Parade/Fireworks Etiquette

[michelle06]

Another pet peeve of mine.

We were squished in on Main Street to watch the Remember fireworks at DL in 2007. At the time, my grandson was 7 and when the show began, my son lifted Kyle into his arms so he could see. 2 men in front of him lifted their sons onto their shoulders so now my grandson couldn't see. There were people all around us, so my son, who had been taught manners when he was a little boy, just told Kyle he was sorry, but he couldn't do that to the people behind him so poor Kyle didn't get to see much of the fireworks.

We are going on our first trip where we will actually finally experience most of Disney this summer. I am reading all of this and trying to figure it all out. How are you not able to see fireworks? Aren't they high up in the sky? We did go 3 yrs ago for 2 days. Never knew about being early to parades. Found a spot at the daytime and evening MK parade not too much before. Don't remember not being able to see (and I'm short), hopefully didn't take anyone's view like mentioned here. I do remember it being so crowded you could barely move. I also remember my dh putting my dd on his shoulders for the Forecourt Show when lots of people moved in front of us. She was 2 and couldn't see a thing. However, not sure in this instance that there were a throng of people, a good many, but not sure it was intrusive. Hopefully not and will be more aware of it this go around. Again, though, really confused about the fireworks - can understand not being able to see the parade, but not the fireworks. We didn't realize there was a "show" for them last time. So, we tried to beat people out of the park and watched the fireworks while the ferry took us across to the car area. So, maybe had we been on Main St., I would understand.

Seems like if you get a spot early, rude people will just ruin it and if you wait too long, you can't see anything. Hopefully, we'll have a good experience, because I plan to see all the parades and fireworks as Disney isn't something we are able to do regularly. I want to fit it all in because I have no idea when we'll be able to go again, especially for 5 days!

 

[michelle06]

Too bad tasers aren't allowed in the park.

But what if the rude people got a hold of them?

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Wanted to comment on the kids-on-the-shoulders thing..my dh has done this for our kids for years...& it's usually when we are watching parades and we are about 4 people deep and they really see nothing..usually no one is behind us...we didn't do Wishes,Spectro, or Illuminations last trip because I did not want to spend all that time waiting on the curb!! We have seen it before and I just didn't want to do it this year...next trip I plan to try to get Spectro in...if the parks aren't too loaded, I will find a good spot and park it!! If it's super crowded, forget it!

 

[mom2rtk]

I also remember my dh putting my dd on his shoulders for the Forecourt Show when lots of people moved in front of us. She was 2 and couldn't see a thing. However, not sure in this instance that there were a throng of people, a good many, but not sure it was intrusive. Hopefully not and will be more aware of it this go around. Again, though, really confused about the fireworks - can understand not being able to see the parade, but not the fireworks.

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.

 

[mariepapa]

On 4/22 I was at MK and there were at least a million people standing on Main St. waiting to see the fireworks. My family and I were included in that million. We had gotten our spot, and were standing for the time after Spectro. We were right in front of the train station in that little garden area. Now, when Wishes started I hear a very loud "YOU ARE BLOCKING THE VIEW OF A PERSON IN A WHEELCHAIR." I hear this several times. But nobody moves. I turn around and this little woman is screeching at the top of her lungs at the million people in front of her. Not once did she politely ask anyone to move. She just yelled. The same thing over and over. It was odd. The whole system seemed to have broken down that night.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

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).

Well said! Unfortunately some people are just rude. My kids are grown, so it's just adult trips for us now. Asked nicely, I would of course let little kids stand in front of me, parents who push/encourage their kids to get in front, not so much. Worst case however is you miss part of a parade because of inconsiderate people...just remember as you walk away "what goes around, comes around", someone more obnoxious will probably ruin something for them!

 

[lesterhd]

Agree with those who say it's just not worth it. On my first trip in 2003, we staked out a perfect spot on main street over an hour in advance for Spectromagic. Right as the parade was about to start, a whole family pushed in front, apparently not speaking any English to ignore our protests. (Whether they did or not is another story.) We just decided there it wasn't worth it to see the parade, so now we try to do character meals to see some characters, and alternate fireworks means (California Grill balcony, out on the property at the Grand Floridian) to see those instead of at the parks.

Wow! That's just scary. The exact same thing happened to us last year at Spectromagic. That same family must show up a lot...... I hope they didn't speak English because if they understood what my dad said, they were probably offended.

 

[disneydiva1313]

My husband and I do not have kids, but we enjoy Disney World for all it is worth, and that includes parades and fireworks. We go through great lengths to find places to watch parades and fireworks hours ahead of time and it is so frustrating when families come at the last minute and try to squeeze themselves and their kids right up front. We have paid the same park admission as them, we have spent probably more time on our feet all day as them - so just because we are adults, I do not feel that we have to move for anyone else - child or adult. It is the classic - first come first serve. I do my part by "sitting down in the front" so that they can see in the back - so why don't they just appreciate that they are seeing the parade or fireworks at all since they are arriving so much later? Just because they are in Disney World doesn't mean that late arriving children take priority. They should instead teach their children that if you want something - you have to plan ahead, sacrifice some other things, and wait for what you want...not to push and shove to the front of the line.

Well said!!! I am in total agreement! Once I decided to watch Wishes from the entrance of main street up on the balcony...there's a few chairs up there...nice spot. Anyway, I got there an hour early...just chillin' and waiting. Right when Wishes started, this woman stood right behind me and felt free to lean on the back of my chair...totally in my 'bubble'. I could feel her breath! I was not a happy camper...she didn't care. No matter what I said or did, she would not move. Unfortunately, rudeness such as that seems to happen quite frequently these days.

 

[mom2rtk]

Well said!!! I am in total agreement! Once I decided to watch Wishes from the entrance of main street up on the balcony...there's a few chairs up there...nice spot. Anyway, I got there an hour early...just chillin' and waiting. Right when Wishes started, this woman stood right behind me and felt free to lean on the back of my chair...totally in my 'bubble'. I could feel her breath! I was not a happy camper...she didn't care. No matter what I said or did, she would not move. Unfortunately, rudeness such as that seems to happen quite frequently these days.

Subtlety just doesn't work like it use to!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

Subtlety just doesn't work like it use to!

Love this!! Neither does just staring at people either...I have tried that unsuccessfully!

 

[DaniB]

After reading this entire thread, I have a question as to how the parade is "roped-off" or treated as such...

Do CMs actually "rope-off" the entire route? Or just sections? If just sections, what determines a rope be placed there?

Is the curb considered the boundary? So if people are sitting down at the curb, they should be considered front-line with no one butting in front of them, correct?

 

[FSUFanChris]

Disclaimer: First, I feel for you if you waiting an hour or two for your spot. I really do. It sucks that someone can come up 5 minutes before the show and block your view. With that said...

This whole thread reminds me of the threads on different football team's forums about fans who won't sit down at the game so they can see. IT'S A FRICKIN FOOTBALL GAME! What do you expect? This is a fireworks show with thousands of people. What do you expect?

 

[2Tiggies]

You deal with this all the time - in the mall, at the office, in the bank..... bottom line is that a little bit of courtesy goes a long way. The old saying rings true: "It's a little of what you say and do and a lot of how you say and do it".

I think very few people would have a problem with some little kids standing in front of them so they can see - especially if the parents asked really nicely. Almost everyone (unless they happened to be the self-appointed distributer of Pixie Dust) would have a problem with people pushing in and assuming right of way. I think it's wrong - but it's not always intentional. Some people just get so caught up in the moment that they aren't really aware of what they are doing. It happens in the real world all the time. And people from the real world like to go to Disney.

 

[maxiesmom]

After reading this entire thread, I have a question as to how the parade is "roped-off" or treated as such...

Do CMs actually "rope-off" the entire route? Or just sections? If just sections, what determines a rope be placed there?

Is the curb considered the boundary? So if people are sitting down at the curb, they should be considered front-line with no one butting in front of them, correct?

During busy seasons like Spring Break or the 4th of July the put ropes up a little bit back from the curb on main street, leaving maybe a 4 foot wide section for people to stand or sit in to watch the parade. They have CMs with battons telling you that you have to keep moving unless you are inside of the rope. There were quite a few people who were downright nasty because there was simply no more room for them in the roped off section, and they couldn't understand that they just couldn't block off the whole sidewalk for parade watching. I really felt sorry for the CMs trying to keep the sidewalks clear, they were taking tons of abuse.

 

[Cruella 66]

I just have to pipe in on the '...Disney is for kids...' thought.

Disney is marketed for ADULTS too...check out the Food and Wine Festival they have every fall for about 6 weeks. Drinking age is 21 and that is NOT a kid!

Then they have the Flower and Garden Festival in April/May...ummm...how many 'kids' say,"Mom, I want to go to Disney to see all the flowers!" Certainly not mine.

If you look around, Disney has many activities for adults only. They want the dollars of folks without kids' too!!!

 

[Missytara]

This happened to me last year when I took two friends.

I waited at the exact spot where the Jammin' Jingle Jungle Parade was starts/ends and camped out a spot. About 45 minutes before the parade starts, my two companions join me - still plenty of room.

About two minutes before the parade starts, a lady behind us with three young children, one in a stroller and two walking with her looked to be about five and seven years old - literally pushed her two mobile children in front of us. The seven year old in absolute tears with the five year old with the deer in the headlights look. The little girl kept moving back behind us, and her mother kept pushing her in front of us, all the while this poor child is in tears. At one point, she even told her mother she had seen us standing there for a long time.

While I was so angry, I had to keep my cool and my traveling companions insisted I not let it bother me. I finally got my composure, told the little girl she and her little brother could stand in front of us. She stopped crying immediately and said thank you to us. She was just a little dear and he looked pretty confused over the entire thing.

Afterwards, the mother took the girl's hand and said, see I told you it pays to push your way to the front, someone will eventually let you in.

I kindly took the woman aside, and said in a whisper that I didn't do that for her, I did that for her daughter, because she was so unhappy and embarassed and I didn't want to see her cry in the happiest place on earth. And then I very kindly reminded her that she could have waited 45 minutes like the rest of us.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We watch Spectro on the porch at Pecos Bill's. We don't have to worry about this because we position ourselves right in front of the rope on the street. You can't get in front of us because there is nowhere to go.

In fact, I was surprised to find that at certain times of the year, they apparently don't use the rope. Weird...

 

[r&kmommy]

Regardless of whether a rope is used or not, the curb is the boundary. . . that is our IDEAL parade waiting spot and unless we can get a curb spot we DON'T wait 1/2-1 hour for the parade/fireworks. Unfortunately that is the ONLY way to ensure you don't get your view blocked (becuase nobody can stand in front of the curb)!!

 

[brockash]

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"[/QUOTE]

Wow, that's crazy to me and I do have kids, but by no means, do I think they're entilted to have more fun/better time/better viewing, then an adult, just because they're kids. If we want good seats/viewing for something, it's MY responsibility to get us situated in time. There's no way in the world I'd EVER, even politely ask some random adult if my kid could sit in front of them ect. That's just totally nuts to me, and really sends the WRONG message to my kid.
If you as an adult want to offer a child a seat in front of you, that's one thing and nice of you to do, however others that would rather not do that shouldn't be judge because of it, and a parent certainly shouldn't expect it.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Regardless of whether a rope is used or not, the curb is the boundary. . . that is our IDEAL parade waiting spot and unless we can get a curb spot we DON'T wait 1/2-1 hour for the parade/fireworks. Unfortunately that is the ONLY way to ensure you don't get your view blocked (becuase nobody can stand in front of the curb)!!

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