Wouldn't this ruin your evening?

[MaryKatesMom]

On December 15 we were at the MVMCP. The show in Galaxay theater ended at approx. 7:15 then we headed, along with a big portion of the crowd to get a seat for the parade. I wanted to sit on Main St. but it was fast becoming crowded.

As I'm walking down Main St I see a spot on the left completely vacant. We roll our two strollers over and pick them up, off the curb, turn them around and I lay a blanket out that on the curb that seats four small adults with the kids parked behind us. I sit down on the blanket and start to talk to the kids about the snow, etc. The man next to me then says "My wife is sitting there." Oh, ok. I take about a third of the blanket and fold it over, leaving room for this absent woman. This takes a few minutes but long enough for Main St. to become full from the theatre crowd.

At that moment a woman comes screaming, and I mean screaming, up Main St. "I'M SITTING THERE!!!!" I looked to my left and indicated the spot I made for her and although she is not a small adult, her big fat butt would have plenty of room. A strange woman, stands up two families down and says, very loudly and accusingly, "I saw her sitting by her husband all night!" The screaming woman looks at the spot left for her and yells. "No my whole family is here!!" I say, "What are you talking about?" Obviously, I am not sitting on anyone. Are they invisible people? She yells, "They just ran to the car to get something!" then turns to her husband and says "Didn't you say anything?!!" Uh, no he did not and he had plenty of opportunity. I just looked at her and said, "you can't just leave the park, I didn't touch anyone's stuff, and he didn't say a word. There is nothing left now on Main St. I'm not moving."

She sat next to me, and kept repeating over and over, "You didn't say anything, what are we going to do, etc" very loudly. Making it as bad an experience and you can imagine. My whole family is now disgusted and mortified, I look at my BIL's face and I know we can not stay here, it isn't worth it. I give him the "Let's go" look and wave them to move backwards, because we're leaving. I turned to the miserable woman next to me and say. "We don't want to sit by you, have a Merrry Christmas."

We go over to Frontierland where the is no one. Get a seat and my two DD's come over and are sitting on my lap, saying over and over. Mom, I'm so sorry that lady was yelling at you. Mommy, why was she doing that? I love you Mommy. I'm sorry. I was so upset, I was shaking. My sister had to calm me down because, now I wanted to go get at CM and have them ejected from the park for being so rude. My DH, who at times can have a bad Disney reaction, was mumbling that we aren't coming down in April now (and we aren't). Even typing this, I can see the woman's face screaming and contorted with anger.

What would you have done?

 

[boomhauer]

I would have told the woman, "You snooze, you lose."

It's one thing to have someone save your seat while you run to the bathroom, or a store, or even if they are meeting you. But to have your entire family "run out to the car" from the Magic Kingdom - Sorry - You leave the park, you lose the spot.

Some people think they own the world.

 

[LukenDC]

I think that you handled the situation well and, unlike the screaming woman, you maintained your dignity. It's probably best that you did not get a CM since it is doubtful that they would have done anything except perhaps tell the woman to stop yelling. The lesson here is that some people are miserable, unhappy beings even at Disney World during the Christmas holidays. There is nothing that you could have done that would have made her behave better. You set a good example for your kids.

 

[kath1210]

I think I would have done exactly what you did. I don't want confrontation when I am on vacation. I would rather sit somewhere else than deal with someone's anger, even if they are wrong.

 

[Lulu's Mom]

First off I am so sorry that that happened to you. Some people are just so horrible and do not know how to act.

If it was me I would of just left. It would not of been worth the hassle to sit there and feel bad, I would of commented to the lady about how she was acting and replied to her that there is no reason to act like a raged moran and then I would of walked away. Some people are just so ridiculous.

 

[vicceja]

Hi!

I just want to say how sorry I am for you and your family to experience something like that . I don't believe how people act sometime. The only thing that bothered me when I was at MVMCP on the 13th was that I knowing that I wanted to get a great place to sit will grab a place sometimes an hour in advance and this is exactly what I did for MVMCP. I do not appreciate when at the last minute there are parents who will push there kids in front of the line and act like they are not doing anything wrong. This is what happened to us on the 13th and unfortunately I had to tell the parent and the child that they needed to move back only because they literally stood right in front of my children which were patiently waiting for an hour for this moment. But I would have never screamed at anyone in that manner.

 

[mattsdragon]

After restraining my wife, and possibly sedating her, I would have informed the screaming lady, "once you leave the park, you no longer have a seat". Then I would have sat there, and made smart*** comments for everyone of her comments. But I'm also a very large man (6'2" 220 lbs), I probably would have just intimidated her husband into making them leave.

Boy, you don't want to try that with my 5'2" 120 pound wife though, she'd turn into a screaming banshee.

 

[VistaLeigh'smommy]

I would have thrown up because people like that make me sick... so you did the right thing, and I commend you for not losing your lunch!

 

[lillygator]

Sounds like you handled it well, I would have not let it ruin the evening or not take a trip because of it. As a PP said...there are miserable people everywhere. I can't tell you how many times I hear parents yelling "You will have fun, we paid a lot of $$ for this trip!"....

anytime you get lots of crowds together there are bound to be issues, it's how the issues are handled that make the difference....I would like to think most people would have realized "they move they lose!"

 

[bytheblood]

I would have done what you did. I think I would also let her know how rude and obnoxios she is.

 

[pxlbarrel]

Oy...what a moron. I would have sat there and made her explain to her imaginary family why she was such an idiot to believe she could save an entire curb for them. I wouldn't have left because that kind of behaviour should not be rewarded. That being said, had I left, your parting words were very perfect. My reply would have been dripping with sarcasm though and loud enough for others to hear. They would have heard me in Toontown.

To show you that there Christmas spirit does exist at the crowded MVMCP, 5 years ago we went to our very first one. I sat down at the Galaxy theatre and well, managed to sit down on a piece of fresh gum (some non-Christmasy person decided it was the perfect place to park it, I guess.) The lady next to me helped me try to get as much gum off and in the process, missed half of Twas the Night Before Christmas and the fireworks. I felt so bad that she missed so much but it was so nice to see that there were still some people in which compassion wasn't something you did now and then but something that you lived your whole life living and doing. For every screaming parent, for every crazy kid, for every stroller that has ever run me down...I think of that lady.

 

[hockeygirl]

I am sorry that your family had to deal with this, some people are just unhappy and that is how they deal with things, it is crazy. I would have done the same thing as you, just leave and find someplace else to sit. It isn't worth getting upset on vacation, although I probably would have been very upset if some screaming idiot made such a big deal. Anyhow, hope you enjoyed the rest of your vacation!!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Ugh. People can be sooooo rude. Sorry this happened to you. I think I would have just said "Oh, sorry." and left. I do not like confrontation or scenes. Good for you for trying to stand up to these bullies!! Your kids' reactions later in Frontier Land is so sweet. I hope they made you feel better.

We also had our most rude encounter during the Xmas party - at the Galaxy Theater show. My daughter is vision impaired and uses a folding white cane. We waited in line 1/2 hour for the show because she really wanted to see it, had our Guest Assistance Pass so that she could get a closer seat. We were shown where to sit. About 10 minutes later, a large family came in and wanted to sit up front in the other HC empty seats. The rows were actually reserved as HC seating as it was explained to them by CMs - state law etc. They argued and fussed and made a scene about it (why should the seats go empty and they have to stand etc....) Well, then they see US sitting there and say to the CM "why do THEY get to sit there. They're not in a wheelchair.....blah blah blah...." It got ugly and I was getting upset with their continued nastiness right over my shoulder so I whispered to my daughter to open up her cane thinking they would see it and shut up with their "Why do they -" crap. They didn't see it & kept it up until the show started and then I don't know where they wound up. It saddened me for quite a while.

People can be so stupid. We also had some of the kindest people offer my daughter their own seats etc. at other times during our stay.

I think you just get a real cross section of people at WDW. Sorry you cancelled your spring trip.

Lives4Disney

 

[chrome64]

I hate that a few miserable people like her ruin the magic for everyone within reach. You did the right thing and are not to blame. Please don't let this one woman taint your future trips to Disney and if you were previously planning to go in April, please please please don't let that terrible woman convince you to not go! I think that it should be a rule that people who act that way should not be allowed to even go to Disney World!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I wouldn't have moved, but that is the type of person I am. DH, I and another couple watched the Christmas Parade the day after Christmas at the MK. An hour before it, we went up to the Main Street Train Station and got chairs to watch it from up there. A few minutes into the parade, I look ever and some kid wedged his way between DH and wife of the other couple (our charis were pretty much up against the railing. The mother asked the guy of the other couple if her kid could sit on his lap. He said no. The kid then asked DH if he could sit on his lap. He said no. The kid was around five years old. Poor DH had his ear yelled into the whole time as the kid screamed out each character's name. Finally DH asked him to quit yelling. What was the mother thinking?

You snooze, you lose is exactly correct.

 

[liveforthemagic]

I agree with that last post--don't cancel your spring trip because one lady forgot to take her medicine! The parks need calm and dignified parents like you!

When we went in the spring (and when me and DD go back next Dec) we take a blanket and sit down on it. Clearly that marks to everyone if somebody has to leave to go potty or get a snack that this is your spot. Me and DD "spot squatted" for about 45 minutes in May while DH and DS who allegedly went for a potty break actually snuck onto SM...twice! Oh well, we had no trouble because everybody understood that the spots were saved.

You got no blanket, you got no coats or hats laying there, and you got a mute "spot squatter" who didn't ask you to move down a smidge--what's a parade watcher to do!

 

[Bill From PA]

You handled it in a very civilized way, I, on the other hand tend to dish out what I get. I probably would have stayed and explained to my children, in an even voice, just loud enough for the offending party to hear, that some adults act very rude in public and reveal their poor upbringing, but you dear child can use this to learn how NOT to act, and see how foolish one looks to others when they act as though the universe revolves around them. I'd not address this boor or acknowledge her presence and leaving only rewards the ignorant. I would have been upset from the moment this banshee arrived and there's no undoing that so standing my ground would be the only choice for me. Sorry for your troubles.

Bill From PA

 

[Deb & Bill]

Now, you have to admit, that you weren't exactly Ms Sweetness and Light, either. You made comments about the woman's size. Not very kind. You made an ugly comment back to her as you left. Also, not very kind. And, maybe, just maybe, you have colored your experience a bit since you stated that everyone was screaming at you.

There are two sides to every situation.

I think I would have asked the people sitting next to the vacant spot if someone was sitting there since it seemed to be miraculously vacant in a sea of filled seats before I put my blanket down and staked my claim.

I have had some pretty bad encounters with people at parade time. This has led me to waiting until the parade starts to find my spot, usually in the back where I can see fine. I'm so tired of whining, griping people at parade time that I avoid the entire situation as much as possible.

 

[Bracho]

I wouldn't have moved either and I would have told them to shut up too... I saw a family pull that same thing twice when I was at Disney in May. I was shocked to say the least. The first time I thought maybe that family was there first but then I saw them do the same thing in the evening... they bully folks to get what they want and it works alot of the time...

If I see a place and sit waiting for a parade and someone comes up after I've been there for a time.. I'm not moving... period.

 

[Angel16]

My DH used a scooter when we were in WDW this past Sept/Oct due to a heart condition. We had planned on having dinner at CRT then attend Spectomagic parade. We had ps's that should have given us enough time to find the handcapped section to watch the parade after dinner. However, CRT was running behind, we ended up on main street about 25 minutes before the parade was to start. We found a spot behind people who were sitting on the curb. Right before the parade started a very thin woman slid directly infront of my DH and stood there. He looked at her and ask her very nicely to please not stand in front of him. She ignored him and waved to 4 more people (two adults and two children to come over) she had them slid from the side so they now were all standing in front of my DH and myself. I tapped her on the shoulder and explained that we had been waiting for the parade before she got there and we were not going to be able to see. My DH again ask her nicely not to stand in front of him. She turned and looked at us and said, "well I might as well stay, when the parade starts the people in front are going to stand up and you won't be able to see anyway. At this point more people have come up behind us and we can't move. I am sure you all can figure out what happened.

We saw the top two feet of the high floats and not much else. The biggest reason for this was not only did the lady stay with her family, but the adults in her group put their children up on their shouders so NO one behind could see much of anything.

From now on we will make sure we are in the WC area for watching the parade early, early, early. The CM's make sure things like this do not happen.