Will you move so my kids can sit there???

[momof2inPA]

I know that in Fantasyland (and I'm pretty sure about the long stretch of Main Street) you have to sit on the curb.

This must be a somewhat common misconception. On our last trip, a guy stood behind about three rows of standing people in Frontierland and then yelled at everyone to sit down when the parade started. A lot of people turned around and looked at him like he had lost his mind, but no one sat down. He continued yelling, "Sit down, people (sounded like Nathan Lane)." Then he stuck just his head through a couple. His friend looked so embarrassed.

The other parade problem was again waiting for Spectro. We had that bench across from the Tavern and a blanket on the space in front of it. We had a big group. Well, two people got up from the bench to get some snacks, leaving my sis and two kids. A lady came up and put her stroller next to us (ok so far), but her son not in the stroller didn't want to sit on the ground, so the mom says he can sit on our bench. So I say, "Sorry, our relatives are sitting there. They went to grab snacks." She gets all mad ranting about a child not being able to sit on the bench. She threw a fit through the whole parade.

 

[Robo]

Seems like a lot of these people have taken special training at the same class.

"Rudeness 101"

-How to take a perfect day and "erase" it for someone else.

 

[tacomaranch]

OK, flame away at me.

It was our very first time at the World and we were unaware of the spectro magic until the last moment when we asked a CM why people were lining up.

He noticed the GAC hanging from my neck for my DS and asked if we needed help. I said finding a spot would be nice but we would be ok. He very nicely asked some people if they would mind if a disabled child and his parents sat down if they could squeeze a bit.

Everyone was very nice a gave us a nice place to sit with DS and we told everyone how kind it was and we are grateful. Then a nice lady said that she thought that our son was handicapped and we said he is and explained autism to her and to most everyone around. That helped as DS acts a bit strange at times.

All in all I thought is was very kind of the CM and the people. We really enjoyed making new friends and sharing info.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OK, flame away at me.

It was our very first time at the World and we were unaware of the spectro magic until the last moment when we asked a CM why people were lining up.

He noticed the GAC hanging from my neck for my DS and asked if we needed help. I said finding a spot would be nice but we would be ok. He very nicely asked some people if they would mind if a disabled child and his parents sat down if they could squeeze a bit.

Everyone was very nice a gave us a nice place to sit with DS and we told everyone how kind it was and we are grateful. Then a nice lady said that she thought that our son was handicapped and we said he is and explained autism to her and to most everyone around. That helped as DS acts a bit strange at times.

All in all I thought is was very kind of the CM and the people. We really enjoyed making new friends and sharing info.

I see absolutely no reason for flames. You asked, you were polite and no one was upset.

 

[CathyRose]

I couldn't help but read all these posts even though so many are depressing. I haven't been to DW for 15 years and but will be going the week of 9/9-9/16. Because of travel problems due to illness, this may be the last trip to Disney I make and I really want to see the parades and fireworks once again. I will definitely use the beach towel as described. Because I am a rather passive sort of person, in these kind of situations, I have often been edged out of the best spots and such. I will take some encouragement from those of you that stuck up for yourselves and held your ground when you staked out your spot early.

 

[bamabelle]

I guess all these rude people we write about don't read these boards! Otherwise, the rude people would learn some good habits! Anyway, on our last trip in July, we (9 of us, 4DA's and 5DK's) sat down at the VERY end of the Spectro parade route--right at the fence by Splash Mountain. We backed the double strollers up to the fence which was running at an angle back towards SM and we sat on the edge of the strollers and on the ground in front of them. The CM's kept moving us back, behind the brass line in the pavement, so we were kind of wedged into a point on the curve of the path. We actually took up about 4 feet of "parade viewing pavement." 4 feet for 9 people. Well, after about 30 minutes of waiting, a lady on one of those ECV's rolls up in front of us and plops her grandchild on the pavement. She didn't know to get behind the brass line and when we told her so she would move back she looked at us like we ere crazy. I politely told her that the CM's would move her back and she was blocking our kids views, but she just gave me an ugly look and moved her scooter up even more. Finally, the CM came over and began to stretch out the rope. She was about 4 feet in front of it and refused to move back. It took 3 CM's to get her to move back and we could see and hear the parade coming in the distance. She was by far, the rudest woman I have ever encountered! We did get to see the parade and so did she, but from further back. I am very sympathetic to handicapped people, as my mother uses a scooter, but I think it is wrong to use that as a tool to break in front of people. I am sure it wasn't the first time or last time that woman did that.

 

[j_lehr]

My boyfriend and I were at Disneyland last year and got our spot early for the parade. Right before the parade came a father came over with his baby and a balloon and sat next to us. Not a big deal, plenty of room. Except that his balloon kept flying up right in front of our faces. We asked nicely several times for him to move the balloon and the guy was nasty about it, kept saying its fine, its not in your way. We missed a lot of great pics because of his balloon and it was hard to see the parade. I am sure the people behind us felt the same way.

I don't care how young or old you are: 1) you're entitled to love Disney as much as the next person regardless of age (I guarantee that more adults than kids enjoy those parades!) 2) all people, old and young, no matter where you are, should bring a few manners with them.

 

[Joanna71985]

The parades don't go through Fantasyland. And I've never had a problem standing on Main Street either. Never heard of this rule.

I'm sorry. I meant the castle hub. I said Fantasyland because the Fantasyland people work there. And on certain areas on Main Street they try to have people sit on the curb.

This must be a somewhat common misconception. On our last trip, a guy stood behind about three rows of standing people in Frontierland and then yelled at everyone to sit down when the parade started. A lot of people turned around and looked at him like he had lost his mind, but no one sat down. He continued yelling, "Sit down, people (sounded like Nathan Lane)." Then he stuck just his head through a couple. His friend looked so embarrassed.

Actually, I see people standing in Liberty Square and Frontierland.

 

[Disneynut71]

I cannot stand rude people at parades. I usually do not go to the parades because I have seen them enough times. I walk to the end of the route where the line is usually lighter and wait. Otherwise I will stand in the back and hold up my daughter so she can see. Last year I took my mom to WDW for the first time. She wanted to see the parade so we grabbed some snacks and camped out for at least an hour. I put my kids on the curb and sat behind them. Just before the parade started a group of kids sat next to mine and kept pushing them over. My daughter then 2 ended up falling off the curb and crying and the kids parents were no where to be found. My daughter ended up standing up behind her big brother to see the parade.

The worse case was last year Disney sponsered our Holiday light parade here in Chicago. It was very cold and we waited outside for about an hour and a half there was no one standing around us but as time got closer it got bad. The street is split in two and we had to wait until the traffic stopped to move to the other side. Instead of everyone just walking accross adults were knocking over others to get front view. A older man with his young daughter who just walked up at the last minute told his daughter "don't worry that lady (meaning me) won't get in front of us" I turned around and gave him a dirty look. I couldn't believe someone I never talked to could be so rude. I told him I can't believe we are all here to see a great parade can't we just get along. He started calling me very rude names and other people started speaking up for me. A dad walked up next to me and made sure that my daughter and son and I got to the front with no problems. Needless to say he didn't stay around to watch.

Bottomline we all want to see the parade with a great view but please be considerate of those around you. If you want a better view get there eariler otherwise you have no right to get mad at those who planned ahead.

 

[english rose 47]

I think I may make up signs for the parades" We have highly contagiuos diseases, that are spread by close contact" or " I haven't taken my meds today, cross me at your own risk!! or this space for sale to the highest bidder!!

 

[jwfla422]

It's gotten to the point where I have to see what type of "mood" I'm in that specific day as to whether or not we'll watch the parade at the park we're in...because EVERYTIME we pick a spot it just never fails, some rude person or family smooshes infront of us and my poor dd can't see. It has come to the point where it's not worth the aggravation. Since most of the time it is just the "2" of us it's difficult to take up "space" and people just squeeze in front of us. I'm always having to say something.

The last time this happened, we weren't even watching a parade! We were watching the show in front of the castle. DD didn't want to go sit with the kids in front, she's a little "funny" about going off by herself like that which is actually "ok" with me. She was standing infront of me and her view was blocked so she moved over a bit. A few minutes later this arrogant (and I will refrain from calling him other things, but use your imaginiation ) guy pulled up next to me with his double stroller and my dd was standing partially in front of him and I. He had the gall to tap my dd on the shoulder and told her to move so his kids could see...they were sitting in their stroller!! He could have asked me (and the kids didn't look physically challenged or anything like that). She came over to me, I told her to go right back where she was and she did. I said "That's tough-you were there first, that's rude", and he started in on me about being rude, who was rude here??!! I thought, here we are, at the "happiest place on earth"?? I ended up taking my dd and walked around to the other side. I couldn't stand near after that...

I was speaking to a CM about the situation and she was very sympathetic saying everyone pays admission to the park, and has the right to see what they came to see without be rude to one another. that he had no right to do that. It's just so sad, I deal with this more and more since we go to WDW a few times a year. We don't spend all day at the parks when we do go, so we just pick out a few things to do and show watching without seats and parade watching is quickly falling to the bottom of our list. WDW is supposed to be the great escape from reality, but lately has become more and more like reality these days.

 

[JPN4265]

I always let (even offer to let) a kid stand in front of me. It doesn't obsturct my view or lessen my parade enjoyment in any way.

I think refusing to move for children is carrying things a little bit too far. I'm not saying the whole family, but if they ask to let the kid in, so the kid can see...what is the harm?

The harm? Probably no harm, but the choice to move or not to move should be yours and yours alone, not the pushy parent and kid!!! And it should not be expected of you.

 

[Principessa Alba]

The parades are are getting too stressful for me at WDW! I don't go unless I'm there at a particularly dead time of year. Don't you think it's a problem in a way of letting too many people in the parks sometimes? When I was a little kid, I don't ever remember not easily finding a parade spot or getting characters.

In a sense, the tension and problems stem from a too crowded park in the first place.

 

[mrsltg]

I've let kids sit next to us and even shared my popcorn with them. The parents have never asked, I just saw a need and filled it. I will also sit on the curb as opposed to standing so a little kid can see over me. I would even let a couple of little kids into my spot if I was asked nicely. I wouldn't if there was an entitlement mentality attached.

 

[Markstudy]

Quote I think refusing to move for children is carrying things a little bit too far. ...what is the harm?

The harm? Probably no harm, but the choice to move or not to move should be yours and yours alone, not the pushy parent and kid!!! And it should not be expected of you.

I tried to make this point on the pet peeve thread.

Ask me, don't tell me. (that's all) .... and understand that sometimes I say "yes" and somtimes I say "no".... Its not your "right" you are asking for a FAVOR.
Some people don't get this, those are the folks we have a problem with.

 

[Principessa Alba]

It's all in the delivery - isn't it?

You know, if there are kids behind me, I always say, "Want to stand in front of me?" (as long as they are shorter than me, of course!)

But if a parent asked in a funny way, I'd turn into the biggest scrooge and tell them to back off!