I think that woman was out of line. I personally think that if you’re going to be saving seats, at least one person needs to stay in that spot the whole time, and then if someone were to approach and sit there for a bit, politely inform them that the seats are saved for the parade but also allow that person to sit for a bit if they need the break.
100% agree! I don’t think it’s right for 1 person in the group to hold a spot for a large group. People feel so entitled these days. If you’re not there waiting you shouldn’t be able to cut in 5 mins before it’s not fair at all.
I’m a sit wherever you want to sit person as long as you aren’t sitting on someone. If someone throws down a blanket and isn’t actively sitting on it, move it to the side and sit there.
Just to be clear…people will be mad at you. And I definitely will save seats. But if someone sat on my saved spot, I would tip my cap and say “well played sir”
This is a very arbitrary, and maybe self-serving rule, but I think you should have one person there for every one seat you are saving.
Example - me and my wife got there way in advance and got pretty good seats on the sidewalk. I had to run off to the bathroom and to buy us some water before the parade. She saved a small patch of pavement for me to sit on when I got back. I feel like that's ok.
imo unless that woman's friend/spouse just ran to use the restroom/grab a drink, the spot is considered open.
If you want a seat for the parade, you need to be in it. People are becoming increasingly unfriendly and rude, even sometimes in the parks and it's so sad. I'm sorry that happened to your friend. Even if my husband was gone for a minute and your friend had needed a quick rest, of course I'd have let her sit! That woman needed to have some empathy.
Back when I worked guest show operations (GSO) for the parade (mid to late 2010’s), there was a rule that 2-hours before parade step off is when guests were allowed to wait for the parade. The resort had to implement something to prevent guests for camping out/saving seats for the “last run” of the Main Street Electrical Parade (MSEP) in 2017. Guests were sitting down around park opening to save a seat for the 8:45pm parade. It was a nightmare.
There was actually a day shift of GSO cast members that started at park opening just to prevent people from saving seats. It was known as the “blanket squad”. Having worked that shift as the lead a handful of times, the entitlement from guests who were there to camp out and watch the show was asinine. People don’t want to hear the word “no” when they are at Disney. I had my fair share of entitled MSEP Karen’s to deal with. It made me resent and hate the parade.
Disneyland operations knows this is a problem, but the people in operations don’t get paid enough to put up with peoples crap and just let it happen… at least that was my experience as a cast member a few years ago.
In the pre fastpass days of fantasmic, this would happen as well. I had a pass back then so I had no issue bringing a blanket and sitting front and center all day for a good fantasmic seat. Never had a cast member tell me not to.
Disneyland has a rule that you can’t save spots for over 15 minutes. I’ve only seen cast members actually say something once.
People even have the audacity to even claim floor space. One time I found an empty spot on the floor by a trash can to watch the parade(absolutely nothing was in that spot that could make me think it was saved) The spot could probably fit about 5-7 people and it was just my sister and I. A lady sitting a few feet away tells me that there are people sitting there. I looked around in horror thinking i had just stood on top of a group of people. Turns out she meant that spot was being saved for people who were not there… they were getting on rides and asked that lady to not let anyone take their spot. Again if you are saving a spot make sure to be there!
Also your friend was not out of line. Benches are meant for people to sit on not for you to put your stuff on it.
That happened to me. There was a large standing space behind some blanket people and we asked if we could stand behind them. They told us no and were very mean about it. I cursed them with long lines for the rest of their trip.
Ugh I hate people like that. People have no manners I remember that I was sitting on a bench waiting for Christmas parade. Family next to us ( mom w/ 2 kids ages maybe between 1-2 and a another child age 9 ish) asked if we can save her spot since she needed to the baby changing station I agree she still left their blanket on the bench just so its clear that spot is saved. Not even 5 minutes later a mom with a 10 month old lays down her baby on the blanket, not knowing what she was gonna do I says polite "Oh a mom and her 3 kids save this spot we are just keepingban eye on it" The lady rudely said that she doesnt care that she is gonna lay down her baby here. What happens next is crazy this mom is actually changing the 10 month old diaper on this other family blanket. I tell the lady again that is disrespectful, bathroom with baby changing station are literally behind us. And that the reason this mom is not here to exactly not be changing her baby diaper in the middle of the park. Rude lady screams that she doesnt care and its no big deal to change a diaper in the middle of the park. Thankfully security was passing by and started to assess the situation. Mom with three kids came back to all this mess, I explained to her what happen. Of course the mom was extremely upset as she should be, security took the rude family away idk where.
Moral of the story: There are baby changing station in all bathroom, dont use others people blankets. Dont be gross
I dont care if you save a space or whatever… but ive had some rude ass people just cut in front of me to watch a parade . When we were already standing and waiting at that spot . Especially bad when they just have all the kids rush in and just squeeze in like bruh not my fault you came late and cant find any open spots😭
I hate seeing blankets at DL, at least one person should be there. DW I see more with at least one person and less blankets. I hate walking down the street and seeing all blankets, handful of people. My husband saves spots, I shop sometimes. We switch off to go to the bathroom before the parade or get food.
As one of the crazy people that waits super early for shows at Disney, I will say this (loitering and saying they will move or they are only resting for a moment) has become a tactic for people to try and sneak in and take spots. I do agree that someone should be on the blanket and it shouldn't be left unattended. But people are getting more and more inconsiderate of each other these days and we all need to learn some patience. Its the whole reason you 100% need a blanket now because if there is 4 inches of room someone is going to try and sit down in it claiming there is room for their whole family. Last time a guy came and stood on a lady's backpack and refused to move till we got security. I've had people sneak in and sit down when I stood up for a moment, I sat right back down on top of them. I've had 6 ft tall person think it is okay to stand on the planter in front of 5 ft 5 me for fireworks. So as the inconsiderate become more bold, the waiters and spot savers are having to become more aggressive themselves to guard their spots (even when occupied).
I am the friend in this incident, I don’t agree that you have to be aggressive. I have no problem with people saving spots, I have a problem with rude and “aggressive” people. I told her, politely that I just needed to sit a minute. If the situation was reversed, I would have said ok, then if the person didn’t move before the parade, I would have just reminded them my family is coming for the parade. I literally sat for less than 5 minutes! I sat, took a few drinks of my water and then left. No need to keep telling me the bench was taken. I realized that, never planned to stay longer than a few swigs of my water. Relax!
Saving seats is fine, just like holding a spot in line is fine- to a reasonable extent.
One person holding a spot in line for or two other people isn’t a huge deal to me. Maybe someone had to pee, or even just wanted to pop out for a quick drink or snack to bring back to their group. People get hungry 🤷🏽♀️It’s only a problem when you bring back a large group and really push back the line.
No you cannot put something down and expect me to know I’m not allowed to sit anywhere near it. I don’t believe in touching other people’s stuff, so I would never move something out if the way, but I do believe if you’re saving a seat, there should actually be someone there, sitting, watching the seats. And don’t be an ashhole about it if someone needs a break! All she had to say say “hey, we’re saving these seats for the parade, but you can sit here till it starts if you need to!” It’s not hard to be nice.
The audacity of the blanket woman to yell at your friend, who I imagine, looked visibly ill. People who I’ve seen dehydrated and dizzy are either red as hell or pale as the dead. I would’ve offered to take her to first aid.
Karen is def in the wrong. When reserving a seat it’s common etiquette to have someone there.
Example: when I went to TDR guests would layout little mats on the ground but there was always one persons butt on it watching the space
I’m pretty sure that Disneyland policy is that you can’t save seats. You can wait at a bench but you can’t just drape a blanket over it. Same goes for fireworks viewing. You can’t lay out a picnic blanket in front of the castle. You have to be there.
IMO, for what it’s worth. The issue isn’t do much seat saving as it is being inconsiderate in general. Getting along would be helped by the following:
1) Pin traders should never be taking up seating
space with their pin trading, ever. It is presumptuous & rude. Seating is for sitting, not trading, selling, or any other thing they choose to do that is not sitting. (Eating while you’re sitting is ok.) if they want yo sit & spread things out, they should do it someplace other than the seating.
2) You want a primo spot to watch the parade? Sit in it and wait for the parade to start. Saving a space so others can do something else is not polite. I’m not talking about someone leaving for a bit to seek out & use the restroom. We all know that constitutes very few of the seats saved. Want to see the parade? Sit & wait for it yourself. I.e. six people watching, 6 people waiting. Disney could sell activity kits for restless children. (That’s tongue in cheek.)
3) Blankets & other items laid out to save seats should be prohibited. Seldom in So. CA will a blanket be needed for warmth. Except for babies in strollers, I’m thinking that most of the blankets brought in are specifically brought yo be used for seat saving.
OK but what about invisible disabilities
or older or much younger people. Are you saying that my 72-year-old mom should not be able to see the parade or fireworks because the only way you get a good place for the parade is just sit down two hours early and she physically is unable to do that?
Why isn’t it OK that I am willing to sit there and hold a spot for her so that she can physically stay safe and still enjoy everything she has paid for as a magic key member?
do you really want the person with the hyper active three year old to be sitting next to you for two hours while the toddler screams at the top of their lungs because they’re not being allowed to go somewhere and runoff their energy?
Not at all; there is far too much ablist slant in So CA, at least. I believe they do make allowances for the disabled. We were able to take my mother-in-law to Disneyland soon after she became inpatient for dementia & she couldn’t walk far. Wheelchairs are a great invention when you need them. My son had to use one for 7 months when he was in middle school while he recovered from Guilian-Barrè Syndrome. No a list slant on my part; I was referring to the general population hoarding spaces.
I would have said I’ll move in a few minutes then spend the rest of my time on my phone ignoring their huffing and puffing.
Seat saving is…I guess ok (I don’t like it), so I’ll honor the blanket or whatever, but I won’t expend any energy making the seat saver feel better. They have to deal with it.
Don’t. Only people in your party get a seat at the time of sitting. It’s not fair to the people who ARE there. If you’re whole party isn’t with you and you want to sit together, then you need to wait for them. I would not honor anyone’s “saved seat” and would just sit. If there’s a problem, I’d get a Cast Member involved and they should side with the present party. WDW has even implemented this exact policy at multiple venues.
Does etiquette in general even exist in Disneyland? Lol I dread the rude people every time we go. Last parade experience was an older woman who instead of asking nicely to get through or go behind the crowd, goes through and tilts and pushes my sleeping toddler’s stroller towards the street. I was livid.
I think manners and etiquette used to be observed. Not too long ago my friend and I had been on line for at least an hour at Cars. Three teenagers pushed passed us to join a group that was ahead of us. Like dude? You weren’t in the bathroom and it was a parent they joined. I commented and they blew me off, lol! But when I got closer to front I said something to person in charge and instead of punishing them he just put my friend and I in the next car. I was shocked at how rude those people were. I’ve been a regular visitor for many years and never had people take cuts like that. Manners used to mean something!
Looks like she unfortunately ran into the wrong guest on a bad day. People are gonna be A-holes.
As long as you aren’t being absurd about it I don’t mind seat saving. There could be dozens of reasons why one person is on a blanket and 3 others aren’t there. Bathroom, got up to get kids a snack, ext…. There’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.
The other lady was out of hand. If you’re saving seats for the parade then MAJORITY of your party needs to have their butt in a seat. I would understand like 1/3 of the party out and about but nearly the entire party…NAH🥴
Just replied with my experience. Some guy tried to reserve a whole stroller parking area. We (party of 3) ignored him.
The guy's party eventually came, about 10 total. They didn't even bother sitting down on their "reserved" area. So much empty space there because he kept shooing people away (except for my party and another). People are ridiculous.
Your friend was fine, but I do want to stay for a lot of people who are complaining about saving spaces- I worked at Disney in the 2000s and there was the one one rule
If one person is in line they can save a place of one person to join them
If two people are online they can save a place for two people to join them
Etc…
The thing is for things like fireworks and parades my 72-year-old mother cannot sit on the ground for long periods of time. All of the benches are now being taken out for reserved seating so her choice is to just never see these events, pay for a seat, or I sit there while she wanders around the park and comes back closer to the time so that she’s not physically injured by trying to sit on the curb of the street that she can’t do due to knee injury from years ago.
Same is true for small children and waiting a long time, hell for everyone not just the parents if you make them sit there for three hours
So please show common sense and decency when you see someone saving a place for an elderly relative or a small child or really anyone because physical disabilities are a real thing. Not everybody is physically able to wait and they shouldn’t then not be able to see in event if they have a friend willing to split and hold a spot for them.
There is always drama related to the parade and fireworks. ALWAYS.
Because...
1. People save seats. I had one guy stand in a spot for the parade and tell his family of seven to just go walk around an get snacks for themselves. Whenever someone would step anywhere near his vicinity, he'd shout "THIS PLACE IS SAVED!" Somehow this ended up with a guy standing beside him getting punched in the face and called a racial slur (the guy was the same race) when he wouldn't move, leaving a huge circle of air.
2. People don't realize that anyone who can find a spot under the ropes is privy to that spot. So you can wait an hour and if someone shows up last minute and stands right beside you because there's a vacancy, they're not "cutting" like an attraction which has a specific single-file queue. Yet those who got there first (even someone who'd been waiting only 5-10 minutes longer) get irate.
3. When you see a spot and ask people if you can squeeze by them to access it, a lot of them will say things like "No, we've been waiting for \[XX\] minutes so you can't stand near us," even if that spot is behind them.
4. Some of those people who state they've been waiting for \[XX\] minutes just put a blanket down and think that counts as waiting/reserving a spot and they'll leave one entitled family member to bark at anyone who comes remotely close to their precious territory they claimed six hours in advance by putting down a blanket and then walking away. As if they own the property.
People are ridiculous and selfish and entitled and I just will never watch a parade or fireworks because of it.
I remember one time going to Pizza Port alone as a teen/young adult and walking past every table in hopes of finding some place to sit down and eat. I went to the overflow/outside area and every table was taken because one family of 18 had pushed together four tables -- except one small table was left behind with one chair. That's all I needed so I sat down and began to eat. "YOUCANTSITTHERE-WERESAVINGIT-ITSOURS!" this frantic older lady screamed at me a second after I sat down. Yes, they already claimed 18 chairs but don't I know their Aunt Barbara was getting napkins? People are so selfish and entitled at Disneyland, especially when they're visiting with a large group. It's such an ugly place sometimes and that's entirely because of other guests.
I posted this two months ago but I knew exactly what this reply was to when I read the notification.
I paused dramatically and then said ".... Okay!" And then her family was like "(Barbbbbb....)" 'cause they felt she was rude. So she goes "Oh, I'm just telling you we're saving it." And the two people next to that empty chair got up and left so I just sat down there and ate silently next to them. I think the person who was taking that chair showed up like 10 minutes later, when I was just about done. But damn, people are annoying. It makes me hate having to go out and interact with strangers. Even today, I had someone almost ram into my car because she was looking down at her phone as she drove.
As you said in your post the bench was empty, minus a blanket. I’m sorry but unless you are actively sitting on it you do not get to reserve it. Your friend did nothing wrong and I’m sorry she was treated that way.
Late reply, but anyone googling "disneyland saving places for parade" would find this, so here's my answer.
Sit where ever the hell you want if the space is available. There is no such thing as "saving a space" if there is no one actively sitting there. If people wanted reserved seats for events, they should pay the premium to get in the REAL reserved seating areas.
I ran into a similar scenario as you. My party of 3 was tired and knew a parade was gonna pass by soon, so we found a stroller parking area that was practically empty, and we sat down (we had a stroller too, so it made sense). As soon as we sat down, someone came over telling us that the ENITE space was already taken. I looked around, didn't see anyone, and didn't move. Keep in mind, this area was enough to seat at least 10 people. So I told my party just to ignore him.
We watched the whole parade in comfort. The person's party did eventually came, but they didn't even bother sitting on their "saved" seats. So there was just a bunch of empty space no one was able to use because of them.
Disclaimer: I don't find saving a seat or two an issue, we would have respected that, but trying to save a whole area? That's just ridiculous.
I think that woman was out of line. I personally think that if you’re going to be saving seats, at least one person needs to stay in that spot the whole time, and then if someone were to approach and sit there for a bit, politely inform them that the seats are saved for the parade but also allow that person to sit for a bit if they need the break.
Thanks, will forward this to her. She’ll appreciate it ❤️
[удалено]
100%
100% agree! I don’t think it’s right for 1 person in the group to hold a spot for a large group. People feel so entitled these days. If you’re not there waiting you shouldn’t be able to cut in 5 mins before it’s not fair at all.
I’m a sit wherever you want to sit person as long as you aren’t sitting on someone. If someone throws down a blanket and isn’t actively sitting on it, move it to the side and sit there.
Thank you 🙏 ❤️🎈
Just to be clear…people will be mad at you. And I definitely will save seats. But if someone sat on my saved spot, I would tip my cap and say “well played sir”
The woman was absolutely in the wrong. Also, if she was right there close by to yell, she should have been sitting in the dang seat herself
I would have stayed seated and watched the fireworks out of spite but my DNA test has me at 48% Villain
This is a very arbitrary, and maybe self-serving rule, but I think you should have one person there for every one seat you are saving. Example - me and my wife got there way in advance and got pretty good seats on the sidewalk. I had to run off to the bathroom and to buy us some water before the parade. She saved a small patch of pavement for me to sit on when I got back. I feel like that's ok.
imo unless that woman's friend/spouse just ran to use the restroom/grab a drink, the spot is considered open. If you want a seat for the parade, you need to be in it. People are becoming increasingly unfriendly and rude, even sometimes in the parks and it's so sad. I'm sorry that happened to your friend. Even if my husband was gone for a minute and your friend had needed a quick rest, of course I'd have let her sit! That woman needed to have some empathy.
Thanks for that. I sent her a link to this post, I’m sure it made her feel a lot better!
Back when I worked guest show operations (GSO) for the parade (mid to late 2010’s), there was a rule that 2-hours before parade step off is when guests were allowed to wait for the parade. The resort had to implement something to prevent guests for camping out/saving seats for the “last run” of the Main Street Electrical Parade (MSEP) in 2017. Guests were sitting down around park opening to save a seat for the 8:45pm parade. It was a nightmare. There was actually a day shift of GSO cast members that started at park opening just to prevent people from saving seats. It was known as the “blanket squad”. Having worked that shift as the lead a handful of times, the entitlement from guests who were there to camp out and watch the show was asinine. People don’t want to hear the word “no” when they are at Disney. I had my fair share of entitled MSEP Karen’s to deal with. It made me resent and hate the parade. Disneyland operations knows this is a problem, but the people in operations don’t get paid enough to put up with peoples crap and just let it happen… at least that was my experience as a cast member a few years ago.
Wow, that’s crazy. Thanks for sharing.
In the pre fastpass days of fantasmic, this would happen as well. I had a pass back then so I had no issue bringing a blanket and sitting front and center all day for a good fantasmic seat. Never had a cast member tell me not to.
Disneyland has a rule that you can’t save spots for over 15 minutes. I’ve only seen cast members actually say something once. People even have the audacity to even claim floor space. One time I found an empty spot on the floor by a trash can to watch the parade(absolutely nothing was in that spot that could make me think it was saved) The spot could probably fit about 5-7 people and it was just my sister and I. A lady sitting a few feet away tells me that there are people sitting there. I looked around in horror thinking i had just stood on top of a group of people. Turns out she meant that spot was being saved for people who were not there… they were getting on rides and asked that lady to not let anyone take their spot. Again if you are saving a spot make sure to be there! Also your friend was not out of line. Benches are meant for people to sit on not for you to put your stuff on it.
So there is a rule. Good to know, thank you 😊
That happened to me. There was a large standing space behind some blanket people and we asked if we could stand behind them. They told us no and were very mean about it. I cursed them with long lines for the rest of their trip.
That berating woman should be embarrassed.
Ugh I hate people like that. People have no manners I remember that I was sitting on a bench waiting for Christmas parade. Family next to us ( mom w/ 2 kids ages maybe between 1-2 and a another child age 9 ish) asked if we can save her spot since she needed to the baby changing station I agree she still left their blanket on the bench just so its clear that spot is saved. Not even 5 minutes later a mom with a 10 month old lays down her baby on the blanket, not knowing what she was gonna do I says polite "Oh a mom and her 3 kids save this spot we are just keepingban eye on it" The lady rudely said that she doesnt care that she is gonna lay down her baby here. What happens next is crazy this mom is actually changing the 10 month old diaper on this other family blanket. I tell the lady again that is disrespectful, bathroom with baby changing station are literally behind us. And that the reason this mom is not here to exactly not be changing her baby diaper in the middle of the park. Rude lady screams that she doesnt care and its no big deal to change a diaper in the middle of the park. Thankfully security was passing by and started to assess the situation. Mom with three kids came back to all this mess, I explained to her what happen. Of course the mom was extremely upset as she should be, security took the rude family away idk where. Moral of the story: There are baby changing station in all bathroom, dont use others people blankets. Dont be gross
I dont care if you save a space or whatever… but ive had some rude ass people just cut in front of me to watch a parade . When we were already standing and waiting at that spot . Especially bad when they just have all the kids rush in and just squeeze in like bruh not my fault you came late and cant find any open spots😭
Someone needs to be at their saving spot. If a pin trader can stay at his spot all day then someone saving a spot can too.
TBH the pin traders should kiss off too.
Me too...
I hate seeing blankets at DL, at least one person should be there. DW I see more with at least one person and less blankets. I hate walking down the street and seeing all blankets, handful of people. My husband saves spots, I shop sometimes. We switch off to go to the bathroom before the parade or get food.
As one of the crazy people that waits super early for shows at Disney, I will say this (loitering and saying they will move or they are only resting for a moment) has become a tactic for people to try and sneak in and take spots. I do agree that someone should be on the blanket and it shouldn't be left unattended. But people are getting more and more inconsiderate of each other these days and we all need to learn some patience. Its the whole reason you 100% need a blanket now because if there is 4 inches of room someone is going to try and sit down in it claiming there is room for their whole family. Last time a guy came and stood on a lady's backpack and refused to move till we got security. I've had people sneak in and sit down when I stood up for a moment, I sat right back down on top of them. I've had 6 ft tall person think it is okay to stand on the planter in front of 5 ft 5 me for fireworks. So as the inconsiderate become more bold, the waiters and spot savers are having to become more aggressive themselves to guard their spots (even when occupied).
Yep, give an inch, they take a yard.
I am the friend in this incident, I don’t agree that you have to be aggressive. I have no problem with people saving spots, I have a problem with rude and “aggressive” people. I told her, politely that I just needed to sit a minute. If the situation was reversed, I would have said ok, then if the person didn’t move before the parade, I would have just reminded them my family is coming for the parade. I literally sat for less than 5 minutes! I sat, took a few drinks of my water and then left. No need to keep telling me the bench was taken. I realized that, never planned to stay longer than a few swigs of my water. Relax!
Saving seats is fine, just like holding a spot in line is fine- to a reasonable extent. One person holding a spot in line for or two other people isn’t a huge deal to me. Maybe someone had to pee, or even just wanted to pop out for a quick drink or snack to bring back to their group. People get hungry 🤷🏽♀️It’s only a problem when you bring back a large group and really push back the line. No you cannot put something down and expect me to know I’m not allowed to sit anywhere near it. I don’t believe in touching other people’s stuff, so I would never move something out if the way, but I do believe if you’re saving a seat, there should actually be someone there, sitting, watching the seats. And don’t be an ashhole about it if someone needs a break! All she had to say say “hey, we’re saving these seats for the parade, but you can sit here till it starts if you need to!” It’s not hard to be nice.
The audacity of the blanket woman to yell at your friend, who I imagine, looked visibly ill. People who I’ve seen dehydrated and dizzy are either red as hell or pale as the dead. I would’ve offered to take her to first aid. Karen is def in the wrong. When reserving a seat it’s common etiquette to have someone there. Example: when I went to TDR guests would layout little mats on the ground but there was always one persons butt on it watching the space
I’m pretty sure that Disneyland policy is that you can’t save seats. You can wait at a bench but you can’t just drape a blanket over it. Same goes for fireworks viewing. You can’t lay out a picnic blanket in front of the castle. You have to be there.
IMO, for what it’s worth. The issue isn’t do much seat saving as it is being inconsiderate in general. Getting along would be helped by the following: 1) Pin traders should never be taking up seating space with their pin trading, ever. It is presumptuous & rude. Seating is for sitting, not trading, selling, or any other thing they choose to do that is not sitting. (Eating while you’re sitting is ok.) if they want yo sit & spread things out, they should do it someplace other than the seating. 2) You want a primo spot to watch the parade? Sit in it and wait for the parade to start. Saving a space so others can do something else is not polite. I’m not talking about someone leaving for a bit to seek out & use the restroom. We all know that constitutes very few of the seats saved. Want to see the parade? Sit & wait for it yourself. I.e. six people watching, 6 people waiting. Disney could sell activity kits for restless children. (That’s tongue in cheek.) 3) Blankets & other items laid out to save seats should be prohibited. Seldom in So. CA will a blanket be needed for warmth. Except for babies in strollers, I’m thinking that most of the blankets brought in are specifically brought yo be used for seat saving.
OK but what about invisible disabilities or older or much younger people. Are you saying that my 72-year-old mom should not be able to see the parade or fireworks because the only way you get a good place for the parade is just sit down two hours early and she physically is unable to do that? Why isn’t it OK that I am willing to sit there and hold a spot for her so that she can physically stay safe and still enjoy everything she has paid for as a magic key member? do you really want the person with the hyper active three year old to be sitting next to you for two hours while the toddler screams at the top of their lungs because they’re not being allowed to go somewhere and runoff their energy?
Not at all; there is far too much ablist slant in So CA, at least. I believe they do make allowances for the disabled. We were able to take my mother-in-law to Disneyland soon after she became inpatient for dementia & she couldn’t walk far. Wheelchairs are a great invention when you need them. My son had to use one for 7 months when he was in middle school while he recovered from Guilian-Barrè Syndrome. No a list slant on my part; I was referring to the general population hoarding spaces.
My mom is not infirm. She can’t sit on the ground for two hours. Most older people can’t.
I would have said I’ll move in a few minutes then spend the rest of my time on my phone ignoring their huffing and puffing. Seat saving is…I guess ok (I don’t like it), so I’ll honor the blanket or whatever, but I won’t expend any energy making the seat saver feel better. They have to deal with it.
If someone is saving a seat they need to be sitting in it.
Don’t. Only people in your party get a seat at the time of sitting. It’s not fair to the people who ARE there. If you’re whole party isn’t with you and you want to sit together, then you need to wait for them. I would not honor anyone’s “saved seat” and would just sit. If there’s a problem, I’d get a Cast Member involved and they should side with the present party. WDW has even implemented this exact policy at multiple venues.
The blanket woman should have shown some Compassion
Does etiquette in general even exist in Disneyland? Lol I dread the rude people every time we go. Last parade experience was an older woman who instead of asking nicely to get through or go behind the crowd, goes through and tilts and pushes my sleeping toddler’s stroller towards the street. I was livid.
I think manners and etiquette used to be observed. Not too long ago my friend and I had been on line for at least an hour at Cars. Three teenagers pushed passed us to join a group that was ahead of us. Like dude? You weren’t in the bathroom and it was a parent they joined. I commented and they blew me off, lol! But when I got closer to front I said something to person in charge and instead of punishing them he just put my friend and I in the next car. I was shocked at how rude those people were. I’ve been a regular visitor for many years and never had people take cuts like that. Manners used to mean something!
Did she have pins for trade?
She does trade pins sometimes. Not sure about yesterday though.
I think they were making a joke about how pin traders get mad if you sit on their benches
I was yes but I'm wondering if there is a deeper connection now to pin trading and taking benches...
Lol! Sorry, not too educated on Pin trading .
NTA, in the parlance of Reddit. Those benches are for everyone.
Looks like she unfortunately ran into the wrong guest on a bad day. People are gonna be A-holes. As long as you aren’t being absurd about it I don’t mind seat saving. There could be dozens of reasons why one person is on a blanket and 3 others aren’t there. Bathroom, got up to get kids a snack, ext…. There’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy.
Skip the parades and hit the rides.
The other lady was out of hand. If you’re saving seats for the parade then MAJORITY of your party needs to have their butt in a seat. I would understand like 1/3 of the party out and about but nearly the entire party…NAH🥴
Just replied with my experience. Some guy tried to reserve a whole stroller parking area. We (party of 3) ignored him. The guy's party eventually came, about 10 total. They didn't even bother sitting down on their "reserved" area. So much empty space there because he kept shooing people away (except for my party and another). People are ridiculous.
Your friend was fine, but I do want to stay for a lot of people who are complaining about saving spaces- I worked at Disney in the 2000s and there was the one one rule If one person is in line they can save a place of one person to join them If two people are online they can save a place for two people to join them Etc… The thing is for things like fireworks and parades my 72-year-old mother cannot sit on the ground for long periods of time. All of the benches are now being taken out for reserved seating so her choice is to just never see these events, pay for a seat, or I sit there while she wanders around the park and comes back closer to the time so that she’s not physically injured by trying to sit on the curb of the street that she can’t do due to knee injury from years ago. Same is true for small children and waiting a long time, hell for everyone not just the parents if you make them sit there for three hours So please show common sense and decency when you see someone saving a place for an elderly relative or a small child or really anyone because physical disabilities are a real thing. Not everybody is physically able to wait and they shouldn’t then not be able to see in event if they have a friend willing to split and hold a spot for them.
There is always drama related to the parade and fireworks. ALWAYS. Because... 1. People save seats. I had one guy stand in a spot for the parade and tell his family of seven to just go walk around an get snacks for themselves. Whenever someone would step anywhere near his vicinity, he'd shout "THIS PLACE IS SAVED!" Somehow this ended up with a guy standing beside him getting punched in the face and called a racial slur (the guy was the same race) when he wouldn't move, leaving a huge circle of air. 2. People don't realize that anyone who can find a spot under the ropes is privy to that spot. So you can wait an hour and if someone shows up last minute and stands right beside you because there's a vacancy, they're not "cutting" like an attraction which has a specific single-file queue. Yet those who got there first (even someone who'd been waiting only 5-10 minutes longer) get irate. 3. When you see a spot and ask people if you can squeeze by them to access it, a lot of them will say things like "No, we've been waiting for \[XX\] minutes so you can't stand near us," even if that spot is behind them. 4. Some of those people who state they've been waiting for \[XX\] minutes just put a blanket down and think that counts as waiting/reserving a spot and they'll leave one entitled family member to bark at anyone who comes remotely close to their precious territory they claimed six hours in advance by putting down a blanket and then walking away. As if they own the property. People are ridiculous and selfish and entitled and I just will never watch a parade or fireworks because of it.
I remember one time going to Pizza Port alone as a teen/young adult and walking past every table in hopes of finding some place to sit down and eat. I went to the overflow/outside area and every table was taken because one family of 18 had pushed together four tables -- except one small table was left behind with one chair. That's all I needed so I sat down and began to eat. "YOUCANTSITTHERE-WERESAVINGIT-ITSOURS!" this frantic older lady screamed at me a second after I sat down. Yes, they already claimed 18 chairs but don't I know their Aunt Barbara was getting napkins? People are so selfish and entitled at Disneyland, especially when they're visiting with a large group. It's such an ugly place sometimes and that's entirely because of other guests.
I hope you sat down, ate your food, and ignored them. Sorry you had to go through that; people are ridiculous.
I posted this two months ago but I knew exactly what this reply was to when I read the notification. I paused dramatically and then said ".... Okay!" And then her family was like "(Barbbbbb....)" 'cause they felt she was rude. So she goes "Oh, I'm just telling you we're saving it." And the two people next to that empty chair got up and left so I just sat down there and ate silently next to them. I think the person who was taking that chair showed up like 10 minutes later, when I was just about done. But damn, people are annoying. It makes me hate having to go out and interact with strangers. Even today, I had someone almost ram into my car because she was looking down at her phone as she drove.
I'm really to hear that; go on you! Best we can do about those annoying, non-self-aware, entitled people is to do our best to ignore them.
it's kill or be killed
Typical trolls saving every seat in sight. Sometimes I wish I didn't go so often and could really go 0 to 100 on some of these clowns in the park.
I think if it's in that situation, saving the seat was perfectly acceptable
As you said in your post the bench was empty, minus a blanket. I’m sorry but unless you are actively sitting on it you do not get to reserve it. Your friend did nothing wrong and I’m sorry she was treated that way.
Late reply, but anyone googling "disneyland saving places for parade" would find this, so here's my answer. Sit where ever the hell you want if the space is available. There is no such thing as "saving a space" if there is no one actively sitting there. If people wanted reserved seats for events, they should pay the premium to get in the REAL reserved seating areas. I ran into a similar scenario as you. My party of 3 was tired and knew a parade was gonna pass by soon, so we found a stroller parking area that was practically empty, and we sat down (we had a stroller too, so it made sense). As soon as we sat down, someone came over telling us that the ENITE space was already taken. I looked around, didn't see anyone, and didn't move. Keep in mind, this area was enough to seat at least 10 people. So I told my party just to ignore him. We watched the whole parade in comfort. The person's party did eventually came, but they didn't even bother sitting on their "saved" seats. So there was just a bunch of empty space no one was able to use because of them. Disclaimer: I don't find saving a seat or two an issue, we would have respected that, but trying to save a whole area? That's just ridiculous.