Theme Park Manners I - Personal Space

Among other things, I am a huge Disney fan. Even though we live about 10-12 hours away, we usually end up with annual passes, and we make several trips to Walt Disney World every year. There are, obviously, lots of things that I love about WDW; but, one of the biggest complaints I have every year has to do with other theme park guests. While I doubt any of the people I am complaining about will ever read what I am writing (let alone care about the impact they are having on others), I've decided that this is as good a place as any for me to vent, so here goes.

Personal Space

Disney World can be extremely crowded. There are times when it seems like the streets themselves are filled with a great sea of humanity. At such times, there are lines everywhere, and close contact can seem inevitable. Even at such times, however, it is important to respect the boundaries of personal space whenever possible.

If, for example, you are waiting in a line, there is no need to touch the people around you. The queue will progress forward at a set pace. If you are in line behind me, you will get to board the ride immediately after my family does. Shoving, pushing, and pressing yourself up against me will not get you there any quicker. Even if you stand, as some people seem to do, with your chest pressed into my back, the Disney Cast Members will not let you board on top of me.

Ideally, there should be at least an arm's length of space between you and the next person in line. Even when the Cast Members intone, "Please fill in all available space," they do not mean that you should be packed in to the room like riders on the Tokyo subway.

Parents have an obligation to teach their children about personal space. (My kids must have heard me say, "Personal space," a thousand times). If your child is still in diapers, it may still be cute to have him or her pull on a complete stranger's pants leg, mistaking him for Daddy. Otherwise, you are responsible for keeping your kid in one spot.

A crowded theme park line is not the place to practice karate, play keep away, balance on chains, or get into a shoving match. If it has reached that point, it is time for a trip back to the hotel, or at least a stop on Tom Sawyer's Island.

Help everyone have an enjoyable vacation. Respect others people's personal space.