shows, saving seats etc

[JamesMom]

Just came back from a solo trip with my just 3-wk shy of his 6th birthday- 5 year old and he was a trooper!
We parked our butts down on the pavement at 6 o'clock for the castle lighting show, spectro and wishes which ended at 8:15. No potty breaks, chatted with a family next to us who chatted with DS while I was never out of eyeshot to buy a lightup toy and bucket of popcorn in 5 minutes long before any show started using my backpack to save my spot for the short duration. [with sheer number of carts around I was never more than 10-12 feet away] Then we stayed put for the rest of the evening.
Did my DS squirm? you bet ya, did he complain about waiting, yep, but I told him what was to come and played games with him and the kids next to us - had a great time and he truly enjoyed the performances. It can be done!

 

[mickaholic4077]

If I take the trouble to sit on the end for whatever reason,I am not going to move. Also,I see nothing wrong with saving seats as long as Disney allows it. If they ever adopt a policy in the parks to not allow seat saving,then of course I won't do it.

 

[BradyBz12]

If I take the trouble to sit on the end for whatever reason,I am not going to move.

I suppose that's perfectly fine as long as you have no problem with getting up to let others by into the row until it's full.

Also,I see nothing wrong with saving seats as long as Disney allows it.

Ah, but I think the point there is that Disney really doesn't "allow" it - otherwise they wouldn't constantly be telling people to "move in/down and fill EVERY available space."

I'm with the camp of those that don't believe it's fair for one person to save spaces for others that are out doing other fun things, and that everyone wanting to enjoy a particular attraction/show should put in the effort to get in line and wait like everyone else to reserve their seat/space.

That being said, once people have done that, if they need/want to pop out quickly for a restroom break and leave their seat briefly, I'm totally fine with that. They put in their time. Not all of us have iron-clad bladders.

 

[edwardsfire]

Of course we "save seats".
Disney DOES allow it.
Whether in line or at shows. If needed, we save a seat for the rest of our family of 4.
Seems kinda the normal thing to do within reason.
now, with that being said....I would NOT save a seat for a large family, say 7 or more or so.
With anything, common sense should prevail and moderation.

 

[parmtoo]

We save seats too. Only for bathroom breaks though. I wouldn't continue to save after a show started.

 

[Robo]

Two factors at work, here.

1-Arrive early, pick your spot, and sit right there in that spot until show time.

2-"Slide Over" from that spot to make room for others who do not manage to arrive early, but spent their time enjoying the rides, but did show up and fit themselves into the crowd before the show started.

Resulting in: ------------------------------------------------

1-This would be applauded because, if you make the effort to arrive early and wait (foregoing extra "riding time") then you should be rewarded for doing so.

2-This would be applauded because, if you make room for others, they can see the show from a favored position, and we can allow them to share the best spaces, regardless of when they happen to make it to the theater.


Seems like these two conflicting ideas can't possibly both be the correct thing to do.

 

[BradyBz12]

Wow Robo - a really good way to boil down a hot topic.

But when it comes to those that think seat saving is ok... where is the line? Is it ok to save 2 seats? 4 seats? 8 seats? and entire row?? Why would it be ok to save seats for a family of 4 people, but not ok for a family with 6 kids to save seats for all 8 of them? ...or a family reunion group to save 20 seats for their entire group?

That's where the "it's ok within reason..." argument starts down a slippery slope IMO. Who makes the call?

 

[glitterkittyy]

That's where the "it's ok within reason..." argument starts down a slippery slope IMO. Who makes the call?

More than likely the "reasonable amount" directly correlates with how many are in the saver's party that day.

 

[BradyBz12]

More than likely the "reasonable amount" directly correlates with how many are in the saver's party that day.

Yup - my point exactly.

So unless your family of 4 doesn't mind not getting a seat because that family of 8 thinks it's perfectly acceptable to save seats for their entire family too...

 

[edwardsfire]

Yup - my point exactly.

So unless your family of 4 doesn't mind not getting a seat because that family of 8 thinks it's perfectly acceptable to save seats for their entire family too...

Its all common sense and moderation.
Somethings dont need a rule or standard.
Its like Drinking.....A little is ok (moderation)
Alot, can and will do harm.
Its up to good ole common sense to know when to say.....when. Or, how many people should i save seats for.
For me, the most would be 3. Say my wife and daughter and son.
But i could not imagine saving seats for say...(6). that is simply not moderation.
Again, it shouldnt require a rule or law....it should only require a normal thought process of: "hmm, is this too many people to save a seat for?"
Most normal people at some point would say YES.
We humans are supposed to be intelligent. Lets use that intelligence. Along with dignity and common sense.
Its kinda like speeding.
Going say 70 in a 65 wont get you a ticket, going 80 will. Why? Going 70 is within reason.

 

[BradyBz12]

For me, the most would be 3. Say my wife and daughter and son. But i could not imagine saving seats for say...(6). that is simply not moderation.

For a family of 6 (or 8 or more) I'm sure they would consider their number perfectly reasonable and within the boundaries of moderation, since that's how many family members they had with them.

That tends to be the problem with an issue like this. The "limit" is completely at the discretion of each individual's situation.

I guess the bottom line is that until/unless Disney starts to actually enforce any kind of "seat saving" policy, the debate will continue...

 

[BradyBz12]

We humans are supposed to be intelligent. Lets use that intelligence. Along with dignity and common sense.

I'm all for that! And I love your signature - there's a sign hanging at our camp that says "No Whining"

 

[mjkacmom]

I think you are fine saving one or two seats, as long as it is for a very brief period of time. As in your hubby went with one child to get the rest of the family some snacks. But it is not ok to throw stuff down and try to save 4 spots for an hour.

As far as people sitting on the end of the rows and not sliding down, I will tell you why I do that. I get hugely clausterphobic if I have to sit in the middle of a row. Knowing that I have to climb over a bunch of people if I have to leave is not good. Even if I am in a full theater as long as I am sitting on the end of the row and can leave if I need to, I most likely won't have a panic attack. Shove me in the middle of the row, and I will be fighiting it the whole time I am sitting there. So no, I won't give up my end of the row seat.

By the way, I DO fill in every available seat when I do shows like philharmagic. But I know that I am in that spot for only a very short period of time, so those shows are do-able.

I agree with every word here. I, too, am chausterphobic, and my heart would be racing a mile a minute if I was stuck in the middle during a long show. I do get to shows VERY early for this very reason, and have no problem standing so that others can move down the row.

 

[edwardsfire]

I'm all for that! And I love your signature - there's a sign hanging at our camp that says "No Whining"

Peace!

 

[disneyjunkie]

Of course we "save seats".
Disney DOES allow it.
Whether in line or at shows. If needed, we save a seat for the rest of our family of 4.
Seems kinda the normal thing to do within reason.
now, with that being said....I would NOT save a seat for a large family, say 7 or more or so.
With anything, common sense should prevail and moderation.

HUH?

Let's say we have 3 families,
Family A has 2 parents and 2 kids.
Family B has 2 parents and 5 kids.
Family C has 1 parent and 1 kid.

Families A and C can save seats, but family B can't? That’s crazy.

 

[mjkacmom]

HUH?

Let's say we have 3 families,
Family A has 2 parents and 2 kids.
Family B has 2 parents and 5 kids.
Family C has 1 parent and 1 kid.

Families A and C can save seats, but family B can't? That’s crazy.

I have 5 kids, and would be mortified to save that many seats. If anything, I'd save a couple for DH and ds5 (he's one of those kids - his twin sister could sit quietly for hours), or if we were all there, a couple could leave at a time for a drink or potty trip.

 

[andymattmom]

Of course we "save seats".
Disney DOES allow it.
Whether in line or at shows. If needed, we save a seat for the rest of our family of 4.
Seems kinda the normal thing to do within reason.
now, with that being said....I would NOT save a seat for a large family, say 7 or more or so.
With anything, common sense should prevail and moderation.

Lets say every family of 4 does save seats...there will be a lot of empty seats right up until showtime or parade time when all these people come back from potty breaks, food breaks, shopping, riding the rides or taking the 7 and 9 year old for walks since they are too little to sit for a period of time.

Sorry if there is some invisible person in the seats when I come in 45 minutes before the show in the front and someone says I am saving those my entire family will sit in those seats filled with invisible people.

Imagine if we all saved seats...wouldn't work. If there is a small child who needs a potty break that is one thing but people off because their kids are too little to sit (over 4 or so), getting snacks, etc. that seat is up for grabs.

I would have no problem letting a small child sit in front of us with parents behind during a parade, etc. but if someone moves in front of me before the fireworks or parade I will kindly tell them to move. We have done Disneyland and Disney World since my boys were 4 and 6...they have sat and waited for parades, waited in line for rides, etc and not complained, not gotten out to go potty and survived without food for a short period of time!

Guess to each their own...this will be debated forever but if there is a seat or spot and it is open for more than 5 minutes...sorry I will sit there if my entire party is there! We enjoy talking about our day while waiting, people watching and just relaxing!!

 

[Robo]

Guess to each their own...this will be debated forever but if there is a seat or spot and it is open for more than 5 minutes...sorry I will sit there if my entire party is there! We enjoy talking about our day while waiting, people watching and just relaxing!!

Now, what do you do if the CM's tell you and your family to "slide over" to allow late-arrivals to sit where you have been sitting for 45 minutes?

As I asked earlier (Post #66,) what is the "right thing to do?"




.

 

[Edna "E" Mode]

Problem is most people don't care and have lost common courtesy when on these vacations.

I don't care if people want to sit on the ends as long as they are willing to move so people can get by no biggy.

With how many times I've had some kid kick me in the back I can see why people like the ends.

Anyways...

We don't save seats either. There's 4 of us (2 adults and 2 boys age 7 and 10).

We talk about it before hand. We either all go, split up or don't go at all. We make sure everyone's been to the bathroom and all set with snacks prior to getting in line.

We tell them once we are in line (seated) that's it, if they didn't listen and have to get out of line then they miss the show so they better make sure they've done their business. We've not had any problems cause we follow through and if it ends up ruining our time they have to miss out on something as punishment. You can't be rude to others bottom line and we teach our kids that.

What I can't stand is people who allow their kids to run around everywhere while "saving" these seats.

Can't tell how many times I've gotten kicked, stepped on or had something broken because someone was just letting their kids run because they were basically not interested in controlling them, the kids couldn't wait even a couple minutes, the parents are too tired to put forth the effort or figure that they're waiting so what's the big deal.

Then there's the all famous let their kids stand on the seats so they can have a better look but the people behind them are out of luck.

When you ask them to have their kids sit down they just tell you "but they can't see"...uummm so myself or my kids are not suppose to be able to see anything? It's ridiculous.

People need to control their kids or get out!

It's not justified to have kids running, hitting people, pushing, stepping on others and their belongings and just throw your hands up and say well they're kids. Or to "not see it" cause you are talking on your phone.

Talk about teaching your children how to disrespect others.

Everyone needs to get there on time, sit down and mind your manners.

My kids have gotten stepped on and pushed to the ground by others who's parents have sent them into the seated area for a better look.

On a side note I don't see why people are insistence that Mrs. Smith is gonna change her mind on things once she has a baby. Like they know better then her what she's gonna do...lol

Just because some allow children to dictate how they do things doesn't mean everyone does. If you can't out will a small child good luck with the teenage years...lol

I think she's the best judge of herself and what will or will not change and others need to deal.

Also saying that there is a difference between having kids on a trip and having a disabled adult...yes there is a difference having a disabled adult is harder then dealing with a small child.

Many people are not as kind, forgiving or tolerant to wards an adult disability as to a child with "extra" energy or a temper tantrum.

Most people will have sympathy to wards parents with a child with a fit because they have "been there" and are glad to see it's not just their child that does that...

with a mentally disabled adult most people don't have to deal with that and don't know how to re-act so the reception is not over whelming fair or tolerant.

Over here we are the parents and call the shots.

The kids either listen or miss out. We don't save seats. If the kids want to see something but have dragged their feet somewhere else and it means we're late to a show they either deal with the seats they get or stand if they have to....if they can't hang...tough they miss it.

Helps to show them how to prioritize what they want to do. Having a kid miss a show because they didn't take the time seriously will only happen once or twice before they learn when we say we'll be late they need to move.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Now, what do you do if the CM's tell you and your family to "slide over" to allow late-arrivals to sit where you have been sitting for 45 minutes?

As I asked earlier (Post #66,) what is the "right thing to do?"

.

Stand up and let those entering walk by. It may not be the right thing to Do, but it is what I do.

I have a small family (just sons and I). I'll hold a seat while he runs to the bathroom or pick a snack. However, I will not hold a seat while he's enjoying another ride. I wait until he's done riding before looking for seats.