Yikes! I got yelled at 3 times in the crowds last week!

[jimmysmommy]

I know that stroller drivers should be more careful, but just a thought, do you honestly think these people (rude stroller drivers) would be anymore careful if they did not have the stroller? Most of the rude people would be the same people pushing others out of the way to get a better spot (probably in front of a small child!!) for the parade. I can see it from both sides, and I think the bottom line is we all just need to be a little more aware of our surroundings (pedestrians and stroller drivers alike!)

 

[magicfan]

I am the nicest darn stoller pusher there is, but last week in crowds of DW, which were the worst I have ever seen, I bumped into a few people. I apologized but I still got mean looks and comments from a few people. I know it's crowded and we are all hot and tired, but, not everyone is ramming into people on purpose. It's hard enough to push a stroller through the crowds especially when people are stopping in the middle of a walk way or turning directions at the last minute. Also, if someone apologizes, leave it at that. Chalk it up that it is crowded and we are all doing the best we can under the circumstances.

I'm venting, but this one particular day I was so upset I wanted to cry. We all have to be a little tolerant of each other.

I feel for you! I've been there. I really hate it when I apologize and get snubbed. It's so rude. At least we are letting them know it was an accident and we are sorry. The least they can do is accept the apology, not give a dirty look. If we were doing it on purpose, we wouldn't even apologize. It's hard to get around a crowd with a stroller. I used to use a double stroller and that was not always fun.

 

[4greatboys]

One problem with pushing a stroller is people will just cut over right in front of you. I do try to keep my distance from people when Im pushing so I dont run over people (well atleast not most of them ) but have had to jerk to a stop numerous times because of the rude people just cutting over in front of me.
Sorry you ran into someone but remember its not always the stroller pushers fault.

 

[manhattan]

OK...here is my thought on this....how many people really know how to maneuver in those types of crowds? Unless you live in a city like NY where you walk in that type of crowd everyday, trying to get anywhere in those crowds is not easy, for stroller pushers, wheelchair user and peds alike. Even in situations like 9/11 or the blackout, you would think people would have a little more tolerance, but they don't. I have been on both ends, stroller pusher where I have hit people by accident or had people jump in front of the stroller or just stop dead in their tracks to look at something. I have also been hit by strollers and I normally just step aside and let them through. And its not just as Disney, but in NY and even at the local mall, people just walk through, knock down my daughter and keep walking, not even stopping to check if she's okay. So I guess my point is some people are just rude and miserable and is it worth you feeling like crying because of someone else? I know people who enjoy making others feel like crap and I just don't understand why.

 

[rt2dz]

Excuse me, but this woman was following me so close that she had no way of stopping. After the first time she hit me she should have gotten the hint. The second time was no accident, it was assault. If she had been following at a decent distance of maybe 18 inches or so, it wouldn't have been so bad. but she was so close that my heels were brushing against her stroller as I walked. She didn't even apologize. I'm not the one who was being inconsiderate.

Anne

I've seen plenty of stroller pushers/wheelchair users who are rude, but that is the minority out there. So, sorry, but you were being inconsiderate, although that post wasn't directed strictly at you (that's why there was no quote). Two wrongs just don't make a right. If I get bad service at a restruant, I don't stand up and berate the server. If I get cut-off on the freeway, I don't jump into road rage mode. If someone's dog poops in my front yard, I don't chase them down and throw it at them. I guess I'm just not the stalker type. Or maybe it is because I believe children learn way more from what they see than what you tell them. I want my children to grow up to be polite, tolerant, well-mannered people and handle every situation in the best way possible and not just by uncontrollable rage.

 

[crzy4dsny]

I've hit plenty of people with my stroller and I'm proud of it. Not once has it been my fault. People apologize to me after I hit them. I am almost too considerate when walking or pushing a stroller. I always yield to others and let them go ahead of me. Sometimes people do things that make it impossible not to hit them.

Everyone needs to have more patience and courtesy including "walkers".

 

[Evil Queen]

Almost, like a driving experience. Rear end someone, it's normally blamed on the one "behind", distance SHOULD be used.

 

[weregoingtodw]

Actually, stroller pushers often need to learn to leave more room. Last summer I was at WDW in July. One lady kept "tailgating" me, and bumped me twice in under two minutes. Yes, I stopped in front of her--to avoid running into the people in front of me who stopped because of the people in front of them. Simply no excuse The first time I gave her a dirty look. The second time I yelled at her to BACK OFF! She took the hint and left more than 5 inches between the front of the stroller and my legs.

Anne

Sheesh - hope I'm never in your way!

Do you really think she was purposefully trying to ram you? Not that what she did was necessarily right... but I don't think yelling at someone is right either. Simply stepping out of her way, or asking, "Do you mind watching my feet?" probably would have been just as effective, if not more so.

I dunno... I've been rammed by strollers plenty of times in various places; I just try to remember how difficult it is to try to juggle a stroller, kids, and all the accompanying baggage. Not to mention, they really aren't easiest things to navigate, especially the double ones.

To the OP: I'm sorry your feelings were hurt. I'd be pretty upset if someone yelled at me anywhere, but especially at a place like Disney. A little courtesy goes a long way - on everyone's parts... in this case, both stroller pushers and the rest of the world scrambling like mad to avoid such strollers, wheelchairs and ECVs.

 

[bavaria]

I've only been a stroller pusher at WDW a few times, in slow season so I am not going to comment.

However, when it's busy, I will admit that I sometimes tailgate a pusher! ie I find a serious stroller pusher, move in behind them, and watch them plow through traffic. Does that make me as bad as the aggressive stroller driver?

 

[Disneyonmymind]

I've only been a stroller pusher at WDW a few times, in slow season so I am not going to comment.

However, when it's busy, I will admit that I sometimes tailgate a pusher! ie I find a serious stroller pusher, move in behind them, and watch them plow through traffic. Does that make me as bad as the aggressive stroller driver?

This struck me as really funny. I have not read the thread - just this post. You're joking, right?

 

[bavaria]

Nope! Best way to get out after fireworks!

Hope that doesn't offend anyone - is it guilt by association that I attach myself to an aggressive stroller driver??

 

[rt2dz]

Almost, like a driving experience. Rear end someone, it's normally blamed on the one "behind", distance SHOULD be used.

You are correct. Unless, the person did an unsafe lane change/cut you off in traffic, ran a stop sign/stoplight, had rear lights off/not working, or slammed on their brakes without a reason. The same reason *most* stroller pushers hit other walkers. And then, do you get out of your car and start screaming at the other driver like some kind of mad dog or do you just calmly check to make sure everyone is OK, exchange insuriance info, and get on with life?

I believe most stroller pushers do the best they can, despite what some people may think. Accidents happen. And when someone is sorry and apologizes, does screaming help? When does being rude to anyone ever help in any situation?

 

[DebIreland]

Some of these posts are coming across as PRO and ANTI stroller-pushers which seems so silly to me . No offence to anyone, I'm not having a go. I just don't see the point in generalising about a group of people who have one trivial thing in common i.e. they push strollers! lol

It's the *people* involved in incidents like this that need to be focussed on, not the inanimate objects they are a) pushing, or b) getting injured by, as the case may be. In other words, if a person is inconsiderate and rude, whether or not they have a child who needs a stroller is not really relevant at all!!!

To the OP:
I'm sorry that happened to you. I can see why you were upset. Clearly you encountered some ignorant people who perhaps, having been stroller-abused (!) in the past, presumed you were going to repeat the experience for them. What a strange and silly premise on which to judge you. I've been in that situation too (in crowds with strollers e.g. christmas shopping etc.) and whilst the vast majority of people are very considerate you do get the ones who back out of shops or stop abruptly in a crowded street to answer their cell phone or simply see the stroller and think "to hell with that, I'm getting around this thing". So silly really as I wasn't holding them up or threatening them in the first place! I always try my best to be considerate of others.

Consideration is key (on both sides). Clearly some people have no understanding of the fact that babies and toddlers *need* strollers, their parents don't just shove the children in strollers as a handy excuse to attack the bare ankles of the world at large!!

 

[Jan]

it is wrong, but i just can't look away. look at all of these generally giddy disneyites analyzing quantum stroller physics. can't we all just get along? i think the posts that struck me as the funniest are the ones from the anti-stroller folk. you know who you are. you claim you are upset about rude stroller drivers, but lets face it, you are anti-stroller. you remind me of the folks who wonder why there are so many kids in the disney restaurants. guess what, adults may like disney - but it all revolves around a giant stuffed rodent - which was originally designed for KIDS. there are strollers at disney b/c KIDS go to disney. moms and dads all over the world save up their pennies to take their KIDS to disney. does that mean i don't think adults have a right to go without the rugrats and have a great time? no, i don't think that. but i do think people need to remember that if they don't like kids, maybe disney is not the best place for them. i would recommend sandals in jamaica instead.

i will be in disney in june with my 2 kiddies (ages 3/5), so you better watch out. i may just rent a double stroller!!!! you better hope my girls stay in the stroller - because you have a much better chance with them riding than walking. my 5 year old is very clumsy and falls a lot. i hope she doesn't fall on one of your feet, or you may turn around and yell at her!

 

[DebIreland]

i will be in disney in june with my 2 kiddies (ages 3/5), so you better watch out. i may just rent a double stroller!!!!

Nooooooo!!!!!!! You can't! I'll be there in June too and I'll have a STROLLER (insert *Jaws* music here). So YOUR TWO STROLLERS (*Jaws* music) plus MY ONE STROLLER (*Jaws* music) makes THREE STROLLERS (*Jaws* music at hyper speed). We need to co-ordinate our trips or else the place will be OVERRUN with the EVIL STROLLERS!!!!!!!!!

 

[crzy4dsny]

"DebIreland We need to co-ordinate our trips or else the place will be OVERRUN with the EVIL STROLLERS!!!!!!!!! "



I'm going into the garage right now to attach some metal spikes to the front wheels of my stroller.

 

[BringBackTapestries]

I liked the picture. That was great! made me laugh for a change!

 

[judykay53]

As one poster said, our children learn from our actions. I would not want my grandkids seeing me yell at a stanger, expecially at WDW!

 

[DMRick]

I've been "nudged". I realize what a tought time they are having in those crowds (been there, both with a stroller, and a wheelchair)..as soon as they back up a bit, 3 more people hop in front of them, and it starts all over. I just move to the side, and see if I can give them some more room.

 

[Waggy182]

You go Jan! That was great! (Quantum Stroller Physics! What a hoot.)

I have hit and been hit. I have been at fault on both sides of the stroller.

Bottom line is: It’s called and “ACCIDENT” people, not an “ON-PURPOSE”!

Character is not built on the situations that are given to you; Character is how you handle those situations. And yes, your children are watching and listening.

Thanks again, Jan.