One last rant, rope drop runners grow up

[KristinU]

Disney will never stop it. In the early days of Epcot it was the running to get World Showcase dining reservations. As long as there is some coveted thing that is in perceived limited quantity, there will be running (or wogging, or walking briskly, or walking with purpose, or ralking, or whatever you want to call it)

 

[Jangles]

We walk with purpose and are almost always in the first group of riders for whichever ride we choose. Many adult RD runners are unfit and cannot maintain a run or even a jog for any distance.

 

[Haagen Dawgs]

Disney is such a relaxing vacation

 

[MrBlueBird]

I comedically call out runners. When someone runs by us at WDW I say in a deep announcer-esque voice, “Theeeeeeere’s no running in Disney!” It’s funny how it snaps people out of running into a speed walk almost every single time haha. My wife always fusses at me, especially now that our son (6) started parroting it.

 

[Grim Grinning Ghostie]

Patience is a neglected virtue these days. I can somewhat understand the mindset of the sprinting rope-droppers, as a trip to Disney has become laughably exorbitant in price, but I do wish some of them would watch where they are going. Over the weekend, while at Epcot, we witnessed a mother get so roughly rammed into that the stroller she was pushing was rocketed forward several feet. The man who quite literally ran into her didn't even bother stopping to apologize.

Older folks, parents, and people with mobility issues aren't obstacles to push through, they're guests who spent just as much money as the runners and are just as excited to do whatever it is they came to the parks to do that day.

 

[lowlight]

Rumor has it that the Hunger Games trilogy was written after a week of rope dropping at Disney.

 

[revdon64]

Look, if you see me running you better just run too because it means something big and scary is chasing me.

 

[MIChessGuy]

Do you remember which decade this was? While I've never ran at Disney in real life, I've had the same recurring dream where I was standing at the edge of TomorrowLand watching thousands of people running toward my direction. I would wake up as soon as I start running...

Your post makes me wonder if this actually happened, and not a "nightmare".

I am not certain, but this would have been something like 35 years ago. I believe they were still using those admission tickets that had a blank space for each day of use, and they would date-stamp in that space when you entered the turnstile. EPCOT was around but was considered by many guests to be overly educational and boring. Space Mountain was the boss at that time and it seemed like everybody wanted to ride it. I definitely recall witnessing a lot of people -- as in, a **LOT** of people -- speeding down the pathways once that rope dropped.

 

[brockash]

This just moves the pressure to outside the parks - where there are fewer CMs to handle the situation. DHS was a hot mess when we were there. The queue to get into Galaxy's Edge was brutal, and ruined the atmosphere in that section of the park. We went to the ToT area to get away from the pushing, angry crowd.

I think it helps because there are actual lines, not just a mass pile of ppl. That's the issue. When there is no line ppl. are constantly edging for positioning and worried that others are getting the upperhand on them. When there is a line, for the most part, ppl. know where they stand and dobro feel the need to try to edge of for positioning.

We've done rope drop both ways many times and HANDS DOWN letting ppl. go and line up at whatever ride is their destination is much safer and calmer.

If Disney were that worried about outside the turnstiles they could simply move their cast members from inside to the space in between the turnstiles and security.

 

[MMSM]

I think it helps because there are actual lines, not just a mass pile of ppl. That's the issue. When there is no line ppl. are constantly edging for positioning and worried that others are getting the upperhand on them. When there is a line, for the most part, ppl. know where they stand and dobro feel the need to try to edge of for positioning.

We've done rope drop both ways many times and HANDS DOWN letting ppl. go and line up at whatever ride is their destination is much safer and calmer.

If Disney were that worried about outside the turnstiles they could simply move their cast members from inside to the space in between the turnstiles and security.

I agree with this completely. We are there early and we are very brisk walkers. But we have to. It’s always Easter break (I am a teacher). If we don’t rope drop we don’t get on any rides. Last April when there was no fast pass, and there was no genie plus we waited 95 min for Smugglers Run at 9am. This was after we RD slinky and got right in line for Smugglers. I will be trying Genie Plus in April and ANYTHING has to be better than just Standby. That is ridiculous. So if you see people walking very very fast, that is us. It’s not because we like it, it is stressful. It’s because we have to.


side edit: we have never trampled anybody

 

[Minnie1222]

I am not certain, but this would have been something like 35 years ago. I believe they were still using those admission tickets that had a blank space for each day of use, and they would date-stamp in that space when you entered the turnstile. EPCOT was around but was considered by many guests to be overly educational and boring. Space Mountain was the boss at that time and it seemed like everybody wanted to ride it. I definitely recall witnessing a lot of people -- as in, a **LOT** of people -- speeding down the pathways once that rope dropped.

I would be in Primary school 35 years ago, so maybe I did witness this event. Wow, just wow.

Thank you!

 

[jknc]

I comedically call out runners. When someone runs by us at WDW I say in a deep announcer-esque voice, “Theeeeeeere’s no running in Disney!” It’s funny how it snaps people out of running into a speed walk almost every single time haha. My wife always fusses at me, especially now that our son (6) started parroting it.

Last week I held both arms out at my sides and walked casually with my fam.

Some tough guy slapped my arm down and I yelled “assault”

Tough guy eyed me up all the way through 7 dwarfs queue.

 

[wilkydelts]

Last week I held both arms out at my sides and walked casually with my fam.

Some tough guy slapped my arm down and I yelled “assault”

Tough guy eyed me up all the way through 7 dwarfs queue.

Are you sure he was the one who came out looking bad in that situation???

 

[jknc]

Are you sure he was the one who came out looking bad in that situation???

Definitely not. I knew exactly what I was doing!
I took no joy in it