waiting for parades

[mf1972]

have to love it when people show up for a parade with about 5 minutes left & expect to get a good spot. witnessed a argument today between 2 families on a spot on Main Street.
we usually grab a spot 90-120 minutes before hand. have to plan it out instead of having it handed to you.

 

[bethymouse]

Yep- good spots are hard to get if you wait until the last minute.

 

[Monkee Girl]

On the other hand, I hate people who are rude to other people because they think they are going to steal their precious spot. They don't own the street! When I was in Disney for Easter (Good Friday was our first night) and my cousin and aunt left early due to a bad flight that evening and they weren't feeling well. I was taking my little cousin around because she was so exited to be there that it wasn't fair to get in the park and then have to leave. We rode a few rides and my lil cousin was ready to go back to the resort. So we are trying to get out and since the parade was ready to start I ushered her towards the side walk to get her out of the street. I pointed to a small space between two people to get through but I guess the lady thought I was thinking of sitting there. She places her hand right on the spot and yells "NO!" It wasn't even a yell...it was like a yell/growl/roar. I mean seriously!? I was so annoyed I just said 'We need to get through' and pushed passed the witch.

I know people don't think outside the box, but I have been going to Disney every year, I have seen the darn light parade 4-5 times per trip. I was probably going to see it another 3-4 times THAT trip. I probably could stand in front of that psycho and perform the entire thing by memory. And if I wanted to see it, I wouldn't come 5 minutes before and try and squeeze next to someone. I would wait till the 11pm parade and sit over in Frontier Land and get a whole street side to myself! Which I did on Easter Sunday and got acknowledged by almost every character in the parade. OMG I can't stand people.

When I am eagerly sitting waiting for something like that, I will always move a little and let others see. But that's just me. I know I am fortunate enough to see something or go to Disney more than once. I have let a family with 3 little girls sit next to me at a crowded night parade. Wasn't much room, but we all fit and had a blast. This trip, I went to watch the Jedi Academy (what a cute show) and one of the parents got there late and was forced to try and struggle to get pictures. That wasn't happening, so I moved her in front of me so she could see everything. I'm awesome like that.

Every time I think of how people act, it reminds me of a song from an old movie.....



Sorry, had to vent cause the moment I ready this, lady on Friday popped into my head.

 

[marni1971]

We let kids in front of us to the railings if its a standing RoE. But on the rope in the MK? Many families have tried. None have won. Not even iPad women in TS a few years back. Claimed she "no English" until she told her kids to push through. Ooops. Was that my elbow? Sorry.

 

[Dasnowz]

was hit by a double stroller, knock down and broke my finger 3 weeks ago by some family pushing their way in to the front.... was off work for 10 days and of course was not paid for it. Not happy and probably will not watch any more parades. we were there 90 minutes early and had hung out they showed up 10 min before using stroller as battering ram

 

[mf1972]

even better. waiting for the electrical parade last night, & had someone's foot burrowing in my back. I turned around & asked "can u please move your foot? it's in my back."
my answer was "no habla English." I knew that was BS, because I heard him speaking English to another person prior. I told him that as nicely as I can, & the guy gets angry, says I can sit how I want (miraculously speaks English now).
before 3 other people took my side, I said I don't care how u sit, as long as your not jabbing me from behind with your foot.
some people can be inconsiderate jackasses, & don't play the no English bit on me.

 

[Master Yoda]

And this is why I have no problem shelling out money for a dessert buffet or using a FP for a parade viewing spot.

 

[Marc Gil]

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!

 

[Crazydisneyfanluke]

We let kids in front of us to the railings if its a standing RoE. But on the rope in the MK? Many families have tried. None have won. Not even iPad women in TS a few years back. Claimed she "no English" until she told her kids to push through. Ooops. Was that my elbow? Sorry.

This reminds of a time a kid was watching MSEP over me (i was sitting down). The kid starts to kick me in the back i looked at the parent she looked back and the kid continued, i just stood up, being a large 6'3'' guy they couldn't see the parade. This was my first time in a great viewing location of the parade (looking down mainstreet).

 

[AllydoesDisney]

We waited a little over an hour in our spot for the MSEP. It was really boring but totally worth it when the parade finally started.

 

[KCheatle]

We've been lucky enough, or it was just the fact that we travel during very slow seasons, to not show up for a parade too far in advance and still get a really good spot. Usually we can pull off a decent spot getting there 15-20 mins in advance. We never cut or push anyone aside. However, I hold my ground once I have it.

Because we go during slow times, I know that there are plenty of spaces available. So, I don't feel bad holding my ground and not letting people slip in. It's not because they can't find a spot, it's because they are too lazy to do so. That's not my problem.

This next time, we're planning to get a FP+ for the parade 1 night and not have to worry about a spot.

 

[JillC LI]

Every time I think of how people act, it reminds me of a song from an old movie.....

I love this movie, and I love Helen Reddy!

 

[SagamoreBeach]

I've told this story before...I was planning on watching a show at Animal Kingdom and planned accordingly. I got there before anyone else. In fact, I think I was the only person standing there when the show started. As soon as the music begun then the crowds started to gather. A small boy managed to get by me and stand directly in front of me. He didn't bother me. A moment later I feel a tap on my shoulder - I turn and this woman says...quite rudely... My son is standing in front of you and I MUST BE WITH MY SON! I replied...no problem! I tapped the kid on the shoulder and told him that his mother wanted him back there with her. Boy was she mad! And I had me a good laugh.

 

[KLinder7]

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.

 

[Master Yoda]

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.

I use to do that all the time, but a number of bad experiences with over protective helicopter parents have made me stop.

 

[lebeau]

I have never blocked a kid's view nor would I ever do so. I have always offered to let kids up front if I have a good spot. And I have received similar offers for my kids when I was not already up front. Unless you are shorter than the child, there is no reason not to do this. Parents can observe the parade and their kids from over my shoulder. I'm not a tall guy.

 

[stevehousse]

Reminds me I our trip 2 years ago. May 2012, we got a good spot 20 minutes before the parade started back across from country Bear jamboree area. We had both our boys in strollers right at the line and me and my wife behind. My one sons stroller was a little over, so neither of us were standing directly behind his stroller.

All of a sudden this old Mexican lady comes over, stands next to me for a second or 2, and started moving my son and our stroller out of the way so her 2 kids could grab a spot!

I immediately started to yell at her, "what the hell are you doing! You do not touch or move my kid! How rude are you?"

I got a blank stare... "No habla English!" She proclaimed!

She stood back a little, but once the parade started to come by us, this idiot lady tried again!!!

"Listen lady what the f r u doing?" Don't ever touch my child again! What is your problem?"

"No habla English!"

"Bullsh*t! No English ha, well Puta, el burro sabe mas que to! Vamanos!"

She stepped back and didn't come near us again!

Some people have such nerve!!!

And for those of you wondering what I said back to her in Spanish..."b*itch, the donkey knows more than you, move it!" LMAO

 

[Master Yoda]

I have never blocked a kid's view nor would I ever do so. I have always offered to let kids up front if I have a good spot. And I have received similar offers for my kids when I was not already up front. Unless you are shorter than the child, there is no reason not to do this. Parents can observe the parade and their kids from over my shoulder. I'm not a tall guy.

You would think that would be the case, but have run into so many parents in the last 4-5 years that must be in physical contact with their child 24/7.

 

[Glasgow]

Common sense and courtesy seemed to go the way of the dodo once the parks started getting too crowded for the amount of available space, particularly during parades. Funny how that works ..

 

[Vader2112]

And this is why I have no problem shelling out money for a dessert buffet or using a FP for a parade viewing spot.

I agree!!! Used the FP for the Festival of Fantasy Parade on Easter Monday well worth it! Plus it was fun watching people with Fastpasses get kicked out.
I have to say I have been spoiled with parades and have been invited to sit in the Reserved area on the Liberty Square Bridge a few times. The best was the MNSSHP . Lots of candy for the kids and they received plenty of attention from the charecters.