Park Pet Peeves

[Diane Holland]

On a serious note. I'm so glad i stayed. Even though I got off to a bad start and I will never understand the true genisus of this thread I have read some cool cool stuff. Undercover Mom rock on! Too many more to count. I don't know why I feel so defensive when it comes to WDW could be that it's the last place I have to go when things get tough and I don't want to know that something I'm doing is annoying but I have no doubt.. I flush with my foot every time! Minnie Mum you just need to lighten up, I thought what I said was funny.

 

[BNM]

Ok, I want to preface this by saying I WAS NOT annoyed by this incident, but I just have to share now. We just got back from DL. I had not been to a Disney park for a while and frankly was shocked by how friendly and accommodating the cms were, and how nice and polite all of the other guests were. Really, I'm not kidding, it's like no place else.

Anyway, my son and I were presenting our (Late! Haha, wrong thread) fast passes at soarin and the cm's eyes widened, he said, " look out", and sort of pushed us to the side as a woman in an ECV blazed past us into the FP line. I don't know if she just waved a rider switch pass at him or what because she was behind us. He apologized and said, "I just didn't want her to run into you, she's run into two of us already".

This cm was so nice, not only to us, but to her.....even though it sounded like she had run into him!

She ended up being right in front of us, and of course, doing the ride at the same time. I thought it was so funny, not only because she gained nothing with that maneuver, but because of all the chatter this incident would cause on the Dis. Especially if I posted about how it ruined my trip or something. Which it did not.

I guess my point is, in the past I may have been annoyed by this incident but because of threads like this I can see the humor. And it's really not that big of a deal who is first in line at soarin when you're all in the same group.

 

[NotUrsula]

...

I seriously cant believe this is still an issue with some ppl. I will not stop using my foot. Deal with it. Stop concerning yourself over what others are doing in the privacy of their own stall.

I will when it costs me money. Toilet handles are made to be flushed with the hand, and that is how much force they are constructed to withstand. When you put the force of your leg on that handle, you (the foot-flusher collective) are stressing the fixture beyond the force tolerance it was designed for, and that leads to excessive breakage.

I don't care if it is at WDW or my home town's City Hall; if I pay for admission or pay taxes to support the place, people who deliberately do things known to break plumbing fixtures deserve a certain level of harassment for it.

Is it OK with you if I use the disabled stall and sit on the wall-mounted sink because I like that better than the toilet? I mean, I'm doing it in my own stall where no one can see me. So what if the sink falls off the wall after a few of us do this, right?

 

[mefordis]

How do you know that people are doing this? I have no idea what goes on in private bathroom stalls. Are they opening up the door then flushing so you can see inside the door? Just curious.

I will when it costs me money. Toilet handles are made to be flushed with the hand, and that is how much force they are constructed to withstand. When you put the force of your leg on that handle, you (the foot-flusher collective) are stressing the fixture beyond the force tolerance it was designed for, and that leads to excessive breakage.

I don't care if it is at WDW or my home town's City Hall; if I pay for admission or pay taxes to support the place, people who deliberately do things known to break plumbing fixtures deserve a certain level of harassment for it.

Is it OK with you if I use the disabled stall and sit on the wall-mounted sink because I like that better than the toilet? I mean, I'm doing it in my own stall where no one can see me. So what if the sink falls off the wall after a few of us do this, right?

 

[MissManda]

Wow, I just had no idea that toilet flushing was such a hot button issue. Until reading this thread, I have never honestly given a thought to how others flush the toilet. Maybe all public restrooms should be required to install automatic flushers and that would solve the problem for everyone.

On a different note, my pet peeve is when parents try to force a scared child onto a ride. If the kid is having a full on melt down, please take them out of line and don't try to make them ride. It's not going to be fun for them, you, or anyone else. It's sad when a cast member has to tell the parents to take the child off a ride.

 

[deegack]

Nope I don't need the wall to balance. I'm able to do it while standing. Shouldn't be difficult to do if you're in moderately decent shape.

I'm in shape but have no sense of balance at all. Can run ten miles, can't stand on one foot for even 30 seconds. My prenatal yoga teacher would modify anything remotely dealing with balance for me.
So balance and in shape do not go hand in hand.

But what about the other places. I mean do you touch the railings or harnesses on the rides? Lets not forget money!

 

[pixiefairy]

Woooow....had no clue that toilet flushing was such a ginormous pet peeve! Honestly...not sure how many toilets at WDW don't have automatic flush, but my guess is not too many.

My pet peeves have been mentioned...stuff like line cutters, people who try to take off my ankle with their stroller (and I'm a mom with a stroller, so I understand how nuts it can be), etc.

The one thing that never really bothered me until this past October was the kid on the shoulders. DH and I were at the MNSSHP, and a man threw his son up on his shoulders for the fireworks. Maybe I'm missing something, but the fireworks are UP in the air....you tilt your head and look up. No rising above the crowd necessary, IMO. I ended up with a little mini Jack Sparrow in a lot of my pictures, lol. I have kids, our first trip my youngest was 13 months...none of them were held or put on shoulders and we were not right in front of the castle for Wishes. DH is 6 feet tall..and unless we are at the back of a crowd, the kids stay down. I've seen unfortunate accidents with kids on shoulders - on dad had his daughter walking down MainStreet on the sidewalk and we saw it coming a nanosecond before she hit a low hanging sign with her forehead. Poor kiddo was screaming and probably had a nice goose egg.

 

[goofyernmost]

Surprisingly, based on some of my posts, most of the things mentioned in this thread really don't bother me at all including how one flushes the toilet. I believe that I was clear that I thought that foot usage was not only silly but counter productive and doesn't come close to achieving the intended goal. But people will convince themselves of almost anything, so I shall let it go and besides I'm pretty sure that "TheMysticalOne" is just a kid trying to have a fun time on the threads.

However, I will turn one around a bit and that is the one that mentioned people stopping in the middle of Main Street to take pictures and delaying them. Well, Duh!!! WDW is loaded with photo ops. It should be expected that people will stop and take a picture or is that just another case of "I don't care about you or what should be happening...I'm in a hurry!" There are probably a billion pictures of the castle around that were taken from Main Street. I guess all those were taken by Tinkerbell. Actually Cinderella Castle has no other real purpose other than to be a photo opportunity. So, what a surprise...someone stopped to take a picture of it. Throw them out of the park! Off with their heads! Whichever is more effective.

WDW shouldn't be just another type of "survivor" program. It is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Just like yourselves they don't really care about how it affects you just as you don't care how your actions affect them. It seems to be a mutual annoyance society. I have said before that I have been going to WDW since 1983. During that time...I have never been hit by a stroller, never been run down by an ETV, never had to do anymore than walk around someone that stopped in the middle of the path, never once worried about touching doors, railings, seats, tables, handles on toilets, doors, rides or anything that required I use my hands. If a parent had a child on their shoulders I would take a half step to the side and could see around them. Have looked for but have not seen anymore than one to two people a trip smoking out of a designated area, anyone getting to the front of the line because of a wheelchair (and I have pushed my share of them) or didn't understand why a person in one had to be loaded first on transportation. I have never had a problem with a tour groups or cared if they chanted as long as it wasn't during a show (they didn't). In all my years of traveling there and the literally 10's of thousands of dollars I have spent there, have never gotten anything extra, free or as a surprise, ever. And the key here is that I have never expected anything, so I have never been disappointed.

It's all part of life and no one owes you anything. The world doesn't revolve around you any more than it does them. It has been said before that a bad day at Disney is far better than a good day at work. I don't look for problems and I hardly ever find one. The money I pay for a ticket is for admission and entertainment, not that everything has to be exactly as I want it to be. If it were I would be expecting Mickey Bars to be free.

 

[minnie mum]

Bravo Goofyernmost, Bravo!! I really like your attitude. It's one that I strive for, but never seem to achieve completely. While some things will momentarily annoy me, I can truly say I've never had a vacation ruined by one of these 'peeves', or even a day.

At the very least, threads like these are a good way for us to let off a little steam. Or let us know that we are not alone in finding something irksome. I don't think that any of us find our 'pet peeves' to be so monumental that they come between us and the 'magic.' At least I hope so.

And to all those 'flushers' out there- I don't care how you do it as long as you do it. I just assume that everything I touch is heavily germ laden and use the soap and water wherever I can find it...... And hand sanitizer is your friend. Just sayin'

 

[kaligal]

People who make noise in Soarin. Shhh!

Lit-up phones, cameras, etc. in dark theaters/rides. Ugh.

Parents who have no ability to control their kids but keep talking. Oh, puhleeze shut up!

People who get up close to me while standing in line. Back up!

 

[MolonLabe]

I've seen unfortunate accidents with kids on shoulders - on dad had his daughter walking down MainStreet on the sidewalk and we saw it coming a nanosecond before she hit a low hanging sign with her forehead. Poor kiddo was screaming and probably had a nice goose egg.

Yep. You must be HYPER vigilant when you have a child on your shoulders.

From hitting low hanging signs to dropping them.

Most people don't think about it, but for my girls it would be a 6' drop if they fell. I've spent my adult life in medicine, from EMS to definitive care in the OR. A fall from twice your height can kill you. For a 3' child, a fathers shoulders could mean death.

I love to put my girls up on my shoulders. They love it and it was better than dragging around a second stroller. That said, never, ever take it for granted. Every minute they are up their, you are potentially risking their life.

On day three of our 6 day trip in my, my 6 year old was getting WAY to comfortable on my shoulders. I corrected her twice. The third time I anticipated it and let her go on purpose... I caught her and she had a look of fear in her eyes you'd have to see to believe.

You can only tell a child so many times before they need to "see the light". She was perfect angel and wasn't doing anything silly from there on out.

I did it because all if would have taken was for her to do that and I lose my balance or step in something slippery and our magically journey would hav eended with a trip to the ER.

Just be safe and hyper vigilant at all times.

 

[Tiggerrific]

goofyernmost!!!

 

[bowlingchicaroo]

Ok, I'm hijacking my wife's user but she knows about it. I've spent half of my evening reading this thread and I have to say my piece. I guess as far as frustrations at the parks or anywhere for that matter is people who are oblivious to their surroundings. Stopping and having a pow-wow without moving to the side, showing up to a parade late and pushing their way between people who have staked their claim for an hour or better etc... I am 6 foot, 215 lbs and it seems I am always the one stepping to the side to avoid a collision. I get rather frustrated in crowds and often tell myself to pretend not to see the rubber-necker coming at me and just knock them on their rear, but I guess I'm just too nice.

The real reason I just had to post though is the discussion about the kids on shoulders at events such as "Wishes". As I stated, I am 6 foot tall, but my wife is 4'10" so I understand about not being able to see. We have 2 children and you have to understand that a 3 foot tall kid standing in a sea of adults will not see a thing! Now we will not usually show up really early to Wishes (maybe a half hour, 45 min tops) and will stand on the bridge to tomorrowland rather than straight on in front of the castle. I am not one to show up late and stand in front of someone else then hoist my kid up blocking their view, but one thing nobody has brought up is the fact that when we choose a viewing location my family can see clearly. The kids view becomes blocked as adults pack in like sardines. According to many opinions on here, I suppose I should now give up our spot and move to a wall or perhaps the front gates to hoist my child up on my shoulders to see so as not to block the view of those who may have filled in behind us. Not going to happen! Oh and by the way, my youngest is now 8, weighs approx 68 lbs, but stands 4'2". She's still not gonna see a thing, and I'm no weakling, but I'm not holding her on my hip for the duration of the show! So, when her view is blocked, up on my shoulders she will go. I think the adults can see around a few kids on shoulders here and there more easily than a kid can see through a solid wall of backs and rear ends... just sayin. And no, I don't think Disney is just for kids. My kids have been there twice, and my wife and I, three times. Yes, we went for our tenth anniversary without the kids and had a blast, and explored Disney in a whole new way. ( and we didn't even feel guilty about it )

well, maybe a little guilty

 

[heyitsmejosh]

tomorrow when i get to the park, i might have to use a stall just so i can flush the toilet with my foot.

 

[Luvin*Livvy]

By the way, I always "foot flush." To those complaining about my shoe dirt rubbing off, maybe you should "foot flush" also. Then you wouldn't have to worry about it.

If everyone foot flushes, the world would be a much happier place.

I was just going to post the same thing! I'm a foot flusher...and it's a habit I won't break...sorry! I'm also raising 2 little foot flushers (it's kind of funny to see my 3 year old do it, but she does). If everyone just used their foot to flush, no one would get any germs on their hands from the flusher!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Would it be fair to point out at this time that feet and shoes too are generally ALWAYS more unclear then your hands? Why don't you just use toilet paper and press the toilet button through that?? No direct contact then...

 

[Mister Skellington]

Ok, I'm hijacking my wife's user but she knows about it. I've spent half of my evening reading this thread and I have to say my piece. I guess as far as frustrations at the parks or anywhere for that matter is people who are oblivious to their surroundings. Stopping and having a pow-wow without moving to the side, showing up to a parade late and pushing their way between people who have staked their claim for an hour or better etc... I am 6 foot, 215 lbs and it seems I am always the one stepping to the side to avoid a collision. I get rather frustrated in crowds and often tell myself to pretend not to see the rubber-necker coming at me and just knock them on their rear, but I guess I'm just too nice.

The real reason I just had to post though is the discussion about the kids on shoulders at events such as "Wishes". As I stated, I am 6 foot tall, but my wife is 4'10" so I understand about not being able to see. We have 2 children and you have to understand that a 3 foot tall kid standing in a sea of adults will not see a thing! Now we will not usually show up really early to Wishes (maybe a half hour, 45 min tops) and will stand on the bridge to tomorrowland rather than straight on in front of the castle. I am not one to show up late and stand in front of someone else then hoist my kid up blocking their view, but one thing nobody has brought up is the fact that when we choose a viewing location my family can see clearly. The kids view becomes blocked as adults pack in like sardines. According to many opinions on here, I suppose I should now give up our spot and move to a wall or perhaps the front gates to hoist my child up on my shoulders to see so as not to block the view of those who may have filled in behind us. Not going to happen! Oh and by the way, my youngest is now 8, weighs approx 68 lbs, but stands 4'2". She's still not gonna see a thing, and I'm no weakling, but I'm not holding her on my hip for the duration of the show! So, when her view is blocked, up on my shoulders she will go. I think the adults can see around a few kids on shoulders here and there more easily than a kid can see through a solid wall of backs and rear ends... just sayin. And no, I don't think Disney is just for kids. My kids have been there twice, and my wife and I, three times. Yes, we went for our tenth anniversary without the kids and had a blast, and explored Disney in a whole new way. ( and we didn't even feel guilty about it )

well, maybe a little guilty

If you had "carefully chosen" a location, you could either


A. See without having to hoist your daughter
or
B. Hoist without blocking others views
or
C. Hold her on your hip and suck it up


End of story....there is no argument to justify blocking others view. Others jump in front of you so you jump in front of others.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

really why are people so concerned about others using their feet to flush

 

[AshleeH]

Wow, I just read through all of this and can't believe the foot flushing is a debate! I'm a foot-flusher and proud of it. My mom, raised in the days of "common courtesy" who raised me to be the same way, was a foot flusher and I had no idea it was such a huge issue that people were peeking in stalls to see how other people were flushing!

I usually steer clear of debates, but this one was just too ludicrous and entertaining, so I had to come to my own conclusions after I read this entire thread:

~Yes, germs get on the bottom of my shoes, which I might then track along with me until I take my shoes off at night (I don't touch the bottom of my shoes - EVER! - so it's not an issue).

~An addendum to my first point: Guess what? Those same post-bathroom germs are also on YOUR shoes, whether you foot flush or not because you're walking on a bathroom floor and tracking those very same germs into your car, hotel, house, etc. Touching the handle with your foot does not change the fact that all that fecal matter that is laying all over every bathroom, no matter how frequently cleaned, is also on your shoes. You go in a bathroom: it's inescapable. Your chosen manner of flush will not change how many germs are on your shoes, but it can change how much fecal matter is on your hands by simply not touching everything that you are capable of touching.

~Yes, I could change my methods and use my hand with the argument that I will be washing my hands later. I won't, but I could. The reason for this is because even though I do thoroughly wash my hands, why would I voluntarily touch one of the germiest things in the area when an alternative works just as well? I could also wipe my children's noses by hand when a kleenex is handy. I could, I know I'm going to wash my hands afterward, but I don't choose to go that route - I'm weird that way.

~To the ones who say it must be flushed by hand: Where is this invisible sign?? I can't believe I've missed it in every single bathroom I've ever encountered! To my knowledge, the only recommended ones to be flushed by hand are the ones with the little tiny knobs on the side of the toilet or the push button in the middle of the tank. The handles are low to the ground - to those who say you need to be a contortionist, I pity how awkward it must be for you. I merely have to lift my leg up to a slight angle and push down with my foot. I'm not using any more force than necessary and it's not causing me physical pain to be able to do so. In fact, I don't even notice even an itty bitty bit of strain on me - I simply flush and move on with my life.

~We own a business that has six bathrooms in the building (16 toilets in total) and trust me when I say that we worry about customers breaking a lot of things: the auditorium chairs, the glass countertops, the exit doors when they slam them - but the handles of our toilets are not something we have a preference as to what our customers choose to use. We are grateful that they choose to actually flush!

~And the only other conclusion I can come to: The hand flushers must not be washing their hands if they are worried about whatever germs might be on the handle.


In closing: I wipe the seat, I flush, I dispose of all paper wastes - I've always considered myself a very considerate bathroom user. And I honestly find it very disturbing that people seem to be spying on others to see what they do in a toilet stall. Talk about gross!


Thank you and good night .

 

[smallworldnh]

Lol I wonder if they touch the railings in line. I will guarantee they are pretty germ infested. Or pull a chair out in a food court or hold on to a pole on the bus. Germs are a part of life.

If you do use your foot to flush, do you touch the wall to balance? Guess what GERMS!

And just think about the hold down bars on the rides!!! That's what they make things like Purel for! I never leave home without it!