Please DO NOT fight in the Magic Kingdom over Starlight parade spots.

[hardcorestitch]

We're into the first couple of days of Starlight and this happens. This is inexcusable. I've seen this with the popcorn buckets-but this? Beyond disgraceful.

 

[fla4fun]

When I watched the live stream of the first soft opening, there were people in the crowd arguing. I didn’t pay attention when it started but I did notice the first row of people who had been sitting stood up. Then I heard someone comment something like “ this isn’t your living room, it’s a public place”, and the other saying something like “I’m only doing this until the parade starts”and that went back and forth a few times. I thought I was going to get to see a live fight from the MK, but everyone simmered down and the parade went by without incident.

If you’re watching a live stream and people do get in a knock down, drag out fight, that would be kind of scary!

 

[gottalovepluto]

…I've seen this with the popcorn buckets-but this? Beyond disgraceful.

I may be old fashioned but I’m fairly certain both popcorn buckets and parade spots are equally disgraceful things to grab people of any age over.

 

[_19disnA]

Well if someone has to be reminded of how to behave in any public venue..................I doubt they will listen to anyone's advice.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Well if someone has to be reminded of how to behave in any public venue..................I doubt they will listen to anyone's advice.

Unfortunately in this generation… they learn the hard way.

 

[slo]

Unreal!
People were claiming their parade spot over 3 hours before the parade on Sunday, so I’m sure some tensions were high, especially in the heat. I’m glad that woman was arrested - I don’t care how crabby you are, that doesn’t give you the right to be pushing people. I hope the teenager in the altercation is ok.

When we were watching the live stream, and I started watching it at 6pm WDW time, I told my DH…..unless we had a young child, there’s no way I’m sitting there 3+ hours. The pictures I saw of the soft opening showed very large & high floats, so being on the curb, for adults, is really not necessary. I’d probably claim a spot about 1 hour before the parade.

Hopefully there will be no more incidents moving forward.

 

[tony67]

"Please DO NOT fight in the magic Kingdom" do we really need a qualifier beyond that?

I think there was a fight in Epcot and one in Disney Spring as well over the last week. They may have been old and maybe just the video was released I am not sure - but it is getting a bit ridiculous.

I do think all the construction, closed rides and high cost of Disney is probably adding to the frustration of everyone.

 

[White Cat]

Not surprising

 

[Disneefun]

This stuff has been going on for years. We saw a huge fight break out -- I think it was 2013 or 14 over a parade spot. We were across the street from it. It went from words, to shoves, to punches in a minute. And others in the crowd got hurt and pushed and started fighting back. It was wild and it took security a while to break it up.

It looked like an adult had claimed the curb and a guy pushed his small child in front so the kid could see. The adult took offense and then it was on. I mean, i can see both sides. Putting a small kid in front of an adult doesn't really inconvenience the adult that much. But, the adult had camped for the spot, so it was technically his. None of it was worth the brawl that ensued. I think the guy with the kid should have asked before pushing the kid to the front, and maybe he could have found someone who wouldn't have minded.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I've told this story before but when we were down staying on site in 2017 during Irma (it was before it had made landfall in the Orlando area) I saw a mom turn around in the resort lobby and slap her child in the face who had accidentally (it really did appear that way) step on the mom's flip flop.

People, especially here on the DIS, tend to think being at Disney means it's a utopia when it's far from that. It has nothing to do with generation such that the OP's comment later on and just to do with the environment of Disney and outside issues. Being at Disney does not in fact mean you will never encounter children, teens or adults behaving in a way that shocks you.

I agree fighting, especially physical, has no business anywhere at any theme or amusement park regardless of what it is for. A parade spot is no more "disgraceful" than poor behavior in general.

 

[amcnj]

Some people are campers, picking a spot hours ahead and then waiting. Some are last minuters, arriving just before showtime expecting a front row seat. Conflict between the two groups is not unusual.

As was suggested above, some of it could be avoided by communicating. Many don’t ask first, just pushing themselves or their kids forward. There often is extra room for others if everyone communicated and cooperated.

One time my young daughter was sitting on the ground waiting for the parade and someone stepped on her hand. It can be dangerous out there waiting for a parade!

 

[BrianL]

Some people are campers, picking a spot hours ahead and then waiting. Some are last minuters, arriving just before showtime expecting a front row seat. Conflict between the two groups is not unusual.

I tend to arrive for a parade only about 15 minutes ahead, but I don't expect to be in the front row. I'm tall and am happy to stand back a little. If you want the spot, then you have to get there early!

 

[amcnj]

I tend to arrive for a parade only about 15 minutes ahead, but I don't expect to be in the front row. I'm tall and am happy to stand back a little. If you want the spot, then you have to get there early!

I tend to do it your way, especially now that the kids are adults. And being tall is definitely a help. I have been conditioned over the years to check around and make sure I am not blocking someone else’s view. Though in a crowd situation there is only so much you can do!

 

[BrianL]

I tend to do it your way, especially now that the kids are adults. And being tall is definitely a help. I have been conditioned over the years to check around and make sure I am not blocking someone else’s view. Though in a crowd situation there is only so much you can do!

I do always make sure I am not blocking anybody, and will offer to let shorter folks/kids go in front of me. Hoenstly, it's been a while since I've been at a very busy parade. I will watch FOF in Frontierland and there is usually plenty of space. I do the second Boo to You if I am at a party and it is much easier too. I am sure that for Starlight that things are very different!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

When I was a kid, we were eating, sitting at a table near the railing in Epcot, waiting for illuminations to start. My mom told me to stand next to the railing so I could see everything. Right as the show was starting this woman came up and literally yanked me away from the railing and shoved her kid into my spot. My mother went off on her, “you don’t touch my child!” But the other woman didn’t speak English. I remember being so mortifyingly embarrassed (although as a mother now I can understand why she was so upset). I imagine the families of the people doing stuff like this in parks today feel the same way.

 

[goofyernmost]

Personally, I have never seen a parade, at Disney or any other place, that was worth standing in one spot for 2 hours to save a space and especially not worth anyone physically fighting over it. That could just be me, I always took parade time to ride some of the harder to get on rides during the parades. To me if you seen one you have seen them all.

 

[Nick6300]

I tend to arrive for a parade only about 15 minutes ahead, but I don't expect to be in the front row. I'm tall and am happy to stand back a little. If you want the spot, then you have to get there early!

Same. I'm not super tall at 6'1'' but when I do get there early, I often get loud comments that I have to sit down, or tall people should never be allowed to be in the front, or you need to be in the back. On upcoming, my wife says it should be fine to have my 2 yr old on my shoulders for various finishing shows. I can kind of see HEA from the street with such a wide viewing scope but idk on Starlight unless for certain in a back row.

 

[dizneegirl]

Please, please don't put a kid on your shoulders in the street for a fireworks/castle show. It blocks SO many views. If you hold them so their head is level with yours... it would be fine for the people around you. But on your shoulders, you'll block people's view horribly.

 

[BrianL]

Same. I'm not super tall at 6'1'' but when I do get there early, I often get loud comments that I have to sit down, or tall people should never be allowed to be in the front, or you need to be in the back. On upcoming, my wife says it should be fine to have my 2 yr old on my shoulders for various finishing shows. I can kind of see HEA from the street with such a wide viewing scope but idk on Starlight unless for certain in a back row.

Yeah, 6'1" here too (at least when I don't slouch!). I mean, I don't begrudge anyone who got their space super early to be in the front, even if they are tall, but it is considerate to check behind you and try to make space as possible.

 

[Nick6300]

Please, please don't put a kid on your shoulders in the street for a fireworks/castle show. It blocks SO many views. If you hold them so their head is level with yours... it would be fine for the people around you. But on your shoulders, you'll block people's view horribly.

What if I told you I had surgery on my arm 3 weeks ago just from damage from rocking my baby to sleep. Not sure I could lift her for a min let alone 15. But I understand your view. I've been behind people with kid on shoulders, ipads lifted up, etc. To be clear, I've never lifted my kid at WDW, that was just what was suggested from my wife while we were watching a stream.