Since when did being a jerk become a theme park strategy?

[mellowyellowuk]

I think you find nice people anywhere if you look hard enough and don't focus on the negative. I live near London and my sister wanted to take my niece and nephew's (a 9, 7 and 6 year old) in to see the Christmas lights and Christmas fair in Hyde park the week before Christmas. It was stupidity busy prob a 10+ on Disney park scale lol.

Leaving at 8 at night in the dark from Hyde park was madness the tube was queueing up the stairs and onto the pavement to get on, my sister and I we're talking about which way to get back to Euston were she was catching the train back and some man next to us joined in and told us the best way then he and his friend helped us to encircle the kids so they we're shielded from the crush on the stairs.
Yes he could have just dismissed us a stupid tourists ( tried to convince my sister it was a bad idea but who ever listens to the little sister even if she is the one that lives 20 minutes outside London) but went out of his way to help us

 

[lbmiller77]

Wow, so sorry I said 35-45. It wasn't directed at anyone in particular so let's just realize it was just a range. My point wasn't so much about the exact age, but what I've experienced. I'm 55 and I was just speaking from years of experience.

It's almost funny that people are offended by the age range I posted. Is it because they're special? LOL

How very troll of you. I believe you upset people by your comment because you are wrongfully stereotyping a generation, not because they feel they are special. Your comment leads me to believe in the old phrase "takes one to know one".

 

[biondagirl]

When we went in 2011, we didn't see Fantasmics. It's not my favorite show anyway, but the main reason is that I despise leaving there. It's down right scary getting out of there with young kids. It's the worse layout.

Our kids want to see it on our next trip and we'll do it. But, I'm telling you, I dread exiting.

 

[Grandma G]

You should write a book...

Thank you. But you know, of course, that there are those board members who believe that I do ... write books. Badly ...

I have discovered Trip Reports, though (I would far rather read a story than write one). And there are a great many very talented storytellers here that make the process of putting one together seem like a lot of fun. So, depending upon how our return to Disney goes in October of '16, I may make that a November project a year from now.

gg

PS: Great bumper sticker!

 

[Grandma G]

I enjoyed reading this! You have a talent for writing!

How nice of you, Dentam! I am so glad that you liked what I wrote. But if there is any credit (or curse) to be given for my addiction to words, it would have to be distributed down a long Irish bloodline. I am, within the family, one of the least talkative. Truly.

gg

 

[Grandma G]

I would buy it.

Well, that would be a lovely first! Thank you.

I've never been paid a penny for anything I've written. I was, however, once offered a very generous gift of a grade by a Journalism instructor not to insist on the publication of the piece that resulted from her assignment.

I've always considered that the high point of my career as a writer. To date ...

gg

 

[Imaginique]

I'm the opposite of most folks. I don't complain about the younger generation. The older ones, though....yikes! I'm a few months shy of the 35-45 age range, and I've had less problems with that group and younger than I have with the 65+ group as far as following directions and politeness. It could be where I live, who I'm related to, etc. Maybe we are more polite to our own age groups than others. Regardless, there are jerks in all age groups.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

I'm the opposite of most folks. I don't complain about the younger generation. The older ones, though....yikes! I'm a few months shy of the 35-45 age range, and I've had less problems with that group and younger than I have with the 65+ group as far as following directions and politeness. It could be where I live, who I'm related to, etc. Maybe we are more polite to our own age groups than others. Regardless, there are jerks in all age groups.

It is funny that you say that. I am 50, but I relate so much better with young people than senior citizens. I am always polite, of course, but unless the older person is very "young at heart," I am not always thrilled to be around them. I have a Foster Grandparent volunteer in my classroom who is in her 80's, but she behaves like one of the kids...and I just adore every minute with her. She is so fun to be with. But, sometimes her contemporaries are a bit closed-minded, and only talk about their ailments. I aim to behave like I'm 25 or younger for as long as I can keep it up. I am mentally about 8 years old on my best days...

To all senior citizens out there in cyber space: I am not generalizing about your age group. I am not stereotyping you. Please forgive me if any of my comments are offensive or politically incorrect. The above statements are based on my personal experience and individual opinions. Thank you in advance for your patience.

 

[Grandma G]

Well if I see an Annette Funicello look alike skipping thru the gates at this MNSSHP I'll know it's you! And Yes, according to these post, you wouldn't want to sprint, apparently that's rude, but I think skipping would be fine!

Also, sound like a wonderful vacation and adventure in California.

First, I'd like to apologize to you ... and to everyone else ... for this long string of posts (see above). I'm still getting used to this software's permissions and the ability to quote multiple posters in a single entry escaped me for a moment.

As for Annette ...

I'm torn between my childhood heroine and Cruella (who is the spittin' image, in body and spirit, of one of my former co-workers). Although, at 4'11" (even with my gray hair), I would probably be far more believable as Annette.

As for sprinting ...

Given that a sprinter's method of reaching point B from point A without bloodletting doesn't require any beyond-the-ordinary cooperation from me or from his/her other immediate neighbors, I think it's perfectly acceptable if they want to move at the speed of light as they keep in mind two time-worn examples of appellate admonishment:

1) From our Federal courts: Your right to swing your arm ends at the tip of my nose.

and

2) From my grandmother to my husband when he, driving a rare straight-stretch of a curve-filled, two-laned West Virginia country road, looked over to his only passenger and asked, Well, Mama, how does it feel to be doing 100? Said my grandmother: It feels just fine. As long as you're sure you can afford it.

Put another way ...

I think that the point that you make in your recent post to the ' ... Brash' thread is an excellent one.

gg

 

[Imaginique]

It is funny that you say that. I am 50, but I relate so much better with young people than senior citizens. I am always polite, of course, but unless the older person is very "young at heart," I am not always thrilled to be around them. I have a Foster Grandparent volunteer in my classroom who is in her 80's, but she behaves like one of the kids...and I just adore every minute with her. She is so fun to be with. But, sometimes her contemporaries are a bit closed-minded, and only talk about their ailments. I aim to behave like I'm 25 or younger for as long as I can keep it up. I am mentally about 8 years old on my best days...

To all senior citizens out there in cyber space: I am not generalizing about your age group. I am not stereotyping you. Please forgive me if any of my comments are offensive or politically incorrect. The above statements are based on my personal experience and individual opinions. Thank you in advance for your patience.

I think you are right; it depends on the personality of said person. Some of my relatives are grumpy, and being a stay at home parent I run into a lot of retirees on my daily routines. Some are polite (mostly women) and some are super grumpy (mostly men). Again, all generalizations which aren't fair of me to use, but it's hard for me to take complaints about younger generations seriously when dealing with cranky older generations.

 

[L&Lfan]

I remember on my Dream cruise earlier this year that we had gone up to the top deck early and staked out a good spot on the good side to watch the fireworks on Pirates Night. Some lady with a little boy tried to wedge in but there really was no space. She resorted to try to pressure me to give up my space by smushing me against the rail with her giant boobs. No personal space at all and it was super uncomfortable to feel her boobs on my back but I wasn't going to budge. She finally gave up after trying for about 5 minutes. I may be a tiny woman but you aren't going to push me around especially with your boobs! I do imagine a guy might've liked the experience lol.

A straight guy perhaps, but not me.

 

[River Country]

First I will admit a couple of things...1 I did not read all 11 pages of this thread, and 2 I am in the middle of the 35-45 age group at a ripe old age of 37.

Let me address the age thing.. I have seen all kinds of behavior from parents young and old. Gen X which is what we are were raised by hard working people called Baby Boomers some had more than others and most didn't come from much....at least mine didn't. I don't have a sense of entitlement and I have instilled hard work and dedication to my daughter and so has my wife so I do take offense that the 35-45 year old demographic was generalized in that manner. I hate the mindset of everyone gets a trophy.

My main point is didn't Disney do this to most of us? OK so some people are just jerks and has nothing to do with WDW...but we....
Have to book dining 180 days in advance
WDW transportation is a lengthy process
FP+ 60 days in advance
People often say that Disney is not vacation, because all they do is rush rush rush.....

Take time to relax by the resort pool, go see a show, la nouba is supposed to be great, play mini golf, get a relaxing spa massage if you can. but this is just my 2 cents. Maybe people rush around and try to cram so much into a small time frame because of cost and they do not know when they will be back....I understand that...but be a human don't knock over little kids....don't push me.....we will all get to where we have to get to.

 

[Summertinkerbell]

First I will admit a couple of things...1 I did not read all 11 pages of this thread, and 2 I am in the middle of the 35-45 age group at a ripe old age of 37.

Let me address the age thing.. I have seen all kinds of behavior from parents young and old. Gen X which is what we are were raised by hard working people called Baby Boomers some had more than others and most didn't come from much....at least mine didn't. I don't have a sense of entitlement and I have instilled hard work and dedication to my daughter and so has my wife so I do take offense that the 35-45 year old demographic was generalized in that manner. I hate the mindset of everyone gets a trophy.

My main point is didn't Disney do this to most of us? OK so some people are just jerks and has nothing to do with WDW...but we....
Have to book dining 180 days in advance
WDW transportation is a lengthy process
FP+ 60 days in advance
People often say that Disney is not vacation, because all they do is rush rush rush.....

Take time to relax by the resort pool, go see a show, la nouba is supposed to be great, play mini golf, get a relaxing spa massage if you can. but this is just my 2 cents. Maybe people rush around and try to cram so much into a small time frame because of cost and they do not know when they will be back....I understand that...but be a human don't knock over little kids....don't push me.....we will all get to where we have to get to.

I agree.

On our first four trips to WDW, I felt tremendous pressure to get more "bang for my buck" and try to do it all.

I'm over that.

We only had 3 out of 7 nights in the parks during our recent trip. Those were my least favorite and most stressful times.

When we got home, I told my family that on our next trip (in a few years), they can do whatever they like, but I'm completely over Illuminations and Fantasmic. The exiting is a nightmare. I will be viewing all fireworks from the deluxe resorts from now on. I am perfectly happy to have some alone time by the pool if they must go to the parks at night. All of my time in the parks will take place at rope drop until noon.

I will definitely schedule a spa day...

 

[ArwenMarie]

I agree.

On our first four trips to WDW, I felt tremendous pressure to get more "bang for my buck" and try to do it all.

I'm over that.

We only had 3 out of 7 nights in the parks during our recent trip. Those were my least favorite and most stressful times.

When we got home, I told my family that on our next trip (in a few years), they can do whatever they like, but I'm completely over Illuminations and Fantasmic. The exiting is a nightmare. I will be viewing all fireworks from the deluxe resorts from now on. I am perfectly happy to have some alone time by the pool if they must go to the parks at night. All of my time in the parks will take place at rope drop until noon.

I will be definitely schedule a spa day...

I agree, I'm over the nighttime shows too. It's just too crowded. I'm not a big fan of Illuminations and Fantasmic anyway, so no loss there. I do like Wishes and Celebrate the Magic but I will only do them with a FP or the dessert party. If not, then as you said, see the fireworks from one of the resorts.

I guess I will be trying to see the DAK nighttime show whenever that is ready, but maybe I will wait a year or so to let the chaos settle down a bit

 

[Dr Gevil]

When the jerk store called and said they were running out???

 

[jerseygirl82]

This is what you get when the parent generation said that everyone was a winner, everyone was entitled to everything everyone else had, no you cant punish my child at school, let the tv and video games raise the children, etc...
Manners are quickly becoming like the Unicorn (a mythical thing).

I teach high school and I'm not exactly sure how old the parents of my students are, but this is something I deal with 9 times out of 10. There's always an excuse and never a demand for the kids to take responsibility - for anything.

When I was a kid (I'm 33) life wasn't like it is now - everyone gets a trophy, teachers are always wrong, "not my kid", etc. My siblings and I had a healthy respect for authority. Kids today? Many of them not so much.

 

[Magpie]

I teach high school and I'm not exactly sure how old the parents of my students are, but this is something I deal with 9 times out of 10. There's always an excuse and never a demand for the kids to take responsibility - for anything.

When I was a kid (I'm 33) life wasn't like it is now - everyone gets a trophy, teachers are always wrong, "not my kid", etc. My siblings and I had a healthy respect for authority. Kids today? Many of them not so much.

That's because when you were a kid, you weren't a teacher. If you'd been a teacher 23 years ago, you'd have been saying the same thing you're saying right now.

I grew up among teachers, and believe me when I say that I heard the exact same observations from teachers in the seventies and eighties, as well as the nineties.

After all, the nineties were not exactly known for being the era of strict parenting and unspoiled, respectful, unentitled kids!

 

[sfbank]

Dr Gevil---the same time the ocean called when they were running out of shrimp. Haha love it!!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Okay, I'm late to this game, but Ill go the opposite of the flow. It is never okay to run over other people, or shove in a crowd. That said, plenty slow pokes display their own sense of entitlement. I'm a slightly brisk-walker by nature. I walk on the right, and pass on the left. It's quite simple, and enables everyone to get where they want. It isn't okay though for your group to stop and block everyone else's pathway. We need to share.

Stepping to the side is easy. If someone doesn't know which way to go, I'm happy to help if you smile and ask.

New WDW kind of forces all of us to obey a schedule. If the bus didn't show, or the monorail stopped, that isn't poor planning on my part.

We've also encountered folks who just hate to be passed. I don't care if they want to walk slowly, why can't they respect our desire to pass politely on the left? I don't mean when the crowd has no place to go, just most of the day.

Disney isn't a race. We're all just trying to enjoy our vacation.

 

[pktbMouse]

Sometimes people need to vent and the people here will get it.
I feel the OP's pain. Not limited to WDW. Try taking a NYC subway at rush hour!

Yes this...