Creepy Single Riders

[monorail1]

So, we were at the park over the weekend in line for Astro-Blasters (which was awesome) and we noticed an obviously lone individual next to us in line sporting a really disturbing smile. He was looking at us as if he REALLY wanted to get in our conversation, especially when we talked about specifics on the ride itself. He continued giving us this very uncomfortable attention until he was given the opportunity to talk to someone else in line. From what I heard him say to this other party (who also seemed incredibly uncomfortable talking to him), he seemed to know every triviality and nuance about the ride itself.

Then it dawned on me. This wasn't the first time this has happened to me at Disneyland. In fact, many times I've been sucked into a conversation with one of these creepy individuals and there's really nothing we can do other then nod our heads, smile, and act like we care about how "the ride has a lower than expected ride capacity today" or "how many times the ride has been broken down today". YIKES!

So, has anyone else ever experienced this and if so how do you get out of it, especially if you're stuck in a 30 minute line with this person!

Your thoughts?

[ah schucks]

Oh lord yes- these people come out of the wood work and they are at the park so much they probably don't participate in sites like this. There are people who live with there parents who basically spend there entire lives at the park.

CM will develop regulars who know them by name and even stalk them. Its one thing to be in line with your group and you and the group in front of you begint to converse but spouting off information like that is weird. Even for people who know more facts and trivia to sprout off random info like that is weird. Don't get me wrong I think I might discuss fun little trivia with someone else in line but only if it was brought up, ya know?

Nuff said from me but glad someone else has experianced this too.

[Druggas]

Uh, that was me. Sorry...................................

[SomeSayImGoofy]

I'll never forget one time my wife and I were in line for Space Mtn. and this creepy woman insisted on telling us OVER AND OVER: "Out of the station, turn right...up a hill for 17 seconds...turn left....another hill for 14 seconds....right...another hill...left ...right....left, left, right....quick drop....." She told us so many times, we had it memorized by the time we managed to ditch her when the line split near the loading area.

Creepiest of all: since we were rolling it over and over and OVER in our minds, we were checking her accuracy during the ride, and she was RIGHT!

Lord, may it never be so with me!

Kevin

[figment1986]

wow.. I never had one of those yet.... I swear....

(Though i might be one... i do ride by myself on coasters....)

[Cory Mitchell]

THis is why God created the single rider line.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I moved to California from Michigan three years ago, and upon my arrival I knew no-one and had little opportunity to meet people. Shortly after my arrival I got an annual pass and spent one or two days a month at the park by myself. It became sort of a release for me. I rode in the single rider lines, I offered to take photos of families who would've otherwise had somebody missing from their group picture, I people-watched, and, yes, I spoke to people in lines if they seemed friendly or if I overheard them asking questions about the park or if they were sporting something of a conversation piece (say, a Bambi sweatshirt. "Nice Bambi sweatshirt! Where did you find it?)

This was, of course, until I got up the courage to go to a site meet or two. Now I only go alone if I need some alone-time, because otherwise I'm there with no fewer than five people (and it's usually closer to 25.) I've brought friends of my own into that mix, and it's a great social outlet.

I haven't forgotten, nevertheless, the time in CA when I knew no-one. It was lonely. I was happy to speak to people in lines. I doubt anyone ever referred to me as "the creepy single rider," but it gave me perspective on situations like the one being discussed in this thread. If a man is reaching out to people he doesn't know, if he wants to talk, if he gets a little obsessive, if he is energetic about something you consider trivial (like, say, trivia)... he's probably really lonely. He's perhaps not entirely well. But chiefly, he's deserving of our compassion.

What would you think of this man if he was in a group of three others talking passionately about the ride design/theme/mechanism? A lot of people I know, and a lot of people on here, are guilty of such conversing. Maybe he just needs another geek with whom to connect.

[The Mad Hatter]

I moved to California from Michigan three years ago, and upon my arrival I knew no-one and had little opportunity to meet people.

See your story is fine...it's the guy with the creepy smile that slithers his/her way into your convo that is bad.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

See your story is fine...it's the guy with the creepy smile that slithers his/her way into your convo that is bad.

I know. I don't come off as creepy or weird. I'm just saying that the "creepy" guy is probably lonely, too, and deserving of compassion. Not to say that I'd be happy if creepy mccreeperson followed me around all day, just that I'd feel bad for him.

[PeoplemoverMatt]

So, we were at the park over the weekend in line for Astro-Blasters (which was awesome) and we noticed an obviously lone individual next to us in line sporting a really disturbing smile. He was looking at us as if he REALLY wanted to get in our conversation, especially when we talked about specifics on the ride itself. He continued giving us this very uncomfortable attention until he was given the opportunity to talk to someone else in line. From what I heard him say to this other party (who also seemed incredibly uncomfortable talking to him), he seemed to know every triviality and nuance about the ride itself.

Then it dawned on me. This wasn't the first time this has happened to me at Disneyland. In fact, many times I've been sucked into a conversation with one of these creepy individuals and there's really nothing we can do other then nod our heads, smile, and act like we care about how "the ride has a lower than expected ride capacity today" or "how many times the ride has been broken down today". YIKES!

So, has anyone else ever experienced this and if so how do you get out of it, especially if you're stuck in a 30 minute line with this person!

Your thoughts?

Oh please...everyone on this board is this person on some level, so I don't think anyone here's in any position to judge. There are some people out there whose life isn't as fortunate as yours, and the parks might be their only glimmer of happiness in an otherwise dreary & depressed life. If you come at them like that, you will destroy it for them and they could potentially do something that ends up very tragic. If you do come across someone like this, do them a favor and just humor them for a few minutes. It's the least you can do. They aren't causing you physical harm, they just want to contribute some information to you that they think you might be interested in. If you're stuck in a 30min line with this person so what? You might learn something about the ride you paid $50+ to ride that day. At worst you spend 30 mins with them in a 12-hour or longer day, big deal. I can't think of any good reason why you have to reject and/or emotionally crush that person just because of your minor uncomfortability. If they are really bothering you that badly, then the better way to handle is to just let gently let them know. Just imagine if you were that person, how would you want to be treated?

-- Peoplemover "Friends, family, all of it is a gift that has been given to you & is not given to everyone" Matt

[Gwyren]

>.>

I hope no one considers me creepy. Most of the time when I am in line I am quiet, unless I overhear something which I think I can help with (Last night a family on their first trip wanted to migrate towards Toontown. It was around 18:30 and they were going to ride the rides on they way there. During a lul in their conversation I let them know that Toontown closed around 20:30, and then spoke with them on how to possibly make their trip a bit more enjoyable.).

I know few people, I do not do much outside of school, and I really hope I do not inflict myself on other parties. I can easily understand why parties would find some single riders creepy.

[The Mad Hatter]

There are some people out there whose life isn't as fortunate as yours, and the parks might be their only glimmer of happiness in an otherwise dreary & depressed life.

Yeah, but even if that's the case, there is a polite way and an impolite way to start a conversation with someone. It's not hard to tell if someone will be open to talk to you or not. Butting into someones conversation is just plain rude IMO, whether you're lonely or not.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Yeah, but even if that's the case, there is a polite way and an impolite way to start a conversation with someone. It's not hard to tell if someone will be open to talk to you or not. Butting into someones conversation is just plain rude IMO, whether you're lonely or not.

I don't think anyone is saying that his behavior is acceptable. Rather, that treating the obviously lonely/verging on unhealthy/socially undeveloped with anything other than kindness is just as rude.

If you are that urgent about not interacting with the person, there are still respectful ways to respond. It's polite to listen for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry, my group doesn't have a lot of time together, and we were having a private discussion. But thank you for the information."

[Disneyphile]

I don't care if anyone finds me "creepy" or not. In fact, some people already do find me to be "weird" or "odd", but, hey, it's their problem - not mine. I'm quite happy with who I am, and wouldn't change that to try and "impress" anyone.

Hence why I live by the motto: "Comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." :devil: Life is SO much more fun that way.

[xfkirsten]

I kind of find the oppsite case quite often... I usually go to the parks by myself. So while I'm waiting in line, I usually bring homework or something to do (how many people can say they've done a take-home physics exam in the Indy queue? ). I often get random families that start talking to me instead. Most are nice and cool, but I've run into a few creepies that just won't leave me alone. I had one guy that actually wanted to follow me around the park the rest of the day.

[fearsnda]

OK, well if I wasn't married. I would be at the Parks alone and I am sure people would think I was creepy. As it is, my wife and I know hardly anyone here and my coworkers aren't as into working at DL as I am - so you know - I sorta feel bad for the creepy man.

However there is this individual, who is a little strange, who rides the Monorail around and around and recites the entire recorded spiel word for word. It's very weird. Now any time I get the urge to talk along with a spiel I stop myself - so I don't look like a nutcase

[desertdweller]

I don't think anyone is saying that his behavior is acceptable. Rather, that treating the obviously lonely/verging on unhealthy/socially undeveloped with anything other than kindness is just as rude.

If you are that urgent about not interacting with the person, there are still respectful ways to respond. It's polite to listen for a moment before saying, "I'm sorry, my group doesn't have a lot of time together, and we were having a private discussion. But thank you for the information."

Good point! When I lived and worked in Anaheim I knew a gardener who lived with his elderly mother just a few blocks away on Lemon Street and within walking distance from the park. He was a simple person who was probably in his 50s and reminded you of a mature Dopey with a touch of Quasimodo, but he had a sweet, outgoing personality.

I'm sure senior CMs in here remember him from the '70s and early '80s because he was a frequent guest at DL. "George" was on a first name basis with many of the CMs and could often be seen sitting on the curb waiting for the parade with his little shopping bag.

Very childlike and outgoing, he would talk with guests and I could see that many were uncomfortable with such close contact. I was also in the park a lot and would always have a little chat with him since I knew him in the community.

"George" was just so pleased to have a day off from mowing lawns and be able to visit his favorite place on earth. I personally saw many CMs go out of there way to talk with him and you could tell their attention just made his day that more special.

[Demigod]

I don't care if anyone finds me "creepy" or not. In fact, some people already do find me to be "weird" or "odd", but, hey, it's their problem - not mine. I'm quite happy with who I am, and wouldn't change that to try and "impress" anyone.

Hence why I live by the motto: "Comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." :devil: Life is SO much more fun that way.

Hey, us creepy people need to stick together!

DP, anyone that knows ya knows you aren't creepy at all. Just weird. :devil: :lol:

[Disneyphile]

DP, anyone that knows ya knows you aren't creepy at all. Just weird. :devil: :lol:

You're not saying this because of my new avatar are ya?

[dramaqueen]

Nice pic Disneyphile!

All I know is that occasionally I chime into people's conversations at the park, but usually its an attempt to be helpful. Like one time I was standing around the castle after the fireworks and a bunch of people were trying to leave and kept pestering the cm as to when the castale would be open again, and I suggested they leave fantasyland by going around the teacups so they could leave the park sooner. Or othertime when I am in Fantasyland watching the fireworks, I would tell people to turn around so they wouldn't miss Tinkerbell. I think they key is knwing when your advice is helpful and appreciated, or annoying and creepy.