waiting for parades

[HouCuseChickie]

There have been times when we've been the early birds and I've allowed children in front of me and there have been times we've been running a smidge behind and we've been fortunate enough to have some caring adults allow our children a slightly better vantage point that where we were standing. Still, I've seen things get ugly. I also often travel with a ton of glow sticks to hand out to those around us. I've always found that it often soothes the nerves of those around us when you can add a little more pixie dust to the evening.

 

[graphite1326]

Ugh... I will never forget the night where I almost witnessed a brawl on Liberty Square during MSEP...

It all started on a cool December night. My younger brother and I went to our favorite parade spot in Liberty Square 45 minutes or so before the parade.

We got comfy, and sat down on the pavement inside the tape. There was no one blocking our view. It was the perfect night for viewing MSEP.

I told my brother to save my spot so I could get some Glazed Almonds to snack on while the parade going through.

Anyway, I returned to my spot in a jiffy, and began enjoying the sugary nutty goodness I just purchased with anticipation for the parade to start.

Unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world...

Moments later, our serenity was ruined by loud yelling from an obnoxious (pardon) trashy redneck male...

Turns out he was arguing with a young female Cast Member about the spot he chose to view the parade, which was right in the middle of the walkway behind the tape... He had around 10 people in his party, so he was causing a huge human traffic jam all around Liberty Square.

The young female Cast Member informed the man that he was standing in a traffic lane, and that he must find a spot inside the tape border. The man was totally obnoxious and refused to move. He started shouting cuss words at the polite Cast Member. He also argued that he arrived before anyone else, and that everyone else sort of got in his way. THIS WAS FALSE!

The Cast Member apologized for the inconvenience and told him that there were spots to view the parade near Splash Mountain. Once again he refused to move and started spewing out cuss words. He insisted to speak with the Cast Member's lead or manager.

The female Cast Member called her manager on the Walkie Talkie, and moments later, the manager appeared.

The redneck man immediately started to argue with the manager, explaining that the young female Cast Member ruined his Disney experience, and that he would never give Disney another dime.

It was around this time that the redneck man's younger son emerged from the crowd and and started to beg his father to stop arguing and just move. I could see the embarrassment and sadness in the boy's eyes. His day was ruined by his father's arrogant behavior.

It wasn't long until someone in the traffic mob shouted "Listen to your kid, he's obviously smarter than you,"... The manager also threatened the redneck man saying that his entire party will be escorted out of the park by security if they refuse to move.

Finally, after nearly 20 minutes of arguing, the obnoxious redneck man and his motley crew (excluding his younger son) cut their losses and proceeded to Frontierland.

When the traffic started moving again, the crowd gave the parade manager a thunderous applause!

The parade started a few minutes later, everyone was talking about the crazy events that just happened, but when MSEP began, everyone's problems melted away.

Well, at least my problems did because we had amazing seats!

And that's my crazy parade story!

Hey! I am not a redneck.

 

[Marc Gil]

Hey! I am not a redneck.

 

[graphite1326]

Okay. I'll go there.

A lot of the behavior of the so called "injured parties" being described here is just as disgraceful as the behavior being described of the offending parties.

Were you seriously yelling profanity at this so called "old Mexican woman" in the middle of Disney World? I mean, really? If she committed a crime so offensive to you, just get a cast member.

And lots of stereotypes flying around this thread. I wonder if the "redneck man" would like the "old Mexican woman". Hmmmmm. And are you sure she was Mexican? Did she have a Mexican flag in her hand? Lots of assumptions.

Whatever. I'm so glad when all the "I have to see the parade at all costs and fight for space and get in brawls and fights in front of children" people cram together to wait for the parades because that frees up so much of the parks for the rest of us.

maybe you shouldn't have.

 

[mf1972]

I agree with most of what everyone is saying. I would just add, if you are an adult and there is a little kid behind you standing, you will really make their day if you move and let them go in front. You can still see, and helping the kids enjoy will go a long way.

did that last night for a kid at illuminations. kid was thrilled. parents very thankful. I'll gladly do it again.

 

[GoofGoof]

There have been times when we've been the early birds and I've allowed children in front of me and there have been times we've been running a smidge behind and we've been fortunate enough to have some caring adults allow our children a slightly better vantage point that where we were standing. Still, I've seen things get ugly. I also often travel with a ton of glow sticks to hand out to those around us. I've always found that it often soothes the nerves of those around us when you can add a little more pixie dust to the evening.

The glow sticks are a great idea. I'm definitely going to borrow that one.