Parade/Fireworks Etiquette

[Hoopfamily]

So here's my thing. I am early for EVERYTHING. I wake up every day way earlier than I need to, I leave for work way earlier than I need to, I get to the movie theater way earlier than I need to. It is an extremely odd event, If I am not the first person someplace. Ask me why I go early...Go ahead I'll wait.
Okay I go early, because I am a control freak. That's right I said it. If you're the type of person who goes through life with a la de da attitude, don't get mad at me when I won't move over 1 seat at the movies so you and your kids can sit together. Get there before me. If I stake out what I deem to be the perfect spot for a parade, or fireworks and you or your kids can't see because I'm in the way too bad. I'm 6'2" and I weigh 285 lbs, I'm more a door than a window. If i'm in front of you because I was early and you were not, don't get huffy because I hoist my kid onto my shoulders. I got to my spot early enough to ensure that my family and I get what we want. If you want a relaxing vacation that's cool, but don't mess with my trip

 

[r&kmommy]

When we were at WDW in March, we sat on the curb about 20 min before Spectro, and there was plenty of space.

LUCKY!!! That's rare, at least in our experience :0)

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

LUCKY!!! That's rare, at least in our experience :0)

It was also a balmy 37 degrees, so that might be it.

 

[lllGurulll]

1) I honestly can't think of a situation where I would support putting a child on your shoulders unless you moved entirely to the back or all the way to one side to prevent blocking someone else's view.

2) It is entirely possible for a child on someone's shoulders to block the fireworks. The people immediately behind you for starters....... and many enjoy seeing the fireworks view WITH the castle in it, which a child on the shoulders would surely block.

Nothing wrong with holding them so their head is at your own head's level, but above that is gong to block someone else.

I do believe that most people that have posted about this have stated the stand where they are blocking nobody when they do this.

 

[mom2rtk]

I do believe that most people that have posted about this have stated the stand where they are blocking nobody when they do this.

No, they didn't. The poster said there was not a "throng" of people. That doesn't mean there was no one behind them.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

So here's my thing. I am early for EVERYTHING. I wake up every day way earlier than I need to, I leave for work way earlier than I need to, I get to the movie theater way earlier than I need to. It is an extremely odd event, If I am not the first person someplace. Ask me why I go early...Go ahead I'll wait.
Okay I go early, because I am a control freak. That's right I said it. If you're the type of person who goes through life with a la de da attitude, don't get mad at me when I won't move over 1 seat at the movies so you and your kids can sit together. Get there before me. If I stake out what I deem to be the perfect spot for a parade, or fireworks and you or your kids can't see because I'm in the way too bad. I'm 6'2" and I weigh 285 lbs, I'm more a door than a window. If i'm in front of you because I was early and you were not, don't get huffy because I hoist my kid onto my shoulders. I got to my spot early enough to ensure that my family and I get what we want. If you want a relaxing vacation that's cool, but don't mess with my trip

Amen, Brother. I am the same way. I wear a huge hat just for the shows then when they ask me to remove it i apologize and take it off. I really did not want to wear the hat anyways so it does not hurt me and they have already bothered me and i politley complied so most of the time i am left alone for the remainder of the show.

 

[lllGurulll]

So here's my thing. I am early for EVERYTHING. I wake up every day way earlier than I need to, I leave for work way earlier than I need to, I get to the movie theater way earlier than I need to. It is an extremely odd event, If I am not the first person someplace. Ask me why I go early...Go ahead I'll wait.
Okay I go early, because I am a control freak. That's right I said it. If you're the type of person who goes through life with a la de da attitude, don't get mad at me when I won't move over 1 seat at the movies so you and your kids can sit together. Get there before me. If I stake out what I deem to be the perfect spot for a parade, or fireworks and you or your kids can't see because I'm in the way too bad. I'm 6'2" and I weigh 285 lbs, I'm more a door than a window. If i'm in front of you because I was early and you were not, don't get huffy because I hoist my kid onto my shoulders. I got to my spot early enough to ensure that my family and I get what we want. If you want a relaxing vacation that's cool, but don't mess with my trip

Except for you. I'm sorry but being in the front AND putting kids on your shoulders is being purposely rude to everyone behind you and a "rubbing it in everyones face" attitude. If you really are in the front as you say, there is absolutely no reason for the kids to NEED to be on your shoulders.

 

[lllGurulll]

No, they didn't. The poster said there was not a "throng" of people. That doesn't mean there was no one behind them.

When I made my post I hadn't gotten to the one that had stated that yet.

 

[princess jackie]

Here's what we do....If we happen to get a good spot for parade/fireworks/show before hand we do the "Disney Spread" by the time the show starts we are so squished together that we were gald we spread out to start. Also if we are in the front and DH and I see kids in the back trying to see we always let them come and take our spots. (KIDS ONLY) I just tell my kids that we will be straight back from them and to sit and wait until we come get them. My kids are never out of my sight. Also to help with some of the tension in the croud we buy extra glowsticks (after Halloween clearance) and let our kids hand them out to kids sitting around them. My kids love doing it and love lookign for a "special" kid to give one to.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

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 go to Disney all the time solo, and really enjoy all the parades and shows. If I take time out of my day to get a spot early, and someone thinks they are entitled to my spot because they have kids, they are dead wrong.

I don't mind making space for a small child if I'm asked nicely, but telling me to move, because your kids can't see is not my problem, and I'm not going to.

And I hate the whole, "Disney is for kids argument." It's just not true. Disney is for everyone.

 

[SRUAlmn]

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!! We are also a childless couple and it drives me crazy when people think that they should stand in front of us because they have kids. If you would like your child to stand in front of me, that is totally fine, but normally the parents want to join them. My husband is 6'5" and I am 5'9" so we get a LOT of complaints that people can't see over us. I sometimes feel bad, but I can't see behind you either, unless you're 5' or shorter. We have been screamed at, pushed, etc... because we get there BEFORE the show and people show up at the last minute and use our height for the reason why they can't see. When it's really because they planned poorly


Prime Example: We found a spot to watch the Move it, Shake it Parade last summer. We got there 20 minutes early and found a great spot on the edge of the sidewalk. Two young children came up behind us with a mother and we offered for the kids to stand in front of us. Great. 5 minutes later Grandma in her wheelchair was PUSHED up in front of us, followed by 4 other adults who were as tall or taller than us. They said they wanted to enjoy it with their kids. They literally pushed through to get up in front and almost knocked me over because they were running to get up there as the parade was beginning to pass (that's how late they were.) We were so annoyed.

 

[r&kmommy]

It was also a balmy 37 degrees, so that might be it.

Brrrrrr... I'm sure that played a part in the crowd level

 

[MissStitch626]

Just wanted to add to the discussion about kids on parents' shoulders.

I do understand people want their children to have the best possible view, but like many other posters I've also found myself unable to see Wishes because of this. I was standing behind a very tall man, and while he was holding the little boy in his arms I was able to see over his head, but not being the tallest person myself, once he had his child on his shoulders I couldn't even see the fireworks never mind the castle. I know I could have moved or made fuss, but I do sometimes think that a tiny bit of consideration might avoid a lot of the confrontation that happens at the shows and parades.

No judgement against parents who place their kids on shoulders - just be kind to the short people behind you!

 

[fbb]

Amen, Brother. I am the same way. I wear a huge hat just for the shows then when they ask me to remove it i apologize and take it off. I really did not want to wear the hat anyways so it does not hurt me and they have already bothered me and i politley complied so most of the time i am left alone for the remainder of the show.

Well played.

 

[SRUAlmn]

No judgement against parents who place their kids on shoulders - just be kind to the short people behind you!

Even the tall people!! If someone is even 6' tall and they put their kid on their shoulders it makes them almost 7' tall. I don't know anyone who can easily see over that!

 

[MissStitch626]

Even the tall people!! If someone is even 6' tall and they put their kid on their shoulders it makes them almost 7' tall. I don't know anyone who can easily see over that!

Very true. The other thing about this is that usually everyone is packed in close together for Wishes so really no matter how tall or short you are, if someone is right in front of you and hoists a kid onto their shoulders there's no chance of seeing over them.

I agree with a previous poster on this subject, if you're already at the front, please give others a fighting chance

 

[stitchfan23]

We had the same thing last week. We wanted to see the parade and fireworks from the train station. We knew this going in and knew that we would have to be there early. We arrived with other people at about 6:20 (yes the parade was 9pm) This was our decission. Well at 10 min before parade time a family with 2 kids show up and push their kids in between me and the right hand railing. There was maybe enough room for one but not two. The kid taps me on the leg and asks me to move over! I mean where would she like me to go. It is chair to chair up there and there is no room. By the time the fireworks ended we had been sitting in that spot for 4 hours. I was not about to let her infront of me. I am sorry but I would love to have kids to take to Disney but since we can't have kids we are kids ourselves and I am not going to give up my space for your kids if you arrive late.

 

[lllGurulll]

Even the tall people!! If someone is even 6' tall and they put their kid on their shoulders it makes them almost 7' tall. I don't know anyone who can easily see over that!

Exactly, if I am going to put my kids on my shoulders, I make sure I am in a place where it will not affect anyone first. Usually down by the train station and right up against the wall between tunnels. If I am anywhere else, I just make sure I am in the back. I don't really care if I can't see, I just want my kids to be able to see without taking away their ride time to do it.

 

[KellyNY]

I agree pushing kids or yourself infront of others is purely rude however I never could understand waiting for parade/fireworks for 2 hours. We always show up about 15 min before and we usually have a nice spot, not front but fireworks are pretty much up there, so we can see anyway. As for Illuminations, lagoon is huge, there are plenty of great spots for the very last minute. Maybe people get so upset with rude people because they actually waited that much. Sorry but I do not consider wasting 2 hours of park time a good planning. JMHO.

 

[Hoopfamily]

Except for you. I'm sorry but being in the front AND putting kids on your shoulders is being purposely rude to everyone behind you and a "rubbing it in everyones face" attitude. If you really are in the front as you say, there is absolutely no reason for the kids to NEED to be on your shoulders.

It's not purposely rude, Showing up late and expecting me to not do things because it obstructs you is rude. And if my daughter asks to be on my shoulders then that's what she gets.
If you don't want to be behind me and my shoulder riding kid show up before me.