My experience with Wishes..Guarding your spot

[jann1033]

tjkraz sorry you got upset about my post since it was a general post and not directed at you ( i have noticed you seem to respond to a number of my posts with a smiliar attitude which I don't quite understand so guess something is being lost in the translation....)however since you mentioned it 15-20 mins before hand would not be much of a warning for some one to get off a ride, walk across the park and get to the parade route, especially with little ones in tow imo which was my point as to why someone might show up at the last min...you did mention it bothered you ( just reread your post ) and personally I would have traded places with the kid..easy solution to him standing between you

I have to agree with Carol A ( pretty much my point )and if I see any "lime green" waiting for the fireworks or parades I will make sure and head in the other direction so I don't stand too close and get decked

 

[sandygirl]

The length and conviction of this thread is very telling. I too have experienced my share of pushers, shoulder-holders, squeezers and just down right rude people. On a bad day it pushes my buttons. On a good day it makes me laugh. I pray for good days!


Case in point: we booked the princess breakfast in Norway at Epcot. It was very important to me that my DD6 have a good time with the princesses. She wanted to wear her Jasmine outfit, but it was very cold and windy. I took it with us and changed her in the ladies room while waiting for our table. I tell you this only to show the lengths I took to make this special for her.

We were seated in a small alcove of the restaurant. Seemed like a good spot, intimate and cozy. I anticipated some good interaction with the princesses.

In troops a family of dad, mom, 2 DD and DS, with Granny. They proceed to rearrange the table to position themselves directly in the doorway of the alcove. Seriously, the waiter had a difficult time navigating the area! I can't believe they didn't make them move. But they did have management at their table because of something they were complaining about, so who knows who they were or what connections they may have had.

They sat the children on one side of the table so dad had a great view for pictures. In fact he had such a great view he ended up in everyone elses too. He moved around the alcove like he owned it, snapping photos, oblivious to the rest of us. He had no concern for anyone, we were invisible to him. Now I love my DD more than anything in the world, and some would say I think that the world revolves around her, but I know that is not true and am mindful of other people.

They monopolized the waiter, sending him for more of this and more of that. They almost knocked the table over at least twice. And Granny who clearly thought she was in some 5 star restaurant was dissatisfied with the meal and service. Give me a break! It's about the kids getting a chance to interact with the princesses!! You want gourmet food and pampering eat somewhere else.

Anyway, it got so ridiculous and rude, it became comical. We spent most of our time watching the family and wondering what they were going to do next. The waiter sent management over to check on us because he knew his service to us was lacking and we told her that we understood and had just decided to enjoy the extra floor show. She smiled knowingly and apologetically, and gratefully.

What could have been very frustrating (on another day), turned out to be almost fun. We gave our waiter a big tip, wished him God's blessings and a Merry Christmas, and hoped we didn't run into our alcove family again. Because had I met them on a bad day, who knows, ALEX's remedy of sticky Coke may have come to mind!

Oh, and DD did get to meet Jasmine, who loved her outfit!
Sorry this is so long.
One more thing...Please, Thank You, May I, and Am I in Your Way are all good ways to play nice.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by jann1033
tjkraz sorry you got upset about my post since it was a general post and not directed at you ( i have noticed you seem to respond to a number of my posts with a smiliar attitude which I don't quite understand so guess something is being lost in the translation....)

Prior to this thread, I can't honestly remember any memorable exchanges that we've had. So there certainly isn't any bias on my part.

however since you mentioned it 15-20 mins before hand would not be much of a warning for some one to get off a ride, walk across the park and get to the parade route, especially with little ones in tow imo which was my point as to why someone might show up at the last min

Well, the trip was at the end of January. All of the rides were walk-ons. We were standing in Liberty Square--not particularly close to any attractions, so it isn't really feasible that someone could have gotten off of a ride and immediately headed for the area in question. But I guess I'll have to grant that this IS possible.

you did mention it bothered you ( just reread your post ) and personally I would have traded places with the kid..easy solution to him standing between you

I didn't really intend on drawing a map, but here's the situation. DW and I are standing side-by-side with a stroller in front of DW. Mother shoves son between us so he is now in front of me, right along the ropes. Mother remains behind us with the two of them holding hands (between DW and myself) thru much of the parade.

It was the only Spectromagic the week we stayed so crowds were fairly large. The parade had already started, and there wasn't really room to spread out in any direction or rearrange ourselves. Yes, one of us could have switched places with the mother, but that would have futher sacrificed our own view. In the end, we decided to just stay where we were.

There wasn't any venom in the exchange. No sneers toward the mother. She didn't pick our pockets or body-check us out in front of a float as it passed.

It was just my opinion that the approach the mother took was fairly rude.

Was I annoyed? Yes. Did I make it my personal goal to do whatever I could to harass or embarass the woman for the duration of the parade? Of course not. Does this story pale in comparison to others posted here? Absolutely!!!

OK, now that joshsmom has pointed me in the right direction, I'm off to go find that Princess Fiona.

 

[Talking Hands]

Originally posted by MaryKatesMom
During our last trip two weeks ago we saw Wish's every night, including two nights from our room at the Poly.
There is no bad spot!! Okay, maybe under a tree but if you can see the sky you are good to go.

I have to disagree here. In front of the castle, by the ropes for the show is a lousy place to view the fireworks especially if you are stuckin a wheelchair. You see very little except for a few tracers. If I had my choice I would not watch it from there but I had to because the Christmas Show was happening immediately after and I needed to be up there to see the sign language interpreters. CM didn't care to help out at all. Really bad attitude that one.

 

[sm4987]

I hate this. We had the same experience. Not only for the fireworks but the parades as well. My DH finally began to get vocal as people were constantly trying to move us out of spots we had waited hours for!!! We did find a lovely spot for Wishes in the walkway area and had a great view of the entire fireworks show. Despite the rude people, it is not to be missed.

 

[disyidkid]

sm4897
which walkway were you refering to? After reading these boards I don't think I'm going to plan my day around the parades, but I do want to see Wishes- so any special locations will be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[PalVal]

I lost the "Magic" of Disney parades when I witnessed two grown men get into a fist fight in front of the Candy store on Main Street over a viewing spot. I couldn't believe my eyes! They went at it until a cast member broke it up. They actually allowed them to stay in the park and watch the parade after it was broken up. I would have booted them out! Kids were all around them. A fine example, huh?!

 

[sm4987]

I can't remember specifically, but it was in the hidden path walkway going towards Fantasyland. There are umbrellas in the walkways and beautiful rosebushes. We stood right behind the rose bushes. We thought that a huge tree would block our view, but it didn't. We saw everything. No one seemed to use this walkway for viewing wishes. There were many in the walkways behind us, but this spot was great. No loud, and when Tink flew down, she was right in front of us. It is great and not to be missed!!!

 

[CarolA]

I have to agree with Carol A ( pretty much my point )and if I see any "lime green" waiting for the fireworks or parades I will make sure and head in the other direction so I don't stand too close and get decked

You can come stand near me. I usually have a lime green pin on my lanyard, but I have never decked anyone nor gotten this upset about anything at Disney. I just look at people and laugh. Attitude is 99% of anything and some people just need an adjustment. I like Sandy's attitude. Enjoy the floor show.

(And a note: I have watched your kids while you are DEFENDING your rights. In 90% of the cases your outrage is more upsetting to them then the horrid thing the person just did. It is kind of along the same thing as yelling at the kid to have a good time because you paid a lot of money. Not always effective.)

By the way the walkway described above has been discovered. It was packed this past week. Now I am certain after reading this I upset one of you. I got there about 30 minutes before the firerworks and stood on one side of the walkway. There were people leaning against the fence on the other side of the walkway. OH WELL. Since the fireworks were over my head I know I did not block thier view. Life's rough sometimes and Disney is crowded.

 

[sm4987]

That was quick. I was there on the Tuesday before Christmas and it was crowded on one end, (near the sidewalks that everyone sits on to watch the parade) the middle was empty when we got there which was 30 minutes before the fireworks started.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Wow.. I did not think this comment would provoke such response but I see that it did.. (Hi Carol and hugs)...

I was not going to say this here but there was also another person who pushed their way in.....at first I thought she was just coming to take pictures of spectromagic.. but then I realized that she was staying.. she pushed her way in and was in an automatic wheelchair.....no one said anything to her.. I knew it was hard enough for her to see over the people in front of her.. but she came out of no where too..

I will never wait again to see anything.. I have learned much from this post and from my experience.. I will just stop in the middle of the street like everyone else and look up.. I was there also for spectromagic before the fireworks so I could not have stood in the street for that.. but for the fireworks I could have.

I cannot believe I am agreeing with Alex here.. next time I will be bringing a coke.. oops...just kidding..

I also think we are doing great here keeping on track and being respectful of each other's opinions... we all know for some reason that waiting in lines and crowds can bring out the Beast in people.. sad but true even at WDW..

 

[lindamg]

edited

 

[Talking Hands]

Shows are normally only interpreted one during a day. This was a MVMCP and each show plus the parade were interpreted one time that evening for me. I had requested the interpreters fpr MVMCP.
As to the parks they are interpreted on a rotating schedule with MK, MGM and EPCOT twice a week and AK once a week. Other things can be requested like Hoop Dee Doo and Comedy Warehouse(I usually request 2 shows back to back of this and most of the time they can)

 

[Montana Minnies]

Hi All
Great Thread! I think it can be annoying too, when one has waited at a spot for a length of time,(after all isn't that one of the suggestions made in the books about WDW in order to see the parades?) and then someone comes along at the last minute and stands right in front of me blocking my wonderful view! I think obviously they did not read the same book as I.
Right now I don't think it would bother me so much as I am here in my home with a "Montana winter blizzard blowing"outside. Oh what I wouldn't give to be in sunny WDW amongst a crowd of people observing any parade, riding any ride or seeing the changing color of Cinderella's castle.
Have a Happy New Year everyone!

 

[jann1033]

i was going to say something here but whats the use .hope you all enjoy the parade/fireworks what ever

 

[The Edge]

I refuse to wait for parades, fireworks, etc. The only thing I will wait for is Fantasmic because everyone gets a seat and a good view. For fireworks, I admit that I just stop and look up. I never thought of them as something that could be obstructed. How can you obstruct the sky? I don't even bother with the parades. I've witnessed some "Random acts of evilness" during parades and refuse to participate.

 

[Beanie]

Since my kids are so young, I have yet to see a fireworks show at Disney...We are never there at the time because the kids are always tired, so when that happens, we leave.

Sorry to hear about your experience with Wishes, Marsha...That is terrible that some people are just so rude that they do that! I don't think it matters whether you have children/not...or you are young/older...everyone would like to see the show regardless...

I do hope that next time, if this happens again, you will tell <b>your friends</b> that you go to dinner with! I am sure they will hunt down this person and tell him exactly what is right and wrong about what he did!!

Hugs Ms Mackey!

 

[Karibeth19]

Well, after all these horrible stories (and I can sympathize! Rude people are my pet peeve!), I have a good and positive one to share. We were at Epcot last Feb. waiting for Illuminations to start. We found a bench between the UK and Canada with an older couple sitting on it and we sat down on the ground in front of them, so when the fireworks started, we would be right behind them against the rail. Anyway, right before the show started and everyone was starting to stand and push closer to the rail, we had some people step slightly in front of us, making it a little harder for us to see. The couple sitting on the bench looked at my 6year old DD (who was in her Cinderella costume since we had just eaten at Cindy's Gala Feast at the GF) and said, "Would you like to come up here with us, honey?" They then turned the bench around to face the lake, so they could sit, my daughter sat on her knees between them on the bench, and my husband, parents,and I were able to lean against the back of the bench to watch the show. They were DVC members who had obviously seen Illuminations many times, and were so sweet to my daughter. They spent the whole show showing her where to look next, reassuring her that it wasn't over just yet, and obviously enjoying her wonder and amazement of it all. We thanked them profusely after it was over, and I think all of us came away with a sense of Disney Magic. We were honored with their kindness for our daughter, and they enjoyed experiencing the wonder of Illuminations through her! We should all try to make that kind of magic for others when we're at WDW! (Even if sometimes they make it difficult!)

 

[DebbieB]

Karibeth,

That is a good story. When we were waiting for Wishes earlier this month, we were standing against the rail on the walkway between the tip board and Crystal Palace. Right before it started, we noticed a family standing behind us with a little girl, probably about 7. They weren't pushy or anything. We had a little room so we invited the little girl to move up with us. They must have thanked us 5 times and we left feeling good about it.

 

[Teri Zolman]

After just returning from Christmas day in the MK masses may I offer one more suggestion. If you are sitting in the Handicapped area please don't have your party of 12 sitting with you. This is for wheelchairs and one or two people with you. I almost saw a fight between a man that was definately in need of a handicapped spot and a man and his family of 8 that took up three wheel chair spots. This just needs to be a common sense thing. I realize everyone wants to watch the parade together, but that isn't possible in this situation. My husband and two children went to the area an hour before the afternoon parade, they sat behind me with my son in front at the foot of my chair. There were so many people that came up a few minutes before the parade started with large families that my husband offered to take my son and find another spot. I felt really bad for the Castmembers.