Something was different this trip

[EpcotJunkie]

We went 12/13-12/20 and encountered a lot of very inconsiderate people in the parks (cutting in line, pushing in front of us at parades/fireworks, etc). We lost count of the times that we were hit with a stroller. We also noticed the bathrooms were filthy. Anyone else there during this time that felt the same or was it just us?

 

[mrsltg]

I was there the 5th through the 16th and I really didn't notice any of these things. I have noticed, however, that once some of these things happen blatantly once, you start noticing them more often. That was how it was for me on my trip in 11/02.

Erin

 

[mickeysaver]

We certainly noticed the lack of proper maintence of the bathrooms and the parks in general. There were many times that I was forced to do cleaning before I could go potty. YICKY!

Thank God for hand sanitizer gel.

Anyway, we noticed lots of overtired cold toddlers. We noticed a lot of screaming over the top outbursts by parents. We noticed lots of kids from groups travelling from other lands acting like spoiled brats. I just about had to leave Mickey's Philharmagic before it started because a group of small Asian children were jumping and screaming and misbehaving for over 10 minutes straight and the parent did NOTHING. It was not pretty. When the kid hit me in the back, I thought it would end, but I was wrong. Oh nevermind......let's just say, there were some rude folks and some out of control kids and adults. I tried not to be one of them. lol

Overall, I feel like I have had a pixie dust overload. I actually don't care that I can't go back for a couple of years. Of course that opinion will most likely change in a couple of weeks.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I was there 12/8-12/16 and noticed the same thing too I also noticed there were lots of adults and kids coughing, sniffling and generally unwell. I thought maybe that some of the unpleasantness was due to all the cold and maybe lots of people not really wanting to be in the parks and not really too aware of what they were doing.

 

[EpcotJunkie]

Mickeysaver, Bunnyfoo I'm so glad it wasn't just us!!!!! We're both typically really laid back but we got totally walked on this past trip. Like you, we're in no rush to get back - and I never thought I would say that.

Perhaps watching a Disney special on the Travel Channel will change our minds.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'm use to going in May and I found the crowds to be much different this time. Actually, I was prepared for lots of cheering from the Pop Warner kids and bad behaviour from the Brazilian tour groups ... I saw lots of cheerleaders but they were very pleasant and nothing out of the ordinary from the tour group kids either.

I was also disappointed also by the parents who didn't seem interested in disciplining their children. One morning at AKL, we were in the hallways and there were three children having tons of fun racing up and down the hallways. Surprisingly, their parents were there ... said nothing and acted if everything was perfectly fine. Then when the kids saw their parents they started screaming (too loudly for 8AM) for their attention and wanted them to look at the animals. I'm not a parent myself so I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for me to say anything but I'm sure they woke up a lot of rooms

 

[loubelou]

It's your friend, Lou.

Sorry to hear your trip was all it should have been.

I've never seen one of your posts until now. So, I had to respond.

 

[katerkat]

Huh. I just got back and DH and I were commenting on the remarkable number of actual parents who were, well, parenting! DH says he was bumped into a lot by kids, but I didn't notice it. I'm used to the summer crowds, so this was good by comparasion! Then again, we didn't play in Fantasyland very much.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were there 12/19 to 12/21, MVMCP the first night. We were actually pleased with things. Just tonight DH said, one of the great things in WDW was "no obnoxious people cutting in lines."

However, I was very disappointed that they ran out of Christmas Party 2003 buttons.

I do agree that there has been a decline in bathroom cleanliness overall, but I saw no blatant messes on this trip.


Bobbi

 

[mrsltg]

One morning at AKL, we were in the hallways and there were three children having tons of fun racing up and down the hallways. Surprisingly, their parents were there ... said nothing and acted if everything was perfectly fine. Then when the kids saw their parents they started screaming (too loudly for 8AM) for their attention and wanted them to look at the animals. I'm not a parent myself so I wasn't sure if it was appropriate for me to say anything but I'm sure they woke up a lot of rooms

YES!!! I was staying there. 2nd floor, zebra trail, arusha savannah. OMG!!! What an obnoxious bunch of beasts (and I'm talking about the parents!!!). I have a three year old. We told her from the first second we stepped foot in the hallway that she was to be completely silent. If my DH and I spoke to each other, she'd turn around and "shhhhh" us! The same obnoxious people were constantly opening and closing their sliding glass door (I don't mean a reasonable going out to the balcony, I mean over and over and over again at 7:30am - I think that they were using the glass door as a toy--- that's Darwin at work!!!), letting their room door slam behind them, and screaming in the halls. It was great. Really GREAT. OOOYYYY!!!

Erin

 

[kilee]

I personally can't stand it when parents are ignorant and can't be bothered to teach their children right from wrong. The best I can come up with is that their parents were to lazy to correct them and they are breeding another generation of themselves, so the cycle continues. Kids will be kids, and they should be allowed to be alittle "free". However, when it causes discomfort for those around them, it's over the top!! JMO.

 

[EpcotJunkie]

We don't play in Fantasyland either as we don't have children - I was talking mostly about how the parents were acting. For example, at the MGM parade, I had moved over to let a family with two little boys move up so they (the boys) could see. No sooner had I taken one step over, this mother literally pushed her 12 year old daughter right in front of these two little boys – in fact the girl tripped over the stroller wheels. My mother, love her dearly, tapped the little girl on the shoulder and told her that she would have to move, she was blocking the view for those little boys. The mother acted like we had done a total disservice to her daughter - never mind that she was being totally inconsiderate.

Bobbiwoz, you were lucky. All the obnixous people were in the airport with me going home!