Disney Parks Pet Peeves
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 (…as if I’ve been holding back 😉 ). Here, it’s time for my “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 anything anywhere at all. Think of it as a junk food blog post that you shouldn’t waste your time reading. That is, unless you read any of the crap on BuzzFeed, ESPN, Facebook, Twitter, etc. In that case you clearly don’t care about wasting your time, so read away, kind souls!
I also 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. With those caveats out of the way, I’ll let my inner Statler & Waldorf take over and share a few of my many Disney theme park pet peeves…
(Just so it’s not all negativity, see my follow-up post titled “The Essence of the Disney Parks’ Magic” for what we love that keeps us coming back…)
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, so 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 (nothing wrong with this by itself) in painfully loud voices that are clearly for the benefit of those around them.
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 (excepting certain Disneyland restaurants), 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, and given that I can’t speak from the experience of taking kids to a theme park. I’ll treat this one with kid gloves and simply start by saying that there are exponentially more (and larger) strollers in Walt Disney World and Disneyland than there were two decades 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. I’m not even remotely suggesting that strollers be banished from the parks (that would be beyond ridiculous–they are a necessity for many guests), but perhaps that guests utilize more discretion with them. 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.
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 Magic Band 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. Come on…it’s therapeutic!
I miss Adventurer’s Club.
“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?”
Sorry, Tom, but we disagree here! I think this is 100% justifiable!
See how you’re mildly annoyed with one ridiculously tall person (read: adult with child on shoulders) to try to look around? That’s how it is to children and very short adults all the time!
Imagine being surrounded 360 degrees by not just one ridiculously tall person, but all around. A child has no hope to see the fireworks unless they are lifted up. I’m sorry that might mean you need to look around a couple people, but you will still be able to see. Unless I hold my child up, they won’t get to see at all.
I’m really sensitive to this because I am a short person. I’m 5 feet tall, and this means I pay for experiences like movies and plays where I can’t see unless I’m always strategically placing my head between the heads of others to view. As soon as someone moves their head, I have to move mine again to compensate. Going to any sort of show like this means I’m thinking about the positioning of other people’s heads 100% of the time (unless I’m really lucky and the person in front of me is a child). So, I won’t be able to see all the fireworks and shows, but I can at least make sure my kiddo can see it. Sorry you’ll have to look around their head, but I guarantee you that you’ll still see more of the show than me!
Why not hold the kid at eye level? They get a view and no one’s view behind the parent holding up the kid is obstructed.
This seems like the win-win approach.
My eye level still wouldn’t allow a child to see. I’m 5 feet tall, and almost all other adults are taller than me. Heck, 15% of men are over 6 feet tall, which means a good chunk of the crowd of people are a foot taller than me!
On the issues of scooters, it’s not always obvious why someone might need one and Disney requires a lot of walking so by all means, if you feel it would be useful get one. But, please for the love of all things Walt do not let your kid play with the on the scooter and with horn.
On our last trip to WDW, it was late afternoon (our patience was wearing a little thin anyway) and we were waiting online for The Little Mermaid. The line was pretty long but that happens. A family with grandpa in a scooter got on line behind us. As we waited, every minute or so we were blessed with the sound of the horn. I gave them death glares, other people gave the family death glares, my boyfriend was mimicing the sound under his breath, people asked them to stop. But, for 45 minuets or so, they let the child toot the darn horn. I know it’s hard to keep a kid occupied during a long wait but please, be conscious of those around you, no one wanted to hear that horn.
one thing i didn’t see…. those people that rent the electric wheelchairs just because they think they will get to the front of the lines OR they are too lazy to walk the parks and then they spend he rest of the day running over everyone else and running into the backs / over the feet of everyone else because they don’t know how to drive them. we lost a day at the Magic Kingdom because someone plowed into my daughter, twisting her knee and foot , before they got off her….
I think maybe you should have just gone with “inattentive users of motorized scooters.” How do you know people are “just being lazy?” Not all injuries are visible. My brother, for example, is a military vet. He’s younger, he looks healthy, but he was seriously injured and has crazy back problems that can be crippling at times.
I’m with you on the fact that some people on scooters can be super rude though. Getting run over by one of those suckers is no joke.
I find the people that actually need the scooters are never rude and so considerate of others around them. On a recent trip we had one woman scream at a bus driver because she was 3rd in line and they only fit 2 on the bus…her words to her family were “so why did I bother getting this piece of shit if we still have to wait?” Meanwhile the 2 already on the bus struggled to vacate the chair and needed their families assistance getting into a seat and then apologising to all the patrons on the bus for taking up time and space.
I thought for sure that you would have mentioned the flash photography or video camera lights on dark rides too. It’s beyond aggravating! Brazilian tour groups chanting and acting obnoxious in lines or in the theatres is another. Lastly, the individual or family group that thinks they can save a block of chairs or tables with umbrellas at the resort pool all day long is also rude. Add those to your pet peeves and we have a pretty god list of things not to do.
My NUMBER ONE Disney pet peeve is guests bringing their sick children to the parks. You’d be alarmed at how often this happens (yes, daily). I’m not talking about the sniffles, I’m talking about full blown, contagious illnesses that can put you and your children in bed for more than a few days.
I’m the parent of two cast members at WDW, a daughter in costuming and a son “in entertainment.” Both have to deal with the fallout of inconsiderate parents bringing contagious tots for a “fun” day at the parks, including substantial time hugging and loving and slobbering on Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and the gang. My son has had to take sick days for PINK EYE (something most adults do not have to do) and has been exposed to chicken pox, measles, the flu, strep, and a few other things he can’t even tell me about. IF the sickness is detected or (as frequently happens) overheard by a character attendant, procedures for the characters are substantial and require them being pulled from on stage while contagion is dealt with in a very serious manner. Meanwhile any other child who has been waiting in line or touched or hugged Goofy, Mickey, etc. has also been exposed to pink eye, chicken pox, or measles as have cast members in costuming, character attendants, and any other cast member or GUEST they come into contact with.
Think not? Remember the chicken pox outbreak a few summers ago when 150 people came down with a disease that had all but been eradicated in our country? Ground zero was determined to be Disneyland in Anaheim.
All Disney parks have magnificent cleaning crews, but think about it, from a guest standpoint ….. those same kids (even adults!) have been running their snotty, germ contaminated hands along the cue rails, the stair rails, every surface and countertop they can reach, attraction seatbelts and security bars, water fountains, benches, trash cans, food trays, and those little finger print kiosks at the main gate. Therefore YOU also are unknowingly exposed.
Think a pocket full of anti-bacterial hand gel is unnecessary at a Disney park? THINK AGAIN!
People are thoughtless and would rather your whole family get the surprise strep diagnosis 10 days after your park visit than keep their sick child at home or, at very least, in their hotel room.
Guest beware. And bring more antibacterial gel.
I can’t agree more! A number of years ago, I was at WDW when I came in contact with a child who was dealing with flu, as his Mom loudly proclaimed to all of us in line for the Mine Train at Magic Kingdom. (She thought it would cheer him up to come to Disney for the day!). This was day one of our trip. By the night of Day Two, I was, how do you say this delicately, fully engulfed with flu from both ends of my spectrum. I spent the entire vacation in the bedroom/bathroom of our DVC resort villa, barely able to move. I was able to keep food down and actually get up the day we left to go home! (AND I had a flu shot that year!). Antibacterial gel is not only a must, but I also tend to consume extra vitamins while I’m in the World. But what would really help? Keep your flu ridden children home!!!!!
The flu is a respiratory illness. Seems like you caught a stomach virus. The flu shot has nothing to do with that.
Agreed! A friend asked us to watch her kids just 2 weeks before our first trip to WDW. When she picked up she said “oh I forgot to mention they have been exposed to chicken pox” I had a 3 month old at the time who had not been immunized. The incubation period ended the day we arrived at the resort. We watched the kids closely and checked them over before we left for the parks. Needless to say we never watched her kids again.
Just returned from a Disney cruise, and selfish guest behavior was on full display there, too. The family of 4 kids and 6 adults who do every single iteration of families, kids only, parents, sisters, brothers, couples and singles in every single character picture taken all week- while a huge line waits behind them. Ugh! Also, families of 30 people sitting on the tiny stairways, pushing ahead of waiting passengers for elevators that take forever and being oblivious of others at the buffet, causing you to bump into them and spill their food. Ugh!
My mom got run over by a stroller several years ago at the Magic Kingdom. Her heel was cut up and being diabetic, it was a painful and long healing wound she had to deal with on our vacation, all because stroller peeps pay no attention to anything but themselves. I think you need to rent ALLLLLL the billboards going into WDW and put your list of how not to be a dick on them- one full per billboard for miles and miles. You might even set up a go fund me to support it!!! You are soooo right about all your points!
Eating food in queue or on ride!
This seemed to happen a lot on my last few trips… people decide the perfect place to open that bag of aromatic ranch potato chips, peanut butter sandwich or even sushi(!) is when standing next to you in line or while riding along with you on the attraction .. despite the multiple warnings against food or drink. If you’re lucky none of the food will end up spilled on your person, and only your nose will be assaulted.
We always eat snacks in line. Usually just pretzels or crackers or granola bars. I mean it keeps the kids from whining and passing out! Lol. We would never eat on a ride though… that seems really rude.
I hear you. The beef is with the rude guests, not Disney.
I hate the flash photography on rides the most, then line jumpers, followed by rude stroller behavior. We went every year, starting at age 5, and my twin and I never rode in a stroller. They walk side by side, bump your ankles, and seem oblivious to others around them. It’s all like the cats who drive on the berm to avoid waiting in traffic like the rest of us- entitled, self-centered and obnoxious. Had to laugh last week at the car that went zooming by- only to find himself behind a police car at the end, who waved him to a stop. If only Disney police could do the same.
I hate the same things. Why are you taking photographs of the ride? Watch it with your eyes. If want a photo of the ride there are fifty million on google. I say the same thing to my wife when she’s videoing. Put it down and watch it. You can YouTube a video.
I guess I’m just curmudgeonly when it comes to strollers. My kids stopped riding in the stroller very early. When they were able to walk, we made them. I see people in the parks and I would be willing to bet good money that some of these kids are 9,10, and 11 years old. No wonder they’re fat.
Biggest pet peeve for me is people using Flash photography on rides, especially when recording the ride. Drives me up the wall. 2nd, people being loud on a ride; I’m there to hear the ride, not them.
Disney Festivus! I love it. Yes, there are MANY strollers. On our first trip, we had packed a small umbrella stroller. Sadly, it didn’t land in Orlando with us, which put us squarely in the “kid on your shoulders” category. She was 5 at the time and did ok for awhile, but my husband was able to meet his upper body/strength training goals for the week pretty easily. 🙂 That said, I think (I hope) we were mindful of people behind us during standstill things like fireworks. Back to the strollers….. Our running “joke” (sad statement of humanity) was the number of kids that seemed to be, in our opinion, WAY to old for a stroller. Now, before I’m lambasted, I realize there are older kids that need strollers. Not talking about you. I mean the parents that clearly got a stroller mostly to hold their stuff. I say this with conviction because 90% of the time, that’s all that was in the stroller, while said child was happily walking through the park. If you’re using it mostly for stuff, then please, get an umbrella stroller for the child and use a backpack. Ok I feel better now. Thanks.
We saw that a lot on our June trip. I admit to having a scooter and we have a 12 year old with special needs. He has a special stroller designed for his size and mobility needs. Disney was kind enough to let it count as a stroller because it was equipped to be used on a bus. He was able to stay in it on the bus. We did have to wait longer because od that and the scooter. Only 2 fit on each bus. We did the kind thing…I sent hubs back with kiddo and has stroller and I waited for the next bus.
I think overall our society as a whole has forgotten courtesy, as well as contending with differing cultural behaviors. My kids were raised Disney kids and they know first hand how to treat the cast and other guests. My daughter works at Busch Gardens while attending college near by amd she is stunned by the way people treat the employees there. She said she would never speak to a Disney cast the way she has been treated.
My pet peeve is actually when people call double strollers “double wide” like they are talking about an eighteen-wheeler. They are just double strollers, and they are essential to families with young children.
We just returned from a family reunion trip to WDW. Our family used a double sit and stand model stroller for our 3 young children (ages 4, 2, and 10 months). The 4 year old could walk most of the time, and when he couldn’t, he rode on the platform. This level of stamina was only achieved because we started a walking program before our trip.
For several reasons, I respectfully disagree with those who complain about all the strollers. It is simply not possible to expect a child under 5 or even 6 to walk the 7-8 miles MINIMUM that is required at WDW. And no, it is not a matter of less active kids. It is a matter of a small child’s small legs and the HUGE amount of walking that is required at WDW.
Because of this, strollers are a lifesaver of park touring. And yes, for those of us that have multiple small children like myself, you will have to deal with “double wide” strollers during your visit.
Once again, I am not trying to start an argument, just promote conversation. Also, stroller etiquette is a whole other matter entirely. I too groan when a family with multiple strollers walk side by side, blocking the entire walkway. I am just addressing those who frown on strollers as a whole.
Thank you for a great article, Tom, and a relatively respectful comment section.
-Angela
You’re right that there are people who sometimes have two babies or a baby and a toddler, and they might need a double stroller.
However, I disagree with you about kids who are 5 and 6. The last time we went to Disney, our kids had JUST turned 4 and 6. Neither of them needed a stroller. Pediatric groups recommend you start weaning kids off a stroller by age 3, just like you would a bottle. They say strollers are still appropriate for 3 year olds when necessary, but you’re doing a child a disservice by still using them after age 4.
I don’t know if Tom allows news links in the comments, but you can Google, “Too Big For a Stroller: Why Carting Your Big Kids Does a Disservice” to read more.