CM insults child in stroller

[DisneyMomOK]

My kids (now 18 and 20) used strollers until they were at least 8. We brought our own and it saved a lot of time and whining. My DH and I are tall and walk fast; strollers solved that problem (little legs keeping up with Mom and Dad). I agree that in this world of increased awareness of the "differences" in others, the CM remarks seemed, at the least, thoughtless.

Sharon

 

[Mister Incredible]

On our recent extended family trip, we had a 4yr old and 9 yr old in a double stroller, and two other 9 yr olds in single strollers. We only had 3 days in the parks, and knowing how hard we were going to push ourselves we made the decision to help the kids out by renting strollers. When we passed by one of the CM's at MGM (who I guess is there to make jokes as a "vagabond" type person), he made fun of one of the 9yr olds. He said in a very crass voice "Hey kid, don't you think it's time you learn to walk. You're a little big for the stroller don't you think." We didn't think much about it at the time, but now that I think about it, I realize how risky that was of him to say. What if the child had some type of disability? I know he was just trying to be funny, but he probably should be made aware of what a terrible thing he could be saying to some child. A post I just read here discussing the appropriate age for children in strollers made me decide to tell my experience. To make matters worse, not long after the CM made his remark, a lady passed by us and made some rude comment about the kids being too big for the strollers. Of course, I have to admit they did look a little oversized for those pitiful strollers MGM has, but the other parks' strollers easily accommodated them. I can't imagine why anyone would concern themselves over this! If I'm willing to pay the money, should I not be able to push around whomever I want in a stroller?

Please tell me this is a joke, right? I would have laughed my A$$ off and said he/she is right!

 

[allisonswonderland]

Ok People will probably hate me for this, but I think most of the time people with strollers are rude and they use those things as a weapon. I was heading to Splash Mt near liberty tree tavern and this woman w/ a stroller was to my right, well there was a rope that slowly began blocking her path and she rammed me with her kid inside! Like I should just get out of the way. I realize the necessity of stroller useage, but there need to be rules of the road or Stroller Etiquitte. That was RIDICLUOUS! That was not the only encounter I had with psycho stroller parents but that was by far the worst. My other fav was a kid who had decided to ride his grandmothers scooter and rammed into a person near us. For some reason we kept seeing that family so it was not that he had a disability! Also speaking of scooters....another time I was walking in a crowd of people and everyone was movinng at the same speed and it was so large there was really no getting around and a little old lady rammed into to the back of my brother and then had the nerve to honk her horn at him.....there really needs to be some regulation. I am all for ADA, but come on,....

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I think the CM was joking. It is possible that since he didn't intend to injure you and you weren't injured (just pondering that with some different circumstances you could have been), you might be making a mountain out of a molehill.

If you want to push a 9-year-old (or a 16-year-old, for that matter) around in a stroller, it is fine by me. Matter of fact, I'll be there next week...if you'd like, I'd be happy to let you push me!

 

[sk!mom]

No matter what everyone's opinion is on to stroller or not to stroller they should keep their rude comments to themselves!

But it's OK for you to make the following rude comment about my DD and I.

You are very shallow if you think in the grand sceme of things that it really matters that your daughter is superior to the other 9 year olds riding in strollers.

 

[2giddy4wdw]

I need to start off by saying that anytime you put a post on here you are going to have many different opinions. There is no right or wrong. But remember that once you post something...you will have people to write things you don't want to hear. In this case the CM was making a joke. Is there something wrong with your child? No...it was all in fun. If there was something wrong then yes it is rude...but the CM wouldn't have known that. My feeling on the stroller situation is this...there are sooooo many strollers out there and my children have been going to Disney since my youngest was 2. That first year when she was 2 I did bring my own stroller there, every year after that (next was when she was 4) she walked. What I don't like about the older children being in the strollers is that they hang their feet over and push themselves around and run into other people. I have been one of those people being hit. I have been to Disney with a walking cast on before and not gotten a wheelchair (my choice) because I didn't like the fact of the people taking advantage of that either. It will always be the parents choice...but remember you are there to have a magical experience as is everyother person. And what about if you rented these strollers for you older children and they are all rented out and someone who really needs one for their child doesn't get one. Please remember that Disney is for everyone to enjoy and by putting a post on here you will always have people who will put you down for your beliefs and opinions.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I hear this excuse a lot to cover up for rudeness. And no one says anybody should be wrong for feeling that way. But if I walked up to an overweight kid at Cosmic Ray's and told Junior "Hey buddy, lay off the cheese fries" it's freaking rude. Yeah, I have the right to "feel" what I want. However, my common decency keeps my mouth shut when what I say would be rude.

I agree. I would not comment in the park, but if somebody posted here was it ok to allow my obese child eat cheese fries all day, then I would say NO and it would not be rude to say.

 

[gigi1313]

although i have an opinion on the subject, i'll refrain from posting it

but i will share a stroller "funny" that we saw in epcot one hot august day... two kids looking to be about ages 6 and 8 (or thereabouts) pushing their bedraggled mom in a double stroller... i told her she had the right idea! LOL!

 

[Philly81]

I don't think the CM should have made snide comments in case the 9 year old did have a disability. I don't think a parent with a healthy 9 year old should be surprised if there are looks and comments from others. It's the parents' business but they should be ready for the comments. I work at a school with 8 and 9 year olds and it is totally ridiculous to have a healthy 9 year old in a stroller. If they are that tired then break up the day with a break, nap, etc. Let's face it...pushing a child to that point is for the enjoyment of the parents. "We should leave but don't want to since we paid so much for this trip" mentality. I'm not saying what the OP's motives were but that does happen. I know I'll get flamed for this but it is at this age that those of us who actually work with that age children realize it is the time to have them learn to grow up some, it will benefit them in the future.

 

[Marseeya]

I just have to say that I'm stunned that any child over the age of four would even consent to ride in a stroller!

My DD went to WDW at 9 (last June). She's pre-pubescent, for crying out loud -- a developing young woman! She is actually extremely immature for her age, but I know she would be utterly mortified at being put in a stroller.

To each their own, I guess.

 

[Matt]

Oh for goodness sake.. An age does not make a child. For example my 6 year old has better manners than at least 4 people in this thread.

 

[happygirl]

First of all, I would never allow my healthy 9 year child to be in stroller,if they get fussy or what not, we would leave and go back later after they had rested, but to each there own

 

[happygirl]

Oh for goodness sake.. An age does not make a child. For example my 6 year old has better manners than at least 4 people in this thread.

I hope you have counted yourself in this group

 

[Matt]

Yeah, I should just pass blind arbitrary judgement like yourself. And yes, you are right. She is much nicer than me.

 

[eliza61]

:earseek: Just a quick weigh in on the stroller subject. The CM was definitely a little rude and as a staff member should have known better. Even as a mother of 2, I will say that at times I have gotten a little frustrated with folks with strollers especially the double ones. They are extremely cumbersome and on a crowded day they can be annoying. Add that to the fact that most people would feel that at 9, it's time to walk and you may get a comment or two. Generally my kids walk, I don't rent the strollers because to me they are more hassle then they are worth. I try to plan various breaks thru-out the day so no one gets to warn out but the bottom line for me is, Hey I'm on vacation at Disney, I'm not going to let a few rude folks ruin my magic.

 

[Matt]

Yeah and not that it matters, my 3 year old uses a stroller but my 6 year old does not. However, if she wanted to swap off with her sister, I would see no problem with it. Usually though, she's leading me by the hand to the next ride and she doen't have time for me to push her.

 

[mickeyfan2]

:earseek: Just a quick weigh in on the stroller subject. The CM was definitely a little rude and as a staff member should have known better. Even as a mother of 2, I will say that at times I have gotten a little frustrated with folks with strollers especially the double ones. They are extremely cumbersome and on a crowded day they can be annoying. Add that to the fact that most people would feel that at 9, it's time to walk and you may get a comment or two. Generally my kids walk, I don't rent the strollers because to me they are more hassle then they are worth. I try to plan various breaks thru-out the day so no one gets to warn out but the bottom line for me is, Hey I'm on vacation at Disney, I'm not going to let a few rude folks ruin my magic.

How dare you not make a rude post.

 

[DisneyPhD]

The one thing I know as a parent is never say never.

I don't THINK I would put a 9 year old (let alone a few ) in a stroller, but then again my kids are 4 years and 18 months old and they both are rather atacthed to the whole stroller thing. (and small for their age.) I won't be suprized to be using a stroller with the now four year old for a few more years.

However I would think that most if not many children who had a disability hidden or not would most likely want a more comfortable mode of transportation, and if they needed it at WDW more then likely would need it other places and have something more then a rented stroller to help them out.

I don't think the CM was out of place, after all their job was to make fun of people, not be politcally correct. Seriously if you have a 9 year old that can't walk you more then likely have bigger things to think about and can let it roll off your skin.

 

[rie'smom]

If it's one of the CMs @ MGM that I'm thinking about-they do this as part of their street humor. Geez people,this seems like an example of PC taken too far. If you weren't that upset at first-which you said you weren't-then why the ruckus? Probably if the CM had said it in a mean or sarcastic way you would have been able to tell right away.

 

[eliza61]

Hey Mickeyfan2,
Happy New Year!!! too much champagne here to think up a good one. Only 3 more months until Villas at Wilderness Lodge sans strollers. (LOL)