MousePlanet staff writer Steve Russo braved the topic of queue etiquette in his August 8 article, and MousePlanet readers responded. This week’s mailbag includes those letters, as well as a few others addressed to Steve on other Walt Disney World topics.
Greg A. writes:
I enjoyed your article, but I have one small issue with your theater etiquette suggestion. Here’s the problem: If the cast members’ instructions are followed completely, then potentially the people who have been waiting the longest time for the theater doors to open are going to be seated at the “1-yard line” (not the 35-yard line as you suggest). I would agree that the views from just off center are not much different than dead center, but the views from the far edges can and often are inferior. I don’t see an easy solution to this dilemma (those who have waited the longest time should have the best seats not the worst, but how is it possible to efficiently load a large theater quickly?), but it’s something to think about.
An issue? With me? No! Just kidding.
I can’t fault your premise except that, in most cases, those at the front of a show queue have waited only marginally longer than those at the rear. And it’s the luck of the draw in terms of arrival. If you think of a show like Mickey’s Philharmagic, when you enter, you have no idea whether there are zero people ahead of you or 800. Anyhow, my biggest peeve is with those that, once the doors open, will push and shove to be first in the theater, then stop in the middle of the row.
Vincent writes:
I wish that segment from your article regarding line behavior could be printed on a glossy tri-fold and handed out with park maps.
On numerous occasions, typically during mid-afternoon when the 57,000 blister has just given birth to a new litter, I would be the next person to order only to discover the person in front of me didn’t read the menu either. I wonder if CNN would defend my story if I finally decided to smack the next person with my Disney Crocs?
The addition to your counterservice segment should include making sure that the representative of your party knows what your party wants. I have been tempted to knock over even the sweetest person when they turn around, shout to their partner, through my face, “What do the kids want?” Maybe we could create a special line for the “I’m not sure what I want or the kids want” folks. No, that wouldn’t help. If they can’t read the menu…
I like your suggestion on the separate line.
Kristen writes:
Thanks so much for your awesome article on queue etiquette. I especially loved your rules on parades and fireworks, and about taking people in wheelchairs into account. I use my wheelchair when I go to the parks and you wouldn’t believe some of the rudeness I get from people.
In regards to parades and fireworks, most people do move over when I come to stake a seat or they make room and to those people I say thanks. What I can’t stand are the people who assume I’m saving a spot for their children and allow them to stand in front of me. I’m very short and if a child stands in front of me it completely ruins the view. I’ve also had people think it’s fine for a child to lay on the back of my wheelchair or use it to boost them up… I wish I were kidding.
I’ve also found how the abuse of the wheelchair queue affects people like me because I’ve gotten many a dirty look from people when I use the exits or get seated first. I bring my own wheelchair so I don’t know why people still feel the need to comment when I get on ride vehicles. I know you only reference wheelchairs a bit in your article but the fact you’re taking people like me into account is awesome… there is definitely a need for even a full article on etiquette around guests with wheelchairs. Keep up the awesome work; your articles are my favorite.
Thank you for those very kind words. My only direct experience with using a wheelchair was when we took my (then) 85-year old father on a trip with us. While he could walk, we knew he’d never withstand the rigors of a week at Disney World without a wheelchair. Then, and since, I’ve seen some of the rudeness that you mention and it saddens me. I know many people speak of wheelchair abuse—people using them for no other reason than line cutting—but that has to be the minority. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for folks in chairs trying to maintain their view of parades, fireworks, etc. It’s probably worthy of a column by itself.
Judy P. writes:
That was a thought-provoking view on standing in line, familiar to us all! Once, while waiting patiently for the rope to drop that would let a wildly enthusiastic crowd run to Splash Mountain, there was an adorable boy perched on his father’s shoulders. He was very well-behaved, until the rope dropped and he screamed, “TRAMPLE EM’ DAD!” And the dad seemed OK with that!
We have been eased out of position many times, especially parade routes. I don’t get verbal, however there is one point I would like to make. Many times I notice a parent videotaping a show, entire parade, fireworks, etc. like a maniacal focused animal, only watching the event. Forget enjoying the moment, forget the wondrous, precious expressions on your children’s faces, and just get that video!
Please parents look around you! See your family! Relax and just take it all in, LIVE. Live in your moment, not on your TV screen, I beg you. I watched your children’s adorable reactions and smiles, and you missed it all!
Amy writes:
Thank you for this article! I try hard to keep my kids from bothering other people. I make an effort to keep my kids in our own space and teach them to pay attention to others. My biggest peeve is smoking in line. Is it OK to make comments? Where do we draw the line at my being rude versus letting my annoyance be known? I absolutely hate that!
This was a great article. Too bad everyone can’t receive an etiquette packet before entering the park!
Robert writes:
If you decide to extend your list on queue etiquette, how about adding a rule on using mobile phones in the queue? When I am at Walt Disney World I’m on vacation, not at work, and I don’t want to hear other people’s problems.
Gray D. writes:
Regarding parades and fireworks, I would like to add that one should remain standing unless one has a disability which requires one to sit in an appropriate wheeled device. I recently had the misfortune of leaving Cinderella’s Royal Table just before Wishes. I was directed down the ramp in front of the castle, only to be met with a seething mass of non-native English speakers, firmly planted with their bottoms on the ground. There was NO path, and there was NO walking (they wouldn’t budge).
When we finally decided to stand where we were stuck and watch, we were angrily told to sit down, which I could not do because of a back injury and my children will not do because of special needs. After the show was over, rather than everyone slowly moving toward their next destination, it was 15 minutes of trying to pry their rear ends off the pavement without hitting someone or being knocked over. It was utter chaos, and had there been an emergency, it would have been very bad, as they would have had my “tire marks” all over their laps.
Andrew S. writes:
Thank you for publishing my comments this morning on the Fantasmic! cutbacks. I’ve been in the writing business for four decades, but it is still a kick to see your name in print.
I think it is fair to say that I have been a Disney enthusiast ever since I was old enough to recognize Mickey. That has been a very long time (I’m 62 years old now). I have a suggestion to make about a future article you might consider writing. It is related to the Fantasmic! cutback as well as other reductions that appear to have a pattern.
I see a disturbing trend in Disney management behavior. Every one of the events is basically a reduction in services, but more specifically it results in a reduction of staff. The actors and performer in the shows and clubs draw higher salaries than ride operators and food servers. In any business, labor is always the single highest cost. In recent months, Disney has:
- Cut back Fantasmic! performances. (probably the most labor intensive closing show on the property)
- Cancelled several other stage shows.
- Closed numerous kiosks (both food and souvenir).
- Announced the shutdown of Pleasure Island Clubs.
- Announced other staff reductions.
- Shortened reservations windows for table service dining (indicates that they expect less of them and lower demand for long-term advance reservations)
Unfortunately, Disney management has one piece of information that we probably can’t get—future reservations. I am willing to bet that there has been a steep drop-off in reservations and therefore a projection of significant drops in attendance for late 2008 and the bulk of 2009. Union rules and just plain good management dictate that you announce your cutbacks early and give your staff half a chance to survive the reduction. This sure appears to be what Disney is doing. If you have any well-placed informants amongst the Disney staff, you might try to determine how much of a reduction in future reservations has taken place. If, as I suspect, there has been a significant drop, this does not bode well for the U. S. Economy in general. By the way, a good title for such an article might be, Disney Barometric Pressure. Walt Disney World’s performance and plans might well be a very good barometer of the Nation’s economy.
You’re welcome, but don’t thank me. Stephanie Wien controls the keys to what makes it into the mailbag.
You’ve noticed the same things I have. While I’d like to believe these cuts are to fund some new “stuff,” I can only surmise they’re for the bottom line in a suspect economy. Time will tell. The information I’m seeing now says that park numbers are steady and the resorts are doing better than projections. We’ll need to wait and see if that holds into 2009.
Blair B. writes:
What Walt Disney World resort hotels would you recommend going to for their Christmas decorations?
I would recommend any of the Deluxe resorts. My personal favorites are the Grand Floridian (the gingerbread house is not to be missed), Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Clubs. The Polynesian and the Contemporary did not overwhelm me, but they’re worth a visit if you have the time.
The Moderates and Values are a bit understated, and if you’re using Disney transportation, a bit harder to tour. Have fun!
