Has anyone ever requested the "best seats" on Flight of Passage?

jloucks

Well-Known Member
Have you never asked to sit in a particular area of a restaurant? Should you feel guilty for taking the cosy table in the corner and leaving the draughty spot by the door to another group?

That is a good question/example. It is the same thing, but only if you create as close to the same scenario as possible. That being, there is a wait to be seated, everybody can see what is happening, and pretty much everybody wants that exact same table. A table comes open that is assigned to you by order of the line, you decline, and somebody behind you in line trudges off to the table by the pooper. They would have had the desirable table, but you re-rolled the scenario to your advantage. They can bite it. Maybe easier to understand if you put yourself in the head of the person behind you in line. You see, that by order of the line, that the person in front of you gets the pooper seats. You breath a sigh of relief and thank lady luck for this small blessing. But wait! Hold on! Whats this? The person in front of you is declining the rule of the line! Great, just peachy, now you get the pooper seats. Entitled people nowadays.

Now, interesting you said "guilty". I never said you should feel guilty. I said (or implied) you should feel entitled. If you are feeling guilty and entitled at the same time, that is actually a good thing. That means you are at least appreciating the impact you have on others.

I would feel guilty. And entitled. In that scenario. I would probably convince myself that it was the restaurants fault for even putting a table so close to the poopers.

Now, what about if you call hours ahead and reserve a specific table?!? Ah! Different scenario. You are not being assigned a table by order of the line. No entitlement. Well, I mean, obviously a little, but very little. Tiny. This is why, I think, fast passes don't cause an all out mutiny.
 

Dave B

Well-Known Member
The problem with requesting special seats in a luck based system is that your are, because of entitlement, relegating your undersirable seats to somebody else. Somebody that would have had better seats if it were not for you.

You get in the line and you take your chances. Unless of course you are feeling entitled. Then, by all means demand a re-roll and let somebody else absorb your bad luck.

Obviously this does not apply when you are not re rolling the dice on non-premium accommodations.

Scenario A ) Ask to wait until family can sit together. It doesn't matter where. Sorta like skipping a full bus so you can all ride together.

Scenario B) Ask to wait so that you can put somebody else is your less desirable seats and take somebody else more desirable seats.

Scenario A is not really affecting anybody but you. Scenario B is affecting people beyond you. THAT is the big differentiation.
Anyone can wait, so not forcing anyone on to undesirable seats
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
The problem with requesting special seats in a luck based system is that your are, because of entitlement, relegating your undersirable seats to somebody else.

I would accept your scenario if everyone else didn't have the same rights that I did. If I ask for (and receive) the rear seat on BTMRR, the person behind me has every right to request the same thing. They just have to wait for the next train. I'm not entitled to anything, but I have the knowledge to ask, which isn't the same thing.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
Anyone can wait, so not forcing anyone on to undesirable seats

"Force" is such an extreme word here. Coerce would fit the scenario better. But I guess, you could wait, and the person behind them could wait, and so fourth and so on. But then you have a line/wad of entitled folks balled up in a place that is not set up to hold a giant group of picky people. We would need to engineer these places to have places for picky people. We don't have that. So, no, we cannot really all wait.

Unless you are Six Flags and actually do create these places. Special lines for special seats on coasters. Actually works rather well. Diffuses these exact types of tensions.
 

WondersOfLife

Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
"Force" is such an extreme word here. Coerce would fit the scenario better. But I guess, you could wait, and the person behind them could wait, and so fourth and so on. But then you have a line/wad of entitled folks balled up in a place that is not set up to hold a giant group of picky people. We would need to engineer these places to have places for picky people. We don't have that. So, no, we cannot really all wait.

Unless you are Six Flags and actually do create these places. Special lines for special seats on coasters. Actually works rather well. Diffuses these exact types of tensions.
Precisely the reason why Universal has a Line only for the front row on hulk. If Attractions at Disney Had this, it’d work out. But when one group asks (from my experience) for front row on pirates, and it starts a chain reaction.. then the cast members eventually have to say “no I’m sorry you’ll need to go to this other row” and then the guest gets heated and argues “that other party requested” and it goes on and on and then the line gets backed up.

It DID happen once. I’m sure it happens more often than once too.

So again. There’s literally no problem just getting on a ride wherever you’re placed. You won’t die. And you won’t make an already exasperated underpaid cast member work harder for your benefit. (And it’s not just “one polite guest.” It happens constantly throughout the day.)
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
I would accept your scenario if everyone else didn't have the same rights that I did. If I ask for (and receive) the rear seat on BTMRR, the person behind me has every right to request the same thing. They just have to wait for the next train. I'm not entitled to anything, but I have the knowledge to ask, which isn't the same thing.

Oh you are totally correct. Everyone has the right to be selfish. I never meant to state otherwise.

And yes, if you are doing anything selfish that affects others, you are exhibiting the entitlement trait. The train example is bad tho, because all trains are the same. ...unless the next train is nothing but first class seats.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
Precisely the reason why Universal has a Line only for the front row on hulk. If Attractions at Disney Had this, it’d work out. But when one group asks (from my experience) for front row on pirates, and it starts a chain reaction.. then the cast members eventually have to say “no I’m sorry you’ll need to go to this other row” and then the guest gets heated and argues “that other party requested” and it goes on and on and then the line gets backed up.

It DID happen once. I’m sure it happens more often than once too.

So again. There’s literally no problem just getting on a ride wherever you’re placed. You won’t die. And you won’t make an already exasperated underpaid cast member work harder for your benefit. (And it’s not just “one polite guest.” It happens constantly throughout the day.)

I find is saddening (but super predictable) how you spell out a textbook example of entitlement so clearly, yet some folks (mainly the entitled) don't see it.
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
That is a good question/example. It is the same thing, but only if you create as close to the same scenario as possible. That being, there is a wait to be seated, everybody can see what is happening, and pretty much everybody wants that exact same table. A table comes open that is assigned to you by order of the line, you decline, and somebody behind you in line trudges off to the table by the pooper. They would have had the desirable table, but you re-rolled the scenario to your advantage. They can bite it. Maybe easier to understand if you put yourself in the head of the person behind you in line. You see, that by order of the line, that the person in front of you gets the pooper seats. You breath a sigh of relief and thank lady luck for this small blessing. But wait! Hold on! Whats this? The person in front of you is declining the rule of the line! Great, just peachy, now you get the pooper seats. Entitled people nowadays.

Now, interesting you said "guilty". I never said you should feel guilty. I said (or implied) you should feel entitled. If you are feeling guilty and entitled at the same time, that is actually a good thing. That means you are at least appreciating the impact you have on others.

I would feel guilty. And entitled. In that scenario. I would probably convince myself that it was the restaurants fault for even putting a table so close to the poopers.

Now, what about if you call hours ahead and reserve a specific table?!? Ah! Different scenario. You are not being assigned a table by order of the line. No entitlement. Well, I mean, obviously a little, but very little. Tiny. This is why, I think, fast passes don't cause an all out mutiny.

I can’t be the only one here who’s been shown a particular table in a restaurant and asked (politely) to be moved to another that’s less noisy, or less cold, or further away from the toilets. And in so doing, I’m going against what fate has assigned me and depriving others of a better table. I don’t see that as entitlement; I see it as trying one’s luck and seeing what happens. If it were entitlement, I would frame my requests as demands and sulk when they’re not granted, neither of which I do.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
I can’t be the only one here who’s been shown a particular table in a restaurant and asked (politely) to be moved to another that’s less noisy, or less cold, or further away from the toilets. And in so doing, I’m going against what fate has assigned me and depriving others of a better table. I don’t see that as entitlement; I see it as trying one’s luck and seeing what happens. If it were entitlement, I would frame my requests as demands and sulk when they’re not granted, neither of which I do.

Oh no, I have done the same thing. Your scenario above is not really what I meant to be talking about here. "I would like any table but that one" is a whole lot different than "I don't want any tables but that one." You are only making a very small request based more on desperation than on anything else. I should have done a better job at differentiating the two mentalities.

This is where we start to get into justified entitlement. As in, you are paying a lot of money, you really are entitled (as opposed to false entitlement) to not have to sit next to a pooper.

That is whole other philosophical rabbit hole.
 

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
People who request specific seats on attractions were some of my biggest pet peeves as a cast member. Like. Just enjoy the ride. It doesn’t seem like a big deal. But when you’re like the 7th group of the day to ask for special arrangements, it’s the cast members duty to have to run and call back “is there a party of __” before the ride boards. It’s stressful. God.

Just get on. 😂
I’d agree in general, but Disney should have addressed the bent Eiffel Tower (and everything else) on Soarin if you sit on either side, so I’ll be requesting concourse B.
 

WondersOfLife

Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
I’d agree in general, but Disney should have addressed the bent Eiffel Tower (and everything else) on Soarin if you sit on either side, so I’ll be requesting concourse B.
No doubt about that. Soarin is not too fantastic anymore. I’m only speaking on for frustrated cast members. And I’ll be you Soarin is one of the worst attractions for requests. That’s something everyone should team up on emails and guest relations until the attraction is fixed. Not the poor Soarin attraction cast members just doing their job and having to deal with it constantly.

It’s the same reason why NObody wanted to work fastpass merge. Because of how scary park guests can get. That position, stroller parking, and load were the worst. Because theme park guests are just so rude and mean in the heat of the day. Theyre unpredictable.

In a logical sense, everyone that’s posted in positive for requested seats HAS A POINT, as far as Disney courtesy, price, whatever you may argue. But the fact of the matter is most theme park guests are just absolutely terrible. And not everyone “politely asks.” So yea. I’m against seat requests. Cuz even after you ask politely, we’ve dealt with like 5 or 6 very rude parties before you. It’s just... not great. And dealing with all those rude guests while STILL having to act as happy and smiley as possible? Geesh.
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
And dealing with all those rude guests while STILL having to act as happy and smiley as possible? Geesh.

It does indeed seem a very difficult job. I’m grateful to (and for) all the excellent CMs who do it so well. From what you say, it wasn’t for you, and you did well to recognise that.
 

Chef Mickey

Well-Known Member
No doubt about that. Soarin is not too fantastic anymore. I’m only speaking on for frustrated cast members. And I’ll be you Soarin is one of the worst attractions for requests. That’s something everyone should team up on emails and guest relations until the attraction is fixed. Not the poor Soarin attraction cast members just doing their job and having to deal with it constantly.

It’s the same reason why NObody wanted to work fastpass merge. Because of how scary park guests can get. That position, stroller parking, and load were the worst. Because theme park guests are just so rude and mean in the heat of the day. Theyre unpredictable.

In a logical sense, everyone that’s posted in positive for requested seats HAS A POINT, as far as Disney courtesy, price, whatever you may argue. But the fact of the matter is most theme park guests are just absolutely terrible. And not everyone “politely asks.” So yea. I’m against seat requests. Cuz even after you ask politely, we’ve dealt with like 5 or 6 very rude parties before you. It’s just... not great. And dealing with all those rude guests while STILL having to act as happy and smiley as possible? Geesh.
Working with the public is terrible for any job. Awful.
 

DisAl

Well-Known Member
I didn't know there was a "best" seat on FOP. It's not like Star Tours where the corners move much more than the center. All the ride vehicles in FOP move exactly the same distance, all are exactly the same distance from the screen, and all are exactly alike so what is the difference?
 

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
This is where we start to get into justified entitlement. As in, you are paying a lot of money, you really are entitled (as opposed to false entitlement) to not have to sit next to a pooper.

I don't think it's at all entitlement to realize that you're in a bad position and make a request to put yourself in a better position. If the waiter would say "sorry, that's all we have available", then the proper response is to say "this is acceptable" or "sorry, but this isn't acceptable". If you demand a proper table, that just doesn't seem to be a bad (or entitled) response.
 

LittleBuford

Well-Known Member
If the waiter would say "sorry, that's all we have available", then the proper response is to say "this is acceptable" or "sorry, but this isn't acceptable".

I disagree with the bolded. Unless the table really is somewhere unacceptable (i.e., somewhere no table should ever be), I don't think it would be reasonable for a customer to complain in such terms.
 

thomas998

Well-Known Member
The problem with requesting special seats in a luck based system is that your are, because of entitlement, relegating your undersirable seats to somebody else. Somebody that would have had better seats if it were not for you.

You get in the line and you take your chances. Unless of course you are feeling entitled. Then, by all means demand a re-roll and let somebody else absorb your bad luck.

Obviously this does not apply when you are not re rolling the dice on non-premium accommodations.

Scenario A ) Ask to wait until family can sit together. It doesn't matter where. Sorta like skipping a full bus so you can all ride together.

Scenario B) Ask to wait so that you can put somebody else is your less desirable seats and take somebody else more desirable seats.

Scenario A is not really affecting anybody but you. Scenario B is affecting people beyond you. THAT is the big differentiation.
That would only be true if the other guests were forbidden from declining those seats and asking for the better seats as well. But since every guest has the option of declining the bad seats and asking or the better ones your argument is incorrect. The reality is some people simply don't care where they sit, some people do. When people request different seats it does require them to give up time and wait for a later ride so there is no entitlement going on. You might want to go look up the definition of entitlement.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
That would only be true if the other guests were forbidden from declining those seats and asking for the better seats as well. But since every guest has the option of declining the bad seats and asking or the better ones your argument is incorrect. The reality is some people simply don't care where they sit, some people do. When people request different seats it does require them to give up time and wait for a later ride so there is no entitlement going on. You might want to go look up the definition of entitlement.
Again, "different seats" is not the same thing as "specific unreserved/unpaid premium seats".

That is where the pejorative "entitlement" manifests. If you have not paid more for the seats than others, and you exhibit a behavior that lands you unearned preferential treatment over others, that is how you are exhibiting entitlement.
 

jloucks

Well-Known Member
It usually has nothing to do with entitlement.

Most of the people who don't ask either haven't figured out there are better seats or are too shy or scared to ask.

Or polite or considerate. That's me. I feel like a schmuck if I manipulate a scenario into a good deal at the expense of another.

No, I am not perfect. I have manipulated scenarios too. Kinda scary good at it actually so I need to always tap the breaks. I am speaking in generalities. Philosophies.
 

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