Welcome to August, MousePlanet readers! In this week’s mailbag, staff writer Steve Russo answers letters in response to his June 19, 2009 column, “Park Peeves 2009.”
Christopher S. writes:
Great list! I’d like to add one, if I may.
I don’t have a clever title, but I’m sure you’ve seen him or her. It’s the member of a large tour group that’s a few places in front of you at the FastPass machine for Toy Story, Soarin’ or Expedition Everest at Rope Drop. They have a bazillion tickets to run through, all of which are facing in different directions, they’re usually about 12 years old, they don’t really know how to work the machine and ultimately jam it up, forcing the entire line to fume and watch helplessly as the FastPass return time keeps going out farther and farther into the day. As an added bonus, about halfway through, they’ll forget which of the two piles of tickets they have made on top of the machine have already been run through… and they’ll start all over.
I have no problem with sending one person with a bunch of tickets, but if it’s more than 10 tickets, please have the person prepared and ready to fire away and not dilly dally or lollygag. I should point out that I have the innate ability to always be in THAT line.
Thanks. I know exactly what you mean and I’m saving your suggestion for the next Peeves article. Thanks for writing.
Kim writes:
We’re packing up to leave Beach Club Villas after a 12 day visit to Walt Disney World and your article was well timed. We related to ALL of them (especially the smokers, much worse here than at Disneyland Resort). But my husband wanted to add a couple that we’ve encountered. We call one “The Wall” and it’s when a group of people walk shoulder-to-shoulder down the walkways, etc. and there is no way to get around them! Related to this is “The Mob” where we’ve seen big family groups (often with matching t-shirts) of over 20 or 30 people, who move en-masse and are determined to not let anyone penetrate their group as they move at a snail’s pace through the parks.
After the last two weeks, we’ve tried to keep in mind that these people have worked as hard and planned as carefully for their Walt Disney World trip as we have for ours, and it helps us not take their crazy behavior too seriously or let it ruin our day (although we’ve encountered some blatent line cutting from grown adults without children that just seemed to scream out “entitled to be in front of YOU” which, at 96 degrees with 1000 percent humidity and three tired kids of my own waiting patiently… let’s just say those incidents were kind of hard to shake off at the time).
Thanks very much. I actually addressed that group in the 2008 article as Wide Walkers (or the Rotated Caravan). Nice to know they’re still there. You have the right attitude about it, though. I hope it was a great trip (but how could 12 days at the Beach Club Villas NOT be a great trip?).
Dan W. writes:
How about the SCRIPT SHOWOFF! This is the person who, thanks to either owning the CD soundtrack or riding the ride 295 times in one day, knows the attraction script by heart. And wants everyone on board to know that he/she knows it. I seem to run into this most at the Haunted Mansion. And being a big Paul Frees fan, it really makes me want to show the person out… MY WAY, if you know what I mean!
Yes, I’ve seen this person (and heard him). Thanks for the suggestion… and for writing.
Dean S. writes:
I love your articles, and the recent “Park Peeves” article reminded me of a rather unusual behavior that I’ve actually seen in the parks. It’s a variation of the Mickey-jacker, but I don’t really know what to call it. I have seen people who stand outside the head of the line for a character meet and then take pictures of that character regardless of the fact that no one from their party is in the line.
The picture would usually be a character posing with a complete stranger. But what’s even more bizarre are those people who pose their children in front of this setup outside the line and they don’t even meet the character! The picture comes out as your child in the foreground with the character and a stranger’s family in the background. Apparently, these people don’t have the time to wait in line, so they set their kid up there outside the line, take the picture with the character in the background, and then go home with the picture saying, “Here’s little Billy with Mickey.” Have you ever seen this?
I’m chuckling because I’ve actually done that. My wife and I were walking through Epcot and came upon a line of folks having a Meet-and-Greet with Aladdin and Jasmine. I wanted a photo of them but I don’t need to be in the photo – and I’m a bit uncomfortable standing in line with all the children. So… I stood to the side and tried to get a shot of them when they were between groups. Unfortunately, the changeovers occur too quickly so I wound up with a shot of Aladdin, Jasmine and two of the cutest little girls and I have no idea who they are.
Tracy F. writes:
Just found these articles and I love them! I just read your Park Peeves List, from April, I think. AWESOME! I’ve (thankfully) never seen the moochers, but the CENTER STOPPERS! They drive me crazy. My mom taught us when we were younger that we were allowed to “accidentally” step all over their feet as we walked by them! Off to check out some more here! I’m almost at the 100 day countdown and needed a Disney fix! Thanks for the smiles.
Thanks for those kind words. And, yes, I’m with your mom. Everyone has my permission and endorsement to step on the feet of Center Stoppers whenever possible. It’s encouraged.
Mike W. writes:
I can’t believe you missed this obvious one: Chronic Cellphone-itis. People in line (mostly teenage girls) who HAVE to talk on their phones the entire time in line. I don’t need to know about what they did last night, what they are doing tonight, who did what to whom, etc. These are the same people who do this in any public area where there is no escape like buses, subways, trains, Walt Disney World queues. I’ll leave it to you to come up with a better name for them.
Yeah, I did miss that one but there’s always “Park Peeves 2010”. Thanks for the suggestion. It reminded me of the three teenage girls I saw as we waited to enter the theater in Mickey’s Philharmagic. They were all text-messaging furiously and non-stop for the 10-minutes we waited. I actually thought they might be communicating with each other.
Lisa writes:
Great list! You missed my all-time biggest peeve, though… the Stroller Stuffers. Those are the people that stuff their 12-year-old into a double stroller because he’s too lazy to walk. If the kid has to sit diagonally in the double, and his knees are still up around his ears, then he’s way too big for a stroller! I know Walt Disney World can be a lot of walking, but if you take regular rest breaks, etc. it’s really manageable. Sheesh.
Worse are actually the people that rent a wheelchair for the aforementioned lazy 12-year-old that doesn’t fit in the stroller, who then swaps in and out of the chair with his siblings all day, giving legitimate chair users a bad name… but I’m not about to open that can of worms.
Thanks for that chuckle… and the suggestion. I agree about the can of worms of wheelchairs. I think we all know there are abuses of wheelchair usage but we also know that you can’t always see the reasons for the chair so it’s best left alone. Thanks for writing.
Bob B. writes:
My favorite pet peeve is still the “You’ll Have Fun Whether You Want to or Not!” The parks get hot and tiring and some adults just don’t understand young kids don’t take hot and tired very well (much less some of adults). Give the kids a break; it’s so much easier than the threats, the screaming, and the crying.
I know exactly what you mean. We once heard an exchange between a dad and a little girl that culminated with, “We do this (bleep) for you!” I agree that sometimes a break is the best thing.
Richard M. writes:
The Board Meeting. A family or large group that stops in the middle of the walk way to have a meeting or discussion while blocking traffic. I always wonder if they also stop in the middle of the freeway
I described these folks in my April 2008 column as Center Talkers… but I like your name better. They’re now called “The Board Meeting.”
Tom C. writes:
Another great article; here is another peeve. “Please do not use flash photography”…5 seconds later some knucklehead takes pictures and the flash goes off or someone turns on the video camera and the light is on. Love it!
Kristen L. writes:
I loved your 2009 park peeves more than the 2008. I wrote you back when you did the 2008 peeves but thought I’d throw my two cents in about the 2009 ones if it’s all the same.
The Blender/Artful Dodger is a person I have dealt with. Being the girl in the wheelchair I tend to get this person a lot as they just assume no one in my party will notice. They also seem to think that I can’t see so just stand in front of me.
The Touristo Oblivioso is probably the most annoying as since I’m in a wheelchair and short I tend to be the one having to avoid these jerks so they don’t fall on me. What sucks is that when I put my hands out to stop these people from actually tripping, injuring me and possibly them. I have been yelled at for “touching people and being rude.” Go figure.
I also wanted to add an addendum to The Flasher. What about those people in restaurants or shows who feel the need to take a flash picture of themselves with a large group of people behind them who end up being blinded by their flash? I’ve lost my vision for minutes on end due to these people having to take flash pictures… of themselves.
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for those comments as well. Many of us are sometimes oblivious to the perspective of those in wheelchairs, strollers or just a small child’s view – below everyone else. Thanks for sharing and for reading.
Audress J. writes:
This is always an interesting article!
One type of park-goer I have noticed that is not so much annoying, but very amusing, is what I call the “Brain Drainos.” These are the people who suddenly forget every ounce of common sense they have ever had.
One time I was in the Orlando airport and saw a family getting off the plane, obviously Disney-bound. They literally went about 20 feet, stopped right in the middle of the terminal and began an animated coversation amongst themselves, all variations on the theme: “Where do we get our luggage? Do you know where we get it? I have no idea where we get our luggage! However will we get our luggage?” I glanced around… just a few feet away was a very clear, easy-to-see sign that said: “BAGGAGE CLAIM” and an arrow pointing in the appropriate direction. I then politely informed them where to go. (I’m too nice!)
The people who ask “What time is the 3 o’clock parade” are also Brain Drainos. I count on these folks to provide a few extra laughs on a hot day!
