Things that make you crazy!

[drcorey]

on a hot summer day. guests that would rather go to the park early then take a shower or bath.
nothing like being packed snout to butt with them in a ride que. on a clear day, you can smell forever.

[Darksin]

One that made me personally crazy, several years ago at least.

When Epcot changed to "Smoking Areas", I believe it was 2003 since Mission: Space wasn't open yet. They where still using old maps which had all the older "Smoking areas" listed (back when they where far more numerous but that's another rant), so we went to our favorite spot and parked down to plan our day. We where by no means the only people there and the sign was still standing that said "Designated Smoking Area". It was the one which was near the new Kim Possible area before that went in, there was a little spot off to the side that was a smoking area.

Well here comes a CM having a litter of kittens along the way, them proceeds to rant and rave at us (there where probably about 8 of us evil smoker people present) about how we're in a Non-smoking area. Everyone stopped to look at our maps then then sign and pointed out, we are exactly where we should be. We all stopped, compared maps and they all matched up and then the sign.. well technically we where in the right and said no, we wouldn't be moving. We showed the CM our maps and pointed to the sign, they where not having any of that business and called a manager and security to "Escort us all out for breaking the rules"?!

So here comes a Manager and Security.

We all point out our maps and the sign behind us.

Come to find out that it wasn't suppose to be a smoking area anymore. However since the park still used the maps and the sign was still posted, none of us did a thing wrong. We where actually thanked by the manager for following the rules about smoking in the parks. The CM didn't say a word and just walked away, I felt bad for the kid but honestly..

I don't mind going to the smoking areas, it's fine and I understand. However, Don't give me hell for my choices when I'm doing them in a perfectly acceptable spot as dictated by the WDW Overlords.

Same thing when people walk into an out of the way smoking area, then do that half-assed cough or make snotty comments to the people there.
You saw it was a smoking area, the path clearly ends.. Don't come down here then complain about smokers (This ALWAYS happens at the one by Norway in Epcot, Every Single Time).

[Mr. D.]

things that make me crazy?

people continously talking on cellphones while at a park.

we are there to relax, I don't want to hear a blow by blow description of your day.

"no we are walking toward the next ride, ugg, why don't they air condition the park?"

jeez, just hang up and be alive.

not a cell-phone zombie.

When we went on our last trip, we had our phones, but only for checking the time and to reach each other if separated, but we changed our VM message to "Sorry we can't come to the phone, we are spending the day with the mouse, leave a message and we'll get back to you later tonight."

And then when we got on the cruise ship, no cell service so it was all good.

[LucyintheSky]

Same thing when people walk into an out of the way smoking area, then do that half-assed cough or make snotty comments to the people there.
You saw it was a smoking area, the path clearly ends.. Don't come down here then complain about smokers (This ALWAYS happens at the one by Norway in Epcot, Every Single Time).

I really can't stand people who bring kids into smoking areas to just sit or eat or something, then give the evil eye to the people smoking there. What part of smoking area do they not understand? It's like they expect everyone else to leave because THEY want to sit there with their kids.

[ktulu]

I like how Disney works on keeping the smoking areas tucked away, but it sucks when they route you by them for parades. Or when the smoking area at DL was on the way to the train station. That was not well planned, thankfully they moved it!

[CBeilby]

As a non-smoker, my problem isn't with the smoking areas. They're necessary, and I'm glad DL/DCA/WDW provides them. I'm not going to be the sort of self righteous jerk that LucyintheSky is talking about.

No, my pet peeve is with those smokers who deliberately flaunt the rules regarding them. When I worked at DL, I once found a smoker standing across from the Plaza Inn restrooms, not a care in the world. I politely asked the 'gentleman' to please go to the nearest smoking area (at the time in Tomorrowland.) The SG, instead, blew smoke in my face. I didn't bother with him any more, instead going backstage. First cast member I ran into back there was from Security... :twisted:

[Big Wallaby]

Well here comes a CM having a litter of kittens along the way

To quote Adam Savage, "Well, here's your problem!"

Also the fact that you could show them the sign... That should have been their first clue...

I have never had a problem with the smokers I find who are smoking out of area, as long as they speak English. I don't smoke, but I find it really easy to get on their side. It starts with, "I hate to have to do this, but I have to chase you out of this area, because it's not a smoking area. Here you are, not bothering anyone, out of the way, and I appreciate that, But if you stay here, it will attract more people, and then someone complains, and you know how it goes." Of course, that ends as soon as there is compliance, but they hear me apologizing all over myself for having to inconvenience them. I have people ask questions and often at that point they are (as they put the cigarette out) asking questions about other things. If need be, though, I agree with them that the rules make it feel like they're being sent to a leper colony, or anything they say.

Same thing with strollers on the buses, because that's not allowed. I had a manager who I respect when I was driving the buses, I was talking to him when a lady started trying to put her stroller on the bus without folding it (as the LAW states they have to, beyond the company rules). He became confrontational about it (only time I have ever seen him do that) and after he was done with her, I asked if he could let me do the next one. So I did my whole "I'm sorry to have to do this to you, I'd much rather let your child sleep, but Federal law blah blah blah" routine. I'm telling you, when you say that, it's really hard for the guest to argue when you are agreeing with the things they would have said. Three quarters of the time, I get them explaining how they understand, it's not me, blah blah blah. Again, that's assuming they understand you.

If you've never taken that approach with someone smoking not in the smoking area, you gotta try it. It's downright fun. BUT, you have to believe what you are saying when you say it. Even if you're one of those JERKS who would sit in the smoking area and give the people smoking there the evil eye.

Okay, I have to admit. I would do it in a heartbeat... To make fun of those who are doing it for real, until I had those smoking howling with laughter.

[Epeyon]

The one "smoking area" that bothers me is that in front of the Magic Kingdom there is no specific smoking area. The rule simply is as long as you're not through bag check or under an awning or covered area you can smoke.

Which leads to the angry sideways comments of guests about other guests smoking. And of course the only trashcan with an ashtray on top of it is directly in front of bag check, where it funnels everybody in. Yeah genius idea that one, not by the benches that are out of the way by the ferry dock, not the benches that are along the "path" to the Grand Floridian.

So there are cigarette butts everywhere usually.

[Darksin]

I try to be polite about it, I know many people don't want to be around others who are smoking and it's really not that inconvenient to go to a smoking area.

Sometimes it does feel like theme parks banish us to the moon because we smoke, the biggest problem I have is in some parks (like Epcot) who got rid of many smoking areas you have to hike halfway around World Showcase to get into a smoking area. Norway then you have to head all the way around to Italy and after that the far side of France to find one.

I know Americans frown on smoking but so many other countries don't, in my head it makes sense to have MORE areas that way the odds of people smoking outside of the areas is less. If there is one just around the corner rather then hiking half a mile... At least that's what my common sense it telling me.

I've had employees get very rude to both myself and other smokers in the past in various parks. It's kind of upsetting to watch, there really aren't super well defined areas but it seems sometime an employee with have a set border of where "Smoking" and "Non-Smoking" are and woe upon you if you step over that imaginary line.

You gather more flies with honey they you do with sugar, being polite will always get better results on the other side everyone has bad days but.. damn!

Clueless ignorance, isn't if fun?

[felinefan]

I try to be polite about it, I know many people don't want to be around others who are smoking and it's really not that inconvenient to go to a smoking area.

Sometimes it does feel like theme parks banish us to the moon because we smoke, the biggest problem I have is in some parks (like Epcot) who got rid of many smoking areas you have to hike halfway around World Showcase to get into a smoking area. Norway then you have to head all the way around to Italy and after that the far side of France to find one.

I know Americans frown on smoking but so many other countries don't, in my head it makes sense to have MORE areas that way the odds of people smoking outside of the areas is less. If there is one just around the corner rather then hiking half a mile... At least that's what my common sense it telling me.

I've had employees get very rude to both myself and other smokers in the past in various parks. It's kind of upsetting to watch, there really aren't super well defined areas but it seems sometime an employee with have a set border of where "Smoking" and "Non-Smoking" are and woe upon you if you step over that imaginary line.

You gather more flies with honey they you do with sugar, being polite will always get better results on the other side everyone has bad days but.. damn!

Clueless ignorance, isn't if fun?

Actually, the quote is "You catch more flies with honey than you do with VINEGAR." Idea is you get better results being polite than being rude.