The only thing I got upset with. . . .

[Rhongepooh]

Ok, I am a MAJOR disney FANATIC ask ANYONE who knows me. My husband and aunt say I should move down there to be a guide because I know just how to do things so there is the least amount of wait. I dream disney and I'm either looking forward to the coming trip, enjoying the trip, telling others of my just returning trip or trying to trick my hubby into taking us again. I'm from the south and we are taught a certain type of manners and the golden rule. EVERY SINGLE TRIP has been wonderful for me and my family but something happened this past trip that made me feel very undisney like. We went to MNSSHP on OCT 17. We didn't do the characters or the trick or treating, although we did dress, because we wanted to spend the time on the rides which we did.


HOWEVER, we staked out a seat right in front of the liberty bell for 1 hour before hand to have a good seat. We sat on a bench right in front of the line. Now, I have no problem with people coming in and SITTING in front of us as long as they are sitting on the ground and not blocking our views. (We infact caught the regular daytime parade this way and were able to sit in front of a planter so we didn't block anyone's view. AND, I don't mind if it's young children (although I have a dd that is 9 herself). But by the time the storyteller was finished there were 2 groups of VERY TALL people who just walked up and STOOD in front of us. I tried the what I thought was polite way of handling it (asking my kids rather loudly if they could see) but to no avail. If this wasn't bad enough one of the groups had others in the group and they kept switching places with them so they were constantly moving. My dds finally had to stand on the concreate planters with my hubby and I as braces to see. Then my hubby got up for I kid you not only about 15 seconds to reposition himself and some guy from england put 2 kids in his seat!!!! I mean if people would just THINK!!!! This had me so upset I told my dd15 that if the family that kept on moving in front of us and switching places came our way after the parade (we decided to keep our spot and let the crowd leave before we tried to move) that I was going to trip them and I actually think I was so mad I would have!! In my 10 times at disneyworld I have NEVER had anything like that happen. What do you do when this happens?

 

[FOV]

We had this happen to us once and I politley asked the people to please sit down so we (and the others behind us) could see. They actually were very nice about it.

I am sorry you ran into this problem. With so many different kinds of people at Disney you are bound to run into some rude ones along the way. I think a lot of people run into this sort of thing during the parades - a real sore topic for those of us who like to stake out a good spot early. Maybe next time you and your husband could sit in the bench and your children could sit on the curb in front of you?

Sometimes if I meet some friendly people when we are waiting for the parade I will invite them to come and share our meager spot - at least it keeps away the intolerable ones!

 

[WDSearcher]

Well ... I think part of it is that you chose a bench that had room in front of it for people to stand or sit. People -- especially those at WDW for the first time or those who don't get the chance to go that often -- aren't always aware of their surroundings. They're not necessarily being rude, they're just in sensory overload and trying to see and do everything. While it's great that you tried to call attention to yourself subtly by asking your kids if they could see, chances are the folks in front of you didn't get that the question was coming from someone near them, and probably didn't get that you were, in effect, trying to tell them that they were in your way. Again -- there's so much to see and listen to and look at that they may not have heard you at all. People tend to tune other people out in crowds. You'd have been much better off if you'd have simply tapped them on the shoulder and said, "Excuse me, but my children can't see."

But even if you'd done that, most people wouldn't have totally vacated the spot in front of you -- they'd have likely expected you to stand and move to the front of the curb if you wanted to get a prime spot for parade viewing. I've staked out spots on benches and planters too, but when the crowd comes in, I just figure I'm going to have to stand and move forward or I wont' see anything. Had you done that, you'd have been fine, I think. If there were already people sitting on the curb or sidewalk, it's only natural that the people coming in behind THEM are going to stand so they can see -- they're not going to necessarily notice you sitting on a bench because they're watching what's in front of them.

I'm sure it was frustrating for you to have to constantly jockey to see and move around, but I think if you'd have been more direct -- still polite, of course, but more direct -- about asking people to move that you'd have been much better off.

As for saying you were going to trip them on their way past, I'm sure glad you didn't do that! Aside from the example it sets ("they did something I didn't like, so I tripped them" is a little juvenile... ), it could have caused these folks injury. I mean, I get that it spoiled your experience that night, but if you had tripped someone and they had broken an ankle or a wrist or had smashed a special souvenir or something, would that have really made you feel better??

 

[CHIPSTER]

We had that happen to us also and when we asked if they could sit on the curb which was open they suddenly no longer spoke English!!! Guess that's why we need proctologists in this world because the world is full of them!

 

[Gaiusrex]

You can always start sneezing and coughing uncontrollably. The effect is heightened if you have one of those misting bottles.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

You need to say something the moment they get in front of you. People become territorial if they been there a few minutes before you say something. We nip it in the bud immediately. We've always found people to be nice and either sit down or move.

Lori

 

[Amy&Dan]

Obviously she wasn't really going to trip them or she would have. And yes I can see how she felt that way! BTW, we were there at MNSSHP that same night! Coughing and sneezing works okay I am thinking but when I had some stupid people (probably related to the stupid people the OP encountered) I just stated loudly that I sure hoped DD didn't throw up again. Yikes, I stated when she heaves, she really lets it all loose! I was saying this to to my father in law in jest, DH had the kids on a ride and I knew when they came back there wouldn't be room on the curb since these folks had just moved right in. Well they couldn't get out of Dodge fast enough. The thing is if these people (this was at Disneyland) had asked if they could squeeze in I would have been more than accommodating but to just move in where we were, take the backpack I had on the curb and toss it aside seemed a little much. I have encountered many people that seem to resent the good parade spot I have not realizing that for as much as an hour or more I have sat there instead of riding a ride or seeing a show. Often I have been willing to put my kids ages 8 and 10 on my lap so that somebody can sit on their part of the bench or curb. People don't think and probably don't mean to be rude but it sure gets frustrating!

 

[kupperman]

Originally posted by Gaiusrex
You can always start sneezing and coughing uncontrollably. The effect is heightened if you have one of those misting bottles.

Too funny!!

 

[heatherj]

Too funny about the sneezing and coughing especially by adding a mist bottle. Very original.

Anyway, I must say that in our 3 trips to Disney within the last couple years I'd say on every single trip we have had this happen. On our first trip, we knew thanks to everyone here - to go early and to get a good spot for Spectromagic - we did about 1 hour early and were along main street on the curb. I had my too young (2 yr and 4 yr) boys on the curb and we were behind them. Well, five minutes (literally) before the parade started a large family came in and SAT/SQUISHED on my 4 year old in front of the curb. The boy that sat on him was about 10 years old and he sat on his leg and hand. No big deal but still VERY, VERY rude. The other people beside us were very upset as well and they did say something. The parents just waved them off and literally told their kids not to move that this was where they were staying. Now (right or wrong) we don't like to start things so we didn't get involved. It does however, take away the "magic". I consider myself VERY conscientious of how others feel. Maybe too much so sometimes. I make sure people can see, have enough room, that I don't stand in front of people, etc. - I guess that just makes it so hard for me to understand how people can act in such a manner. But that's the way it is.

 

[HoosierFantasia]

I had a nice spot right behind 3 kids that were sitting by the rope for the Stars and Motorcars parade. As the parade was coming at us, about 10 other of their family members started squeezing and pushing their way to the front. When the mom stood right in front of my little girl in her stroller I had to say something. I said "excuse me, my little girl can't see now, could you please move?" She muttered something in a foreign language, looked at her husband, he shook his head no to her, and she did nothing. I asked her politely again and her response, now in English was "she is a little young to understand anyway".
My blood boiled, the parade was going on and my little girl was missing it because J. Lo's booty was in her face. I was thinking of taking her out of the stroller and onto my shoulders but then that wouldn't be nice to those behind me. Suddenly my llittle princess begins kicking this lady in the back of the legs. HARD!
The lady turned around and looked at me, I grinned and said "I'm sorry she is kicking you, she is just too little to understand"
The lady then squished over in front of her husband.
By the way, my DD was 14 months at the time.

Bill

 

[webmomom]

This happened to us In June at the Chineese Pavillion at Epcot. The childrren were going to come out to perform in a little while. I stood against one of the walls as well as a couple of young women. Yes there was space between us and the performers. Just before the show started these people came and stood in front of all of us. The young girl was good. Everytime someone stood there she would just say "excuse me you are blocking our sight". Most everyone moved or said sorry they did not realize. but of course there was this one couple who were deaf to all. Even the announcer was telling evryone standing to sit on the ground as not to block the view for other people.

I think most peo;le don't realzie that they are block someone else view as they are so excited to see whatever is going on.

Try sitting in a wheelchair and someone gets in front of you and will not move. a few years ago I was in a wheelchair and yes I had a medical problem where I could not walk and this happened more than not. So when we are looking for a space to stand or sit, I made sure there is no one behind that is handicapped.

 

[Hippychickali]

I'm very surprised that this didn't happen to you before. Things like this happen to me all the time...at the check-out in the supermarket, at parades, etc. I can certainly understand why you would be upset but, at the same time, you don't know for certain if these people did this deliberately. I think you could have possibly saved yourself a lot of frustration if you just spoke to these people (politely, of course). Otherwise, you really can't complain.

Ali

 

[Rhongepooh]

LOL I LOVE the idea of both the water mister and the hurling!!! . Now to you, WDSearcher, yes we chose to sit on a bench and not stand. The bench was no futher than about 18 to 24 inches from the rope that the cms kept telling our obnoxious parade pals to get behind. Sensory overload or not thinking that we, after sitting out there wasting 1 hour of riding time to get a good seat, didn't want to see the parade (gee I came over 1000 miles just to see the back of people, manners matter and courtsy counts. We were in sensory overload ourselves but me, dh and dds (9 and 15) were able to move out of the way when we saw people taking, or trying to take pictures, call attention to a man who had dropped his bellongings, let a few people ahead of us in line who were with family in front of us and even let some in front of us just because. Just because your in WDW doesn't mean you should leave your manners and kindness at home. It WAS VERY obvious where we were and what we were there for. I would have had NO problem if they would have SAT DOWN, KNELT or anything that wouldn't totally block our view , then to top it off to keep changing places. Well, needless to say this is STILL a very bad topic with me. And what upsets me the most is GROWN ADULTS who go and stand RIGHT in front of kids and know what they are doing. Yes there was space for someone to sit or to kneel but come on people think!!! During the day parade when we got a late seat but were able to sit right in front of a planter where no one was we made sure we didn't block anyone or crowd anyone. When the parade started I noticed a small girl that had come up with her mom after us and I scooted all the way back and had my dds scrunch together and make room for her. So it wasn't about them just walking up it was these grown adults walking up in front of kids and blocking there view.

Sorry everyone, I'm off my soap/rant box.

 

[Hippychickali]

I think you're missing an important point. Yes, there behaviour could be seen as rude but you didn't call them on it. You can't make people act respectfully in WDW or anywhere else. So, the best that you can do is talk to people. Explain yourself and hope for the best. Otherwise, you really can't complain if you choose to do nothing.

Ali

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Rhongepooh
The bench was no futher than about 18 to 24 inches from the rope that the cms kept telling our obnoxious parade pals to get behind.

18 to 24 inches is a LOT of real estate when you're talking parade viewing location. Maybe the CM could have helped you get the folks to sit or kneel? After all ... YOU know that you "wasted an hour of riding time to get a good seat." The people coming in after you don't know that. For all they know, you walked up five minutes before they did and happened to get an empty bench, where you decided to sit and people watch for a while, after which you were planning on hitting all the rides while everyone else was watching the parade.

 

[DiznEeyore]

We've had several rude parade experiences at WDW. So much so that I now dread the idea of seeing a parade, despite how wonderful they are. It's sad that there are so many obnoxious, selfish people who are more than willing to ruin others' experiences.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've had both good and bad experiences with the parades. Our first trip to WDW in '99, we went to MK on our arrival day, a Sat. Nope, just didn't know any better at the time. My mother had had breast cancer surgery earlier in the week, we were pooped and found a nice spot to watch the parade. Right over by Town Hall in front of a tree. My mother could lean up against the tree and be comfy. My dd was almost 6 at the time. We were standing at the edge of the sidewalk and a very nice older couple asked Katie is she wanted to sit-down with them, on the edge. So wonderful for her.

But....fast forward 2 years and we're at the Stars and Cars parade. A CM had put my 6'4" dh at a corner to keep folks from standing on the other side of the rope. We had waited for quite a bit and were in the front of the line. Right across from the ABC studios area where the iron fence is, beside the outdoor restuarant. All was fine until a woman and her two kids came over, shoved past my dh to get to the 'empty area'. He told her that the area was off limits and that's why it was roped off. She gave him a dirty look and shoved her kids right in front of us!!! When I asked her, politely, to please move over a bit since she had now succeeded in pushing the kids in our group about 3' back, she looked at me and said..."No speak ENglish." THank heaven a CM was watching this and made her move.

And there was the time a woman shoved past my dd to grab something a CM had drawn and was handing to my child. Just jumped right past us. It would have been an Olympic record setting long-jump had she been in Athens!!! My dd was devastated by the rudeness. THe drawing was about 2" from her hand and away it went!!!

We now don't go to the parades. It's just not worth the stress or rudeness. We've been enough times that if we catch a glimpse as we're walking then we're good!!

 

[Kallison]

Yep you really have to stake out your spot and hold your ground during parades. We did Spectro last August, we were sitting right along the rope. My DH got up to stretch his legs, he was getting crampy and immediately two boys sat in his spot. Wejust looked at each other and laughed, I said now you can't sit. Then as it got closer more and more people squeezed in. Some woman squeezed in front of a family, the kids kept stepping on her hands and then they spilled a full glass of water down her back. By this time I am hysterical laughing. She was not amused. You have to have a sense of humor on vacation.

 

[ZuZugal]

Recently, at SeaWorld, I came across some VERY rude folks. If you've been to the Dophin feeding area, you know how bad it can get with the crowds! We bought some fish for our daughter to feed the Dolphins, and as she was trying to "feed" the dolphins, many foreign visitors were practically LAYING ON TOP OF HER to pet a dolphin. She's a very petite 9 yr old, and they totally ruined her experience. I did my best to position myself between her and them, but they had a way of pushing back. There was also a small roped off area marked "restricted; no admittance". Well, one of these women just went right under that rope and started leaning over trying to pet the dophins. I heard her speak perfectly clear English to her family, but when a SeaWorld employee approached her, she pretended to not understand him. What a crock. I tried saying something to her myself, but she just ignored me. I didn't let it ruin our day though......you just have to push on and just realize rude people are out there.

 

[momx2]

I never watch parades at WDW because I don't want to get into an arguement with anyone trying to wedge in or block my children's view. With that being said, I think that with approx. 2 feet between you and the rope anyone would stand there. I probably would have. I believe you got to sit down right behind the rope and then if you want to stand, you can stand. That's the reward for staking out a spot and sitting on the hard ground that far in advance. This is why we do not wait for parades, I don't like waiting and staking out a good spot.