Parade Pet peeve!!

[kaysmommie]

It has been my opinion that it's too much to ask little kids in such a tiring stimulating, often HOT environment to wait upwards of an hour and a half holding a piece of sidewalk to wait a parade.

THEN you deal with the people in the crowds. Except for Spectro - and we always go off season and are not in primo viewing area - we skip parades.

And there are no lines anywhere else during a parade.

Spectro is the only parade we saw this trip because DS is only 2 and also it was offseason we just got back so that didn't help.

 

[kaysmommie]

I agree with tastefullychris. I do not want to waste 1-2 hours of park time waiting for a parade. Consequently, we never have prime viewing. Thats fine with us. However, on the other side of this issue are the people who start reserving and putting strollers, coats, bags along a very large area and hold them for their families who are enjoying the rides until 3 minutes into the parade. We have come a half an hour early a few times and not have been able to get close because people think they can reserve 10 feet of sidewalk. It is even worse when they are waiting for adults and not children. Why can't people let the kids sit up front and sit behind the kids. That way more children would have an unobstructed view of the parade.

Most people think its inappropriate to save spots for family in ride lines and character meet lines but think its perfectly acceptable to corral huge areas of prime viewing space for parades.

I saw one lady at the afternoon parade holding about 15 feet of sidewalk with all her junk. We make the kids wait with us and DD plays jumprope or whatever is going on around us. Also we let the kids sit in front of us except DS usually sits on our lap because he is little and I wouldn't want him to decide to run out into the parade or something. It seems like one extreme to another with everything.

 

[kaysmommie]

We were in Frontierland on our last visit, and it wasn't that crowded as Spectro Magic began. We stood behind a fairly large group of people who, as a group, apparently had been camped out there awhile. We arrived just as the parade was starting, because getting a great parade spot wasn't our priority for the night. It worked out great that we could see while standing behind this group who were seated on the curb. For whatever reason, they were determinded to have no one standing near them. It was so strange, but they kept giving us glares and talking about us, saying we should have thought about our view sooner than now. It was soooo strange. We stood there for awhile, and then realized that we could see better while sitting on the posts behind them. Infact, it was a great spot, because we could see above most people standing! Since this group remained directly infront of us, we saw them give glares and bother everyone who stood behind them! How funny! All they needed to do was enjoy the parade. Who cared who was behind them??
I've learned that some people are just weird.

That is weird, of course people are going to stand behind you to see the parade. Sound like a great spot, where in frontierland?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We're not big on the parades but if we can secure a spot and don't have to wait for hours then we do it. We would never bump anyone out of the way. That is just rude. That being said, if anyone plopped their butt on my lap or their kids butts on my lap they would be promptly dumped on the floor. I will hold my own children and would help a parent if needed, but if anyone assumes that I am there for their relaxing pleasure a la La-Z-Boy they are going to be in for a shock. If a CM tried that nonsense I would place the child in the CM's arms and tell them to hold the child. I love kids so no flames please- I have 3 of my own- I just think that is overstepping the boundaries when you sit on our laps and it has not been okayed with us. JMHO.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is even worse when they are waiting for adults and not children. Why can't people let the kids sit up front and sit behind the kids. That way more children would have an unobstructed view of the parade.

FYI: I can sit kind of normal if I sit on the curb. My knees bent in a normal sitting position. I cannot sit cross-legged. Which is how I would have to sit if I placed someones little darlings in front of me. I have bad knees and a bad hip, so I get my place on the curb so I can watch the parade in relative comfort. Why are adults not entitled to sit on the curb and watch the parades? I choose to miss going on some rides so that I can have a good place from which to watch the parade. It is your decision to either go on rides or save a parade spot. Now, I have been know to scootch over and make room next to me for a child, but sorry, I won't give up my spot completly because mom and dad expect me to.

 

[Meezers]

Gotta admit not to reading the whole thread...but just gotta say...

The female teenager sat on your husband's lap? Oh goodness...I can see someone doing that to my brother...he would be up so fast that chickie would be catapaulted to the other side of the park!

Wow....just can't believe that one....

 

[KCMiller]

I usually don't worry about watching parades, since I'm fairly tall (and an adult ), but during my December trip, and really the whole REASON for the trip, is to see my DD and DS march in the afternoon parade at MK. It being Christmas week, I know it'll be crowded, and I'm OK with staking out a seat well in advance and hanging out. But I'm worried that I won't really be able to see them, if someone gets in front of me or something.

If you REALLY REALLY had to have great sightlines, with no chance of anyone stepping in front of you, where exactly would you sit? I would love to get a picture of them marching with the castle in the background - is it possible to sit on the edge of the 'hub', where they make the turn to go backstage? So essentially they would be marching directly towards me?

I'm so excited, and I'll be all by my lonesome (my DH and older DS won't be making the trip), so I only need a little space for me and my camcorder! All suggestions are very very welcome!


KC

 

[blondeheroine]

It is even worse when they are waiting for adults and not children. Why can't people let the kids sit up front and sit behind the kids. That way more children would have an unobstructed view of the parade.

This type of entitlement always amazes me. If someone WANTS to give up the spot they held for so long, they can. But to expect or think someone should, that's amazingly arrogant. What you're basically saying is that you're too good to wait. When I was a child, we waited for the parades. So yeah - it's possible. I see people doing it all the time.

I think it's great that people give up spots for children when they WANT to, but to expect it.

 

[usewickhouse]

I agree with the post that said to use your child's stroller to stake your spot. We have used that technique several times and never had someone plop in front of us. I will say getting a spot for the parade for us is alway's a #1 priority! So we make sure to keep an eye out on the crowds and when things start filling up we get our spot. Our DD's 3 & 8 LOVE the parades at all the parks so this is definitely worth it for us. Small sacrafice of time to make them happy!

 

[twinspluscade]

"Originally Posted by Tess'smom
It is even worse when they are waiting for adults and not children. Why can't people let the kids sit up front and sit behind the kids. That way more children would have an unobstructed view of the parade. "

These types of comments always surprise me too...and I'm a parent of young children! I would never expect/want an adult to give up their spots so my child could see. Nor would I give up my own spot for a child. I don't get why people think adults shouldn't sit in the front??

Kelly

 

[Schmeck]

We've never been the ones to stake out spots in advance, so we're always happy to just catch a glimpse of a parade going by. One time, we ended up coming out of Tony's during Spectro, and found a space open on the porch there. Two other families, with infants/young toddlers were there as well. The open space was between them, and the parents were chatting, walking a bit with the babies in their arms.

We got a great view, but then as the parade ended it dawned on me that the two families were together, and we had plunked down right in the midst of them! It wasn't a closed-in space, but we did get right in there... By the time my dim brain had figured it out, they had blended in with the departing crowd, so I didn't get a chance to apologize or thank them for letting us crash their spot!

Maybe they were Disers, and they'll read this!

 

[bytheblood]

I have parked myself early for a parade have had parents complain, but if I was there an hour before, I am not moving.

On the other hand, on several occassions, I have suggested some kids come sit next to me and my daughter so they can see.

Not all people are mean, but in some cases, people feel a sense of entitlement because they feel their kids should be placed first. I don't spend $5000 to go to Disney for a week so I can back down to every whiny parent. But I am more than happy to be reasonable and let a kid go first when the parents are nice.

 

[Queenie]

I'm one of the people who arrives at the curb 10 minutes before the parade starts (can't stand waiting around) but I cannot understand anyone shoving in front of the people already waiting??? It would never cross my mind to stand in front of another person, maybe I'm odd!! We always walk along the pavement until we find a) a space in the crowd (rare), b) a family including someone in a wheelchair with no one stood behind them or c) a stroller with no one behind it. Even so if that family later has someone then appear who'd been off getting an ice cream or something we've always moved away and found another spot. If we're ever in the rare position of being in the front, I've always let little ones stand in front of me, I can still see perfectly well over their heads so it makes no difference to my view/filming of the parade. Last year I spent the SADCT parade helping a tot keep his balance standing on a wall as his dad was just a step or two too far away, the kid had his hand on my shoulder to keep steady. Didn't bother me one bit, I offered to switch places with the dad but as he was 6ft+ and I'm barely 5ft he wouldn't hear of it