Disney Parks Pet Peeves
In 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! This blog is normally sunshine and rainbows, but it’s time for you to hear what I really think. It’s time for my annual “Airing of Disney Parks Guest Grievances” in honor of Festivus. (Updated December 23, 2023.)
This is a companion piece, of sorts, to our new Top 10 Guest Complaints About Walt Disney World. Those are all of the grievances that you have about the parks. Here, it’s time for all of the issues the parks have with you. Well, not “you” as an individual, and theme parks are inanimate objects so they don’t really have grievances to air. I think you get the idea, though. That list was grievances of guests; this one is grievances about guests.
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 is clog up walkways, obstruct views, make noise during attractions, and lead to longer wait times. 😉
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!
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 certainly don’t have any malice towards anyone who does these things. We’ve both been guilty of some of the “offenses” here!
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…
Screens Up! – I don’t know who needs to hear this, but YouTube exists. Joking aside, it’s such an odd phenomenon to see the fireworks start and hundreds of screens go up over heads. Wanting to capture a small snippet to share on social media is one thing, but some people are out there recording the full show with shaky hands from an off-center angle behind a shoulder kid (see below) on a phone with a busted screen. There’s a 100% chance that video will be worse than 100,000+ videos already on YouTube, freely accessible to all.
Don’t get me wrong: having your own photos and videos–even subpar ones–is important. Documenting experiences and having tangible reminders of lasting memories is far better than any souvenir you can buy. What’s key is making them your own. Don’t take photos or video of JUST the fireworks or JUST the stage show or JUST the food.
After recording a few seconds of pyro, pan back to capture the wide-eyed wonder of your child as the glow of the fireworks washes over their face. Take a snapshot of your significant other about to devour a dessert the size of their head. Obtain photographic evidence of grandpa falling asleep during MuppetVision as a future reminder of their distinctly unpatriotic gaffe.
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.
I’ll be honest with you: it’s possible I’ve become part of the problem. As a frequent photographer of construction walls on both coasts, I very frequently overhear other guests wonder whether Splash Mountain is being converted into a restaurant. If they seem the friendly type, I’ll respond: “I don’t know if you were kidding or not, but it’s actually going to be a similar ride based on The Princess and the Frog. Kinda funny and confusing that they have signs that say ‘Tiana’s Foods’ and nothing about a ride, but that’s what it’ll be.”
That is the script I have “perfected” in my head that is, in my opinion, a good mixture of disarming and not too know-it-all-y. At least, that’s my hope. I’ll let you be the judge as to whether I’m being helpful or have become part of the problem!
Rudeness to Cast Members – Don’t like the quality of the beef patty in your burger at Cosmic Ray’s? Having yet another issue trying to book Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations? Think lines for everything are too long? Yelling at the nearest Cast Member seems like a totally reasonable solution that will absolutely fix the problem.
Oh wait, no it doesn’t. At all. Frontline Cast Members are about as much to blame for those problems and decisions as the McDonald’s burger flipper is for Hamburglar’s many crimes. The Cast Members you see in parks don’t create the unpopular policies, even if they are tasked with enforcing them. Yelling at any of these people is wholly unreasonable. What exactly are guests expecting to accomplish?
Spending a lot of money on a Walt Disney World vacation does not entitle guests to be jerks to anyone who gets in their way or prevents them from having a “perfect” trip. Cast Members go out of their way to put a smile on kids’ faces and make magic for guests, and should be treated accordingly.
This is especially true now. Cast Members are under increased stress, having had to play babysitter and rule enforcers to adults for the last year, while also seeing thousands of their colleagues lost during mass layoffs. On top of that, they also bear the brunt of ever-increasing guest complaints about reduced entertainment, Genie+, and other policy changes and cuts made by people at a way higher pay grade. None of this is their fault–being rude to Cast Members only exacerbates problems and degrades the guest experience for those who visit later, as Cast Member burn-out worsens.
A good rule in life is to follow Wheaton’s Law. If that’s too tough to follow, a lower standard is: “don’t be rude to people regarding situations that are out of their control, especially when they are doing their best to be nice and help you.”
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. Instead, observe the rules of the road. Allow sufficient room for oncoming traffic. Leave open space 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, don’t stop in your tracks to look at a map in the middle of a walkway. Navigate the parks like it’s not your first time walking in public.
Filling In All Available Space – I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re at the end of the extended queue in Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and the wait time is 180 minutes, standing as close as possible to the person in front of you won’t make the line move any faster. Spacing way back in line has no bearing on efficiency at load, which is the only thing that really matters. You can leave a little breathing room for comfort farther back in the line.
To be sure, there are times when filling in all available space is necessary. If a Cast Member makes the request, do it–there’s likely an operational reason for it (like getting enough people into the Haunted Mansion Stretching Room to ensure a steady flow in the queue afterwards). Moreover, no one should expect 6′ in all directions at this point. But most of the time, there’s no reason to invade the personal space of the strangers around you. There’s a happy medium.
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. One parent taking a child to the bathroom while the other jumps in line with the rest of the pack is absolutely reasonable.
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.
A fair 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.
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.
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. A few words is mildly annoying but relatively harmless–let’s just avoid trying to quote entire paragraphs of the attraction script.
Stroller Etiquette – This has become less of an issue in the last couple of years due to a rule change last year. There was a brief period when Walt Disney World turned into the wild west for strollers, with huge wagons, royal carriages, and Star Wars spaceships. No joke–there were businesses renting out “themed” strollers!
If you operate a stroller, please 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 walkways are a bit congested with traffic!
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?
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 parents with a conundrum: put them on 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 is more important than anyone behind me seeing it.”
Fair 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 or Luminous: The Symphony of Us in Epcot.
Shoulder kids 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. Again, that $100+ per day ticket is not a license to do whatever the heck you want because, “YOU PAID A TON OF MONEY FOR THIS VACATION.”
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.)
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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!
One pet peeve is taking infants in 90 to 100 degree weather. It’s dangerous babies cannot sweat people they put plastic over them when it rains and they cannot wear sunscreen till 6 months old. They’re out there all day and come back on the busses at 10pm.
Also people with large groups using the single ride line then all meeting up further up. A family on ten passed me on millennium falcon.
When you get on a ride alone they frequently put you with a fat smelly soaked in sweat guy.
On a scooter people cut you off all day. It’s a miracle you don’t run over a million people. If you walk in front of me and don’t look around you I can’t anticipate your actions. That being said I didn’t hit anyone. Even thought after awhile I wanted to. I did get hit by a carriage! People gave me dirty looks I felt hated and judged.
My first ride on avatar a lady brought someone scared so she loudly announced when she should close her eyes .
There are designated handicap areas where people would get right in front everyone with no wheelchair or scooter.One woman took out bug repellent and sprayed everyone. I needed inhalers.
One of Disney’s transportation guys screamed at me because someone hit him with a scooter. And one told me I had to wait for the second bus despite no other scooters were there.
You do know babies have been born in Florida since before the invention of air conditioning? The babies are probably local babies they are used to the heat. They also make specific rain shields for strollers that are breathable. I just hate seeing this pet peeve because Florida parents know how to take care of their Florida babies, and we aren’t going to stay home for ever or even 6 months out of the year. I’ve heard every variation of “they have no immune system,” “they can’t ride the rides,” “they won’t even remember it.”
Parents have a lot of tricks you don’t see like going to see Tiki Birds to cool off, or keeping cool bottles at Baby Care. A lot have stroller fans and sun shades. I promise you, the babies are well cared for and there are places specifically for them to cool off and have their needs met.
On one rope drop morning in MK years ago, the man behind me kept hitting me in the heels with a stroller. First time, no problem. Second time, annoying but could still be an accident. More than that? It’s deliberate. I finally turned around, and with a big smile, said, “Sir, if you hit me with that stroller one more time, I’m going to hit you back. Have a magical day.” His mouth dropped open and I had to cover my laughter. (To be clear, I would never have hit him. I just wanted to make a point.) Oddly enough, he didn’t hit me again. This whole article comes down to one thing – be courteous to those around you. It makes life easier for everyone.
Haha I don’t know that just because you smiled while saying something like that makes it “courteous,” but I do know I’d have busted a gut laughing if I’d been standing next to you when you said this.
Our son did an internship at Walt Disney World a couple of years ago. He was often approached by rude customers often (he hated working at the Grand Floridian because the customers there seem to believe they’re above all). Keep in mind, in his possession was a rather large stack of Fast Pass certificates which he could use to accommodate questions and concerns, but he NEVER gave them to anyone who was rude or argumentative with him! A polite conversation about an issue or concern can reap huge benefits! On our last trip, we had an issue with our Magic Bands – they couldn’t be used for charging. A quick trip and a nice conversation fixed the problem, and we got a free drink as a result!
This post, although warned not to must read it, almost makes me want to unsubscribe. I know that people sans children have a hard time understanding some of this “rude” behavior, but as a mother of two boys (who went to Disney about 10 times herself as a child/young adult), it’s sometimes hard to control your behavior when you have such high hopes/expectations for the memories you want to make. This does blur your judgment and some normal etiquette does fall out the window in lieu of the high intensity/adrenaline/tired energy that drives some of this off kilter behavior. Maybe given that Disney is marketed primarily to people with kids, Disney should consider some solutions for “stroller lanes” or adult only hours. I try to be considerate and not intentionally rude, but I would never apologize for my behavior if it provided my child an advantage, and I think most parents would feel the same way.
Wow, you’re really entitled and teaching your kids to be likewise…
I was kind of tracking with you until the last line, and then you absolutely lost me. That is such a selfish attitude! You do know that by providing your kid an advantage, you are taking something away from other people’s children, right? How is your child more important than everyone else’s? Other parents may feel the way you do, but this parent certainly does not. In fact, it is that very attitude that I try to teach my children NOT to have. I hope the values I instill in them will lead them to do what they can to provide other people with advantages and not selfishly hoard it for their own families.
No, most people don’t feel entitled as you do. I hope. All about you at the expense of others. Lovely things to teach your children.
Looks like Rick Singer could have another customer…..but you might have to wait a little while til he is back in business
“I would never apologize for my behavior if it provided my child an advantage, and I think most parents would feel the same way.”
Yikes. Just reading that statement is painfully embarrassing.
Just like to go on record as a mother of two small girls (who are *very* into Disney, so our visits are always “high-stakes”) that most parents do NOT feel this way. I would do many things for my kids, but I won’t be a jerk to innocent people just because it’ll make my kid temporarily happy. Even my 6-year-old knows she is always responsible for her own behavior.
What a weird thing to say.
“…but I would never apologize for my behavior if it provided my child an advantage, and I think most parents would feel the same way.”
Boy, you’re the type of parent that screams at a teacher for failing their kid. The one that never turned in any work and you still think they’re entitled to an ‘A’.
Yikes–you had me in the first half, not gonna lie….but then you went off the rails! You’re who he’s talking about in most of this post, unfortunately. I haven’t even read the other responses to this (though I feel sure there are many) but “I would never apologize for my behavior…” pretty much tells me all I need to know. I hope you come around to seeing the error of your ways, and stop making the world a terrible place for everyone else.
My children are grown now but we all still love Disney. Everyone has the same right to enjoy their holiday regardless of whether their party includes children. A little courtesy goes a long way, manners and an awareness of those around you are a good place to start. Disney is our happy place and I think it’s very presumptive to assert that families should get special treatment. I am always considerate of young families but believe that should work both ways. I would never have dreamt of taking a crying baby into a show but that is one of my pet peeves. Otherwise I think Tom has echoed my thoughts exactly.
i was with you (YES to stroller lanes and stroller-less hours as a parent myself!) until that last line. you don’t speak for most parents.
I am fairly certain I am repeating myself on this article, but I will say it again. How do you people survive going to the mall / movies / sporting events / church / walking down busy streets / take public transportation… essentially going anywhere in public, with all these… people… infringing upon your rights to not be bothered by their presence??? Either speak up or shut up. Life is too short to be bothered by such minutiae!
Come on man, passive aggressive behaviour is the American Way, don’t ya know? if you can’t gripe about it on your blog where no one who does these things exist, are you really living your life? The answer is, obviously, NO! 🙂
Anyway, it was an all in good fun article, meant to get people to realize that there are other people at the theme parks and everywhere else and they should be aware of and considerate towards others.
I also take issue with sanctimonious people whose pet peeve is, obviously, people complaining about their pet peeves. There I spoke up!
You must live a really idyllic life…where do you live, Disneyland?
To all those who disagree with me… noted.
Have a good day.
Nothing that I mention here has ruined our trip in anyway …. butttt I will tell you my frown moments.
People on motorized scooters who feel entitled. Nearly everyone in our party was hit at least once, some more than that at the Mickeys Christmas Party by people operating these devices.
Also, we waited almost an hour in a perfect spot for the parade. A guy stuck his hand out continuously in the middle of my group trying to get the attention of the characters in the parade. He literally showed up 5 minutes before the event. I finally told him Politely to stop that he was ruining my pictures.
I just got back from Disney in the 9th. My biggest pet peeve was the motorized scooters. They didn’t care how they parked or what they blocked or how they drove. They buzzed them in and out of crowds like they owned the place
I honestly feel Disney should have a travel lane
for them like we do for bikes on the streets
The strollers didn’t bother me I thank god I rented the double stroller the kids napped in it and we didn’t have to carry them. I found most of the parents were courteous with them however the adults on those scooters NOT so much
Seems like the people that rent the motorized scooters, regardless of where you go, are always like that. and notice I say rent. I don’t think the ones that use them constantly and have their own are like those who rent one. I get it, MK’s a big place and it’d be difficult to do without it, but be kind to others!
Its unfortunate that you have problem with people on scooters but as one person who needs them and uses them daily you need to know they do not have brakes all we can do is go slow and release the lever when some thoughtless people walk right in our path and get hit by the scooter and blame the rider.
I’m not imagining that there’s, like, ten times as many of these things as there used to be, right? Also (and I do apologize if you genuinely need a scooter to get around) it sure seems like many of the ones I’ve seen are being used simply because the people on them are…not in very good shape. If you have a genuine mobility issue that’s one thing, but I can’t help but feel that a lot of the time these are just ‘lazy enablers’ about to run me down all day!
I totally agree with everything you said! My pet peeve is a variation of the monster strollers. Why anyone needs a stroller the size of a Buick is a head scratcher. This relates to bus loading/unloading. Why does someone with a stroller wait until it is their turn to step onto the bus before attempting to close the stroller? It’s usually crammed so full of crap, that it takes forever. Conversely, why do they always step right off the bus and reassemble? How about stepping away from the path of others to take care of business! People are so rude and out of touch. My other peeve is when a horde or gaggle stops to converse in the middle of a walking area? You see people having to dodge around you and you continue to obstruct the flow! That really frosts my cookies!!! Let’s all be a bit more conscious of our actions and everyone will be able to enjoy the parks.
The “stopping in the middle of a walking area” gets to me every time (note: this is true anywhere–mall, city street, etc, but ESPECIALLY high traffic areas like amusement parks). I’m so tempted to just walk into them anyway and hope they might learn a valuable lesson about deciding to suddenly impede the flow of traffic.
People stopping in walkways, or spreading out their entire party wide so no one else can get around drives me nuts. Also, rude parade/fireworks watchers are the worst! We arrive early and get as close as we can to the front, and then people start squeezing from either side. We end up squished, or have to stand with some of us in front of the others in our party. But really, having had a stroller in the parks with multiple kids…people who use the space I leave in front of my stroller to make sure I do not hit anyone drive me crazy! Leaving after fireworks at MK was the worst. If I would leave 6 inches in front of my stroller so I make sure my stroller doesn’t hit anyone, a party of 4 will step over the side of the stroller and grab that space. It happens repeatedly!!!
But finally, the people who use the many areas where WDW corrals guests who were in line into a “lump” to get to the front of the crowds RNR, TOT, etc.) get me mad. i wish WDW would do away with those areas all together.
Spot on! I wish Disney would designate 2 weeks where no strollers or scooters were allowed in the parks. I would pay extra for that!
I have to pick at AP holders and DVCers. Having these two things doesn’t make you any more entitled than you seem to think. My daughter is a former cast member and some of the stories she has told in regards to this group of people just amazes me. And they wave those around when their vacation isn’t ‘up to par’.
Another thing that bothers me-don’t make extra work for the custodial cast member. Clean up after yourself!!
Love this blog!!
While reading this post, Disney literally served up an ad of a family with the kid on his dad’s shoulders directly below your shoulder kids complaint.
Can I add “not really handicapped adults” who abuse handicap areas? I’m not talking the old rent a handicap relative scam. I mean adults with some health concern or mobility limitation who take advantage. Last time we were at WDW we squeezed into the last space we could find in the handicap viewing area well ahead of a parade and got dagger stares from the adults next to us one of which had a scooter (our daughter uses a walker and was in a stroller instead of a wheelchair so I guess we didn’t appear handicap enough). Before the parade started, the adult on the scooter got up and walked to the nearest restaurant and came back 20 minutes later with sodas for her and her friend who had sat comfortably on the scooter she left behind to save their spot. It’s hard enough to do Disney with limitations, but to watch stuff like that just rubs it in a little harder.
Watched a guy not having a fast pass for Spaceship Earth get huffy at the cast member and head off to guest services. The posted wait time? 5 minutes. There had to be more happening there than we saw, but yikes. Just. Wait. 5. Minutes. He probably blocked the line for the entire 5 minutes it would have taken him to get through the line and get on the ride.
Also, don’t clog the Fastpass line if you don’t have a Fastpass. I don’t know what the end game is, that people will make it so inconvenient they will just be let in? It really really really backs up the line at the rides which in turn makes Standby take longer. There is supposed to be a flow. If you have a problem stand off to the side so others can scan in.
One of my biggest pet peeves –. People waiting right at the fast pass entrance before their time – or one person scans in and then blocks the entrance till the rest of their party catches up . These people cause me to utter passive- aggressive sarcastic comments
Oh my gosh, people that “stop short” drive me and my husband nuts! Those that stop without warning, those that stop at the exits of rides and block the way, those that block the entrance or exit to shops. Drive us crazy! Move along and pay attention to the flow or pull over to the right! Serenity Now!
OH MY GOSH YES. In reference to Tom’s ‘don’t hit me in the heels with your stroller’ bit, I may or may not purposefully hit you in the heels with my stroller if you abruptly stop in front of me and block the path. I try to be courteous with my stroller – because it is an obnoxious monstrosity, and the stroller congestion is a real problem – but people…seriously…MOVE!
I also hate talking on attractions!! Use the time waiting in line to spend quality time with your party. Talk, laugh, snack, whatever! But when you finally get in the attraction, sit back, soak it in, and enjoy!!
What I don’t understand about kids on shoulders is that a much better alternative exists. If you are unable to grab a spot where your children will have a clear view, you could just hold them piggy back style. They will be able to see clearly; their head won’t be any higher than yours, so you won’t be blocking the view of those behind you; and it’s easier on your back/safer for your child. It’s a no-brainer for us!
People make it harder though for people with small kids. I did stand and hold my place forever prior to the Halloween parade 2 years ago and as soon as it got dark and things started happening people just started stopping in front of us and pushing us further towards the back. People just don’t care anymore about others.
Yeah, i would say a lot of complaints above that involve kids will no longer be complaints once Tom has kids, haha 🙂 Or, they will be complaints, but will then see our point of view and realize he was wrong.
Disagree wholeheartedly. I have kids and I am adamantly against ‘shoulder kids.’ My kids are eight and twelve years old who still enjoy the magic of the parks but when three-year-old shoulder kids block their view of the fireworks/parades, then it’s very frustrating for me as a parent. My kids are too big for me to lift up so they are left doing the bob and weave technique to try and catch a few glimpses of the show. Also, if you are saving a parade spot, then it’s your responsibility to ensure that you are as far forward as you can get in your area. If you leave a gap, then it’s fair game for someone to take that open spot. It’s like getting upset when someone sits in the row in front of you at a movie theater. If you choose not to be in that spot, then someone else will take it. If they are trying to ‘push’ you back, then just be firm and stand your ground right at the edge of the tape. They will be the ones called out by cast members for being outside of the taped areas.
So people who don’t have kids are just wrong? That’s nice.
We usually park and brake our stroller and have the kids stand in the seats. This is much easier for us. And, if I stand behind the stroller, the kids can lean against me when/if they get tired.
Great solution! Love it!
We took our 2 boys to Disney World back in the late 70’s & early 80’s. They were 6 & 3 years old the first time we took them. Back then strollers were unheard from in the parks. We managed without them. Now it seems that everybody has a stroller and most of the times they are empty except for food & who knows. They are what I call road hogs and very inconsiderate to other people. If we could manage without strollers back then, why can’t the people now.
How about people who decide to take photos of their favorite ride, or during a theater performance, especially when a cast member has stated “no flash photography” at the onset of the production? Or texting in a dark theater/ride?
Also, just about anything that smells of “entitlement”. We ALL paid a ton of money for our vacation, not just you, so how about a little respect, people???
Yes!!! I am a highly patient person but I about lost in with someone taking flash photos during the Carousel of Progress.
I completely relate to every single one of these and have seen these things done countless times at Disney World. I would also like to add a few items that are relatively newer to the Disney experience. One is the ridiculous amount of times people have stopped in the middle of somewhere to take a selfie. I cannot tell you the amount of times I’m speedwalking and have almost plowed into the back of someone because they’ve completely stopped in the middle of walking to take a picture of themselves. Not only that, but I have had people in the food line stop and hold up the entire line so they can take a picture of their food while they’re at the counter and then post it on social media before they get out of line and let the next person be served. We also had problems with the Mickey/Minnie ears that so many people have now. Don’t get me wrong, I own quite a few pairs myself and love them, but it’s really annoying when a person sits in front of you and they’ve got these elaborate ears on their head while you’re trying to watch a show and you spend the entire time trying to look over them. Have a little common courtesy and take them off while you’re sitting in a theater. You can put them right back on when the show is over.
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you just said!! Thank you!! The ride on scooters have been a problem for me this week. On several occasions in different parks people have gone into quick service restaurants riding on their scooters then, shockingly, they can’t turn the thing around after they’ve completed their order. We had to actually pick up the scooter to help one lady get back out and get her order for her to bring to her table.
The kid on the shoulders is my biggest pet peeve. When our kids were small we went early enough to get a spot they could see from. If I wasn’t lucky enough to get a good spot I certainly wasn’t going to ruin the view for the people in back of me. This is the same as people that hold there phones and ipads up past there head level to video a whole show. People are getting more selfish all of the time. I notice a difference just in the 10 years I’ve been going to WDW.
You’re 100 0/0 correct about holding iphones and ipads one’s head to record an event. Totally scorches my buns…
I am currently at WDW. I have bad mobility issues and have to use a scooter. I can walk and can transfer but I am unable to walk for long distances without extreme pain.
That being said thankfully I havent taken out anyone but people do not pay attention. They will be walking close together and I willl be beside them and they will spread out and I will have to stop abruptly or hit them. My husband will usually run interference or stay beside me so I dont run over people or get runover. I hate having to have a scooter but it is either have a scooter or not come. I will say however that maybe some type of statement or proof of necessity for having a scooter would be feasible.
I just returned from WDW ROTR opening. The 5th went smoothly for me. On the 8th, the resort said Hollywood would open at 6. I was there. The Cast told everyone around me the queue would open at 7:45. That was fine for me but the guy next to me said he was going back to the resort to get his son and would be back by 7:45. Disney opened the queue at 7:15. By 7:45 all the times were gone. He probably didn’t get in because he believed Disney. I WOULD RECOMMENED DISNEY MAKE A DISCISION AND GO WITH IT. STOP CHANGING THINGS. IT ONLY CONFUSES THE GUESTS.