Listen to directions, it saves you from being submerged

[CycloneMan]

Yesterday we were cycling out TSI as a storm was rolling in. We are not supposed to have more than 55 people on a raft, and I usually don't go over 55. Yesterday, I had a whole bunch of adults/families that wouldn't listen. They were all standing to the right side of the raft, and I much preffer it when it's balanced, but they wouldn't listen to me as I was asking everyone to move in, they were too fastenated by the clouds.

So I start driving and my raft is leaning to the right, as I start to turn, my right side of the raft starts filling up with water quickly! I imediately stopped my raft, put in reverse to compete the turn and came in slowly, as I'm no begging for people to move over. Two of my coordinators were on the dock were staring in shock! They were even more surprised to see that I didn't over pack the raft, but were not shocked by the inconciderance of the guests.

This happens all the time, were guests just don't listen, and then get angry there shoes are wet:twisted:

[ktulu]

Yesterday we were cycling out TSI as a storm was rolling in. We are not supposed to have more than 55 people on a raft, and I usually don't go over 55. Yesterday, I had a whole bunch of adults/families that wouldn't listen. They were all standing to the right side of the raft, and I much preffer it when it's balanced, but they wouldn't listen to me as I was asking everyone to move in, they were too fastenated by the clouds.

So I start driving and my raft is leaning to the right, as I start to turn, my right side of the raft starts filling up with water quickly! I imediately stopped my raft, put in reverse to compete the turn and came in slowly, as I'm no begging for people to move over. Two of my coordinators were on the dock were staring in shock! They were even more surprised to see that I didn't over pack the raft, but were not shocked by the inconciderance of the guests.

This happens all the time, were guests just don't listen, and then get angry there shoes are wet:twisted:

I recall many a time as a kid getting my shoes wet cause the raft was not balanced. I liked it though :D:

[Big Wallaby]

Yeah, but with what's in that water, you don't want to get your shoes wet in the Rivers of America.

[Tinker Bell]

Guest seem to think that if they don't follow directions we will have to go on. Guess what people? We are not.

Honestly, you should just stop and sit. Tell them that when they decide to move, the raft will move. In the mean time they are going to spend their precious vacation sitting there because they are not following directions. Not only is their behavior inconsiderate, but dangerous too.

[goofyjoe]

Yeah, but with what's in that water, you don't want to get your shoes wet in the Rivers of America.

I heard from a former Jungle Cruise skipper (who still works at WDW in another role) that when the Sankaru Sadie sunk, they provided new socks and shoes (or, at least vouchers for them) to all the guests who happened to be on board while the boat took on water. Some guests thought they could keep what they had been wearing, but Guest Relations had to convince them that it wasn't a good idea. Apparently, a decent amount of water from the park dumps into the water for that attraction, so you never quite know where it's been...

[turkeyham]

I have seen SG on the canoes. I have seen some near tipping. One of these days the canoe will tip and the SG will look pretty in their vacation clothes. :mad:

[CptnSkippy]

Then they'll remember what Board X told them to do and end up with a new wardrobe courtesy of Disney.

[goofyjoe]

Then they'll remember what Board X told them to do and end up with a new wardrobe courtesy of Disney.

Oops. Guess I forgot the 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not provide any nugget of information that might give Board X users an idea on how to get something else from Disney for free." ;)

[jldrn1]

Should have told them alligators were coming to that side.

Just returned from the Beach Club. 2 kids were whining because they couldn't swim in the lake. To shut them up I told them there were alligators in there, Disney lets them stay until they are 3 ft long. They stopped crying immediatly.

[turkeyham]

Today this lady came up and bought a coke. She poured it into a souvenier cup and came back to my cart saying she did not get it. Big mistake! My lead sold it to her and said "Maam, I saw you pour it into the cup and I am sure not going to give you another drink." :mad:

If you think you can fool any cast members on carts, try again! Soft drinks and food don't grow on trees for free!:twisted:

[giggles]

DOn't you just love how Board X people ruin everything. I remember a long time ago when you did not have to be on the first raft over TSI in order to find a paint brush and we only did it once so other guest would have the chance to find one. Oh and all their half birthdays and ugly clothes they make their kids wear to get attention. And look out if a CM or character does not treat their special snowflake as to tons of extra freakin pixie dust.:twisted:

[CptnSkippy]

Those are the type that don't understand the magic.

It's not magic when it's demanded.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

DOn't you just love how Board X people ruin everything. I remember a long time ago when you did not have to be on the first raft over TSI in order to find a paint brush and we only did it once so other guest would have the chance to find one. Oh and all their half birthdays and ugly clothes they make their kids wear to get attention. And look out if a CM or character does not treat their special snowflake as to tons of extra freakin pixie dust.:twisted:

and by insisting on all that stuff, and DEMANDING "Pixie Dust" its not hard to see the CM's cutting out the little extras that they did, because now everyone demanding it makes it lose its magic, and it just becomes an action done by rote, rather than a special moment in a guests experience.

Those are the type that don't understand the magic.

It's not magic when it's demanded.

that sums it up nicely. when I go to WDW or DLR, I want to RELAX and have fun, enjoy the park, and eat large amounts of food that is bad for me.

I really don't get what they term "commando" experience of planning stuff to the minute. I bet they go home more stressed that when they arrived, and agonize over the fact that they didn't get to wake up tinkerbell, or pull the sword out of the stone, and so on.

[PatchOBlack]

I really don't get what they term "commando" experience of planning stuff to the minute. I bet they go home more stressed that when they arrived, and agonize over the fact that they didn't get to wake up tinkerbell, or pull the sword out of the stone, and so on.

If I may take a page from the Unofficial Guides to Disneyland/Walt Disney World, they address the question of why one should have a plan when visiting a Disney resort thusly: That when it comes to Disney touring, making it up as you go works about as well there as it does on your tax returns. Truthfully, they do say you don't have to still to their plans 100%, which is fine, but unless you are someone who can come back and visit any time, winging it will most likely lead to waiting in long lines, missing events, and so forth.

[ktulu]

If I may take a page from the Unofficial Guides to Disneyland/Walt Disney World, they address the question of why one should have a plan when visiting a Disney resort thusly: That when it comes to Disney touring, making it up as you go works about as well there as it does on your tax returns. Truthfully, they do say you don't have to still to their plans 100%, which is fine, but unless you are someone who can come back and visit any time, winging it will most likely lead to waiting in long lines, missing events, and so forth.

I plan things that have times, such as shows. Oh, any table service meal. Other than that, we plan as we go. I've never left disappointed, and I'm not one that can get back and visit anytime. Winging it has not left me waiting in long lines, missing events, etc.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I plan things that have times, such as shows. Oh, any table service meal. Other than that, we plan as we go. I've never left disappointed, and I'm not one that can get back and visit anytime. Winging it has not left me waiting in long lines, missing events, etc.

yeah, we are the same way at both WDW and DLR. The only thing we plan is a meal reservation (and thats usually in the evening) we always see the park and attractions without major line standing. either fastpass or just skip it and come back when its not so busy.

we see people RUNNING to different attractions at times. Its supposed to be FUN, not a drill on who can see the most in the least amount of time.

[ktulu]

yeah, we are the same way at both WDW and DLR. The only thing we plan is a meal reservation (and thats usually in the evening) we always see the park and attractions without major line standing. either fastpass or just skip it and come back when its not so busy.

we see people RUNNING to different attractions at times. Its supposed to be FUN, not a drill on who can see the most in the least amount of time.

I'll walk across a park with our 2 year old while my rides with our (now) 5 year old and get fast passes for something. It takes care of the wait and I get to spend time with the little one pointing out theming and stuff. Baby swap is awesome for this.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I'll walk across a park with our 2 year old while my rides with our (now) 5 year old and get fast passes for something. It takes care of the wait and I get to spend time with the little one pointing out theming and stuff. Baby swap is awesome for this.

Some of the best times I have had at Disneyland is when DW had to go to a convention in the area, and I drive her up. then I got to go to Disneyland for a couple of days. the first day I walked around and looked at everything. Met some great CM's, got to talk with them and so forth, no pressure to see everything. When we went together on the third day, I knew all the stuff she would want to buy. and of course, go to our favorite attractions! (Indy!!!, jungle cruise, star tours, and so forth)

(plus I could eat what I wanted without DW looking at me when I ordered! hehehe)

[Rob562]

I plan things that have times, such as shows. Oh, any table service meal. Other than that, we plan as we go. I've never left disappointed, and I'm not one that can get back and visit anytime. Winging it has not left me waiting in long lines, missing events, etc.

Well, there's a big difference between "informed-winging-it" and "blindly-winging-it". I think the guides are trying to tell the people who would visit and "blind-wing-it" that they need to do at least SOME planning and/or have an idea of at least what there is to do in the parks. There are too many people who get to a Disney park thinking it's just like their local Six Flags where they can wander around aimlessly without a guidemap and ride things as they stumble upon them.

When I go into the parks, I might not have a specific plan other than dinner reservations and a showtime I want to hit, but I just know when the better times are to see certain attractions, and how to get from place to place. I don't rushrushrush.

-Rob

[Lasolimu]

DOn't you just love how Board X people ruin everything. I remember a long time ago when you did not have to be on the first raft over TSI in order to find a paint brush and we only did it once so other guest would have the chance to find one. Oh and all their half birthdays and ugly clothes they make their kids wear to get attention. And look out if a CM or character does not treat their special snowflake as to tons of extra freakin pixie dust.:twisted:

Hello giggles, I am the resident dragon and would like to be the first to offer you a very warm* welcome to that slice of the internet we call SGT. This website contains threads with quick twists and turns and I would like to advise you to not try to hard to keep up with them. Please keep your hands, arms, and legs safely inside the website at all times and enjoy your stay. The Marsupial Welcoming Committee has been informed of your presence and will be here when they can to give you their own special welcome.

*this instance of warm is actually hot**... very hot

**this instance of hot means that you are now literally on fire, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for any inconvenience

[DragonFox98]

I'm not a total commando, but I do plan things. I plan which park we're going to start at each day, table service meals (usually just the Akershaus breakfast, but that's going to change for next year), and the shows and parades (can't miss Spectro). Most of the time, we have a clue as to what FastPass we want to grab and then where we want to head. For example, our first park day is ALWAYS Magic Kingdom and my kids and hubby must do the teacups first, then I take the boys over to the Tomorrowland Speedway. Other than that, we ask each other what we want to do and where we want to go. Now, if the boy says he wants to go on Haunted Mansion, I try to get him to agree to doing one or two things in Fantasyland on the way there.

[ktulu]

Well, there's a big difference between "informed-winging-it" and "blindly-winging-it". I think the guides are trying to tell the people who would visit and "blind-wing-it" that they need to do at least SOME planning and/or have an idea of at least what there is to do in the parks. There are too many people who get to a Disney park thinking it's just like their local Six Flags where they can wander around aimlessly without a guidemap and ride things as they stumble upon them.

I never pick up a map. When we visited AK for the first time, my wife did, but I just wandered blindly. It's an adventure, not an appointment!

[Mayonnaise]

I booked sit down meals and a couple of tours, and then wung (winged?) it between everything else. Of course since I was alone and on my whims, I got to the end of Mainstreet on my first Magic Kingdom day, and stood in the hub blissing out and trying to decide which land to hit first, long enough that a hat-seller CM came over to ask if I was a lost child. Oops.

I had a blast but I do know some people who would consider my trip a failure. I never got around to riding Space Mountain (just... didn't feel like it) went to bed two out of the 10 nights without seeing a night show and Test Track went down while I was in the video room and I never got around to going back with my FastPass (apparently since we were in the video room already we counted as having been on already, which is strange because the video room packing CM told me to keep the FLICK card I had and turn it in at loading, so I thought we were still in the queue.)

Also I spent the better part of an afternoon in the Living Seas, and rode Carousel of Progress 4 consecutive times.... which many would consider an abject waste of time.

*Shugs.*

8^)

[PatchOBlack]

I plan things that have times, such as shows. Oh, any table service meal. Other than that, we plan as we go. I've never left disappointed, and I'm not one that can get back and visit anytime. Winging it has not left me waiting in long lines, missing events, etc.

Then I must complement you on your good fortune. I am basing my statements more on what I read or heard from many folks when visiting the Disney parks, as my own experiences are rather limited. While, of course, it isn't impossible to walk into, say, the Magic Kingdom, and being able to get on each attraction you visit at random without a significant wait, it would seem this is the exception rather than the rule. Particularly with the more popular rides.

I never pick up a map. When we visited AK for the first time, my wife did, but I just wandered blindly. It's an adventure, not an appointment!

Personally, I see it as a place to be entertained and have fun. Of course, one shouldn't feel the need to rush about and such, but having a plan can make touring go smoother than simply wandering here and there.

[Zazu]

Well, there's a big difference between "informed-winging-it" and "blindly-winging-it".
Too true!

I am pretty much appalled at the "Dumbo or Die in a Day" touring plans, as they miss whole classes of attractions in the pursuit of a "ride count", but...

I still remember a retired couple who came up to me at Main Street Station late one afternoon and announced, "We've just arrived, and this is our first visit to Disney World. What is there to do here?"

One of the very few times in my life I've been speechless. :twitch:

[hobie16]

One of the very few times in my life I've been speechless. :twitch:
I would have done a data dump that would leave their heads spinning.

[Amphigorey]

Also I spent the better part of an afternoon in the Living Seas, and rode Carousel of Progress 4 consecutive times.... which many would consider an abject waste of time.

*Shugs.*

8^)

I can seriously spend an embarrassing amount of time with the cuttlefish in the Living Seas. I just wish they'd give them toys; I worry that they get bored in an empty tank.

[DragonFox98]

Also I spent the better part of an afternoon in the Living Seas, and rode Carousel of Progress 4 consecutive times.... which many would consider an abject waste of time.

*Shugs.*

8^)

It's NEVER a waste of time if you are contented with what you did and how your day went! As for CoP....that is a must do for us each time we go, and I have it on my iPod! It's a classic, but I just love the storytelling and the animatronics. As for the Living Seas...I love it in there, but we didn't get there on this last trip with my mother in law. That's okay....I'm headed back in March and I will spend at least a good hour or two wondering around in there! (I love the manatee tank...if I remember correctly, when I was a teenager I was able to see the manatee get fed - lettuce)

[GaTechGal]

Got to admit, I'm a planner. I really enjoy it. Deciding which parks and what attractions we want to work in is a way for me to visit the parks in my imagination and to thrill at the anticipation of our wonderful trip. It also gives us direction once we get there so we aren't standing like ducks in thunder wondering what to do next. We do take in the small details and don't rush around "commando-style". It's not about the QUANTITY of the rides, but the QUALITY of the experience. But we still like to have a plan. It also helps when we encounter roadblocks (which ALWAYS happens in one way or another) to move on.

[LadySiren]

I had a plan but the eleven other people in my group promptly threw it out the window. We went with the flow and it worked out fine for us; we did most of what we wanted to do and only ended up waiting standby a couple of times. Still enjoyed the line-waiting, as it was excellent for people-watching.

[PatchOBlack]

Too true!
I am pretty much appalled at the "Dumbo or Die in a Day" touring plans, as they miss whole classes of attractions in the pursuit of a "ride count", but...


Actually, I think the "Dumbo or Die in a Day" plan is designed with the idea to hit those attractions that a majority of park-goers would label as "must-see". So, sure, the plan is going to by-pass a lot of things.


Still enjoyed the line-waiting, as it was excellent for people-watching.


Of course, the Disney parks are very good at keeping people entertained while they are in-line and using that time to set the stage for the attraction itself.

[LadySiren]

Also I spent the better part of an afternoon in the Living Seas, and rode Carousel of Progress 4 consecutive times.... which many would consider an abject waste of time.

*Shugs.*

8^)

Mayo, I took the entire troop of 12 on CoP because I love it (side note: I miss the old America Sings! from DLR) but apparently, I'm in the minority. MIL snored LOUDLY the whole way through. DD8 #2 found this hysterical. Who knew Grandma snores were so funny?

[goofyjoe]

Too true!

I am pretty much appalled at the "Dumbo or Die in a Day" touring plans, as they miss whole classes of attractions in the pursuit of a "ride count", but...


This is what I call the "Disney Death March". And I know you've seen it. The worst is evening EMH at some of the parks. The kids are clearly tired and they've had it for the day, but the parents are dragging them around and trying to get every last penny out of their Disney dollar. Now, I know people want to try to see everything, but is it really worth running your family ragged?

[DragonFox98]

Now, I know people want to try to see everything, but is it really worth running your family ragged?

Nope! I'd rather have happy, tired kids than cranky, tired kids!!!! If I notice they are starting to get tired, we head back for a rest. The great thing about the last trip is that my MIL would take them to the pool while I napped with the baby. (don't know what I'm gonna do next year...I'm not an idiot and would NEVER send my two oldest to the pool alone). The way I look at it: we're on vacation. Would I like to see "one more thing" before we leave the park? Probably. But I am not going to make my kids miserable just to get in one more ride.

Although....I have been known to make a detour over to the Mexican pavillion for a margarita before heading for the exit!

[PatchOBlack]

If I may? In defense of the Unofficial Guides, in their one day plans for families with small children, they do try and put in breaks and such. In fact, I just went to their website and they mentioned that most of their plans for touring with small children includes a three-hour mid-day break back at your lodgings.

In any case, common sense says that, unless you made the plan yourself, you should look at it to see if it needs to be tailored to your specific situation.

[February]

Yeah, but with what's in that water, you don't want to get your shoes wet in the Rivers of America.

what, they're importing the water from the Detroit River now? (believe me, you don't want to get your feet wet in that either. I think your shoes will melt).

[darph nader]

what, they're importing the water from the Detroit River now? (believe me, you don't want to get your feet wet in that either. I think your shoes will melt).

HEY!! I was born in Detroit,so watch it. ;) :rolleyes: (it's been over 40yrs since I've been there tho)