Hats Off to Splash Cast Members!

[susiemouse]

We just returned from the world last week and we rode Splash Mountain an infinite number of times (my kids favorite). On three separate occasions we were in line with three different families who happened to have one of their children screaming, crying and one kicking not to go on the ride. All of the parents just smoothed it over by telling them they were going to love it. I can only imagine the fear for some children, thinking about dropping at a 45 degree angle, down 52' at 40 mph, surrounded by 20,000 gallons of water! When the children approached the log to board, immediately the cast members noticed their apprehension and told the parents they could not allow the children to board the ride. Kudos to all the cast members and Disney for having more common sense than the parents!

 

[Hollie]

I don't have children so my opinion is less educated, however this sounds like how I was raised. My mom forced me into anything I was fearful of that was still safe so I wouldn't grow up being afraid of things. While I can definitely see both sides, I personally favor the side in which I was brought up. That doesn't mean it's right (or wrong) but I'm just pointing out that everyone parents differently and as long as they aren't putting their child in harm's way, I don't really see a problem with it.

Also, I could really do with several trips on Splash right about now.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I would think to the CM it would be more with not wanting to ruin everyone else's ride. Sure the kid could get on screaming the entire time and be safe, but I know I wouldn't enjoy being on that ride with them, either in the same log or a nearby one. Also, maybe the CM is also worried about a child standing up in the ride or trying to get off, posing a safety hazard and a liability to the park.

 

[SamIAm21]

I tried to talk my daughter into a ride on Space Mountain a year or so ago. We got a fastpass and got in line. She would have been 7 or 8 and she would have loved it, but yet, when we got to the front of the line, I could see she had tears in her eyes, rolling down her face, and was really frightened. It broke my heart that she was so afraid and I told her that we could use the chicken exit. I wasn't about to force her into it and told her she would ride it when she was ready. She isn't supposed to be terrified in the Happiest Place on Earth right??

Not saying anything is wrong with coaxing your kids onto a ride, especially if they are the adventurous type, it's just that I can't do it to mine. I figure there will be the right time for her to go and that just wasn't the right time.

She "said" she would have given it a try on our visit to WDW last month, but it was closed, so I can't be sure if that was just brave talk or a real interest. We'll find out next year.

 

[LilGMom]

Good for those Cms! While I see nothing wrong with a little coaxing I don't agree with forcing a child onto a ride that they clearly do not want to get on. Not to mention I'd hate to have my experience on a ride ruined by a child that was screaming and crying the entire time.

We've coaxed my oldest on a few rides before that he said that he didn't want to go on (we want him to at least try it once before he decides that he hates it) but there have also been a few that he was very adamant about not getting on so we didn't push the issue.

 

[Hollie]

I hadn't considered respecting other people in the boat. I absolutely understand/agree with that logic.

 

[mainegal]

Wow! Cast members rule over parents! A quick judgement that hopefuly made the park visit more enjoyable for everyone.

I don't totally remember how I was raised, but I don't remember being afraid of much of anything. We just went and did things. Water in pool of ocean, skiing down a slope in Vermont, we just did it! No fear.

 

[FireDancer]

Back when I was living in Tampa one of my friends brought her daughter down for her 7th birthday. When it came time for Space Mountain she didn't really want to go. She wasn't kicking and screaming but was a bit whiney. My friend stopped short of "making" her go but we persuaded her against her total will to go. She loved it and we rode it 4 times that day.

She said she knew her daughter enough that after she rode it once she would love it. I think most parents know their kids...at least I hope they do.

 

[catycatcat4]

My 10 year old sister when she was just getting tall enough for things all ways freaked out after she got in line for space mountian and splash my parents made her go on after she said she wanted to before getting in line and she all ways ended up loving it.

Unless they kid is throwing him/her self around witch could not be safe it is none of the cast members business what the parents do.

 

[mousy_in_canada]

my DD on our last trip seemed quite fearful to go on Rock n' Roller coaster.. she likes all the other ones but this one scared her! I did talk her into it, she was scared but I told I would hold her hand and be there for her.. once she got off it she wanted to go again and again. If I did not push her that first time she would never have gone.
BUT that being said if she was kicking and screaming I would never have made her go. Each parent knows (or should know) their own child's level of tolerance I knew she would like it once she got off and she did. My other DD hates heights and HATES them. so she tried ToT and says she will never go back on it... and that is fine with me, as long as you try it once and make an informed decision that is all I ask for.

 

[bluecruiser]

Unless they kid is throwing him/her self around witch could not be safe it is none of the cast members business what the parents do.

I am glad the CM's kept the screaming/crying/kicking children off the ride. Both for the safety of the children and the courtesy to other people who would have been stuck in the same log as them.

 

[DWGal210]

I am glad the CM's kept the screaming/crying/kicking children off the ride. Both for the safety of the children and the courtesy to other people who would have been stuck in the same log as them.

MTE!

 

[brittanyherndon]

We just returned from the world last week and we rode Splash Mountain an infinite number of times (my kids favorite). On three separate occasions we were in line with three different families who happened to have one of their children screaming, crying and one kicking not to go on the ride. All of the parents just smoothed it over by telling them they were going to love it. I can only imagine the fear for some children, thinking about dropping at a 45 degree angle, down 52' at 40 mph, surrounded by 20,000 gallons of water! When the children approached the log to board, immediately the cast members noticed their apprehension and told the parents they could not allow the children to board the ride. Kudos to all the cast members and Disney for having more common sense than the parents!

a cast member did the opisite the CM told me to get on so I wold get over my fear of the ride keep in my it was my b-day wish and I was turning 24 and I loved it can't wait to go on my 25 b-day

Wow! Cast members rule over parents! A quick judgement that hopefuly made the park visit more enjoyable for everyone.

I don't totally remember how I was raised, but I don't remember being afraid of much of anything. We just went and did things. Water in pool of ocean, skiing down a slope in Vermont, we just did it! No fear.

I totaly agree cuse if I see that a kid is scared then I get scared when it is a new ride

my DD on our last trip seemed quite fearful to go on Rock n' Roller coaster.. she likes all the other ones but this one scared her! I did talk her into it, she was scared but I told I would hold her hand and be there for her.. once she got off it she wanted to go again and again. If I did not push her that first time she would never have gone.
BUT that being said if she was kicking and screaming I would never have made her go. Each parent knows (or should know) their own child's level of tolerance I knew she would like it once she got off and she did. My other DD hates heights and HATES them. so she tried ToT and says she will never go back on it... and that is fine with me, as long as you try it once and make an informed decision that is all I ask for.

that happend to me on servarl rides and I am glad I got to expand my herizions

 

[DisneyKevin]

I am glad the CM's kept the screaming/crying/kicking children off the ride. Both for the safety of the children and the courtesy to other people who would have been stuck in the same log as them.

Can we have those same Cast Members handle the crying, kicking and screaming kids on Main Street?

What about the crying, kicking, screaming kids in restaurants?

Or in stores?

Or on the monorail?

Where do we draw that line of what is and what isnt acceptable Cast Member intervention?

There are safety and courtesy concerns with all of the things I have mentioned.

I was in Blockbuster the other day and there was a 4 year old throwing a tantrum and laying on the floor. The mother was doing her very best to get the kid under control and I am not passing judgement.

Should a Blockbuster employee have stepped in?

Just curious.

 

[daneenm]

You know, I can see both sides of this. As a parent of a child whose first answer to a new experience is 'NO!' I balance constantly whether I should insist, knowing that 90% of the time he is afraid at the beginning and wanting to go again by the end. He does not throw tantrums, but he did have tears in his eyes getting on Splash the first time. Guess what, it is now his favorite ride.

Parents need to be allowed to parent their own children. I can understand if there is a screaming tantrum involved, the CM needs to be aware of safety. However, a child who is merely afraid needs to be left to his/her parent to handle.

 

[catycatcat4]

Can we have those same Cast Members handle the crying, kicking and screaming kids on Main Street?

What about the crying, kicking, screaming kids in restaurants?

Or in stores?

Or on the monorail?

Where do we draw that line of what is and what isnt acceptable Cast Member intervention?

There are safety and courtesy concerns with all of the things I have mentioned.

I was in Blockbuster the other day and there was a 4 year old throwing a tantrum and laying on the floor. The mother was doing her very best to get the kid under control and I am not passing judgement.

Should a Blockbuster employee have stepped in?

Just curious.

exactly thats how kids express there anger or unwillingness to do somthing. weather its right or wrong its what kids do.

 

[exwdwcm]

definitely interesting....in the end, you HOPE that the parents know their child best and even if they are crying, perhaps that parent has experienced the same thing before with that child and then the child loved it? we can't really pass judgement, since we don't know the parent, child or their behaviors or past experiences other than what we see in front of us. Do all parents truly know or do what is best for their child? not always, but i say the majority do.

I did have a horrible incident on dinosaur. Dh and I were in line and a family of 4 in front of us. one child was like 10 and fine, the other was like 8 or so and throwing a fit in line the entire time. I am always patient and don't let that kind of stuff bother me (especially now that I am a parent!lol). But by the time we got up near the boarding area, the child was going ballistic. it was their turn to board and the dad and older child get in the car, the other kid is physically fighting his mom to get free of her grasp and away from the ride. That kid was kicking her, trying to hit her to get loose. finally the car couldn't wait any longer and went on without them. she still carried and forced him on the next car. When we got off, he was in the gift shop still crying and screaming bloody murder and the pic of them was awful. his head down in a death grip on her. That was obviously a case where the parents didn't have the child's interest in mind. but for most cases, i assume the parents know what they are doing. assumptions can be a bad thing though?

I hadn't considered respecting other people in the boat. I absolutely understand/agree with that logic.

true, get point. i just try and 'tune it out'. doesn't always work like the guy on POTC that had to take about 1500 flash photos on the ride.

Can we have those same Cast Members handle the crying, kicking and screaming kids on Main Street?

What about the crying, kicking, screaming kids in restaurants?

Or in stores?

Or on the monorail?

Where do we draw that line of what is and what isnt acceptable Cast Member intervention?

There are safety and courtesy concerns with all of the things I have mentioned.

I was in Blockbuster the other day and there was a 4 year old throwing a tantrum and laying on the floor. The mother was doing her very best to get the kid under control and I am not passing judgement.

Should a Blockbuster employee have stepped in?

Just curious.

good points. hey, can you have someone stop the kid that is kicking my seat on the airplane too?

 

[DVCsince02]

I find this conversation very interesting....

 

[DisneyKevin]

I find this conversation very interesting....

I do too.

I dont have kids of my own...but I taught kindergarten for a while.

It's a fine line between helping a kid overcome a fear and traumatizing them.

I applaud parents that walk that line every day.

 

[catycatcat4]

I find this conversation very interesting....

Pie is better