Single Rider Splash Mountain Experiences!

[Morrigoon]

It seems to me, the thing to do would be for the family to have politely requested their own log when the CM grouped them and explained that they were doing it for the family photo. Most CMs would accommodate this request if posed politely and promptly. Even after you were sent to their log, if they'd noticed and asked the CM, they probably would have been accommodated. But rudeness gets you nowhere, especially with CMs who've had enough of it already. If I'd wanted a family photo and a single rider had been added to my log (well first of all, it wouldn't have mattered to me, but) I would have been disappointed, but I can't imagine being rude to the innocent guest who was sent to join us. As far as I'm concerned, asking a guest to alter the way in which they enjoy an attraction (eg: having to remember to duck) is RUDE.

Responding to rudeness with rudeness may not solve much, but it feels darn good :)

[millionairegirl]

If I were in the single-rider's position, I might have ducked if the family asked me politely. I prefer to raise my arms on the drop, but when I single rider I've been known to duck (especially if it's a 'cute' family who talks excitedly about how they are going to pose the whole time) But no matter, how rude the family was, I wouldn't have sung and/or ruined the ride for them. That is just childish.

[sancho]

Working in the hospitality industry, I love it when a guest takes it into his own hands to discipline the stupid. These people were downright rude. (Trust me, I know the type and, yes, they are a type.) It is actually good for them that they ran into MM and he was able to teach them a lesson (hopefully it was learned) that others are not objects manipulated to obtain what they want. There are a lot of people (read:Americans mostly, it seems to me) who do believe that the world does revolve around them. It is so great when they have a disruption in their self-centered pursuits. First and only time in the park? Boo-hoo. Treat others with respect and not with contempt and maybe things will go your way more often. Way to go, Monorail Man!

[MonorailMan]

Walt Disney said is in opening speech...
"Disneyland is your land."

Some people take the statement too literally. ;) :rolleyes:

Just a clarification! I was singing in my normal soft voice, not extra loud. The whole goal of singing was too ignore them, not respond to them, but not to annoy them. :)

Time For The "Quote-a-rama" (Working Backward):

Originally posted by millionairegirl
But no matter, how rude the family was, I wouldn't have sung and/or ruined the ride for them. That is just childish.

Oh, and them talking the whole trip, about me in their boat isn't ruining it for me? Come on, it's like being in a long car trip, and having people say, "Ya know, the person in the back seat really sucks."


Originally posted by Morrigoon
Responding to rudeness with rudeness may not solve much, but it feels darn good
It sure does.


Originally posted by Dexter
So your excuse of "They were also AP'ers..." is not a justification for you ruining another persons experience, regardless of the fact that they were rude.
Actually ride time, I was not rude at all. I just sat there, singing the songs, at a little over a humming level. The only thing I did, was "mess up their family photo". After all, Dexter, I totally agree with you, that the ambiance of a Disney ride is not to be messed with. Also, the karma works both ways. Who knows who else they may have done other rude things to. Maybe "their destiny lies" with meeting me at SM. :)


Originally posted by HB Tigger Fan
If the family was nicer about asking him to duck, explaining that this trip was a once in a lifetime tr and nicer to him on the boat instead of making him feel that he is making the world come to an end because he is in their photo then I would be more appalled at the behavior.
Ask/act nicely, reward nicely. After all, the sad thing, is that a rude attitude gets people way to far, in the real world. However, in Disneyland, Walt wanted it to be "another world", and rudness goes no where in my book. ;):fez:

[idesign]

I think this has something to do with the single rider line, and not so much the photograph itself. It has somenthing to do with those that are so familiar with an attraction that they have no need to experience it with thier families, that they can go off by themselves in order to get what seems like more of a "fix" than actually experiencing the attraction within the spirit of friends or family. That being said, who is that single rider singing to? the family that surely didn't ask for it? To to themselves? To one who has never experienced the ride, someone mouthing the spiels is quite like having someone read your newspaper over your shoulder on the subway. Perhaps they wanted to hear how disney wanted it presented, rather than how a stranger decides it should be presented. Likewise a single rider is by nature a local, who has done this so many times they know the "tricks"(single rider), the spiels, and that is in sharp contrast to the family in the log. I think we should always give them the benefit of the doubt. The fact that the family maybe passholders is also irrelevant because as dester said, they may still be first timers, or "once a years", truth is theres no way to know. No one has a right to change the experience that disney intended for anyone.

And again, I still laugh about this, I don't see the problem with ducking out of the family picture. The photoshop solution is rediculous as most people have not the ability nor the time to edit out someone. I'm a professional, and editing out a person and filling it with "empty log" is impossible because you don't have "empty log" to replace it with. The fact is, their's a wild screaming stranger in the back seat filling it up.

[Haldwitten]

Time to weigh in on this one. MM, you did nothing wrong... in fact, I commend you for standing up to them. If that family had POLITELY requested a log without a single rider to purchase the photo, the CM would have more than probably accomodated them.

MM you were ABSOLUTELY right about karma. How does anyone know what that family had done elsewhere in the park. You could very well have BEEN their karmic kickback for some other transgression. And don't EVER let anyone push you around... You KEEP standing up to rude people and never let them get you down.

As for anyone criticizing MM for his actions, let this be the seal of approval for him from a Cast Member. If I'd known what the family had said or done to him, I would have made sure to give him passes for another ride directly in front of them while saying, "I am so sorry for your bad experience, here have another ride on us." The family (directed more toward the mother) get NOTHING. HA! I despise rudeness... and I see it everyday from Guests directed at US and other GUESTS.

Just the thought of asking someone to hunker down in a log so they weren't seen in the picture. OH... the rudeness. I would have said, "That's funny, I was about to ask all of you to do the same. I've single ridden with a LOT of families, and you're just not that much to look at."

[idesign]

Excellent name BTW. This thread is in no way directed at you personally. I mean my comments. We are just filling the shoes of two groups it seems while we argue these things out. You have excellent points.

No harms intended to anyone, I am just offering an (apparently) different viewpoint.

[Haldwitten]

Originally posted by sancho
Working in the hospitality industry, I love it when a guest takes it into his own hands to discipline the stupid. These people were downright rude. (Trust me, I know the type and, yes, they are a type.)

Amen! You SO get it. I LOVE to see Guests giving it back to other rude Guests. To anyone who doesn't understand why MM deserves a medal, then I suggest you come work with us at the Resort for even ONE day... and you'll understand completely. Otherwise, you're just seeing this from the point of an isolated incident that you've never encountered. It happens all day on that ride... trust me.

Oh, we smile and smile when dealing with rude, obnoxious Guests... mostly because we're imagining a giant anvil dropping from the sky and crushing them Wile E. Coyote style. HA! Now that's funny!! They get their smiling CM, we get cartoon entertainment. It's a win-win situation!

[disNeytEen]

I can understand why families like the picture of falling from splash.
But if families only go on splash, or other rides just for the picture and not to experince the ride. Then we should invent backrounds of these rides and the families can go to their local picture store dress like tourist pick splash for the backround and take their picture there, this way no one is inconvincied.

[DL4EVER]

I think MM singing is just fine, especially since he wasn't singing loudly at all, and since the family was talking about him anyways. Furthermore, like someone has already said, if they wanted to be alone, then they should have asked.

And what makes me mad is that they asked him to duck. If they had asked nicely and not made a big deal about him being in the log, I'm sure he would have done it. I realise this is slightly different, but asking him to duck would be like asking all the people who were riding ToT last year with us at WDW to duck so it would only be us in the photo.

Basically, people who don't expect to ride with strangers need to get a grip, because I mean goodness, most of the rides at DL have high capacities that you would be riding with a lot of people with.....

[Disneyphile]

Originally posted by idesign
It has somenthing to do with those that are so familiar with an attraction that they have no need to experience it with thier families, that they can go off by themselves in order to get what seems like more of a "fix" than actually experiencing the attraction within the spirit of friends or family. That being said, who is that single rider singing to? the family that surely didn't ask for it? To to themselves? ...... Likewise a single rider is by nature a local, who has done this so many times they know the "tricks"(single rider), the spiels, and that is in sharp contrast to the family in the log. ..... No one has a right to change the experience that disney intended for anyone.

Sorry, but I need to respond to this, since I often experience DL alone. First off, if I had local family, or friends who like to go to DL more than twice a year, then I'd hardly go alone.;) I'm a single person who lives alone, and often does stuff alone, because no one is available to accompany me all the time. I have travelled and visited places all by myself (a lot of places I may never get to visit again), so does that make me any less important than someone visiting with a family?

And, why does that "single rider" have to sing to someone other than themselves? If you can honestly say that you never talk or sing to yourself, let me know. And I'll even give you a moment to ask yourself whether or not you talk to yourself.;)

My main point is: single people have every right to be respected as those with a group. :)

[heidiwhr]

Originally posted by idesign
Likewise a single rider is by nature a local, who has done this so many times they know the "tricks"(single rider), the spiels, and that is in sharp contrast to the family in the log.

I usually ride the big rides alone - simply b/c I have a toddler, and my hubby and I do the baby swap thing. It would be great if there was another person to ride with, but it's not like I will leave a 20 month old little boy by himself in Critter Country! I don't think it's fair to automatically assume a single rider is a certain type of person...

[jazzjunkie]

Likewise a single rider is by nature a local

Just to pipe in with the other 2 posters above me. I don't fit into your single-rider profile either. I fly in from a couple continents away and I enjoy travelling alone.

By your reasoning, I wouldn't be allowed to hum/sing on any rides/attractions at all since there's no one to sing to. How about singing to myself? Me,the one who paid a ridiculous amount of money to enjoy Disneyland? :rolleyes:

[Haldwitten]

I don't see how the Single Rider line is one of the "tricks" of the park. Area Greeters and the Attraction Hosts spiel to the Guests about the line... we're always sending people through it to save them the time of waiting. Maybe we can't get to every one of the 50,000 in the park, but we tell as many people as we can when the opportunity arises. Plus, there are signs... but we all know how reading isn't one of the activities the average Guest enjoys at the park. :)

Single riders are entitled to the same experience as anyone else... and should never ever have to hunker down in a log so they can't be seen. And feel free to hum along with the music if you want... it's Disneyland... and it's supposed to make you tap your toe and hum. Maybe if you're belting it out like Judy Garland on a stage... that would be kind of rude... but otherwise, get over it. Hum... Sing... Laugh... Enjoy.

And if anyone ever tells you to duck down in a log so as not to ruin their picture... just pop a bird at the camera with a big old grin... it'll get "washed away" and they'll not even get a chance to see it. HA!

[KateyMcButterpants]

There are certain requests that it is impossible to make politely because they are in their very nature rude. Ducking down so as to pretend that you are not there would be one of them. Monorail Man didn't "ruin" the ride for them by singing or throwing his arms up, he did it by simply wanting to go on the ride. The nerve! Their experience was already "ruined" the moment he sat down, and that is just very sad for them. They were trying to document an experience that never happened. They cared more about the photograph than than the experience of the ride. Anyone with a sense of humor would have giggled at his shennanigans and bought the picture to remember the crazy guy who rode with them.

Those people need to be taught a lesson. Someday their children will choose their wedding attendants based on their appearence rather than their friendship so as to have perfect wedding photos.

[heidiwhr]

Originally posted by KateyMcButterpants
They cared more about the photograph than than the experience of the ride. Anyone with a sense of humor would have giggled at his shennanigans and bought the picture to remember the crazy guy who rode with them.

I could not agree more.

[cemeinke]

Having shared a log with MonorailMan in the past, I can't imagine why this family had such attitude. He's as fine mannered of a padder as you'll ever meet.

I have to judge the family psycho in accordance with my own experience with the OP.

[HBTiggerFan]

Originally posted by cemeinke
He's as fine mannered of a padder as you'll ever meet.

I must second this. MM is one of those AP holders who you love to be associated with. If only all AP holders were as polite and well mannered as MM.

Thank you cemeinke for bringing this to public attention.

[MonorailMan]

Aww, shucks. (Now where did that little blush smiley go?) :D

[lilbitopxedust]

Originally posted by Haldwitten
Amen! You SO get it. I LOVE to see Guests giving it back to other rude Guests. To anyone who doesn't understand why MM deserves a medal, then I suggest you come work with us at the Resort for even ONE day... and you'll understand completely. Otherwise, you're just seeing this from the point of an isolated incident that you've never encountered. It happens all day on that ride... trust me.

As a fellow CM, I agree with you. And it doesn't start at the attractions...oh no. Last night a fellow CM and I were talking about this very same phenomenon...rude guests. She used to work in ODV and the ODV crew used to say that apparently, guests leave their brains at the main gate...however, now that she works the main gate, she's pretty sure the brains, manners, etc get left behind somewhere in Mickey and Friends...or the tram area...perhaps their hotel rooms...

[HBTiggerFan]

Originally posted by lilbitopxedust
SNIP... she's pretty sure the brains, manners, etc get left behind somewhere in Mickey and Friends...or the tram area...perhaps their hotel rooms...

I think they get left in their hotel rooms. Either that or at home. I am not a CM but I hear the rudest guests while parking their cars, getting on the trams, getting upset at the tram CMs because they can't make that tram and then go around them to get on the tram.

The best rude guest karma I ever saw was on the tram. This woman forced her family onto the tram after the CM tried to get her to wait. The please do not cross the yellow line message had been repeated at least 4 times by then. Anyways this woman forced her family on the tram, took her kid out of the stroller and finally the tram left. As it went around the first corner the stroller flew out of the tram, hit the ground and broke. If she waited for the tram behind the one we were on, she would have had a minute to get settled with what she was fiddling with and hold onto her stroller.

[Allison]

They didn't get left anywhere, these are the people who are rude and tactless in every aspect of their lives, why should a trip to The Happiest Place On Earth be any different?

[sancho]

Originally posted by Allison
They didn't get left anywhere, these are the people who are rude and tactless in every aspect of their lives, why should a trip to The Happiest Place On Earth be any different?

Yeah, I work in a hotel and the guests arrive lobotmoized at check-in. It is so great to see it when guests receive instant karma ie: the stroller. What is somewhat satisfying is that those who are rude and tactless, I believe, lack the necessary skills to relly enjoy the park as some of us do. For them, this is simply one more tourist attraction. Meanwhile, a lot of us are absolutely blissed out.

[disNeytEen]

i don't understand why people care so much about stupid pictures or the reason they have to get on that tram right know instead of waiting, that family must have been born with no brain to ask MM to duck if i was him i would asked her to duck so the camera didn't break. I mean what if he wanted a picture of his first experince on Splash Mountain, ughhh i wish i was there if anyone does that to me, my Hulk will come out:mad: