Growing Concern I have about Guests and WDW

[cpeterstx]

I have been to WDW 4 times in the past two years. My wife and I lived in Tampa and would take time off in January, March (twice) and April. We would stay on property (POR, Poly) and just enjoy the whole experience. As a kid, I remember the magic of WDW, how nice the cast members were and how nice other guests were.

Now, as an adult, I have noticed that for the most part, the magic is still there. However, we have run into our share of rather surly cast members who couldn't give a flip about their jobs. We have also met some of the most helpful CMs that one could imagine. That's going to happen, I get it.

My biggest concern is that all four times we went, we noticed quite a few groups who looked like they were having the worst time of their life. What's worse is they wanted to spread the misery to the rest of us as well. We also experienced quite a few pushers and shovers who would smack into you and then look at you like it was your fault for existing. One example I'll share: I was standing in line for a FP machine and the couple that were using it were putting their passes away and were about to leave. I started to take the three steps to the machine and blammo, some guy dashes right in front of me and literally body checks me out of the way so he can insert his handful of entry tickets into the machine. I said, "Uh, that was rude, dude! I believe the line starts behind me." He said, "Well, it looks like I'm using the machine right now." Nice example to set for your kids standing ten feet from us watching all this transpire...real nice. I have other examples of similar behavior and sour attitudes at Pecos Bills, BTMRR, and others.

I guess I'm old school in that it seems to me that the world can be a rotten place sometimes. WDW should be insulated from all that. It should be an escape from the real world. Can't we all come to WDW, lose our attitudes and just enjoy what Walt imagined for us.

I'm curious if any of you have noticed a similar trend. Is it just peoples' nature these days?

 

[mousermerf]

Holidays and Summer bring out the worst in people. I can sorta understand why, just being in the park during daylight hours I want to keel over from the heat after about 30mins.

I'm an AP so i dont wory about getting on rides very often, if i miss it, i'll get it next time. But lots of folks are tourists and it's their one shot for a while. I can't imagine doing that "death march" in this current heat.

It doesn't excuse the guy who threatened to beat me up and got in my face at Electric Umbrella, the woman who literally shoved me out of the way to push past a wheelchair party at Grand Fiesta, nor the CM who was a complete jerk to me just the other day, but i do moreso understand.

Doesn't mean i dont get security, tell a CM about the line cutter, or talk to a manager about a rude CM though. Do what you can and otherwise move on.

 

[WaltzingMatilda]

These situations can be challenging. My personal opinion is, there have always been rude people about, we just haven't always had such quick ways to broadcast their behaviour. And I do agree that the world seems so rushed these days, but I don't really have anything to compare it too. I'm the type who holds back for an inordinate amount of time, letting more aggressive types get ahead of me until I get to my breaking point. I think in the Parks it's the best place to understand that we are all here for the same reason and that we will ALL get on the ride on some point and it's not a sudden death match. I one time confronted someone who cut line and while she actually backed off, which I totally respected, the guy between me and her couldn't let it go, and proceeded to talk about her like she wasn't still in line behind me...by the end of it all, I was actually more mad at him for jumping in after the fact....

I guess my long winded point is, these things happen....and sometimes your common dececny must prevail. He was a jerk, you weren't. That speaks well of you and sets and excellent example.

 

[wdwmomof3]

So true. On our last visit we had a few things happen to us that I thought was uncalled for. We were rushed in front of and almost ran over by a few teenage girls trying to get from the holding room to the line on test track. My daughter was hit by a fast moving stroller on her leg. Some jerk was trying to rush to the entrance of MK to watch wishes. He just hit whoever was in his way. The place was PACKED and this really made my husband mad that the man did this. We were lucky though, the man could not understand a word my husband said to him or you would be reading about us on another thread.:ROFLOL:Anyway, there are rude people everywhere. I just wish that they were not at Disney.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Florida's summer heat, humidity, and large crowds really can bring out the worst in people. Other guests are in such an excited/rushed daze, that they don't really stop to think about their actions... such as pushing through people to see something and whatnot.

However, people have always been rude... it's possible that you just didn't notice it as much as a kid.

 

[scottnj1966]

Ignore them. Those people will just go on living their whole lives like that. No matter where they are. If you start thinking about it and them it will just bring you down.

99% of the cast members are great. They do a real good job for what they get paid, which is nothing. Things were different when we were kids and going to Disney. I think they have done pretty good trying to keep the real world out of the parks.

 

[PintoColvig]

One example I'll share: I was standing in line for a FP machine and the couple that were using it were putting their passes away and were about to leave. I started to take the three steps to the machine and blammo, some guy dashes right in front of me and literally body checks me out of the way so he can insert his handful of entry tickets into the machine. I said, "Uh, that was rude, dude! I believe the line starts behind me." He said, "Well, it looks like I'm using the machine right now."

You should've gone all tea cup on him.

 

[frankd1962]

When someone is rude like that guy at the FP machines and his kids are close by I would say & make sure the kids heard it also, "I think Mickey saw that and won't be too happy."

 

[Monty]

Things like this don't happen to me with other guests. Although I'm a big ol' teddy bear at 6'3" and 250+, people don't push, cut or otherwise try to 'cheat' in front of me. :shrug:

Going down Main Street in a crowd, folks tend to get out of my way! :lookaroun

I've had others make comments that they thought I was pushing past them, but it was a situation where there was a crowd of guests and they chose to stop in an entranceway to wherever the crowd was going to decide who was going to sit beside whom... blocking the entrance for dozens of people. I go around because getting trampled by the crush of people behind appeals to me less that allowing indecisive groups to take time to pick their collective noses...

So maybe I've triggered a "rude guest" thread or two! Not saying the pushing past and line cutting doesn't happen, I've seen it, but sometimes those being cut in front of or pushed past are the problem too.

 

[Since1976]

I agree with the contention that the crowded times bring out the worst in people (or perhaps it just attracts the worst people?). With limited time in the day, and so much to do and see, many guests treat their days at WDW as a game of survival of the fittest.

The easiest solution? Go to WDW when you're least likely to bump into someone every ten feet (off-season). It makes a world of difference. The collective lack of stress among the entire guest population is very apparent.

 

[Cole'sPooh]

I've only posted once (just joined) so I hope I am doing this right!

My husband and I were at WDW in May. Normally we don't have encounters with rude people but this last trip we did. We were at MK, lined up along Main Street sitting for the parade when we were tapped on the shoulder by a woman. She was with another woman and 3 kids. She asked us if we were leaving soon to which we said "no", we were watching the parade. We thought that was that. Next thing you know (as the crowd is building for parade time) we hear her behind us telling everyone around us that she asked us to move and we didn't, we were being ignorant and we don't even have kids so why are we even there. Folks, this went on the whole time. Finally, near the end of the parade DH turned around and told her, a) you never asked to move, just if we were leaving; b) had you asked us to give up our seats for the kids we probably would've and stood behind (have done this in the past; and c) yes we don't have kids b/c we can't have them and last time we checked there were no signs saying you had to have kids with you to be part of the magic. She just looked at us but DH felt better about it. I try to not let stuff like that bother me but she did get to me a little because it seemed she was professing it to the whole park

 

[danipooh]

This is the biggest downfall of WDW. People will say to just ignore the rude guests, but I just get enraged and irritated. I know that being at Disney makes you feel like a kid, but you shouldn't act like one with no manners. Adults seem to think that they are entitled to be the first in line, first at the fast pass machine, etc. I've been pushed and shoved out of the way and have seen entire families go through a line to meet the one person who sqirmed their way to the front before anyone else. It's not right and you can't change people, but I can't help but get angry.

This is why I HATE the rides that have queues that turn into one large area and then back down to single file. Like Haunted Mansion, Test Track, Dinosaur and many others. No matter where I am in line, once we hit that room my little body gets shoved to the back of the line. And DH is a pushover and is one of the people that say "let it go". Errrr...I'm getting mad just thinking about it!! :brick:

 

[tiggerzgirl83]

I've only posted once (just joined) so I hope I am doing this right!

My husband and I were at WDW in May. Normally we don't have encounters with rude people but this last trip we did. We were at MK, lined up along Main Street sitting for the parade when we were tapped on the shoulder by a woman. She was with another woman and 3 kids. She asked us if we were leaving soon to which we said "no", we were watching the parade. We thought that was that. Next thing you know (as the crowd is building for parade time) we hear her behind us telling everyone around us that she asked us to move and we didn't, we were being ignorant and we don't even have kids so why are we even there. Folks, this went on the whole time. Finally, near the end of the parade DH turned around and told her, a) you never asked to move, just if we were leaving; b) had you asked us to give up our seats for the kids we probably would've and stood behind (have done this in the past; and c) yes we don't have kids b/c we can't have them and last time we checked there were no signs saying you had to have kids with you to be part of the magic. She just looked at us but DH felt better about it. I try to not let stuff like that bother me but she did get to me a little because it seemed she was professing it to the whole park

That was very rude of that lady...I really dont think you should move just because kids parents get to the parade late enough not to get a good veiw..I would not move. You pay to have a magical experiance as well as others, why should you get up and move....Maybe if they were nice about it, it wouldnt be such a big problem....:shrug:

 

[rileyspaw]

I'm not trying to "add fuel to the fire" or am I negative person and "down on the world" BUT rude behavior based on a "me first attitude" is everywhere today just not in WDW.

Watch people shopping at your local mall, go to a school event or sporting event, see people's attitudes in the work place, and watch the way people behave on the roads with their vehicles. Manners and a general concern and well-being for our fellow man(and woman) is rapidly disappearing.

I don't like it, I don't condone it, BUT I've learned to live with it! Just my two cents.

 

[Cole'sPooh]

That was very rude of that lady...I really dont think you should move just because kids parents get to the parade late enough not to get a good veiw..I would not move. You pay to have a magical experiance as well as others, why should you get up and move....Maybe if they were nice about it, it wouldnt be such a big problem....:shrug:

We've moved twice in past. Once, I was restless and didn't feel like sitting and was running back and forth in the stores (dh was sitting there) and the guy that asked us was really nice about it. Second time we moved over, giving two little kids room to sit by us (and they ended up sharing their m&m's with us:slurp: ) Had she actually asked us to move over we probably would've considered it. Clearly she was just miserable and if she was miserable it seems she was bound and determined to make all around her miserable.

 

[morgan22]

Having just returned I am afraid to say we encountered numerous rude guests but this one takes the biscuit.... I don't remember exactly which CS restaurant it was but I was with DH and DD (11 months) - DH was waiting with DD in her stroller for a table to become free and I was getting the food. As I came towards him with a full tray I noticed a table come free - I motioned to him to come over - as I did this another man saw me do this and literally ran past DH, knocking the stroller in his path and sat down at said table as I was putting the tray down. I simply said 'Excuse me' and he said - 'you're welcome' and turned away. I was so shocked I didn't have any come back and I so wish I had..... I know chivalry is long gone but I still expect a little courtesy these days when I was obviously struggling with a full tray, with an infant and we were there first.

 

[sbkline]

I'm curious if any of you have noticed a similar trend. Is it just peoples' nature these days?

It's human nature from the beginning of the human race.

 

[Michael C]

The best cure I can think of

I sure hope that doesn't happen to me next month, as I hate when people dampen good spirits and hate conflict (though I would likely make a very mild comment).

When something like that happens and I find myself fixated on it for a little while (wishing I could hate 5 minutes to tell someone off or something), I wonder to myself what it must be like to be that person. People who are happy and having fun don't act like that, usually. So, I find solace in the fact that I have a happier life and then move on.

Also, going out of your way to be nice to some other people (and getting positive reactions from them) is a great way to clear up the negative energy.

:wave:

 

[TomDisney]

With people like this, you just gotta believe in Karma and these people will get what they deserve in the end. Would be even better if I was there to witness it....

And hey, sometimes, it never hurts to give Karma a bit of a push either...:drevil:

 

[RetiredFRN]

Rude People

My .(DD11) and I went to DW this past June. I agree, the magic is not gone but I do think people are getting ruder. I think part of it is the heat, the lines, but for the most part I think people think that they have the right to push past you or run into you because they paid for their wonderful Disney trip and forget about everyone else. Yes, there are rude people everywhere, I deal with them every day but you don't want to have to deal with them at DW. You go there to escape, have fun and not have to deal with every day problems.
Over the years I have tried to ignore the line cutters, the run away carriages that run into you, the loud obnoxious people and the just WACKY, but maybe I'm getting older but its getting harder. Next year I think we'll go in October, less hot and humid and hopefully less people.
All this being said, I still love DW. Most of the CM's love their job and give you a smile. For example, while we we're waiting for our ride to take us to the airport, the CM's at BW pulled my daughter up to the lobby and made her wear her disney hat, mickey gloves, pins and do her marionette act. They announced her name to the whole lobby and gave her a special pin after, now folks, thats DISNEY and thats why I go back!!