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Are we all just sheep

Posted: Feb Sat 23, 2008 9:38 pm
by ericpabear
My family and I have noticed most people do not look around, they just follow the person in front of them. When entering the parks, we always go to the furthest security check point, and gate, etc.. There are no lines. Most people just get in line right behind the other families that are right in front of them. No matter how long the line is. While at Animal Kingdom, I was in an unusualy long line for a fast pass. I decided to walk along side of the line to see what the problem was. Only one cast member was working at this location. She was trying to help one family with a jamed-up fast pass machine. Every one was waiting behind this one machine. There were several machines available, all working. I walked up, got my fast pass, then started to direct traffic. Then one night, again at the Animal Kingdom, we stopped under a light to look at a map. When we had finished, there was a line that started forming behind us. Why? What for??? Who knows. Just sheep?

Posted: Feb Sat 23, 2008 9:43 pm
by SWHorn
:mrgreen: Awesome post. I laughed.

And I completely agree. What's really fun is to ask someone what the line they are standing in is for just to find out they don't know.

Re: Are we all just sheep

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 5:16 am
by acp
ericpabear wrote:My family and I have noticed most people do not look around, they just follow the person in front of them. When entering the parks, we always go to the furthest security check point, and gate, etc.. There are no lines. Most people just get in line right behind the other families that are right in front of them. No matter how long the line is. While at Animal Kingdom, I was in an unusualy long line for a fast pass. I decided to walk along side of the line to see what the problem was. Only one cast member was working at this location. She was trying to help one family with a jamed-up fast pass machine. Every one was waiting behind this one machine. There were several machines available, all working. I walked up, got my fast pass, then started to direct traffic.
I've done this before, too.
Then one night, again at the Animal Kingdom, we stopped under a light to look at a map. When we had finished, there was a line that started forming behind us. Why? What for??? Who knows. Just sheep?
Heh. Perhaps they were queueing to look at your map ;)

You should have slowly started walking around the park to see if they all followed you ;)

Andy.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 5:38 pm
by Lion Sleeps Tonight
Well, there is the whole group mentality thing. People are just unfamiliar with things, and sadly, they can't help it. Brains are also on vacation, and we just have to forgive them for it.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 5:40 pm
by rmorton50
This is kind of funny and I have seen it, too. We should all take the time, especially at WDW, to look around and enjoy the place. I used to work for a meat packing company and we used goats to lead the sheep up the ramp and into the plant! So, following like a sheep can be dangerous. We do tend to queue up automatically these days.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 6:03 pm
by WishUponaStar
I've definately seen this behavior over and over again. I think we're just more aware of our surroundings because we're very familiar with them. Many families just "follow the crowd" because they probably don't know the Disney ins & outs & are too focused to really look around them for shortcuts.

It is funny to see sometimes. I'm just thankful I know how to make my day faster & easier.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 6:46 pm
by stinoi
I can't believe that people lined up behind you under the light! I would have paid to see that.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 7:20 pm
by yodiwan1
when it comes to lines with a right and left side, human nature is to always go to the right, at least thats what I was told by whoever it was that taught my traditions class. I always go to the left line cause I know it will be shorter. The worst is when someone is standing at something that is closed to relax, and people begin to wait. I have seen that before.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 7:57 pm
by Lion Sleeps Tonight
yodiwan1 wrote:when it comes to lines with a right and left side, human nature is to always go to the right, at least thats what I was told by whoever it was that taught my traditions class. I always go to the left line cause I know it will be shorter. I worst is when someone is standing at soemthing that is closed to relax, and people begin to wait. I have seen that before.
It does make sense, because in the USA, we drive on the right hand side, and entrances tend to be on that side as well.

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 8:47 pm
by js3901
Lion Sleeps Tonight wrote:
yodiwan1 wrote:when it comes to lines with a right and left side, human nature is to always go to the right, at least thats what I was told by whoever it was that taught my traditions class. I always go to the left line cause I know it will be shorter. I worst is when someone is standing at soemthing that is closed to relax, and people begin to wait. I have seen that before.
It does make sense, because in the USA, we drive on the right hand side, and entrances tend to be on that side as well.
also helps that the vast majority of people are right handed. that, and in the case of PotC in WDW has more to see in the right side of the queue as opposed to the left...

Posted: Feb Sun 24, 2008 10:25 pm
by SWHorn
yodiwan1 wrote:when it comes to lines with a right and left side, human nature is to always go to the right, at least thats what I was told by whoever it was that taught my traditions class. I always go to the left line cause I know it will be shorter. The worst is when someone is standing at something that is closed to relax, and people begin to wait. I have seen that before.
We always notice the same thing and go to the left, as well. And it is usually noticeably shorter when you get to the end.

The really funny thing is to watch a line like PotC when EVERYONE is going to the right. Then, as soon as you go to the left, everyone follows you on that side.

Posted: Feb Mon 25, 2008 12:12 am
by DIAC1987
yodiwan1 wrote:when it comes to lines with a right and left side, human nature is to always go to the right, at least thats what I was told by whoever it was that taught my traditions class. I always go to the left line cause I know it will be shorter. The worst is when someone is standing at something that is closed to relax, and people begin to wait. I have seen that before.
I've seen that so many times. Me being a lefty usually go for the left, making me quite different from the average human :D

Posted: Feb Mon 25, 2008 9:10 am
by rdeacon
ahah...funny

It is funny how its human nature to just follow the pack. I see this all the time in WDW. The best is going to a counter service restaurant in MK, like Peco's Bills or Cosmic Rays. There will be a long line on one side of the register, usually the right. I walk right past the line and go to the other side. I have done it so many times its really sad...

Rich

Posted: Feb Mon 25, 2008 9:41 am
by packwingfn
The best moment was waiting in line for a Spaceship Earth preview during Early December. Now there was a lot of people there who knew what they were waiting for but there was also alot of people who didnt know what they were waiting for. All they know is that there was a line and they figured theyd wait in line for it. We asked some people behind us and they all look confused (reading their maps and stuff). We had to tell them that this ride may not open today, it is just in a preview mode so I wouldnt waste my time. Mind you, this line wrapped all the way to Project Tomorrow. Once the manager came by and told everyone the same thing I told the people behind me..half the line disappeared!

Posted: Feb Mon 25, 2008 2:47 pm
by MW1218
I also love it when there are multiple doors into an area or attraction, and every person will wait forever to go through the door that everyone is using rather than taking some initiative and opening another door.