Was I rude? Would you be rude too? (mild vent)

[CoolPool]

Miss Sourpuss speaks,

This morning we got to make park opening. We went on many rides through the morning and exhausted ourselves (in a good way). Feeling a little fatigued and hungry I decided to treat the kids to a character meal. We went to Plaza Inn and got in right before they closed the doors. We got our food and drinks and went to sit our assigned table. We start eating. All of sudden we are surrounded by people. Our table is inundated. We trying to eat and people are butting into us and standing right next to our chairs and shooting pics over us, etc. I'm a little tired and I just want to eat. My kids are eating and sitting nicely (I must point out when they are actually behaving appropriately! They know the character meal drill.) Yes, the characters are nearby. But the thing is, I've been to enough character meals through the years and the usual thing is people sit at their tables and let the characters come to them. Its civil and polite and everybody gets a turn. This was a free-for-all. These people saw a costume and they were up and grabbing them left and right and it was all happening by our table. I then said loudly, "What happened to manners? Get away." (not loudly, mind you, sort of in a defeated tone) Then I threw my evil eye around. Some people finally backed off. Some didn't, as apparently they are entitled to model poor behavior for their children. You see, the thing that really yanked my chain was that it was not the children; it was the parents. No child was hit by my evil eye. No child was behaving unexpectedly. It was the parents clamouring and demanding attention. Please everyone, a little respect and common decency! Its such a trivial matter, even for me. I realize I'm overreacting, but I like to have a pleasant experience digesting my repast and ruminating on the finer points of Disneyland.

Miss Sourpuss sighs and withdraws.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I don't blame you at all. Infact I'm surprised the CM's didn't try and get everyone to have a seat and explain that everyone would have some time with the characters. Sounds like a mad house!

 

[flyinshirer]

No worries! I think you handled it better than I would. I'm a pretty nice person but you paid a LOT of money to enjoy the Character meal! It amazes me how people will act for their kids. We are supposed to be examples to our little ones.
Be easy on yourself!

 

[KimAshton]

You have every right to do what you did. Geez when I started reading I thought it was the kids but the parents get some manners.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Even if it was kids, parents and CM's can get the kids in check. I would have been irritated too, I mean a character breakfast is like $25 a head.

 

[Master Mason]

somewhat similar experience.

We were eating lunch at BB, at a nearby table there was a large group, one of the kids was blaring their Ipod with (made worse by the fact that it was some really vulger stuff) so I asked the waiter if I really had to listen to that thoughout my lunch. He reluctently went over, and the music was un heard for the rest of the meal, my back was to the other table, but my son's told me we got the stank eye for the rest of the meal. What were the parents thinking??

 

[CoolPool]

The problem is maybe because people pay so much money for these things they are very demanding. They want major interaction. They want big photo ops. So even when the character goes to another area, they chase after them. They say "one more" shot. One lady was practically throwing her daughter at Minnie Mouse and apparently the character had been by already because the Mom kept saying "I know but one more hug, aw, one more picture, aw, get another autograph for her cousin now..etc." I did get the feeling she was going all out to have the experience of a lifetime. She physically grabbed Minnie's arm and turned her around. And I wish she wouldn't have leaned over my table and food to get that "last" shot. It was like being in the middle football huddle. There were others but she took the cake. Okay, I'm officially getting over it. Thank you for letting me vent.

BTW, if anyone recognizes themselves in this message; please understand I bear you no ill-will. Just I wanted to have a fun meal with my kids without all your "needs" that you brought to the restaurant. Keep them at your table.

 

[Albort]

yeah, even as a CM, it bugs me sometimes...

many times the parents dont even listen to the CM. Thats the problem. :|

like im trying to pull this balloon out for a guest, and the parents interrupts me asking for a balloon, i told them hold on, im helping another guest. and pretty much tried to go as fast as i can but no matter what i tell them, they keep bugging me for a balloon and tugging on the balloon they want, hence making it harder for me to tie the balloon. i told them to stop but they just kept on going...

THIS occurs TONS of times. ESP. in crowd control. telling guest to KEEP MOVING, THIS IS A WALK AREA... guest just stands there like a big dumb statue... :|

 

[talie95]

I don't blame you for being annoyed by this. We have never done a character meal but we booked one for our upcoming trip at Goofy's Kitchen. One of the reasons we want to do it is so we won't have to deal with the crowds to see characters in the park. I sure hope nothing like that happens when we go! Some people can be soo selfish and rude!!

 

[Stacerita]

A few weeks ago we did the Plaza Inn character breakfast and it was pretty chaotic in there. The sweetpea and I have done many character meals, and we explained how they work to the others we were with. But once inside, it was like a free for all. Families chasing down characters, no one staying in their seats. Made it really difficult for those of us trying to get our food and get back to our table. People were just rude. I don't recall any cast member explaining that the characters would come to our table or anything like that. So I'm not sure if everyone knew. But still, if your bottom has to rub against my table then maybe you are doing it wrong. If you wait your turn and take the pics/hug the characters when they come to you, then your bottom wouldn't have to be in my syrup now would it?

 

[victorandbellasmom]

But still, if your bottom has to rub against my table then maybe you are doing it wrong. If you wait your turn and take the pics/hug the characters when they come to you, then your bottom wouldn't have to be in my syrup now would it?

LOL!!! I'm just imagining a kid pointing asking mom after leaving Plaza Inn, "Mom, what's on your butt?"

Back to OP now. No I do not feel you were rude and you had every right to say something. One shouldn't have to fend off people from their table when they eat. We've never done Plaza Inn as a character meal and am not sure we ever will now.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I must say im goan be doing charter meals. goofys kitchen,ariels and plaza inn only for bday micky and minni.

I hope that ppl stay seated and the charcters do come around. I wouldnt want to miss our shot becouse we were good and waited. and Im supriesed at how you handeled it. i woulda been saying some rude things to my son. Like "you see how all these adults are acting, they are inmeture and you are 5 you are a verry good boy" and stuff like "we stay seated the charcters come to you thats the way it works. and if one person put there butt on my food id get on them./ I am going to have a good time too and hope i can. I think you handeled your self well

 

[eeyore3847]

you know we go to these meals every trip and there is always some bad parents that allow that behavior from there kids. I finally on our last trip told these kids "Please go back to there table". The parents then got up and said "they are just saying hello" at that point I was Pissed! It was at the crystal palace and that place is zoo and we will never do that one again! Lines for buffet were rediculous and the characters were way overwhelmed! I then told them " to wait there turn like my children did and please go sit down" ..... then the CM came over and asked them to sit and they would be over in a minute! My kids wore Pooh outfits that were custom done and the characters barely acknowlendged us and it was frustrating. Once the place was half empty they cam over again to sit and take more pictures, I think they understood our frustrations!
Some parents have no manners and are just letting their kids have this behavior. It is not acceptable and I am not afraid to speak my mind when I spend $5000 on a vacation when we waited patiently.
oh and on a side note... If I see a kid cut in line I will walk right up to them and always point and say "the end of the line is back there!". Parents always get mad but they should be embarrased not mad. My kids waited and so should theres! If they just stare at me and look as if they do nto understand a word I say... I go immedietly and tell a cm.. that takes care of it!
Lori

 

[CoolPool]

You guys are making me laugh. I do think some one did leave with butter on their butt!

Eeyore, if you go back to WDW, the most civilized character meal I ever attended was at the Grand Floridian. This summer due to refurbishments the Cinderella meal was at the Cape May (I think that's what it was called) and it was the most peaceful character meal imaginable. The food was very good. The service was understated and excellent. The characters were not rushed and not hounded. They spent a great deal of time at every table. The patrons were all on best behavior. The decor was light and airy with lots of room between tables. Everyone was acting "royal." Prince Charming was charming. And the wine on the menu was actually wine and not the usual dross that's pushed.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Oh, dear. I wonder if it's usually that chaotic at the Minnie & Friends breakfast? We are scheduled for that one on this next trip as well, in hopes that DS3 gets to see more of the Pooh characters.

Last year we did Goofy's Kitchen (dinner) and Lilo & Stitch breakfast. There was a tiny bit of that (kids following the character for more interaction), but I think the CMs must have been on top of it, I don't recall it happening so much that it ruined everyone else's experience. And I don't recall seeing any outrageous behavior by the adults, thank goodness. Like Jade, I try to point out poor behavior to my children, and thank them for not behaving like that. And sometimes I say it just loud enough for the offenders to hear...

I guess I'd rather go into Minnie & Friends knowing it might be less controlled an environment, and hoping for the best anyway. I'll let you know how it goes next month.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

From what you guys are saying it looks like the Plaza Inn hasn't improved on their guest control as far as characters are concerned. It was like this during the time that the princesses were there, too.

It didn't use to be like this.

Albort has a good point, though. We expect the CMs to keep control, and they are pressured to keep the guests happy. Which guest is going to cause more problems in the end - the loud, rude, pushy guest, or the polite, trying to mind the rules guest. They have to walk a very fine line.

Having said that, it would be nice if management would institute a more controlled environment. I've been to character meals at Goofy's Kitchen, Lilo & Stitch, Chip & Dale, & princess lunch, and haven't had these issues at any of them.

(If I see guests walking around with butter on their butts, I'll know who they tangled with. )

 

[DizneyMommy]

Wow, gosh, we have had a COMPLETELY different experience with the Plaza Inn breakfasts. We have done it several times both as Minnie and the Princesses, a few of those on Mother's Day, and have never seen kids (or parents) running after characters. The last time was this last Mother's Day. Everyone stayed in their seats the entire time, the characters made it easily around to every table and spent lots of time with each, and it was a pretty relaxed, calm environment. I do usually book the very first time spot of the morning when we go, maybe time makes the difference - less people are seated at that point, no one on the patio yet, so they only had the 2 indoor dining rooms to visit.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It's nice to know that the chaotic experience doesn't always happen.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

Oh, dear. I wonder if it's usually that chaotic at the Minnie & Friends breakfast? We are scheduled for that one on this next trip as well, in hopes that DS3 gets to see more of the Pooh characters.

Last year we did Goofy's Kitchen (dinner) and Lilo & Stitch breakfast. There was a tiny bit of that (kids following the character for more interaction), but I think the CMs must have been on top of it, I don't recall it happening so much that it ruined everyone else's experience. And I don't recall seeing any outrageous behavior by the adults, thank goodness. Like Jade, I try to point out poor behavior to my children, and thank them for not behaving like that. And sometimes I say it just loud enough for the offenders to hear...

I guess I'd rather go into Minnie & Friends knowing it might be less controlled an environment, and hoping for the best anyway. I'll let you know how it goes next month.

Alex love I dont think you will have to worry about that because what I notice most of the time is this happens more times than not during busy seasons ie summer christmas week etc...when you go you should be fine...Minnie and friends is my favorite character breakfast ( I know go figures) and I go all different times of the year and I havent experienced that issue in a long long time....

 

[jemilah]

It's just as bad as the adults pushing kids out of the way to take pictures with the characters in the park........if kids can form a line why can't adults!