Parade Pet peeve!!

[kaysmommie]

I thought I might vent and see if this happens to everyone. The picture of the people in the rain made me think of this. Have any of you seen people lining up for parade so you find your family a spot around 7:30 and the parade doesn't even start until 9 PM. We have a fussy DS2 who doesn't want to sit there but we do everything to make him happy(snacks, drink, glow necklace) and DD6 who loved the games but would have rather had a little time on some rides but we didn't want to miss the parade.
Anyway to get to the point right when parade starts this family with teenagers decides she wants to see the parade and everyone should move back to accomodate them. The people behind us were there at 8:00 too. The lady and her teenagers practically sit on my 2 and 6 YO to squeeze in. Of course I told them to go to the back and she said "we just want to see the parade". So I said "hello so do all of us who have been waiting since 7:30, don't you think we all wanted to be on rides too!" The CM's told them to meve and they wouldn't move after being told twice. Then her teenage daughter parks her low rise wearing butt on my DH's lap. Then he gets pissed and tells them to move. It is just unbelievable they expected us and all the families behind us to move back for them. Needless to say they were rather unintelligent to begin with. This also happened one afternoon when we waited for 3PM parade just me and DD this time and these people who said they couldn't speak english decide to sit in the street in front of us and completely block DD's view. I told them to move please and they did that time. I also saw a fight break out one night with these two men over a parade spot. I can't believe how rude people are! This is one thing at disney that completely got on my nerves. Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[cleo]

*Sigh*

Yes, it happens a lot. I think if you do a search you'll find it's a popular topic.

 

[Bete]

I have a few hints that can help. Sit where there's a light post or garbage can or bench, tree, bush, etc. on one side of your view. I'm assuming your on the curb in front. At least this will protect and block one side of your family. Now, you need to have the kids on that side and you at the other end. If hubby's around he can take the back side of the kids and that will protect anyone coming forward too much. It's harder for people to push over an adult. It's sad that we have to come up with a combat plan, but in 30 years I've not seen this change.

Of course, you have to stake out your area early, but this has worked pretty well with us. Also, if you catch a bench to sit on with a good view it can work out well, but there are not too many of those around for the parades. Also, I give out dirty, nasty looks to anyone that gets close. Finally, I scan the area at all times to make sure noone gets too close. I've taught my husband to guard and block, too. I'll make friends with those around us and we will create a blockade. Now, that I have let out my secrets it will probably be harder to get this kind of spot. Good luck.

I have never seen a CM take hold of this situation properly. There have been success stories from others on this board that I have read through the years about a CM clearing the way, but they are few. There's too much public relations at stake for them to get very serious about this problem.

 

[LorlovesStitch]

On a positive note, there actually are nice people, though few and far between. Last December at a crowded night at MVMCP, my 5 year old DDs were really unable to see the parade (in Fronteirland), and of course, vocally upset about it, though we tried to contain their noise as best as possible. Suddenly, two teenagers who were sitting in front and who were at least 2-3 people deep in front of us, asked the girls if they wanted to sit with them in the front. It was very sweet. The teenagers parents were not even with them to put them up to that...they were behind us! So, every once in a while there is some pixie dust at parades! And not all teenagers (or adults for that matter) are rude!

 

[barbie78]

Let me tell you what I lucked into this week at MK. I hadn't planned to watch Spectromagic with DD2 for the reasons mentioned above. I hate fighting the crowds for parades and fireworks. It was during the parade and I was crossing from Fantasyland to Adventureland for a Dole Whip, and there was a 10-12 ft hole WITH NO PEOPLE IN IT!!!! I looked around for a CM to ask if we could really sit there but there were none. So I wheeled DD right up to the rope and enjoyed about 10 mins of the parade with a perfect view. After the parade I asked a woman sitting nearby what was going on and she said they had it blocked off for handicapped viewing, but no one used it! I could not have planned it any better!

 

[LAinSEA]

My husband and I noticed this while at WDW and more recently at DL where people claim spots for Fantasmic as much as 6 hours before a show on some weekends!

It made me think about a solution that Disney could employ to keep the problems to a minimum. They simply could make people keep moving until an hour prior to the parade and then use a handstamp to mark those who have staked out curbside spots within 30-45 minutes of the parade. If latecomers try to crowd in, the CMs could simply ask to see their hands and politely ask them to move to a standing room only place along the parade route.

My biggest pet peeve about parades is when you, as an adult, are perfectly happy to stand behind a curb area where folks are supposed to remain seated. Then as the parade approaches, those along the curb stand up and those standing behind them can't see a thing. Everyone would have had a great view if everyone could have just remained as they were before the parade passed by.

-Laurie

 

[bellarose23]

I have a few hints that can help. Sit where there's a light post or garbage can or bench, tree, bush, etc. on one side of your view. I'm assuming your on the curb in front. At least this will protect and block one side of your family. Now, you need to have the kids on that side and you at the other end. If hubby's around he can take the back side of the kids and that will protect anyone coming forward too much. It's harder for people to push over an adult. It's sad that we have to come up with a combat plan, but in 30 years I've not seen this change.

Of course, you have to stake out your area early, but this has worked pretty well with us. Also, if you catch a bench to sit on with a good view it can work out well, but there are not too many of those around for the parades. Also, I give out dirty, nasty looks to anyone that gets close. Finally, I scan the area at all times to make sure noone gets too close. I've taught my husband to guard and block, too. I'll make friends with those around us and we will create a blockade. Now, that I have let out my secrets it will probably be harder to get this kind of spot. Good luck.

I have never seen a CM take hold of this situation properly. There have been success stories from others on this board that I have read through the years about a CM clearing the way, but they are few. There's too much public relations at stake for them to get very serious about this problem.

On a recent trip, we did just that and still had problems. We were sitting on the curb by the hub, right next to one of the poles that determines the roped off walkway between this area and the path to Tomorrowland. There were four of us, and we had parked it at 7:15 with our ice cream, gameboys for the kids, and conversation...thought we'd done everything right.

WRONG! FIVE MINUTES before the parade (Spectro), this guy and his two small girls came with a CM and she told the girls to sit next to my sister, who was next to the poll. The two girls sat on her lap, and the CM was directing my sister and I to move back onto the people behind us! My mom has a hot Italian temper, and I thought we'd get kicked outta the park! I had to calm her down, because she started yelling at the CM for positioning the girls on top of us, and the CM was acting like she did nothing wrong. We had enough space to cram together and let the two girls sit down but we were squished bad. My 11 year old sisters were basically on my mom and I's laps. It seemed like the only comprimise at that point.

I told the CM I understood she was trying to help the guy, but that I thought it was rude plopping the kids right on top of us, especially when we (and others around us) knowing and seeing a crowd gather did our best to get there ahead of time and such. I tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt since he didn't seem to speak a work of english, but was still miffed at the situation. I really wanted to report the CM for being so rude. I mean we're all tired, many have small kids, and usually people work together and things go smoothly because of this understanding. But a CM should work to find the best solution and resolve potential problems, not contribute to them! I work in customer service, so I know all about angry customers!

 

[kaysmommie]

On a recent trip, we did just that and still had problems. We were sitting on the curb by the hub, right next to one of the poles that determines the roped off walkway between this area and the path to Tomorrowland. There were four of us, and we had parked it at 7:15 with our ice cream, gameboys for the kids, and conversation...thought we'd done everything right.

WRONG! FIVE MINUTES before the parade (Spectro), this guy and his two small girls came with a CM and she told the girls to sit next to my sister, who was next to the poll. The two girls sat on her lap, and the CM was directing my sister and I to move back onto the people behind us! My mom has a hot Italian temper, and I thought we'd get kicked outta the park! I had to calm her down, because she started yelling at the CM for positioning the girls on top of us, and the CM was acting like she did nothing wrong. We had enough space to cram together and let the two girls sit down but we were squished bad. My 11 year old sisters were basically on my mom and I's laps. It seemed like the only comprimise at that point.

I told the CM I understood she was trying to help the guy, but that I thought it was rude plopping the kids right on top of us, especially when we (and others around us) knowing and seeing a crowd gather did our best to get there ahead of time and such. I tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt since he didn't seem to speak a work of english, but was still miffed at the situation. I really wanted to report the CM for being so rude. I mean we're all tired, many have small kids, and usually people work together and things go smoothly because of this understanding. But a CM should work to find the best solution and resolve potential problems, not contribute to them! I work in customer service, so I know all about angry customers!

Exactly right! This seems to happen alot. Luckily as you sit there for almost 2 hours you tend to chat with others around you and they also get angry when these last minute people try to worm there way in. Luckily we only do one night parade as of now because Ds is only 2 and gets tired even though we give him a 3 hour nap and only go to the park for dinner and parade that day. The hand stamp thing sounds like a solution to these rude people who think everyone should move for them.

 

[KrisTX]

I know the topic of strollers is never a good one here, but the best way to secure 4 square feet is to park the stroller on the curb and put on the brake. Dh and I will stand behind it and the kids sit in it. Last year we all four sat in a row and then when the parade started we stood and moved behind the stroller and let 2 little kids in our front row spot.

This is the mentality that I bring with me to Disney...People, in general, are self-serving and entitled. If I go into it with this assumption, I don't get annoyed when they do stupid things. I also assume that the person that stuck their kid on their shoulders is not remotely aware that he is blocking the precious view of many. It is hard to get all worked up over stupidity. I grew up going to Disney often. I watched tons of good and not-so-good parades from good and not-so-good spots. Sadly the majority of the people are still the same group of entitled, self-serving folks. Most have to work their tails off to provide a vacation for their family and want it to be perfect. What they don't seem to realize is that so do the other thousand people around them and making their vacation perfect at the expense of others is a pretty crummy thing to do.

I REFUSE to allow my vacation or my parade to be ruined or remotely effected by someone that has no clue or no regard for me or my family. I just smile and try to stay positive and make the best of it. The entire time thinking to myself how much I want to ram that stroller into their shin just kidding not that I would ever do that on purpose or anything. I have had it done and it hurts worse than almost anything.

My current fav is to get the great spot and then give my spot to someone else. Like the elderly lady in the wheel chair at MVMCP last year. Seeing her joy as the parade passed was better than having the unobstructed view

 

[kaysmommie]

On a positive note, there actually are nice people, though few and far between. Last December at a crowded night at MVMCP, my 5 year old DDs were really unable to see the parade (in Fronteirland), and of course, vocally upset about it, though we tried to contain their noise as best as possible. Suddenly, two teenagers who were sitting in front and who were at least 2-3 people deep in front of us, asked the girls if they wanted to sit with them in the front. It was very sweet. The teenagers parents were not even with them to put them up to that...they were behind us! So, every once in a while there is some pixie dust at parades! And not all teenagers (or adults for that matter) are rude!

That sound nice but I'm sure doesn't happen often unfortunatley.

 

[melomouse]

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.

 

[Moonpie]

I also don't like waiting for parades. That's the time I'm hitting the most popular rides. My favorite time to watch a parade is when they repeat the evening parade just before the park closes at night. There is practically nobody left in the park, so you can see the parade perfectly! And if you stand right where the parade route starts, you can actually see the parade vehicles getting ready to leave the gate, and you can see the "traffic director" giving them the cue to move forward. The actors in the parade actually start their dances, and waves way before they leave the starting gate. I like that kind of behind the scenes stuff.

 

[The Sweetness]

Id like to think that my 15y old DD would share her spot w/ a tot

 

[elan]

I've taught my husband to guard and block, too.

too funnny. esp since I can hear the football game from the other room.

 

[tacomaranch]

I have to say that right or wrong, we were really not in tune with the Disney parade schedule and our DS started to uncork loudly about the parade. They were putting up the ropes and we asked a CM if they could help us find a spot to sit. We do have a GAC for our DS. He asked some very nice folks if they would let our DS and us sit down. Everyone was so nice and we all had a great time!

This will be our second visit and we will seek out the areas for our DS earlier.

 

[TastefullyChris]

I also refuse to give up 1-2 hours of precious ride time to guard a section of curb. About 15 min. before the parade, we take whatever back row spot we can get and can still see the festivities pretty well. We are not big photo takers, so the view is good enough to "feel the magic" without having to deal with all the un-magical stuff that happens in the hour leading up to the parade. I would never expect people who staked out their spot hours ahead of time to let me squeeze in next to them!

The one time my DS12 complained about not being able to see well, I reminded him about the extra rides on Space Mountain and the teacups he was able to enjoy. I asked him if next time he would rather sit for an hour or more...NO WAY, MOM! and just like that, he was fine with the view!

 

[blondeheroine]

On a recent trip, we did just that and still had problems. We were sitting on the curb by the hub, right next to one of the poles that determines the roped off walkway between this area and the path to Tomorrowland. There were four of us, and we had parked it at 7:15 with our ice cream, gameboys for the kids, and conversation...thought we'd done everything right.

WRONG! FIVE MINUTES before the parade (Spectro), this guy and his two small girls came with a CM and she told the girls to sit next to my sister, who was next to the poll. The two girls sat on her lap, and the CM was directing my sister and I to move back onto the people behind us! My mom has a hot Italian temper, and I thought we'd get kicked outta the park! I had to calm her down, because she started yelling at the CM for positioning the girls on top of us, and the CM was acting like she did nothing wrong. We had enough space to cram together and let the two girls sit down but we were squished bad. My 11 year old sisters were basically on my mom and I's laps. It seemed like the only comprimise at that point.

I told the CM I understood she was trying to help the guy, but that I thought it was rude plopping the kids right on top of us, especially when we (and others around us) knowing and seeing a crowd gather did our best to get there ahead of time and such. I tried to give the guy the benefit of the doubt since he didn't seem to speak a work of english, but was still miffed at the situation. I really wanted to report the CM for being so rude. I mean we're all tired, many have small kids, and usually people work together and things go smoothly because of this understanding. But a CM should work to find the best solution and resolve potential problems, not contribute to them! I work in customer service, so I know all about angry customers!

I know it's too late for this, but in the event that this happens again, get the CMs name and march your butt down to Guest Relations. It's one thing to offer a space. It's another to be demanded you give it up to someone.

 

[Tess'smom]

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.

 

[Skroops]

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.

 

[Skroops]

I just wanted to add that in Tokyo Disneyland (granted this has been a couple of years...) that it is accepted for families to save space for parade viewing by placing a plastic coated blankets (they sell them all over the place they usually have Disney characters on them) to reserve the spot for their family. Only one person (or sometimes no one) stays with them! People were putting them in place hours before the parade!