Until I moved to New Orleans a few months ago, I was a local who had an AP practically since birth. I did Disney the way 80s teens did the mall--just a place to hang out. Over the years I did phone interviews for jobs in quiet corners, spent countless hours just sitting and watching the world go by with a friend or two, and did marathon sessions on water rides on freezing cold winter days. Considering Disney was basically an extension of home, why in the world wouldn't I text, Facebook, or do whatever else I chose with my phone while I was there? No, I never took flash pictures in rides or shows, yes, I always retreated out of the way to make or take a call, and no, I never ran into anyone (I'm extremely skilled at texting and walking). Most of the time I was there with friends or family who I saw every day and ALSO viewed Disney as a hangout, so we weren't mortally offending each other by not talking constantly (though we talked a lot too).
Same thing now in New Orleans. I live in the Marigny, which is in the historic district one neighborhood over from the French Quarter. Some people are paying big bucks to come soak everything in for a few days. I literally walk past St. Louis Cemetery every couple of days. Hang out on a bench in Jackson Square. Meet up with tour guide friends late at night in one of the world famous bars. Guess what? I'm on my phone a lot here too. Because it's just home and life and where I exist on the planet. Should I be banished to my bedroom anytime I want to talk to someone who isn't physically present because I happen to live in the heart of a tourist town? I also have a long-distance boyfriend several hundred miles away, and one way we stay connected is to text throughout the day and send frequent photos and videos of whatever we're doing at the moment.
I get it. A lot of people are in a "vacation" mindset, and assuming that everyone around them is too. But a lot of the people you're judging for wasting their time actually aren't on vacation and are just living their lives, even at Disney.