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

[calie_j]

Since I've never had it happen to me I'm having a hard time picturing how people can squeeze in front of you at the parade if you're sitting right in front of the ropes they put up. I'm sure it can be done just seems hard to picture if you're sitting with no space between you and the ropes.

I had 1 good experience at Spectro where I was sitting on the wall with DD on the street right in front of the ropes, if I stretched out my legs I could touch her so I guess someone could have squeezed in and blocked my view but it wasn't crowded at all. Another couple came up and sat a few feet to the left and I thought it was so nice that the man asked if he was in our way cause he would be standing taking video during the parade.

My bad experience was at Illuminations. We were trying to find a spot and by italy there's that dock type area fenced in that was pretty empty; a few people on a picnic table taking up the end of it but in the middle was another picnic table with 2 people on it and plenty of room by the rail in front of them and on both sides. I was discussing it with H that we could go there when the one woman turned around and said No we couldn't because there were 10 people who had been saving that spot for over an hour . Wow if they were saving that spot for an hour then where were they ?? I was just flabbergasted that TWO people thought they could save a whole picnic table and the whole railing on that side for 10 people which easily could have fit 3 times that many people. We moved on but I would have liked to see what happened when someone more assertive showed up there wanting a spot

 

[Liz]

This reminded me of something that happened not at WDW but here in Utah when we were in a crowd of people waiting to see someone run down the street carrying the Olympic torch. I was supposed to meet a friend so I left my family to walk down the street to see if I could find her. I stopped at a street corner to look both ways before crossing the road and just during that brief moment a lady started yelling at me that her daughter had been in that spot for a long time and she wasn't about to let me stand in front of her!!! I was like huh??? Lady, I'm just crossing the street!!! It was actually pretty funny.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Yeah, from the many similar reports here, apparently that family is in every park at parade-time every day.

Robo- you couldn't be more right!!! Too Funny!

 

[Whosemom]

We never make a point of seeing parades, but we've never had a bad experience at MK fireworks or illuminations. The only parade we seem to catch with any regularity is AK. THat's a cutie! AND in the daylight. When people are standing 2 or three deep, I let my kids slip toward the front. THey have been taught not to get in other people's way, but come on, if you are standing, and my 45'' kid edges in front of you, what does that hurt?

Then there's the guy toward the beginning of the topic who thought it was rude of the people BEHIND him to expect him to sit down during a show. Really! I can't believe it! At a SHOW, I don't care what time you get there, you need to sit down so people behind you can see. WOW.

 

[Steph11787]

This happened to my family one time in DL. We had set down on a blanket like 2+ hours before Fantasmic and a little after the show started we heard the parents behind us tell their kids to go ahead and just go sit in front of us and they did!!! Thankfully my dad told them to move. People these days...

 

[Robo]

Then there's the guy toward the beginning of the topic who thought it was rude of the people BEHIND him to expect him to sit down during a show. Really! I can't believe it! At a SHOW, I don't care what time you get there, you need to sit down so people behind you can see. WOW.

There are many adults who cannot sit down on the pavement (and get back up afterward).

I dare say you might eventually reach that age some day.
Write us here and let us know how you handle it.
I'll keep this line open till then

 

[Eeyore2003]

We don't really go to Spectromagic much anymore, but when we do I stake out my spot VERY early. Others could too if they want the spot. We may or may not have kids with us, doesn't matter, my saved space is my saved space. I've sat a long time for it. One thing I do though that one other person cued me into years ago here at the DIS, to spread a little "Disney Magic", I will save a little more space than we need. Like for one or so children. Every time I've offered space to a child behind us as my little "Disney Magic" for the day.

Last year the little boy was so grateful, he gave me a picture he had been coloring for several days. The mother said that was amazing he gave it up.

 

[LadyOmega]

We had a similar experience at Fantasmic a couple years ago. My husband I and got there around 45 minutes early, and ended up having to take a place in the standing room section. We ended up being right on the edge of a concrete step, which was decent viewing, since we could see over everyone's heads. A few minutes later, a family comes in and takes their places in front of us. There was an older man in the family, who once he got in his place in front of me, proceeded to sit ON my feet that were on the edge of the step. I decided to be nice, and just backed up a half-step, in case he was very tired and really needed to sit. My hubby refused to move at all. A few minutes before show time, this man gets up, and now doesn't want to stand in the spot in between his family members where his own feet were - he wants to stand in the place where he had been sitting on the step. So now I have a clear cut view of the back of his t-shirt, about 5 inches from my nose. My husband asked him nicely to step down into his own spot, because he was blocking my view, and gets the reply, "well, then I can't see everything!!" So now hubby is irritated, and raises his voice, "we were here before you, and you know it! Now please step down!" (My husband isn't overly big or anything, 6'2" and 200 lbs., but he's not the kind of guy people tend to try to mess with. He's the kind of person people listen to, without him having to be overly rude or hateful - a good guy to have around at WDW.) So the man grumbles and steps down. Then, of all things, he starts trying to be nice to my hubby for some reason, asking him what football team he likes, talking about the weather. I don't know, people are strange sometimes. But now my husband will not go to Fantasmic unless I book the dinner package.

 

[DisnyMama]

I've experienced the same type of rudeness at both DL and WDW. This made me think about something completely different, our first plane trip home from WDW and I was with DS (10) at the time and his Stepbrother (10). Me and DS had seats together and SB's seat was 2 rows back so I asked the lady in the aisle seat of our row if she would mind switching with him so we could all be together and she snapped at me like you would not believe and said no way. I tried to explain to her that he was a child and that he was upset (which he was) that we were not all sitting together and she didn't give a darn. I told my DS that anytime he got the slightest urge to use the restroom to get up and go..as many times as he wanted-and he did. Boy did that old bat regret not changing her seat!!!

 

[rosiejo]

DW and I cannot believe how bad some people will just creep and creep and creep into your space. On occaision we will let some small children sit in front of us (we have no kids - unless you count me). But we have seen families just plop down in front of us. WHen you say something they ignore you or claim that they could fit in that 2x2 inch piece of pavement. Fortunately the CMs who man the crowds usually see what's happening and get these interlopers to move along.

We're the same - it's just me and DH so if I see a small child near by I often scooch over to let them in. It really bugs me though when people turn up at the last minute and try and muscle their way in on my spot. Especially if the person is as tall as me and is therefore going to block my view - yes I don't have kids but I did pay for my ticket and love to watch those parades.

 

[makinorlando]

Since I've never had it happen to me I'm having a hard time picturing how people can squeeze in front of you at the parade if you're sitting right in front of the ropes they put up. I'm sure it can be done just seems hard to picture if you're sitting with no space between you and the ropes.

Especially along Main Street in front of the stores - there are no ropes - so it is very easy for someone to try and squeeze in. I have had it happen more times than I care to remember, and it is one of the reasons why many times if it is just DD and I we will forego the parade. I just don't want to be annoyed. We saw it with no crowd on Wednesday, and part of it from on the Train Station platform yesterday, so I'm good to go for awhile before I need to see the MK parade again... but CAN'T wait until the Halloween Parade!

If we have family/friends visiting we do like to watch, and will take the time to get a space early - 1 1/2 hrs at the Spectro in April. There are always the families who come in last and expect to shove (yes I say shove - I had this happen to us in April for Spectromagic) their litte one in front of us..... the the rest of the family kept leaning into my space sticking their camera in front of me, etc.

I do not sit on the curb, but I place DD in front of me, and then I stand behind her so I can take photos. I try to place us next to a trash can so interlopers only have one side to push in from.

At MGM DD and I got a bench along the parade route one Sunday - we got a snack and decided that we would take the opportunity and watch from the bench -again taking time away from other things in the parks. With DD and I there was space for another one or two small people on the bench with us, but we had several try and sit on the "arms" etc...... Once you give a little folks like to take A LOT!

Yes, DD and I live locally to WDW, but each time we set foot in a park it is still magical to us, and I don't feel that we should have to give up a good viewing spot that we have taken the time to secure early on!

 

[AdventureGuru]

You're cousin was very right not to move! JMHO

 

[Flyerfan]

Lately, I've been saying to myself ...Hey kid (and parent), Im 60 now, and who knows how many more times I can be here...you've got the rest of your life to get good seats....Get Lost !!

 

[dixiedizfan]

There are many adults who cannot sit down on the pavement (and get back up afterward).

Count me in on that one!

 

[keishashadow]

We never make a point of seeing parades, but we've never had a bad experience at MK fireworks or illuminations. The only parade we seem to catch with any regularity is AK. THat's a cutie! AND in the daylight. When people are standing 2 or three deep, I let my kids slip toward the front. THey have been taught not to get in other people's way, but come on, if you are standing, and my 45'' kid edges in front of you, what does that hurt?

Then there's the guy toward the beginning of the topic who thought it was rude of the people BEHIND him to expect him to sit down during a show. Really! I can't believe it! At a SHOW, I don't care what time you get there, you need to sit down so people behind you can see. WOW.

Just a side note, if seeing the parade is important to you & your children, best way to make it happen is plan for it & plop yourself down to secure a spot as soon as you see Main St. starting to be roped off. Bet most of the folks w/a front row seat would have rather been off riding in Fantasyland too but, made the choice. Better yet, go to Frontierland, viewing spots are far easier to secure later in the game.

When you go to Epcot & see the SHOWs that are movies where you stand, do you expect other adults to sit on the floor so children can see? It's the same thing...cannot assume or expect the 1st row of spectators in a parade to sit. Personally, I don't like to sit on a dirty curb (even @ WDW) and the viewing/photo taking perspective isn't the same.

Additonally, not sure of the age of your child but, if under 45" tall, they are young. IMO, I'd be worried to have some stranger supervising my kid while the parade rolls past...would think they could easily get over-excited & dart out in front of vehicle. How would you grab your own kid if another adult is standing between you & them?

Agree with Robo, some of us don't make a pretty sight crawling back up from the curb.

 

[makinorlando]

Agree with Robo, some of us don't make a pretty sight crawling back up from the curb.

Depending on the day they might be able to use the crane at the castle to hoist me up if I sat there too long!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Depending on the day they might be able to use the crane at the castle to hoist me up if I sat there too long!!!!

Read list on site of prohibited items on new list, 2 of the things that stood out for me were:

1) no chairs are allowed to be carried into the park (people did this? Wonder if it was for seating @ parade?)

2) personal strollers must be the same size or smaller than the park rentals. No more cowcatchers, going to be some angry mom & dads.

 

[english rose 47]

Do the CMs enforce no sitting /standing in road ? I like the beach towel idea will try that and place the stroller next to it and 1 of us will guard the spot while others look around. Will have umbrellas for rain or shine too. I definately will say something if anyone gets in front of us and would probably get up and stand in front of them till a CM came along and I could explain they wer cuttting and needed to move. I*f there was room in OURspace for a little one that would be O.K. but noone is standing in front of my dspace that I have saved for 2 hours. I don't understand how anyone could think they have the right to do this..but I know they do I've been at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving and seen them!!!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Do the CMs enforce no sitting /standing in road ? I like the beach towel idea will try that and place the stroller next to it and 1 of us will guard the spot while others look around. Will have umbrellas for rain or shine too. I definately will say something if anyone gets in front of us and would probably get up and stand in front of them till a CM came along and I could explain they wer cuttting and needed to move. I*f there was room in OURspace for a little one that would be O.K. but noone is standing in front of my dspace that I have saved for 2 hours. I don't understand how anyone could think they have the right to do this..but I know they do I've been at Walmart the day after Thanksgiving and seen them!!!!!

You can sit on the curb but, the CM's will even have you move your legs back in if you stretch them out in front of you into street.

IMO, part of the cool factor of the parade is how close the charactars & floats (on the invisible tracks) come to the edge of the street.

 

[Robo]

IMO, part of the cool factor of the parade is how close the charactars & floats (on the invisible tracks) come to the edge of the street.

I think someone may have given you the wrong impression about the "invisible tracks".

There really are no "tracks" at all (I don't count the trolley tracks in this), but there are little sensors (called "pucks") in the center of the street that allow the central computer of the Parade Director to know exactly where every float is at every moment.

The timing of each float is specifed by the central computer so that each float will "hit its mark" at the right time of the music and proper spacing between units.

The little independent "fish" and other spinning parade units are free-running and can scurry about to interact with guests "up-close-and-personal" without any reference to the sensors ("invisible tracks") just the same as the "walking" parade participants.

Love this parade!