The worst part of my WDW experience last week....

[Julylady]

There is only one reason why people pitch a fit and complain loudly. It gets them what they want more often than not. As long as its effective, they will continue to do it! What is most disheartening is when a front line employee is saying "no," and the customer demands to see a manager. The manager caves in and gives the customer what s/he wants to get rid of the problem. The front line employee is demoralized and the customer's bad behavior is reinforced.

 

[tony67]

I was there during Jersey week and did not see much of these problems at all, maybe it has more to do with the folks that show up during free Dinning and the holiday.

Free Dining was not an option During Jersey week.
More local kids out of schools for the day during the holiday - I have seen at other parks in other states where the locals kids often pull this.

The things I did see a lot of (and always do) were
Rude people with strollers - they seem to think that everyone should get out of their way and I've heard them say as much - not much Disney can do about this

Extremely rude people on scooters who were just gunning it through crowds at food and wine - this is something Disney should address - if people are doing this they should be given a warning and if caught again removed from the parks for the day - there no excuse for this behavior and even worse if they are drinking and doing this

Also people running at park open to get to rides on park open - they seem to handle this well at MK by walking people - but at HS they just yell at people and tell them to stop running they do for a step or two and then start running again


In the end there is little that can be done about ignorant people - it's not worth calling them out since there is always that 1 in 10 that is a total nut case.

I just ignore them and go on may way and hope to see them get theirs in the end, although that usually does not happen

 

[vfalkner]

I would have gotten off the bus at that point. Might not have felt that squished, but talk about an unsafe situation! It's a cute saying when in line for Monsters Laugh Floor (Humans, can you see the nice carpet? Step forward so you can't see it!) but on a bus? No.

I did not feel unsafe at all. Everyone had a strap or bar to hold onto and no one was stepping on toes. We had our kids with us and they both had a pole to hold onto (since they can't reach the straps). I think it just made people more aware of the fact that more than one person could stand in the aisle at a time (one facing each way). Didn't mean to make it sound like Disney was throwing caution to the wind, I don't think that was the issue at all. But of course, anyone who felt unsafe could have gotten off also.

 

[kamik86]

There is only one reason why people pitch a fit and complain loudly. It gets them what they want more often than not. As long as its effective, they will continue to do it! What is most disheartening is when a front line employee is saying "no," and the customer demands to see a manager. The manager caves in and gives the customer what s/he wants to get rid of the problem. The front line employee is demoralized and the customer's bad behavior is reinforced.

I agree with this. Imagine if you have a small child what would happen if every time they cried you gave them whatever they wanted to stop them. That child would learn to cry on cue very quickly and use it to get everything they wanted.

Well this is exactly what corporations are doing. They are so afraid to lose a customer that they give in to anyone that complains loudly enough. So that is what people do.

 

[kerplop]

I was there during Jersey week and did not see much of these problems at all, maybe it has more to do with the folks that show up during free Dinning and the holiday.

What does people utilizing a discount have to do with bad manners?

 

[Jimsig]

Standing in line to meet Alice and the White Rabbit a few weeks ago we were next to go. The CM looked over at us and said "these two will be last before break. Just as we go to step up a group of 4 foreigners (could tell as they were not speaking English) with an infant step in front of us, they had been hanging around watching for a few min and knew there was a line. I didn't have a chance to say anything as they were already posing with Alice before I realized it and decided to let it go as I figured we wills till get our chance before her break. My 5yo DD even looked at me and asked what had happened as she knew we were next. The 2 families behind me said they could not believe how rude those people were. Just then I heard the CM say to Alice "well after this family then we will take a break". I shot the CM a look and said, "Really, you saw these people jump in front of us and didn't say a word to them and now you are going to make us wait until you come back even though I was supposed to be last before her break???" He then said "sorry, she has to take a break it will only be a few min" At that point Alice came up to me apologized for it, even though it was not her fault as she was as blindsided by at as I was. She looked at the CM and said told him we would be last before her break. I thanked her and even she said she could not believe that just happened. The original CM ended up apologizing to us after we were done and I thanked him as well.

Luckily that was the worse thing that happened to us all week, but it was enough to tick me off for a few min.

 

[LSUfan4444]

-More line-cutting(especially at the park entrances) than I can ever recall seeing before.

How were they cutting the line?

 

[KingLlama]

The lines for park entry aren't as clearly defined as the ones for rides. There are no ropes or chains designating lines, so it's kind of free-flowing, but everyone basically falls into some semblance of a line. But three times last week, people either floated between two lines to see which one moved faster, and then tried to duck into one at the last second, or simply tried to cut in front of others because each CM did have two MB scanners.

That's what happened to us at Epcot. We were in line for a CM to scan our bands(probably about 10 people back), and a family came up right next to us. When we asked them what they were doing, they said "Oh, they have two scanners, so it's like two lines". And we were like NOPE. They got the hint and headed to the back.

 

[SoarinSC]

There is only one reason why people pitch a fit and complain loudly. It gets them what they want more often than not. As long as its effective, they will continue to do it! What is most disheartening is when a front line employee is saying "no," and the customer demands to see a manager. The manager caves in and gives the customer what s/he wants to get rid of the problem. The front line employee is demoralized and the customer's bad behavior is reinforced.

Yeah, this is where low morale is bred...managers who don't support their staff. Just tell the complainers either they quit the nonsense or they'll be handled by security. That simple. I'm sure most other guests would cheer. I would have.

I didn't see a whole lot, so my gripe list is short and nitpicky...it's people who live in a bubble...not minding what their kids are doing especially when it affects other guests...like holding up a busline because their parents haven't bothered to tell them to get up to get on the bus..even though they saw it coming...so everyone has to wait while they leisurely take their time gathering themselves..this included the parents..nitpicky I know...but it just seemed arrogant and inconsiderate of others...these same kids also played in the aisle while loading was going on..blocking the aisle...of course no word from the parents...they were near the front of the line so I guess their attitude was "we're on so all is well". My gripe isn't with the kids...they're kids...it's with the parents who don't feel a need to parent.

 

[tony67]

What does people utilizing a discount have to do with bad manners?

I did not see all this line cutting - the only things that were really different between the two week were the free dining and the locals kids off on holiday.

The lines for park entry aren't as clearly defined as the ones for rides. There are no ropes or chains designating lines, so it's kind of free-flowing, but everyone basically falls into some semblance of a line. But three times last week, people either floated between two lines to see which one moved faster, and then tried to duck into one at the last second, or simply tried to cut in front of others because each CM did have two MB scanners.

That's what happened to us at Epcot. We were in line for a CM to scan our bands(probably about 10 people back), and a family came up right next to us. When we asked them what they were doing, they said "Oh, they have two scanners, so it's like two lines". And we were like NOPE. They got the hint and headed to the back.

yeah ..this is a problem...also the lack of a true line at some of the kiosks can be an issue - Disney really need to be a better job of having clearly defined lines at all the kiosks.
It seems like the cast members at several of the kiosks took it upon themselves to maintain a line, at some there was no line at all and it was difficult to know who was there first, and at others there was a very specific line with a sign.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Yeah, this is where low morale is bred...managers who don't support their staff. Just tell the complainers either they quit the nonsense or they'll be handled by security. That simple. I'm sure most other guests would cheer. I would have.

I didn't see a whole lot, so my gripe list is short and nitpicky...it's people who live in a bubble...not minding what their kids are doing especially when it affects other guests...like holding up a busline because their parents haven't bothered to tell them to get up to get on the bus..even though they saw it coming...so everyone has to wait while they leisurely take their time gathering themselves..this included the parents..nitpicky I know...but it just seemed arrogant...these same kids also played in the aisle while loading was going on..blocking the aisle...of course no word from the parents. My gripe isn't with the kids...they're kids...it's with the parents who don't feel a need to parent.

I was sitting on the fountain outside The American Adventure back in December of 2012 and there were two kids reaching into the fountain and taking out the money. They were showing the mother how much money they were pulling out and she had no issue with this. In fact, she thought it was the funniest thing. When did people stop parenting their children and teaching them basic courtesy and decency?

 

[SoarinSC]

I was sitting on the fountain outside The American Adventure back in December of 2012 and there were two kids reaching into the fountain and taking out the money. They were showing the mother how much money they were pulling out and she had no issue with this. In fact, she thought it was the funniest thing. When did people stop parenting their children and teaching them basic courtesy and decency?

Exactly! and that the world doesn't revolve around them...we all share it and have to be considerate of each other.

 

[ttintagel]

Yeah, on my last trip it was hard not to notice a large number of Guests Behaving Badly. And the sad part is, that's got to be a contributory factor to CM's Behaving Badly - you can only work for just so long at a minimum-wage job where you get treated like garbage by a lot of customers before your caring and positive attitude about customers in general starts to slip.

 

[Grlpowers]

I was there last week as well. I saw some people who thought they were entitled to more than their fair share but the worst was a person on a scooter who hit a woman who was pushing a stroller. We were leaving Epcot I believe and a lady was pushing a double stroller. She was far enough away from the people in front of her that the gate closed right in front of her. She stopped to try and open it and when she stopped a person on a scooter came up behind her and hit her right on the back of the legs. She fell backwards and hit her head and it looked like she either broke or sprained her ankle. Security guards and cm's rushed over too help her. The stroller tipped backwards but luckily there were no children in it. What did the woman on the scooter say, no she did not apologize or ask if the woman was ok, which she clearly was not. She said well she should not have stopped in front of me. I could not believe it! My question is who ends up paying the medical bills for the poor woman who fell? I understand many people need scooters and that is fine. But if you cause an accident at least own up to it and be civil.
I thought the crowds were manageable. I only noticed a few rude people, for the most part people were decent.

 

[VikingInMouseEars]

No doubt. I ate like a neanderthal last week, and still ended up losing five pounds thanks to all the walking.

That "wheelchair family" was the most bothersome. To be THAT blatant about it, it still makes me angry. I came this close to calling them out when they were in the act. But I decided that it would cast a cloud over their kids' WDW experience. It just wasn't worth it to me.

Might have cast a cloud over their vacation but it also might have taught them a valuable life lesson, that being, what their father was doing is unacceptable behavior. I realize that that's not your job, but at the same time, them getting away with it just reinforces the behavior.
I used to just ignore things like this, but as I get older I won't put up with it any longer and I will call someone out for stuff like this.
I just don't get this behavior. I am a big, as in very overweight, guy (I have lost around 40 lbs in the last 8 months, WOOHOO!), but I walk and by the end of the day at WDW I am very footsore, but grabbing an abandoned wheelchair to get front of the line access would never even occur to me. I am also the first guy you see on that way overcrowded bus getting up to give my seat to an elderly person or someone trying to hold a child. Apparently basic values are becoming a thing of the past.

 

[Goofy30JHQ]

We were there in June, and there were a few things that stood out to me. In the Mine Train standby line, there was a group of about four teenagers (maybe 16, 17) behind us. DH, DS (4) and I were standing there waiting, and they decided to have a water fight with each other. They started bumping into DH and I. I shot them dirty looks but ignored it. Well, they did it again, almost knocking my son down. Momma Bear came out. I made sure they didn't do it again. They were very well-behaved after this

Also had a few kids from a tourist group try to cut in front of me in line for breakfast at CBR one morning. Told them no, and they went to the back of the line.

Other than these instances, most guests were very nice, and the CMs were great!

 

[Josh Hendy]

Maybe it's a seasonal thing, as it gets closer to the holiday season.

I've never been to WDW around that time but I for sure notice just driving around my town how incredibly bad and selfish people's driving becomes as it gets closer to Christmas.

Besides blowing through stop signs and cheating at 4-way stops, one of the most blatant things that I've seen is people "avoid" red lights. The do a quick right turn, execute an immediate sort-of U turn (more like a slalom turn) and shoot back into the main road. This is on top of increased speeding, tailgating, and so on.

It's all kinds of people doing this ... the young knuckleheads with no responsibilities are stepping up their "party season" towards late November and December and are racing around to socialize. The mature people with responsibilities are cracking under the pressure of shopping, getting kids to school and other activities, making extra visits to elderly relatives, and so on.

This kind of seasonal stress/pressure and nutty behavior is I imagine just as bad when you've taken the family to WDW at or near the holiday season. The money you've spent, the crowds, the pressure to please your family by navigating to all the best attractions, and so on.

Maybe it's also a side effect of rationing people's rides somewhat through the FP+ system, causing fewer people to be on rides or queued for rides, and therefore spilling out onto the streets and pathways. Combine holiday-season stress with fewer rides on the "mountains", more people in front of you on the paths and waiting for parades and buses, and ...

 

[Laketravis]

All of these comments about negative guest behavior leads me to believe WDW still isn't charging enough.

 

[Dis703]

I also found some rather rude guests to be one of the more negative aspects of recent trips. The one that stood out the most was a family who shoved their way to the front of the crowd last minute for a parade. There wasn't room for really even one person next to us and she shoved 2 strollers into it running over my ankle. Then her kids who were probably 4 and 7 were being nasty to, and even shoved, my 2 year old who was just trying to talk to them and show them the necklace he was wearing. And the parents did nothing until I very loudly reprimanded them. Even then it didn't entirely stop.

It still blows my mind that a parent would just let their child behave like that.

 

[lustergirl]

I was there during Jersey week and did not see much of these problems at all, maybe it has more to do with the folks that show up during free Dinning and the holiday.

Free Dining was not an option During Jersey week.
More local kids out of schools for the day during the holiday - I have seen at other parks in other states where the locals kids often pull this.

The things I did see a lot of (and always do) were
Rude people with strollers - they seem to think that everyone should get out of their way and I've heard them say as much - not much Disney can do about this

Extremely rude people on scooters who were just gunning it through crowds at food and wine - this is something Disney should address - if people are doing this they should be given a warning and if caught again removed from the parks for the day - there no excuse for this behavior and even worse if they are drinking and doing this

Also people running at park open to get to rides on park open - they seem to handle this well at MK by walking people - but at HS they just yell at people and tell them to stop running they do for a step or two and then start running again


In the end there is little that can be done about ignorant people - it's not worth calling them out since there is always that 1 in 10 that is a total nut case.

I just ignore them and go on may way and hope to see them get theirs in the end, although that usually does not happen

Not really sure what you mean by "the type of people who show up for the free dining promo"? People who pay for the meals with the dining plan are just as arrogant as people who dont, no difference