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

[sunny_]

Yikes the stories are frightful! We don't wait for parades. I can't stand the pushing and shoving and all the rudeness that goes with it. It actually makes me anxious and upset. We watch from the back usually.

We did wait last year for a front row spot for MGM's Stars and Motorcars parade and all was well. It wasn't very crowded and it being a daytime parade, I don't think it gets as crazy. There is something about the cover of darkness that gets people stirred up! lol

 

[xyzabc33]

At a MNSSHP last year, DD and I sat on the curb on Main Street to wait for the parade. We went to that spot as soon as they let us out of the Liberty area when the party started. Just before the parade started, a family came up behind us and wanted our seats. I offered to slide back and let the little ones sit on the curb in front of us, but the parents wanted the kids to stay in their strollers. They wanted us to move so they could put the strollers up to the curb. I said that we couldn't do that because we wouldn't be able to see. The parade is our favorite part of the event (really the only reason we attend). I wasn't going to not be able to see it.

Well, the mom wasn't happy. She pushed the strollers up as close to our backs as she could. So, I did get to see the parade, but the entire time, I was being kicked in the back by a two year old. I asked the mom once to move him back because he was kicking me. She told me that if I didn't like it, I should have switched with them.

I guess because I am an adult and DD is 18, we don't have the right to enjoy the Disney parades even though we've paid full price for our tickets. Not all adults are about thrill rides. I wish people would realized that having a small child does not automatically grant you the right to put everyone else out.

I have had the rude ppl at even parades in my small town. If they ask nicely if it would be ok for their child to sit next to mine on the curb and it isnt going to block my DD's view I dont have a problem. It's the ones who just push thier way in and expect you to bend to their every whim.

Feralpeg--I would have just stood up and totally blocked their view. You asked nicely and she was rude and would have deserved it.

 

[DISNEYDUET]

This is why we have stopped going to the parades! That way there are 2 less people for them to have a cow over.

 

[Cool-Beans]

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?

 

[Kay1]

We ate lunch at a little table outside The Sleepy Hollow, way back when they served vegetarian food. The Easter Parade was about to start and a crowd started to gather. My husband got up for a few seconds, for napkins or something, and a woman stole his chair!

I said, "Excuse me!" but my husband was already back and confronted her. You could see the other guests smiling and watching like, get the popcorn, this is gonna be good. She gave it back but in a snotty way, implying he was the wrongdoer.

 

[minniebeth]

It seems like almost everyone has had some type of negative experience with parades...it goes to show you there are a lot of disrespectful people out there. It is hard to be nice though, because it's the o'l you give and inch, they take a mile thing. One time while waiting for the AK parade to start, (we stake our claim really early), we had treats for our kids...popcorn, candy and drinks. We shared with one little girl that my DD started talking with that was next to us. Before you know it, we had like 3 little kids coming up, putting their hands out for candy and putting their grubby little hands in our popcorn bucket (and I love kids...really!) HELLOOOO people!?

Respect, and boudries...they should sell it at the parks, I'd buy a bunch and hand it out.

 

[minniebeth]

Sorry....BOUNDRIES, but you get my drift....

 

[msmouse]

This thread made me smile. My sister and I get to DW about 3 times a year. For the past several years, we stake out a place at the train station balcony 3 hours before Spectro. We get our chairs and we people watch. We love it. Every time, we end up with kids on our laps or giving up our seats to elderly to watch the parade. We make a pact with each other before the parade that this time, WE are going to keep our seats. But, things happen. It is our choice of course, and we get that warm, fuzzy feeling helping out others. But, it is just funny that we swear we are not going to do it, but always do. I just look at it this way. We are so grateful that we can go to Disney so often. More times than not, this is a trip of a lifetime for most folks. I just glad that we have never encountered the rudeness of others like you guys have.

 

[remmy_7]

Not all adults are about thrill rides. I wish people would realized that having a small child does not automatically grant you the right to put everyone else out.

Me too

 

[Mariposa]

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?

Ah, but there's asking and then there's demanding (which includes asking in such a way that the person feels horrible declining the request)- and people are right not to give things to people who make demands of total strangers, IMHO. Maybe they'll realize that if they want their kid to have front row seats for the parade they should either get there earlier or learn to be polite. And hopefully their kids'll see that behavior of that nature will get you nowhere in life.

 

[goofy4tink]

On our very first trip to WDW, back in '99, it was our first day in the parks...it was a Sat..we knew no better at this point. We found spots to watch MSEP in front of the City Hall area, over toward the Barber shop. Mom and I were leaning against a tree, while dd, then almost 6,was sitting on the ground in front of us, second line of people back from the street curb. Just before the parade started, an older couple, who had been sitting on the curb in front of us, turned around and asked if my dd would like to join them on the curb. So thoughtful. They were incredibly nice and fun to talk to, and my dd had the time of her life.
Now, when we go, if we decide to sit and watch a parade (which doesn't happen too often anymore because of the rudeness), if we get a curb spot, we tend to ask those with little ones near us if they would like to sit on the curb at our feet. But, don't make the mistake of demanding that I move over for your kids!!! It isn't going to happen. We've run into it before and it makes for a not so magical parade experience. I've had the stroller in the back scenario also. I got there early, I staked out my spot. I didn't get there early in order to keep someone else's spot warm for them.

I think the thing that did if for us as far as parades go, was the time we were standing, on the curb, along Main St., in front of the Emporium. We were right next to a roped off area...a CM told us that no one was to stand beside us since they needed to keep that area clear for any emergencies. A woman and her dd kept trying to stand there, the CM told them to move...this went on for about 15 minutes. Well, as the parade came along, with those artist CM's on the bikes, a CM reached out to my dd to give her the drawing she had done....well, just as my dd reached for it this woman, who had been trying to move into that spot, shoved her dd in front of my dd, the other dd grabbed the sheet of paper and they ran off into the crowd!!! Man, talk about non-magical. Nope, we don't do parades as a rule anymore.

 

[M. Eisner]

All people are creatures of habit. Rude people have the habit of bulllying others and continue to do it because they run in to enough people who back down. That's why its important to keep your resolve and firmly say no. If people back down, there is no reason to complain because the victim has allowed the bully to get their way.
I'm glad to see most people say "NO!"

 

[Momof4girls]

We have a lot of small kids - and always stake out a good spot ahead of time, then one of us runs to get a snack to keep everyone busy during the long wait. (Funnel Cakes at MNSSHP!) Dh has to fend off people from my spot EVERY parade - EVERY year. It's ridiculous. We usually occupy a good sized spot because of the size of our family - and I instruct the kids to not sit right on top of eachother, knowing what it gets like by the end.

Then, when a seemingly newbie family comes up, surprised at the lack of seating and with disappointed kids, we have the girls scootch down and make room for the little people. Just our way to spread some magic.

BUT - no one has ever asked us - and that's terribly rude. However, as a mom of littles who missed the Christmas parade because we didn't think it would be nearly so crowded our first trip, it IS really a sweet gesture when you *can* scootch a little for the kids.

Same people who use their stroller as a battering ram on my ankles, no doubt!

 

[mom_of_5]

Personally I would never stake out a spot for a parade and hour or so early, I am just like that. However if we are around when a parade starts we will stop and stand back taking turns to hold the kids up but would never dream of interfering with someone elses spot. How rude is that? We had one ever so sweet woman one night at the parade insist our 5 kids join her 4 kids at the front, "they are kids they will fit" she said. What a doll she was!

 

[wkrider]

This is one of the main reasons I do not go to the fireworks shows or parades anymore. If I am in an area where I can see some of it then I will watch but I will not fight a crowd to get close. Some people feel that they have more "viewing rights" that others. My wife and I do not have kids and people always feel that we should move to let their kids have our spots. I don't feel that is right but I will let children sit next to me and the parents can stay behind.

 

[martyshoney]

She should have simply said that is why she got there early and had she done the same she would not have that problem and just let it be

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

It really gets me upset when people try to butt at the last minute for the parade. I understand that the 'kids' want to see the parade, but at the same time, I took an hour out of my day so I could see the parade, that family could too. I may sound bitter, but I did get into an arguement with a woman at the afternoon parade when we were down last month. He son who was nearly as tall as my dad, went right under the rope and stood in front of him. When I asked him to move (quite loudly, that part was an accident), his mother was very smart to me telling me he was only a child. Yes, but he was also wrong and instead of yelling at me, she should have been yelling at her son for doing something so stupid. That really put a damper on my day, which was very unfortunate. However, I realize that there are rude people out there and I think WDW is their favorite vacation destination! They wouldn't keep me away from the parks though...I love them too much!

 

[disneypharm]

Last year at MNSSHP we got great seats on the parade route. I let two little girls get in front of me and stand with my DH and son so that they could see. Their parents were so sweet, they bought popcorn for the girls to share with my DS and the kids were given each other candy. However, another family tried to move in front of my DH and the kids. Bad move!! They ending up hear from two sets of angry parents. I offered to let their kids go up with our kids but they "wanted the whole family together". My DH said good, then your whole family can be together at the back!

I agree. DH is 6' 1'' and I am 5' 5''. I would allow small children to stand in front of us; however, not the whole family.

 

[melomouse]

I'm with the group who hardly does parades anymore. Spectro and Stars and Motorcades - yes. Possibly. But I will gladly watch from afar to see a snippet of the parade vs. tangling for space with view savers.

All the time saving space, staking out sidewalk spots and rudeness really gets to me. DS absolutely cannot sit for over an hour to wait, it cuts into park time by at least 2 hours, and seems to suck the pixiedust right out of some people. There are no lines on any of the rides or food venues during parades, either - and we try to take advantage of this.

Respect & boundaries, minniebeth = you are sooo right!!! Oughta come attached to any park ticket.

 

[Scraper]

We have let children in front of us to see the parade but it is our choice. I don't like it when people arrive late and expect it.