Proper Etiquette

[smfritz03]

What are some do's and dont's for Disney? This is our first trip and I dont want to end up being in the "pool hopping" group of people!!
We are by nature, courteous people--but at the same time--I dont want to be so nice that people think they can cut us in line and push us out of the way!!

So I want to know what I shouldnt do and some things I should do while at the World. I am considering the glo sticks idea to give to others--but need some other ideas!!

And I already know--my kids are going to stop in awe the first time they see the castle--so I know we will be breaking one "do not do" rule!!!! And I dont want to have to get on them first thing in the park to move out of peoples way---so I will warn them ahead of time--but I am not ruining their magic of the first sight of the castle for the first time in life to tell them to move!!!

 

[JeanJoe]

My first thought is that if you are posting this question on the boards, you are almost certainly going to be a very courteous visitor to the park.

I'd agree with you -- stopping in awe when you first catch sight of the castle is NOT discourteous, it's magical. Demanding that all the crowds clear out a 40 foot space around your family on Main St in front of the castle during the opening minutes and then spending 5 minutes trying to frame the perfect picture might be considered discourteous.

I think it's all about common sense and the Golden Rule. Shouldn't that be enough?

 

[buzz2400]

If you think your kids are going to stop in awe at the castle, make sure you have the camera ready!!!! Priceless picture. Don't worry if anyone gets mad. I have been visiting disney for many years and have found that everyone feels that they are the "privileged" because they paid to get in. don't forget that you did to. I still stop and look at the castle and I don't care if I make someone stop short. There will be numorous times that people stop dead in their tracks. This is what happens at all amusement parks. Everyone has their own agendas. Just have a good time and if by chance someone says something to you or gives you a dirty look, just say your sorry. If someone cuts in front of you, let them. Sometimes it is just not worth the effort to get into an argument. And seriously have your camera out and ready when you first get into Magic Kingdom.

 

[Lewisc]

If you see one person taking a picture of the rest of their family offer to take the picture so their entire family is in the picture. They'll probably offer to do the same for your family.

 

[SuzieQMomof3]

I think the best etiquette comes with patience, which is hard for both kids and parents at Disney.

We were waiting our turn to see Minnie in the tent behind Mickey's house. It was our turn, but another family, parents included, cut right in front of us. The parents saw what happened. My kids looked up at me, but I decided it wasn't worth the fight. I told them not to worry, that every one gets a chance to see Minnie. Well, Minnie herself shook her finger at all of them, motioned them aside, and brought my kids forward. It was a good lesson for my kids as well as the other family.

 

[SHADCT]

Just by your post you won't have a problem. I think about all the people there and the heat about 5% get a little nutty. Maybe their baked from the sun. I've had runs ins with maybe five rude people.
I think the worst time is fireworks and parade idle time. People waiting for the shows to start. We sat on Main St. directly on the curb waiting for the parade and this family sat right on our feet. If you move someone will jump right in your spot. Now I was there with the my family for 45 minutes before the parade. It's the last ones that try to muscle in. You need to be pushy here.. really. stand your ground.
The fireworks are the same thing. people rarely are able to sit and watch. Main ST is a mob scene. We we standing in front of a family in front of the Roy Disney Statue at the begining of MS. This family was sitting as if they could watch the fireworks with no obstructions. Sorry. 5000 people are going to cram this street in minutes. The guy gave me dirty looks until he relized he would have to stand in order to see them.
Good place to see the fireworks, is at the Main St train station. There are some blechers there. Pick the first row or the railing facing the castle.
Just remember please and thank maybe lacking in some people and you just have better manors than most. The majority of people are helpful and nice. I've given my seat and helped get carriages in the monorails and buses.

 

[smfritz03]

Thanks for the tip about fireworks!

I have read many horror stories about Disney--and everyones lack of manners---I just want my family to not fall into that trap or do things that --seem simple for us--like stopping in awe at the castle--others would consider rude!

We would never dream of pool hopping, or trying to cheat and steal--we dont teach our children that way of life! I just was wondering if there was something special we could do also, to pass the magic on to someone else??

 

[PaulaSue]

A little OT but I was wondering.........

My father has leg problems and my Mom is talking about us waiting in line and then him coming up (from resting on a bench) when we are close to the ride's enter area. I told her I think that is not going to be acceptable, at least at Hersheypark that is not "allowed".

What is everyone else's take on it? I'm trying to talk him into renting a scooter for the few days he will be with us.

Sorry for going a little OT on your thread but I though this might be a good place to ask OP.

 

[candykisses]

PaulaSue

If your father will use an ECV or a wheelchair, he will be much better off. That way your party can stay together. Some ques can be long and there will be some people that will be downright mean.

There are ECVs for rent at the parks on a first come first served basis. They can also be rented from from businesses outside the parks. That price may be cheaper depending on the number of days he'll be visiting the parks.

Candy

 

[wuv tigger]

We were waiting our turn to see Minnie in the tent behind Mickey's house. It was our turn, but another family, parents included, cut right in front of us. The parents saw what happened. My kids looked up at me, but I decided it wasn't worth the fight. I told them not to worry, that every one gets a chance to see Minnie. Well, Minnie herself shook her finger at all of them, motioned them aside, and brought my kids forward. It was a good lesson for my kids as well as the other family.

Minnie is such a classy lady ... I mean mouse
I would have loved to see the faces of that family when Minnie did this to them.

Judy

 

[marylou]

DO remember you are on Vacation in the most magical place on earth
DO rmember it is the kids vacation as well and that disney is going to be around for a while
DO remember that you CAN NOT see everything in a few days
DON'T forget you are having FUN

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You let your family stop and stare at the castle for as long as they like. I never knew there was a rule to get out of people's way when you come into the MK and see the castle. Whoever made/suggested that rule should be flogged. The castle is the most beautiful it has ever been right now, and I am not a stand and stare at the castle type of person, but it is truly beautiful and magical and breathtaking. You look all you want.

 

[YesDear]

YEAH! What Rwethereyet said!!!!!!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

A little OT but I was wondering.........

My father has leg problems and my Mom is talking about us waiting in line and then him coming up (from resting on a bench) when we are close to the ride's enter area. I told her I think that is not going to be acceptable, at least at Hersheypark that is not "allowed".

What is everyone else's take on it? I'm trying to talk him into renting a scooter for the few days he will be with us.

Sorry for going a little OT on your thread but I though this might be a good place to ask OP.

Because of the bars, ropes and chains separating out lines, it's often not possible to enter a line except at the place where the line starts. Also, a lot of lines continue inside a building for a pretty long period, so even if he was able to join, he might find that the wait is much longer than he anticipated.
I'd suggest following the advice of the other poster about renting an ecv for him. Most lines are ecv accessibel, so he could stay with the group. If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, you can find a lot of information. There is a disABILITIES FAQs thread stuck near the top of the threads.

 

[snappy]

Nice things we have done at the parks:

give away fastpasses to families with kids

give up seats on the bus

take a picture for a family with their camera so they all can be in the picture

let someone go ahead of us in line to meet their party

give a mardi gras dubloon at WDW to someone during mardi gras week

smile, alot

 

[lauran cameron]

Nice things we have done at the parks:

give away fastpasses to families with kids

give up seats on the bus

take a picture for a family with their camera so they all can be in the picture

let someone go ahead of us in line to meet their party

give a mardi gras dubloon at WDW to someone during mardi gras week

smile, alot

amen to that!


P.S. 400th post!

 

[rbork]

Yeah, I am curtious and patient and teach my kid's by example. I agree with all the above. But do remember to not let people walk all over you. Believe me - THEY WILL IF YOU LET THEM. I was annoyed when my family sat over an hour to watch illuminations and had my kid's sit in front of me just behind the rope thing. This older lady actually stepped on my son. I was mad and my husband was really going to blow/ instead I just looked at her and said nicely, "you stepped on my son." She just look at me like I was crazy. Now it's not like she couldn't see because we were all sitting so people could kneel or stand behind us to see w/o obstruction. I put my legs beside my son and held my ground. Thankfully she didn't step ON me- I'm not sure how I would have handled that. So stand your ground! Be polite, sharing and giving but don't let people "walk on you"! lol.
Good Luck with your trip.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

I think we were prepared for a lot more rudeness than we actually encountered. Everyone was very pleasant and accomodating.

That said, our one memorable experience of rudeness was the couple with their stroller behind us in line at Living Seas. They were on their cell phone with someone they knew who was apparently further ahead in line. They had the person wave, but couldn't see them, so they were yelling out the guy's name...and this is a pretty enclosed area where the line is. Finally, they were discussing just pushing their stroller through the line until they found who they were looking for. DW finally turned to them and said "I don't think that is going to go over well, you pushing in front of everyone who is waiting patiently." The guy really seemed surprised that the people waiting wouldn't just part and let him and his family through.

My point, and I do have one, is if part of your party goes and gets in line without you, don't be the guy who expects everyone to just let him saunter past to rejoin his group.

Whenever we saw this, DW and I would say to each other, "If they didn't wait for you, maybe they are trying to tell you something."

 

[jennifer293]

Let me say while the majority of people were nice and courteous as we were "trying to be" there is that small group of people who wouldn't know an act of kindness if it were to bite them on the butt.

We encountered ALOT of those whom "waiting in line" did not apply to. DH got very upset a few times but I reminded him that not everyone can be as nice as us and that there are those who only care about themselves and not about the happiness of others. HAHA!! That usually would shut him up for at least 15 minutes and by that time we were on the ride.

Just remember to RELAX and have FUN. Most of all get many pics of this moment you will want to remember the looks on their faces FOREVER!!!!