Parade/Fireworks Etiquette

[can]

This has happened time and time again, and as much as I don't like to think of myself as a rude or uncaring person, just don't know how to handle these situations. Example: while at Epcot last week, found a fabulous unobstructed spot by the Italy patio overlooking the lake. We got there 1 1/2 hrs. before the 9 pm show, all four of us so we wouldn't create a problem by having people think we were trying to squeeze someone in at the last minute. Sure enough, about 10 min. before the show begins, a family with small children comes up right in back of us. They pushed the little girl through my two daughters while she stepped all over one of my daughter's purse. I told the little girl that my daughters had been waiting there for quite a while to have that spot and to please get off the one's purse. I did not use a mean tone, was as polite as I could possibly be, it wasn't her fault, it was her parents that had shoved her up front. Of course after that we had to tolerate listening to comments from her parents behind us. I am at a loss, we stopped what we were doing for 1-1/2 hrs. before the show so we could get that spot to take pictures. How do you handle this situation when people come up thinking they should be able to get the best possible view at the last minute without giving up any of their attraction time? This happened one other time at the opposite side of the lake viewing the Illuminations Show. Got by the fence 2 hrs. ahead of time so we could take pictures only to have a man tap me on the shoulder 5 minutes into the show asking me to sit down and get out of the way as his kids could not see. I very politely responded to him that I had been there two hours ahead of time so I could take pictures of the show. How do you handle these situations without looking like the bad guy?

 

[Art 1]

This type of thing happens all the time, I don't know the right answer. What I do now is just show up at show time and watch from the back. To me it's just not worth waiting hours ahead of time to watch one of the shows.

 

[Absolutely Disney]

If the kid was little I would have just said, (only if she was obstructing our view) "Little girl/boy, we were here first and we can't see. Could you please move?" Since they were stepping on your DD purse, I certainly would have ask them to get off. As for the parents, I would have said, "She/He was on my Daughter's purse, sir/ma'am." There are always kids who get in front of you around the lake and climb up on the fence to get a better view. We always tell them to get down. This was a toughy.

 

[Explodo]

I would ask you to remember that disney is at heart for kids...And if you can help someone experience the disney magic by simply sitting down, it would be wonderful. And you do know thatdisney magic works like karma...you make it...then it somehow finds you in return.

Also...the folks who line up the strollers along the parade route then don;t remove them once their party arrives annoy the crap out of me. I find it to be rude and most definately passive aggresive. There are lots of people trying to view...and it does help when everyone is on the same page...And that page is "The Kids are to ones we do all of this for...Not the adults"

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If the girl was pushing your kids out of the way, then that was wrong. But, if there was room up there with your kids for the girl, then I have no problem with the parents telling their child to stand with your kids. What's the harm?

I'm sure she didn't step on your daughter's purse on purpose, and the purse did not have to have it's own "spot."

So, this girl got just as good a spot as your family, but without the wait. Who cares? Your girls did not have a less of a view because they shared it. Instead of being happy that you were able to share your bounty with another child, you're holding these negative feelings that only hurt yourself.

As for the guy asking you to sit down: A similar thing happened to me. My daughter was sitting on the curb, and I was right behind her. Someone asked if I could let their kids see. I smiled, said of course, and let their kids stand in front of me. I was a couple feet further back, but I still had a great view of the parade, and I helped make another child's parade special.

BUT: I WOULD NOT SIT DOWN DURING THE PARADE WITH MY CHILD THERE. It'd be too easy for someone to get between her and me, and get separated. If I'm standing, I can keep a closer eye on her, and move if something happened.

 

[sugabutt]

I would ask you to remember that disney is at heart for kids...And if you can help someone experience the disney magic by simply sitting down, it would be wonderful.

Well put! Disney is for kids. If you have a front row seat already, why not sit down? I would have loved to have a place to sit for the fireworks.

It's not the children's fault that their parents showed up at the last minute for the show. If they are small, why not let them in front of you (just the kids, not their parents)? They aren't going to block your view. I met so many people at DW that had never heard of DIS boards, had no idea where the parade routes were, what time the fireworks started. On our trip last month, I got a front row spot for the night parade at MK. A nice family was behind us with a girl almost the same age as mine. The mother was asking me a bunch of questions that I knew the answers to, thanks to this board. Before it started, we offered for their girl to sit next to ours - I gave up my spot on the front row, but was still directly behind my DD. The other girl was so happy that it made my day!

 

[f15robyn]

There are lots of people trying to view...and it does help when everyone is on the same page...And that page is "The Kids are to ones we do all of this for...Not the adults"

With all due respect, my husband and I are a childless couple and therefore the kids are not the ones we do all this for. We go to Disney regularly because we are kids at heart who found each other a little later in life and found our Disney passion at about the same time. We pay the same amount to get into the park as everyone else and therefore are welcome to enjoy all of the entertainment, including parades and fireworks. We do stake out space early for certain parades and fireworks shows because we love them and want a good view (giving up attraction or ride time to do so). Anyone else could make the same commitment if they want that same view.

Now, out of common sense, if I'm standing and a parent nicely asks if their child who is shorter than me can stand or sit in front of me, I always agree. If someone demands it, citing the oft quoted "Disney is for the kids", I'm less likely to oblige. And if I'm already sitting at the front edge of the rope/banister/etc, then it's likely their child can stand behind me and still see.

To toss out a different quote, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine." Editted from how I usually say it for these family friendly boards. It's a life lesson kids might as well learn as early as possible (and many adults could stand the reminder).

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

With all due respect, my husband and I are a childless couple and therefore the kids are not the ones we do all this for. We go to Disney regularly because we are kids at heart who found each other a little later in life and found our Disney passion at about the same time. We pay the same amount to get into the park as everyone else and therefore are welcome to enjoy all of the entertainment, including parades and fireworks. We do stake out space early for certain parades and fireworks shows because we love them and want a good view (giving up attraction or ride time to do so). Anyone else could make the same commitment if they want that same view.

Now, out of common sense, if I'm standing and a parent nicely asks if their child who is shorter than me can stand or sit in front of me, I always agree. If someone demands it, citing the oft quoted "Disney is for the kids", I'm less likely to oblige. And if I'm already sitting at the front edge of the rope/banister/etc, then it's likely their child can stand behind me and still see.

To toss out a different quote, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine." Editted from how I usually say it for these family friendly boards. It's a life lesson kids might as well learn as early as possible (and many adults could stand the reminder).

I agree with everything you said, especially the part that everyone basically pays the same amount to enter the parks.

 

[MK4ever]

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine." Editted from how I usually say it for these family friendly boards. It's a life lesson kids might as well learn as early as possible (and many adults could stand the reminder).

Well said. If someone is going to save a spot for 1.5 hours what give others the right to push in front of them, kids or not. Lately, all I hear in the parks is parents saying their kids cannot wait sit or stay in one spot for that long. Now I know there may be special exceptions but come on people! When I was a kid I remember sitting down well before parade time to save a spot. If us kids could not wait, we did not see the parade, simple as that. Our parents did not cater to us. All you are teaching kids is to be self entitled.
Disney is for everyone!
I agree with the original poster, you and your kids were waiting and no one else should have the right to push in front of you.

 

[Millie12591]

With all due respect, my husband and I are a childless couple and therefore the kids are not the ones we do all this for. We go to Disney regularly because we are kids at heart who found each other a little later in life and found our Disney passion at about the same time. We pay the same amount to get into the park as everyone else and therefore are welcome to enjoy all of the entertainment, including parades and fireworks. We do stake out space early for certain parades and fireworks shows because we love them and want a good view (giving up attraction or ride time to do so). Anyone else could make the same commitment if they want that same view.

Now, out of common sense, if I'm standing and a parent nicely asks if their child who is shorter than me can stand or sit in front of me, I always agree. If someone demands it, citing the oft quoted "Disney is for the kids", I'm less likely to oblige. And if I'm already sitting at the front edge of the rope/banister/etc, then it's likely their child can stand behind me and still see.

To toss out a different quote, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine." Editted from how I usually say it for these family friendly boards. It's a life lesson kids might as well learn as early as possible (and many adults could stand the reminder).

Amen Sista!

While I have kids and want my kids to have a great time, I would never assume my child could interpose into someone else's space. WTHeck?!? Why do people think this OK?
This happened with us at Coral Reef numerous times during the time we were having dinner right next to the aquarium. I understand the kids want to see the sea life, but this was also our dinner they were disrupting. It was interesting to look at the parents faces while they did this, some seemed like it was their childs right and faces like "What are you gonna do about it?" and others seemed sorrowful and apologetic. The later was far more tolerable than the former, and certainly made a difference in how we handled the situation.
Either way, don't interrupt someone else's space and celebration and certainly don't assume your kids are entitled to what ever you/they want regardless of others.

As to the question from the op, I would just tell the kids that were interrupting... "Please go back and stand with your mommy and daddy honey, we've been standing here a long time to get this space." If they parents were being snarky I would turn and say if you want to ruin someone else's time find somewhere else to do it, otherwise I'm getting security. If they lipped off more I would just exit the area by yourself and find a CM to come and handle the situation, that's part of what they are trained for.
I would certainly tell the CM these people pushed their way through and when we asked the them politely to move they became very pushy and verbally abusive. I guarantee things will be resolved there after.

 

[disneyfreak42]

I'm with you robyn!! This same situation has happened to me as well, more than once. I love Disney just as much or MORE than most kids. I sacrifice and work extra to make sure we get to go on our "annual pilgrimage to see the Mouse"!!! I also plan so that we are able to see as much as we possibly can(does the word commando come to mind?!). So when rude and/or obnoxous parents try to force their kids in front of mine at the last minute, yes, I get offended. I will usually accomodate, if possible, but will not be forced to do so. Also parental attitude is everything. Just ask if your child can get in front of me. That's all it takes!

 

[SurfinTX]

To just push a child up front between another group or family without asking is just plain wrong. Period.

 

[stitch34]

We never go early to stake out a spot, too hard to do to wait there with little kids. We take our chances for mainly Spectro I'm talking about, on finding a spot where we can get a peak through people already there.

many times someone will offer to my kids, hey, do you want to stand in front of us? and actually, usually my girls will say no thank you.

BUT....DD is a big fan of Snow White and 7 Dwarfs, and there are times we really can't see Spectro at all from behind people - but that's okay, can see the top of floats and ahhh, can hear the music we love from Spectro - but when those dwarfs come out, yes, I've said to people in front of us, excuse me, could my daughter just sneak in front of you just to see Snow White and the dwarfs? No one has said no yet... and she sees them go by for a couple seconds, we say thank you so much, and she comes right back to me. So that is the extent of our butting in front of anyone.

But yes, I can agree with OP - if sitting there that early beforehand staking out a spot, I too would get aggravated with people butting in at the last minute.

 

[lllGurulll]

One thing I decided a long time ago is that these parades and fireworks do not require you to be there 2 hours early to secure spots. The last few times I have gone we waited up until about 20 minutes prior and just walk until we see a thin spot. We then just get as close as we can. If a parent offers my kids a spot up front, we are definitely grateful. If nobody does its not loss to us. I always make sure my kids will be in a place where they can see even if it is not near the front.

Fireworks are a lot less complicated than the parade though. Worst case scenario, I will just stand behind everyone in my area and take turns putting my kids on my shoulders.

As far as the OP states though, if I am the one up front I would not have any problem allowing kids to sit in front of me. I'm definitely not going to punish someone elses child for the mannerisms their parents may have given to them. Also, when I am in front, I am going out of my way to keep as low a profile as I possibly can being a six foot tall person.

I would definitely have a problem with parents trying to push in front of me, but I have no idea how I would deal with that. I'm a non confrontational parent so, if nothing else, it is a learning opportunity for my kids on how NOT to act. I would probably just move to a point that I am not out of range of my child or just sit down in their spot and put them on my lap.

 

[lauralong81]

"Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine."

I cannot think of day that goes by that I don't think or say this at least once... usually on multiple occasions while at Disney!!! I should have it put on a shirt!

Totally agreed on the point of not just for kids, and I am the parent of two small children.

 

[lllGurulll]

I cannot think of day that goes by that I don't think or say this at least once... usually on multiple occasions while at Disney!!! I should have it put on a shirt!

Totally agreed on the point of not just for kids, and I am the parent of two small children.

Enjoy your trip today!!!

 

[topmonkeygirl]

With all due respect, my husband and I are a childless couple and therefore the kids are not the ones we do all this for. We go to Disney regularly because we are kids at heart who found each other a little later in life and found our Disney passion at about the same time. We pay the same amount to get into the park as everyone else and therefore are welcome to enjoy all of the entertainment, including parades and fireworks. We do stake out space early for certain parades and fireworks shows because we love them and want a good view (giving up attraction or ride time to do so). Anyone else could make the same commitment if they want that same view.

Now, out of common sense, if I'm standing and a parent nicely asks if their child who is shorter than me can stand or sit in front of me, I always agree. If someone demands it, citing the oft quoted "Disney is for the kids", I'm less likely to oblige. And if I'm already sitting at the front edge of the rope/banister/etc, then it's likely their child can stand behind me and still see.

To toss out a different quote, "Poor planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on mine." Editted from how I usually say it for these family friendly boards. It's a life lesson kids might as well learn as early as possible (and many adults could stand the reminder).

Thank you, Disney is not just for "Kids". It's one of the top destinations for Honeymooners. How many Honeymooners take their kids? Disney is for everyone if it wasn't they would only have rides without height restrictions. DH and I don't have kids and we go for us to have fun.

I'm with you if a parent politely asks if their child could get in front so they could have a better view that's fine, but if they start shoving their kid in front no way. I didn't stake my spot out for you or your kid, I sat my butt on a curb for an hour for me to watch. If that parade is that important they can do the same thing.

 

[mom2rtk]

For the same reasons, I really don't like when parents hoist their kids up on their shoulders during the fireworks, or up close to the stage for a show. It's usually a tall dad that does this, and that makes the kid a good couple of feet taller than ANYONE else, completely obstructing the view. Hold your kid (heck, I want them to see too!) but PLEASE don't put them on your shoulders!

 

[madalex]

I've had the same thing happen that happened to the OP - got a spot for Illuminations and had a child, urged on by his parents, try to horn in at the last minute in front of my kids. And I did the same thing the OP did - that is advise the child that the spot was taken and not allow him to push my kids out of the way.

I must say, however, that this did not happen after staking out a spot 90 minutes or more ahead of time. This simply is not necessary for Illuminations, as there are many great spots still available as little as 10 minutes before the show. I can understand the OP's annoyance about someone try to push in at the last minute, but I can't understand lining up 90 minutes ahead of time.

 

[katytrott]

See this thread is the exact reason why we have given up doing shows and parades. Just way too stressful.

Whatever you do as a parent you end upsetting someone in this situation - either someone in the family (waiting around too long) or out of your family (your child being on your shoulders!). It really is not easy in WDW to juggle everyones feelings, especially when all you want is keep everyone happy.

I honestly went through this thread and agreed with every post on both sides of the debate - leaving me feeling that I will probably offend/obstruct someone in the vacinity of my family if I breathed!

I remember going to WDW BC (before children) and staking a perfect spot 1 hour before the parade. When it came closer to the time, my friend and I would actively look around near us to offer our seats to any late children. Boy did we enjoy those parades so much more. We could still see over the kids head and it was such fun watching the childrens reactions and their parents who were always so grateful.

No WDW is not just for kids, but as an adult, part of the joy of WDW is watching the kids (any child).

I would, however, draw the line if I had been staking for a while and had a child push their way through, only to obstruct my children's view - but would still be ok if it could be shared - where's the harm there?

All in all - WAY too stressful - not worth it! We didn't see a single show/parade on our last trip and we had a much more enjoyable time!