Disney Parks Pet Peeves
In our Essence of the Disney Magic post that discusses what makes the parks so special, we share a Walt Disney quote about it taking “people to make the dream a reality.” Clearly, he was referring to the exceptional Cast Members, as all other guests do at Walt Disney World and Disneyland is clog up walkways, obstruct views, make noise during attractions, and lead to longer wait times. 😉 (Updated December 9, 2019.)
To borrow the immortal words of Frank Costanza, I’ve got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re going to hear about it! That’s right. I know this blog is normally rainbows, unicorns, and all sorts of other good vibrations, but it’s time for you to hear what I really think. Here, it’s time for my proverbial “Airing of Disney Parks Grievances.”
Fair warning: this post is in no way helpful to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or other park trip planning. Actually, it’s not really helpful to anyone, anywhere at all. Think of it as a junk food blog post that you shouldn’t waste your time reading. That is, unless you don’t really care about wasting your time on the internet, in which case, read away!
Before we get going, I want to underscore that this is meant in good fun and with a lighthearted sense to it. No one is perfect. While these things do bug me, I’m sure I do plenty of things that bug others, and I certain don’t have any malice towards anyone who does these things.
Most of the time, I don’t think people are doing any of these things intentionally, or at least with the express purpose of inconveniencing others. While this could be a helpful heads up to let you know what behavior might be unintentionally obnoxious, it’s mostly just some lighthearted venting.
With those caveats out of the way, I’ll let my inner Frank Costanza (I’d like to think he’d be proud of this list…but at the same time would be its biggest offender) take over and share a few of my Disney theme park pet peeves…
Disproportionate Line Jumping – I’m a reasonable guy. If you’re a large family with a herd of small children, I get that a trip to the parks is a veritable Detrol commercial. Bathroom breaks are a frequent, time-consuming part of the theme park experience. I understand one parent taking a child to the bathroom while the other jumps in line with the rest of the pack.
What I don’t appreciate is when one member of a multi-generational party of 27 jumps in line, and then slowly the other 26 members trickle ahead of me. That’s not meeting the “rest” of your party, it’s thinly-veiled line-jumping. I never say anything to these people, but you better believe the back of their heads receive a contemptuous glare.
My rule: unless 51% of your party is farther forward, the rest of the party moves back. Fair enough?
Talking on Attractions – Again, I’m reasonable. I understand that parks are a social environment. They aren’t a library or a movie theater. Some small, quiet comments here and there are totally fine.
Now it’s everyone else’s turn to be reasonable and understand that the rest of us waited 45 minutes in line so we could enjoy an immersive attraction, not so we could hear you talk about that epic party from last night in excruciating detail as if it has all the drama of the Iran-Contra Affair.
Flaunting Disney Knowledge – Let’s level with one another: I write a Disney blog and you read at least one. We both clearly have too much free time on our hands and probably know much more about Disney than John Q Public.
This is neither a Scarlet Letter, nor is it a badge of honor. Some Disney fans don’t seem to understand this. They share their Mad Park Smartz with their friends in the parks. There’s nothing wrong with this by itself, but when it’s done in painfully loud voices that are clearly for the benefit of those around them in a queue, that’s where I draw the line.
You know what I’m talking about. This is the Disney Parks equivalent of loudly groaning when you get your swell on at the gym cuz everyone should see how jacked and tan you are.
Quoting Attractions – Continuing on the ‘talking’ subject, here’s my biggest pet peeve: quoting lines from attractions in the attraction right before the line is said in the attraction. This is a variation of Flaunting Disney Knowledge, but it’s so annoying that it deserves its own spot.
I don’t mind people quoting attractions in general. I’d like to think the wisdom gleaned from Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree can be applied to all facets of life. What I mind is people beating the attraction to the punch, showing off their own knowledge as if this gives them some sort of ill-gotten street cred. It doesn’t, and it’s annoying.
The absolute worst example of this was among the regulars of the now-extinct Adventurers Club (hey guys, wonder why it closed? I’m guessing you going every night, never buying drinks, while simultaneously creeping out non-regulars didn’t help), but just try and go on the Jungle Cruise without someone saying the words ‘backside of water’ before the skipper, or to the Haunted Mansion without someone saying ‘there’s always my way’ before the Ghost Host.
Walking Etiquette – I walk at an extremely brisk pace. I have no time for shenanigans such as meandering aimlessly. However, I understand not everyone desires or can maintain my pace, and I certainly don’t expect it.
What I also don’t expect is a convoy of 4 double-wide strollers walking side by side taking up the entire walkway so no one can pass. Treat the sidewalk like you’d treat a highway: if you know your party is slower, allow enough room next to you for a “passing lane.”
On a highway, you wouldn’t aimlessly zigzag from lane to lane without regard for traffic behind you, so don’t do the same in walkways. Likewise, just as you wouldn’t come to a dead stop in the middle of your lane when driving 70 MPH on the highway, don’t stop in your tracks to look at a map in the middle of a walkway. Move to the side first. Note that I’m calling them walkways rather than standways–that’s for a reason.
Shoulder-Children – Are you 6′ tall and want to put your kids on your shoulders for the fireworks? No problem! It’s not as if there are hundreds of people behind you who also want to see the show or anything. I really am curious as to what line of thought can justify this?
The thing is, I realize kids have a tough time seeing a show from the ground and parents have a difficult time holding them at normal eye level. This leaves them with a conundrum: put them on your shoulders or don’t. If you put them on your shoulders, they can see but you’re blocking the view of countless people behind you. This effectively says, “my children seeing the show are more important than anyone behind me seeing it.”
This could really fall under a general penumbra of “Selfish Guests” that would encompass everything from sitting in the middle seats of what clearly will be a packed theater (despite directions from Cast Members to move all the way down), throwing trash on the ground or not cleaning up the trash at your table for counter service meals, smoking wherever you feel like, waving around your selfie stick without regard for others, and a myriad of other things. That $100/day ticket is not a license to do whatever the heck you want because, “YOU PAID A TON OF MONEY FOR THIS VACATION.”
My rule: if you want to put your kids on your shoulders, do it from a location where there are not people behind you. Alternatively, choose a viewing location where there are not obstructions in front of you. Both exist, particularly when it comes to Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom.
Stroller Etiquette – This is a challenging one for me given the propensity to actually offend, I’ll treat this one with kid gloves. Quite simply, there are exponentially more (and larger) strollers in Walt Disney World and Disneyland than there were even just a decade ago, and also exponentially more in those two locations than there are in Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and even Tokyo Disneyland.
It’s not because the latter have “NO CHILDREN!” rules. Rather, it’s because guests utilize more discretion with the size and use of them, as used to be the case in the U.S. Disney Parks. (Good news! Apparently Disney management shared this sentiment, as new rules at Walt Disney World and Disneyland as of 2019 address this very issue.)
Also, if you operate a stroller, be mindful of the heels in front of you. Let’s again use the roadway analogy: strollers are like cars–yield to pedestrians. Don’t use your stroller as a battering ram to help you plow through crowds when Walt Disney World is a bit crowded!
Rudeness to Cast Members – Don’t like the quality of the beef patty in your burger at Cosmic Ray’s? Having yet another issue with your MagicBand communicating with the Mickey head readers? Think lines for everything are too long? Yelling at the nearest Cast Member seems like a totally reasonable solution.
Oh wait, no it doesn’t. At all. Front of the line Cast Members have about as much control over all of those things as the Apple Store floor employee has over the size of the iPhone. Yelling at any of these people is wholly unreasonable. What exactly are people expecting to accomplish?
Spending a lot of money on your Disney vacation does not entitle you to be an absolute dick to everyone you come across, especially those in positions who go out of their way to put a smile on your kids’ faces and make magic for guests, despite their modest wages. A good rule in life is: “don’t be a dick” but if that’s just too darned tough to follow, a lower standard might be: “don’t be a dick to people regarding situations that are out of their control, especially when they are doing their best to be nice and help you.”
Have you steered clear of my airing of Disney theme park grievances thus far? Well, I have a lot more that you are doing! You couldn’t smooth a silk sheet if you had a hot date with a babe…ah, I lost my train of thought. 😉 (I’m sorry, a lot of the references in this blog probably don’t make sense if you’re not a Seinfeld fan. Then again, I’m not so sure I want people reading this blog who aren’t Seinfeld fans.)
For Walt Disney World trip planning tips and comprehensive advice, make sure to read our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide. For those headed to the West Coast, check out our Disneyland Trip Planning Guide.
Your Thoughts…
What are your Disney theme park pet peeves? Are you so high on the magic of pixie dust when you visit the parks that nothing annoys you? What do I do that annoys you (this is the airing of theme park grievances, after all)? Feel free to vent in the comments. You won’t change anything about how other guests behave at Walt Disney World, but at least it’s therapeutic!
I like this list. Talking on attractions is completely unacceptable to me. Two strangers behind me BSed loudly through Pirates before I asked them to stop so I could experience the ride. They were strangers to each other who thought they discuss how long it had been since they’d been there, where they were from, etc. The one guy hadn’t been there in a decade but he decided to talk through it all rather than enjoy the ride. It’s hard to believe people could be that clueless.
Bright phone screens during shows and attractions are also very rude to me. I’m not talking about running out to take an important call. I mean checking Facebook and Twitter excessively while shining the light throughout the room. Can’t we just experience things anymore? Surely your friend’s dog photo can wait until you’re waiting in a line.
The kid on shoulders thing really irks me… but I also feel kind of weird when i stake out a place up front at parades and take up as much space as I can get away with. There is a sidehand method of generosity to this though as just as the parade starts I look behind me and see if there are kids who may enjoy an invite to the front with me as i now need a much smaller bubble. I’m not tall but i am taller than most kids
My pet peeve is strollers as big as “mini coopers” on the buses. They take up so much room and are dangerous when buses are crowded with standing room only! I raised 2 children taking them to WDW twice each year beginning at ages 1 and 3. We used small umbrella strollers and 1 small backpack that contained everything we needed. Less is more!
I agree 100% with all of your peeves. As for the kid-on-shoulders thing, why doesn’t Disney create an adults-only viewing area like the adults-only areas on the Disney cruise line? And at no extra fee, just an area for those of us who love the parks as adults. No kids allowed, therefore no kids on shoulders blocking the view of the rest of us who want to see the shows/fireworks/castle projections. And until this dream comes true, hold your kid/grandkid on your hip, or get there early enough to be towards the front. Kids on shoulders should be outlawed like selfie-sticks have been.
PERFECT!!! Glad someone FINALLY spoke our minds!!!
I agree with everything on this list. Personally I would add that way too many choose to ride scooters rather than walk the parks. It makes being a pedestrian in the parks a bit hazardous and frustrating at times, especially when they are packed!
I would have to add yelling at your children and/or other party members. In life it isn’t necessary and at the parks it detracts from the experience of others. Chill, take a deep breath, and be thankful for the people you are with and the magical place you were able to come.
My next pet peeve is people who use scooters as weapons. Slow down and be courteous to others. On that same note, pedestrians please be courteous to strollers and scooters. They do need more room to maneuver.
There are moral & ethical reasons to treat castmembers with politeness and respect. Having worked customer service myself, (in retail and at a phone call center) I know what it’s like to be rudely blamed for something I have no control over. So by all means, follow the Golden Rule because it’s the right thing to do.
But there is ANOTHER reason to be as nice as possible to these employees: you might get better service if you’re friendly. Sometimes a customer service rep will make more of an effort to solve your problem if you’re nice. It’s counterintuitive, but it’s often in your own selfish interest to be as nice as possible.
For example, I once had a coupon I was trying to redeem for a Las Vegas hotel room, and the phone agent told me that the coupon wasn’t valid on weekends (the fine print of the coupon didn’t distinguish between weekends or weekdays.) Did I argue? No. Did I throw a tantrum? No. Instead, I politely thanked her for her time, hung up the phone, waited 8 hours (for her shift to end) called back, and got a different phone agent who happily accepted the coupon for a weekend reservation. Be friendly, be nice, and if all else fails try talking to a different employee.
I believe the biggest take away is we all have our pet peeves and there are plenty of ignorant people. And, yes, I am guilty of stopping dead in a walk way, usually because I realize I’m a child short. But I always apologize. I am also guilty of loosing patience over thoughtless people. My point is you are in the happiest place on earth. I remind myself, sometimes frequently to ‘let it go’ or politely remind others there are other people here trying to enjoy the magic.
I agree with everything except for the kid on shoulders part. A 3-5 year old kid can in no way see over the top of all the 5-6 ft adults standing in front of them and why is adults viewing pleasure anymore important than the child’s. Also, If the parent with the child is in front of you, that means they got there first to stake out there spot. I would say a far more important issue than kids on shoulders would be the people with the enormous balloons holding them up blocking everyones view behind them.
An adults view is just as important as a child’s view. We are all there to see a “show” and should be respectful to everyone around us. Regardless of who got there first doesn’t mean you have the “right” to obstruct someone else’s view. Hold the child on your hip at your eye level—if you can see, the child can see. They don’t need to be a whole foot higher than the rest of us. Be kind and respectful.
Try holding a 50lb child on your hip throughout Happily Ever After. You’ll likely drop your child or tweek your back. These are facts. Writing that “an adult’s view is as important as a child’s view” is an opinion. Thanks for yours.
Kevin, I guess they aren’t facts. I’ve held my 50+lb. child for all of HEA. It sure would been easier to hoist my child on to my shoulders, but there were people behind me, and I didn’t want to be rude to them.
Was it the most fun thing to do in the Florida humidity? Nope. But we sure enjoyed the show. I’ll never get tired of hearing my child quietly sing along as we’re cheek to cheek.
I’ve camped for over 1.5 hours before to get a decent, centered view. Eventually people fill in front and behind us. Does that mean I should block someone’s view at the last moment? No.
I always book my Disneyworld vacation right after Thanksgiving because I love to see the changeover to Christmas, it’s simply magical! But along with choosing those dates, the cheer girls always seem to be at the same time. They seem to think that they can block the “roadways” and stop in the center and do a cheer! I did not book my Disney vacation to see and hear alot of cheerleader/dance girls n boys! They also take over the moderate n value resorts. Had to call the front desk 3 times one night because they were practicing their cheers right outside our room at 11:30 one night!
Thank you for having a frustration venting article.
I was beginning to think I had just become a grumpy old man who shouldn’t go to public places any more.
Unfortunately in today’s society these things need to be said.
I couldn’t possibly agree more with you on this list, especially the last 4 points.
Over the last 20 years I have taken several trips to Disney World with groups ranging from just the immediate family of 4 to the extended family of 16 people including 7 children at once.
My two older children ranged in age from 5-15 and my now two step daughters were 16 on our most recent trip.
All of these things have gotten exceptionally worse over the last two decades.
The stroller problem started before we ever even left the airport where instead of bringing a reasonable size stroller or checking it in at the ticket counter or upon arrival at the gate, everyone felt the need to take them all the way down the ramp to the point people couldn’t even get by to get on the plane. This delayed our flight by roughly 45 minutes and yes we know for sure as they announced the delay was due to that very thing. Our flight also had at least one or two small children in every other row at a minimum. We had the courtesy and respect for others to check strollers and carry or let our kids walk which is super easy if you simply plan the little extra time that you need to be considerate of others.
Once at the parks we never brought in huge strollers or used them as battering rams to rush through crowds of people, we never had all of us walking side by side to obstruct the entire walkway just for our own convenience of conversation, never let the kids act like complete wild animals and disrupt others ability to enjoy rides, restaurants, the swimming pools, gardens, or anything else.
They were taught how to act in public, be courteous to others, thank those who helped you or gave you compliments, pick up after themselves, not shove or crowd others in lines, wait your turn at the playground or swimming pool slides, etc.
Simple courtesy and especially not running people over with strollers was definitely absent our last trip earlier this year. By the end of day 3 my shins were black and blue after having been bumped into numerous times a day and a couple of times flat out ran over with one incident ending with me on the ground and not even an apology from the person who ran me over with their monster truck stroller. Granted I could have walked in front of my family and let all of them get run over instead but I wanted them to be safe and enjoy their trip.
I would add two things to the list: 1. don’t crowd up against other people in line, we are all going to the same place and leaving a few inches of personal space between you and the stranger in front of you isn’t going to get you there any slower. 2. Don’t hold your tablets, ipads, and smartphones up in front of other people to record shows or fireworks. They paid to watch it live not on your personal recording device.
Don’t put children on your shoulders?! How can you say that?! I’m 5’1″and I LOVED my recent first trip to WDW and getting to watch the back of 6′ tall sweaty dude with a 3 month old on his shoulders instead of the Hocus Pocus Spectacular that I had been anxiously anticipating for the past year! That was the best part of my trip. I will never forget how the golden locks of the child changed with the color of the lights or his glazed, tired expression as he slumped over his father’s head. I’m sure the 3 month old child will never forget this moment either. Total highlight.
I’m in complete agreement with you! I’m 4’8” and it’s very frustrating when a taller person walks right in front of me, blocking my view. Come on people, notice your surroundings!
Agree 100%. especially the line jumping thing as it seems to have become more and more prevalent as the years have gone on. people are just plain rude and think they’re fooling someone when they have to take a whole string of people through the line just because one four-year-old had to go potty. Thank you for airing all of our grievances
Loved it even though neutral about Seinfield . You opened a flood gate. Add holding up phones to video rides like Pirates or Navi River to the list. I do think your post should be considered required reading as preparation, and reminding us not to be a “d..k”.
A great big “Thank You” for publishing my thoughts exactly. These are a long -time coming. And, before anyone accuses me of not having kids, I have already raised three daughters and taken them to WDW, thank you very much. All of these were observed by us and the girls even commented on some. Please add that yelling at your kids at “The Most Magical Place on Earth” does not contribute to the ambience and rarely does it change the child’s behavior. Once again, thank you.