I hesitated to chime in on the recent discussion about "rules" because there are obvious passions on both sides and I don't want to be flamed on either side of the debate. But one issue mentioned in the more recent posts caught my attention - and that is with respect to various CMs advising one way or the other as to whether or not a specific action is acceptable (assuming of course that assertion is in fact true), and thus carve out an "exception" (so to speak) for the guest.
The best example that I can come up with is this: When I went to Epcot last week I parked where I was directed to park, although I suppose that I could have ignored the parking attendants and parked on the grass area closest to the park entrance, under the friendly shade of a large tree. But I knew that I wasn't supposed to park on the grass (not a designated parking lot), just as I wouldn't want guests at my home to park in my manicured lawn instead of the available driveway. However, on capacity days like New Year's Eve, CMs were directing cars to park in the grass, so that's where I parked - exactly where I was directed to park - even though doing the same on any other day would have been completely inappropriate.
So, if there's a rule in place, whether it's parking-related or otherwise, and I ask a CM about it and they tell me something different, I'm inclined to follow the direction of the CM. CMs act as agents of Disney (both in the legal and in the common sense meaning of the term). And as guests, we're expected to follow the directions of CMs, whether that's in the parks, resorts, parking lots; anywhere in the World. Thus, although the general population may accept that a grassy hill is not a designated parking area, if that's where a CM directs me to park, then that's where I'm parking.
Similarly, if others have had experience with a CM telling them that they may leave their car parked in a certain area for a period of time that is extended beyond whatever blanket policy may otherwise apply, then doing so (relying on the advisement of Disney's agents) seems appropriate under those circumstances.
That's just my personal opinion. If a CM advises "yes" to this or "no" to that, following suit (specifically under
those circumstances) seems reasonable to me.
Otherwise, rules are rules, especially on someone else's property. Follow the rules.
Please don't flame me
