You'd do that a theme park? Really? *RANT*

[ernierich]

Just returned from our extended weekend break in Paris (our very first trip to Disneyland) and I wanted to share (rant) about what was one of our first experiences of Disneyland Paris.

We arrived in the Disney Studios park on Saturday afternoon and immediately joined the queue for Tower of Terror. A group of young men were immediately behind us and after waiting for a few minutes and behaving very oddly they decided that it was time to roll a joint! I kid you not! They took out their block of marijuana and started crumbling the edges all ready for their spliff. To say I was shocked/dissapointed would be an understatement. I pointed out to them that they were in a theme park with LOTS of children around, their behaviour was unnaceptable and I will NOT let my child be exposed to drugs in a theme park. They decided to let some folk in front of them and hung back further in line. Not sure if they continued to light up...I spent the rest of the time in line and on the attraction positively seething with rage.

What would make someone decided to smoke pot in a theme park? Should I have reported them? I did seriously think about it but by the time I got to the attraction entrance I thought it would just be my word against theirs.

Perhaps if Disney could make a greater effort to get a grip of all the smoking that they allow in the queues then our children would not be exposed to disgusting behaviour like this! The number of people smoking in line this weekend was incredible.

Ok, RANT OVER! All is now calm with the world...

 

[Florida2012]

That is wful! I'm sorry you had to see that and hope it didn't take too much away from your experience!!

Fair play to you for standing up to them in the line, I'd of probably done the same, I also wouldn't have told the staff because, as you say, it would be your word vs theirs!!

It might be worth firing a complain off to Disney, as I'd like to think that an incident like this will shock them into dealing with it as well as the irritating smoking in line!

 

[tinkertaylor05]

I would send an email in complaint if it impacted on you. I know when we were last there in Feb they had sniffer dogs a couple of day's apparently to try to eliminate drugs etc in the park.

I personally think they're quite good at tackling issues such as this compared with theme parks here, it's common place to find weed being smoked at Alton Towers, the seaside, pretty much anywhere that attracts teenagers.

Young people will always push boundaries so you did right to tell them your feelings and in a way they respected them by hanging back in the queue putting distance between you.

 

[Happy Tappy]

Absolutely unacceptable behaviour. Please report it to Disney.

I personally would have reported it straight away and pointed out the offenders. If they'd smoked it, you'd be able to smell it on them.

I know that weed isn't the most serious drug but it is illegal and certainly shouldn't be done in the presence of children. Smoking cigarettes in the queues is bad enough, this is ridiculous.

I hope it was an isolated incident and that it didn't spoil your first trip to Disneyland Paris.

How was the rest of your trip?

 

[ernierich]

The rest of the trip was fabulous. Just a shame it started the way it did.

 

[Ware Bears]

Welcome back

Just a shame it started the way it did.

It's a shame it happened at all but if it had to happen perhaps it was better at the start of the holiday rather than at the end, I think that may have left an even worse taste.

 

[Jonjo]

I saw this happen a few years ago in on the seats in front of the fantasyland stage. DW told one of the CM's and within a few mins security appeared to escort the group of teenagers out of the park.

 

[chmurf]

You're in a place full of people, things like that are bound to happen
You probably wouldn't believe how rude and stupid some people get.
People smoking joints or cigarettes in line are commonplace, i even once saw a CM talk to a man smoking a cigarette in the line for motors action stunt show.
Let's remember that the park is strictly non smoking area.

I used to rant on a French forum about all of this, and what came out was that you basically need to ignore other guests and focus on your own experience. I know that's hard when some teenagers blow weed smoke in the face of their children

I once was infuriated when my 3 year old (at that time) got ran over by a mob rushing towards POTC once adventureland was opened in the morning. the most painful was to see CMs look at me with a "whatcha want us to do about that" look, never even thinking about coming and help my kid back on his feet.
I even saw some couples making out here and there (and I'm not going to get graphic on that, but you get the picture)

But what really makes me furious and spoil my day, are those flash using tourists. especially in rides like It's a small world or POTC. People would take photographs with flash on, and flash and flash again. In the end you can't see anything while in the ride (look at youtube videos, and try to count flashes in a single boat on a IASW ride)
Some will even turn around to photograph what's behind them, and put the flashlight litteraly inches away from your eyes and "pull the trigger" on you.
Using flashes is strictly forbidden in rides, park regulations, and if it's announced in phantom manor, it's never announced in POTC, and only announced in french at the beginning of IASW

Hope those who read will think about that next time you ride those rides and see such annoying behaviours

A guy smoking a joint next to me, I can tolerate, but someone flashing me like he's got nothing better to do ... only makes me wanna grab his camera and toss it into the water

cheers

 

[tinks_1989]

I cant believe you are suggesting some one to ignore the fact that people are breaking the law smoking an ILLEGAL DRUG!!! Where there are children present!

Its is disgusting! The smoking is bad enough but a joint is awful!

I too would of been like you and wouldn't of known what to do but I would write to Disney complaining about it! Even if you don't get a reply I would be so annoyed by it I would have to vent at them!

 

[chmurf]

I cant believe you are suggesting some one to ignore the fact that people are breaking the law

i did not suggest to ignore the fact that they are breaking the law, i suggested to ignore their behaviour, meaning don't let their behaviour get in the way of your experience.
It's bad enough that they do what they do, but if you let that get to you, then they win, so to speak

witness the fact, report, and then move on.
if you stop at all the rude behaviours inside parks, you will waste all of your time ranting about something and not enjoying.
- pushy people
- people overtaking in queues, you know the "I've to meet my cousin who's in the front'" excuse.
- people taking your place to a photolocation with a charracter, or standing next to the character while you try to photograph your kid
- people speaking loudly and almost in your ear
- kids kicking you in the legs with their parents smiling a "isn't he cute" smile to you
- rude or incompetent CMs, those who never get your order right at counter service
- encountering a rat, or a mouse inside a restaurant (own experiences)
I could go on forever

those things can ruin your day, but only if you let them ...

People breaking the law are bad enough, but it's not your job to enforce those laws. Do what you have to do with security, and move on.

letting the incident get to you and thinking about it all day only makes it worse. So yes, you need to ignore those guests, or at least (and that's what I meant) you need to forget about them and about the incident as soon as they're out of sight (or out of smelling distance)

As a side note, I'd add that DLP security seems to be reluctant to enforce even the most basic rules within the parks.
US visitors might even be shocked how they will allow things to occur, as compared to US parks security
We're in europe after all

 

[tinks_1989]

A guy smoking a joint next to me, I can tolerate,

Sorry may be I over reacted from your comment but

I can't tolerate it!

- pushy people
- people overtaking in queues, you know the "I've to meet my cousin who's in the front'" excuse.
People can push in front of me if they seriously feel the need to I will still get on the ride see the character! To be honest people like that I would prefer being in front of me no where near me

- people taking your place to a photolocation with a charracter, or standing next to the character while you try to photograph your kid
Even though I have done 25 Disney trips our last trip was the first one I really remember waiting to meet characters (for years I have always just wanted to do the thrill rides but now with DD I want to see characters) I havent actually encountered any of this

- people speaking loudly and almost in your ear
This one makes me laugh because this is DH's pet hate lol

- kids kicking you in the legs with their parents smiling a "isn't he cute" smile to you
Again never experienced this in Disney but yes I am sure very annoying lol

- rude or incompetent CMs, those who never get your order right at counter service
Rude CM's are annoying but it wouldn't dampen my holiday!

- encountering a rat, or a mouse inside a restaurant (own experiences)
I could go on forever
The mouse in a restaurant yes that is disgusting I would complain and if I hadnt yet eaten I would leave even if I had ordered it is disgusting! I dont think I would even pay if I had eaten!

The whole DLP not enforcing the non smoking park irritates me I complained in my highs and lows where a CM turned around and said

I really fear that I could, one day, be in front of a man who punch me because I dare asked him to stop smoking.

What has happened for CM's to actually be scared to say "Excuse me Sir/Miss this is a no smoking area the smoking areas can be found on the map"

If they just give up with trying it will never change the longer people get away with it the harder it will be to stop it!

I once was infuriated when my 3 year old (at that time) got ran over by a mob rushing towards POTC once adventureland was opened in the morning. the most painful was to see CMs look at me with a "whatcha want us to do about that" look, never even thinking about coming and help my kid back on his feet.

If this were to happen to DD i honestly can say I dont think I would go back!

I even saw some couples making out here and there (and I'm not going to get graphic on that, but you get the picture)

Have also witnessed this on Disney rail road we felt so uncomfortable and got off at the very next stop!

The taking

But what really makes me furious and spoil my day, are those flash using tourists. especially in rides like It's a small world or POTC. People would take photographs with flash on, and flash and flash again. In the end you can't see anything while in the ride (look at youtube videos, and try to count flashes in a single boat on a IASW ride)
Some will even turn around to photograph what's behind them, and put the flashlight litteraly inches away from your eyes and "pull the trigger" on you.
Using flashes is strictly forbidden in rides, park regulations, and if it's announced in phantom manor, it's never announced in POTC, and only announced in french at the beginning of IASW

photos on a ride though I am with you on that Its a small world doesnt bother me as much but the dark rides POTC, Phantom Manor, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan yes very annoying I love the ride and have been lucky to experience it with no flashes but I think for peoples first ride it must really ruin it! And what do these photos even look like

 

[chmurf]

Sorry may be I over reacted from your comment

No offense taken, i do understand how you feel

What has happened for CM's to actually be scared to say "Excuse me Sir/Miss this is a no smoking area the smoking areas can be found on the map"

If they just give up with trying it will never change the longer people get away with it the harder it will be to stop it!

I hope guests will react, because it's not getting any better with time.
DLP has become a very expensive place, and guests tend more and more to believe that they own the park. Nothing is done to remind them of the rules, and nothing is done to give people a run for their money. Rides falling to ruins (like space mountain), failing inride audio (RNRC, SMM2, ToT), cancelled special events (Pirates and princesses special event), cancelled rehab, and so on
funds are dramatically low, and management is barely managing at all, and we really wonder if the 20th aniversary will live up to our expectations.
It's really difficult to keep the disney spirit among CMs.
Employment policies are ridiculous. CM casting almost inexistant. Lots of Disney fans, with very high motivation and skills, are kept waiting for months or years before even getting an interview, but in the meantime, long time unemployed people are recruited, without consideration for their ability to "perform" as a CM. As you may understand, employing a long term jobless guy gets you financial rewards and less charges. So the maths is quickly done.
So, no wonder CM are less and less willing to do more than the bare necessity.
Guests need to require that DLP raises their standards.

Of course I paint a bleak picture here. DLP is still the place to be when you want to spend quality time with your kids, and there is still plenty to do and to enjoy
that's why I said that you have to be able to ignore some things and focus on your own enjoyment. If something's wrong, report it, and then forget it, because DLP is still so magical if you can see it with child's eyes

As far as I'm concerned I did not renew my Dream PA this year, and saved the 600 euros and invested them in a 3 weeks orlando-real-mickey-experience instead

Its a small world doesnt bother me as much but the dark rides

forgot to mention that I have a slight visual deficiency, and when someone flashes in my direction, i'm blinded for most of the ride

 

[markpsych]

failing inride audio (RNRC, SMM2, ToT)

I always find this disappointing....have they got the sound working on RNRC yet???

Many of the screens on tram tours have also been in disrepair for as long as I can remember.

 

[tinks_1989]

As far as I'm concerned I did not renew my Dream PA this year, and saved the 600 euros and invested them in a 3 weeks orlando-real-mickey-experience instead

I wish we could afford WDW again but we just can't stretch that far at the moment! There's is such a magical atmosphere to WDW

I love Disneyland Paris but I always feel like the idea is there but just had a real half hearted attempt at keeping it together!

 

[small2006]

I always find this disappointing....have they got the sound working on RNRC yet???

Many of the screens on tram tours have also been in disrepair for as long as I can remember.

We were at DLRP a few weeks ago and the sound on RNRC was fine. Last year there was no sound at all and as we got off we complained to the CM who just shrugged and smiled as if to say 'what do you want me to do about it?'

Customer service in WDW really is in a different league to DLRP. Nothing is too much trouble and even the cleaners smile and say hello. I've sent a complaint to head office about the service we encountered. Time will tell if they care enough to respond!

 

[markpsych]

We were at DLRP a few weeks ago and the sound on RNRC was fine.

Excellent!

Was really strange riding it in silence (think tumbleweeds blowing across the tracks).

 

[Carrie_Cat]

I always find this disappointing....have they got the sound working on RNRC yet???

Many of the screens on tram tours have also been in disrepair for as long as I can remember.

OH says not, he went on it about 2 weeks ago, says that the lights are better, the ride itself seems to have changed as there is now 3 loopings and 1 of them is lit up so you see the track above you - he's a lot more impressed by it but the sound is still not what it should be by a mile