"Wow! That Took Some Nerve!"

[DVCLiz]

What have you seen at a WDW restaurant that made you say, "Wow! That took some nerve!"

We had been seated at Tony's in a prime spot - out on the patio with a perfect view of the parade. We'd been assured by our server that it was a great spot, and that when the parade started, all people would be cleared in front of us - no standing at the rails, etc. As we were looking at the menu, a family climbed up the steps and plopped down at a table about two away from us - a table for six, if I remember correctly. The dad even said, "Just be cool - I'm going to try and eat here." I heard enough of the conversation with the waitress who eventually discovered them to know they didn't have an ADR, and that they knew they were "getting away with" something pretty major. And by golly, they did get away with it!!!! There were some pretty irritated managers, but they didn't make the family move, so they must have already seated everyone in the lobby. How angry would you be if you'd been waiting for a "parade view" and someone just walked up on to the porch and took a big table??? I was amazed they let them stay - if I'd been the manager I'd have made them leave.

Anyone try something like that when you were at a WDW restaurant????

 

[vascubaguy]

What have you seen at a WDW restaurant that made you say, "Wow! That took some nerve!"

We had been seated at Tony's in a prime spot - out on the patio with a perfect view of the parade. We'd been assured by our server that it was a great spot, and that when the parade started, all people would be cleared in front of us - no standing at the rails, etc. As we were looking at the menu, a family climbed up the steps and plopped down at a table about two away from us - a table for six, if I remember correctly. The dad even said, "Just be cool - I'm going to try and eat here." I heard enough of the conversation with the waitress who eventually discovered them to know they didn't have an ADR, and that they knew they were "getting away with" something pretty major. And by golly, they did get away with it!!!! There were some pretty irritated managers, but they didn't make the family move, so they must have already seated everyone in the lobby. How angry would you be if you'd been waiting for a "parade view" and someone just walked up on to the porch and took a big table??? I was amazed they let them stay - if I'd been the manager I'd have made them leave.

Anyone try something like that when you were at a WDW restaurant????

I doubt anyone would admit to doing something like that, but things like that certainly don't suprise me. Reminds me of the people who try to get a front-row view of the parade 2 minutes before it starts... meanwhile you've been there waiting in your prime spot for an hour!

 

[MelanieC]

That was defiantely rude. I would have been mad if I were waiting! I hope you enjoyed your parade! I didn't even think about that being a parade view. Very cool!

 

[sleepydog25]

Closest experience we've had was at CR in EPCOT. We had a tank-side table which was certainly a wonderful experience for my 5-yr old (and my wife!). There was the occasional child coming over to take a closer look from tables throughout the dining area, and we had no problems with that. Who wouldn't want to get a closer look? But, at one point, we were surrounded by four or five young kids on either side of our table, jostling for position, getting right up behind our chairs, and, of course, talking excitedly. Eventually, they moved on (to the other tables along the tank), but the whole thing led me to wonder where the parents were. It's one thing to have your child go to the tank for a moment or two, but clearly another to let them roam unaccompanied and unhindered. To be fair, there were a couple of kids who politely asked if they could stand close by to watch the fish. That act, though not necessary, certainly indicated they had learned to respect other people's space and privacy.

 

[lovmy2girls]

Reminds me of the people who try to get a front-row view of the parade 2 minutes before it starts... meanwhile you've been there waiting in your prime spot for an hour!

Oh you said it ! don't even get me started, I feel my blood pressure going up while I am typing. Makes you mad doesn't it. Now the thing I am seeing and has happend to us now more than once is when the parents send the kids up front and they stay back behind. You feel bad telling small kids, "Hey we have been here for over an hour, please quit trying to stand on my girls legs to get a view of the parade!"

 

[MareQ]

Closest experience we've had was at CR in EPCOT. We had a tank-side table which was certainly a wonderful experience for my 5-yr old (and my wife!). There was the occasional child coming over to take a closer look from tables throughout the dining area, and we had no problems with that. Who wouldn't want to get a closer look? But, at one point, we were surrounded by four or five young kids on either side of our table, jostling for position, getting right up behind our chairs, and, of course, talking excitedly. Eventually, they moved on (to the other tables along the tank), but the whole thing led me to wonder where the parents were. It's one thing to have your child go to the tank for a moment or two, but clearly another to let them roam unaccompanied and unhindered. To be fair, there were a couple of kids who politely asked if they could stand close by to watch the fish. That act, though not necessary, certainly indicated they had learned to respect other people's space and privacy.

Same thing happened to us except it was an ENTIRE family - parents and all and it was at 'Ohana during the fireworks. Our table was right near the window and was round - they crowded RIGHT in there and COMPLETELY blocked our view. The only person that had a view was DH because his they couldn't get behind his seat (he was against the window) @@ The manager eventually came along and told them to sit down but they didn't go without a few rude comments

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Two things come to mind.

Once, on our first trip to WDW, we got a seat quite a bit early on two front row rocking chairs on the front porch of the building right next to Tony's. Right as Spectromagic starts, a honeymooning couple jumps right in front of us and stayed there throughout the parade, completely blocking our 3yo childrens' views. In our video all you can see is their "bride and groom" ears, LOL. Don't people realize (or care) that they're blocking others' views?

Last month we were on Disney Magic. On Formal Night, where most people wear either formal wear or at least nice attire, the family next to us at dinner came to Lumiere's unkempt and in tattered tee shirts. It didn't interfere with my night one way or another; I was more embarrassed for them than anything since they looked very much out of place. But it did seem rather nervy. On subsequent nights they were dressed appropriately.

 

[Peter Pirate]

...is when the parents send the kids up front and they stay back behind. You feel bad telling small kids "hey we've been here over an hour...

Not the same at all, IMO. I think you SHOULD feel bad sending small kids away. It isn't their fault their parents are clueless and if you don't make room for them they won't get to see the parade. Who gets hurt the rude parents or the kids? I would never let a parent or kids old enough to know better purposly take advantage of me but a toddler wanting to see a Disney parade can be in front of me (not my kids) anytime, hour wait or not.

But the table incident would make my blood boil for sure. These are folks trying to pull a fast one and management should have handled it, IMO.

 

[sha_lyn]

worst would be at CP when someone asked why they hadn't been seated yet, and they were told they had been seated. Turned out someone just walked up wihtout a PS, heard a name called out, and claimed to be them.

 

[vascubaguy]

worst would be at CP when someone asked why they hadn't been seated yet, and they were told they had been seated. Turned out someone just walked up wihtout a PS, heard a name called out, and claimed to be them.

Wow!

You know I've actually joked about doing that, but there's no way I could ever actually do it! Wow...

This sorta reminds me of experiences going to shows or even seats on an airplane... you get to your seat and someone is sitting in them... you tell them they are in your seat and they say, "Oh, I didn't realize I was in your seat" or "I was hoping no one was going to be sitting here because it is such a good seat".... just wanna go *SMACK*

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

worst would be at CP when someone asked why they hadn't been seated yet, and they were told they had been seated. Turned out someone just walked up wihtout a PS, heard a name called out, and claimed to be them.

I saw this happen at the local Applebees once! It was a long wait for everyone. A party of 5 was called and a group of kids that just got put on the list decided to be that party of 5. The waiter that was to seat them didn't know any better so he took them inside. Thank goodness the hostess recognized them and told the waiter he had the wrong group. I couldn't believe they even tried it. Hopefully they got dropped to the very end of the list after a stunt like that.

What happened to the OP would have had my blood boiling. People who think they are above the rules just really annoy me. But the fact that the manager knew what they were doing and didn't do anything makes it just that much worse.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Not the same at all, IMO. I think you SHOULD feel bad sending small kids away. It isn't their fault their parents are clueless and if you don't make room for them they won't get to see the parade. Who gets hurt the rude parents or the kids? I would never let a parent or kids old enough to know better purposly take advantage of me but a toddler wanting to see a Disney parade can be in front of me (not my kids) anytime, hour wait or not.

Peter Pirate, I agree with you about letting the child see. In addition, during peak times, some of those parents who are sending their kids to the front have been waiting almost an hour as well, just to get their spot midway through the crowd depth. I know, because I have definitely been in that position before. Then what do you do? Do you tell your children that it's just too bad because there's a grumpy person who doesn't want to look over their short little heads in the front? Or do you decide to be rude to all those people behind you by putting your children on your shoulders? Or do you just give up after waiting an hour and leave without seeing the parade? There's obviously not enough room for everyone to get a street-side space in peak times, no matter how early you get there. After our experience with a woman being downright witchy when sending my two children back to us (when they had politely asked if it was okay to view from in front of these two adults, the woman YELLED at them), we ended up moving to the VERY BACK of the group and putting our children on our shoulders so that they could see... and we have made sure to look around us every time we've viewed a parade after that, to invite small children who are behind us to come forward and view from the front. ~Ev

 

[DVCLiz]

What happened to the OP would have had my blood boiling. People who think they are above the rules just really annoy me. But the fact that the manager knew what they were doing and didn't do anything makes it just that much worse.

I know - I was just amazed that the manager didn't come out and read them the riot act. It was a busy, stressful scene up front - maybe they had already seated the people who were waiting, I don't know. But I sure wouldn't have let them stay, just on principle!!!!!

 

[MareQ]

Peter Pirate, I agree with you about letting the child see. In addition, during peak times, some of those parents who are sending their kids to the front have been waiting almost an hour as well, just to get their spot midway through the crowd depth.~Ev

Did you miss what the other poster said?

"Now the thing I am seeing and has happend to us now more than once is when the parents send the kids up front and they stay back behind. You feel bad telling small kids, "Hey we have been here for over an hour, please quit trying to stand on my girls legs to get a view of the parade!"

#1 she mentioned her kids so obviously these other children were standing near/in front of/on her kids #2 I don't care how long you've been standing behind another family - if you have been standing for an hour in a mid-crowd depth where your kids have no chance of seeing - that's your own fault. If you want your kids to see - the polite thing to do would be to ask as soon as you start waiting in that area if it would be ok for your children to move forward when the parade starts - if the people won't allow that for whatever reason- then find another spot.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Did you miss what the other poster said?

...I don't care how long you've been standing behind another family - if you have been standing for an hour in a mid-crowd depth where your kids have no chance of seeing - that's your own fault. If you want your kids to see - the polite thing to do would be to ask as soon as you start waiting in that area if it would be ok for your children to move forward when the parade starts - if the people won't allow that for whatever reason- then find another spot.

Did you miss what THIS poster said?

Peter Pirate said others should feel bad about not letting small children see. This was a general statement, with which I agree. Then I shared an experience of our own. I was NOT commenting on anyone else's particular situation in my post.

In our case, we DID ask the husband. He said okay. The wife was getting ice cream at the time. We kept the kids with us until parade time because they were little and obviously shouldn't be standing apart from the family for an hour. When the parade started, we sent them forward and the wife started yelling at them that they were cutting in line. The husband tried to explain, but my children were too traumatized at that point, started crying and came running back to us. There are mean people everywhere, even at Disney, no matter how hard you try to be polite or considerate. However, regardless of whether it was "our own fault" or not, there is NEVER an excuse to be mean to a CHILD. ~Ev

 

[Tissa]

Did you miss what THIS poster said?

Peter Pirate said others should feel bad about not letting small children see. This was a general statement, with which I agree. Then I shared an experience of our own. I was NOT commenting on anyone else's particular situation in my post.

In our case, we DID ask the husband. He said okay. The wife was getting ice cream at the time. We kept the kids with us until parade time because they were little and obviously shouldn't be standing apart from the family for an hour. When the parade started, we sent them forward and the wife started yelling at them that they were cutting in line. The husband tried to explain, but my children were too traumatized at that point, started crying and came running back to us. There are mean people everywhere, even at Disney, no matter how hard you try to be polite or considerate. However, regardless of whether it was "our own fault" or not, there is NEVER an excuse to be mean to a CHILD. ~Ev

save this for the Theme Park board

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

While we were waiting for Illuminations we were in an area that kept getting crowded with more and more people. There were two women next to us that had spread out their personal belongings in a space that would accomodate at least 6+ people. We thought they were holding space for some other family members...not the case. While we were crammed in like sardines next to them, they did not budge.

Also, they kept giving my very well-mannered kids dirty looks the whole time. It would have been nice if they got in the spirit of things and realized we were all just trying to witness a little Disney magic instead of acting like they were being put upon by people having the nerve to stand anywhere near them.

Please don't take this the wrong way -- we're not the type to expect/demand any preferred treatment and I really didn't expect (or want) them to make themselves uncomfortable...but moving in a couple of inches really would have made things much more pleasant for us, and still would have given them room to spare.

I guess we should have held our own against the other "Space Invaders" that were creating all the havoc -- but they were only guilty of the same thing we were: we all just wanted to see the show!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Oops - now I've done it too! Sorry, I got so wrapped up in typing my "novel" that I forgot I was on the Restaurant forum...move me, delete me, whatever -- I'm flexible.

 

[goofie4goofy]

This happened at USO, not WDW but nervy all the same.

We were staying at the PBH in a club room. To gain access to the club room you have to put your room key into the door. Sometimes the door does not always close or people hold the door for others. One day this horrible woman walked in and pulled the door closed right in my face. I had the key in my hand, so it was not like I was trying to sneak in. Once I was in she was the kind of person that stares...she then started checking out my stuff (looking at my shoes, bag, engagement ring in a very obvious way...even my DH commented on it). She and her family loaded up, and acted like they owned the place...talking loud, pushing cutting in front of others and grabbing everything they sould. Then she grabbed the last table in the lounge. I finially got a table next to hers and I'm so glad I did because the manager came over to her and asked to see her room key. He then told her that this is for paying club level guests only and she did not belong as her reservation was not CL....she was than escourted out and I

Sometimes the karmic wheel goes around faster and boy is it FUN to see!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We were getting ready to check into crystal palace for our lunch adr. You know you must sit and wait on the porch until your name is called etc. Well a mom and dd came and sat on the porch and then the mom proceeded to open up her bag and have a little impromptu lunch in the nice shade on the porch. I thought that was nervy especially since she was not going to be a customer of the restraunt. There were plenty of other places she could find to eat her lunch. She just wanted the shady one. We all looked at her and she did get up and leave. I guess I gave her one of those if looks could kill looks. But I never said anything to her. I think she knew everyone was looking at her etc.