

[New England Mickey]

I have been a handful of times in the last 36 years and I have never noticed any increase in rudeness or apathy of other guests or the stroller and ecv vigilantes everyone on these boards talks about. Maybe a possible cure for your problem might be to decrease your visits. Go somewhere else on vacation (a spa? National Parks? somewhere relaxing?) Go back after 5-10 years and everything will seem magical again. I can't promise this will work. I don't know that there is a direct correlation between my not visiting that often and not seeing all the problems. It is just a suggestion. Not being snarky.

Well, I haven't been to WDW since 2013. I have been doing DCL vacations more but I did go every year for a while and I agree with you partly that it might not seem as magical if you go every single year multiple times a year like I did and the OP said. That said, the rudeness level have gone up though and it's a problem IMHO.

 

[dwdeb]

I have been a handful of times in the last 36 years and I have never noticed any increase in rudeness or apathy of other guests or the stroller and ecv vigilantes everyone on these boards talks about. Maybe a possible cure for your problem might be to decrease your visits. Go somewhere else on vacation (a spa? National Parks? somewhere relaxing?) Go back after 5-10 years and everything will seem magical again. I can't promise this will work. I don't know that there is a direct correlation between my not visiting that often and not seeing all the problems. It is just a suggestion. Not being snarky.

We do vacation other places and in different ways.
And as stated, our trips here are always magical.

 

[minnie mum]

You didn't notice these things until now? You weren't paying attention. None of these things are new. ( I've been visiting since 1975). But with the increased numbers of people crammed into the parks (and resorts), are increased incidents of these things being seen. Part of the blame may be laid at the feet of the self entitled, part on the sheer numbers of people..

 

[jaceraden]

I agree that, while the behaviour is nothing new, it does seem to be increasing in intensity in all places. I find that my patience and acceptance goes up when I'm in the bubble but I can see that that might not be case with others.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree that, while the behaviour is nothing new, it does seem to be increasing in intensity in all places. I find that my patience and acceptance goes up when I'm in the bubble but I can see that that might not be case with others.

I have noticed the behavior for a few years. The first was the brat chasing the ducks around the Beach Club pool while the parent smiled. The ducks got wise and hid under my or my sister's chair. And I am not shy about telling people to leave wildlife alone. Over the years I have seen kids by the fountain in the Poly ripping out the flowers and flinging them around, while the parents ignored them. I've also seen kids throwing balls into the flowers by the Crystal Palace, and then climb into the flower beds to go get the ball, and repeat and repeat.

What seems to be on the increase are adults not wanting to parent their kids. Or, as the father who told his child to leave the paper he dropped in the walkway, parents who think they can be slobs as long as they are on vacation and someone else has to clean up behind them.

 

[disnut8]

I agree that, while the behaviour is nothing new, it does seem to be increasing in intensity in all places. I find that my patience and acceptance goes up when I'm in the bubble but I can see that that might not be case with others.

Behavior like the ones mentioned in the OP's post goes on all over at many different vacation places. We went to a local zoo and had kids push past us to see an animal and the parents were behind us and were saying things like, "yes, Jimmie and Susie, you deserve to be up there to see the animal because you are children, these people will just have to wait their turn." We've also seen kids chasing and kicking ducks at the National Mall in Washington, DC while their parents laughed.

So, it's just not Disney World, it's everywhere. But I think in our minds, and on this forum, people expect Disney to be perfect and it's not. You will find rude and inconsiderate people at Disney World. Just like you will find anywhere else. I do believe there is some magic to Disney World but sometimes it just doesn't spread to other people and when that happens, I just ignore those people who just don't get it and enjoy my life.

 

[gojoe]

We agree. We were in line to get a Happy Anniversary Button. When a women for some reason had to exit through the in door way where we were waiting. She pushed right through me. Not to cause a scene I waited till she was out of earshot to say "the word is excuse me". The women behind me started a rant about how rude people were. While I was speaking to the guest behind me I saw her heading back. This time I was prepared. She never slowed and tried to push me to get by. Well I am 6' 3" 260 lbs. She bounce off me. I look at her an apologized and let her pass. She was very sorry and also apologized. The guests behind us couldn't hold in there laugh. Love this story.

But it's the same everywhere, people are very self absorbed. All she care about was her issue. It's been that way for years, I'm just getting old and grumpy. I use to let it go, now I call people on it, just not as much when I'm at Disney.

 

[Juliet25]

I don't know if it's any worse or better. I think there will always be entitled people in our midst. I work in a library with a really nice children's section. There's toys available for the kids to play with. Some parents are great about having their kids pick up after themselves; others let them leave a mess. It's about 50/50. It's interesting to watch how some people expect their kids to be courteous and others have a more entitled mindset. I've started picking up toys and was told by parents that they want their kids to do so. Then there's the mom I overheard say, "Looks at all these books, Madison. You can pull them all off the shelf and mommy won't care."

No rhyme or reason. Some people are just more respectful than others.

 

[dwdeb]

You didn't notice these things until now? You weren't paying attention. None of these things are new. ( I've been visiting since 1975). But with the increased numbers of people crammed into the parks (and resorts), are increased incidents of these things being seen. Part of the blame may be laid at the feet of the self entitled, part on the sheer numbers of people..

And yes I've noticed these things from the get go. I agree with you on all points.

 

[jtobykrauss]

I agree with the fact that a lot of people these days forget that they are not the only people in the world and that you should show others respect and be polite. I have two 7 year olds and believe me I get all the time but they are doing it or why do I have to say sorry he/she never says it to me when .... I always tell them because that is how our family does things and if you ... You need to say sorry or clean up etc. I also have no problem leaving some place if my children are not behaving the right way and I do not care who stares at us or makes comments about my kids tantrum.

 

[manning]

Back in the 80s a kid cuts in front of me in line. I told him he can cut in anywhere behind. He walks away and comes back with dad who is irate. He tells me I better watch out he's from NYC. I guess that was meant to scare me. I look him in the eye and said "nice city, come to my hometown Chicago you will enjoy it"

The kid went to the back of the line. I guess that rumor is true that everyone there walks around with machine guns

 

[CaliTex]

My mom referred to Baby Boomers (my generation) as the "Hooray for ME and to HELL with you!" generation. I agree--and think it was brilliantly phrased.

As for the current crop of parents--well... we raised them. They didn't just spring fully formed into existence.

I agree with the general comment about behavior becoming increasingly self-centered and uncouth, and it makes me very sad. We have given up so much in order to ceaselessly assert our "rights".

But I do think there are many young parents that are doing all they can to raise their children with manners and that are working hard to raise respectful, responsible children--its just that they don't get noticed as they quietly go about their lives.

I love Disney, but there is a part of me that dreads the inevitable rude, pushy, obnoxious encounters that are, alas, inevitable. But there will also be meetings with nice people, and so the best we can do is be kind, considerate and polite ourselves.

But I understand your rant, OP. I really, really do.

 

[Sue M]

I totally agree. When packing for WDW I have to pack extra patience. I'm sick of being hit by strollers, run over by scooters, and people cutting in line ahead of me. And loud obnoxious people people in room next door or in hallways without regard for the hour or anyone else around them.

It's not just this generation, it's people my generation or older too.

One time an older woman in a scooter ran over my daughters foot. She was standing still, in HM line but woman instead of apologies blamed my daughter for it. Woman wasn't even in HM line, but passing by when it started to rain so she was trying to get under awning I guess. Didn't matter if people were in line, just mow em down

Then there were the parents who saw us almost at an empty table, laden with trays at a quick service, and they send their children to run to the table and grab it just as we were about to put down our trays.

I could write a book about the rudeness we've encountered at WDW. I don't understand the mentality. Lots of deep breaths and let it go!!