Please Have Theme Park Manners!

[Mulan19]

Well, a Disney vacation is an eye-opening experience in terms of viewing different parenting styles first hand. But even the best-intentioned and prepared parents have awful experiences with their children. The complaint that struck closest to home for me was the one about the screaming children during rides and shows. In 1996 when my daughter (now 11 1/2) was 10 months old, I took her into the Hall of Presidents in the Magic Kingdom. She had eaten lunch, napped, and was perfectly happy. My husband had taken our 3 year old on a ride in FantasyLand, so we were on our own. Anyway, we were herded into the large rows and ended up in the dead center of a row. Once you are seated, there is no going anywhere until the lights go on. You can probably guess what happened...About 10 minutes in she started fussing and then that escalated to wailing. Despite all of my efforts, I couldn't get her to stop. When the show ended, people turned from ALL directions with stares that have stayed with me to this day. Of course, as soon as the lights went on, she stopped crying. I wanted to die then and there. A woman said to her husband "Well, I guess we have to do this again before we leave so we can hear it". I didn't blame anyone one bit, but unfortunately, incidents like this do happen and they cannot be predicted. If there was any way to get out, I would have. I had even tried to get a seat near the end of a row, but unless you experience the "herding" effect, you can't believe how you fall in and just follow the person ahead of you. To this day, whenever we make our annual trip to the Magic Kingdom, my husband insists on taking a mother-daughter picture outside of the American Adventure. He says he will never forget how I looked when I met up with him afterwards!

 

[LadyGracey]

5. Please talk quietly DURING a ride. I heard this several times, people werent talking, they were JUST ABOUT YELLING and talking about this, and that....nothing about the ride, things like snow back home, the hotel they were staying at in Kissimmee, just stupid things and they werent even paying attention to the ride. Just not very polite, especially when you are on the Great Movie Ride and trying to enjoy it, but have to hear about the snow from the big guy in the row ahead of you.

Hey, were you on Soarin' at the same time as me on Saturday?? The exact same thing happened to me! I was sitting on the end of the front/center car (I got to sit there because I was celebrating my birthday--great CMs they have on that ride!) and there was a huge group taking up the rest of my glider...and the whole time, they screamed and shouted at each other. They were so loud I couldn't hear the audio--and you know how loud that audio is in there!!! I know people get excited on that ride, but come on...like you don't have to shout "The tree! Look! The tree!" at the top of your lungs. (BTW, the adults were the culprits, not the kids that were with them!)

In all fairness, though...I meet some of the nicest and most considerate people there, too.

 

[Hannathy]

ITA with original poster especially about the HUGE SUV strollers- do you really need to bring everything you own! I swear they are bigger than my first car.

I would like to add to the list to know what you want by the time you get to the register after waiting 10 minutes at CS restaurants.

 

[tiggersmom97]

I have one to add. Please oh please parents do not subject the rest of us with our children behaving themselves trying to enjoy a meal to your screaming, tantrum throwing, running around the restaurant child. You may be able to ignore it but the rest of us can not. Even if Disney is a family place you still need to teach your child that there are other people around and we do not want to listen to them. I don't want to hear that you can not reason with a 2,3,4 yo etc. take them and LEAVE for the comfort of all around. I may sound harsh but I can not begin to tell the number of times that this scene has played out.

OMG!!! That is my biggest pet peeves! The parents that sit there oblivous to what their children are doing at restaurants. I have seen them on tables, running amuck around the dining room nearly tripping servers, screaming, playing in the restroom. And where are the parents sitting having conversation and not paying attention. Now don't get me wrong, not all parents are like this. Only some. But some do think that since they are in a restaurant that same rules from home do not apply. I don't know if it because they don't have to clean up the mess or what. And this is not just at Disney this is in all restaurants.

 

[alloyd1170]

The only time I bruise someones ankles with our double stroller is when they stop suddenly in front of me or try to cut across in front of me. And I dont offer an apology in those cases. In fact I may even push the stroller a bit harder. That is my biggest pet peeve, along with people who decide to converse in the middle of a pathway or walk slowly together (ie 4 across) taking up a huge chunk of a pathway. Think rules of the road-most people wouldnt suddenly stop their car in the middle of the road (unless of course to avoid something). Instead they pull off to the side.

By the way, the same courtesy applies to those people in wheelchairs and motorized chairs. My mother used one at Disney a few times while battling cancer (she has since passed) and I dont know how many times she ran into someone trying to dash in front of her. Those chairs and double strollers are not easy to stop, start and manuver. For many, its their first time using a motorized chair. After what Ive witnessed, I wouldnt want to attempt to cut in front of one (ie at DTD a lady in one overloaded with shopping bags took off and crashed into a stroller knocking it and the child over).

If someone wont get out of my way, I say excuse me. Still wont budge, Ill help you out. Same goes for talking on rides, kids kicking my seat, etc.....Ill let you know I dont like it!

alison

 

[Jalva22]

Patience, patience!

What you are griping about is certainly valid (there's a reason our generation will never be referred to as the greatest generation). But...

This is all just life! When you have thousands of people crammed together, you're always going to have rude ones mixed in. Some are using less than stellar judgement because they're hot and they're tired. Others are going to just be plain mean, because that's the type of people they are.

You can let it burn you up, or you can shrug it off and have a good time. You are the one that will determine if it's going to bug you or not (unless you're physically injured by it). As an old philosopher said, life is 95% attitude. (Okay, I think it was actually a football coach, not a philosopher, but it's still true.)

My #1 pet peeve: Living too far away from the magic to visit as often I'd like. So, when I'm there, I'm going to have fun..... even if some big honkin strollers get in my way.

 

[emilyclaire]

My #1 pet peeve: Living too far away from the magic to visit as often I'd like. So, when I'm there, I'm going to have fun..... even if some big honkin strollers get in my way.

I admire your good nature! And that is definitely the spirit to have to make the most of your vacation. I just wish everyone would stop for a minute and try to put themselves in someone else's shoes. I bet some of those moms with the strollers today were just like me once and griped just as loudly. I'm not one to let something like this ruin my whole trip, though...I just think message boards (and particularly this thread) are a good place to vent.

 

[tiggersmom97]

I have one to add. Please oh please parents do not subject the rest of us with our children behaving themselves trying to enjoy a meal to your screaming, tantrum throwing, running around the restaurant child. You may be able to ignore it but the rest of us can not. Even if Disney is a family place you still need to teach your child that there are other people around and we do not want to listen to them. I don't want to hear that you can not reason with a 2,3,4 yo etc. take them and LEAVE for the comfort of all around. I may sound harsh but I can not begin to tell the number of times that this scene has played out.

OMG!!! That is my biggest pet peeves! The parents that sit there oblivous to what their children are doing at restaurants. I have seen them on tables, running amuck around the dining room nearly tripping servers, screaming, playing in the restroom. And where are the parents sitting having conversation and not paying attention. Now don't get me wrong, not all parents are like this. Only some. But some do think that since they are in a restaurant that same rules from home do not apply. I don't know if it because they don't have to clean up the mess or what. And this is not just at Disney this is in all restaurants.

 

[hogue123]

This ties in with the whole stroller thing. How about saying "Excuse me" if you need to get by me/my/stroller/the kids. Don't stand there mute, don't just sigh and roll your eyes. If I am unaware of where you are going, I can't move out of your way.

I agree with maxiesmom. If you want to get by, say something. Most of the time I am paying attention to what my kids are doing and not watching behind me to see if someone wants to get by. I try to stay back out of the way but if you're pushing a stroller and you stop to look at something, you can't help but to block the isle sometimes.

During out Disney trip in 2004 we got stuck in a mob of people exiting the park after the fireworks at MK. We were on Main Street. It is amazing how many people push and knock into you trying to exit the park. We're all going the same darn place. If everyone would just walk at a decent pace and not push, things would probably go more smoothly. We had two young kids and a stroller and ended up carrying the kids and folding the stroller up and carrying it. People kept stopping in front of us and cutting us off and it was near impossible to push it (those people deserve to get their ankles hit by the stroller IMO ). Now we always wait until the big rush for the gates is over and avoid this problem.

Another one I hate is when you sit for an hour or more waiting for the parade and you are right at the line that the CM's tell you not to go over. We had one stroller wheel over the line once and the CM came over and told us we had to keep everything behind the line. Then as the parade starts, people scoot through the crowd and come sit or STAND right in front of you, obviously over the line and the CM does not say a word or make them move. We've politely pointed this out to those who have done this to us and they look at us like we have three heads or something.

Seems like most people forget their manners at home when going to Disney. It's amazing how rude people can be.

 

[3boyzmom]

Hi ...

I'm jumping in on the stroller issue. I am very considerate with my stroller, as are many others. I find that it is those people without small children that are rude and lacking manners. I have also had people dash in front of the stroller to try and get in front of us, push our stoller (with child in it) out of their way, etc. Maybe it is a matter of perspective, but I don't think rudeness is limited to the stroller set. As for people with kids pushing in line ... this also goes both ways. I've had to rescue my child from the floor after adults have pushed past him to get a good look at the attraction we were attending.

All of that said ... rudeness is not what we come away with from WDW. We enjoy watching people (and kids) enjoy themselves - this is one of the reasons we vacation at Disney. Also, we like to take our kids to a children oriented destination to avoid people who don't like to be around children.

Sorry ... I think this has turned into a mini-rant, but it is an issue that touches a sensitive nerve with parents.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

One issue I have is people walking in front when a family member is trying to take a picture in a certin location. Some people on here have said they will wait like 10 seconds & if nothing has happened they will walk in front of the person as they take the picture (which I think is a very rude thing to do) & there are some people who just don't care about anyone else, so they walk right in front with no one around & it's very clear we are about to take a picture. Now there are some nice people who stop & go around, so I wish there would be more guests like that at WDW.

 

[mikkiblueeyes]

How could you not put in here about smokers who think it's their right to smoke wherever they feel like it!! When i was a teenager and they still allowed you to walk around smoking I was burned on the thigh by a cigarette. I still have the scar.

I stay away from smoking areas but I've still seen them walking around the parks smoking. I hate walking into a cloud of smelly smoke. And then to see them drop their cigarette on the ground to put it out!!! grrrr!!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

How could you not put in here about smokers who think it's their right to smoke wherever they feel like it!! When i was a teenager and they still allowed you to walk around smoking I was burned on the thigh by a cigarette. I still have the scar.

I stay away from smoking areas but I've still seen them walking around the parks smoking. I hate walking into a cloud of smelly smoke. And then to see them drop their cigarette on the ground to put it out!!! grrrr!!!

Your 100% right about the people smoking in all area's of the parks, however I have read on here guests seeing CM's inforcing this rule so it's good some CM's do the right thing.

 

[Jalva22]

I admire your good nature! And that is definitely the spirit to have to make the most of your vacation. I just wish everyone would stop for a minute and try to put themselves in someone else's shoes. I bet some of those moms with the strollers today were just like me once and griped just as loudly. I'm not one to let something like this ruin my whole trip, though...I just think message boards (and particularly this thread) are a good place to vent.

I agree completely. We all need to vent somewhere and this is the place to do it. I was just trying to add some context to it. I vent to my DW all the time and it usually makes me feel better when she makes me realize it's not such a big deal after all.......Not always though!

 

[hello kitty]

The only time I bruise someones ankles with our double stroller is when they stop suddenly in front of me or try to cut across in front of me. And I dont offer an apology in those cases. In fact I may even push the stroller a bit harder.

I can see how hitting somebody can be unavoidable at times but to hit somebody harder than need be......


I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I can't tell you how many times I've been run into because I don't walk or move out of the way as quickly as some may like. Mind you, I'm not jumping out in front of others, just walking a bit slower. I've even been told if I didn't want to be hit then I should walk quicker.

...If someone wont get out of my way, I say excuse me. Still wont budge, Ill help you out.

I also have Meniere's Disease and have lost quite a bit of my hearing. Some days are better than others.

I don't think I deserve to be mowed down because I can't walk faster or hear you tell me to get out of the way.

 

[twinmom319]

Hi ...

I'm jumping in on the stroller issue. I am very considerate with my stroller, as are many others. I find that it is those people without small children that are rude and lacking manners. I have also had people dash in front of the stroller to try and get in front of us, push our stoller (with child in it) out of their way, etc. Maybe it is a matter of perspective, but I don't think rudeness is limited to the stroller set. As for people with kids pushing in line ... this also goes both ways. I've had to rescue my child from the floor after adults have pushed past him to get a good look at the attraction we were attending.

All of that said ... rudeness is not what we come away with from WDW. We enjoy watching people (and kids) enjoy themselves - this is one of the reasons we vacation at Disney. Also, we like to take our kids to a children oriented destination to avoid people who don't like to be around children.

Sorry ... I think this has turned into a mini-rant, but it is an issue that touches a sensitive nerve with parents.

I completely agree. I try to be considerate with my double stroller (which does not have everything we own in it, but does have our twins!) but you would not believe the way some people push it aside (or KICK it! my goodness!) Also, I am appalled at how some grown adults rush past and push the kids aside to get a better spot at the parade/show. Come on. You are TALLER than they are.

And I think that everyone upset with the stroller set should try to manuever a double stroller...while I try to never block an aisle completely, you should keep in mind that it is a heck of a lot easier for you to go around the stroller than for the parent to try to re-parallel park the thing to give you a couple more inches.

I'm not saying that there aren't some parents who are inconsiderate...but it goes both ways.

 

[Mo-Yo]

The only time I bruise someones ankles with our double stroller is when they stop suddenly in front of me or try to cut across in front of me. And I don't offer an apology in those cases. In fact I may even push the stroller a bit harder. That is my biggest pet peeve, along with people who decide to converse in the middle of a pathway or walk slowly together (ie 4 across) taking up a huge chunk of a pathway. Think rules of the road-most people wouldn't suddenly stop their car in the middle of the road (unless of course to avoid something). Instead they pull off to the side.

...If someone wont get out of my way, I say excuse me. Still wont budge, Ill help you out.

alison

Hopefully, you don't try the same thing in a car. If so, you may want to see someone about dealing with your road rage.

 

[maxiesmom]

One issue I have is people walking in front when a family member is trying to take a picture in a certin location. Some people on here have said they will wait like 10 seconds & if nothing has happened they will walk in front of the person as they take the picture (which I think is a very rude thing to do) & there are some people who just don't care about anyone else, so they walk right in front with no one around & it's very clear we are about to take a picture. Now there are some nice people who stop & go around, so I wish there would be more guests like that at WDW.

As long as the person who is taking the picture does not wait 10 minutes trying to get their family posed correctly/wait for the sun to be at the right angle/wait for it to snow I agree. Take your picture quickly people! Disney is a theme park with lots of people. Don't expect them all to wait for you to get your shot just right.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This ties in with the whole stroller thing. How about saying "Excuse me" if you need to get by me/my/stroller/the kids. Don't stand there mute, don't just sigh and roll your eyes. If I am unaware of where you are going, I can't move out of your way.

You read my mind!

 

[Stinky_Pete]

One issue I have is people walking in front when a family member is trying to take a picture in a certin location.

I'm one of the people that will stop...if I realize you're trying to take a photo. Unlike a lot of people I've encountered in the parks I try to pay attention to where I'm walking. If no one in your party is on an intercept course I may not pay any attention to what you're doing. Sometimes I realize someone is taking a picture right as I step into the frame. I say "I'm sorry" and hope you have a digital and can delete and re-shoot.

But, I must say, sometimes I have seen people set up their photo op in an area where others really can't go around. Or, as you hint at, taking an inordainte amount of time to snap the pic. And I'm talking much more than 10 seconds...