What not to do at Disney?

[jkstewart1800]

I agree. I breastfed my daughter anywhere I needed to--I once sat in between 2 men (who I did not know) on a 2 hours plane ride--my daughter nursed almost the whole time. As we were getting off the plane, one of the men turned to me and said, "Wow, your baby was wonderful on the plane"--he had no clue what had been going on right next to him.

I think it's a beautiful thing and certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

Come join us over at the Breastfeeding Thread!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36689970&posted=1#post36689970

 

[stitchywoman]

I had a woman practically climb on my back while in the japan pavilion looking at the settings for the pearls my husband had gotten me. I was so agitated. I hate when people refuse to stay out of my personal space. I am not asking for 2 or 3 feet of space here, just to not be able to feel your hair on my neck and your breath in my ear. When you also start yelling loudly to your friend across the room it only makes it worse.

 

[QuiverofArrows]

Wowza! There are a lot of comments on here.

We have only been to the VMCP once before and are planning a fall trip for 2010.

At the time we were there, I thought it might be the only time we would be able to afford to go with a family our size while they were young (have to save for college too). I made customs for my girls and the only thing I wanted to make sure we did was to get them the pictures in Minnie's house and with Minnie while we were there. There were some children there that kept jumping in front of my girls. I seriously only wanted one or two pictures. They didn't speak English so I couldn't even politely ask them to just give me 15 seconds for pictures. We moved to a different area or room and there they were. We moved back to another room and they followed us there. It didn't occur to me later that they probably just really liked my girls outfits and might have been talking about those. I wish I could have communicated with them but it put the situation in a different perspective and I was glad I hadn't been rude. Irritated? yes. Rude? no.

Smoking - I wave my hands. I will start sneezing then my eyes will itch and then I can have an asthmatic attack. I tried to avoid the smoking areas but we've been places where there are smoking areas and people have left them. If I forget or if I run into it somewhere, I will wave my hands and try to hold my breath and leave the area. It's not to offend anyone but it's just me trying to not get sick. I've even had problems before and started sneezing then realized that a car next to me might have a window down with a cigarette hanging out. It bothers me even if my window is rolled up. My mother just passed away a few months ago from an enlarged heart due to complications from emphysema. She was best friends with all of us 4 girls and we talked to our mom every day. We are all so, so sad without her. So if you see me waving my hands, please don't assume it's just to make a scene and know I'm trying to find my way out of the smoking area.

Breastfeeding - I've breastfed 6 children so if any lady needs tips, feel free to PM me. I have some friends who are La Leche leaders. I do breastfeed in public and am as discreet as possible. I have seen women just whip out their breasts with no sense of decency but they are few and far between. I've had people walk up to me as I was nursing a baby and try to come "take a peek" at the baby and I tell them the baby is eating. I prefer nursing tops most of the time when I know I'll need to feed the babies while out in public. Although I've lost 50 lbs this year, I certainly don't want my fat hanging out for anyone to see.

Taking screaming children on rides - When we were there, a child was scared to get on a ride. I had other children on the moving ride that I needed to join so I had to grab the child and get on. I knew he would be fine once we got started and he was. It was just the whole getting onto the ride while it was moving that we had never done before and he was a little freaked about that part of it.

Strollers - we had a double stroller last time. Although we tried to rest earlier in the day, we didn't plan accordingly and had children falling asleep. By the end of the night, I had three children sleeping in that stroller and we were trying to make our way out of the park. I'm sure nobody meant harm in saying older children shouldn't be in strollers but I don't see any harm in it at all, even if there aren't any disabilities.

Just remember to be patient as there are 1st timers to the park and there are people who try as they way just simply aren't as seasoned as some of you pros. However, if parents teach their children manners then that will go along way. Our children aren't perfect and won't be there but we try to feed them decent meals and allow plenty of time for resting. I have over 30 pages of notes, itinerary, budgets and custom outfit planning, but there are going to be some things come up that I don't know about so spread the peace, love and pixie dust.

We are spacing out our trips this time and not doing any activities more than every other day. It allows time for rest and will help us not get burnt out or sick.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

First, don't show up at a show or parade 2 minutes before it's about to start, and just stand right in front of everyone who's been sitting there for the last hour to make sure they get a good view. QUOTE]

Has anyone ever successfully found away to get the parade crashers to move? Is there a unwritten rule or policy to back up the waiter? Can you go get a CM? What do you do? This is one of the reasons I avoid the parade because I don't want to sit for an hour (or more) only to have someone come over and start jockying for my space.... I think I would lose, or get punched in the nose. Has anyone found a good way of handling this situation?

Sit on the balcony of the train station. Great parade view. Not a great fireworks view though bc the pole blocks it. No one can get in front of you if the railing is there. Also, people can't sit on the actual ground during the parade so if you are sitting on the curb, you should be safe. I worked parade crowd control and if anyone came to me and asked me to have someone move in a sitaution like that I would.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Oh, yeah... because we lowered our expectations as a culture..... so now people can wander around in houseslippers !

, I'm so with you on that one, [/QUOTE]

lol, me too! I hate pajamas in public!!

 

[tpholland]

Originally Posted by banabobana
This is sure to irritate people, but here it is: I don't have kids. I don't want kids. I understand that Disney is for kids, and I have no problem with that, at all. It's fun for everyone! I like kids just fine, but your kids are not mine. I'm not impressed with whatever shrieky thing they're doing because they're hot and tired. I don't want to have to direct your kid back to you because you're busy taking photos (eating a turkey leg, getting a fast pass, asking a question, arguing with your spouse), or because you think they're doing something so adorable that every stranger in the immediate area should admire. Your kids are YOUR responsibility, you should know enough to rein them in.

Also, and this is something else parents get up in arms about: there are, in fact, some restaurants at Disney that aren't really kid-friendly, no matter what the family dining plan says. There are times of the evening that it's not ok to bring your now cranky, sunburned, overtired kid out to a meal that's costing me more than 200 dollars. I made late dinner reservations so my husband and I are able to celebrate our anniversary without hearing a recap of every single thing your Precious so and so saw from the moment you dragged them out of bed so you could be at the gate for early rope drop until 9:30, when they really ought to be asleep, at the top of their lungs, 3 feet away from me.

I'm sorry if that all sounds snotty, but I definitely think that people with kids forget that there are adults vacationing on the property who aren't interested in the shenanigans of your family.

Having said all of that, the whole BREAST FEEDING IS YUCKY AND INSULTS MY SENSIBILITIES thing is beyond puritanical. If your child is so shocked and dismayed about seeing a woman's cans, I pity the time when you have to have the birds and the bees conversation. Perhaps you can tell them they were hatched from a jar!

^^^ I have kids and I found this entire post hysterically funny. I would have to agree that dragging small children to late night upscale Disney restaurants is not a great idea, particularly if those same kiddos have been on Disney property since before Rope Drop on a hot and humid Florida day.

I read another poster's rationale regarding the time zone difference and how a family from the West Coast might not be affected by a 9:30PM dinner time. However, it would also stand to reason they would not likely be the same family waiting to enter the park at Rope Drop or AM EMH. 12 hours is 12 hours no matter how you cut it, and if you have little ones that are sunburned and overtired they are bound to be exhausted and irritable. Not the ideal situation for late night dinner plans. I have kids but I'm always conscientious of those around me who don't. We are mindful of restaurant patrons who are not particularly interested in my child's 'cute' antics and/or mood.

Btw, for someone who isn't a parent you certainly have a very open mind regarding breastfeeding. I know of a few parents who object to seeing other people feed their infants this way. It's refreshing to hear such an open and tolerant point of view from a person who doesn't have children, nor wants any. Kudos to you.

I'd like to add that it's just not at Disney. I have found that over the past several years, more & more parents don't seem the even notice their angel's behavior that is so horrific sometimes that I truly cannot believe it. What on earth happened to common courtesy? We raised 2 boys & I have to say, on the rare occasion that there was poor public behavior, for whatever reason, one of us removed our child from the situation. No, it's not always ideal, but it is the polite thing to do. It has gotten so that when I see a well behaved child, I go out of my way to mention it, as it has become so rare.

 

[tpholland]

As a recent wish tripper, please don't point and stare or whisper in not so hushed voices when a child on a Make-A-Wish trip is ushered to the front of a line. I can't think of a single parent of a child on a wish trip who wouldn't trade all the hours spent waiting in doctors' offices, waiting on surgeons, waiting for her child to wake from anesthesia, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a cure, etc. just to wait in the seemingly endless lines at Disney. We are there not to make you and your child miserable, but because our children's one true wish is to see Mickey Mouse, and when your child has gone through what our children have gone through, you will do anything humanly possible to make that happen. Please remember that you have the ability to either add to a family's wish experience by being that person who cast an understanding glance or a kind smile, or detract from it with comments such as, "At least we paid for our trip."

I am so very sorry this happened. People can be very rude. You would think that seeing your family would cause others to consider how very lucky they are, unfortunately this is not always the case. I'm reading your trip report, praying for your family & wishing the best to you all.

 

[enigmaticorange]

All I'm saying is that parents know when their kids have had enough, or are over tired or are acting bratty, just like I know when I am. I am an adult and can put myself to bed when it happens. I expect the same from parents.

I have two kids and I agree. It can be really hard for people who have not experienced Disney with kids before to slow down, back up, and calm down. They want to be up all night and tend to drag the kids behind, cranky and angry. Then the parents are cranky and upset because they are dishing out $300 for a meal in one of the fancy places and get a scream fest in return. There is a learning curve, unfortunately. If you have kids and cant get reservations to your favorite restaurant until 9pm- pick another place if you:
a: don't normally eat dinner at that time and b:Let your kids yell/wander. I expect my kids to sit at the table and be courteous. Yes, we have the occasional eruption of hysterics after one burps/farts or milk bubble spill over a cup, but they do not yell, and they never, ever wander. I also wont ask them to eat at/after 9pm.

 

[Mama_Dis]

Wow! Lots of don'ts lol

I'm glad that none of the breastfeeding haters have been @ Disney when I'm there. Keep dreaming if you think I'm walking one end of the park to the other or putting a blanket over my princess' head in August I have to say every time I have had to feed my daughter there, I've always had really reasonable people around me- from little old men to 20somethings without kids- who have never noticed or cared how my baby ate. There was plenty of gushing over the baby though- I mean how could there not be

Anyway, other don'ts. . .

Don't litter- I love how clean Disney is and I know there are lots of people who work really hard to make it that way- help make their job easier- it's not like trash cans are hard to find.

Don't huff and puff about FP people getting in. Sometimes I actually feel guilty for using my FP's even though I got out early and hoofed it over there to get them. They are first come first served- come out and get you some

 

[Friendly Frog]

:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjSwL-9Bzf8 This lady is a perfect example!

WOW! I will be the first to admit that at first I was like ...this lady appears to be having a melt down!

but...

I watched the video with the sound turned off... (TRY IT!)

Obnoxious horn aside, it appears that she is actually driving respectively!

Leaving WDW on an ECV in a crowd is more difficult that many people could imagine. Adults and kids are CONSTANTLY stepping in front of you. Some are just not paying attention and some do it on purpose trying to rush ahead so they do not get stuck behind you. (People will also force you over into the railroad tracks where the ECV can get stuck or tip over.)

I am going to stick my neck out here and say that it looks like maybe she was trying to follow that person in front of her on the ECV and not get cut off by the crowd? I think maybe she she was just tying to keep peoples attention so they would not step in front of her. " Loud Pipes Save Lives"

 

[Friendly Frog]

Ok, now for my list. I didn't read every post but here are a couple I have not seen.

Don't "walk" your toddler on the tops of the tables. Gross! I don't want to eat off of a surface your kid has walked on. And OMG, on one trip I saw someone changing a diaper on top of the table.

Please, parents don't send your young children ( I vote for no one under 18-) to the buffet tables alone. Even adults do disgusting things at times, but kids almost always do. Yes, even your perfect kid.

 

[PrincessMom4]

I was a breastfeedin mom and NO one ever saw my breasts and I went out in public a lot. I think its the decretion of seeing someone's breast handing out. I don't want to see anyone change their child in front of me in the middle of a park. Some things need to be done with class.

I hate the "starers" while my child with autism has a "moment". Most of the time the tantrums are random and do not have a time when they occur. As soon as we think she may be "spiralling" we go back to the resort however we don't have a magical wand to bring us there any faster. So please be a little patient while we remove our child so that others can enjoy.

I feel sorry for those people who don't have patients for others especially anyone from Make-a-wish. MAW people have gone through some unimaginable pain and sorrow and hardship and deserve just as much fun and joy considering what they must go through. My child goes to enough appointments its not funny and going to Disney is my sanctuary from the stress of appointments. I wish the "starers" or people who get upset when someone goes to the front of the line would LIVE in the lives of families with disabilities and see how hard it really is. Think before you speak/react.

 

[Deesknee]

Breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful experience that should be celebrated, not criminalized. No mother should ever feel ashamed or be forced to go into hiding to feed her baby!

So is "procreating" but I won't do that in public either.

 

[jeepinweezle]

I'm just going to say, if you are going to whip out your breast, I'm going to look. All good in the hood.

 

[3smithboys]

I want to say that I have no problem with mothers who breastfeed their children. I don't think you should have to hide, go to the bathroom to do it, etc... I have plenty of friends who breastfeed in front of me...

Over Winter Break DH and I were at Fantasmic with our 3 boys, and there was a mom breastfeeding her child who was about 3 years old. This child was watching an Ipod video while breast feeding at the same time. I did not have a problem with the age of the child - I know there are some people who choose to breastfeed for longer, but this mom was not covered or discreet at all. She had her entire breast out for everyone to see and there were a lot of people there. (My 11 year old son was the first one who saw her and was a bit embarrassed... ) After the child was finished, the mom did not cover herself up, she left her breast out and allowed her child to play with her breast and pull on her nipple as if it was a toy. All while the child was holding and watching the Ipod video... the whole scene was bizarre! (and many people around her were clearly uncomfortable....)

 

[livndisney]

I want to say that I have no problem with mothers who breastfeed their children. I don't think you should have to hide, go to the bathroom to do it, etc... I have plenty of friends who breastfeed in front of me...

Over Winter Break DH and I were at Fantasmic with our 3 boys, and there was a mom breastfeeding her child who was about 3 years old. This child was watching an Ipod video while breast feeding at the same time. I did not have a problem with the age of the child - I know there are some people who choose to breastfeed for longer, but this mom was not covered or discreet at all. She had her entire breast out for everyone to see and there were a lot of people there. (My 11 year old son was the first one who saw her and was a bit embarrassed... ) After the child was finished, the mom did not cover herself up, she left her breast out and allowed her child to play with her breast and pull on her nipple as if it was a toy. All while the child was holding and watching the Ipod video... the whole scene was bizarre! (and many people around her were clearly uncomfortable....)

And I think this is what upsets most people on this subject. Most of us understand the "right" to breastfeed, but some people take it too far as stated in this example. Another such case is the woman breastfeeding in the smoking area while smoking. While "breastfeeding is a natural and beautiful thing" neither of these examples reflect that.

 

[delaneyc52]

I guess the idea is that the purchase of a mug is like buying a "license" to the fountains. It's not about the mug itself. And while I agree that Disney certainly isn't going broke, it's the little things we take advantage of that might in the long run bring Disney to discontinue these things or raise prices further.

I agree. Please folks...this is a business not a charity. The mug is meaningless....it's the drinks you are purchasing for a fixed contracted mug purchase price for the duration of your stay. Not infinite. In Corporate America we are all cutting cutting cutting operational costs and when all else fails, people lose jobs. This mentality just makes me nuts.

 

[markbarbf]

tim & sharon- thanks for your help and advice.

 

[lorac4disney]

1. Don't automatically assume people are "abusing the system" when they may have endurance/stamina issues or a hidden disability. Have you ever tried to push a wheelchair or stroller across a park? It's not easy.

2. Don't stare, glare, snort, and make rude comments because you are having to wait while CM's assist someone with a disability (hidden or otherwise). Learn how to wait patiently. As my daughter can tell you: Being patient means waiting NICELY.

3. Don't use your child as a battering ram while pushing them to cut in line in front of us. My daughter is autistic and there is a reason why I am leaving some space between us and the people in front of us. It's the same reason why I would appreciate not having to use members of our party as a shield to keep you from running her over. This is the number one reason why we have had to get out of line and resort to using the GAC while being glared at. Back off! The line isn't going to move any faster regardless of how hard you press up against us.

4. Don't leave your manners at home. There's plenty of room for them. A lot of people are always looking for magic to happen to them instead of realizing that the "magic" starts inside of them. Simple, basic courtesy goes a long way to not ruin someone else's magical vacation.

5. Don't judge. When you see someone else that is different, just look at your family and be grateful. Teach your kids not to judge as well.

 

[PrincessMom4]

Lorac4disney, you said it perfectly. My daughter has PDD-NOS and people "stare" because she looks "normal" but can have (not all the time ) meltdown temper tantrums. We have lots of tools/techniques in place but life happens. If we say lets go she spirals worse into a meltdown. I have every right to use the GAC but have not chosen to do so yet. We try to balance between the FP and alternating between parents on the rides. So people out there that think its unfair live in our shoes for a week and you will know the troubles and struggles that we go through.