Parade and Fireworks viewing Etiquette - Children, Seniors, and People with Disabilities

[Serrina89]

Hi All,

Just back from a trip at DL during Christmas week. I'm posting here because I think this question goes for both parks.

I witness and experienced two interactions that I wasn't sure whose side to be on during parades and fireworks showings:

Situation 1# - Two guest were sitting/spread out on a bench waiting for a parade to start on main street. An older guest came 5 min before the parade was set to start and asked for the people on the bench to move over so she could sit down. She explained she had difficulty standing for long periods and wanted to sit to view the show to save her knees. The guest on the bench declined. When they declined about 5 or 6 people screamed and cussed at the guest on the bench. I felt like they could have moved over and fit the lady but I also understand that the guest had most likely staked out that spot for a long time.

Situation 2# - I was watching the christmas parade about one person back from the curb. During the middle of the parade, a little girl pushed her way in front of me. No problem, she's small. I can still see and take pictures. After she was there for a min she started crying because her mom was not with her. Her mom tried to resist her but eventually gave in and moved in front of me too (pushing me back). I was slightly annoyed because it severely limited my cameras field of view (pictures without other cameras and hands in the way) but they were both short, so still okay. The women then pulled her phone out and blocked all my camera shots. I could still see but could not take anymore pictures without her phone in the way. She then stopped shooting and picked her daughter up and I was no longer able to see the parade period. I wanted to say something but I decided to just go ride rides as I didn't want to ruin her and her daughters enjoyment by being negative, I myself was very upset though.

In hindsight, I know that maybe the women didn't know what she was doing because I was behind her and that its more important for the children to see unobstructed but I did pay just like everyone else and got my spot early.

So how do you approach these type of situations? and what is the unspoken etiquette at Disney during parades and fireworks?

 

[BadPinkTink]

I don't let kids push in front of me. If I'm at the front, I stay at the front. If you want your kids at the front then be more organized and get there in time. I was at the railing for World of Colour one year and a kid tried to squeeze infront of me. I said no loudly and shifted slightly so the kid couldn't put a hand on the railing. He got annoyed and looked back at his mom but I refused to budge. He had to go back to his mom and I don't know if he could see. Not my problem.

It depends with old people, but basically the same. Some old people have a sense of entitlement and expect everyone to give in to them. Same deal though, if you know you have issues standing and need to sit, then it's your responsibility to be organized and get there early to get that bench seat.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

In either situation- I’m sorry but being disabled or having kids doesn’t make you entitled to wait until 5 minutes before a parade or fireworks to start and expect others to move for you.

The elderly person on the asking people to move - obviously they know they can’t stand so she should have planned ahead.

The child - I’m sorry mom should have gotten there early and you honestly wouldn’t have been wrong telling her she was blocking your view.

When my boys were little we’d go sit and wait for the parades or fireworks to start ahead of time- they learned to just sit (I would never think to spread out something and save seats while others do rides like some people do).

 

[Wubar]

In either situation- I’m sorry but being disabled or having kids doesn’t make you entitled to wait until 5 minutes before a parade or fireworks to start and expect others to move for you.

The elderly person on the asking people to move - obviously they know they can’t stand so she should have planned ahead.

The child - I’m sorry mom should have gotten there early and you honestly wouldn’t have been wrong telling her she was blocking your view.

When my boys were little we’d go sit and wait for the parades or fireworks to start ahead of time- they learned to just sit (I would never think to spread out something and save seats while others do rides like some people do).

Exactly this. We stake out our spots early so my toddler can have a good viewing spot. You won't be pushing in front of me for a better view.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I have also had space invaders at Fantasmic Blue Bayou viewing area. A family raced into the viewing area about 5 minutes before the show, squeezing into the space between me and another family who had been there for over 30 minutes. I refused to move even though the mom was almost ontop of me, and I spoke loudly about people who come last minute and think they can get to the front. The mom looked at me angrily but I kept talking to my friend about how rude it was and I know the mom was squashed but I didn't care. She tried to squeeze into a small space and then expected people to move for her. That's a big nope from me

 

[Wubar]

I have also had space invaders at Fantasmic Blue Bayou viewing area. A family raced into the viewing area about 5 minutes before the show, squeezing into the space between me and another family who had been there for over 30 minutes. I refused to move even though the mom was almost ontop of me, and I spoke loudly about people who come last minute and think they can get to the front. The mom looked at me angrily but I kept talking to my friend about how rude it was and I know the mom was squashed but I didn't care. She tried to squeeze into a small space and then expected people to move for her. That's a big nope from me

Yup, crowd creep. I don't play that game.

 

[LSUmiss]

In either situation- I’m sorry but being disabled or having kids doesn’t make you entitled to wait until 5 minutes before a parade or fireworks to start and expect others to move for you.

The elderly person on the asking people to move - obviously they know they can’t stand so she should have planned ahead.

The child - I’m sorry mom should have gotten there early and you honestly wouldn’t have been wrong telling her she was blocking your view.

When my boys were little we’d go sit and wait for the parades or fireworks to start ahead of time- they learned to just sit (I would never think to spread out something and save seats while others do rides like some people do).

In fact, IMO it should make you more aware to better plan ahead. I traveled with disabled MIL this past Feb. I booked dessert party for HEA b/c I knew she would have trouble seeing otherwise.