Have you ever had a shock?

[disneyaggie]

Isn't it sad that a parent has to worry about their child's safety at "The happiest place on Earth"? Too bad there isn't a place where kids can be kids and not have to worry about abductions and perverts.

Or, as read in other's stories, we all having to be extra careful of our belongings. Sure, this is all common practice, but wouldn't it be nice where there was just one place free to escape from all of that?

 

[Dancind]

Just back, and just have the usual to share. I did notice that when several areas around WDW got wet (like inside the monorail!), you could smell urine. Nice.

We were on the last ride of the day at TOT before they shut down for the hurricane last Friday. There was NO line, and we were one of the first into the library room. There were two groups standing in front of the back doors, so we went and stood next to one of them. Just as the TV started, a tall guy said "excuse me", and pushed by me (and everyone else) to get to the door. He was followed by a tall teenage girl, and then another. Well, I woke up, realizing they were not with anyone in front of me, and stepped forward. When we got inside into the line, the Mom comes from behind saying "excuse me, we got cut off". I said "that's because they cut in front of everyone". People all around me were nodding. I guess saying "excuse me" makes it all OK. Maybe they won't do that again, but I doubt it.

It is still a little shocking to me that no one in WDW is aware of where they are walking. Or maybe, they just always assume they have the right of way. I feel like the only one that Yields sometimes. We were walking out the door at BCV one morning to go to the bus stop, and there was a family taking pictures at the Ariel statue. Apparently, they finished, because the woman wheeled the stroller around and aimed it directly at me to get back on the side walk. I swear, I had to jump out of the way, and DD and I were the only ones around. They couldn't wait one second? But it was that way everywhere.

 

[carone0318]

For starters, I do believe that WDW is the happiest place on earth and it is my favorite destination. Now that my PSA is over let me add to it:

I will be leaving is 13 days and I am starting to remind myself that although it is the happiest place on earth, it is filled with the rudest people on earth. Manners are a big thing to me and people who lack them really bother me, as preparation for my trip I need to remind myself of this crucial detail and be prepared for it. I really try hard not to get mad at these rude people and remind myself that I am on vacation, but that in itself is hard work.

 

[gjerseygirl]

Originally posted by Dancind
Just back, and just have the usual to share. I did notice that when several areas around WDW got wet (like inside the monorail!), you could smell urine. Nice.

Urine!! Yucky!! Kinda like the Times Square train station!!

I remember way back when DH and I had no kids and went to WDW I called it "instant birth control." Don't flay me. I have 3 kids now and love them to death. But I would never allow my children to be rude. I remember if I was waiting on line for something and a kid would just cut in front of me. Or the dad in front of me at the parade who decides to put his kid up on his shoulders and totally block my view. I felt at the time that these parents felt their kids had all the rights because it was WDW and if you were an adult there to enjoy the festivities...too bad. I didn't like that. We didn't have kids for about 5 years after that!! LOL

 

[epcotfan]

This just happened last Friday (Hurricane Day)
I was staying at Coronado Springs on the day of the hurricane. Since the parks were only going to be open until the early afternoon I decided to hang out at the resort with my cousins. We ended up going swimming at the Dig Site Theme Pool. (see picture. for an idea of what the Dig Site pool looks like)

We had been there for awhile and then I heard my cousins calling my name. They told me to "LOOK." I turned around and saw a 4 or 5 year old girl who had climbed to the top of the pyramid. Her heels were balancing on the edge of the top step. Everyone in the pool (including myself) was screaming, "Don't move, don't move." There is a waterfall that flows down the front of the pyramid which makes the steps quite slippery. The kid then went inside the the top of the pyramid. Then she stepped down onto the top step again. The life guards went running around and turned off the water flowing down the front of the pyramid. A lifeguard tried to climb the pyramid and the little girl started to climb down on her own. She wove herself back through the barrier (which is there to prevent people from climbing up) and got back down. The life guards were asking where her parents were. She didn't seem to know. This was a terrifying situation. My cousins (11 and 12 years) asked if I was ok, as I had apparently turned white during the whole ordeal. One minor slip of the girl's foot would have resulted in her death. It was a horrible situation to witness.
My question is, WHERE THE HECK WERE THE PARENTS???

 

[gjerseygirl]

Originally posted by epcotfan
This just happened last Friday (Hurricane Day)
I was staying at Coronado Springs on the day of the hurricane. Since the parks were only going to be open until the early afternoon I decided to hang out at the resort with my cousins. We ended up going swimming at the Dig Site Theme Pool. (see picture. for an idea of what the Dig Site pool looks like)

We had been there for awhile and then I heard my cousins calling my name. They told me to "LOOK." I turned around and saw a 4 or 5 year old girl who had climbed to the top of the pyramid. Her heels were balancing on the edge of the top step. Everyone in the pool (including myself) was screaming, "Don't move, don't move." There is a waterfall that flows down the front of the pyramid which makes the steps quite slippery. The kid then went inside the the top of the pyramid. Then she stepped down onto the top step again. The life guards went running around and turned off the water flowing down the front of the pyramid. A lifeguard tried to climb the pyramid and the little girl started to climb down on her own. She wove herself back through the barrier (which is there to prevent people from climbing up) and got back down. The life guards were asking where her parents were. She didn't seem to know. This was a terrifying situation. My cousins (11 and 12 years) asked if I was ok, as I had apparently turned white during the whole ordeal. One minor slip of the girl's foot would have resulted in her death. It was a horrible situation to witness.
My question is, WHERE THE HECK WERE THE PARENTS???

Wow!!! Unbelievable!!! 4 or 5 years old and her parents weren't around??? Disgrace!!

 

[blowinbubbles]

Originally posted by gjerseygirl
Wow!!! Unbelievable!!! 4 or 5 years old and her parents weren't around??? Disgrace!!

I hate to say it, but that could've so easily been my 7 y/o son doing this. Last trip to Disney, I left my kids with my h at the hotel (Poly). My son had been clamoring to go to the pool, so after I left, my h let him and my other son go to the pool by themselves. Needless to say, they both started fighting, and my 7 y/o got kicked out of the pool. Sigh. . . Ya'd think you could leave your kids with your h and not have to worry. . .

 

[kparc]

I was shocked that people would crowd in and stand in front of people in wheel chairs to see Spectromagic!! It reallly angered me and my family one night when it happened to the poor woman beside us. The young man with her and my 9 year old daughter actually had to ask them to sit down. I'm not sure they would have if they hadn't of spoken up. I also saw people who were totally oblivious to whats going on around them. A couple of people walked right in the way of parents taking pictures of their children with the characters with out even blinking-- I don't even think some of them had a clue!

But for the most part the crowds seemed very nice and respectful!

 

[gjerseygirl]

Originally posted by blowinbubbles
I hate to say it, but that could've so easily been my 7 y/o son doing this. Last trip to Disney, I left my kids with my h at the hotel (Poly). My son had been clamoring to go to the pool, so after I left, my h let him and my other son go to the pool by themselves. Needless to say, they both started fighting, and my 7 y/o got kicked out of the pool. Sigh. . . Ya'd think you could leave your kids with your h and not have to worry. . .

Although not really funny, its funny!! I have the same problem. Could never let DH have control of the kids!! Everytime I have to leave him in charge of the kids I have to leave him instructions on what they are allowed to do and what they're not allowed to do. Don't beat yourself up. We've all been THERE!!

 

[gjerseygirl]

Originally posted by kparc
I was shocked that people would crowd in and stand in front of people in wheel chairs to see Spectromagic!! It reallly angered me and my family one night when it happened to the poor woman beside us. The young man with her and my 9 year old daughter actually had to ask them to sit down. I'm not sure they would have if they hadn't of spoken up. I also saw people who were totally oblivious to whats going on around them. A couple of people walked right in the way of parents taking pictures of their children with the characters with out even blinking-- I don't even think some of them had a clue!

But for the most part the crowds seemed very nice and respectful!

Don't they still have special viewing areas for handicapped people? I always assumed that this was the reason they had them. It would be a shame if they did away with that!

 

[lucy_love_]

Originally posted by gshoemate
It always shocks me when I see girls around the age of 7 or 8 and they have their belly buttons pierced. A few years back we were told my a mom, I think they were from England, that it is normal over there for young girls to have them pierced. And here I didn't even get my ears pierced until I was like 15.

hi

it certainly is not normal in england for a 7 or 8 yr old to have their belly button pierced. infact i would class it as child abuse. the legal age in the uk is 18. sorry if someone has said this as there are too many post to read the whole thing.

love

lucy

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

OMG that is terrifying about the girl climbing up the pyramid. My almost 4yr old DS would try too BUT I would NEVER allow him at the pool himself. Even with li8fe guards the risk of drowning is too high IMO. Having parents eyes on a child is invalueable no matter what the age.

 

[epcotfan]

It was terrifying watching that little girl at the top of the pyramid. She kept turning around. I thought I was about to witness her death. It was awful. The lifeguard couldn't get up there fast enough. He was too big to squeeze through the barrier. There must have been angels holding her up because the way she was standing she should have slipped. I still can't believe at how irresponsible some folks are. It would have taken the girl awhile to get up the pyramid since you have to weave and contort your body to get through the barrier. I can't believe no one was concerned where their young daughter was. I'm 32 and my cousins are 11 and 12. Although they are good swimmers, they are still children and I watched them like a hawk in the pool.

 

[PattnFmly]

The handicapped viewing areas can be great for parades and shows, but not always. We are an extended family of 12 who often go to WDW together. My brother is a quadriplegic and while he and my parents can often get a space in the handicapped area, we cannot be together and watch the parade together as there's too many of us and we'd take up the whole space if it were allowed (which it isn't!)! We just plan for the parade ahead of time, stake out our spot, and plant his wheelchair right where the ropes will be going. That way, no one can get in front of him. We sit on the ground on either side of him and we're usually set. People can't really crowd in on him that way. But my beef is with the people with the uncontrolled balloons! Depending on the breeze, they may float right in front of anyone and no one ever keeps them down! I can't tell you how many parade videos I have where a balloon drifts in and out of the frame even though I've asked them to hold it down!

 

[ChairborneRangr]

One last comment, then lets get back to "shocks"

with a harness I can skyhook my youngster out of a dangerous situation in a heartbeat. It is a little rough, but much better than getting run over by an ECV.

My kids spent more time in my arms, on my shoulders, on my back than they ever did with a harness, but I definately found them useful.

sdj

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Now if you need a seat on the bus--how comfortable is it going to be to STAND and wait for the next bus--GEESH!

Hey Dwhittles--your lucky you got a seat!

Nothing worse than capable people in the seats watch those who need seats suffer with standing.

 

[Darian]

Originally posted by jgates
Hmmm.....a new shock? Probably me using my beautiful comfy Swan/Dolphin white bathrobe down to the pool area. I don't think the Sorority Sisters cared, but my aunt gave me a really hard time!!! And SwanDolphin may never let me back in the hotel if he finds out!!! But for most of you the real shock may have been if I DIDN'T wear the robe!!!

Gosh... and I thought thats what the durn robes were for!!!!

Guess I should get out more huh? At those super posh spas you see folks in those robes all the time... wandering around, at the pool, going to the jacuzzi, etc. My vote is with you jgates, and not with your aunt.

I wonder what the real story is about those robes??????

Darian

 

[markºoº]

Lets get back to the original topic of shocking events at WDW.

This is a great thread and I wouldn't want it closed or moved.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Originally posted by charabby
You know, although I personally don't have a problem with harnesses in some situations (WDW is a perfect example) I don't like your tone and your suggestion that people who don't want to use a harness don't love their kids as much as you. In an earlier post on this very subject, you directly stated as much (ie one of the reasons people wouldn't use a harness is that they don't love their kids).

I have never needed a harness b/c my kids were generally compliant with holding my hand, staying in the stroller, or sticking close by. I know some kids aren't and I agree that a harness is a much better alternative to losing them in a crowd. But I have to tell you that my girls are not complient b/c I don't "really" love them or b/c I have established 'cold rules'. It's not 'cold' to keep them safe by insisting that they follow rules anymore than having a child wear a harness is treating him like a dog.

sorry, sorry, sorry

That was not my intent AT ALL. I was referring to those people that don't have kids and were judging me because I did use one. If you do not need/use one great! Whatever works! I didn't use them all the time either. Did you notice the comment about my kids spending more time in my arms, on my shoulders and on my back than in a harness?

I need to mark my sarcasm better on posts like my A), B), C) one...

*throwing bucket of cold water on the "flame"*

Please forgive any insinuation, insult, or offense... It was NOT intentional.

Thanks,
sdj


On to the topic of "shocking events", well not so much shocking as very irritating...

When a single person "holds places in line" for about 100 people. I had that happen at Downtown Disney. It was late. Me and my family and friends only had one person in front of us. When the bus got there, we didn't get to ride that bus because there was no more room.

That is another example of "rude"... SUGGESTION If you have a whole busload you can let transportation know when and where you will have a large group and they will send extra busses.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Originally posted by Darian
Gosh... and I thought thats what the durn robes were for!!!!

Guess I should get out more huh? At those super posh spas you see folks in those robes all the time... wandering around, at the pool, going to the jacuzzi, etc. My vote is with you jgates, and not with your aunt.

I wonder what the real story is about those robes??????

Darian

I agree. You want to sit by the pool in a robe? Go for it. The pool area and waterparks have the least "material per skin" ratio. I would have no issue with anyone wearing a robe there.

but that is just me...