Parade Crashers & Line Cutters

[jndmommy]

When in Disney we try to adopt the overall "magical" feeling. There are really only 2 things down there that really tick me off. I try to ignore it at first but then I burst.

I can't stand line cutters, usually my dh or dmil will point those rude people in the right direction. It is just so aggravating.

My BIG pet peeve is when you have picked a spot to watch the parade and then sat there for at least an hour. You think wow, we got a great spot this year. Before you know it, its about 15 minutes till the parade starts and some group decides to squeeze into the spot in front of you kids. I've seen plenty of people just stand in front of strollers. How Rude!! They have no regard for the children in the strollers. Last year I had enough, and let some group of people have it. Worrying about what kind of nut, I would look like went out the window.

Just had to vent after reading a thread about irritating line cutters.

 

[Elmo888]

I had an issue with the no regard for strollers part. These people act like there is not a person in the stroller that is trying to see the same thing that they are. It happened to my DH with DD2 in the stroller at the MK show.

My other no regard for strollers issue happened when I was trying to get through a big crowd. I was pushing a stroller, and people would just zip around me to get through the crowds, as if I wasn't trying to do the same thing! Since it is easier to get through the crowds without a stroller, these people seemed to think that they should. Being courteous and trying not to run into someone's heels, I could have just stood in the same place for 20 minutes while people zipped around me. Instead, I had to keep the stroller on the heels of the person in front of me or I would still be standing there!

We tried to be as courteous as possible - everyone wants to have a good time. On a crowded bus, I put DD2 in my lap and made DD7 stand so someone with a small child could sit. I check who I stand in front of to make sure that they can see. I let small children stand in front of me (and there were a lot of courteous people that did this, and I really appreciated it).

Thanks for letting me vent, too, and know that I'm not the only one!

 

[TheDizMom]

I feel your pain ! I too hate that with a passion. We had the same problem at the night parade at MK. We were so ticked off! My DH tried to make some not so subtle comments loud enough for them to hear but they just didn't care! I may not be so kind about it next time, because sometimes being nice just doesn't pay off.

 

[jndmommy]

Thank you ladies for sharing in my pain, lol. It is very frustrating and good though to know there are other moms out there that feel the same. My worst experiences with the parades have been at MK night parade as well. I am trying to stay optimistic for now about our upcoming trip in August. Good Luck Mommies!

 

[Aristomommy]

DH will usually say something when people cut in line, but usually this has not been a problem for us. We go during slow times, and really plan out our days avoiding the crowds.

Now the parades are a different thing altogether. No matter what time of year you go, it is busy. We research and think about where we can sit and get there early. Entertaining small children for 30-45 min. is not easy when the crowds start to gather and you can't really move anywhere. And then about 1-2 minutes before the parade starts, some parent pushes their kids through the crowds so they can get a seat front row. I'm sorry but that's just rude. Nevermind that you can't see your child when you are so far away from them. One time a mom tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I could give up my seat on the curb for her kids. I politely said "no" as we had been waiting for 30 minutes and I would like to enjoy this with my children. The entire parade, this lady kept talking about "how rude SOME PEOPLE are, this is supposed to be for children". Talk about ruining it for everybody, including her own children. Whew, my rant is now over.....

 

[Elmo888]

I had to add that there was a very nice family who made room and allowed DD7 to sit with their kids and made room for me and DD2. It was at a night MK parade and after fighting those crowds, so it was refreshing that someone was so nice after being so frustrated. The husband actually let me stand in front of him because he was so tall (and I'm not)!

Aristomommy - I find that it is ridiculous when people say that "this is for children". It makes my blood boil when people say that. Disney wouldn't be nearly as impressive if it was just for children. Plus, it sounds like she didn't get the point that you were trying to enjoy it with your children and see their faces and hear their comments about the parade. Ugh. This discussion just hit a nerve with me!

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

We had a couple of instaces this past dec while we watched Illuminations and on another night at MVMCP.

The first night at Illuminations we had a really great spot waited for awhile after the show started my MIL and dd were standing at the rail watching the show. MIL left enough room for me to come up and watch if I wanted to but I didn't I stayed back with the stroller it wasn't crowded in the are we were in so I stayed back. Well during the show a young teenage boy went and stood in the open spot well when is friend or sibling walked the boy just stepped right between the railing and my DD6 who was standing in front of my MIL. She took his arm and moved him and he walked back to where his parents were well I could hear them all going on about not letting a kid stand there and watch but when it was over they quickly shut up when they saw DD, but they were still aggrevated.

A couple of nights later we were at the party and we went to get our spot in front of the castle the show and parade and fireworks. When we got there it was a little before wishes and plenty open space across the street from the castle forecourt. so we had a seat everyone was sitting. While waiting this one family walked up and stood right in the middle in the front and did not move everyone was sitting during the show and and older lady went up to them and asked them to sit or move b/c they were in front of everyone and they just looked at her and stayed exactly where they were. Right after wishes we moved up to the curb b/c people were leaving so we waited for the last show and the parade while waiting we were standing next to another family and there was a small space between us this couple pulled up and shoved the rented double stroller between us so much that the family next to us had to move over well I didn't move nor did I move my stroller which was there for DD to sit in during the parade and show if she wanted to. Well there dd's couldn't see and were all huffy b/c we who were there first were in there way. The woman ended up knocking down my umbrella stroller so her kids could see. Now that my drink was all over everything in my stroller I picked it and everything we had and sat it directly in front of them. I was so mad.

 

[mrs.beast]

We actually once had someone ask if they could lift their son over my husband (he was sitting on a curb with our 3mo DD in his arms under a blanket. my DH said no please don't (and yes being the first night of the trip he really did say please) but the person got mad said how rude, this is for kids and tried to lift his son over my husband before my hubby had a chance to explain and the boy ended up kicking my 3mo DD in the head. Needless to say, it was the first time i think my husband has lost it. The baby started screaming, my Dad started yelling at the guy for not listening and my DH began to scream at the person. My DH kept yelling, "I told you no. Look what you did!" and then yelled for security and the man took off. Hubby then said he might have overreacted, but people need to be safe, not just do things when someone says no. After that, my dad stood guard behind anyone holding the baby during the shows.

 

[TravelinGal]

I have to say that the 'this is for kids' comments REALLY piss me off big time. I've done WDW many times before DS (therefor without kids) and *I* have just as much right to see the parade as anyone else. If I get there first, I'm sure not gonna give up my spot so some johnny come lately can have a front row seat.

That said, yes, I have let children in next to me or made room for them in front of me where their parents can still see them. But I'm sure not giving up my spot for the whole family to plop down.

When we were at MK last October there was a family next to us who didn't want their kids getting trampled (we were right next to a walkway - but curbside for the parade) so we adults spread ourselves out to 'guard the space'. We got plenty of rude comments about it, but they didn't know it was for children. (Also, my friend who was traveling with me has a physical issue with her hips AND was pregnant - she NEEDED to sit at the end of a long day) One family just came and stood behind us and didn't complain or grumble etc. When they finally blocked off the walkway we let the first family get their seats and then I offered to let the child of the kind family behind us sit beside me. They were grateful and it was really fun to watch the child enjoy the parade. (almost more fun than the parade! This kid was a hoot!)


Line cutters- wow - don't even get me started.

Mrs.Beast - OMG - I'd have decked the guy if he'd done that to my child! (granted DS was 18Months on his first trip, but still)
I don't think your dad or DH overreacted at all! Did the guy even look the least bit apologetic or embarrassed?

 

[mrs.beast]

He did apologize for kicking the baby. He also followed it up with a "if you had just let me..." and that was when the yelling started (from my family.)

 

[TravelinGal]

He did apologize for kicking the baby. He also followed it up with a "if you had just let me..." and that was when the yelling started (from my family.)

I've always said that an apology that has a "but" or "if you had/had not" in it is NOT an apology.

Sorry you had to deal with all that and I'm glad the baby wasn't seriously hurt from it.

Here's to kind friendly people on all our future trips!

 

[Minnie824]

In Nov, we lined up for the parade w/a double stroller from MK. DH on one side, me on the other. Well, I had to take the 5 yo to the bathroom before the parade started, since we were lined up for about an hour, and I put our large backpack in my seat. By the time I had come back, it was pushed over so there was barely room for me to sit, with someone elses stroller there. DH had told them someone was sitting there multiple times. So I politely said excuse me, sat down and she moved her stroller....get this...onto the street!! Since there was no room on the curb, she figured she'd get in front of everyone on the street. I just laughed, cuz obviously a CM came and made them move. It really bugs me how people try to just shove their way in at the last minute.

 

[fireman17]

On our trip this past December I had two incidents that occurred at MK one was frustrating and the other was a nice one. On the night we went to MVMCP we went to get a spot for the parade and went to sit down when this guy comes over and yelling at us that he is saving this area for eleven other people. I turned to him and said "are they here now?" and he says no. So I tell him I guess they are out of luck and take our spot. He then gets verbally abusive with me right in front of my wife and kids. He's yelling that he'll have me removed from the park cause he "was there first" and so on. He goes as far as to grab a security officer and tells him about us and the guard looks at him and us with our three children and the security officer asked they guy where his eleven people are and he says their on the way. The officer says when they arrive they are more than welcome to watch the parade from the back. I about lost it when I saw the look on the guys face.
The second was on another evening at MK and Spectro Magic was going to start. A family came up behind us and the had two children around the same age as our DS and DD. The children were pestering the parents about getting up front and I heard both Mom and Dad explain to them that they were late in getting there and it would be rude on their part to butt up front. At this point I turned to them and offered the spot by my children for them to sit and also gave the the dollar store light bands we had. You would have thought we gave the kids a million dollars, the parents couldn't thanks us enough and told me wife later how special it was that we did that and how nice to find people to share magic in Disney World.
My DW then told them I was a firefighter a kids always have a soft spot in my heart.

 

[kaysmommie]

DH will usually say something when people cut in line, but usually this has not been a problem for us. We go during slow times, and really plan out our days avoiding the crowds.

Now the parades are a different thing altogether. No matter what time of year you go, it is busy. We research and think about where we can sit and get there early. Entertaining small children for 30-45 min. is not easy when the crowds start to gather and you can't really move anywhere. And then about 1-2 minutes before the parade starts, some parent pushes their kids through the crowds so they can get a seat front row. I'm sorry but that's just rude. Nevermind that you can't see your child when you are so far away from them. One time a mom tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I could give up my seat on the curb for her kids. I politely said "no" as we had been waiting for 30 minutes and I would like to enjoy this with my children. The entire parade, this lady kept talking about "how rude SOME PEOPLE are, this is supposed to be for children". Talk about ruining it for everybody, including her own children. Whew, my rant is now over.....

I would have considered punching her . This is my pet peeve too. last trip some lady plopped her fat but right on my kids in front of there stroller, she practically sitting in it with them and I started screaming at her to move her a*** as we have been sitting there waiting for over and hour with all the other familes who had curb seats. Another time some ignorant lady with teenagers tries to squish her teenagers in exactly 1 minute before the parade and had the nerve to tell us and everyone behind us to " move back because they just want to see the parade". I said duhhh so do all of us who have waited for and hour and a half. Some people have no manners at all and it really makes me mad.

 

[fairestoneofall]

We were at MVMCP in November waiting for the parade to start. We were standing in a walkway, but behind the people directly behind the rope so that we could step over once the CM closed up the path. There were several other families doing the same. The CM just requested we keep the path clear, and we did.

A lady kept walking up and standing in the middle of the path with her arms crossed. The CM was very polite and repeatedly asked her to clear the path. She would go back to her spot (in the back of a bunch of people who'd been waiting) and then come right back up. She pretended she didn't speak English, and was calling him names in Spanish. She looked at me once, and I said, "Ma'am, PLEASE." She motioned that she'd let my DD up with her. Um. No. We've been standing here a lot longer than you.

The CM finally gave up and closed the rope. She stood with 3-4 adults right against the rope, and then put her children beside her (not even in front of her), so that they took up almost the whole section. I stepped up right when they pulled the rope, so I managed to get DD in front, and she sat on my lap (so I wouldn't block others' view). But I was SO ticked for the other people, who had been waiting for so long, whose views were blocked.

I thought it was not only incredibly rude her behavior before the path was closed. But even more so that the adults stood in front, and didn't stay with the kids and they took up such a large section.

I've never in my life wanted to tell someone off so much.

 

[ohiominnie]

Just a question....

If WDW is "for the children" why do the adults pay more?

Ha! When you hear them talking behind your back about Disney being "for children" turn around and ask them why you have to pay more for your tickets then.

We usually save more than enough room for our parade spots because by the time people scootch over a little and scootch over a little, we only have enough for us. If, right at parade time, we have a little extra room, we usually invite the kids that are behind us up so they can have a better view. At that point we've talked to the parents for about 40 minutes so they know we aren't psychos!

 

[ohiominnie]

this guy comes over and yelling at us that he is saving this area for eleven other people. I turned to him and said "are they here now?" and he says no.

I will hold spots for my dh and kids while they ride a ride or two. Keeping them entertained for 40 minutes to an hour is too hard on them....and me. But I'd never consider holding spots for ELEVEN other people. Even when we go with grandma and grandpa and need 6 seats, we usually have 2 or even 3 people to hold those 6 spots.

 

[Loco4Disney]

First of all to the poster who said that someone sat in front of them waiting for a parade and they immediately told them to "move their a**** "......What kind of a reaction are you expecting? Doesn't sound like you have any more Disney spirit than the person cutting in front of you. I would think to start out with a polite "Excuse Me" would be sufficient to start. Some people are caught up in things or their kids and become momentarily oblivious to their surroundings. You could at least give them the benefit of the doubt. And, I can guarantee if you approached me with that kind of immediate hostility and language in front of my children, we are going to have bigger problems on our hands than your not being able to see the parade.

Second, you guys are REALLY scaring me! I have never been to Disneyworld and you make it sound so awful!! I have been to Disneyland as a child, and as an adult with my toddlers many times and have NEVER seen or experienced the kind of behavior that you guys are describing here. That is why I love it so much. If the people at Disneyland behaved that way on that frequent of a basis, I wouldn't love it so much. So, my question is, is line cutting really that big of a problem there. Are the people who attend Disneyworld more classless than those who attend Disneyland? Or, are the crowds just that much worse that it creates more opportunities for that kind of behavior??? We are going for our first time to Disneyworld for 5 days at New Years, which I understand is one of the most crowded times of the year. I am very apprehensive!

 

[fairestoneofall]

Loco4Disney

I've never dealt with line-cutters at WDW. But, obviously, others have.

And, we went to several parades during our stay at WDW and only had problems at the MVMCP. But, people are just posting vents in this thread, so you're going to hear the bad stories.

Frankly, rude people are everywhere.

 

[kaysmommie]

First of all to the poster who said that someone sat in front of them waiting for a parade and they immediately told them to "move their a**** "......What kind of a reaction are you expecting? Doesn't sound like you have any more Disney spirit than the person cutting in front of you. I would think to start out with a polite "Excuse Me" would be sufficient to start. Some people are caught up in things or their kids and become momentarily oblivious to their surroundings. You could at least give them the benefit of the doubt. And, I can guarantee if you approached me with that kind of immediate hostility and language in front of my children, we are going to have bigger problems on our hands than your not being able to see the parade.

Second, you guys are REALLY scaring me! I have never been to Disneyworld and you make it sound so awful!! I have been to Disneyland as a child, and as an adult with my toddlers many times and have NEVER seen or experienced the kind of behavior that you guys are describing here. That is why I love it so much. If the people at Disneyland behaved that way on that frequent of a basis, I wouldn't love it so much. So, my question is, is line cutting really that big of a problem there. Are the people who attend Disneyworld more classless than those who attend Disneyland? Or, are the crowds just that much worse that it creates more opportunities for that kind of behavior??? We are going for our first time to Disneyworld for 5 days at New Years, which I understand is one of the most crowded times of the year. I am very apprehensive!

Excuse me but maybe you need to reread the post. This lady actually sat her but on my kids, not in front of them. that is beyond excuse me IMO. My kids are little ,DS is2 and DD was 6 and weighs 40 lbs. She was not a small women either. I was ready to call security on her but of course I freaked out and she pretended not to understand english until my obviously agry DH told her to MOVE off my kids now! It is very unfortunate that people have no respect for others, especially when so many of us get there and hour before parade. If you parked your butt on my kids I can assure you, You would have some major problem on your hands!! That is no different than hitting them as she could have injured my children . Also she was not with any children, as I will try to make room for nice people's children. You were not there so stop being so judgemental. If it were your small children it might be different right .