Teacup Ettiquite

[WooPigScientist]

Oh my, I almost spit out my tea. Teacup stalkers ... or maybe it was just their lucky cup. Maybe they need numbers on the ground like Aladdin.

Ok, off topic, but what do you mean by this? The part about Aladdin, not the lucky cup

 

[Jfsag123]

Ok, off topic, but what do you mean by this? The part about Aladdin, not the lucky cup

The Magic Carpet ride has numbers on the ground marking each ride vehicle and parties are directed by CM's to a specific number for boarding. This means no jockeying for a spot on the ride.

 

[Robo]

It would never occur to me to do that. I had DD2 with me in February. We could not find a free cup when we were let in. I was walking all around with my small child. CMs just had us come back in and wait for the next one. They didn't appologize and didn't let us in first for the next round anyway. It doesn't seem like they are too careful about making sure everyone gets off or that people don't split their party into more cups. It's kind of a free for all in there.

Depends entirely on which CMs happen to be running the boarding of the attraction at the time you get there.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As uncomfortable as it was, I'm thinking they just made a mistake. Once the CM's ask you how many are in your party and you enter the ride area, you are pretty much on your own to pick a teacup. They may have misunderstood that they could have their own cup. OR, perhaps a family that originally gave a number of, let's say 4, split up into 2 cups, leaving one family with no cup to ride in. This actually happened to us on our last trip. A CM quickly figured out what had happened and reunited the family of 4 into one cup, but the loading of this ride is pretty quick and rather chaotic IMHO. I agree with the PP who suggested loading it like the Aladdin ride - it would definitely lessen the confusion when boarding.

 

[automaticsoap]

This happened to me on BTMRR! I was riding solo, and a couple jammed into my row. Thankfully the CM asked if we were all together, and since the answer was no, the CM told them to wait. I think people just forget -- just because you are lined up doesn't mean you are next to board the ride.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Some of our favorite Disney memories are the times we opted to pay-it forward, and do some little nice thing for complete strangers at WDW. It often leads to a fun conversation.

I'm not all that outgoing, but many times we've talked to complete strangers on the bus, boat, monorail, or in line.

The overwhelming majority of the time, they respond in kind, and we end up with a Magical Disney Moment.

I dunno, I mean if you ride the bus or a plane at all, you pretty much end up with a stranger touching you.

 

[WooPigScientist]

The Magic Carpet ride has numbers on the ground marking each ride vehicle and parties are directed by CM's to a specific number for boarding. This means no jockeying for a spot on the ride.

Duh, I feel like a dummy! Thank you! For some reason when I read "they" I was thinking the cup crashers, not Disney. Which then led to me thinking some of the carpets stay low to the ground. Which made me think I needed more info because my kids are not going to be cool with carpets that don't go up. Just a blonde moment. It does sound like numbers would make the whole process easier and more efficient though.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

It does sound like numbers would make the whole process easier and more efficient though.

I've always found the Dumbo loading to be crazy-slow and inefficient with little plastic cards for everyone. I always think it doubles the loading time. The numbers are much better.

But then, I kind of chuckle at the carpet loading too. I don't blame the CM's. I just think many guests are idiots, because the poor CM's have to explain the numbering multiple times. Anyone with half a brain should be able figure out the number where they are told to stand is supposed to MATCH the carpet they ride.

 

[larryz]

They started trying to talk us into letting them in with us until the CM found them another teacup to go into. The weird thing was, there were other empty teacups. They just were determined to get in our cup!

Was it the purple teacup?

 

[MattsPrincess]

Some of our favorite Disney memories are the times we opted to pay-it forward, and do some little nice thing for complete strangers at WDW. It often leads to a fun conversation.

I'm not all that outgoing, but many times we've talked to complete strangers on the bus, boat, monorail, or in line.

The overwhelming majority of the time, they respond in kind, and we end up with a Magical Disney Moment.

I dunno, I mean if you ride the bus or a plane at all, you pretty much end up with a stranger touching you.

I'm sorry but I don't see what this has to do with doing something nice for a stranger or being outgoing? I'm not sure what kind of 'magical moment' could come out of a random family cramming themselves into a teacup with the OP. The comparison just isn't there. IMO the equivalent would be getting onto a bus/plane and having someone try to cram into the same seat with you.

To answer the original question, while I don't think they were likely being intentionally rude, it's definitely not the norm for this ride. I've only ever gone on this ride with my own party, usually just two people. It's not something I've ever witnessed, either. The cups aren't that big (I can't imagine three adults being comfortable), and it seems pretty obvious that each one is intended for one party at a time. Honestly, I think I probably would have said something. Not anything rude, just pointed out the empty cups or maybe tried to give a look to the CM if possible.

 

[HopperFan]

I've always found the Dumbo loading to be crazy-slow and inefficient with little plastic cards for everyone. I always think it doubles the loading time. The numbers are much better.

Plastic cards? We ride Dumbo every trip sometime more than once, and we go about 5-6 times a year. We don't get plastic cards. Maybe this was when there was only one Dumbo...?

 

[pork]

Plastic cards? We ride Dumbo every trip sometime more than once, and we go about 5-6 times a year. We don't get plastic cards. Maybe this was when there was only one Dumbo...?

They might have meant the cards Astro orbiter hands out. I've never gotten a card on dumbo either.

 

[FreeTime]

The cards were when there was only one Dumbo side with two loading bays.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

The cards were when there was only one Dumbo side with two loading bays.

I'm positive it carried over for at least a little while.

The last few trips, we've skipped Dumbo. It sounds like WDW wisely dropped the cards. I am positive though they were in use when last we rode double-Dumbo, because the card-loading is a big part of why we've skipped it. I was very disappointed when I saw the cards being used on double Dumbo. We'll give it another go if the cards are gone.

 

[HopperFan]

Was it the purple teacup?

Do tell ?!?!

 

[mesaboy2]

I'm positive it carried over for at least a little while.

The last few trips, we've skipped Dumbo. It sounds like WDW wisely dropped the cards. I am positive though they were in use when last we rode double-Dumbo, because the card-loading is a big part of why we've skipped it. I was very disappointed when I saw the cards being used on double Dumbo. We'll give it another go if the cards are gone.

Yeah, my recollection too.

 

[larryz]

Do tell ?!?!

Nah, it wasn't me, but I can understand why someone would insist on riding in the purple teacup...

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm sorry but I don't see what this has to do with doing something nice for a stranger or being outgoing? I'm not sure what kind of 'magical moment' could come out of a random family cramming themselves into a teacup with the OP. The comparison just isn't there. IMO the equivalent would be getting onto a bus/plane and having someone try to cram into the same seat with you.

I've been to WDW many times....probably too many I assure you though, our family has had many fun encounters with complete strangers all over WDW. There are too many to list.

Are you saying you avoid all WDW buses, monorails, the Jungle Cruise, etc. because there is the chance a stranger might sit next to you- close enough that a part of their body touches yours? Sorry, but it has happened to me a number of times on all of the above. I've even had complete strangers fall asleep on airplanes beside such that their head rested on my shoulder, or their arm came to rest on mine.


Two weeks ago, a young child I didn't know hugged me! I smiled. He was adorable. Yes, it was a magical moment. (though not at WDW)

More than once, young children have grabbed my hand or leaned against me (in queues) at WDW. I'm sorry, I just don't freak out when such things happen.

Maybe we are talking about two different things. Often when I ride the teacups, there is plenty of spare room, and it truly would not bother me if someone wanted to sit there.

 

[marthachick]

All I can say is, if someone gets on teacups with DS & I, I hope they like spinning. A lot. We both crank as hard as we can and he's a firefighter used to lifting weights and dragging around hoses.

 

[grnflash]

I've been to WDW many times....probably too many I assure you though, our family has had many fun encounters with complete strangers all over WDW. There are too many to list.

Are you saying you avoid all WDW buses, monorails, the Jungle Cruise, etc. because there is the chance a stranger might sit next to you- close enough that a part of their body touches yours? Sorry, but it has happened to me a number of times on all of the above. I've even had complete strangers fall asleep on airplanes beside such that their head rested on my shoulder, or their arm came to rest on mine.


Two weeks ago, a young child I didn't know hugged me! I smiled. He was adorable. Yes, it was a magical moment. (though not at WDW)

More than once, young children have grabbed my hand or leaned against me (in queues) at WDW. I'm sorry, I just don't freak out when such things happen.

Maybe we are talking about two different things. Often when I ride the teacups, there is plenty of spare room, and it truly would not bother me if someone wanted to sit there.

I'm with ya. I don't have any problem with someone brushing against me or sharing a ride and in the case of extra teacup riders, they might add to the fun.