Park Pet Peeves

[Keegansmommy]

1. People who feel free to smoke anywhere...I don't want to breathe your second hand smoke while I'm enjoying my vacation.

2. Bad parenting. I hate listening to people yell at their kids. It totally kills the "Happiest Place on Earth" feeling. I remember being on the bus back to our resort one night and the mom was yelling at her son (maybe 4 or 5) for being crabby, etc....Um, it was about 11:30 at night. What do you expect? I get wanting to keep your child out later, but don't yell at the poor kid for your parenting decision!

 

[LilyWDW]

Yeah, Disney is for everyone. I get that, but Disney = Kids. Walt Disney created Disneyland as a different kind of park FOR kids and for their parents to take them. We all paid good money to be there, and my 2 and 5 year olds that CAN'T see over everyone ARE going to get lifted up. Clearly those that don't have kids, have never held a kid in their arms for an extended period. You're arms get tired. Shoulders is an easy way to keep from getting tired out, and keep the kid with a view. Sorry you don't like it, you can move left or right easier than my kids. I will gladly switch places with anyone I might be blocking, but Disney crams everyone in like Sardines.

I only put them on my shoulders for fireworks. The parades, we get there early so they can sit on the curb and watch.

Everyone is going to have a problem with others, and that's life. I only get annoyed when people do things to be rude, and most aren't doing that to BE rude. It's just the way you perceive it.

And by lifting them up you are blocking the view of other people on purpose. Which is rude. Your child isn't more important then the person standing behind you who now can not see. What are they supposed to do? With how packed in you are, it's not so easy to "move left or right".

I am sorry, but no one person is more important then any other. You need to figure out a way for your kids to see without impacting those around you.

 

[smallworldnh]

Well, the stroller thing does drive me crazy, but it is hard to navigate DW sometimes. I just hate when someone is hitting me in the heals with their stroller in a crowd, thinking that will make it move. DUH!!

But, the worst is people who think that Disney is so magical, they can leave their sleeping baby in a covered stroller outside a ride by themselves!!! Yes, it does happen! I use to work at Disney and people all the time would say "well they are sleeping and we don't want to wake them, can we just leave them here to sleep, or over in stroller parking. The ride will only be 5 minutes right?" OMG people, I didn't know there were parents that bad out there. And to think the CMs are your personal baby sitter. I could just never do that. If you are afraid of missing something because your kid is sleeping... then 1) why are you a parent, and 2) why did you come to DW with kids!!

okay, enough ranting for now

WOW - that is not only stupid and dangerous, it's illegal!!! It only takes a second for something bad to happen......

 

[MnMomW3Boys]

I don't get the whole kid on shoulder debate...pretty soon people are going to want everyone to line up for the parades according to our height....If my toddler or pre-schooler says hey mom I can't see, I'm going to make sure that I help him see, and if that means letting him climb up on my shoulders for a bit then so be it.

I'm not trying to be rude just helping my child get a better look.

 

[MolonLabe]

My peeve is people with flashing hats and wands that don't turn them off during low light events such as Fantasmic.

It isn't just one or two numbskulls either, it's hundreds of people!

Maybe the ones in the front are blissfully ignorant but what about the ones in the middle and back who can see how awful it looks to see a sea of flashing crap in front of them while struggling to see the show.

With all the announcement before shows, why can't they add a line like "For the courtesy of guests behind you, please turn off your flashy hats and wands"?

 

[acebatonfan]

1) People in such a rush to be the first person at a certain destination. As soon as my family and I got into the terminal of the airport (after visiting Disney), a woman with a stroller, literally, sprinted out and ran over the tops of my feet, giving me some pretty nasty toe bruises (that are still there after six months). Don't know if she was rushing to get to baggage claim, but we saw her impatiently waiting for the bags to start arriving when we arrived at baggage claim.

2) The insane width of the standby line for Soarin. Just because it is wide does not mean you and your family can try to squeeze through everyone and attempt to get closer to the front of the line.

I really cannot say anything about teenage tour groups. I am a teenager, and I am going to Disney at the end of March for various competitions, but I do know the orchestra director has a very strict policy on behavior during the trip, some of them resulting in you taking the next flight back home (at the student's expense, the parents having to provide transportation from the airport). I guess it is simple luck of the draw as to whether you will get a mature group or an immature one.

 

[denvergirl]

I'm having a little trouble with this one. To my knowledge a wheelchair will not get you front of the line anyplace unless it's MAW. So, the question is how does it get one to the front of the line when just about all, if not all, attractions are wheelchair and even "scooter" accessible?

Actually the only ride that I ever remember that had a special car for wheelchairs was World of Motion and that was a long, long time ago. Places like Universe of Energy has them but in this attraction front of the line, back of the line...all the same. Everyone goes together.

When I was there last summer with my 87 year old grandmother, we were taken to the front of IASM, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear and the Ball in Epcot. We were only there for 2 days and these are the only rides she was interested in riding. We NEVER asked, or assumed, this would happen, the CM just escorted us to the front. While walking in the special line, we saw many kids that were VERY capable of walking, hopping, jumping and pushing their own wheelchair. By no means am I offended by a person who needs a lot or even just a tad extra help, but this was obviously people abusing the system. If you've experienced something different, so be it, but this happened to me in June of 2011.

 

[MolonLabe]

And by lifting them up you are blocking the view of other people on purpose. Which is rude. Your child isn't more important then the person standing behind you who now can not see. What are they supposed to do? With how packed in you are, it's not so easy to "move left or right".

I am sorry, but no one person is more important then any other. You need to figure out a way for your kids to see without impacting those around you.

The same argument (as others have said) can be used for making people line up according to height. I'm 6'3". I block the view for quite a few people, lol.

Their is no easy answer here. Personally I think the blinky hats are far worse for viewing the fireworks than the handful of parents that put their children on their shoulders.

When I was a child, seeing kids up on their parents shoulders was VERY common. In fact, it was rare to not see it if you were in the back of anything.

On my last trip I noted maybe a dozen other fathers who had a child on their shoulders during our 6 day stay. Not just during events, but ALL day.

My shoulders are a personal "stroller". Rather than my wife and I pushing a double stroller or two single strollers, I spend most of the day with a child on my shoulders.

Personally I think todays parents are either too lazy or simply not capable of hoisting their child up onto their shoulders. It may sound harsh but a 100 pound overweight dad isn't able to put his 25 pound over weight child up on their shoulders.

I heard more than one child ask there dad and the reply was almost always the same "Don't be lazy, you can walk" or "I'm too tired". These were small children too, under 5-6 years of age.

In any event, I held my daughter in my arms during the fireworks shows (if we weren't in the back) so as not to block anyones view any-more-so than my 6'3" height already does.

Was it more tiring than putting her up on my shoulders? Yes.

Did I want to ruin the view for a bunch of people behind me to save 15 minutes worth of arm strain for myself? Nope.

The truth lies somewhere in the middle. If I had no choice but to put my daughter up on my shoulders and risk blocking someone behind me because she couldn't see any other way, would I? Yes. <--- please read the rest first before focusing in on this.

 

[Mister Skellington]

And by lifting them up you are blocking the view of other people on purpose. Which is rude. Your child isn't more important then the person standing behind you who now can not see. What are they supposed to do? With how packed in you are, it's not so easy to "move left or right".

I am sorry, but no one person is more important then any other. You need to figure out a way for your kids to see without impacting those around you.

Perfect post!

I don't get the whole kid on shoulder debate...pretty soon people are going to want everyone to line up for the parades according to our height....If my toddler or pre-schooler says hey mom I can't see, I'm going to make sure that I help him see, and if that means letting him climb up on my shoulders for a bit then so be it.

I'm not trying to be rude just helping my child get a better look.

See above......

Your child is not more important than the 100 behind you. have some courtesy and grab a spot where your child can sit on your shoulders and not block everyone elses view.

 

[MinnieGolf]

A Disney vacation is just not a vacation without some annoyances. After all, if the time there were perfect, what would we have to talk about? I have to admit, I share many of these pet peeves. But I'm sure that I've also annoyed my fellow Disney guests. In a park full of tens of thousands of people, it is impossible to be cognizant of everyone. So, even though I try to be thoughtful, I'm sure I have stopped suddenly in front of someone. I'm sure I have cut across the path of someone. I'm sure I have forced some parent to maneuver a heavy stroller around me. I'm sure I have held up a counter-service line while I decide about lunch. To everyone, I apologize.

I also try to remember that if someone annoys me, he/she most likely is not doing it on purpose. That person has problems and concerns of his/her own. So, if someone doesn't offer me a seat, perhaps it's because he's had surgery recently and needs a seat more than I do. Or, if a cast member is less than happy, perhaps she has a family crisis that's occupying her mind.

But these are all points that have been made on this thread and on this board many times before. We're human. We make mistakes. We make people mad. We get mad. What are you going to do?

 

[Jennasis]

The same argument (as others have said) can be used for making people line up according to height. I'm 6'3". I block the view for quite a few people, lol.

Their is no easy answer here. Personally I think the blinky hats are far worse for viewing the fireworks than the handful of parents that put their children on their shoulders.

When I was a child, seeing kids up on their parents shoulders was VERY common. In fact, it was rare to not see it if you were in the back of anything.

On my last trip I noted maybe a dozen other fathers who had a child on their shoulders during our 6 day stay. Not just during events, but ALL day.

My shoulders are a personal "stroller". Rather than my wife and I pushing a double stroller or two single strollers, I spend most of the day with a child on my shoulders.

Personally I think todays parents are either too lazy or simply not capable of hoisting their child up onto their shoulders. It may sound harsh but a 100 pound overweight dad isn't able to put his 25 pound over weight child up on their shoulders.

I heard more than one child ask there dad and the reply was almost always the same "Don't be lazy, you can walk" or "I'm too tired". These were small children too, under 5-6 years of age.

In any event, I held my daughter in my arms during the fireworks shows (if we weren't in the back) so as not to block anyones view any-more-so than my 6'3" height already does.

Was it more tiring than putting her up on my shoulders? Yes.

Did I want to ruin the view for a bunch of people behind me to save 15 minutes worth of arm strain for myself? Nope.

The truth lies somewhere in the middle. If I had no choice but to put my daughter up on my shoulders and risk blocking someone behind me because she couldn't see any other way, would I? Yes. <--- please read the rest first before focusing in on this.

The onus is on you to find a place where, if you CHOOSE to put your kid up there, you won't have people behind you.

I spent a good deal of time of my childhood on my dad's shoulders, so I do get it. But my Dad always made sure his back was to the wall or there was nobody behind him. A couple of times I asked to go "up" but was told I couldn't because there were people I'd be blocking.

 

[Mister Skellington]

A Disney vacation is just not a vacation without some annoyances. After all, if the time there were perfect, what would we have to talk about? I have to admit, I share many of these pet peeves. But I'm sure that I've also annoyed my fellow Disney guests. In a park full of tens of thousands of people, it is impossible to be cognizant of everyone. So, even though I try to be thoughtful, I'm sure I have stopped suddenly in front of someone. I'm sure I have cut across the path of someone. I'm sure I have forced some parent to maneuver a heavy stroller around me. I'm sure I have held up a counter-service line while I decide about lunch. To everyone, I apologize.

I also try to remember that if someone annoys me, he/she most likely is not doing it on purpose. That person has problems and concerns of his/her own. So, if someone doesn't offer me a seat, perhaps it's because he's had surgery recently and needs a seat more than I do. Or, if a cast member is less than happy, perhaps she has a family crisis that's occupying her mind.

But these are all points that have been made on this thread and on this board many times before. We're human. We make mistakes. We make people mad. We get mad. What are you going to do?

Nice post.
So What are we going to do???

You already said it above....be cognizant! It takes alot of effort to keep an eye on your surroundings and make sure you are not inconveniencing others with your actions. I am sure we all have made others mad, but not all of us THINK before we act. Flash photos on a dark ride should be obvious....stopping in a crowded flow of people should be obvious.....IF you are cognizant.

 

[VLee]

1)I know I am slow moving LOL, but both a man and maniac stroller moms in such a rush stepping on me and giving a half apology when they are not paying attention and in such a rush when you are on vacation and there are crowds, be respectful.
2)ECV (not that I have a problem with those that use) but not sitting in there ECV on the bus and take another bus space for a pregnant woman, elderly person, or child.
3)Parents going on a tirade towards a young child (one time a parent dragged a child in a stroller in a bathroom where they are not allowed and caused a complete scene towards an innocent 3 year old child)
4)I think poor manners in generally, WDW can be exhausting, hot, full of crowds, yes some people want to stop and smell the roses, let them, just being courteous and being human not everyone there is a DiSer or expert WDW seeker. Be kind.

Also addressing #2, just so this will not upset you any more. Persons riding ECVs on busses are actually "required" to get off and use a regular bus seat for safety purposes. I think the only exception would be someone totally immobile to the point of not physically being able to get off the ECV.

 

[KellyNY]

I hate when people are loud at TS places and not just kids, adults too. If I can hear you better then my family being 3 tables away, you just being rude.

 

[noahdove]

well, my biggest pet peeve, is that when I get to the parade spot early to find my seat for the few of us and then someone with a stroller or wheelchair try to push their way in to where I am sitting or standing..several years ago we had our seats plotted and sitting, when the parade was just about to start, a few adults looked at me and the child I had and did their best to move past us, thru the rope and then when I told the child NOT to move as we paid for our tickets just like they did, well, I don't want to repeat what they said, but, no way were we moving. Also, another time, a family kept walking by walk where many of us parade watchers were sitting and they had a stroller and finally a CM told them they needed to find a spot, so what did they do?? Yep, tried to park the stroller between several of us, all the way down the line, they finally were escorted to a walk way by a stand, I have no idea as to if they watched the parade or not, but, again, many many of us were NOT moving..It's not like the parade route isn't marked on a map...I will stick with my way this coming August, this time I will have me 5 year old DGD in a stroller...

 

[brettcw23]

Sounds like you all have some good policies and you sound like a very responsible person, too! Good to see teens on here and voicing themselves!

 

[brettcw23]

Sounds like you all have some good policies and you sound like a very responsible person, too! Good to see teens on here and voicing themselves!

Sorry...this was meant for acebaton fan in post #106. I clearly didn't include their quote

 

[heyitsmejosh]

i think you should have to pass a test before you can drive a ECV

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm having a little trouble with this one. To my knowledge a wheelchair will not get you front of the line anyplace unless it's MAW. So, the question is how does it get one to the front of the line when just about all, if not all, attractions are wheelchair and even "scooter" accessible?

Actually the only ride that I ever remember that had a special car for wheelchairs was World of Motion and that was a long, long time ago. Places like Universe of Energy has them but in this attraction front of the line, back of the line...all the same. Everyone goes together.

The lines where guests with wheelchairs or ECVs go somewhere other than the regular line are because those lines or the boarding area are not accessible.
It may seem like 'front of the line' for things like Small World because you are going in a different place, but the wait is often the same and sometimes even longer.

Mobility Access: Most of the lines are wheelchair accessible thru the regular line (called Mainstream Lines).

The information in italics is the information about Mainstream Lines from the WDW page about Mobility Disabilities:
Walt Disney World Resort strives to provide mainstream access whenever possible; that is, all Guests utilize the main entrance to the attraction. However, accessibility varies from attraction to attraction within Disney Parks. The Guide for Guests with Disabilities and Park Guidemaps use symbols to indicate boarding procedures for each attraction. In addition, Guests should contact a Disney Cast Member at each attraction before entering. Mainstream queues can be found at these attractions at Walt Disney World Theme Parks. (it then goes on to list the Mainstream attractions).

Most attractions for all parks are listed as "Enter through standard queue" for attractions without Fastpass or "Obtain a FASTPASS OR use Standby Queue" on the new Guide for Guest with Disabilities maps for each park I picked up in March 2011. There is also a large red box on the maps which says "Guests with any mobility or queue related assistance needs are encouraged to use the Disney's FASTPASS option where ever possible." There is the same explanation about how to use Fastpass as on the regular park maps.
These are the attractions in each park with a different method of access other than the regular line, as listed on the map:
MK

WDW Railroad:Enter using ramp on the RIGHT on Main Street

WDW Railroad:Enter using wheelchair ramp on RIGHT at Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Obtain Fastpass or see Host for options. If FASTPASS is not available, enter thru access on RIGHT

Country Bear Jamboree:Enter thru door on LEFT

Hall of Presidents:Enter through door on RIGHT

Liberty Square Riverboat:Enter through exit on RIGHT or LEFT

it's a small world:Follow directional signs to designated load area

Peter Pan's Flight:Obtain FASTPASS or see host for options. If Fastpass is not available, see a host for options.

Snow White's Scary Adventures:Enter through Exit on RIGHT

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel:Enter through exit on RIGHT

Dumbo:Enter using ramp on RIGHT

Tea Party:Enter through exit on RIGHT

Space Mountain:Obtain a FASTPASS or see a host for options. If FASTPASS not available, enter through queue on RIGHT

Epcot

Spaceship Earth:Enter through the exit on the RIGHT or LEFT

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the 3 Caballeros:Enter through the Standard Queue. Follow directional signs to designated load area.

American Adventure:See a host or hostess for access to second floor

Impressions de France:Enter through LEFT side of entrance hallway

Studio

Great Movie Ride:Enter through the Standard queue. A host will provide directions in the pre-show area

Studio Backlot Tour:Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT

Fantasmic:Enter through the standard queue and stay to the RIGHT

Animal Kingdom

Wildlife Express Trainroceed through standard queue. A host will direct boarding

The Boneyard:Enter through the designated access gate

Everything other than these attractions I have listed say to enter through the mainstream or standby queue.
The maps are very easy to read (although the type is small) and I recommend if they go, that they get one for each park. The access information is listed right on the map with all the other information. There are icons that show which attractions you can stay right in the wheelchair or ECV for the whole attraction and which you need to transfer to a ride car.

In regards to #2 the drivers prefer for your safety to move to a seat. The three wheeled ones actually tip over quite easily. Back in 2003 I went with my aunt who decided to sit on one. The first turn and nearly flipped over. After that she no longer insisted on sitting on the eco anymore.

I have heard of several people whose ECVs tipped over.
There are signs on the buses that advise people to get off of the ECV and sit on a bus seat.

 

[livndisney]

i think you should have to pass a test before you can drive a ECV

I think you should read up a little on the law.

ECVS are mobility devices and as such disabled people using them are not required to be singled out by taking some "test".