Time to vent!

[RBennett]

Ok...... so since we've been covering several issues lately, I needed to vent about something that happened on my recent trip to WDW. It has nothing to do with Disney particularly, but some of the guests and it ties into photography. So my DW and I are kids at heart; I think most (if not all) of us that go to Disney are! So we like to take pictures in situations similar to that of kids. For perfect example, the shark head at Epcot's Living Seas. I'm sure most of you remember seeing there is a giant shark's head that a person can climb into from the back side and stick their head out for a picture. DW decided she wanted her picture in there as well. WRONG!!! All these mothers kept pushing their kids in front of my wife saying, "Go ahead sweetie." Never mind my wife was standing right there waiting her turn!! Now my DW is not that aggressive of a person, and it's kids, so she didn't want to push them out of the way and be like I was here first. But it just makes me mad when parents think that their kid is the only person there at the moment. Ok.... I'm done venting. Thanks!!!!!

 

[YesDear]

You do not want to get me started about pushy parents. Try taking night parades where you have waited and hour with your tripod to get the right place and have a mother have their kids sit in front of you as if you were not there. I think the entitlement attitude of some parents and kids today is sadly amazing. I apologize to your wife on behalf of the courteous people that still exist.

 

[ukcatfan]

While I never go as far as threatening or yelling at anyone, I have definitely given enough intimidating looks and comments to make the rude people leave us alone. Certainly not trying to brag, but I can appear pretty intimidating even considering my short stature. I am 200 lbs. at 5'5" with low body fat. If I put a mean face on and start bringing attention to others about the person being so rude, they typically leave. Basically, you have to stand your ground without going as far as doing something to make you the bad person. If a situation escalates, I have gone to WDW security to resolve it.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Unfortunately, this is trend I have been seeing more and more, not just at Disney, but everywhere. Many people tend to think it is all about themselves and others do not matter. At Disney, it seems that if you are there sans children, some parents tend to think you are taking up space that should be reserved for kids. My wife and I do not have children (although my wife keeps mentioning her 41 yr. old child?????) but often stand in line for photos with characters and it never fails that someone (usually the family behind us) will ask where are children are. I have some medical conditions that I do not wish to pass on and so we have decided not to have children. I do not think that fact should hinder us from enjoying the parks. Most times, we don't have problems with the characters because there is usually an established "line", but have noticed similar behavior as the OP in other locations. Like ukcatfan, usually all it takes is a look from me or a statement made just loud enough to be heard. (I'm 6' and 305 so I guess I can be imposing) However, what most folks don't realize is it is the wife they REALLY need to be worried about!

We really do enjoy WDW and try to be as polite and considerate of other when we are there. No one is perfect and we can all have a bad day, but hopefully, some of the "Magic" will rub off!

 

[ukcatfan]

However, what most folks don't realize is it is the wife they REALLY need to be worried about!

X2!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree, it's rudeness in general. Even when you have kids, people still push their kids in front of yours!

It's funny, I think that, if you polled people, one of the biggest things that ticks them off at WDW is "line rudeness". Some of us stand in line, early and politely, and then watch clueless latecomers come pushing their way in, not noticing or seemingly caring that others have been there. This happens to us a lot, as I'm sure it does plenty of people.

In fact, in thinking about it, some of the biggest "issues" I've had with people were in lines. Three I can think of recently were: 1) waiting in line at Splash Mountain outside when a group of young adults let a whole bunch of their friends cut in line; 2) in the cash register line at Electric Umbrella with tray when a woman (with a huge tray of food) blatently cut in front of me to be with "her sister" who was in front of me - that wasn't pretty;

and 3) (this one bothered me the most) waiting for the parade at DHS, we'd staked out a spot early and, as always, I left for a few minutes to go "shop", but DH and the kids stayed and left our bags in "my" spot. While I was gone a family came behind us and pushed Grandma, who was in a wheelchair, into my spot, practically over the bags. When I came back and sat with my family, they were completely p'd. Unfortunately, they didn't speak English so I couldn't explain, but I pointed to the bags, my family, the stores, etc, and I'm sure they must have understood, but the dagger eyes we got for the rest of the parade were unreal. (I think if they could have, they would have rammed me with the wheelchair.)

RBennet, I think in that situation people who are so focused on their own kids may mistake your wife for another mother whose kids have already gotten their picture done, or whatever. What she should probably do is just say, "Hey, I'm a big kid waiting to get my picture taken" - with a smile - then the (hopefully) the reactions she gets from most people will probably be friendly. (And maybe some won't be, but who cares? )

 

[SharonLowe]

I agree with most of what has been said here but there are also still some very nice people out there. Case in point - we went to MNSSHP and were in a spot to see the parade. Not a great spot - we were behind some other people. This very nice lady who had her kids in the front row gestured to my 10yo DD and let her get up front with her kids so she could see better. Made my evening to see someone do something so nice!

 

[handicap18]

I've experienced the pushing of the kids ahead of a lone adult. Waiting in line for a character a few years back there was a family in front of me and a family behind me. Me standing by myself with my camera. I held it up once before the family in front of me got up to the character so I could check my settings. Then I stood there waiting my turn. As the family left I went up to the CM to ask her to take my picture and before I could even move the mother behind me told her kids to go. I quickly and politely said, Excuse me, but I'm next. The kids looked at me like I had 3 heads and the mother just gave me one of those "Oh well excuse me then" looks. I had my picture taken and was on my way.

We did have a great experience with other guests at DHS for the x-mas parade last year. There was a family of 3 adults sitting on one of the benches along the street. DW asked if they minded if she sat on the ground in front of them with our 2 boys. They said absolutly. They said they like to sit in that spot and hold the space on the ground in front of them for kids. They had a great time because many of the characters that were walking came up to our 2 boys so they family sitting on the bench got some hand shakes and extra smiles too. Though like I said, DW asked first before just plopping the kids down in front of them.