Rude Behavior And Temper Outbursts: How Much Is HEAT To Blame?

[LaughingGravy]

Tell me, how is a one hour FP+ return window any more stressful than a one hour paper ticket FP return window? Would you rather worry that you need to be at BOG at 5:15 for dinner, or worry that you probably won't get in at all because people have been camped out in line for hours? For me the choice is easy. If I have certain "must dos," whether attractions or dining, I'm MUCH less stressed needing to be a certain place at a certain time than I would be worrying about whether long lines will prevent me from doing those experiences at all.

Back on topic, I think the biggest cause of stress at WDW is money. Many families are either saving for years and years for their trip, or they're financing the whole thing through credit card debt. Either way, that's a tremendous amount of pressure for absolutely everything to go perfectly. If it doesn't, meltdown.

We will be utilizing the FP+ next week for the first time. We are all set, but I do think there is some added stress with what is essentially a requirement now to reserve so far in advance. You are booking your room and maybe flight early. Now, you need to book your ride time, or you might not get in? While it is not correct, you will get on the ride, just in a longer line, that is part of the perception...quick, what's your window for fastpasses? 30 days? Better get on there at day 30, or you may miss out.
Yes about the money thing, too. I am pretty sure the idea of Walt taking his girls to a place where he could have some fun too, did not include the stress associated with all of the planning and airport security nonsense required.
It's a different animal in a different time. Mid 50's was booming economy with a sole breadwinner in a household being the norm. I am pretty sure the percentage of household income required now is a lot more for the average family than it used to be.

 

[Goofyernmost]

We will be utilizing the FP+ next week for the first time. We are all set, but I do think there is some added stress with what is essentially a requirement now to reserve so far in advance. You are booking your room and maybe flight early. Now, you need to book your ride time, or you might not get in? While it is not correct, you will get on the ride, just in a longer line, that is part of the perception...quick, what's your window for fastpasses? 30 days? Better get on there at day 30, or you may miss out.
Yes about the money thing, too. I am pretty sure the idea of Walt taking his girls to a place where he could have some fun too, did not include the stress associated with all of the planning and airport security nonsense required.
It's a different animal in a different time. Mid 50's was booming economy with a sole breadwinner in a household being the norm. I am pretty sure the percentage of household income required now is a lot more for the average family than it used to be.

If it helps when I used it in February there were no lines on the FP+ queue. Just straight walk on.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I wouldn't say it's just heat...I think it's any extremes. Some of the nastiest guests I've encountered were during a couple of days in MK with temps in the 30s and a noticeable wind chill. I've also seen people be more inclined to shove and push when rain starts to hit a more moderate level. i.e. it doesn't matter if they hurt another guest to avoid the rain.

I also think @TubaGeek is on to something with time of day. People definitely seem to chill out a bit after the sun sets.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I think people are to blame. Everyone makes excuses for acting like an idiot and it really just boils down to being selfish.

 

[Lucky]

I also think @TubaGeek is on to something with time of day. People definitely seem to chill out a bit after the sun sets.

Until (Rude Behavior) some idiot has a loud business-related phone conversation during Illuminations, and (Temper Outburst) someone yells at him "You know, we're living in a society!!"

 

[Chef Mickey]

It was hot at WDW in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s too. Heat made people cranky then too.

If people are crankier now, then something else has changed.

It's not human nature. Biologically, people are still the same.

If something has changed, then it's their environment. Specifically, the environment at WDW:

• Prices have changed - As I've documented in numerous other posts, WDW is much more expensive than it used to be relative to Median Household Income. Higher prices raise expectations. They create a sense of "entitlement". If I pay $20K for a car, I have one level of expectation. If I pay $40K, I have a different level of expectation. WDW is now charging $40K for what no longer is a $40K experience.
• Crowd levels have changed - Immediately after 9/11, WDW was an amazing place to visit during the off-season. During some of my visits in 2002 and 2003, the Space Mountain Standby line would peak at 25 minutes. You can't help but be happy when you are walking onto half the attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Today's WDW is experiencing record crowds and yet attraction capacity has not kept up with those crowds. WDW is more crowded than ever, creating more irritable people.
• Quality has changed - There once was a time when show came first, when broken animatronics would have been unacceptable show, when the parks were supposed to be at their best all the time. That philosophy has been abandoned by a corporate culture focused on profits over product. "Best In Class" has been replaced by "Good Enough."
• Cast Members have changed - CMs now have to deal with 'Guests' who are more irritable than ever. Getting verbally assaulted by 'Guests' every day can't help but influence CM's attitudes towards their jobs, which can't help but be reflected in how they sometimes react to 'Guests'.

Yes, there are things happening outside of WDW to explain 'Guest' bad behavior. However, most of what is happening at WDW today is caused by corporate Disney, who seems intent on squeezing every last cent out of their 'Guests' while investing as little as possible in WDW.

I agree with your assessment, but the biggest factor is People have changed.

There is zero patience, zero compassion, and zero understanding from SO many people these days. Everything is too expensive, too crowded, or too boring for people to show some respect for others. Everyone is so self-absorbed in their own world, they have lost all sense of respect.

Our society has become all about cell phones, selfies, and the world revolving around ME. You even see it in the rides. It's not good enough to have a great show or ride anymore. There has to be some element of "ME" or people just drift into getting on their phones.

 

[jw24]

Coming from someone who loathes the heat in general, I can attest to feeling cranky and uptight in the hot weather. Sometimes, it's not just the heat, it's often the humidity that plays a part in making it the hot temperatures unbearable to go through. It's the same thing for wind chill and how it makes feeling cold temperatures even worse than the actual air temperature. As pointed out, anything extreme wise whether it's extremely hot or cold, will drive people insane because they feel it everywhere across the body. Unfortunately, not everyone in the US gets to live the ideal cool climate during the summer time, which is probably the Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest states as they are considerably cooler than the Southeast and Southwest states.

But there are other factors lead to so much stress. Tack on long lines, big crowds, being a frequent loser of the FP+ race so to speak or not even being aware of it and forced to wait in long lines, the rush mentality to do everything in one trip because of school district and state laws being more strict on pulling kids out of school during non-break times, expensive prices and a congested environment full of people along with other factors, leads to a powder keg of hot heads exploding and just downright losing it. It is true that people are to blame for being unable to control their emotions and/or show compassion, respect and consideration towards other guests and CMs. In my honest opinion, there is never an excuse for rudeness! None whatsoever! Do what you want, just don't be rude about it.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

Our society has become all about cell phones, selfies, and the world revolving around ME. You even see it in the rides. It's not good enough to have a great show or ride anymore. There has to be some element of "ME" or people just drift into getting on their phones.

You are absolutely right about the rides & attractions pandering to the "ME" element. Granted, Uni goes a little overboard with the whole "YOU'RE the star" theme in it's ride offerings, but Disney isn't blameless either. What's wrong with just letting the environment and AA's/screens tell their tale without having to make everything so "We need YOUR help to...(insert ride plot here)...!"

This in itself makes for an interesting topic.

 

[Lucky]

The pandering to self interest shows up in all walks of life these days, like the local news programs advertising "if it doesn't affect you, it's not news."

 

[Blackburn23]

I'll say zero. Yes it gets hot yes we get irritated when we are sweating and our kids get antsy but we can handle it how we want to. Attitude is a choice regardless. Plan accordingly. Just my 2 cents

 

[rsoxguy]

I have a brother-in-law that gets very upset every time that the Heat lose a game. I'm more of a Celtics guy.

 

[UncleMike101]

I agree with your assessment, but the biggest factor is People have changed.

There is zero patience, zero compassion, and zero understanding from SO many people these days. Everything is too expensive, too crowded, or too boring for people to show some respect for others. Everyone is so self-absorbed in their own world, they have lost all sense of respect.

Our society has become all about cell phones, selfies, and the world revolving around ME. You even see it in the rides. It's not good enough to have a great show or ride anymore. There has to be some element of "ME" or people just drift into getting on their phones.

Yup.......
I'm afraid that many people today believe that the entire Universe revolves around their rear end.

 

[betty rose]

I honestly think that FP+\ADRs also play a part in amping up the stress factor. You are constantly looking at your watch/phone and rushing the family to your next "appointment" from the time you get up on day one until you get on/in plane/car on the way home.

Throw in a little heat, some exhaustion, a dash of dehydration. Voila, meltdown.

Plus poor food choices....too sugary ...too salty...void of any real nutrition....my 2 cents worth

 

[betty rose]

You're pretty accurate in my opinion, but one other change that need be taking into consideration between the 70's and now is attention spans changing. Those of us who grew up in the 70's or 80's have a different expectation of entertainment than those who grew up more recently, and we a different expectation from our elders. One cannot deny that the flash bang in your face, 4 seconds and done entertainment hitting children growing up now and to only a slightly lesser degree, those who grew up in the past decade, leads them to expect more and more faster and faster, not taking a step back to relax at all.
This mentality, coupled with heat and exhaustion of feeling they must rush from attraction to attraction will lead to outbursts.
I walk between places, not just because I have pre-planned my day like WDW's own Pavlov's dog, but because it keeps me relaxed.

My plan for this year...already told my daughter....I will do breakfast, lunch, rides during those hours and I'm done for the day....no more late nights, rope drop and such. I'm bringing some good books, going to an air conditioned lobby or bar, enjoy a drink and appetizer. Then return to my hotel and read. Sounds boring to most, but a relaxing vacation to myself and husband.

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

If it helps when I used it in February there were no lines on the FP+ queue. Just straight walk on.

What time in February ?

 

[LAKid53]

Very true. The raised temperatures can also cause you to worry and dwell over things that normally wouldn't bother you.

After doing a little research on the impacts of heat on the brain...I'm surprised Floridians aren't slaughtering & devouring each other by now outta sheer subliminal tension. Oh, wait...

But we are.......

 

[LAKid53]

I agree with your assessment, but the biggest factor is People have changed.

There is zero patience, zero compassion, and zero understanding from SO many people these days. Everything is too expensive, too crowded, or too boring for people to show some respect for others. Everyone is so self-absorbed in their own world, they have lost all sense of respect.

Our society has become all about cell phones, selfies, and the world revolving around ME. You even see it in the rides. It's not good enough to have a great show or ride anymore. There has to be some element of "ME" or people just drift into getting on their phones.

In 100% agreement. Hand in hand with the victim mentality that seems to be so pervasive now. "It's not my fault, [fill in the blank] is responsible." I see it on the buses - not giving your seat to a mother holding a young child (under 2), an elderly person, etc. I've (and I'm in my sixties) given my seat to people older than me, mothers with young children and also make my daughter do the same. It's how I was taught by my mother - common courtesy, respect your elders, hold the door for the person right behind you rather than letting it slam in their face, say please and thank you, when you ask for a favor do it with a smile, do unto others, etc. It was those behaviors that made our society work smoothly. And my generation is probably responsible for starting the decline when we rebelled against authority. And if my mother were still alive, she'd be saying "I told you so"!

 

[Goofyernmost]

What time in February ?

Second half! Don't have the exact dates at my fingertips, but I do know it was after the 15th.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Looking back on some of the discussions we've had in the past surrounding rude guest behavior, hostility, and downright explosive outbursts at the parks, it is clear to see that the worst can sometimes be brought out of the best of us. Sometimes these childish acts can be blamed on a strong sense of entitlement. Other times we label alcohol consumption as the culprit. Yet other times the stories just seem to suggest not everyone is wrapped too tightly in the sanity department. While all these factors have at one point or another been a cause of guest meltdowns...is there yet another hidden, but more prominent contributor behind many of the off-the-wall tourist tantrums people have witnessed? A force so silently daunting, that many who succumb to it are oblivious to what is actually taking place?

I am talking, of course, about the intense Florida heat, and the heat rage it can cause to unsuspecting temperaments not accustomed to such climate. Any WDW guest who has visited during the brutal summer months knows what type of oven the place becomes. But intense heat does more than just the obvious physical ramifications of making one require liquids more frequently, need to seek shade/shelter more regularly, and sweat profusely from any & every crevice. Heat also takes a (often negative) toll on us mentally, whether we realize what's happening or not.

Aggression and irritability both increase in hotter temperatures. Domestic violence also peaks during summer months. As much as someone may think they dislike the colder, greyer months of winter elsewhere...truth of the matter is, subconsciously we are all happier, more unlikely to overreact or become hostile, and far less agitated in the dead of winter than in the piping hot summer. (Those of you in the northern U.S. finally crawling out of the long, bitter winter we've just had, this may be the last thing you want to hear right now. But hey, who says the truth always has to be pretty?)

So given how central Fla is notorious for it's overwhelmingly hot summers which last from March thru October at least, combine that with the herds of tourists who, in many cases are not accustomed to the heat/humidity that the area usually offers... how much of an impact do you think weather has on guest's attitudes and actions (for better or worse)?

I'm not excusing nasty behavior by any means. But I do wonder what percentage of guest irritability is being manipulated by temperature. Your thoughts?

A few articles for further reading on the subject of heat rage:
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/feeling-hot-can-fuel-rage/
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07...-residents-about-falling-victim-to-heat-rage/
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/news/20000720/steamy-weather-hot-tempers

Nope. I'm going to blame the adults for their inability to control themselves.

 

[Dwarful]

Do most WDW guests live in an area with low heat and humidity during the summer that turns them into some type of heat phobic lunatics? I live near St. Louis and it is high heat and humidity from May to Oct. and it is morning, noon and night...no evening cool down....that's just when the lightning bugs and mosquitos come out...lol.

I do agree that it is society that has changed. People have no understanding of others feelings. It is very sad. Many people make no effort in getting dressed for the day...I can't tell you how many people on our flight were wearing pajama pants or yoga pants...that weren't appropriately covering everything as they were being stretched beyond measure.