"You're to old to be here...."

[SwanVT2]

This can happen to all ages, too. My DH and I were late 20s at the Clarks Trading post show in NH and had gotten there early to hold our seats. Then parents with little kids showed up and kids walked in front of us to look over the handrail and parents asked if their kids could share our seats!?? It was hard to say no, and we didn't, but it was uncomfortable! Now, in my late 40s, I would decline, but I've built more of a backbone over the years!

 

[Ms Bibbidi]

I have a question. Was the 4-5 year old shorter than you? If so, I would probably have let the child stand In front of me. I don’t care as long as I can see over them.

While that sounds like a logical compromise, it moves the short adult back to the second row. The 180 degree view becomes very restricted both left and right to more like a 30 degree view. For a parade or show, that matters.

 

[VandVsmama]

View attachment 954987

FELLOW DISNEY SENIORS...I returned a week ago from a 5 day visit for the Flower & Garden Festival. I'd like your opinion on how you would have handled a situation I encountered. BOTTOM LINE...I was told by a fellow Disney guest (youngish mother) that (direct quote), "You're to old to be taking up a viewing spot for the fireworks; after all, Disney is for THE KIDS"

Briefly, I was solo at this point and chose to not watch the fireworks on Main Street because of the crowd. I'm "vertically challenged" and 99% of the time my view of the Castle is blocked. I wanted a few pictures of the Castle during the show and 30 minutes before went to the spot in the picture above...the area to the right of the Tomorrowland entrance behind the "rocks". While the spot wasn't perfect, I was able to view the top of the Castle. As the show began a youngster, maybe 4-5 years old, pushed me aside. I moved slightly but didn't want to loose my view (the area had become crowded compared to when I arrived and there were only 2 other adults in the spot) when the mother made the statement from behind me. She kept making unkind comments about "elderly people taking spots from children" and after about 5 minutes I left. As I passed by her she told me, "It's about time!" I won't deny, my feelings were hurt; I don't ever remember being addressed like that before. I met some WONDERFUL people on this trip but this lady wasn't one of them! What would you have done?

I probably would have been too stunned to say anything. BUT if I had my wits about me in the moment, here's a few come-backs that might have worked:

• (say this slowly and in question form) "I'm too old to view fireworks?" ...followed by "Disney is for the KIDS?"
• Did you just really say that out loud?
• Could you say that again?
• If Disney is for kids, why are you here?
• (long pause, then...) Ok, noted. (then ignore the person)
• Are you ok? It sounds like you're having a rough day.

 

[goopysolelady]

I probably would have been too stunned to say anything. BUT if I had my wits about me in the moment, here's a few come-backs that might have worked:

• (say this slowly and in question form) "I'm too old to view fireworks?" ...followed by "Disney is for the KIDS?"
• Did you just really say that out loud?
• Could you say that again?
• If Disney is for kids, why are you here?
• (long pause, then...) Ok, noted. (then ignore the person)
• Are you ok? It sounds like you're having a rough day.

My favorite is "Did you really say that out loud?"

 

[I Run Long]

I would have said, "I'll have to speak to my plastic surgeon. I told him I wanted to look like I'm 25 not 75!"