new blog: Do You Own the Space Above You in a Theme Park?

[LeahZ]

Placing a child on your shoulders just as a show starts may seem harmless, but it does little to amuse guests behind you who are trying to watch the show or parade you are watching. And what about those cameras, iPads, and iPhones?

Read more here:

http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2015/01/26/do-you-own-the-space-above-you-in-a-theme-park/

 

[Southern Bell]

We have ran into so many nice people at Disney but there are always a few bad apples! If my husband and I are standing in front for a parade, or fireworks, and we see a child or shorter lady behind us my husband will stand behind me and let the child or whoever take his place. We always try to be polite.

We waited in a spot on Main Street in MK with our grandchild , 2 at the time for at least 2 hrs while he slept. When the Fireworks started a man stepped off the street barged his way in front of us and put his son on his shoulders. HE was very rude and we could not see.

Another time I was standing at the rope for a parade that was beginning. I was not holding on to it nor did I know I needed to but and a lady came from somewhere and stepped in front of me with her camera.

Last September I was sitting on the curb on opposite side of everyone else because it was in the sun. I didn't want to be rude and crowd people, but before the parade started that side had filled up , too. I stood up to stretch my legs and a girl ran over and literally took my seat and sit on my feet! LOL!

I could probably go on and on but what I have learned is this; I think I'm being way to nice! LOL! But what do you do? So.. I have learned hold on to the rope, railings, the person in front of you, and for goodness sake don't stand up and stretch if you are sitting on the curb! LOL!

 

[IrishNYC]

I don't so much mind a kid on shoulders because they're a kid. I do mind having to watch fireworks/a show/parade on someone else's i-screen. Put the electronics down and enjoy the moment.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

I am a small adult woman and I still wish I could be hoisted on someone's shoulders like when I was a kid! I can't see a thing in any of those shows, let alone try to get my kids to see anything.

I find spots where this sort of thing just can't happen - like a ledge around a tree or a railing or a higher spot with my back against a building where I can stand on a chair.

I don't begrudge someone for being tall and blocking my view so I don't begrudge them putting their kid on their shoulders - I just find somewhere else to stand. I might not be putting things high above my head in front of people, but then again, I also don't think anyone 'owns' any spot at WDW even if they've been parked on a curb for an hour waiting for a parade. I won't sit on them but if there is a legitimate spot near them, or even in front of them, I'll use it (notice I said LEGITIMATE - I'm not going to wiggle my way between them and the rope line 6 inches in front of their toes). This whole notion of 'I got dibs' does no good. I don't waste my time trying to find some fabulous spot only to get annoyed that someone else wants a good view too. The nerve of everyone else trying to enjoy themselves

 

[Josh Hendy]

The one time when our kids were little and we lined up early for the evening parade at MK, there was an endless stream of latecomers coming up and standing right in front of us (on the wrong side of the stripe marking the parade limits where it exits the park between Frontierland and Adventureland). Fortunately the CMs were vigilant at shooing them away from the wrong side of the stripe so we weren't blocked. We had a concrete barrier on one side to help us, but we 2 adults had to stand firm and block people who constantly tried to squeeze in and trample our kids from the other side.

 

[techtony]

You know this is the problem with our society in general - it is always ME ME ME.

I read a readers digest article about ten years ago on this strange phenomenon. The author stated that the reason why people do it, is because who is going to call them out on it? During a better time in our society, if someone was rude or inconsiderate of others - people would point it out very publically. The perpetrator would be shamed and thus they would have a negative associated with that behavior and would avoid it in the future. In today's world however people are not called out on their misbehavior, and experience no negative or ill effects, so they continue the behavior, and then they pass it on to their entitled children.

The only way to deal with this problem is to call people out when they are rude. Everyone is afraid the other person is dangerous or has a gun. This is not the case. If you are afraid to confront the a-holes, then go get security. I on the other hand point out peoples rudeness and inconsiderate nature. The best is when people join me at a convenience store line in saying something to a line-jumper. What is he gonna do when he has 10 angry people telling him to go to the back of the line? He has no choice but to comply. Imagine if we were to all call out line jumpers at Disney - it would not take long before the practice would end.

Oh by the way - when I am in a crowded line or at a concert and people shove their way in front of me, as they pass by me - I firmly come down on the top of their foot with all my weight on my heel - that usually stops them cold

Next time someone decides to stick their iPad in front of you - be polite and ask them to lower it so others can enjoy the show - if they refuse, then by all means - they are a jerk and I hope everyone behind them starts yelling at the ****** and shames him into moving his stupid ipad. Who wants a video of fireworks with people screaming at you telling you how much of an idiot he is?

 

[Oodalally13]

I was at universal before Christmas. We had done the rides we wanted to at US and didn't want to go over to IOA in the 1.5 hours before the Macy's parade. We saw people already staking spots so we went over and took a spot close to a couple families. We were all talking and being friendly. The lady beside me was even in a wheel chair so I left some space between us so she wouldn't have to try to peer around me. Well the parade starts our way and as I was standing I feel someone trying to nudge behind me into the tiny space I left for the woman in the wheelchair. He was around 40s-50s, no children, but he never asked if he could move there, etc he just started bulldozing. I stood my ground and ignored him till I got a pretty good shove/bump and heard "I want there" to which I just replied "I'm standing here". He kept pushing and bumping, but I stayed and just kept repeating "I'm standing here!" Until he finally left. The people around me that had been there for the long wait thanked me and said good for me. Sorry, but if you'd ask nicely "excuse me, I see there's some extra room. Would you mind if I stand there? I promise to not block your view or anyone else's" then I'll gladly make way.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

yes, I hated to use a fast pass for the parades, but I have had enough of all that. My last experience with MSEP showed me the value in an fp for a less crowded viewing area. When we were there last December, we went over to watch the Frozen Castle Lighting event. My son put our DGD (4) on his shoulders, but he did turn around and make sure the people behind could see. Had he not done so, my DGD would have seen nothing. I was also very happy that I had no ipad issues at all this past trip. YAY!!!

 

[PA Disneymania]

Last fall I waited patiently in a great spot for the Festival of Fantasy parade. Just as the parade starts both adults on the parade side pulled out their iPads, blocking my view as the one next to me had to step out farther to avoid her husband's iPad. I was so mad I told them both that they were blocking my view. They were so shocked that they both put them down and gave me the eye - the one I used when I was teaching. Then he put his up again, but she did not. In my "old age" I am not going to keep quiet anymore when someone infringes upon my enjoyment. And I have and will continue to allow young children to stand in front of me since I can see over them. If their parents don't trust me, then the child doesn't get the spot because I am not giving up my space for another adult.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

This trip, we staked out a really great spot for the castle lighting. My kid could see perfectly as long as I held her at my height. As soon as the show started, someone about 20 people in front of us plunked their kid on their shoulders, thus obstructing the view for probably hundreds of people behind them. People just don't understand how much it affects people behind them to plunk an extra 2 feet of kid on to their height. Your kid can see, great! Lots of other people's kids now can't. Hold your kid at your eye level. Better for everyone.

 

[Skywise]

I waited in front of the castle for the frozen castle lighting for an hour so I could video it. Not even close to the castle but at the hub about 10 feet behind the Partners statue (between the castle and the statue). There was a couple with a stroller in front of me and that had created a "vacuum" of space around it. As the crowds started building up some kids found the space in front of the stroller and it quickly because an impromptu kids area with about a dozen children. Just as the show started a guy directly in front of all of us picked up his kid and put him on his shoulders. Not only blocking my view of the castle and requiring me to hold my camera above my head (and probably blocking people behind me) but also blocking the view of all the kids immediately behind him.

LOTS of parents did this with their kids though (I can see at least 5 children in the video going up.)

I later caught the 2nd castle projection show of the night around 11pm and something really interesting happened. Everybody was seated in front of the castle out to the hub waiting for the show (long day, tired, etc; ) and when the show started... almost everyone STAYED seated! Nearly everyone had a perfect view. It seems to me that Disney should recommend that before performances.
(Or when redoing the hub add a slope all the way through the hub to help out with views!)

 

[Iowajes]

I'm 5'0" tall. I basically can't see anything whether someone is holding up an Ipad, has a kid on their shoulders, or is just standing.

I generally skip parades and standing room shows.

I remember a football game in college, all the student section stands (not sits) on the bleachers. I said something to my 6 foot tall friend, who couldn't hear me, so she stepped off the bleacher to be at my level. After a few seconds, rather than responding to my comment, she looked around and said "man, it sucks down here"

I feel bad for kids who can't see. They haven't quite learned to live with a life of of not needing to duck under things, but also not being able to see a darn thing.

 

[Kristina4109]

I don't waste my time or poor photography skills trying to get great shots of parades. The Dis posts WAY better photos and videos than I ever could. My vacation photos and videos are of my family.

We had a FP+ for IllumiNations on my birthday this past June. When we got there, there was a solid line of bodies basically blocking my 9 year old's view. We very politely asked a (tall) lady if she minded if our daughter stood in front of her. She looked at us as if we were insane. Just to clarify - there is no possibly way in all of heck that my 9 year old would have blocked this lady's view. So we wound up finding another spot to watch it where my daughter wasn't staring at someone's butt instead of the show.

 

[techtony]

yes, I hated to use a fast pass for the parades, but I have had enough of all that. My last experience with MSEP showed me the value in an fp for a less crowded viewing area. When we were there last December, we went over to watch the Frozen Castle Lighting event. My son put our DGD (4) on his shoulders, but he did turn around and make sure the people behind could see. Had he not done so, my DGD would have seen nothing. I was also very happy that I had no ipad issues at all this past trip. YAY!!!

I decided that we were not going to use a fastpass for fireworks. We have the Fantasmic Dinner Package, Tomorrowland Desert Party, and will be trying to get the Illuminations Sparkling party for this trip. Why? I have lost my patience with ignorant jerks. I would rather pay for the preferred area and experience than to deal with the hordes of jerks that steal your place, jump in your way or block your view. I think Disney will eventually think of stadium seating. I hope so - they could have stadium seating rise up out of the street before shows that would eliminate all of this - and it would help with crowd control.

 

[disnut8]

I'm 5'0" tall. I basically can't see anything whether someone is holding up an Ipad, has a kid on their shoulders, or is just standing.

I generally skip parades

Me too. Just because you are an adult agewise, you are at times shorter than a child. But because the child is a child, the child should be able to stand in front of you as adult.

 

[disnut8]

Sorry, but if you'd ask nicely "excuse me, I see there's some extra room. Would you mind if I stand there? I promise to not block your view or anyone else's" then I'll gladly make way.

Exactly. My husband and I have a great spot for watching Illuminations and we are always right against the rail, even fifteen minutes before the show starts (nope, not going to give away the location of this spot ). If a family comes up behind us with smaller kids, we will let the kids come up in front of us and their parents behind us since my husband and I aren't the tallest people in the world.

But, if we see or hear or view a family behind us demanding to get up front, we ignore them.

 

[JimmyV]

You know this is the problem with our society in general - it is always ME ME ME....
The only way to deal with this problem is to call people out when they are rude.

Vacations, (especially those that cost thousands of dollars) are somewhat uniquely Machiavellian pursuits. People are going to do whatever they can to maximize the utility of their vacation and they have no obligation to help others improve theirs. While this does not and should not entail cutting others off, or shoving your way past someone who beat you to a particular spot, it does mean that you have no obligation to improve the sight lines of others who did not beat you to a spot. Is it a kind gesture when people are considerate of others? Sure. But to suggest that people are "jerks" or "rude" for not doing so is a bit much.

Everyone is afraid the other person is dangerous or has a gun. This is not the case.

Hyperbole much?

If you are afraid to confront the a-holes, then go get security.

Confront them for doing what, exactly? Being ahead of you and getting to the curb first? Or better yet, not getting to the curb first, but being in a position whereby placing a child on their shoulders will allow the child to see? As long as that person is ahead of you, you endure the consequences. No confrontation necessary or warranted.

Next time someone decides to stick their iPad in front of you - be polite and ask them to lower it so others can enjoy the show - if they refuse, then by all means - they are a jerk and I hope everyone behind them starts yelling at the ****** and shames him into moving his stupid ipad.

Are they a jerk, or are they simply in front of you? How does spatial ordering cause one to be a "jerk? Would it be nice if that person considered your plight and took actions to assist you? Sure. But not doing so does not make them a "jerk". The jerk is the person who deliberately impairs your view while gaining no advantage himself. Or impairs others views for no good reason. A person who is directly on the curb does not need to place his child on his shoulders if his child is already in the front row. That person may be a jerk. But the father who is four-deep at the curb who places his child on his shoulders is not a jerk, even if that results in blocking the view of the person who is six-deep at the curb. That father is doing what he needs to to improve his lot, is not negatively impacting anyone who beat him to that spot, and he has no obligation to account for people who are behind him. Tinkerbellie16 has the right idea. If you cannot be first, or cannot obtain a premium viewing spot, then you need to find a workaround. It is not up to the rest of the world to assist you.

 

[silenttuba]

I'm somewhat tall (6'1"), and normally don't mid when people put kids on their shoulders. I have also let kids in front of me plenty of times, so they can see. However, this next trip, one of my biggest goals is to take some good fireworks pictures, and once I get my camera and tripod set up, I will have no problem asking someone to get out of my shot. maybe that's a little selfish and rude of me, but this next trip is as much about getting great pictures (for both me and my wife) as anything else.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is it a kind gesture when people are considerate of others? Sure. But to suggest that people are "jerks" or "rude" for not doing so is a bit much.

Okay then. Inconsiderate, or inconsiderate boors.

The jerk is the person who deliberately impairs your view while gaining no advantage himself. Or impairs others views for no good reason.

Having a selfie stick or an inexplicable need is no good reason per the persons whose view is impaired, but the photographer Wil find an excuse why it's an advantage for her/him.

A person who is directly on the curb does not need to place his child on his shoulders if his child is already in the front row. That person may be a jerk. But the father who is four-deep at the curb who places his child on his shoulders is not a jerk, even if that results in blocking the view of the person who is six-deep at the curb.

Holding that child on one's hip gives the child the same vantage point as the parent, without creating a seven or eight foot tall blockade.

Obligation? No. Consideration? You betcha.

 

[JimmyV]

Okay then. Inconsiderate, or inconsiderate boors.

Not really. Lacking consideration is the not the same thing as being inconsiderate. Failing to do someone else a favor, such as improving that person's sight line, is not "inconsiderate". It simply isn't "considerate". And it is not the basis for the intervention of Security, or public flogging or humiliation.

Holding that child on one's hip gives the child the same vantage point as the parent, without creating a seven or eight foot tall blockade.

And it is infinitely more difficult and painful than placing the child on the parent's shoulder. I think you got it right when you said "Obligation? No." If one is not "obligated" to do "x", and one fails to do "x", one should not be humiliated, accosted, or have Security sicked on them. We are at Cape May. You are behind me in line. There are only 2 crab claw clusters in the steam tray. I am not obligated to leave one for you. Perhaps I am considerate if I do, but I am not inconsiderate if I do not. And I would hope that I would not be "called out", or accosted, or have Security sicked on me for taking both clusters.