Suggestions for dealing with rudeness from guests

[greenkai3000]

I noticed from a lot of the postings on here that the most talked about lows when visiting DLP are both the aweful smoking, and the pushing & shoving in queues

We are dreading encountering either/or for our first visit to the Resort. What would be the best way to deal with these problems? Do we push back if shoved, do we tell people not to smoke around us ?

We are coming from the USA where all of this is unheard of, and would never be tolerated at our parks. We just don't know what all would be considered appropriate reactions from us without being ejected from the parks ourselves.

 

[torsie24]

I wouldn't bother reacting.

And certainly don't worry about it in advance.

If people push up close to the back of me in a line I just start leaving a 6 foot gap in front of me before I walk forward. Makes them squirm and makes me laugh a little.

With the smoking you aren't going to change the whole of Europe I'm afraid. So all you can do is put up with it. I hate smoking so that's a hard one for me but that's just France for you.

I don't see the point in stressing myself out on a trip. At the end of the day you won't be in the queue for long, and there's a ride at the end of it.

Also we tend to FP or ride during EMH so it's not actually many long lines we're in to encounter it.

 

[SleepingX3Beauty]

When they start smoking in queues I often give them a tap on the shoulder and 'tell them I have an astmalike condition and if they please could wait with their cigarette until their out of the queue. Most people are quite understanding then and put it out. (I truly do have an astmalike condition by the way, I don't just make it up). Or if there are children in the neighborhood who start coughing I often point that out to them, usually makes them feel guilty enough to put it out too.
Yet of course there are always people who keep on smoking and think they're more then others. In some queues you see CM's (like in Space Mountain) and I tell them what has occurred. Last time at Big Thunder I didn't get to tell the CM 'till we were down the stairs ready to get on the ride. The CM promptly picked out the right man and made him and his family walk out, without doing the ride, having to queue again and starting giving him a whole lecture about their non-smoking policy and WHY it isn't allowed. I just stood there totally shocked. I'm glad I didn't see that man anymore 'cause I don't think he'd have been very happy with me! Good action of the CM tough!

The shoving, I just shove back. When waiting for a parade or something my boyfriend gets to play bulldozer and make himself big, using his elbows if anyone tries to take our spot. His size usually does the trick tough, he's almost 2 meters and has quite a chest and most people don't even think of trying to get in that square meter he's guarding like a bulldog. Yet they do try at my side but then he start cuddling me or talking to me very visible so they can see I'm with him, sometimes he glares at them with one of those you-really-wanna-try-that?-glares and then they start shuffling to the other side.
If it happens that I'm waiting alone I usually just go large, spread legs and hands on the hips with elbows sticking out and anything that touches me gets a shove, my spot!

 

[DLPdaft]

When are you coming to DLP greenkai?

Low season versus weekends/high season does tend to make a difference to the behaviour of guests at DLP. If the parks are quiet you really don't get a lot of pushing and shoving, even around the parades if you pick your spot well. You do get pushing and shoving in the character non-queued meet n greets, and if you really don't like that don't participate in them at all - there are plenty of queued meets for the characters or character meals if you'd prefer.

On a couple of occasions I've had people behind me almost hugging my back in the queue for BTM, they get so close . When that happens, I stand straighter and lean back a little. It gives me that little bit of space behind me.

Smoking, to be honest I've never noticed, in any queue lines. In and around the park you're not going to stop people smoking, so unless you are in a confined space with someone smoking next to you (in which case I'd tell the nearest CM) or you're waiting for the parade and you're getting smoke blown in your face (again, plenty of CMs in the parade route before it starts), I'd just move away.

If you go looking for this behaviour, you'll find it. But there are ways to avoid the vast majority of it. Don't let it spoil your trip, its Disney, but its not Disney USA.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I go every week or so and have done for the past 2 years and I think I can count on one hand the number of people smoking indoors in a queue


I don't let it bother me outside, it's not yet illegal to smoke in open spaces and if the CMs are afraid to say something when they are serving someone with a cig in their hand I'm not going to start.

Closeness and boisterous - it's normally groups so depending on wether I'm on my own and my mood I either spread out or leave huge gaps with the people up front.

Again I'm not shoving anyone back and I wouldn't advise you to do it either as it could get out of hand very quickly.

But DLP is not like Asterix where you can get physical fights over queues

Just don't stress it

 

[tennisfan]

I have been to Disney loads of times & have never really encountered a problem with smokers, some of my family do but they stand away from the crowds when the have a cigarette. The only time I have seen someone smoking in a queue were told by a CM to stop which they did.

I have seen a few queue jumpers, one time we told a CM who called security on them as they refused to leave. They soon left when she did that & another time a group tried to jump the queue for the train around the parks, security threw them out of the park.

As others said don't go looking for it & just try to enjoy your trip.

 

[markpsych]

I can count on one hand the number of people smoking indoors in a queue

Likewise....don't believe the hype!

Over 30 trips we've not encountered any significant direct guest rudeness either. Some cultural differences in attitudes to queuing, etc.....bu no direct rudeness that I was aware of.

 

[dlpSteve]

We were there last week and had very few problems with smokers or rude people, and when we did we just ignored it and carried on enjoying our holiday. Best to not let it ruin anything and certainly not worth worrying about before you even go. I think some people just like to moan and blow things out of proportion - don't let them spoil the exciting anticipation of visiting the most beautiful Disney Resort in the world - you'll have an amazing time. Then make sure you come back and tell us all about it!

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Likewise....don't believe the hype!

Over 30 trips we've not encountered any significant direct guest rudeness either. Some cultural differences in attitudes to queuing, etc.....bu no direct rudeness that I was aware of.

Is it them or us that are in the Twilight zone

 

[Strawberryblush]

Can't remember anyone smoking by me in line at disney ( I'm sure i'd notice because I hate anyone blowing smoke at/near me or my kids) but i've had people standing on top of me....

On our first trip we were in the stroller queue and we had a group behind us who felt the need to keep touching us no matter how many times we moved away from them. I was pretty annoyed because it wasn't just an arm touching mine...it was them practically on top of me the whole time - total invasion of space and completely rude. Something you just wouldn't do to someone you didn't know.

Apart from that one occassion and a few people pushing in front of us when the parades are about to start ( the one where you've been standing in your spot for ages and some bright spark thinks it's ok to plonk themselves right in front of you at the last minute! *fuming*).... that's the only time we've been annoyed with other guests at DLP.

 

[TheTizardFamily:0)]

We're planning our 5th trip and like the previous posters have never really had any problems with any of these things.

But, should you come up against them i'm sure you'll decide the best way to deal with it at the time, if someone were smoking while waiting for a ride, near my children, i would personally politely ask them not to, point out the children etc, if i can help it i don't let anyone near them when smoking or soon after they've put a cigarette out, even my dad!

As for the pushing and shoving you've read about i wouldn't worry, we have never had much of a problem, if you are unlucky enough to have it happen to you i wouldn't shove back or be rude, in a place like DLP i don't feel it is appropriate, things could soon turn horrible and no one wants that

We find 'politely standing our ground' works as opposed to the bolshy way.

I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[Vala]

But DLP is not like Asterix where you can get physical fights over queues

I've seen the first physical fight in Paris on our last trip, on the way to the parking lot after first Dreams showing.

We used the moving walkways. One couple was politely asking if they could go past - they had a sleeping toddler on dad's shoulder. Kid was tired. They asked the duo before us, and were very snappy told: "non!" They asked again, explaining that the kid was tired. Again: "Non!" Mom tried to push through anyway. Big mistake. Pushing and shoving started. A friend of the parents came running and pushing through through from behind. I ended up being pushed against the railing - thank god boyfriend realized (I had both cameras), covered me and took the brunt of the force.

At the end of the walkway a physical fight broke out between the two parties.

 

[Ms Poppins]

If you go looking for this behaviour, you'll find it.

Couldn't agree more

Next time you're out and about, look for a blue car and I bet you see loads

 

[Mrs Mickey]

I would agree with all the above post – it’s really not that bad at DLP.

The only thing I would suggest/stress if you are used to WDW (which is the only other park I have been to) is that I would only try and do characters at an official photo opportunity (various around the park, Meet Mickey or Princess Pavilion) or a character meal. We learnt very quickly (and gave up soon after) that the other characters around the park are a complete scrum and can be upsetting for small children. They aren’t the lovely organised affairs that they are at WDW with the helpful cast member assisting. They are a “who has the pushiest parent” competition and some adults don’t mind pushing small children and babies out of the way to get there first.

Of course another thing that will help (and also would never be tolerated in Magic Kingdom) is a lovely blue Glowtini cocktail at lunch. I find everything seems much more relaxed after that.

 

[Ware Bears]

Next time you're out and about, look for a blue car and I bet you see loads

Love it!

Seriously though, we've never encountered anything that I would class as a problem. We've had the occasional person push past when in line (usually a couple of teenagers) but believe it or not I've also experienced this in the US parks too. One person getting ahead of me isn't going to spoil my day so I let it go .....

A lot of people list smoking and pushing/shoving in their highs and lows when they return - and whilst I can see why both can warrant being listed as a low, in the grander scheme of things I really don't think there's anything for you to worry about. Meet the characters at the official meet'n'greets and/or a character meal - that way you know you'll get your photo/autograph in a civilised manner.

Rude inconsiderate people are everywhere but I think maybe they get noticed more at Disney where we're expecting everything to be perfect?

 

[DLPDreams]

at Mrs Mickey with her glowtini! I know exactly what you mean .

I too have experienced a bit of pushing/shoving and also smoking in a queue (it was for the Storybook boats which is in the main, a children's ride really ). Also, on our first trip, the woman next to us for the parade stood and smoked almost the whole way through . My Mum, who hasn't smoked for over 10 years, was very annoyed because my children were very small - DD2 was 6 months old! I would have moved but we'd waited ages for that spot as it was where the Princesses used to stop and dance - plus because it was outside, it wasn't that bad (would have definitely moved if it had been in an enclosed or smaller space) - but still, definitely not ideal!

As others say, don't go looking for it and you should be fine. It's not like people are smoking on every corner/queue. Also, keep away from the ad-hoc character scrums. Plenty of other ways to meet characters without - hotels / character meals / organised meets. Having said this, the place I do find this frustrating is the Studios - you often get some great characters out and about who you don't see as often but it is a free for all .

If you are going in peak season it is all something to consider, if not, you shouldn't have many, if any, issues!

 

[tiggerifictiggers]

I'll just keep DH dosed up on valium for a couple of days He has no tolerance for cigarette smoke - he detests it, can't stand the smell of it and hates it anywhere near him and makes it known very LOUDLY how he doesn't want to breathe other people's smoke He also has a very low tolerance of seeming me pushed and shoved (he's very protective bless him). I've told him that it's only for a few days and that I'm sure it will all be fine and try not to let things bother him or ruin our / his holiday but just enjoy being at Disney and being there with me

Ooh what's in a glowtini cocktail and where do I get one of those? Cafe Fantasia?

 

[Ware Bears]

Of course another thing that will help (and also would never be tolerated in Magic Kingdom) is a lovely blue Glowtini cocktail at lunch. I find everything seems much more relaxed after that.

 

[Hipster Meg]

We generally perfer to book character meals or do the more organised meet and greets rather than the random appearances but have found that when a character appears who DS absolutely must meet that the best thing to do when pushed in front of is nothing - the character see who the rude people are and who's waiting politely and we've found that they spend more time with him because he's waited.

 

[Strawberryblush]

I would agree with all the above post – it’s really not that bad at DLP.

The only thing I would suggest/stress if you are used to WDW (which is the only other park I have been to) is that I would only try and do characters at an official photo opportunity (various around the park, Meet Mickey or Princess Pavilion) or a character meal. We learnt very quickly (and gave up soon after) that the other characters around the park are a complete scrum and can be upsetting for small children. They aren’t the lovely organised affairs that they are at WDW with the helpful cast member assisting. They are a “who has the pushiest parent” competition and some adults don’t mind pushing small children and babies out of the way to get there first.

Of course another thing that will help (and also would never be tolerated in Magic Kingdom) is a lovely blue Glowtini cocktail at lunch. I find everything seems much more relaxed after that.

I forgot about the character around the parks scrums! Total nightmare. I agree - it's best to avoid these.

The Glowtini sounds like a great idea

Rude inconsiderate people are everywhere but I think maybe they get noticed more at Disney where we're expecting everything to be perfect?

So true.