Rude encounters in the parks?

[akaDisneyDreamer]

Overall we had a great time in on our WDW vacation last month, but there were a couple of people that really stood out and left an impression. One evening we were trying to get out of the park during Wishes (we had planned to watch it another night) and we were following another person through the crowd and she abruptly stopped to watch, so we decided rather than try to continue to push through, which would be impossible, to just stop and watch the show too. Suddenly I felt a stroller get pushed up against my leg and a man yelled "MOVE!" He sounded really angry and I just looked at him and told him I can't move. Every so often, I would feel a nudge from that stroller and hear him grumble. We were packed like sardines in there and this man has the nerve to yell at us to move?

Another day, it was crowded in Fantasy Land when there was a woman being pushed in a wheelchair by a teenaged girl and the woman was yelling "BEEP BEEP!" and glaring at everyone in her path! My daughter had to back up when she was pushing through and almost fell onto a stroller behind her.

We all were feeling the heat, we all wished it were less croweded, but most of us did not feel the need to be so rude to each other. We had a great time in spite of the heat and the crowds, but unfortunatly those two very rude people did affect our day ... anyone else have rude encounters that stand out?

[SBETigg]

I had some experiences as you describe. Not pleasant, but it happens with crowds. I was on Pirates of the Caribbean with my family, back row. The whole rest of the boat, all seated in front of us, were snapping flash pictures, and the flash of the camera in front of me was blinding me and I'm sensitive to migraines. So I leaned over and asked him very politely if he would stop taking flash pictures, as it wasn't allowed on the ride anyway. His wife yelled at me that they never said it wasn't allowed, to which my husband observed that yes, they said it twice before we left the docking area. Anyway, the man stopped taking pictures, thank goodness (though the people in front of him kept it up throughout).

At the end of the ride, this couple informed the rest of the family (about twenty people) that I was a jerk for making up my own rules and trying to stop people from having fun. Then as we dispersed into the gift shop, one of the women (with small children in tow, lovely) proclaimed she was going to find me and "crack" me right there on the spot.

We left the area and laughed, didn't let it ruin our good time. But in the back of my mind, I did fear that I would be one of those people we talk about who ends up in a fight at WDW and later in some kind of legal action. Oh my!

[wdwfansince75]

Once upon a time...Disney was much better at controlling rude guests, including flash photography....but I notice that CM's now tend to look the other way, to avoid confrontation. Unfortunately, this seems to lead to more rude guests.

[AntMagsMom]

When were at MK this past February we were waiting on Main Street for the parade. We were kind of second in line so to speak because there was a family in front of us right on the curb and they asked if my DD would like to sit with their kids, which I thought was very nice. It was a family with extended family i.e. grandma and grandpa. We all were waiting and about ten minutes before the parade starts this couple walks up to my left with two strollers and basically starts pushing them towards the curb and making all sorts of comments about people making space for her kids. Finally she says to the older man (the grandpa), 'SIR, can you move so my kids can see the parade." To which his wife replied, "We've been here for over an hour waiting," basically like, if you were so concerned you would have gotten here early like the rest of us. This woman continued to make comments the whole time and was slowly pushing her stroller forward with one of her girls literally kicking the back of this man. I was so aggravated and the woman's husband looked like he wanted to die. She was basically right next to me complaining the whole time and making really loud comments. Her husband finally got her to shut up and move and we all just looked at each other horrified. She was by far the most obnoxious woman I've ever encountered at Disney.

[azcavalier]

Once upon a time...Disney was much better at controlling rude guests, including flash photography....but I notice that CM's now tend to look the other way, to avoid confrontation. Unfortunately, this seems to lead to more rude guests.

What drives me nuts about that is that in most cases the flashes aren't even strong enough to make a difference. Plus, it's so dark in most of those places that even with the flash, the pictures are going to be awful. Why take pictures on a ride like that anyway?

[Narawen]

What drives me nuts about that is that in most cases the flashes aren't even strong enough to make a difference. Plus, it's so dark in most of those places that even with the flash, the pictures are going to be awful. Why take pictures on a ride like that anyway?

People always do it even though the pictures come out terribly. I'm not sure if they're just VERY inexperienced photographers who don't know better, or they don't care .

I work at another tourist attraction, and we show a short film. Some customers will video tape the film (doesn't bother us- no rule against it, and they don't use a light so it doesn't disturb other customers), but a few times people have been taking flash photos of the movie. It's really distracting to everyone behind them, and whatever they were trying to capture in the picture is usually gone by the time they take it, because the film's shots are so fast.

[jillluvsdisney]

We were on PIrate's and encountered the same problem with the flashes. I heard a CM over the PA system say no flash photography was allowed. I can honestly say I understand why CM don't confront guests about bad behavior. In this day and age, I wouldn't confront or provoke anyone.

We were in a very tight crowd making out way from LIberty SQ to Main ST after Wishes. Everybody was cool and patient about it.

[PopPhan]

Unfortunately, I had an experience the last time we rode Pirates -- I was the one with the camera. I had turned the flash off, but did not realize that with my new(er) camera, the autofocus feature has a little strobe that goes off to allow the camera to focus in the dark. Once I realized what it was doing, I turned the camera off and put it away.

[faline]

Once I realized what it was doing, I turned the camera off and put it away.

I, too, had a flash go off accidently on a ride and immediately put it away after that. I was certainly ! This sort of thing, however, is a bit different than folks who consistently flaunt the rules by continuing to snap flash pictures on dark rides, talking through the entire ride, sending one person into the line and then having another 15 or 20 members of the group weave through the line to "catch up", or trying to push their way to the front at the last minute for parade viewing. Unfortunately, I think we've all had these experiences.

[JPL]

Unfortunately people don't check their rudeness at the door when they enter a Disney Park. It usually show itself during Fireworks and Parades the most. In June I was hit by a scooter and ended up with several cuts on my leg as the driver who knew she had hit proceeded to simply drive away not even checking if I was ok Part of the problem is with Disney and their lack of crowd control & rule enforcement.

[SBETigg]

In my case, it wasn't the flash photography that bothered me nearly as much as the family's behavior afterwards. I don't know the kind of people who threaten others with bodily harm or say they're going to "crack" someone- in front of their own small children! This kind of behavior blows my mind. I felt like they stepped off the set at the Jerry Springer show. Yes, the flash photography was bad enough, but I would have understood if they really didn't know or it was an innocent mistake. This family's behavior was beyond the pale.

[Melanie]

I am convinced that the worst behavior in folks comes out during parades. Most issues I've had with other guests at Disney parks has occured while waiting for and watching parades.

[LynBug]

People like this really make an impact on your day. The crowd during the Wishes fireworks show was definately the worst experience I've ever had. We were literally moving an inch a minute, people shoving and ramming strollers into people. I'm not a claustrophobic person, but I felt so trapped trying to get out of the park that night. I understand that there is a large crowd and that everyone is trying to get out. But it's the rude behavior that makes it so horrible! If everyone could be patient and respectful, I believe it would really help to quicken the pace to leave the park. I don't think it should be up to the CM to control the crowd. It would be impossible with a crowd that large! As grown adults, they should know to be respectful and wait their turn, and therefore set a good example for their kids.

As for the flash photography, it can definately ruin the experience of the ride. I can understand wanting a picture of the cool things you see in the rides, but the picture most likely won't turn out well anyway. If the flash isn't turned on, then go for it. No harm in that.

People seem to think that their family has priority over anyone else when it comes to the parades and such. I say it's first come, first serve. If you've been waiting an hour to get a good spot, then you deserve to have that spot.

At the acrabat show at Epcot in the China pavillion, we got in a little late and were in the back in standing room behind the last bench. We didn't try to push our way up or anything and respected everyone else who had gotten there first. However, and teenage girl shoved her way in front of me, then stood on top of the bench right in front of me to get a better view, therefore blocking my view of the show. I thought this was very rude to me and everyone who was standing behind her. We decided to leave the show after about 10 minutes, because we just could not see.

[akaDisneyDreamer]

In my case, it wasn't the flash photography that bothered me nearly as much as the family's behavior afterwards. I don't know the kind of people who threaten others with bodily harm or say they're going to "crack" someone- in front of their own small children! This kind of behavior blows my mind. I felt like they stepped off the set at the Jerry Springer show. Yes, the flash photography was bad enough, but I would have understood if they really didn't know or it was an innocent mistake. This family's behavior was beyond the pale.

I know, some of those people are just scary! Like the "Beep Beep" lady as we now call her, she gave us such a hateful look as she glared at us, like she would beat us up, or, since she was in a wheelchair, run us over, if we didn't get out of her way! That sort of behavior is just uncalled for and makes you wonder how they can still be so miserable when they are at the Happiest Place on Earth!

On a more positive note, at least most of the people at the parks were pleasant and polite. I was even offered seats at least three times on the busses and monorails where there was standing room only, and those are outstanding memories as well!

[Bellerella]

I agree that parades are probably the worst. During our trip last year (May '09) we were trying to make our way through AK to Asia. The parade apparently finished before we made it, and all of a sudden there was a mad rush of people, all shouting about EE, and getting there first. We had formed a chain by grabbing onto each other's backpack so we would not get separated. During that, I got smacked in the face by someone's backpack, rammed in the ankle by a stroller, and then a woman pushed her child and herself between me and my sister and separated our party, so that she could get back there before us. After all that abuse, we just said forget it, lets go relax at the resort!

[BellesRose]

I've encountered plenty of rude CM's, some I remember very clearly, but that's a different story. I've also encountered rude guests but I don't seem to remember them now. I do remember being in a really long line for free hot chocolate during MVMCP, and talking to a very nice lady in line behind me. I also remember a cute, funny couple in the Grand Floridian that joked around with my brother, and we still talk about them often! I just wish the rude ones would leave their attitudes at home or else not bother with a vacation

[seanyred]

this past March we were in Fantasyland at night and my 2.5 year old was walking on the path between IASWA and Peter Pan when this lady on a motorized scooter talking on her cell phone steared right into the path of my son. Thankfully I was able to pick up my son before the collision. The lady never noticed us.

I do have to say that 90% of guests are decent and respectful of others.

[SBETigg]

I do have to say that 90% of guests are decent and respectful of others.

I agree that most people are really great, and the good maybe don't stand out as much because there are more of them. But they do make every trip more wonderful. Thank goodness for polite, decent, considerate people.

[doombuggygal]

Just like with the parades and fireworks, we have observed people acting like animals while boarding the parking lot trams. We have had a few incidences where people have basically knocked us out of the way to get on ahead of us. However the worst behavior we had ever seen at the parks was one night as MK was closing and people were waiting for trams. One family cut in front of another family. While the tram was sitting and waiting to depart, both parties began screaming and cursing and using the worst language I have ever heard and threatening to beat each other up. We were utterly appalled that people would behave like this especially in front of so many children including their own. We were also appalled that CM's just ingnored what was happenening and did nothing!

[Ian]

Chalk me up as another one who has encountered most bad behavior during parade/fireworks time. It constantly amazes me how people will walk up at the very last minute and just try to push and shove their way to the front. I try not to be uncharitable at Disney, but no way you're getting in front of my family after we patiently waited an hour beforehand for our spot. Uh-uh. Sorry!

I have to say, though, that there are are a few other spots where bad behavior seems to come out in folks and that's anywhere they have a poorly defined ride queue (think Haunted Mansion stretching room exit). I cannot tell you the number of folks I've had to endure pushing and shoving and outright stampeding just to gain a place or two in line.

I had this teen boy one time who was one of the last people into the elevator. He clearly was an experience HM vet, because he spent almost the entire pre-show worming his way through the crowd to make his way over to the exit doors ... where my family and I happened to be standing. I saw him working his way over and I knew what he was doing and I basically refused to get out of his way. He eventually resorted to literally wedging himself between me and the wall so he could be behind me and first out of the elevator.

I didn't exactly threaten him physically, but suffice it to say that I gave him a look and a tongue lashing that sent him skulking away in a hurry.

I swear ... common courtesy and manners are dead anymore. Everyone is out for themselves and beware anyone who would get in their way.