What not to do at Disney?

[LuluLovesDisney]

You don't really have to give up your parade spot to allow a shorter person in front of you. That's just courtesy.

And no, I didn't extend this to ADRs or waiting in line for a ride. But I do think if there's a little Snow White fan just about to get cut off from line and I'm an adult traveling without kids who sees Snow White every year, I would absolutely give that child my spot in line. That's more magical, IMHO.

and FWIW, you have no way of knowing if that adult you see is going to "see Snow White every year" or if he/she is on their first trip, or (in the case of my 32 year old friend who went to Disney for my wedding) on their last trip because they have a fatal disease. It is AWESOME for little ones OR people of any age to get some "pixie dust" but like all "pixie dust" you can't and shouldn't ever EXPECT it.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I think you'll find that the CM's are not allowed to let anyone in once the show starts - hence the rope. This is to limit the disruption to the other guests who are already seated and watching the show and for the CM's putting on the show so they are not distracted. I think you will find this at most of the shows at Disney where no one else is let in once the show is underway even if there is capacity to seat them.

There isn't much they can do if someone gets up and walks out.

Exactly. I am a former CM and the rules are safety first and maintaining theme/"the show" a close second. Once that show is on, they do not want people walking in and disrupting it for those who got there on time and are now in the moment, enjoying the show. If I have to have someone walk in front of me to get a seat, I miss out on the show I waited an hour to see. Furthermore, in some shows the lights are dimmed or special effects take place and it is dangerous to have people milling about. It is not an open house. The show starts and ends at a designated time. I have never seen a show start or end more than 1 minute off from when Disney said it would begin.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

I think you'll find that the CM's are not allowed to let anyone in once the show starts - hence the rope. This is to limit the disruption to the other guests who are already seated and watching the show and for the CM's putting on the show so they are not distracted. I think you will find this at most of the shows at Disney where no one else is let in once the show is underway even if there is capacity to seat them.

There isn't much they can do if someone gets up and walks out.

The show hadn't started. It was still a good 10 minutes before the show was to start.

I didn't stand at the rope and complain. I left the kids at the rope with their father and sought out an area manager to voice my concerns over this policy. I wasn't belligerent with her, I calmly expressed my disappointment that the kids were not left in when there were empty seats, and she agreed with me. She listened and promised to pass along my concerns to the appropriate people. End of story.

And you're still not going to convince me that the grownups shouldn't let the kids have the seats for this particular event. For everyone who thinks my opinion on this reflects selfishness and entitlement, what about your own selfish need to watch the expression on your child's face at the exclusion of other children? You can see your child's reaction just fine from the sidelines. It's not a stadium that seats thousands. It's a small shaded area with some benches that seats maybe, what, 100? I'm convinced that many of the folks were just resting there and got caught in the show crowd, since they gave all of the other shaded areas to the smokers... Anyone wanna digress on that?

(The voice in the back of my head keeps saying, "I've been waiting for this bus for an hour. I'll be darned if I'm going to give up my seat to you, carrying that child. You should have gotten here earlier." )

 

[tiggerplus5]

Scarlet-It seems that you want everyone to spread the love to you and your family. You are not concerned about others. Again, you have no idea what is going on in anyone else's life and have no right to judge or call them names. *yes you did call them names, just not to their faces*. Everyone deserves respect whether you are a child, adult, castmember or guest. Next time, try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Is it worth it for a castmember to lose their job to break the rules? You could take responsibility for your own error in judgment. Don't blame others for something that could have been avoided if you had planned better. These lessons are much more important to teach to a child. I hate to say it but....It's not always about your daughter.

Why can't you teach her about waiting her turn. If I was waiting in line in front of you and your daughter burst out in tears because she couldn't wait for the next show, I would have chalked it up to her being overtired and just having a tantrum. Just because you made dinner ressies doesn't mean everyone should move out of the way for your family.

To me, spreading the love means a nonjudgmental attitude and unselfish behavior from within yourself, not demanding it from others. Geesh!

I was never more proud of my children growing up than when THEY did a selfless act without my prodding. That's when you'll know that you've taught them well. Some children never learn this. It's sad, really.

 

[livndisney]

The show hadn't started. It was still a good 10 minutes before the show was to start.

I didn't stand at the rope and complain. I left the kids at the rope with their father and sought out an area manager to voice my concerns over this policy. I wasn't belligerent with her, I calmly expressed my disappointment that the kids were not left in when there were empty seats, and she agreed with me. She listened and promised to pass along my concerns to the appropriate people. End of story.

And you're still not going to convince me that the grownups shouldn't let the kids have the seats for this particular event. For everyone who thinks my opinion on this reflects selfishness and entitlement, what about your own selfish need to watch the expression on your child's face at the exclusion of other children? You can see your child's reaction just fine from the sidelines. It's not a stadium that seats thousands. It's a small shaded area with some benches that seats maybe, what, 100? I'm convinced that many of the folks were just resting there and got caught in the show crowd, since they gave all of the other shaded areas to the smokers... Anyone wanna digress on that?

(The voice in the back of my head keeps saying, "I've been waiting for this bus for an hour. I'll be darned if I'm going to give up my seat to you, carrying that child. You should have gotten here earlier." )

"my selfish need to watch the expression on my child's face"

Wow, just wow! Where is "courtesy" in that statement?

"she listened and promised to pass along my concern". There is no WDW policy about adults in the theater. Sounds like Disney is ok with the first come first served policy.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Scarlet-It seems that you want everyone to spread the love to you and your family. You are not concerned about others. Again, you have no idea what is going on in anyone else's life and have no right to judge or call them names. *yes you did call them names, just not to their faces*. Everyone deserves respect whether you are a child, adult, castmember or guest. Next time, try to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Is it worth it for a castmember to lose their job to break the rules? You could take responsibility for your own error in judgment. Don't blame others for something that could have been avoided if you had planned better. These lessons are much more important to teach to a child. I hate to say it but....It's not always about your daughter.

Hardly. I AM ALLOWED TO BELIEVE THEY ARE ACTING LIKE JERKS. That's not calling them a name. Did I ask the CM to break the rules? No. I asked if the kids could sit down (all 10 of them at the rope), was told no, and I sought out a manager to discuss how that wasn't a friendly policy.

I planned just fine, TYVM, and I'm not going to take the blame for Disney's poor policy.

Just because you made dinner ressies doesn't mean everyone should move out of the way for your family.

And that's not what I said, either. I said that the storytime really is for kids. I really don't see the sense in some woman dressing up in a costume to read a story to a bunch of grownups while the kids are held behind a rope outside the theater.

To me, spreading the love means a nonjudgmental attitude and unselfish behavior from within yourself, not demanding it from others. Geesh!

Geesh, I didn't demand anything of anyone. Sure would be nice if people were courteous, but just as they didn't let the kids have the seats in this theater, people also didn't give up seats on the bus to the pregnant ladies, the parents holding sleeping kids, the older folks... Can't dictate courtesy, but you sure can take note when people aren't courteous.

I'm done. Sick of having what I said twisted.

 

[scarlet_ibis]

"my selfish need to watch the expression on my child's face"

Wow, just wow! Where is "courtesy" in that statement?

Oh, is it not selfish?

"she listened and promised to pass along my concern". There is no WDW policy about adults in the theater. Sounds like Disney is ok with the first come first served policy.

Reading comprehension. My complaint was about the empty bench while the kids at the rope weren't allowed in.

 

[ratlenhum]

what about your own selfish need to watch the expression on your child's face at the exclusion of other children? You can see your child's reaction just fine from the sidelines.

(The voice in the back of my head keeps saying, "I've been waiting for this bus for an hour. I'll be darned if I'm going to give up my seat to you, carrying that child. You should have gotten here earlier." )

It's selfish to want to sit with my child who I waited online for an hour with. And want to see their face, hear him giggle or ooh and aah with excitement? Or not be there when he grabs for my hand to hold because he's excited? Then I'm selfish. MY child is only young once and these moments don't happen every day. Sorry. Next time get there earlier.

A women standing on a bus carrying a small child will get my seat. That is a safety concern. A child crying because the parents didn't take the time to find out how shows work, or didn't ask a CM earlier in the day how early to get there, not a safety problem. That's a life lesson to be learned.

This can go back and forth all week, but the adults that wouldn't get up are not at fault. If anyone goes to WDW and there is something that is a "MUST DO" then the person who must do it should address that thing first thing when entering the park. Find out where it is, how early to get there, how quick it fills up, and then plan accordingly. If that is not done, and the "must do" event doesn't happen, the person has no one to blame but themselves.

 

[livndisney]

Oh, is it not selfish?



Reading comprehension. My complaint was about the empty bench while the kids at the rope weren't allowed in.

No it is NOT selfish. Sharing things with my child is important to me.



Teaching my child to expect others to make sure she gets what she wants is selfish.

 

[tiggerplus5]

And you're still not going to convince me that the grownups shouldn't let the kids have the seats for this particular event. For everyone who thinks my opinion on this reflects selfishness and entitlement, what about your own selfish need to watch the expression on your child's face at the exclusion of other children? You can see your child's reaction just fine from the sidelines. It's not a stadium that seats thousands. It's a small shaded area with some benches that seats maybe, what, 100? I'm convinced that many of the folks were just resting there and got caught in the show crowd, )

Another WOW! Everyone is selfish because they got in line before you did and wanted to spend time with their own child? Did you know who was hungry, who was tired, who was hot. You know a lot about the other strangers in line. The reason why anyone wanted to see the show is irrelevant and actually none of your concern really. They all paid their admission price and can queue anywhere and go to any attraction they want.

Maybe you can consider this a lesson. The only thing you can change is your own behavior. Plan better next time you visit. End of Story.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

What I don't get is how "people are acting like jerks" by doing something that is completely allowed and accepted by Disney. Am I a jerk for taking the middle seat in the movie theater when it was available and there's no rule against it? Am I a jerk for accepting the candy at MNSSHP when there's a kid behind me? The straight fact of the matter is if your or any child was THAT interested in seeing something, its YOUR responsibility to get them there in time for it. It's no ones duty to give up their experience for your kid. I'm all for courtesy, but if I let everyone with a kid or who was on their first trip or who had gotten married or who had a wart that made their foot hurt and they didn't want to stand in line ahead of me, I'd never get to see anything. I paid for it just like you.

 

[DisneyMomm]

Originally Posted by scarlet_ibis
Oh, is it not selfish?



Originally Posted by livndisney
No it is NOT selfish. Sharing things with my child is important to me.

Teaching my child to expect others to make sure she gets what she wants is selfish.




livndisney sums it up perfectly


sorry, my attaching of the comments didn't work too well

 

[tiggerplus5]

Remember, Walt created these parks with the idea that children and their parents/grandparents could enjoy his parks together. He constructed rides and made shows that could be enjoyed and/or ridden by all. This is the reason so many of us love WDW so passionately. Take that away and it's just like any other theme park. Did you notice, there's not really a kiddie land like most amusement parks? Even us grown ups can ride all the rides. I can wear my crazy tigger christmas hat down main street and no one will blink an eye. That's the difference. That's the disney magic!

 

[tigger51276]

I hate to ask, but don't they do Storytime with Belle everyday? So you couldn't make the last one that day due to a dinner reservation, why not just go to it another day? If however you waited until your last day there to take your daughter to see the one thing she really had to see and only got there 30 mins early then you are clearly the one who wasn't on the ball by making sure you got there with enough time. Unless it's your first trip to Disney and even then after a day or so you learn your lesson that you show up to the shows a lot earlier than just 30 mins previous if you want to get a seat, sometimes a couple hours early if you really want a really good seat.

 

[livndisney]

I hate to ask, but don't they do Storytime with Belle everyday? So you couldn't make the last one that day due to a dinner reservation, why not just go to it another day? If however you waited until your last day there to take your daughter to see the one thing she really had to see and only got there 30 mins early then you are clearly the one who wasn't on the ball by making sure you got there with enough time. Unless it's your first trip to Disney and even then after a day or so you learn your lesson that you show up to the shows a lot earlier than just 30 mins previous if you want to get a seat, sometimes a couple hours early if you really want a really good seat.

There is usually 5 or 6 shows a day. The times are posted on a sign in front of the theater. There is usually a CM stationed at the theater to answer questions and direct traffic.

 

[simba20]

The show hadn't started. For everyone who thinks my opinion on this reflects selfishness and entitlement, what about your own selfish need to watch the expression on your child's face at the exclusion of other children? You can see your child's reaction just fine from the sidelines.

Excuse me, it's selfish to not only want to enjoy the show, yes as an adult, and learn something that I did not know, as well as be enterained, as a PP mentioned in Walt's "vision" where FAMILIES could TOGETHER enjoy the park and it's offerings???? Anyway, yes, I HAD to sit with my DD she's 2.5 and while I could have stood outside because it was, as you say "close for supervision," I am NOT about to leave my 2.5 year old anywhere ALONE for 20 minutes, even if I am in viewing range. The show is not just for children, but for all (a father played the Beast in the show I saw).

(The voice in the back of my head keeps saying, "I've been waiting for this bus for an hour. I'll be darned if I'm going to give up my seat to you, carrying that child. You should have gotten here earlier." )

We;;, yes that irritates me as well. If I HAVE been sitting at the bus stop, and suddenly you walk up -- expect to be seated in the order you get on. If you get on near the end, chances are you will have to stand. I am tired, carrying a small child too, and whether or not my husband decides to hold her or I do on the bus really doesn;t matter. If you raise a stink, then I'm definitely not giving up my seat if I am sitting by myself.

Point being, plan out FLEXIBLY what you want to do and see. Make a note of showtimes and arrive early. Sorry, but at Disney, 10 minutes IS cutting things close. The first time I thought about seeing the show we were over in Toontown and it was to start in 5 minutes, but I knew that was too close to call. So I made alternate plans (letting DD ride the teacups a few times, getting a drink at that Tomorrowland restraunt nearby), and then making sure I was there at least 20 minutes ahead of time. And yes, I snagged a front row seat!

Shame on me for being an adult and enjoying Disney, since really, to you it seems to be "for kids." Hate to tell you this, but lots of people are there who are not with children.

 

[simba20]

There is usually 5 or 6 shows a day. The times are posted on a sign in front of the theater. There is usually a CM stationed at the theater to answer questions and direct traffic.

That's the thing, plan ahead. The show runs continuously for most of the day. Even though I no longer grab a park map (I use the Mobile Magic app), I still manage to grab a TIMES guide for whatever park I am in if there are shows I want to see.

 

[skiingfast]

BACK TO THE TOPIC of things you shouldn't do at Disney.

Don't make the CM's jump through hoops because "they will do anything you ask".

 

[JoShan1719]

Well, here's one I truly don't get -- the group of adults that goes in and sits down for Belle's Storytime, while there are kids standing outside of the rope and not allowed in because the seats are full. Seriously, people. You don't need Belle to read a story to you. Leave that for the kids, please.

Well, I reserve the right to think people are jerks for taking those seats when there's a little girl with a birthday button on in tears at the rope.

I've never been to Belle's storytime thingy, and probably won't until I have kids, but am I correct in assuming that while you guys didn't get to sit down you were able to stand and enjoy the show? I know it's nice to be able to sit down and rest to enjoy an attraction, but we don't always get that. DH and I have no children. If I get there before you and take up the last two seats, I'm staying. Sorry. It's not that I want to "ruin" your magical family vacation, but I'm enjoying MY magical vacation. We've been to shows where all the seats were taken because we didn't get there soon enough. We stood, and we still enjoyed whatever it was we were watching. I understand your frustrations with the empty seats not being filled after people left, but the bottom line is you still got to see the show while other people may have been turned away. Sorry, I just can't see your argument as a valid one.

 

[simba20]

I've never been to Belle's storytime thingy, and probably won't until I have kids, but am I correct in assuming that while you guys didn't get to sit down you were able to stand and enjoy the show? I know it's nice to be able to sit down and rest to enjoy an attraction, but we don't always get that. DH and I have no children. If I get there before you and take up the last two seats, I'm staying. Sorry. It's not that I want to "ruin" your magical family vacation, but I'm enjoying MY magical vacation. We've been to shows where all the seats were taken because we didn't get there soon enough. We stood, and we still enjoyed whatever it was we were watching. I understand your frustrations with the empty seats not being filled after people left, but the bottom line is you still got to see the show while other people may have been turned away. Sorry, I just can't see your argument as a valid one.

At the Belle's storytime we attended, there were plenty of peopel who had arrived well after we did, and stodd against the back wall, and wheelchair access ramp.