Parades are for the children. Whenever possible, let them be up front and closest to the action. Honestly, who gets the most excitement out of having a character come over and shake their hand or being so close when they are dancing. Kids belong up front, even if their parents weren't smart enough to pick out a good spot before hand.
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What would you do?
- Thread starter Iteachwood
- Start date
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Tell her to foxtrot oscar.
rct247
Well-Known Member
I'd honestly say this in a soft/normal voice level and tone:
"Excuse, ma'am. I'll let your children sit here as I do understand their magical experience is an important part of your vacation, so long as they remain seated and don't cause too much trouble, but please can I kindly suggest that the next time just ask before just assuming, please. Our family has been sitting in this spot for about 2 hours. I understand how hard it is to find a spot 5 minutes before, so again it isn't a problem this time, but please just take that into consideration in the future. Thank you."
And if I was a cast member and a small argument were to arise between two families in this situation, I would probably say pretty much the exact same thing. You really do have to pick your battles and being willing to compromise. It's not worth making the situation worse for a guest that is ignorant, rude, and unprepared, but it also shouldn't be acceptable for those guests to feel that it is ok to do it. Raising awareness of how other parties may perceive actions and how to think about how their actions may affect others is the only way that you are going to suggest positive change. People will respond negatively if you create conflict for them, but if you are genuinely interested in working with them to create the best situation for the both of you (if with limited time, attention span, and other distractions), they are more apt to remember that and even possibly return the favor to another family in a similar situation at a later date.
At the same time, if you see children having a hard time seeing and you can afford to make a compromise, ask the parents (and children) if they would like to sit closer to see better. The parents that don't shove their kids in front will be thrilled and therefore rewarded for just accepting the view they chose, but now you made their night and again, they may be more apt to remember that and possibly return the favor to another family in a similar situation at a later date.
"Excuse, ma'am. I'll let your children sit here as I do understand their magical experience is an important part of your vacation, so long as they remain seated and don't cause too much trouble, but please can I kindly suggest that the next time just ask before just assuming, please. Our family has been sitting in this spot for about 2 hours. I understand how hard it is to find a spot 5 minutes before, so again it isn't a problem this time, but please just take that into consideration in the future. Thank you."
And if I was a cast member and a small argument were to arise between two families in this situation, I would probably say pretty much the exact same thing. You really do have to pick your battles and being willing to compromise. It's not worth making the situation worse for a guest that is ignorant, rude, and unprepared, but it also shouldn't be acceptable for those guests to feel that it is ok to do it. Raising awareness of how other parties may perceive actions and how to think about how their actions may affect others is the only way that you are going to suggest positive change. People will respond negatively if you create conflict for them, but if you are genuinely interested in working with them to create the best situation for the both of you (if with limited time, attention span, and other distractions), they are more apt to remember that and even possibly return the favor to another family in a similar situation at a later date.
At the same time, if you see children having a hard time seeing and you can afford to make a compromise, ask the parents (and children) if they would like to sit closer to see better. The parents that don't shove their kids in front will be thrilled and therefore rewarded for just accepting the view they chose, but now you made their night and again, they may be more apt to remember that and possibly return the favor to another family in a similar situation at a later date.
MAF
Well-Known Member
progroupie
Member
I would have my kids squeeze in closer to me that way making room for the family to have the space next to us. Or if one of my children was young enough I'd move them to my lap.
I would assume this family wasn't as experienced when it came to Disney and tell the mom that it's best to get a parade spot early next time.
I would assume this family wasn't as experienced when it came to Disney and tell the mom that it's best to get a parade spot early next time.
Silver Figment
Active Member
Those kind of people irritate me 
but it happens all the time. As everybody has pretty much been stating though, you can't blame the kids, they're just doing what their parents told them to, and as long as they aren't in my way I wouldn't let it bother me. I would however make sure i get the chance to tell the parents that next time they need to wait for hours if they want a front row seat.
but it happens all the time. As everybody has pretty much been stating though, you can't blame the kids, they're just doing what their parents told them to, and as long as they aren't in my way I wouldn't let it bother me. I would however make sure i get the chance to tell the parents that next time they need to wait for hours if they want a front row seat.
GOT2SAMMIES
Member
I think I would let them in..My first instinct would be no but then I would have to think about my first time in Disney and not having a clue! I almost saw two parents go to blows over this during the MEP in Nov. There was a family of 5 waiting by the bridge and behind them was a family with kids in a stroller.... 5 minutes BEFORE the parade starts here comes the family of 5, 10 addtional people and try to squeeze them into the spot they had for 5. Needless to day the people behind them were NOT happy and fussed the whole time!
on a happier note I got my parade times mixed up and got a decent spot but not a great spot..the family in front was kind enough to let me son sit with their kids to watch... I couldn;t thank them enough..:wave:
on a happier note I got my parade times mixed up and got a decent spot but not a great spot..the family in front was kind enough to let me son sit with their kids to watch... I couldn;t thank them enough..:wave:
Super Stitch
Member
My husband and I actually had the same thing happen to us several years back at Animal Kingdom. The only exception was instead of making room for children it was actually 2 adults. We had been waiting for over 2 hours on a bench along the parade route and they showed up about 10 minutes before the parade was to start. They did not ask us to share the bench but actually asked to have it all together. I was so shocked all I could say was no!
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
The parade will have finished long before you finish saying all that :lol:
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
Let me know where you're sitting next time and you can save us a spot
Or perhaps they play dumb, do that all the time and get good spots because unsuspecting others allow them in :shrug:
Well first, I have never waited two hours or even an hour for a parade or Fireworks, I'd say Fantasmic! is really the only event I've ever waited for, and even then it's an hour not more.
In the hypothetical world where if the family came up and looked to ask me for some room they wouldn't get a response, I would have died from boredom long before that and they would simply need to push my dead corpse out of the way.
I'm a late arriver, so I'm more likely to be the one coming in and asking for the room (though I never would), I'm quite content with a slightly less perfect viewing spot and have never really had a problem getting a decent spot even arriving 10 mins before the shows. I have been known to adopt a "wheelchair" family and take up a spot in a reserved zone but only if there was lots of room and only if the family agreed. I know I'll get flames for that move. LOL
In the hypothetical world where if the family came up and looked to ask me for some room they wouldn't get a response, I would have died from boredom long before that and they would simply need to push my dead corpse out of the way.
I'm a late arriver, so I'm more likely to be the one coming in and asking for the room (though I never would), I'm quite content with a slightly less perfect viewing spot and have never really had a problem getting a decent spot even arriving 10 mins before the shows. I have been known to adopt a "wheelchair" family and take up a spot in a reserved zone but only if there was lots of room and only if the family agreed. I know I'll get flames for that move. LOL
R W B
Well-Known Member
Since I'm from New Orleans this happens every year for Mardi Gras to people here including myself. I am young but I dont look for drama so I tend to like going to the more family oriented parts of the Mardi Gras parade routes so I'm use to letting kids and sometimes moms in front of me for parades. Its only happened once at Disney and it didnt bother me in the least. I simple put my G/F in front of me instead of on the side of me and we still enjoyed it. Last summer for a night time MK parade my g/f and I showed up 5 minutes before the parade started and we went on top by the train entrance and got a front row view from there. The people next to us said most people including themselves were there for over 2 hours. I couldnt imagine just sitting there in WDW for that long waiting for a parade to start. Thats just me though.
mickey2008.1
Well-Known Member
It is for this reason we have given up on parades. Too many rude a---- out there for me to deal with.Have your perfect view and come in late, wont bother us anymore. This all started when we waited for illuminations in mexico for two hours, then a family of ten foreigners cut in front and pretended to not speak english. Ill watch it on you tube you snobs.