Things that annoyed me...it's rant time (EDITED - I forgot one!)

[hildasmuriel]

I was going to add this in my trip report , but it got so long it became a mini-report, so I decided to give it a thread all of its own.


Day 3 irritations:
Some characters were outside Colonel Hathi’s - this is where I saw 2 parents pushing their dtr forward right into the scrum, while they both had cigarettes in their hand. They seemed to think they were okay because they were holding them behind their backs, but they were POINTING OUTWARDS! Right at child face height. The CM in charge of Baloo was moving forward to make sure he was okay and came within millimetres of these cigarettes – nearly burning her coat sleeve. I had to pat her on the arm and point out what was happening, She looked at the cigarettes, moved her arm then rolled her eyes at me, as if to say “Idiots, but what can you do?” It was further proof to me that the new non-smoking rule has not been enforced at all and the staff have been told not to bother with it. People still smoke in all areas of the Park and still walk through crowded places with their cigarettes lit.

…… today was the day when the Park was most crowded and seemed populated by mainly teens. Now I have one of my own and, believe it or not, I even used to be one, but you can’t deny that when SOME teenagers get in packs, away from their adults they can turn into obnoxious, shrieking mobs who push their way through crowds and woe betide anyone who gets in their way. Only some of them – but I would advise avoiding the fast thrill rides on days like this.

Day 4 irritations:
The first thing happened at EMH – we went onto Peter Pan and the CM had just directed a family (wife,husband and small dtr) to stand at one gate and then directed dtr and I to stand at the next. This meant that when the gate opened they had the back seat and we had the front. As I put my hand out to board the ship, the husband pushed my hand out of the way and shoved past me. He wanted the front, even though that’s where the CM had put us. I was so surprised I just stepped back out of the gate and we waited for the next ship, but I thought it was really rude. If you want the front seat, ask the CM to place you there, don’t shove another person out of the way to get it. Minor irritation.
Second thing happened on POTC. The front bench was empty, in the next row was a couple with a young baby and then next was dtr and I. This baby (let's call her Lauren...as that was her name) was about 9 months old. The parents kept on taking photos of her ALL the way round. Calling her name over and over again and then taking a photo close up - the child's retinas must have been burnt because mine were blasted! The dad climbed into the front row to turn around and take photos - flash directly into our faces. Then He held baby while mum climbed into the front and did the same. All the time calling "Lauren, Lauren, Lauren". then she STOOD UP to lean over and get a different angle on the photos. I was FUMING. Dtr whispered "what if she falls?" and I was thinking "what if I push her?"
We saw little of the ride as the flash went off sooo much. The stupid thing is - each time they took a photo they viewed it and I could see it - the background was so dark it could have been taken ANYWHERE. Why spoil everyone's ride by taking it on POTC????

Third thing happened when we queued to see Lilo, Stich and Chicken Little who were on the Toon Train. The queue was quite orderly, although it was a slow wait as people were going up on the train and having separate photos which each of the three characters. Suddenly the CM shouted out what sounded like“Set, set” and it was only 2 minutes later when she shouted out “sank sank” that I realised it was actually “cinq” and it was a number she was calling. Then she said “cinq minute” and it sank in that they would be there for only 5 more minutes. Now we had no way of knowing how many people would be seen in that time – I was only about 6 from the front so we decided to wait. The problem was that more and more people were joining the queue and the CMs weren’t stopping them. The queue went so far back that people at the back couldn’t hear the shouted numbers anyway. You know when you go to Tesco and the till is closing – they tell you BEFORE you join the queue, not after you’ve loaded up all your groceries and are standing there with your clubcard in your hot little hand. A couple of people in the queue called out “why don’t you close the queue?” as there were 3 CM standing near the front but one just shook his head and said “3 more minutes” Then a group of people went round the side, straight to the front of the queue. Ohmigosh were their ears blasted as about twenty voices called out a cacophony of “No way”,” there’s a queue here”, “oy-oy-oy” etc . They soon moved! Anyway I got to 2nd in the queue when the CM said time was up – I’m sorry to say that she smirked as she said it. She seemed to be enjoying herself enormously. So I was irritated at this as well.

Fourth-and-straw-on-camel's-back thing happened when we came back 40 minutes later when the Toon Train came back and decided to try again. Dtr was second in queue and I stood to the side to get photos and just as she was about to go up, a woman pushed past me so her friend could take her photo. I’d had enough so I just moved in front of her. She tried again to get around me and I decided I was NOT going to be pushed around anymore. I don’t think she even spoke English but my tone of voice told her how I felt as I said “no, you MOVE, that’s my daughter up there and I’m taking HER photo. I’ve waited long enough so now YOU have to wait” and with that I pushed past her.
See now I feel bad. I don’t like having to get cross and stand my ground but enough was enough.

 

[Bolanette87]

When we saw the Toon train there was a woman like that wanting her picture with Chip and Dale! Robert and me took photos of the characters, but would never EVER push past a kid to get a photo with them..... Was quite pleased when Chip took her Mickey ears off her and threw them to her boyfriend so she had to get off the stage quickly!! We couldn't believe her!! We thought it was sweet watching the little kids seeing the characters and their little faces lighting up, so we couldn't see why she was taking that joy away from the kids!! I mean, for grown ups its a novelty, but for kids it really makes their day.....!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[Danauk]

Oh I agree about the POTC flash thing. We had someone taking pictures on our boat too. On Thursday we had lunch at Blue Lagoon and we had a really nice waterside table. However so many people were taking pictures it spoilt the meal somewhat. There were 4 people we saw who were videoing the ride with the light of their camcorder on!!

 

[jillrobinson]

Oh dear and the park looks so quiet in your photos, I put our bad experiences last time down to it being so busy
I hope there were enough good moments to more than compensate for the bad ones.

 

[karenmoloney]

I have seen all this and more around the characters. This is why we usually now avoid them altogether & do a character meal instead, or see them at the hotel because it does spoil your day. It is quite often the parents to blame, but the CMs also do nothing about it, so I can't ever see the problem going away.

 

[tiring_day]

Please tell me its not all like this, it is getting my back up just reading hildasmuriel's complaints, if this is the case I can see me walking around all day with clenched fists and a red mist veiling my eyes

I usually remain very calm but if someone pushes past my little fella (I mean my son) I will not be very happy, I am impressed that you held your calm for so long.

I wonder if they would mind if I walked around with my cigar cutter and snipped the end off any offending cigarettes

steve

 

[princess_tigerlily86]

To be honest, I know that things like this happen and it is annoying, but at the end of the day you're in a place with hundreds (thousands in peak season) of ppl from different backgrounds and different countries. unfortunately there's always going to be issues.
i just tend to block it out and focus on the good/fun things and times, and as a result i dont think i could name one example of when i've had an experience similar to yours because i choose not to remember them. like someone has said before, its unlikely it will change, so in my opinion its easier to just ignore it
emily x

 

[xviclx]

i bet you had a great time overall though but there is just no excuse for rude people and pushing, if that was me id have lost my paitence after the first one! the man who pushed past you on the ride to get the front would have been out the other side again ha ha. But your on holiday and want to have a good time why do people feel the need to push and be rude whilst everyone is there for fun

 

[princess_tigerlily86]

its very true, and its very irritating that ppl push in front. but at the end of the day, is it really going to be effecting u 10minutes later, especially if u hold on and go at the front of the next one which comes round.
im not being rude hildasmuriel, i hope u understand. i'm just trying to look at it in the grand scheme of things. maybe im just laid back, but i just weigh up how much its really a problem and think how long ive been excited about the trip and how much ive paid for it!
xx

 

[hildasmuriel]

Apart from that last one where the woman was blocking my view of my dtr and stopping me taking photos I did let things go. The funny thing is - it makes it better for me if I am composing in my head how I will decribe it on here - it's my release.
tiring_day - don't worry - these are tiny moments out of 4 fabulous days. They did nothing to spoil my holiday overall and I only repeat them here because it's always nice to share these things, especially with like-minded people who agree with you.

 

[MazdaUK]

We found this as well, though things are a bit better now they have specific "stage" areas for some of the characters so poeple can form an orderly line. In the DLH (yes, they don't vet the guests, just their wallets )people were pushing their little ones in front of DS(8), letting them run over and push in when we were taking photos, etc etc. If you have a small/shy child I thoroughly recommend the Inventions buffet - let the characters come to you! And if you book early you get plenty of fun with them too (like Pinnochio saying DS(14) should cut his hair ) We did see a lot fewer poeple smoking than previously, but I think they need to make it more explicit on the gates.

 

[hildasmuriel]

There are organised meet n greets. each day Mickey and Minnie are down Main Street for 2 hours each. Pooh and a Princess will be by the Castle, Jessie or Woody will be at the Round-Up. Chip n Dale often do one by BTM. There will be some in the Studios too.

BUT a lot of characters just suddenly pop up out of nowhere and wander a round for a while. The same thing happens when the Character Express stops -they get off and wander. Then it is a free for all. If you're lucky (like we were with Belle this week) an orderly queue will form. The trouble is nobody 'polices' the queue apart from the queue itself. So if somebody just walks to the front of it they will be seen first, unless somebody in the queue is brave enough to protest.

Unfortunately a lot of the time there is no queue, just a scrum round the characters and it is this sort of 'meet' that many parents will avoid with little ones, as it is survival of the fittest and each man for himself.

 

[BRobson]

It is a shame these episodes have to happen . I would have though the smoking thing should be more controlled and something done - I have always thought that smoking whilst walking about with it is dangerous.

Poor Lauren - I wonder if she can focus again yet

 

[Cyrano]

Oh dear and the park looks so quiet in your photos, I put our bad experiences last time down to it being so busy
I hope there were enough good moments to more than compensate for the bad ones.

That's what I hoped too

Think I would have said to the family on POTC that there was no photography

 

[SandraVB79]

Hildasmuriel, I know what you mean by those teens.
Every time we go and it is crowded, theer are problems with teens at Phantom Manor. Usually (not always, but usually), it are teens from in the "nieghbourhood". The CMs "know" them. And they always have to call security on them.
If you wait around the restrooms between The Silver Spur and Phantom Manor, you often see security escort "teen gangs" out.
I already told my mom I would especially misbehave, so they can escort me pput, that way I can get a glimpse of backstage

 

[hildasmuriel]

I already told my mom I would especially misbehave, so they can escort me pput, that way I can get a glimpse of backstage

Sandra, you are too bad.

 

[SandraVB79]

I know, it's part of my charm
I guess it's also part of the reason I am still single

 

[MazdaUK]

I think they should say at the start of the rides there is no flash photography, like they do before the "dark" shows (eg Animagique and cinemagique). Otherwise someone starts and everyone joins in.

ETA I think there are plenty of oportunities for pics in the themed wait areas as a general rule. And quite frankly some of the rides were so dark I wouldn't have been able to see to operate my new camera