Those kids on Mom or Dad's shoulders

[goofypooh]

I think those people that want to put their child on their shoulders should move to the back.

I had a friend visiting once and we were at Illuminations. When the man in front of us put the child on his shoulders my friend tapped him on the shoulder. He told him it was rude to block the view of others. The guy did put his child down.

If I am waiting just like someone else I don't think my view should be blocked.

I agree that there are some rude people at the parades, fireworks, & other shows. But if we tell them they are rude, then aren't we being rude too? Just wondering ?!

 

[safetymom]

Just relaying what he said. How do you suggest handling it?

 

[ParrotBill]

I think the main thing is that people who arrive early should not have to deal with someone suddenly popping their kid on their shoulders as the show begins. If you are planning to do that stand in "the back" which means against the edge of a walkway.

Similar issue with shows at the castle forecourt stage. people who arrive early like to sit in the front area. What they don't realize is once the show starts all their kids are going to stand up becuase they can't see the back of the stage. So now my view is blocked and I have to stand up.... and I block someone's view.. and everyone grumbles at everyone else!

But the best one I experienced was in the B&tB show. It was a full house and everyone had been asked to squeeze in. As the show started, the girl with the family in the row in front of me stood up in her seat block the view of me and my daughter. I had to tap her Dad on the shoulder to say I could not see. He did not understand English so I had to explain with motions. She sat. 5 minutes later she popped up again. repeat. lather. rinse. repeat. lather rinse repeat. I spent more time looking at him and his daughter than I did watching the show. Put me in quite a foul mood!

 

[Kdog]

I think the issue of having to claim a spot hours before a parade, just to have someone squeeze in front of you, is one of the reasons that I now watch the parades from the back. It's a shame, but I can't handle feeling steamed up when someone pushes in front of me. I'm usually too passive to say anything, but then I seethe during the show. However, I don't have kids and I'm tall, so I can still usually see Spectro and the fireworks from almost anywhere (so maybe it's good my DH and I are in the back). Kids on parents' shoulders don't bother me at all if they were there first and I picked a spot behind them. If the family pushes in, and then proceeds to put the kids on top of the parents' shoulders, I feel twice as annoyed. I am usually the one to move.

 

[BamaFan121s]

What should those of us that are 6 - 6 do? Stand in the very back so we don't block anybody's view....meaning our family is either splitting up or my kids cant see cause of everyone in front of you?

Let me know if you ever find out what the 'proper procedures' for tall people are. I'd love to pass them on to 6'5" DH.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I am 6'4".
2) I put the grandkids on my shoulders all the time.
3) I have not invaded anyone's physical floor space (rather, concrete space).
4) I didn't know there were reservations/rules/guidelines for air space.
5) Sorry, but unless we are in the first row, I will continue this practice.
6) The kids deserve to see, and I can help until they get too old.

 

[pixiemel]

Are ya'll saving spots for fireworks now, too??
This sounds exactly like the parade threads-that were closed!
We always just stop wherever we are, and enjoy the fireworks. Totally spontaneous. And absolutely when our dd's were
smaller, one would be on daddy's shoulders.

 

[Tinks1984]

Hey! It's not just the kids y'know, I'm only tiny (4ft 10in) too and I'm 23!

It does bug me a little if I've stood about for ages waiting and then I get someone infront of me who's a giant! I think I'd have to kindly ask if they really must put their child on their shoulders, then could I possibly move infront of them and stand there. I don't see why my 'little' view should be blocked. It's hard enough to see when you're this small and most kids are as tall, or taller than me anyway!

I sometimes wish I had some shoulders to sit on at times...

 

[Part of Your World]

Here's another perspective. Today at MGM, we arrived well in advance of the High School Musical Pep Rally , and asked a CM about the best place to stand. He directed us to behind the white taped area. We took up our positions, with the two smaller ones in the double stroller, front row. We moved a bit to allow a later-arriving family with little ones to have some space. After the HSM float/stage arrived, there was a mad dash forward. Apparently after the stage parks, the crowd rushes to form a semicircle around the performers. The CM didn't tell us of this. We had no choice after missing the stampede but to hoist them up so they could see anything at all! And, as has been par for the course this trip, the 7 foot tall people were all in the front, blocking any sort of view!

If people insist on hoisting the kids up front row, I get peeved, too. Most times we will go out of our way to make sure small fries get in front of us to see, even when we don't have to.

Side note: man, is it HOT today! PHEW!

 

[dqpowell]

1) I am 6'4".
2) I put the grandkids on my shoulders all the time.
3) I have not invaded anyone's physical floor space (rather, concrete space).
4) I didn't know there were reservations/rules/guidelines for air space.
5) Sorry, but unless we are in the first row, I will continue this practice.
6) The kids deserve to see, and I can help until they get too old.

Whoa... I could have written this post myself, substituting "kids" for "grandkids." We're even the same height!

And I agree with it 100%.

David

 

[Code]

No kids yet, but I guess being 6'8", I'm just rude by default if I don't automatically go to the back of the crowd?

 

[brenda1966]

What should those of us that are 6 - 6 do? Stand in the very back so we don't block anybody's view....

No, you should not have to stand in back, but if you are 6 foot 6 I can clearly SEE that and I would position myself so that I wasn't behind you in preparation for the fireworks, etc. There's no way for me to SEE beforehand who is going to plop a kid up on their shoulders and block my view at the last minute.

 

[brenda1966]

No kids yet, but I guess being 6'8", I'm just rude by default if I don't automatically go to the back of the crowd?

I don't think anyone has suggested that tall people are automatically rude by default. You're tall. That's not a choice. Stand there and enjoy your wonderful view!

Putting a child on one's shoulders and blocking the view of people behind -- that is a choice. Some of us think it is an inconsiderate one.

 

[BamaFan121s]

It's bad enough when someone 6 foot 6 stands in front of you

I think this is the original comment that has spawned the 'where do tall people stand' issue.. Where should they stand?

Maybe if someone plans on putting a kid up on shoulders, they should just put them there to start with? Or announce their plans every 5 min or so to everyone around them? Maybe a sign on their back? That way people can plan to find another spot as they see fit...lol.

 

[Simba22]

I've never had a problem with this but I hate it when I'm sitting down to watch Wishes and someone comes and stands right in front of me (and I don't mean kids - I'm talking adults) I feel like being a mom and yelling SIT DOWN!

 

[pdmeroc]

1) I am 6'4".
2) I put the grandkids on my shoulders all the time.
3) I have not invaded anyone's physical floor space (rather, concrete space).
4) I didn't know there were reservations/rules/guidelines for air space.
5) Sorry, but unless we are in the first row, I will continue this practice.
6) The kids deserve to see, and I can help until they get too old.

I suspect you are one of the people that cause threads like this to go on. I have always thought the views you express above are a sign that you only care about you...very selfish.

There are reservations/rules/guidlines about air space...common courtesy.
I do agree that your kids/grandkids deserve to see...but not at the expense of the others behind you.

 

[briar_rose_59]

I do agree that your kids/grandkids deserve to see...but not at the expense of the others behind you.

Couldn't have said it better. Yes, the kids deserve to see, but so does everyone else that's trying to watch the show/fireworks/parade/etc.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I think this is the original comment that has spawned the 'where do tall people stand' issue.. Where should they stand?

Maybe if someone plans on putting a kid up on shoulders, they should just put them there to start with? Or announce their plans every 5 min or so to everyone around them? Maybe a sign on their back? That way people can plan to find another spot as they see fit...lol.

Obviously not. (to the bolded part) But what happened to common courtesy?

I think that if I have held a spot and have sat there waiting for the show/parade/fireworks to start and someone near me decides to put their kids on their shoulders once the show has started that is rude. Why should their kid's view and needs be greater than mine? If people are so worried about their children seeing the event they should plan better and get there early to get a front row seat. I make sure we get to our spot early so my kid can have a good view if it is important enough for us to see something. Why is that so much to ask? Again it goes back to the "it's all about me" attitude and that more than anything makes me very sad.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

Well, I must say that if I am there ahead of time with a great spot picked and someone jumps in front of one of my children - they are going up so they can see. I'm sorry, but they shouldn't miss the parade/fireworks/show because someone was inconsiderate to them. It isn't that we are INTENTIONALLY being rude to someone behind us, but sometimes it is the only way our kids will be able to see.

 

[Aristomommy]

We watched the evening parade at DL in february and the CMs asked everyone to sit down. We got our spot near the entrance to Tomorrowland on Main street and were there about 45 min. before starting time. DS2 sat in his stroller, but they asked us to park the stroller by the bushes and he sat on the curb with us. i thought this was the smartest arrangement for parades. I was worried about our stroller being out of view, but it worked out fine.

I don't remember this being the case at WDW. During the afternoon parade, we got our spot again about 45min early and guarded it with our stroller. DS was in the stroller, had a great view and so did our DD who sat on the curb. during MNSSHP parade there were some parents that just showed their kids in front and those kids ran into the parade and were escorted to their parents by CMs . They could have been hurt seriously as they were difficult to see in the dark.

As far as putting kids on shoulders, we see no need for it as we are willing to wait in order to get a good spot. That is my best tip for those who are worried about their kids not seeing. If you do put your kids on your shoulders, you should be courteous to not block someones view. As far as someone who is tall, they don't have a choice in the matter. they should be able to stay with their family without feeling bad.