Have you ever had a shock?

[LadyZolt]

Second was how many little kids I saw with harnesses and leashes on. They aren't dogs people! They're kids! Poor little things. I realize that sometimes it can be hard to keep a little one under control and close to you, but you just have to work with them a little. Kids do not need to be on leashes.

I have three kids who are very close together in age. We went to Disney when the first was barely 5, the second was 3 and the baby was 21 months. We had been living on Kodiak Island in Alaska before this and none of them had ever seen an elevator, escalator, airport, large crowds, etc., before. I had the oldest two on wrist "leashes" and the baby on a harness "leash" and I would do it again. The leashes stopped them from running off in three separate directions, and also prevented people from coming between me and my child (something I know happens because I've had people's children rush in front of me at Disney World and end up separated from their parents). No, children are not dogs. They are far more precious than dogs. Leashes are used on dogs to keep the dog under the control of its owner. Why in the world would a small child not be as worthy of remaining under the control of his/her parents than a dog is to its owner?

By the way, when I was there, I had half a dozen other mothers ask me where I got the "leashes" because they thought they were great. I did get some looks from some people who I guess were "outraged," but I'd rather get dirty looks and know my children are safe than have one of my kids experience the distress of being "lost" in what should be the Happiest Place on Earth.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[TheZeppo]

I honestly think that putting your child on a "leash" is the smartest, safest thing you can do when you're in a large crowd like at WDW.

 

[lyzziesmom]

I was one of those people who thought that if a child was on a leash, the parents were not doing their job. Even after my DD came along, I would talk to her, reason with her, and she understood that she must hold my hand or stay near me in public. I looked at parents with children on a leash and thought, oh, those poor kids, how will they ever learn to behave?

Well, then my 2nd DD came along. She just turned 2, and suddenly I do not go anywhere without the kid-leash!! This child does not yet understand reasoning, she is afraid of nothing, and she thinks there is nothing more hilarious that Mom running after her, preferably in the street. She doesn't like to hold hands, if I try to hold her hand she will sit down and refuse to move until I let go. I have a bad back & a bad arm, I can't carry her more than a minute or two at a time. If I try to talk with her, she doesn't get it. If I yell at her to get out of the street, she starts yelling in what I call her "angry squirrel" imitation!

I am confident that if I didn't have a leash for her, my DD would either be house-bound or dead. I am a single mom and with 2 kids, I just can't take the chance of her running off whenever and wherever she wants to. I too have had other moms ask me where I got the leash. Not just moms, but grandparents too. And more than once, a police officer has stopped me to tell me what a fabulous thing I am doing by using a leash for my child.

So do kids "need" to be on leashes, TwitterMouse? No, not all kids. But for some kids, it is the best way to keep them safe until they can better understand the rules.

 

[dwheatl]

I used the leash with both of my children. I got dirty looks from some folks. It was the same look I gave to people who were dislocating a child's arm as the child tried to twist away from the parent's grasp. A child on a harness has more freedom to explore than a child whose hand is being held, is expending more boundless energy than a child in a stroller, and is much less likely to get lost in the crowd than a "free-range" child. So don't get when you see the leash. It's not child abuse, it's love.

 

[Rudegrle]

This is sooooo (as are the last 4 posts) but my BF is a twin and when he was little his mother put him and his brother on leashes and he tells me stories about how they would each run opposite directions from his mom while attached to "the leash"

OK, lets get back on topic now

 

[gwcollins71]

My husbans doesn't like leashes either. Nor do his parents. They are also outraged by them. My family, on the other hand has always believed in them. They give the child freedom to explore thier surroundings in a safe way when there are way too many other people around -- especially when there are more than one little one involved.

Gretchen

 

[dixiedizfan]

Second was how many little kids I saw with harnesses and leashes on. They aren't dogs people! They're kids! Poor little things. I realize that sometimes it can be hard to keep a little one under control and close to you, but you just have to work with them a little. Kids do not need to be on leashes.

That's exactly right ... little kids are not dogs! Dogs have enough sense to avoid danger; toddlers do not.

 

[vellamint]

Please lets not have this thread turn into a debate .... it has been open for a very long time.

 

[bushdianee]

I think I should title this ... How Your Teacher Spent Her Summer Vacation... reading all 216 pages of this thread!

My main shock was a really good one. My DSis and I have gone to WDW every other year since 98. Well, when we went in 02 we really experienced some Pixie Dust. When we arrived at CBR we had been upgarded to the Silver plan for free! We kept track of the $ that our points saved us and it was well over $1,000. We found Fulton's Crab House on that trip. Now that is our one big splurge on our vacations.

 

[Darian]

Why, for the love of God WHY do people seem overly free to pass gas at WDW? Its not that much trouble to stop by a rest room to "relieve" yourself. Has anyone else noticed this?

In normal public situations people tend to act with more decorum - at work, at a movie theater, in the shopping mall. But not at WDW. No, these people wait until they are on the enclosed stairs of BTMRR or in the stretching room of HM to share their stench with people who are trapped in an enclosed space and can't get away. Its like they wait for an enclosed space or area of stagnant air to let go. Even walking down the wide walkways jammed with people I've witnessed individuals just "letting go" with a blast on every other step. It's disgusting and I've had enough of it!

It's bad enough when you can walk, but as one poster pointed out, when you are in a wheel chair, it puts you at "brown eye" level and there is no escape from the odors. Trapped in your wheelchair, you often can't get the benefit of the breeze that folks standing can count on to clear the air. Instead you are condemned to marinate in the fetid stench of body odor, dirty diapers and flatulence. Your only view is a sea sweaty buttocks - any one of which may eject a burst of foul gas at any moment. And they do.

Sorry for the rant. But just because we are all on vacation doesn't mean we should leave our manners and decorum at home.

 

[Markstudy]

Why, for the love of God WHY do people seem overly free to pass gas at WDW? Its not that much trouble to stop by a rest room to "relieve" yourself. Has anyone else noticed this?.

I have not noticed...but I have an idea how to answer your question

Just a guess, but I have never eaten as richly as I did the first night at the House of Blues. And then at the Poly, and then at Fultons, and then......

I go out once a week when I'm at home. At Disney they feed you 3 rich resturant meals a day, 7 days in a row....Its enough to kill some people.

So I think your post might be right on the mark.

 

[Kirstytwin]

theatre.

Second - This has happened twice during Aladdin shows. This theatre is full of children and people who have waited a very long time to see the show. I've behind and next to women who choose this specific time to do their breast feeding. I realize this is a natural thing, however, I can also choose to prefer it not to happen next to me.

Diane

firstly the woman did not choose this time to breastfeed, her baby did. I would rather be in the vincinity of a breastfeeding child than a hungrey screaming one.

I am sure that her family queued for an hour too and why should they be made to miss the show because you do not like or approve of breastfeeding in public.

I am sure if she pulled out a bottle and fed her baby this post would not have been written!

a very astounded diser.

Kirsty

 

[trulygoofy]

We witnesses a shocker Friday at the Dinosaur ride. I was waiting in the gift shop for the baby swap when I noticed a man at the exit getting very aggitated. He had a video camera and was moving his arms around and pacing back and forth complaining. A CM was on his radio and then would calmly talk to the man and his family to try to calm him down. The guy was with his family (there were 2 kids and about 4 other adults with him). We ALL heard that his kid could not get on the ride when according to him 4 little girls smaller than his son were let on.

Let me just say that his son was 2 or 3 years old, and I would NEVER let one of my kids that age go on that ride. My family comes out, and I felt the need to warn him about the man, because he looked like he was going to lose it.

My ride is over and I am exiting and the man is video taping MY kids and everyone elses to "catch" smaller kids getting off the ride. My husand informs me that while I was on the ride the man was SHOUTING words that should NEVER be said at Disney or anywhere else for that matter. And I am talking 4 letter words and more. My husband (he is a big guy) was just about to try to calm him down and suggest that he not use those words around the kids (we are after all in the baby swap area! Ya'll know where I'm talking about... the back of the gift shop where all the little kids and their parents wait around). For most of this time there was just one CM on a radio trying to deal with him and his family.

Anyway, I think he was escorted out of the park because several minutes later we see his family waiting on a park bench and then they are meeted by a CM and start to walk to the entrance of the park. One guy's temper tantrum ruined his whole families day. I was just glad the guy did not have a physical altercation with someone. He was to that point. The CM was very calm during this whole thing. I was just shocked, and glad that my older kids did not witness most of it.

 

[bluejasmine]

We were entering the Muppets show at MGM, with two CMs at the door, and I was telling DS8 to watch his step - he was doing what he often does, talks, while looking backwards (at me behind him) and almost walking into walls, lol!! So I was halfway through saying "Dan, mind where you're going please...." and I lost my footing and fell splat out on my face and hands. Oh God, I was mortified - the stuff in my bag went everywhere but most embarrassing of all, I let out a huge stupid scream with the fright (I'm loud when I get a fright). I could tell that the CMs were trying to stifle the laughter.

Well atleast when the stuff in your bag came out it wasnt full of saltines that was stolen from the POP food court like poor Barber2005 FIL did..lol Can you imagine how bad that would look?

 

[mitros]

I feel the "leashes" are a terrific idea.

 

[bluejasmine]

OMG! You are a hoot! You should do stand up comedy! I love it..I cant stop giggling!

 

[SnowWhite607]

Yeah first of all we have had the leash debate.......

Second of all, its a personal choice. Dont look at me weird becasue I choose to keep my rowdy children under control when I am alone, with no help, in a crowd of what seems like a million people and the 3 kids all wats to run 3 different ways.

I had rather see a kid on a wrist leash than crying because they are lost, or a frantic mother screaming becasue her child has been abducted, hit by a float in a parade, or run over by a Brazilial tour group

If you dont want to put your child on a leash - DONT. But dont chastise and criticize those of us who choose that.

Dogs warrant leashes to protect them and keep them safe but kids dont? You got me there.

Back to your regulary scheduled shocks. I am leaving in about 12 days and cant wait to get back here and report on all the shocking events I have witnessed!

June 24 -July 1 CBR
July 1 - 5 CSR
11 days with the Mouse!

 

[Darian]

OMG! You are a hoot! You should do stand up comedy! I love it..I cant stop giggling!

Say, bluejasmine which poster were you refering too?

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

Darian, you never fail to amuse me. You are my partner in the police swad. LOL Apparently you are good cop, and I am bad cop. LOL

Ok folks, lets get back to our regularly scheduled programming:

leashes shock some, don't shock others. Check.
those that are shocked are not personally attacking those who use them. Check.

Off topic police reporting to duty: Check.

Lol!

gimme something SHOCKING!

Why, for the love of God WHY do people seem overly free to pass gas at WDW? Its not that much trouble to stop by a rest room to "relieve" yourself. Has anyone else noticed this?

In normal public situations people tend to act with more decorum - at work, at a movie theater, in the shopping mall. But not at WDW. No, these people wait until they are on the enclosed stairs of BTMRR or in the stretching room of HM to share their stench with people who are trapped in an enclosed space and can't get away. Its like they wait for an enclosed space or area of stagnant air to let go. Even walking down the wide walkways jammed with people I've witnessed individuals just "letting go" with a blast on every other step. It's disgusting and I've had enough of it!

It's bad enough when you can walk, but as one poster pointed out, when you are in a wheel chair, it puts you at "brown eye" level and there is no escape from the odors. Trapped in your wheelchair, you often can't get the benefit of the breeze that folks standing can count on to clear the air. Instead you are condemned to marinate in the fetid stench of body odor, dirty diapers and flatulence. Your only view is a sea sweaty buttocks - any one of which may eject a burst of foul gas at any moment. And they do.

Sorry for the rant. But just because we are all on vacation doesn't mean we should leave our manners and decorum at home.

 

[Darian]

Darian, you never fail to amuse me. You are my partner in the ff topic: police swad. LOL Apparently you are good cop, and I am bad cop. LOL

No worries, I've got your back, Partner! I'm just hoping the breast feeding thing doesn't come back again! To suck or not to suck in public. Who cares? I don't wanna know!

I'm with you a*lil*bit*goofy lets see something shocking!!!