Parade etiquette question

[BrianL]

Taking bets to see how long before Disney monetizes "Reserved Refuse Receptacle" parade spots (with up charge for the "double-wide bins of course).

Forget that - how about reserved garbage can dining tables at Epcot Food & Wine Festival!

 

[MomOTwins]

You could also give the people behind you the option to sit in front of you once the parade starts. But I do agree that sitting without saying anything, then standing and blocking someone at the list minute when it is too late for them to stake out another spot is bad form.

 

[Genie+]

I’m sorry but I can’t imagine CMs going around telling guests they have to remain seated. People have all sorts of physical limitations that might not be obvious. From an operational perspective it’s just not feasible at WDW.

 

[Dug720]

I’m sorry but I can’t imagine CMs going around telling guests they have to remain seated. People have all sorts of physical limitations that might not be obvious. From an operational perspective it’s just not feasible at WDW.

It has happened. They go around and tell people to move their feet off of the street. And at least once they have said that if you are seated you need to remain seated so as not to block the view of the people behind you.

 

[Genie+]

It has happened. They go around and tell people to move their feet off of the street. And at least once they have said that if you are seated you need to remain seated so as not to block the view of the people behind you.

Feet are a safety issue.

Other than a one-off, as protocol I can’t see CM’s telling people to remain seated because how commonly someone may not be able to physically endure staying seated on the ground or curb. Someone taking a short break off their feet does not surrender their right to stand back up in a public space without dedicated seating.

 

[BrianL]

It has happened. They go around and tell people to move their feet off of the street. And at least once they have said that if you are seated you need to remain seated so as not to block the view of the people behind you.

I've seen that. I feel like I may have seen it more at Disneyland rather than WDW, but CM's have definitely asked. They will enforce the feet off the street (or just like right at the curb), though I think the don't stand is more of a suggestion.

I would say that in any case, no matter where you are positioned, it is always polite to generally make sure you are not blocking someone's view. It's easy enough to just check behind you and make a little space if needed. I am reasonably tall, so I am usually okay being back a row. Of course, if it's super crowded, then you can't get out of everyone's way, but in your immediate circle, it's pretty reasonable.

 

[Dug720]

Feet are a safety issue.

Other than a one-off, as protocol I can’t see CM’s telling people to remain seated because how commonly someone may not be able to physically endure staying seated on the ground or curb. Someone taking a short break off their feet does not surrender their right to stand back up in a public space without dedicated seating.

IMHO if you know you cannot "endure" sitting on the curb for the parade, then you should not plan to sit there to begin with. But at the very least you should tell anyone who comes up behind you that you're standing so that they have the opportunity to find another place so that what they think will be a good view ends up not being such.

 

[MomOTwins]

I’m sorry but I can’t imagine CMs going around telling guests they have to remain seated. People have all sorts of physical limitations that might not be obvious. From an operational perspective it’s just not feasible at WDW.

I mean, I just don't see how this is any different from any other instructions they announce at the theme parks. They tell people to fill in all available space in ride queues, even though some people are claustrophobic. They tell people to keep the lines moving in ride queues and they also tell people no stopping the "through traffic" areas before the parade and fireworks, even though some people my physically need to stop a moment. They tell people to stay seated throughout shows like fantasmic. The rules are general rules and they announce them as such. Yes there could be some people who may need to stand up for a moment or two and stretch legs, but the courteous thing to do is to then move aside/further back so they are not blocking someone else's view.

IMHO if you know you cannot "endure" sitting on the curb for the parade, then you should not plan to sit there to begin with. But at the very least you should tell anyone who comes up behind you that you're standing so that they have the opportunity to find another place so that what they think will be a good view ends up not being such.

I think you could plan to sit but if you need to stand a spell, move aside to the back behind other guests so you don't obstruct their view and have someone else hold your spot for a minute before returning. If you are on your own it's more challenging--I think you would just need to give up your spot.

 

[brockash]

Hmmm....we've always sat for parades when in the curb and certainly prefer it (all around of us have always stay seated as well). I guess if you're set on standing I would just let anyone who lines up behind you asap so they can try to find a better spot if available. I know with this parade in particular with the high/somewhat odd managed floats it may b more difficult to see seated. We'll definitely still be sitting though lol.

If we (2 people ) were to claim a spot on Main Street somewhat early to watch Starlight and sat on curb while waiting - would people expect us to stay seated when parade starts? I would want to stand and would think everyone else would too?

Let me know the expected way please!

 

[japanese maple]

Hmmm....we've always sat for parades when in the curb and certainly prefer it (all around of us have always stay seated as well). I guess if you're set on standing I would just let anyone who lines up behind you asap so they can try to find a better spot if available. I know with this parade in particular with the high/somewhat odd managed floats it may b more difficult to see seated. We'll definitely still be sitting though lol.

I already said if we wait for parade on Main Street, we will stand the entire time to alleviate any confusion.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I saw the 11 p.m. parade last week from a spot outside the Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square. I sat on the curb before the parade, but stood for the parade. There was nobody behind me. In fact, there were very few people in the area at all. It's possible I just got lucky, but this was the first week of the parade, so I was expecting a bigger crowd.

ETA: The parade didn't arrive there until about 11:20, and some of the people who'd been waiting in the area gave up before the parade arrived.

I don’t think at 11:20pm there would even be that many kids left in the park. That’s pretty late for most young kids.

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

Honestly I’m surprised by the responses here. We’ve always expected the possibility a party might stand up once the show begins. I feel like it would be weird to get upset at them for doing that. My choice is to ask them if we felt it was important, or get a spot earlier in the front row. And when our kids were short - if we wanted to get them a good view - we’d arrive early to get that. The way I’ve always seen it is either you prioritize your time doing other things, arrive later and accept your view may suffer… or prioritize your view and arrive earlier.

People get upset about a lot of things. This wouldn’t surprise me as something people get upset about. It’s like when you go to a sports game and someone infront of you stands the entire time and refuses to sit down……….

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I’m sorry but I can’t imagine CMs going around telling guests they have to remain seated. People have all sorts of physical limitations that might not be obvious. From an operational perspective it’s just not feasible at WDW.

Are these the same people you are saying were able to sit down for an hour plus to save a front row spot and only once the parade starts do their physical limitations necessitate them standing?

 

[brockash]

I already said if we wait for parade on Main Street, we will stand the entire time to alleviate any confusion.

Sounds good...just as an aside I think lots of ppl., just read the original post/question and respond. I don't think most have time to read through all the responses before posting and they're just trying to help/answer the original question. Sounds like you have a plan now

 

[Isthisnormalatdisney]

I already said if we wait for parade on Main Street, we will stand the entire time to alleviate any confusion.

Yea that sounds like a good plan and just remember to be aware of your surroundings. This board also doesn’t represent the vast majority of people that go to Disney. I’ve never met a single person like some of the posters on this board in Disney. No one talks or acts like some of the hall monitors do on this forum sometimes.

There’s no hard and fast rules regarding these things but being aware of your surroundings and not just randomly blocking some 5 or 6 year old kid is normally a good route to take.

 

[Genie+]

Yeah, I’m imagining someone like my husband who has several issues with his spine. Or my SIL who recently visited WDW with us and broke one of her vertebra the year before.

For people over 40, 50, 60+ years old, chronic back issues are very common.

IMHO if you know you cannot "endure" sitting on the curb for the parade, then you should not plan to sit there to begin with. But at the very least you should tell anyone who comes up behind you that you're standing so that they have the opportunity to find another place so that what they think will be a good view ends up not being such.

I mean, I just don't see how this is any different from any other instructions they announce at the theme parks. They tell people to fill in all available space in ride queues, even though some people are claustrophobic. They tell people to keep the lines moving in ride queues and they also tell people no stopping the "through traffic" areas before the parade and fireworks, even though some people my physically need to stop a moment. They tell people to stay seated throughout shows like fantasmic. The rules are general rules and they announce them as such. Yes there could be some people who may need to stand up for a moment or two and stretch legs, but the courteous thing to do is to then move aside/further back so they are not blocking someone else's view.


I think you could plan to sit but if you need to stand a spell, move aside to the back behind other guests so you don't obstruct their view and have someone else hold your spot for a minute before returning. If you are on your own it's more challenging--I think you would just need to give up your spot.

Are these the same people you are saying were able to sit down for an hour plus to save a front row spot and only once the parade starts do their physical limitations necessitate them standing?

So the person who showed up early cannot sit down for a minutes lest they give the wrong impression to other people?

Again, if the view is that important to a party then they should advocate for themselves.

I’ve watched dozens of parades and shows like Harmonious from behind other people and never once expected them not to change position. In those cases I chose not to come early knowing I’d survive an imperfect view.

Am I really supposed to warn everybody who comes behind us that one or more of us may change position at showtime? Each and every time? Or we’re the bad guy?

 

[Dug720]

Yeah, I’m imagining someone like my husband who has several issues with his spine. Or my SIL who recently visited WDW with us and broke one of her vertebra the year before.

For people over 40, 50, 60+ years old, chronic back issues are very common.






So the person who showed up early cannot sit down for a minutes lest they give the wrong impression to other people?

Again, if the view is that important to a party then they should advocate for themselves.

I’ve watched dozens of parades and shows like Harmonious from behind other people and never once expected them not to change position. In those cases I chose not to come early knowing I’d survive an imperfect view.

Am I really supposed to warn everybody who comes behind us that one or more of us may change position at showtime? Each and every time? Or we’re the bad guy?

"A few minutes" is very different to staking out a spot for an hour or so.

 

[Genie+]

"A few minutes" is very different to staking out a spot for an hour or so.

Does time really matter though? Whether my husband is sitting for 10 minutes or 25 minutes… where is the cutoff where he is no longer allowed to choose to stand?

 

[Genie+]

And again - should he not sit lest he give the wrong impression?

This is really sticking the onus where it doesn’t belong.

If people are wondering if another party is going to remain seated - ask. Simple

It is not the responsibility of the party who arrived earlier to alert everybody else. People sitting before a show may sit down - especially because the need to arrive to 30+ minutes in many cases - and they might sit to relieve pressure and then need to stand to relieve pressure too - and they may decide to stand and sit back down 2 more times. You just never know. If having an unobstructed is of utmost importance - plan accordingly.

 

[Dug720]

And again - should he not sit lest he give the wrong impression?

This is really sticking the onus where it doesn’t belong.

If people are wondering if another party is going to remain seated - ask. Simple

It is not the responsibility of the party who arrived earlier to alert everybody else. People sitting before a show may sit down - especially because the need to arrive to 30+ minutes in many cases - and they might sit to relieve pressure and then need to stand to relieve pressure too - and they may decide to stand and sit back down 2 more times. You just never know. If having an unobstructed is of utmost importance - plan accordingly.

Communication goes both ways. How hard is it, particularly if the party has small children, for you to say "We plan to stand during the parade" just to be polite. They may have never had people sitting on the curb in front of them suddenly stand so they wouldn't even know it's a possibility.