That's the question I ask in my Orange County Register column this week. The inspiration — as you might have guessed if you follow the news from Central Florida — was the Michigan woman who was arrested last week after allegedly choking a girl the woman said was blocking her view during the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
At least the woman did get one job offer after the incident — as a flight attendant for United Airlines.
Personally, I love it when the entire crowd sits for a parade or show. That allows more people to enjoy good views of the shows, while also allowing us older folks to get off our darned feet for a little bit... though getting up afterward always kills my back. /geezer
But if I were to change into my old Disney "audience control" suit for a moment, I hated sitting crowds. That meant people tripping over one another after the show and slow-dispersing crowds, creating a giant human traffic jam. (I mean, an even worse human traffic jam than when people stood for the show.) If only American theme park crowds could watch shows like the guests at Tokyo Disneyland, who all sit but then seem to launch up to standing immediately after the last float clears.
But we don't. So I can see both sides of this argument. The only option I can't accept is the "leave it to everyone" choice, which seems to be the default for most shows at the Disney theme parks. A mix of seated and standing guests just fuels conflict like the one last week at Walt Disney World. And that's hardly the only time people have come to close to blows over blocked views for Disney shows. The Disflix people had their business model all wrong. They should have gone with DisWorldStar, charging $10 a month to show nothing but guests fighting each other in the parks. Now that would have made money! /cynicism (Oh, who are we kidding? The cynicism never stops here! Wait, was that actually sarcastic, instead?)
Enough from this salty old (ex-) pirate. Let's put it to a vote.
Read Robert's column:
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My favorite (said sarcastically)are the people who wait patiently for the parade to start, sitting on the curb politely with nobody in front of them. I find a nice spot behind them, also sitting ( or kneeling if I feel so inclined, but trying to be sensitive to the people behind me. As soon as the parade appears, the people in front of me, the people in the front row, the people with NOBODY IN FRONT OF THEM suddenly spring to their feet to "see better".
When they start to speak Portuguese as their friends push through the crowds to join them in the front row, it makes the parade experience that much more magical.
What? Me? Bitter? Perish the thought.
First Row(s) SITS - behind them standing Room - last Row Dads with kids on Top and Umbrellas..
It is also ok if you come late to go up front and SIT
I also think Disney needs to be far more aggressive in managing viewing locations during shows and parades. They cannot let guests camp out 15+ minutes before the start of a parade. The whole mom laying down a blanket and saving space for the extended family of 16 an hour before Wishes needs to be curtailed. CMs should be constantly asking guests to "move along" if they appear to be loitering in prime viewing locations long before the start of the show/parade.
For shows/parades that have dedicated seating/standing areas that do not double as walkways (like World of Color and Rivers of Light), sitting in those areas is perfectly fine. However, CMs should closely monitor these areas so guests in the back of each divided section can see. If someone in the front of the section stands up when the show starts, they need to be asked to sit back down to avoid the chain reaction of guests standing to see.
Disney typically does a good job of spreading their shows out so there are few locations that are truly terrible spots to watch within the recognized viewing area(s). However, guests need to come to grip with the fact that there are very few "perfect" viewing spots for these shows/parades, and that a "good enough" spot should be sufficient. Some of this anger and frustration probably comes with the fact that guests are spending $100/day to visit the parks, and feel entitled to get the best spot for every ride/show. People need to understand as the parks grow even more crowded, the chances of being able to see and do everything continues to decrease even as prices increase.
I hear you James, but try holding a 50+ pound squirming kid on your hip for a few minutes and see how long you last. I consider myself a relatively strong guy, and I can't hold my 7-year old boy for more than 10 minutes with his head level with mine. It didn't used to be a big problem when he was under 4, since he could still fit in a chest/back carrier (think Baby Bjorn), but once he got over 30 lbs, that's no longer an option (or at least not without purchasing a much more expensive/rigid carrier that now has to be lugged around the park).
Placing him on my shoulders not only is far more comfortable for both of us, but it frees up my hands to take pictures/video. I tend to look around before I pop him up on my shoulders, or stand in a spot where no one can stand behind us (against a light pole or tree), to make sure we're not blocking anyone, but I know many people are not nearly as considerate.
I think what parents and CMs should do is to make sure (and feel comfortable with) their kids work their way to the front of sections to stand with other kids so they can see. I know this is a big ask from protective parents, but if the kids can be allowed to congregate with other kids their age/size in the front row, they can see, and the parents behind them will be able to see also. The problem is that too many parents won't let their kids out of striking distance in a crowd, and/or insist having a front row seat themselves, even if they're blocking kids behind them. We travel virtually every year to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade in Canton, and families there (without cast members) have no problem letting kids stand on the curb to watch the parade while the parents sit/stand a few rows back. Certainly it's a little trickier in dense crowds and in the dark, but if kids can naturally migrate to the front untethered to their taller parents, more guests will have unobstructed views.
Also many people can' sit down on the floor due to physical problems.
If sitting is not something all people like they should offer sitting and standing zones. Then everyone is happy.
For parades curb sitting fine standing behind them, and they keep people moving on the other half of the sidewalk. I personally am not hung up on being on Main St and there are other areas that have places to sit.
Fireworks sitting isn't practical from hub or Main St. If your child, ipad or balloon is having a negative impact on anyone behind you, stop it!
DCA parade route is so long sit ting is easy for everyone.
World of Color you néed to be at the front if the tier, front of the top beats back of the bottom.
With one exception in one incident, I think the Fantasmic crowd control people at Disneyland are greatly underappreciated and do a remarkable job given the circumstances. Close to the water must sit. Then a designated enforced walkway. Behind that must stand. Twice a night with thousands of guests. If there's a better way to do it, I haven't figured it out.
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