Complaint - Please help!

[goofy!]

My question is, why did the mother keep her 9 year old at HHN once she saw how scared and how uncomfortable her son was? I don't have much more to add, as everything that needs to be said has been said. I have to agree that the mother made a very poor decision immersing a 9 year old into a very well advertised adult situation. I have no doubt that the scare actor's interactions were inappropriate for a 9 year old. He was doing his job, which entails keeping the adult themeing intact. She needs the bear the brunt of the blame for putting her son in an inappropriate setting.

As somebody else mentioned, this is akin to taking your child to see a PG-13 or R movie and then become mad because the sex and violence were not edited out for a younger audience.

That said, I do feel for her as a parent. It is heartbreaking to see your child so scared. As parents, we all make decisions that we later regret. I hope she isn't beating herself up too much about it. Her son will survive and maybe next year they can ease back into the Halloween tradition with something a bit less scary, although she does seem very angry, lashing out at the scare actor.

Hopefully Guest Services will take the complaint in context. Fix what needs to be fixed, but leave the adult themes intact.

Now back on topic, OP - please let us know how you fare with Guest Services over your bar code problems. Hopefully they will make it right for you. They are quite good at making things right

 

[inkkognito]

I have no doubt that the scare actor's interactions were inappropriate for a 9 year old. He was doing his job, which entails keeping the adult themeing intact.

I think this is a very important point. Let's look at how the poster described it and give her the benefit of assuming that this is exactly what happened:

"He totally terrified him, my son was sreaming with fear and the guy came at him again - even though he was hiding behind me!!!! I couldnt believe that a big guy of about 30 would get soooo close to a kid in America and not think of the possible consequences of his actions. I moved my son away from him and as we were leaving he started to shout abuse at my son!!!!!!"

That might sound totally inappropriate in the context of the Disney lovefest down the street. But HHN is themed for the adults, and the scaractor acted just as a chain-saw wielding nutcase would. They don't back down because someone is scared...they keep coming at 'em. And if someone is acting frightened, what would a homicidal maniac do but scream abuse? Someone staying in character is not going to get down on their knees and say, "Oh, poor little Johnny, I'm sorry." And quite frankly, I am not paying to see them do that...I am paying to see them stay in character at this adult-oriented event. Adults can handle someone staying in character like that...kids can't...which is why this is NOT recommended for them and why there are so many warnings.

I do feel very sorry for the child, but it ain't Universal's fault. Who put him in an inppropriate situation? Last I checked, they weren't grabbing people from the streets and forcing them into the gates.

 

[angel659]

HHmmmmmmm not sure I agree with everyones opinions on this one.

Yes the mum was silly bringing a child to a HHN, but there is no need to call him a wimp and go to see Mickey. He should of just walked away. There is being in character and a complete prick who gets off on insulting innocent kids. I think US should refuse entry to kids below 13. That way it can remain scary and a great night out. No offence I dont want kids screaming and crying around the park. Its an adults night and US should also take a stance and refuse entry.

 

[lorax123]

HHmmmmmmm not sure I agree with everyones opinions on this one.

Yes the mum was silly bringing a child to a HHN, but there is no need to call him a wimp and go to see Mickey. He should of just walked away. There is being in character and a complete prick who gets off on insulting innocent kids. I think US should refuse entry to kids below 13. That way it can remain scary and a great night out. No offence I dont want kids screaming and crying around the park. Its an adults night and US should also take a stance and refuse entry.

i like the idea of refusing entry to kids 13 and younger! it's a little harsh, but it would get the point across that this isn't a night for the kiddies.

 

[PatsGirl]

Absolutely, just like a few people have compared this event to a PG-13 movie or maybe R rated for what I'm hearing (fear and scantily-clad women), children should not be allowed!

I never knew that HHN was like this, now you've wet my appetite! I've been looking for something to do with my nearly grown son (17) and I think I've finally found it, thanks everyone!

FWIW, I'll be leaving my DD11 home! She's a wicked scaredy-cat but even if she wasn't and could handle some scaring, it sounds like the PG13 rating should be a well-thought out consideration.

Mom, let it go. It may or may not have gone too far but either way, no one was injured (permanently that is), it was a lesson learned by many I think.

 

[Metallicat]

Don't want to sound mean but to have an scare actor to be fired over doing his job is wrong.
If it is posted that it is pg-13 and you go right ahead and take a 9 year old then as a parent that is a bad move on your part cause I am a parent and my youngest DS is 11 and I would not take him cause I know he could not handel it.
So chalk it up to a bad move on your part and leave the actor alone so that he doesn't loose his job on your bad judgement.

I agree. I'm a Mom and there is no way in hades that I would take a 9 yr old to Horror Nights. heck, I'm 46 yrs old and it still freaks me out and I've been attending for 8 yrs straight.

Maybe its just me, but I find Bill and Teds show totally inappropriate for a 9 yr old to watch too. I know I wouldn't let my kid see it. no how, no way.

Like someone else said, I hope they don't dumb it down to cater to the little kids. that would be a shame. if someone wants a cute-sie pie zippidy do-dah halloween party, GO TO MICKEYS PARTY and leave HHN's for the ones who can handle it and really enjoy a good scare.

 

[ky07]

Absolutely, just like a few people have compared this event to a PG-13 movie or maybe R rated for what I'm hearing (fear and scantily-clad women), children should not be allowed!

I never knew that HHN was like this, now you've wet my appetite! I've been looking for something to do with my nearly grown son (17) and I think I've finally found it, thanks everyone!

FWIW, I'll be leaving my DD11 home! She's a wicked scaredy-cat but even if she wasn't and could handle some scaring, it sounds like the PG13 rating should be a well-thought out consideration.

Mom, let it go. It may or may not have gone too far but either way, no one was injured (permanently that is), it was a lesson learned by many I think.

your right and I have ds 11 and even if he begged i would't take him and whats wrong with doing the park in the day with him and letting someone watch him while you go to hhn cause thats what i would have done but thats just me and besides i am not it to it anyway but i wouldn't stop my other ds that is almost 16 cause him and his mom love these type of things

 

[4greatboys]

I have been to HHN many times and love a good scare. However I have never seen a scareactor scream abuse at any guest, kids or adults.

I do feel bad for your son that you didnt find out enough about the event before you went and took him. Its no place for young kids. Though I do see people taking kids there and the poor kids get frightened.

 

[inkkognito]

Maybe its just me, but I find Bill and Teds show totally inappropriate for a 9 yr old to watch too. I know I wouldn't let my kid see it. no how, no way.

If you think B&T is bad, you ain't seen nothin' till you've seen Rocky Horror. Audience responses that contain R-rated language, scanty costumes, and transvestite/bi-sexuality themes...you should have seen the number of people storming out with their young kids! Obviously they had no clue what it was about and didn't think to educate themselves, despite knowing that HHN is geared at adults. I love to imagine some sheltered little 8 year old asking, "Mommy, what is a sweet transvestite and where is Transexual Transylvania?"

 

[AlexandNessa]

OP, sorry (again) that your thread was hijacked.

Did you receive a response from Universal regarding your issue? Please come back and tell us.

 

[angel659]

i like the idea of refusing entry to kids 13 and younger! it's a little harsh, but it would get the point across that this isn't a night for the kiddies.

Exactly it stops the "my child found it too scary"

 

[angel659]

OP, sorry (again) that your thread was hijacked.

Did you receive a response from Universal regarding your issue? Please come back and tell us.

Hijacking happens ALLLLLLLLLLLL the time. Pop over to the uk comm boards and you will see what I mean. As soon as a people post who know each other well it gets hijacked. Sometimes you just cant stop it.

 

[Motherfletcher]

I have been to Universal quite a few times since they opened and never had a problem until the opening weekend of HHN. I sent a detailed email to the Guest Servies' address that Phamton posted and they agreed that we were wronged and we discussed compensation. I (thinking out loud) asked for one thing and the counter offer was far beyond my expectations.
Morale:
If your complaint is legit Guest Services will listen and make it right.

 

[ky07]

I agree with motherfletcher universal will make it right and sorry if some of us sound a little cold about these things but it gets a little old when people talk about things like this happening at universal and they want to compare it with disney and say it wouldn't happen there and thats because universal is universal and disney is disney and they both are totally different and special in thier own way.
so lets just enjoy them and just have fun.

 

[Metallicat]

If you think B&T is bad, you ain't seen nothin' till you've seen Rocky Horror. Audience responses that contain R-rated language, scanty costumes, and transvestite/bi-sexuality themes...you should have seen the number of people storming out with their young kids! Obviously they had no clue what it was about and didn't think to educate themselves, despite knowing that HHN is geared at adults. I love to imagine some sheltered little 8 year old asking, "Mommy, what is a sweet transvestite and where is Transexual Transylvania?"

The Rocky Horror show is one thing I made a point of skipping this year and my DD (25 yrs old) who went with me was in total agreement. never seen the movie, but watching transvestites prance around in ladies lingerie or shiny little speedos is just not our thing.

See, we EDUCATED ourselves before we wandered into something that was INAPPROPRIATE for our tastes. wish more people would do the same.

I'm having HHN withdrawal right now.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Hijacking happens ALLLLLLLLLLLL the time. Pop over to the uk comm boards and you will see what I mean. As soon as a people post who know each other well it gets hijacked. Sometimes you just cant stop it.

Just cuz it happens all the time doesn't mean it's right. I hope we haven't scared the OP away.

 

[angel659]

Just cuz it happens all the time doesn't mean it's right. I hope we haven't scared the OP away.

I totally agree with you. It gets on my nerves too.

 

[inkkognito]

Hijacking a hijack to discuss the hijack...cool!

 

[4greatboys]

Hijacking a hijack to discuss the hijack...cool!

 

[angel659]

Hijacking a hijack to discuss the hijack...cool!

I know I thought that once I posted it