Un-Disney-like Behavior

[carin]

For me, my biggest pet peeve is people that show up 5 mins before the parade or later and demand that you are going to give up your primo viewing spot.

Case in point....

My DH and I arrived 1 hour before the Verry Merry Christmas parade began to stake out our spot in the flag court across from the train station on Main Street. Before the parade began, a good sized group came up next to us (with plenty of open space) and tried to push us further down the line. My DH finally had to turn around and ask one of the women to stop hitting me in the leg with her stroller (once again - STILL plenty of free space on the other side of their group). I must also say that we like to stand during the parade, but we always have our eye out for kids around us that can't see and usually offer for them to sit in front of us if they want to. This of course backfired on this day. Evidentally a family came through after the parade started. The DW came up to us and DEMANDED that we sit down because her daughter couldn't see. I of course (as we usually do) offered to let them sit in front of us. She quietly and quickly took the area in front of us. I regret giving her the spot ever since then. I really don't like rewarding ungracious people. I'm not looking for people to bow down at our feet, but a quick, simple "thank you" or a smile would be perfectly fine.

Bottom line: Just ask - people are surprisingly nice somtimes.

 

[turnlisa]

OOOOHHHH!!! Yeah! Reminded me!!
DH and I sat there and by the Cinderella Fountain and watched sooooo many people get PEEVED because someone WALKED in front of their camera!
Uh...if you are taking pictures and you stand a MILLION feet away from your 'subject'...people are GOING TO WALK BY!!! It's Disney!!! Duh!!
We cracked up so many times watching this happen!
These people need to carry those orange cones around and perimeter their picture spot I guess???

Oh, these people are the worst! I understand wanting to take a picture and we always make sure and stop when we see this. However, if you are standing a long ways away from your subject, I apologize profusely for not seeing that those people WAYYYYY over there are your family. We noticed this last week at Epcot, in front of the castle and also in MGM. One guy even asked my DH to move when he was trying to let my DS smell the flowers at Epcot. His family was a good 200 feet away. He was trying to fit the globe in. My DH even said that I was taking an "un-Disneylike" attitude about stopping for people taking pictures. I told him that the un-Disneylike person was the one taking pictures from the huge distance and expecting the world to stop for him. Two minutes later we saw this same guy yell at another family.

 

[Tigger22]

OMG! I am with you on that one! Why would you take up an additional seat, when you already have one in your wheelchair/motorized trolly? Is there a safety issue?

Two years ago we went to WDW a couple months after DH had an ankle operation. He could walk thru the lines of an attraction, but couldn't have spent all day on his foot. When we first went on the Disney bus with his rented scooter, the CM driving the bus told him he couldn't sit on it riding the bus. After that, he always drove the scooter on, and then sat in a seat. I never saw a wheel chair on our buses, so I don't know how those work. We weren't told that there was a specific "rule" - guess we just assumed after that first bus ride that it was a rule.

Speaking of un-Disney like behavior, on that same trip, we had many, many people look right at DH and step right in front of the scooter...then give him nasty looks/comments. Having to use the scooter showed us both ends of the spectrum - many wonderful sweet people, and many nasty people. We definitely are more aware Disney from the disabled point of view now and are more respectful. Our other pet peave is the people who think they are exempt from the "pick a row and move all the way down row, filling in all the available seats" and park their butts in the center of the row and refuse to move. I guess those rules are only for the rest of us!

 

[Syrreal]

I just got back from a few days at WDW and I got very sick my 2nd day there. I must have caught some kind of flu bug from someone on the plane or something. I had to take lots of medicine and am stiil not feeling well. A day or so after I got sick, I was braving a little bit of park time- I figured what better for sickness that a nice vitamin C laden dole whip (hey, it was cold and would feel good on my throat too). Well, my throat was hurting me so badly once the efects form the dolewhip had gone away that I decided I wanted to get some salt and make a warm salt-water gargle back in the room. i got off the bus and walked into the POR food court and just took maybe 6-7 packets on salt in my had and started to walk away. Just then, some guy came up to me out of the blue and starts berating me for taking salt without buying anything (this was a random guest, not a CM or anything). I thought that this was ridiculous especially when he informed me that it was "people like me" who jack up the price of food. That plus the fact that I just wasnt feeling well at all just did something to me. I normally am just passive-agressive but not this time. I stopped him in mid sentence and as politely as I could (which probably wasn't too politely) asked him if he knew how sick I was and that I was going to use that salt for a gargle and then asked him if he wanted me to give him the penny that my taking 6 packets of salt was apparently adding to the cost of his stay. I then proceeded to ask him if he didn't have a vacation of his own to worry about and that he should just stop worrying about mine. I then left him there. I get really emotional when I am sick and am really amazed that I made it all the way back to my room before bawling. He really just did make me so mad!

 

[MermaidsMom]

I just got back from a few days at WDW and I got very sick my 2nd day there. I must have caught some kind of flu bug from someone on the plane or something. I had to take lots of medicine and am stiil not feeling well. A day or so after I got sick, I was braving a little bit of park time- I figured what better for sickness that a nice vitamin C laden dole whip (hey, it was cold and would feel good on my throat too). Well, my throat was hurting me so badly once the efects form the dolewhip had gone away that I decided I wanted to get some salt and make a warm salt-water gargle back in the room. i got off the bus and walked into the POR food court and just took maybe 6-7 packets on salt in my had and started to walk away. Just then, some guy came up to me out of the blue and starts berating me for taking salt without buying anything (this was a random guest, not a CM or anything). I thought that this was ridiculous especially when he informed me that it was "people like me" who jack up the price of food. That plus the fact that I just wasnt feeling well at all just did something to me. I normally am just passive-agressive but not this time. I stopped him in mid sentence and as politely as I could (which probably wasn't too politely) asked him if he knew how sick I was and that I was going to use that salt for a gargle and then asked him if he wanted me to give him the penny that my taking 6 packets of salt was apparently adding to the cost of his stay. I then proceeded to ask him if he didn't have a vacation of his own to worry about and that he should just stop worrying about mine. I then left him there. I get really emotional when I am sick and am really amazed that I made it all the way back to my room before bawling. He really just did make me so mad!

Man, good thing you weren't using the wrong mug! What a jerk he was and you handled yourself very well!

 

[WorldlyWise]

Ok - here's mine. We are at Fantasmic and everyone is having a good time. The vendors come around selling light toys, etc. DD11 and DS6 are thrilled because we haven't made this show before and it is much hyped. As soon as the show starts, the old guy beind us pulls out his video camera and starts filming. Now, I don't mind that he's holding up the camera so it is probably impairing the view of the people behind him. I don't really mind the occasional glare from his view screen. However, I look over toward the end of the show and DS is waiving his arms to som of the music and this guy keeps pushing DS's arms down out of his camera angle. I told him not to put his hands on my son and he said something like "he's blocking my shot."

What is funny is that his post is probably on here somewhere, complaining that some guy at Fantasmic told him he was going to have to have his camera surgically removed if he didn't back off.

 

[jann1033]

Oh, these people are the worst! I understand wanting to take a picture and we always make sure and stop when we see this. However, if you are standing a long ways away from your subject, I apologize profusely for not seeing that those people WAYYYYY over there are your family. We noticed this last week at Epcot, in front of the castle /QUOTE]

this happened to me and it was during a character meeting and the handler was yelling at everyone who got between them. including me...like we know the lady standing across the bridge is taking a picture. he yelled at me so loudly i still get embarrassed thinking i was an idiot for not knowing what was going on .at least i guess i am not the only one!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

There were 6 of us in line to get on the tram: me, my 3 DDs, DDs friend, and DH (carrying a stroller). We had all gotten on except for DH and DD when an older couple with no children ran up, PUSHED past DH and DD to sit down next to us on the tram. DH explained to them that he was in line and could he please sit down with his family and the man very rudely explained that he wasn't moving. Now the tram was full and DH and DD were going to have to wait for the next tram while the rest of us waited for them by the car.

By this time my 5-year-old was in tears because she thought her Daddy was getting left behind. I told that couple exactly what I thought of them and their rude behavor but they just sat there stone-faced and didn't say a word nor did they acknowledge any of us or each other for the entire ride. Forturnately DH and DD were able to squeeze in elsewhere on the tram, but my goodness, what rude nasty people those two were.

I'd have just waved em in and had em sit on top of em.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

As far as number one, no one should say anything to your DH about teh stroller unless he isn't controlling it and is hitting people with it.

As far as number two, you can always take the next bus to get a seat. Lots of people have been on their feet all day and are tired, and have been waiting longer than you have for the bus. Sometimes someone with a hidden disability needs that seat as badly as you do, maybe even more. Like I said, you can always wait for the next bus to be able to get a seat... I'm not sure what "entitles" you to get one when others have been waiting longer. That said, I and my family will offer our seats to elderly and younger kids or people with babies, as long as they don't "demand it". As soon as there's a demand, or a snotty remark, you can ride on the roof for all I care.

Anne

Anne, I'm not trying to rip you or anything so don't take this the wrong way. And I for one am with you on the snotty remark thing in must cases. But you wrote this in response to someone that had an infant. And a lot of times there's just no way of knowing you'll be the 2nd or 3rd on board without a seat. But regardless of the how or why she ended up standing and regardless of how tired someone may be, the seat must be offered by someone. It's an infant's life at stake here if there's the slightest of problems and the mother goes down. And even if the mother is beligerant, it's not the baby's fault. Someone has to give up a seat in that case or at least hold the baby. I was quite dismayed that when I was already standing, nobody would give up a seat and that when I was sitting, it was always me giving up the seat. There should have been 4 or 5 offers without anyone even asking in that case.

 

[JulyGirl]

The worst thing I evers saw at WDW took place at the MGM stuido ice cream place. A family was eating ice cream on a bench. I was sitting close enough to them to hear a nasty comment a passerby made towards one of the girls in the family. This girl was probably around 7 years old and she was on the heavy side. A woman walks by and loudly says to her DH and son, "The last thing that fat girl needs is ice cream!" I couldn't beleive my ears. The girl's dad wanted to go after this woman but his wife convinced him it wasn't worth it. So rude and sad.

 

[Popsicle]

This was quite a number of years ago, but it occurred at the Magic Kingdom. We didn't know that you should NEVER watch the parade and try to get out of the park IMEDIATELY after it ends. Pandemonium.

Anyway, we were waiting for the trams to the the parking lot which were VERY slow in coming. Maybe some were broken down, I don't know. One creature (a female) started yelling and cursing at the CM who was standing there. The CM walks away and this person picks up some pebbles from somewhere and starts throwing them at this young lady. The crowd went up for grabs and "admonished" her as best we could without getting physical. (And there was more than one person who offered to do that. ) That was one of the uglier things I've seen at the World.

 

[cornflkgrl]

no one should be obligated your quite right, but it would be the decent thing to do

I just have to put in my 2 cents here. I, too, would not expect anyone to give up their seat to me. If I got a seat I wouldn't give it to anyone unless they were disabled or 9 months pregnant (oh, and by the way, I have been on the subway many times while pregnant and was never offered a seat by the perfectly unburdened yuppies reading their newspapers and I have even had a door slammed in my face several times while pregnant AND while I had a baby in my arms). You can't EXPECT people to be nice to you. People are at the whim of others' generosity. No one is required or obligated to give up a seat. I don't think it is fair to assume that someone WILL. I don't think that is rude. I think that is human. Anyone who has been on a major city subway knows how it works....first come, first serve. If you want a seat you will have to be one of those "rude people" who pushes their way through the crowd and dives into one.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

December 15, 2005 - last show of Lights, motors stunt show at MGM. A young boy was sitting with his family in front of me and my boyfriend. At the beginning of show, we hear the younger son (I'm guessing about 5?) tell his Dad he has to go to bathroom. Dad says wait. Boy tells Mom he has to go to the bathroom. She says too bad, you should have gone earlier. Boy then pooped his pants. Parents would not leave the car stunt show because THEY wanted to see it.

Who breeds these people???

Wolves.

 

[shellybaxter]

I just have to put in my 2 cents here. I, too, would not expect anyone to give up their seat to me. If I got a seat I wouldn't give it to anyone unless they were disabled or 9 months pregnant (oh, and by the way, I have been on the subway many times while pregnant and was never offered a seat by the perfectly unburdened yuppies reading their newspapers and I have even had a door slammed in my face several times while pregnant AND while I had a baby in my arms). You can't EXPECT people to be nice to you. People are at the whim of others' generosity. No one is required or obligated to give up a seat. I don't think it is fair to assume that someone WILL. I don't think that is rude. I think that is human. Anyone who has been on a major city subway knows how it works....first come, first serve. If you want a seat you will have to be one of those "rude people" who pushes their way through the crowd and dives into one.

And that ladies and gentlemen is what’s wrong with America. Common courtesy is no longer common. Unfortunately the situation as described by cornflkgirl is pretty accurate. If the world were different people would be considerate of each other. Those who could stand on the bus would gladly do so so others who needed to could sit. But in the same token those who were standing would never “expect” or feel “entitled” to a seat. The world has changed and not for the good in a lot of ways.

 

[maxiesmom]

And that ladies and gentlemen is what’s wrong with America. Common courtesy is no longer common. Unfortunately the situation as described by cornflkgirl is pretty accurate. If the world were different people would be considerate of each other. Those who could stand on the bus would gladly do so so others who needed to could sit. But in the same token those who were standing would never “expect” or feel “entitled” to a seat. The world has changed and not for the good in a lot of ways.

Totally agree!!!

 

[maddhatir]

Totally agree!!!

I SECOND THAT!
sad, sad, sad.........

 

[turnlisa]

While we were there this trip, we were very courteous -- I have ingrained it in my children. They hold doors, get up when someone needs a seat, say excuse me to get by, etc. We never expect seats anywhere. This being said, I had a very nice experience on the boat from MK to WL. The boat was packed and it was chilly so people were riding inside. My two DSs and I walked to the back of the boat where there was one elderly gentlemen sitting alone. I asked him politely if the rest of the bench was taken. He said no and offered me a seat. The boys and I sat down. My DH comes on a few minutes later (after fighting with the stroller) and stands next to our seat. The elderly gentleman noticed that we were a family and insisted on giving up his seat for my DH. My DH told him that he was more than happy to stand. The gentleman insisted. On the way off the boat, we passed by this gentleman and all of us thanked him again. It's these little acts of kindness that make our trips special. Did we expect a seat for my DH? No. Did we glare at the gentleman until he gave up his seat? No. As I said, it was totally unexpected. Due to this man's kindness, my youngest and I sat near the railing and watched the water go by on our way back to the resort. It was a truly magical experience!

 

[jann1033]

The gentleman insisted. On the way off the boat, we passed by this gentleman and all of us thanked him again. It's these little acts of kindness that make our trips special. Did we expect a seat for my DH? No. Did we glare at the gentleman until he gave up his seat? No. As I said, it was totally unexpected. Due to this man's kindness, my youngest and I sat near the railing and watched the water go by on our way back to the resort. It was a truly magical experience!

thanks for the nice account
I agree and imagine the gentleman( not used lightly cause he truly was one) got as much joy out of it as you did...( also agree with the "not so common" courtesy comments above) to bad people don't realize there really is more happiness in "giving" ( be it on a bus, at an event like parade etc,) and just worry about "getting", "keeping" and "hording" what they figure they have coming to them... which makes everyone unhappy, even them which you can see by reading the anger in the threads where someone stepped in the wrong place, meaning the place the angry one laid claim to. who wants to live like that????

 

[Hollymom1229]

My DH and I were on a very romantic trip to WDW in September 2002. We'd had a wonderful day in the MK, and watched the fireworks. We were watching the castle and enjoying the beauty of the night as everyone was leaving. When the music started playing "So This is Love." DH asked me to dance and we began dancing right there in front of the castle. It was one of the most romantic moments in my life.

Or it would have been, except halfway through the song some guy came over, interrupted us, and told us to move so he could take pictures of the castle. It was unbelievably rude, like he couldn't wait one more minute, and absolutely ruined the moment.

 

[linfin]

my family and I were in line for a ride (dont remember what ride) several feet in front of us was a mother, father and little girl abt 4 yrs old. She kept telling her mother she needed to use the rest room but the mother refused to get out of line. Ready for this .. the mother made the little girl pull her pants down and urinate right in line in front of hundreds of people, the humiliation that little girl must have felt..I have to say if I seen it today i would probally smack that woman.