Originally Posted By Brrfam I was just wondering...what does everyone think about saving spots for fireworks viewing? Monday night we were patiently standing in front of castle on road waiting for fireworks. Next to us was a couple that had put down backbacks in a semi-circle and standing ground in order to save room for 12 people. Anytime someone wandered into their "circle" they asked them to move, because they were saving for 12 people. I thought this was a bit much. Of course, the closer start time the harder time he had telling people to move. I believe he finally gave up...I never did see any of the 12 show up! Not to mention, I felt a little sorry for this guy..trying to save room and calling his friends on cell asking where they were!! Think I'd let my friends find their own spots!
Originally Posted By just_beatla I say yay and nay, yay as in sure for like 30-50 minutes before show, and nay to saving at like 1 in the afternoon to where you make the streets look like a homeless camp
Originally Posted By skywilliams I personaly think it is okay to save a spot for people but only with some conditions. First, if it is for a large group they better be ther at least a half hour before it starts and if it just a couple of people then they should get there at least 5-10 mintues before it starts. I can understand that the person who has taken the time to wait has made a sacrifice that every one else, who has shown up after them, hasn't made. But on the other hand how would you feel if you are waiting for a parade or the fireworks and then here comes a group of people shoving or crowding in on your space because someone near you was 'saving' a spot. I feel you forfeit your saved spot once the crowds begin to form and there is no where else for them to go. Just my opinion.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I don't like saving spots in line. If a member of the group is just going to get a soda or something that's OK. But otherwise if you want to sit there, be there.
Originally Posted By irishfan Saving a spot for a couple of people is fine in my book, but two people saving a spot for twelve is a bit much.
Originally Posted By mrichmondj I'm never comfortable with saving spots for people. I pretty much won't do it. If you want your spot saved, then you need to be there to physically save it.
Originally Posted By Kansasteen I agree with the above poster, as long as it's just a couple of people it's fine, but 1 person saving a spot for more than 2-3 is ridiculous.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I feel like as a general rule, at least half of the group should be waiting. Since they will probably take up more room sitting down and waiting than they will actually watching the show, not only will it be more fair for how long people have to wait, but a good portion (if not all) of the squishing can take place in their saved area.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I think it was kind of rude of the group to force two people to try to save room for twelve other people. I think that at least half the people should be present. And most of the remaining people should show up well before start time.
Originally Posted By The_wicked_AP A few years ago, three guys used to set up tarps, could seat at least 35 people, in front of Fantasmic early in the afternoon. They kept them there for all shows. After the first show, the CMs let them stay. They said they'd been doing it for five years, which I didn't believe. They'd go through the crowd and invite strangers to sit up there. I know a couple of people said they were going to write to Disney customer relations about it.
Originally Posted By doombuggy If your going to see a show ALL should be there. Not just 1 person hold a spot while the rest of the group goes on rides. You can't have it both ways.
Originally Posted By gadzuux Not to beat a dead horse, but I suspect this is going to become a problem at the new nemo ride. One person will be holding space for five or six, who get alerted by cell phone to show up at the last possible minute to join the line. Somehow these people will think it's okay for them to insert a half-dozen or so new people into the queue, because it's their wife and kid, or their sister, or their best friend. You wanna fireworks? Just wait until this starts happening.
Originally Posted By mousegrl I think if you have a group of say 6 or less, it's ok to take turns to save a spot. Say 3 stay for an hour, then switch. But one or two people saving for 12 is pretty annoying. Especially since they didn't show up. Pain to walk around and waste of space.
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ I agree mousegrl. At least half your party should be there, then each person is only holding a spot for one more person. We had an incident where we all stayed for an hour (it was October), and just as the show started, a woman behind us started letting in other people. By the time she hit 8, I had enough, and alerted the CM. He kindly moved us to the handicapped seating once the show started.
Originally Posted By Tink2002 I really do not feel that saving spots for people is okay. It's simply not fair to the others who have been waiting and have not been going on rides, etc. You really need to be there physically. I have personally been waiting for fireworks, etc. only to have a huge group show up to meet up with those saving a spot and being pushed out of my spot that I'd been waiting patiently for. I simply find it rude. My opinion.
Originally Posted By gadzuux One suggestion that's worked out well for me - try being 6'5" and about 230 lbs - people don't try to push you out of the way nearly as often. It really works!
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ good, then when we're there in August, could I get you to scope out a seat for me? Thanks
Originally Posted By ilvdland <---color me rude I am NOTORIOUS for doing what we call a "sit in" - I will sit on a bench starting at 4:00 for the 9:25 fireworks. I mainly did this during the 50th, and I don't regret one minute of it. The only rule I have is everyone has to at least come to the bench with me, and come back within a reasonable time frame - no leaving me there alone for 3 hours at a time. I never saved for more than 6 people, and if someone wanted to sit next to me while eating there turkey leg at 5:30 go for it. Those people aren't looking for spots. I fully understand your point Tink2002, as that has happened to me as well, which is why I had to go to such extremes to get the best view. But I feel that if you are somewhere like bench, where you are much less likely to get crowded out of your spot versus sitting on the street. And yes, saving 12 spots with 2 people even to me is ridiculous. At least all of my people were there an hour beforehand....
Originally Posted By pitapan16 Know whats funny? Evem through the 50th in the Summer my family and I would casually walk up no earlier than 25minutes in the main hub near Walt and find a near-prime viewing location(standing only) every time. We never wait for anything, when the people go left(within reason) our family, guided by my Dad and myself, turn right.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle On my last Disneyland trip (two of us) we had a LOT of occasions where three or more people would come up at the last minute and join a couple who were standing in the queue in front of us. I know that's rides and not fireworks, but it's just plain rude! If someone really needs to rush off the bathroom or something that's one thing, but it obviously wasn't the case here - people just didn't want to wait in line. If enough groups do that, the line will end up being twice as long for the saps like us who stood there waiting. As for fireworks, I tend to agree with most people here - if about half the group is there, or you're just saving for a couple of people, that's okay. I've done it in the past when someone's dashed off to get popcorn or something. More than that though, and I think people around have the right to say "no, I'm here, they're not" and just continue standing there.
