Tips on being courteous at WDW

[mickeyfan2]

regarding scooters and wheelchairs. when I used my wheelchair at Disney the last time I got a cigerette in my face as the man walking in front of me and holding it at his side walking along smoking which is of course not allowed, swung it back and caught my face just under my eye.

WOW. That is so dangerous to walk with a cig in a crowd.

 

[beck0321]

About jumping out in front of scooters:
We were in WDW last week too and I could have easily been one of those people who "jumped out" in front of the scooters. I found the crowds so large last week and if we were caught up in one walking somewhere I would often times find myself being pushed out in front of scooters. Or someone in front of me would quickly move away and I would be left standing in the path of a scooter. I mean I felt bad, but really I couldn't avoid it. And there there are so many people, it's hard to move out of the way quickly. When there are large crowds it is hard for some people to watch everything around them. I know I get overwhelmed sometimes.

 

[KevInSweden]

One thing that annoyed me greatly at Disney (thankfully only on 2 occasions) were people taking numerous flash photos on rides such as POTC and the new Nemo ride.

The Nemo ride in particular was totally ruined by several cars of people (in the same party) deciding that despite being told by the cast member that flash photos were a no no, they were exempt from this.

If someone wants to take flash photos whilst they are the only ones on the ride, go knock yourself out.... but otherwise it just ruins it for everyone.

 

[BubblPopElectrc]

Last time I was at WDW, and in the crowd after the parade, standing still, waiting my turn to leave the park, and somebody in a wheelchair rolled right over my foot. I said "ouch, that hurt", and the person rolling the wheelchair gave me this "deer in the headlights" look, as if it never occurred to her that rolling a 70lb wheelchair containing a 300lb person over my little, size 6 1/2 foot might hurt. Courtesy goes both ways, and actually, after a parade, everybody leaving the park is as anxious to leave as anybody else. Being in or pushing a wheelchair (or stroller, but wheelchairs are worse) isn't carte blanche to use it at a battering ram to get through a crowd faster. Just glad it wasn't my 8yo son's size 3 foot, or mother bear would have been released from her cage.

Agreed!

I'd also say if a child walks into someone, steps on their foot, etc; and the parent sees it happen, they should either apologize for the child (if they are an age where they don't know any better) or make the child apologize.

 

[Not so Dumbo]

About jumping out in front of scooters:
We were in WDW last week too and I could have easily been one of those people who "jumped out" in front of the scooters. I found the crowds so large last week and if we were caught up in one walking somewhere I would often times find myself being pushed out in front of scooters. Or someone in front of me would quickly move away and I would be left standing in the path of a scooter. I mean I felt bad, but really I couldn't avoid it. And there there are so many people, it's hard to move out of the way quickly. When there are large crowds it is hard for some people to watch everything around them. I know I get overwhelmed sometimes.

I too thought the crowds were very large last week. We've decided that we would much rather go back in May than the supposed "low" December time. IMHO it was less crowded in May
As far as a tip goes..... I guess the two incidents I encountered were one

Don't try to drive a ECV scooter up the stand by line for Thunder mnt Railroad b/c you will get stuck and it will tick everyone behind you off.
and
Try not to assume too much when it comes to other guests. We had a lady get really rude w/ us when she thought we were cutting in line going through security to MK. She didn't realize that the guard was checking bags on both sides of that table.

 

[Kick Save]

One thing that annoyed me greatly at Disney (thankfully only on 2 occasions) were people taking numerous flash photos on rides such as POTC and the new Nemo ride.

Agreed...had this happen at the Country Bears the last time I was there. "No flash pictures until the last scene," didn't apply to some lady who kept snapping away. I turned to see who the offender was and FLASH right in the eyes...so wanted to pull my camera out and aim it at her and take a picture and say, "THAT'S why!"

 

[trypnotic]

One thing that annoyed me greatly at Disney (thankfully only on 2 occasions) were people taking numerous flash photos on rides such as POTC and the new Nemo ride.

The Nemo ride in particular was totally ruined by several cars of people (in the same party) deciding that despite being told by the cast member that flash photos were a no no, they were exempt from this.

If someone wants to take flash photos whilst they are the only ones on the ride, go knock yourself out.... but otherwise it just ruins it for everyone.

This also really irritates me. I threatened to throw a guy's camera into the water once after repeated requests from me to stop. He pretended to ignore me until my wife suggested that perhaps he didn't speak english. He simply replied, "I heard you." GRR!!

I'll also add in my two cents for people cutting me off while pushing a stroller. I once ran into a person that had done just that. After they gave me a disgusted look, I asked them if they also pull their cars out in front of semi's like that as well.

 

[kissy]

I'm a bit in awe of the things you all have experienced. I think I must be either really lucky or completely oblivious! I figured everyone was nice when your in "the land"! How could you not be with all that magic around you!? I have to say that when we went ,MIL was a smoker (and I was a lite one). we ONLY smoked in designated areas, MIL was in a wheelchair and it was ok. Of course it wasn't motorized.

Amazing how rude some people can be in a place such as Disney!

 

[Boardwalker]

It seems to me that it all boils down to this... treat the people around you like they are there with you, as a member of your group, because truly, they are. How great your experience is at WDW is not only the place and the weather and the CM's. We are a part of it, as the audience. And in this case, audience participation makes a big difference.
Yep, if I sound hokey to you, I would rather not be there when you are, because you are going in with an attitude of "us" vs "them".
If you would just relax, join in... realize that two or three minutes of comoraderie isn't going to make a big difference in your experience over all... unless it makes it better for both of us.
Things would be so much better for both of us.
Especially me.

 

[boettj]

I too thought the crowds were very large last week. We've decided that we would much rather go back in May than the supposed "low" December time. IMHO it was less crowded in May
As far as a tip goes..... I guess the two incidents I encountered were one

Don't try to drive a ECV scooter up the stand by line for Thunder mnt Railroad b/c you will get stuck and it will tick everyone behind you off.
and
Try not to assume too much when it comes to other guests. We had a lady get really rude w/ us when she thought we were cutting in line going through security to MK. She didn't realize that the guard was checking bags on both sides of that table.

Was that you that got stuck on Saturday night? We were there just after the fireworks and someone had gotten stuck at Thunder Mountain Railroad. I don't know what the big deal was. Most people just went down the fast pass lane. They let whomever went in that line go through. My DS and I just jumped back over. Sorry to see that you got stuck. There were Disney people with you when we went by you.

 

[lizziepooh]

Don't talk on your cell phone during attractions. On the safari ride at Animal Kingdom once, the man sitting next to me got a call on his cell phone and proceeded to talk business on the whole ride. Several people including me gave him a look, but he ignored us and kept talking. It was very distracting and rude!

 

[Mrs.Reese]

Agh! Cell phones have become my pet peeve. I want to look at some of these people and say "hey the world doesn't revolve around you!" I took a real esate course as an undergrad and the professor took out his cell phone and said "I use this to make deals and I can turn it off for the next three hours. So can you."

When I hear one of these lovely conversations at a time when it's really not ok to be blabbing your business, I just start repeating everything I hear them saying. When they turn around, I just look at them and smile. Then I give them my "teacher look." They don't know what to think and usually just walk away. I am a bit brazen though.

Parents who just let their "angel" run wild. Um, you are the parent not the friend. No it is not ok that your child just stepped on my foot and knocked me down. If an adult did this, it could be called assault. The cute smile said child gives me does not make it all better. This happened in August 2005 at WDW. Did mom do anything? No, she looked at me and walked right on.

 

[Luv'sTink]

About the only thing that got me was the night we stood in line waiting for a bus. The first bus came got full and left the second bus came and as the driver was helping a lady with a ECV get settled another lady in a ecv pulled up, went to the front of the line (this was fine) when the driver got the bus all ready for her to load she got off walked up the ramp got seated and her son (?) backed the ECV on, then motioned to the rest of the family (6 of them) to load through the back door and they did. I am really confused as to why someone who is already sitting needs to be loaded as soon as they arrive. I can see the ECV owner and one person but everyone else in their party should have to get in line with everyone else and wait their turn. The guy in line behind and his two children were with the first lady that was loaded and he said he always waits in line it's only right. We did say something to the driver and he said "Some people are just like that" My Mom has to use a ECV when at Disney and we never take advantage like that.

 

[emh1129]

Don't jump out in front of people with strollers.

Since Disney world is supposed to be non-smoking this shouldn't apply...but watch your ciggarettes around CHILDREN!!!

YES about the cigarettes. My most vivid memory about our first family trip (I was 11) was when my little brother got burned on the hand (he was 5) by some guy walking by, not paying attention. The guy didn't even notice (or appeared not to) and just disappeared into the crowd, but my brother still has a round scar on his hand

 

[tbstein]

I am really confused as to why someone who is already sitting needs to be loaded as soon as they arrive. I can see the ECV owner and one person but everyone else in their party should have to get in line with everyone else and wait their turn. The guy in line behind and his two children were with the first lady that was loaded and he said he always waits in line it's only right. We did say something to the driver and he said "Some people are just like that" My Mom has to use a ECV when at Disney and we never take advantage like that.

I have to agree with this. Some people do take advantage of the courtesy of those at WDW. If they are all adults, and not really young children, they can stand in line like the rest of the folks.

And to agree with an earlier post--yes, flash photography is a bit annoying on the 'dark' rides. Takes the thrill out!

I too just think that we are all here as one to enjoy WDW, and try to be the courteous person around. That doesn't mean I won't speak up when necessary!

 

[Boston5602]

Well I will tell all my fellow DIS'ers how sorry I am for being rude to you all when I ......

1 - am trying to fill all available seats to the end of the row and some family sits down in the middle , even with a whole line of us trying to fill the row ( because its a very busy day and need all seats ) I will just step on you to get by if you dont care , neither do I.

2 - or you are trying to get by me while I have nicely waited in line and I have my arms stretched out to hold the handrails on both sides and you think your going to march right past me , and I won't let you cut in line.

For these 2 things , when I do this to a fellow DIS'er , I will at least say excuse me to you !

 

[deekaypee]

Two tips, both of which may be grouped under the idea that "The World does not revolve around YOU."

1) Try to remember that as important as your vacation is to you, others around you are also on vacation. In their eyes, their vacation is as important--if not more important--than yours. Behaving as if your vacation plans/wishes/desires/demands should outweigh others' plans, etc. tends to smack of self-centeredness.

2) Try to obey WDW rules, not matter how inconvenient or silly they might seem to be. They apply to you, too. I know, I know, you want to take flash photographs of favorite attractions, sit in the middle of the row, run to Space Mountain, smoke when you get the urge, fight to be first in line to hug Mickey, wear Heelys in the parks, and be seated before people with earlier ADRs. But the rules are important to helping the magic happen, even if you don't always agree with them.

 

[Miss Jessr!ca]

ugh my biggest peev is strollers.
but only the people who arnt paying attention with them.
the last time i was there i was hit in the ankle so hard i had to sit down and almost cried (i had also just had a cast taken off 3 days befor we got there because i had totally shattered my ankle playing soccer with some friends)
but as soon as it happend i right away yelled out "OOOW!" the person looked at me and kept on going while my brother and grandpa helped me over to a bench.
not even a sorry!
that ruined my whole day i had to go back to the room and laydown with ice one my ankle for the rest of the day.

 

[loopner67]

Cutting in line to see characters is a big one. How can I explain to two little dudes that they have to wait in line, when an adult cuts them? Ack!

Try not to yell at your children in the park, even if you aren't using cuss words. It's a huge damper for other people to have to listen to adults rip their kids a new butt hole just because everything's not going perfectly. Take a deep breath, remember where you are and try a new tactic with the child.

When people are trying to get OUT of a park during a parade or at fireworks time, don't look at them like they are crazy and not yield. Does it really hurt to move over a little and let someone through?

How about standing to let an older person or pregnant lady sit down on a bus? OR how about putting your kids on your lap to free up some seats?

Hope this doesn't sound too beatchy, but deodorant would be nice on some guests. We got stuck sitting near someone with severe B.O. in the Festival of the Lion King and I got seriously ill to my stomach from it. We couldn't switch seats as there was nowhere else to go and it really ruined the experience for me.

I know this has been said over and over in this thread, but common courtesy in the parks would go a *long* way.

 

[loopner67]

Well I will tell all my fellow DIS'ers how sorry I am for being rude to you all when I ......

1 - am trying to fill all available seats to the end of the row and some family sits down in the middle , even with a whole line of us trying to fill the row ( because its a very busy day and need all seats ) I will just step on you to get by if you dont care , neither do I.

2 - or you are trying to get by me while I have nicely waited in line and I have my arms stretched out to hold the handrails on both sides and you think your going to march right past me , and I won't let you cut in line.

For these 2 things , when I do this to a fellow DIS'er , I will at least say excuse me to you !

AMEN!