Crowd Noise During Pre-Shows

[Incomudro]

Why does this not happen in Japan? It seems degradation is limited to American and other Westernized cultures. It is definitely strange and super noticeable. The lack of respect we have for others in public is simply unbelievable.

Because the Japanese have self respect, and respect for others, as well as self control.
Those three things are sorely lacking in many of the slovenly and grotesque people in the US parks, and population at large.

 

[Incomudro]

Public comportment has devolved to the lowest common denominator so you get exposed to the crass, vulgar, and rude as that's what passes for manners and "civilized" public behavior. Its "freedom" of expression vs the normal Japanese societal norm of public shame where the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Its not unusual in Japan for random strangers to approach and reprimand others for bad behavior.

I've been saying for many years that shame is a good thing for society.
All cultures all through history had or have shame.

 

[Castle Cake Apologist]

Part of the problem with Haunted Mansion stems from operational changes made in 2007 during the rehaunting. To expedite guest movement, the foyer pre-show now starts before the room is halfway loaded, causing most guests to enter during its middle, often unaware it's happening or that they should stop talking. Before 2007, the pre-show was activated by a Cast Member from a show panel, but now it starts automatically on a tightly paced timer (unless my memory is failing me spectacularly, but I worked the attraction both before and after the refurb). Similarly, the stretching room narration begins much sooner after the panel doors open than it used to, leading to the same problem where guests aren't fully loaded into the room before the thing they're supposed to be quiet for is happening. Fortunately, the stretching room usually tends to get quieter as the pre-show goes on, due to the physical effects happening and capturing the attention of the guests.

Honestly, the way they load Mansion now is one of my biggest parks pet peeves.

 

[Incomudro]

Was there ever a time that people actually stayed fairly quiet to listen to what was being said during pre-shows on some attractions? I haven't been to WDW in a while now, but all of the videos I've seen since then, and even the last couple of times I went, it was very noticeable. The stretching room in HM seems to be one of the worst spots for that. I wouldn't expect people to remain silent, but sometimes it can be hard to hear everything.

When I went to the parks in the 70's, 80's, and early 90's there was far more respect during pre-show, and on the rides and park in general.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Public comportment has devolved to the lowest common denominator so you get exposed to the crass, vulgar, and rude as that's what passes for manners and "civilized" public behavior. Its "freedom" of expression vs the normal Japanese societal norm of public shame where the nail that sticks out gets hammered. Its not unusual in Japan for random strangers to approach and reprimand others for bad behavior.

Funny story. When I was in Japan taking a tour of the Imperial Palace, the Japanese guide took a tourist child aside, scolded him, and then asked his family to leave the tour.

When they argued, he said he would not continue the tour until they left - essentially shaming them into voluntarily bowing out.

Let me tell you, the kid was a terror and they deserved it.

 

[TalkToEthan]

the Japanese guide took a tourist child aside, scolded him,

Interesting to read that…..most interesting indeed.

I have seen Japanese society allow children (young children) a great deal of behavioral latitude…….Japanese parents or guardians appear terribly patient and slow to discipline unruly kids by western standards anyway.

There is this prevalent cultural belief that kids should be free to “be kids” but come age 5 or so they have to start following stricter guidelines and expectations, particularly with schooling and showing respect towards elders and societal norms.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Interesting to read that…..most interesting indeed.

I have seen Japanese society allow children (young children) a great deal of behavioral latitude…….Japanese parents or guardians appear terribly patient and slow to discipline unruly kids by western standards anyway.

There is this prevalent cultural belief that kids should be free to “be kids” but come age 5 or so they have to start following stricter guidelines and expectations, particularly with schooling and showing respect towards elders and societal norms.

This dude worked for the Imperial Palace and was not messing around. The child was probably 10 or 11 and knew better, but would NOT stay still, shut up, or generally act like he should.

 

[SoFloMagic]

Part of the problem with Haunted Mansion stems from operational changes made in 2007 during the rehaunting. To expedite guest movement, the foyer pre-show now starts before the room is halfway loaded, causing most guests to enter during its middle, often unaware it's happening or that they should stop talking. Before 2007, the pre-show was activated by a Cast Member from a show panel, but now it starts automatically on a tightly paced timer (unless my memory is failing me spectacularly, but I worked the attraction both before and after the refurb). Similarly, the stretching room narration begins much sooner after the panel doors open than it used to, leading to the same problem where guests aren't fully loaded into the room before the thing they're supposed to be quiet for is happening. Fortunately, the stretching room usually tends to get quieter as the pre-show goes on, due to the physical effects happening and capturing the attention of the guests.

Honestly, the way they load Mansion now is one of my biggest parks pet peeves.

It seems like they could delay the stretching room narration 5 seconds and still keep the line fairly constant during peak times. The bottleneck on the load side of the stretching room frequently is still backed up when the next room opens.

 

[Br0ckford]

People suck nowadays. It's that simple.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I think cell phones and social media have really had us take a sharp decline is proper etiquette. I can remember when it became popular to just sit on your phone and text while you were in a conversation with someone. I can very clearly remember thinking how rude it was to do that. But in 2024 we think that's normal. Hence, people don't see the beauty right in front of them or appreciate the small things in life. Not to mention this obsession to record everything and document everything. It is almost like a trigger or a twitch for people to reach for their phone if it hasn't happened for 5 minutes, and that's if it is even out of their hand in the first place. All of these things help contribute to bad manners, which we see in western cultures today. And without getting into it, a total lack of discipline for children. You know who the bad parents are when you are at a grocery store, and you can see the same types at Disney World as well.

 

[John park hopper]

I think cell phones and social media have really had us take a sharp decline is proper etiquette. I can remember when it became popular to just sit on your phone and text while you were in a conversation with someone. I can very clearly remember thinking how rude it was to do that. But in 2024 we think that's normal. Hence, people don't see the beauty right in front of them or appreciate the small things in life. Not to mention this obsession to record everything and document everything. It is almost like a trigger or a twitch for people to reach for their phone if it hasn't happened for 5 minutes, and that's if it is even out of their hand in the first place. All of these things help contribute to bad manners, which we see in western cultures today. And without getting into it, a total lack of discipline for children. You know who the bad parents are when you are at a grocery store, and you can see the same types at Disney World as well.

Could not agree with you more. a total lack of discipline for children is all to common now --subject I won't voice my opinion on in this forum

 

[Incomudro]

And we know what those bad children grow up to be.

 

[jloucks]

IMHO, this behavior is directly linked to the selfie generation. It is a narcissistic behavior pattern that puts one's feelings above those of all others. It's the whole "I'll do what I want, you just mind your own business" mentality.

It applies to

• talking when others are trying to listen to a target performance.
• cutting in line
• Phones in theaters or in any scenario that degrades an experience for others
• and a new one that is becoming more common, talking on speakerphone in public.
• cussing in public, especially around children
• profane clothing
• dressing however you want (white dresses at weddings comes immediately to mind)
• about 100 different traffic shenanigans, including almost all lifted truck drivers.
• littering
• being late
• unnecessarily rude to staff
• tinkling in non-tinkle zones in public restrooms
• ...insert a ton more items here...

All of the above behaviors are almost intentionally done to annoy others. The good news I suppose, is that in most cases, it is just complete ignorance of impact beyond oneself.

All of the above feels new to me. Like, in the last 20 years a 400% increase. ...but I may just be getting sensitive to decades of exposure.

 

[jloucks]

Why does this not happen in Japan? It seems degradation is limited to American and other Westernized cultures. It is definitely strange and super noticeable. The lack of respect we have for others in public is simply unbelievable.

People seem to take pride in it. Celebration of oneself above all else.

 

[Incomudro]

IMHO, this behavior is directly linked to the selfie generation. It is a narcissistic behavior pattern that puts one's feelings above those of all others. It's the whole "I'll do what I want, you just mind your own business" mentality.

It applies to

• talking when others are trying to listen to a target performance.
• cutting in line
• Phones in theaters or in any scenario that degrades an experience for others
• and a new ones that is becoming more common, talking on speakerphone in public. wth
• cussing in public, especially around children
• profane clothing
• dressing however you want (white dresses at weddings comes immediately to mind)
• about 100 different traffic shenanigans, including almost all lifted truck drivers.
• littering
• being late
• unnecessarily rude to staff
• tinkling in non-tinkle zones in public restrooms
• ...insert a ton more items here...

All of the above behaviors are almost intentionally done to annoy others. The good news I suppose, is that in most cases, it is just complete ignorance of impact beyond oneself.

All of the above feels new to me. Like, in the last 20 years a 400% increase. ...but I may just be getting sensitive to decades of exposure.

I wish I didn't agree 100%, but I do.

 

[ppete1975]

I think covid did alot of this. I use movies as an example, during lockdown people got so used to talking during movies and talking about the script and the actors blah blah blah. Then with streaming people are so used to being in their houses talking throughout. Now they go to theaters and think nothing of doing the exact same thing. The being considerate of other people is a thing of the past.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I think covid did alot of this. I use movies as an example, during lockdown people got so used to talking during movies and talking about the script and the actors blah blah blah. Then with streaming people are so used to being in their houses talking throughout. Now they go to theaters and think nothing of doing the exact same thing. The being considerate of other people is a thing of the past.

An already anti-social society and generation that was trending in the wrong direction did not need MORE isolation and lack of human contact. And I think we'll be paying for that in many ways, including socially, for a long time.

IMHO, this behavior is directly linked to the selfie generation. It is a narcissistic behavior pattern that puts one's feelings above those of all others. It's the whole "I'll do what I want, you just mind your own business" mentality.

It applies to

• talking when others are trying to listen to a target performance.
• cutting in line
• Phones in theaters or in any scenario that degrades an experience for others
• and a new one that is becoming more common, talking on speakerphone in public.
• cussing in public, especially around children
• profane clothing
• dressing however you want (white dresses at weddings comes immediately to mind)
• about 100 different traffic shenanigans, including almost all lifted truck drivers.
• littering
• being late
• unnecessarily rude to staff
• tinkling in non-tinkle zones in public restrooms
• ...insert a ton more items here...

All of the above behaviors are almost intentionally done to annoy others. The good news I suppose, is that in most cases, it is just complete ignorance of impact beyond oneself.

All of the above feels new to me. Like, in the last 20 years a 400% increase. ...but I may just be getting sensitive to decades of exposure.

I cannot stand the people that put on the loud speaker when they are talking, or listening to music or watching a video. I am not interested. It is bad manners. It forces other people to have to endure what you are watching. I notice people do this routinely in my work cafeteria. It boggles my mind. Doesn't anyone care about their own privacy anymore? Why is this such a trendy thing to do? Wear earphones for crying out loud!

 

[NelleBelle]

An already anti-social society and generation that was trending in the wrong direction did not need MORE isolation and lack of human contact. And I think we'll be paying for that in many ways, including socially, for a long time.



I cannot stand the people that put on the loud speaker when they are talking, or listening to music or watching a video. I am not interested. It is bad manners. It forces other people to have to endure what you are watching. I notice people do this routinely in my work cafeteria. It boggles my mind. Doesn't anyone care about their own privacy anymore? Why is this such a trendy thing to do? Wear earphones for crying out loud!

I tend to notice this a TON at airports. Put your dang earbuds in so the entire waiting area does t have to listen to what you’re watching. I flew home yesterday and a woman in the bathroom stall took a work phone call next to me. Besides the fact that it’s rude for the people on the other end of your call (no one needs to hear your”business”) it’s fairly disgusting germ-wise. No need to add e.coli to your already nasty phone!

I can usually tune out the quiet talking during a preshow the when the attraction starts, be considerate of those around you! I despise it when people are taking flash pictures on dark rides, filming with their phones on full brightness, and talking throughout the whole attraction. Prior to covid, I didn’t hesitate to politely ask someone to put their phone away as it was distracting (eg HoP, American Adventure) but I don’t dare do it for fear of getting assaulted!

 

[Hockey89]

Why does this not happen in Japan? It seems degradation is limited to American and other Westernized cultures. It is definitely strange and super noticeable. The lack of respect we have for others in public is simply unbelievable.

Japan is a homogenous country that loves their country with a clear culture. They value education and hard work. I could go on for an hour but people would get upset and Mom would yell at me again....

 

[KDM31091]

Sadly in our screen based world of today most people are very bad at being present in the moment and enjoying what is actually around them, physically, in the real world. Not being on a screen, not yelling or shouting, but actually just enjoying the moment. This is basically lost on people these days.