PSA.....IT IS NOT OK TO PUSH YOUR KIDS TO THE FRONT 15 SECONDS BEFORE ILLUMINATIONS!

[NicoleLarson]

I know I am preaching to the choir here but we had been waiting in our prime spot for a little over 30 minutes. We had our 2 no so patient toddlers in the stroller and I was standing beside it. Directly next to me was another family with a child in a stroller., there was MAYBE 2 feet between us. Literally 15 seconds before illuminations started, this family tells their kids oh just push your way up here! I look to see they've push not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 kids!!!! The fact is this, if the parents would have said, hey can my son stand in front of you, I would not have had a problem. If they would have said hey thanks for letting my kids stand here, I would have been ok with that. But no, nothing. Now their children think this is acceptable behavior. It is amazing to me how people think they are entitled. So I'm putting this out there now. If you want your kids to see illuminations, parades, etc. Get there early and get a spot like everyone else!!!! Just because your kids are small it is NOT ok to push them to the front!

 

[larryz]

They did it, and nothing bad happened.

Nobody died, nobody got hurt, nobody spilled a cup of soda on them, nobody (apparently) said anything to them about it, nobody complained to a CM -- there were no adverse consequences, other than your hurt sensibilities.

I agree with you -- it was rude and inappropriate, but without adverse consequences, they probably still think it's "OK"...

 

[mort1331]

Sorry Larry even when you do say something to them, they think that you are the mean one for not letting their kids have prime viewing spots, even when their kids push yours out of the way. Time and time again we see this, but we dont let it ruin our vacation, we know we will be back.

 

[Bubblegum1286]

I had my foot run over by a stroller at the Jingle Jungle Parade years ago. It HURT and I did say something to the woman pushing it. She replied with, "Psh- EXCUSE me, but my child would like to see the parade too!" We got there early to secure spots that were out of the way. She rushed the crowed 10 minutes into the parade and yelled at me for being incredibly inconsiderate with my foot on the sidewalk rudely attached to my body.

 

[mousehockey37]

This behavior irks me the most. In 2012, DGF and I had gotten to the hub early for MSEP and had a spot staked out on a corner (taped off with a CM on it). We were having fun talking with the other families and the CM. She took notice of things and for next hour or so until the parade started, she had to keep chasing people off. They'd try and shove inside the line, she had none of it, they tried to push their kids into our laps basically, she had none of it. This CM was awesome. Then, this past year, we were at the MNSSHP and we were sitting on the curb next to another young couple (who after talking with them, we found they were from our area here at home). It started raining, so we stood up, well, wouldn't you know, about 20 minutes before the parade started (which is when it started raining harder and we stood up) this family with a stroller came up and tried to get us to move. Needless to say we all looked at each other and got closer and stood our ground. We could hear the mom saying that "they'll move because we want to see the parade too" to which our new friend promptly turned around, looked at her and said "We've been here for over an hour, we're not moving.". This family kept trying with all their might, and eventually a group got taken out of the park for not having party bands and that family wound up over next to us.

I'm not one to be mean, but I'm also not one to give up something that I earned for myself. If I get to Illuminations early enough that I'm on the rail at the lagoon, I'm not moving and you can just forget it, there's no amount of money or asking or whatever that'll get me to move.

Now, to the story from 2012, after the MSEP ended, we were getting ready to go ride some rides (we'd already seen Wishes and wanted to do other things) we made sure that the family behind us moved up into our spots so that no one could jam in front of them. Likewise, during the Halloween Party this past year, there was a family next to us and we had the usual jerks coming into the hub and standing with kids on shoulders, well, for DGF and I, it was to our side. There was a smaller kid in the family next to us, and he wasn't afraid to let the people know that they were in his way. The dad was a tool bag and didn't stand up for his kid, so I told the kid if he wanted to, we had a clear view and he could come stand in front of us, he never did, but the offer was there.

Moral of the story on this one: If you want a decent spot for a parade, show, fireworks, or whatever it is... GET THERE EARLY ENOUGH!!!! DO NOT GO TO "YOUR LOCATION" WITH 5 MINUTES LEFT AND EXPECT TO GET A PRIME SPOT!!!! IT WILL NOT HAPPEN!!!! Unless you have a nifty little spot that no one knows of.

 

[KEPE]

We too had something similar, waited for the parade for over 30 minutes had a great spot w/ DD in the stroller. She was at the edge of the sidewalk and DH and I stood behind the stroller so other little ones could be in front of us/next to her to see better. Along comes some man with his three kids pushes his way in front of me and has his 3 kids stand in FRONT of my dd stroller so she couldn't see anything. Then proceeded to act like he didn't understand English when I was telling him off!!!

 

[Southern Bell]

Has anyone used a fast pass for the fireworks. I haven't yet! I wonder if this will at least take care of some of this pushing and shoving during this time. I do not mind, in fact I have asked a child standing behind me, if they would like to stand in front of me. Not in front of my children or grandchildren. But... You do have to be careful who you ask, like my daughter said, before you know it here comes several adults along with them and you end up in the back after you sat there for an hr holding a place for your child to see! LOL! I expect people to fill in all the empty spots around me, be crowded, be arm to arm, LOL! But... its when there is no room left, not even a piece of paper will fit! LOL! AND... they try to make it possible, and will knock you down to get not just there to see but in front of you . LOL! Then it becomes ridiculous! LOL! I guess we all just have to shake it off! Like Taylor swift says! LOL!

 

[georgina]

I know I am preaching to the choir here but we had been waiting in our prime spot for a little over 30 minutes. We had our 2 no so patient toddlers in the stroller and I was standing beside it. Directly next to me was another family with a child in a stroller., there was MAYBE 2 feet between us. Literally 15 seconds before illuminations started, this family tells their kids oh just push your way up here! I look to see they've push not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 kids!!!! The fact is this, if the parents would have said, hey can my son stand in front of you, I would not have had a problem. If they would have said hey thanks for letting my kids stand here, I would have been ok with that. But no, nothing. Now their children think this is acceptable behavior. It is amazing to me how people think they are entitled. So I'm putting this out there now. If you want your kids to see illuminations, parades, etc. Get there early and get a spot like everyone else!!!! Just because your kids are small it is NOT ok to push them to the front!

Maybe I'm missing something, but if there was 2 feet of open space, that's plenty of room for a couple of kids to stand. If they stood with the 2 smaller ones in front and 2 other kids behind them, they should fit fine. I'm not clear if they were next to you or in front of you? If I saw there was empty space I would have asked first, but would have had my kids stand there too. When we are in the front for parades and Illuminations we always sit so those behind us can see too.

 

[lauradis]

No its not ok but if kids are behind you the kind thing to do if there is room, let them set next to your child so they can see too...

 

[Pkltm]

My DH, DBFF and I were once told that because we were adults we did not need to watch the parade so we should move and give spots to a "gentleman's" children when they arrived 5 minutes before the parade. We were sitting down and they could have watched behind us, on of the kids actually had his ice cream drip all down my back.

 

[ellie05]

I am sorry this happend to you, but you should have said something. It seems like a growing trend here in the dis people will post it here, but not say anything in real life. I had plenty of situations in the park were people were trying to take advantage of us. I have always politely ask them to move or explain to them I was there first. Every time people have moved out of the way or the situation got solve. Where the other people happy about the situation? most really haven't though about it and of course some were upset and loudly talk to each other about it and when that has happend i don't really care. They can say whatever they want I am at Disney and I will enjoy my time. I think most people are too afraid to confront and that is why they keep doing it. Setting bounderies is a good thing, not something to be afraid of.

 

[nalajms]

Has anyone used a fast pass for the fireworks. I haven't yet! I wonder if this will at least take care of some of this pushing and shoving during this time.

It doesn't... we used the parade FP+ in Feb. While, there's less people, there are still some people who do not get curb-side seats. And some will push their way in. Sadly, DH is the type to give up his space....while that's nice of him sometimes other people think because DH is giving up his seat, my kids should move out of the way too!

 

[TwizzleMouse]

My DH, DBFF and I were once told that because we were adults we did not need to watch the parade so we should move and give spots to a "gentleman's" children when they arrived 5 minutes before the parade. We were sitting down and they could have watched behind us, on of the kids actually had his ice cream drip all down my back.

DBF and I have had this happen to us as well. I paid just as much as they did and I'm going to sit there and watch the fireworks, etc. If they don't like it, get there ahead of time for a spot or shut up and stand behind me.

 

[Fastpassminus]

If there is a family with little ones I always let them stand in front of me at the rail with DS. I also pack extra glow necklaces from Oriental Trading to hand out. The parents are always so grateful. I also don't fault the kids of pushy parents because it's not the kids fault,however I won't let kids push my child out of the way or take his seat. That is where I draw the line.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, our vacation wasn't ruined, I was simply putting this out there for those who think nothing about this behavior. And sorry I meant 2 inches not feet. The kids were the main reason why I didn't say anything. The little boy in front of me just ooh and awwed. I didn't want to ruin his moment because his parents are jerks. He did start to bump into me then my little boy. That's where I drew the line and kindly took his waist and said darling my son can not see when you do that, so you need to stand here. He didn't move an inch after that.