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!
Been doing WDW since the late 70’s. Last trip I was stunned at the trash people toss in ride lines. Food and wine festival visitors are slobs, leaving drink cups everywhere. Water bottle floating in the “lake” in Pandora. How about, after finding your spot for *illuminations* 40 minutes in advance only to have someone try and push their kids in front of you so they can see… And tell you to grow up when we say “sorry, but no”. My son had his feet run over by a nasty stroller lady. TALKING ON THE CELL PHONES WITH THE SPEAKER ON. Of course, line cutters. How is the price of their ticket more important than the price of ours??? Again, the group tells us to grow up after we complained
Masks have solved this, but the smoking in the parks was incredibly irritating. No one wants to walk behind your cloud, inhaling more than you did. Bonus points when they tossed the butt in the bushes.
My favorite was my first time on mine train , when the guy ahead of me repeatedly yelled “Heigh-Ho” as if the rest of us would find it hysterical. Please, no talking on rides. And you weren’t funny, bruh.
The line jumping is totally out of control. Very rarely is a parent with a small child trying to get to the rest of the family. It’s always a mixed age large group joining the “line holder” who didn’t want to ride the ride the group just got off of. I’ve watched these groups tell cast members that they need to get to their group and they are allowed to walk right in and begin walking thru the line. Cast members should be instructed not to let these groups in. If you have to leave the line, a cast member could give you a lanyard to present to get back in the line, that would stop the mayhem. In January I heard a man tell a group that what they were doing was wrong and inconsiderate. One of the group turned around and told him to shut the @*#@ up, turned around, and the group had a good laugh. These are self indulgent idiots who will only be stopped by changes in the rules.
I wish they’d crack down on line jumping too. As the mom of an extremely stubborn kid who’s favorite hobby at Disney World trip was holding it as long as possible before finally saying she needed to go once we were in line, I understand the need to take a kid to the bathroom. My husband and older daughter would continue through the line and after we hit the bathroom we simply went to the exit, explained the the cast member what happened, then we’d wait off to the side until my husband and kid made it to the front. If they beat us, they’d just wait off to the side for us to get back. I’m sure that’s not full proof either but at least we weren’t shoving past tons of guests trying to find them.
I agree with all the things you said! We ALL paid a hefty price to get into the park and no one should act like they are entitled to more than the rest of us. Common courtesy goes a long way. I’ve been going to Disney for years and definitely see that crowds have gotten less respectful towards each other and the parks in general. Once upon a time you would not see even the tiniest piece of trash in Disney, now people don’t seem to care and the cast members can’t keep up. Hopefully people reading this will take heart and think twice about how they act next time they are there
Yes! I remember years ago you wouldn’t see a piece of trash on the ground for more than a minute or so. It was so clean…everywhere in the parks.
I’ll never forget the time my family waited for a parade for a LONG time. When the parade finally started heading our way, a couple down the street a bit from us decided it was too sunny I guess and opened up a huge umbrella. Completely blocked our front row view we had waited so long for. A polite request got no response so I asked for cast member help. She tried her best but they pretended they didn’t speak English. Never wished I had brought a stinkbomb with me so badly in my life. Definitely some options for situations like this should be on the packing list articles
It’s been a few years since we visited WDW, so this might have changed — but my festivus pole gets bent out of shape with this scooter issue: When buses are super crowded and you have to wait for the third or fourth one, yet a scooter rider can pull right up and get on immediately. I understand the need for scooters and have no gripe about the scooter taking up multiple seats; however, why can’t the scooter rider wait in line like everyone else? Surely they are used to waiting in line at grocery stories, at the movie theater popcorn line, or whatever, right?
Have to agree with you on this. If the person in the scooter has medical problems and can’t wait, that’s one thing. But many simply use them due to mobility issues, which is totally fine. Then just wait in line. I would add that handicap people waiting for a bus are technically only allowed a certain number of people to board with them. The others must wait in the regular line like the rest of us. Last trip we were waiting in a crazy long bus line. Scooter with 8 extra people pulls up just as a bus does. The bus driver (god bless him!!!!!) politely told the scooter person they could only have however many extra people board with them and a lady in their group lost her mind. Started yelling like a lunatic at the bus driver then got in line yelling that handicap people were not being treated respectfully and that all of us in line were selfish and should be ashamed of ourselves and that the line was too long and she shouldn’t be forced to wait. Someone quietly told her “the handicap person in your party IS being taken care of as well as several other members of your party. YOU are not handicapped so why should you get ahead of us?” You can imagine how that went over… Reminds me of those people who used to “rent” a handicap person for the day so they could walk to the front of all the lines, forcing Disney to change its policy and make it hard for actual families with disabilities. Entitled much???
My other gripe is phones. Please put them down!! Stop recording walking around the parks, fireworks, rides, etc. By all means take a picture of your kid (or yourself!) with Mickey, but try just enjoying the moment!! Your video of the ride doesn’t compare to living it!! And if you want a video, check YouTube. There are tons of videos! I don’t want to see fireworks on the screen of the phone your holding over your head and in my way. I want to see the real fireworks in all their glory! If you must record, hold it in front of your own face!
That being said, I feel annoying people count as a very small number overall. Most people we see are enjoying the magic and doing their best to be polite and respectful of others.
Michelle, I completely agree with you!!! They should definitely have to wait with everyone else and get loaded once they get to the front of the line.
My pet peeve besides kids on shoulders, is people and their phones. They hold them up to record fireworks and shows, and thus block everyone from behind them from seeing, too. Grrrr
Very well said, Tom!!
I totally, vehemently agree with you!
I’ve read many pages and agree with most of them.
However, I haven’t seen this one mentioned at all, and it is a biggie for me:
Huge backpacks that are packed for the himalaya’s that people are unaware of. I have been hit so many times in line that I threatened to push the person in front of me back to see how it felt. (never did it). Honestly, if you need supplies for the entire week with you, just pay attention to where you are slinging it every time you move. It seems everyone brings one now, and of course, I know young Mom’s need things for the little ones. BUT thatis not what I’m talking about. Every time I’ve been hit was by a fit, large male who didn’t apologize or even notice there was someone besides him in line.
Well, there, I’ve said it and I feel much better, but it is honestly frusrating.
I live in NYC, and I visit WDW 2-3 times a year. Between those two scenarios, I am very familiar with your backpack plight. I don’t give a hard shove, but I do put my hand up against the backpack to give just enough resistance that the wearer realizes I’m there and that he/she has been an ignorant, selfish clod. Okay, that might be a bit harsh. Most of the time, the wearer was simply unaware and offers apologies. SO…BECOME AWARE!!! It’s that simple. But yes, I do find a not-aggressive way of letting them know they do not live in a vacuum.
Suzanne, if you want to make your kids walk, that’s your prerogative, but please don’t tell me or other parents what we should do! We had taken stroller(s) and then a sit-n-stand for many years and it prevented many melt downs because our daughters were able to take a break in the stroller while we kept walking. We tried the midday break thing and we all hated it, it made us grumpy and felt like we wasted half the day. We actually miss taking our stroller. In the many trips to WDW with a stroller, I have hit a handful of people and I can tell you that 99% was their fault, because they would just stop to look at their map or try cutting in front of us and don’t get me started on the family that has to walk side by side by side by side… of each other and blocks the path way. Or the family that cannot walk in a straight line, one second their on your right and the next thing you know you have to almost stop because they are coming in front of you.
JC,
Great post, I could not have said it better:)
Totally agree on the shoulder kids thing. I’ve got two young kids, and if they can’t see, I hold them both in my arms, at my eye level. Sure, my arms may be killing me by the end of the show, but it is better than ruining the show for those behind me. I’ve even had my oldest ask a few times “why can’t I just sit on your shoulders?”, and I’ve explained to her the logic. To which she replies “okay, that makes sense”.
One thing that has always puzzled me is why we don’t follow the same protocol that they follow at Tokyo Disney where everyone just stays sitting down for the shows, particularly in the front sections. That seems like such a reasonable way to solve the problem – everyone can see just fine, and no one has a need to be on anyone’s shoulders. Must just be a cultural thing?
In any case, great read. Now, on to the feats of strength!!!!!
I could so relate! I smile-groaned through the whole article. I only paused when you said
” On a highway, you wouldn’t aimlessly zigzag from lane to lane without regard for traffic behind you,” and then realized you might not have regular experience in driving in the South Florida area because that is how driving is done down here! oxox
I went on avatar flight of passage for the first time, and a women with her kid told her when she should close her eyes through the entire ride. I was so mad it ruined the ride.
I also have to ride a scooter, the the dirty looks and judgments were dreadful and this includes ride operators. He refused to put me up front and because of my blood thinners, I was bruised all over. I regret not reporting him.
my pet peave right now is sitting on a bench with a drink on the seat or between your legs and a box of popcorn, or something there to eat and someone comes up to you and tells you to put on your mask if you arent eating or drinking………..I now keep a straw attached to my mouth and drink so it looks like I am drinking while sitting stationary at all times
I had a good laugh over this list! Just got back from taking our kids for the first time.
My #1 pet peeve: trying to respect other family groups by standing a respectable distance away when a calvacade goes by or when waiting for a photo opp with a character, only to have GROWN ADULTS look at my kids (2.5 and 4, so… not very tall) and then stand in front of them to record the calvacade on their phone… or look at my kids and then usher theirs in front of mine to take a photo with the character?? Not really sure why that kept happening to us. No amount of throat clearing prompted them to do anything.
#2 pet peeve (but also a little hilarious to watch) was the number of Disney influencers in the wild. I was a little taken aback by the amount of people loudly narrating as they walked, stood, ate/drank, and rode; standing in the middle of Main Street for a time lapse video as they singlehandedly parted the sea of guests and strollers; or standing in front of my kids as the calvacade came by (sigh). Why not enjoy it in the moment??
Okay, rant over 🙂
People using DAS to cut the line on popular rides. I’m not talking about people who need it but people who don’t need it trying to use it as a perk.
We were behind a woman trying to do this at Guest Services. Her daughter was like “let’s go mom. You aren’t disabled” and the mom said and I quote “I didn’t come to Disney to wait in lines all day.”
Ugh. DAS is not a perk it’s access for people who wouldn’t have it otherwise.
Some people…. so entitled.
I use the DAS pass because I have extreme anxiety issues, and panic attacks. However, fortunately being a WDW regular I know which queues are more likely to trigger me(like the winding corridors on Peter Pan. So I use it on those attractions. In combination with Fast Passes and stand by for other attractions I make it through the day.
I think you might have left out opening your phone on dark rides, we have had many instances of people opening phones on Pirates, Dinosaur, etc. Totally ruins it if you are sitting behind them.
Also did Disney release that punching cast members in the face if they don’t like your behavior in Animal Kingdom is frowned upon, just checking as we haven’t really heard much about it.
Mine is getting to where you want to see a parade 10-15 minutes early. You’re on the curb so you don’t stand in the street when the parade comes through, last second a couple walking down the street stops in front of you and now they’re blocking. I used to say nothing but the last few trips I’ve told people to move, just don’t care what they say. One time a couple didn’t move so I got in front of them……….I thought selfie sticks were banned at WDW? No?
I laughed out loud at your “Walking Etiquette.” Yes! I’ve been on both sides. These days, I’m more of a stop-at-every-Christmas decoration / themed object-and-stare kinda girl. But I will say I’ve also tried to chase down a cavalcade to wave at my beloved gingerbread men — shocking my family at how fast I can hobble when needed in a Character Viewing Emergency. It is irritating having people block all traffic to stare especially in a large family or a kiddo in a stroller blissfully unaware that they are blocking zillions of people. It is also somewhat painful to be run down by zooming people as I am quietly taking a pic. of a Christmas window. My solution? Go to Disney during the slowest times we can. 1st week of December is my new go-to!