Heelys Banned?!

[dbk1029]

@Clover9990: I apologize if you find my use of God's name in vain. I wouldn't actually ever trip anyone on purpose. However I do admit to the temptation. Hey I'm an honest guy and can admit that I have temptation. Would I act on it? Never. I guess you don't have temptations?

You don't know me. Don't presume to. I am not perfect and neither is anyone on this board.

 

[diznyfanatic]

Even though there IS proof that Heely's are not allowed in the parks, in theory it shouldn't actually require a ban to keep them out.

There aren't signs specifically prohibiting me from doing backflips down the middle of Main Street right after Wishes and at park closing either but it would be an unsafe and stupid thing to do.

Here's really what it comes down to. If Disney is forced to having to put up signs to ban every obviously unsafe thing from the parks when common sense should prevail in the first place, those people to whom the ban would apply are the same people who will think the rule doesn't somehow apply to them anyway.

Somewhere along the line we've lost our common sense and consideration for others without having to make a rule, policy, or law about it. It's also why they still have to put tags on electrical appliances to NOT submerge them under water when they are plugged in.

 

[mmcguire]

Interesting I started reading this thread today. I stopped at the grocery store on my way home from work today and there was a sign posted on the door, "no skates or wheeled shoes allowed". I guess the level of frustration with those things has reached a peak everywhere.

A couple of weeks ago I was nearly knocked down in a department store by a tween girl in heelies. It was frustrating, and I wondered why parents would take their kids into a store wearing them.

 

[Clover9990]

First you should know the law before you try to quote it. But I'll play along, how is it battery to "hold" someone who just ran over (assaulted) and injured a handicapped child ? For the kidnapping you may want to check Florida's citizen's arrest law. I've been in law enforcement for over 20 years now but I guess I might not know everything.

Why don't you address the real issue. Hypotheticly, Your sweet little child just ran over and injured a handicapped little girl who was trying to walk along minding her own business. It's clear you don't care if he hurts someone or not based on your statements. You are raising him to skirt the rules regardless of the risk it poses to others. That's what is wrong with a lot of the world today. Too many people think that rules are only a guide and don't apply to them. Then their children grow up thinking that laws are only a guide too. They don't have to follow them if it's not convenient or fun.

Final disclaimer statement. I am okay with kids skating in an open area away from others. Inside the parks or out. All I ask is that they walk in crowded areas and be respectfull of others. Everyone has a right to enjoy Disney since we all pay to be there.

What area of law enforcement are you in?!

You can enact a citizen's arrest on an individual until law enforcement gets there WHEN A CRIME IS COMMITTED. A child wearing Heelys who accidentally runs into another person (handicapped or not- not sure what being handicapped has to with it ) DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME. You cannot enact a citizen's arrest for civil matters.

 

[Clover9990]

While that answers the question of your response to seeing a posted sign, I'm still wanting to hear your answer to my question.

Now that you do know and have been shown proof from Disney's website in this thread that Heely's are not allowed in the Park, will you continue to allow your children to wear them there?

Kindly go back and reread my post, #45. You will find the answer to your question there.

 

[Clover9990]

@Clover9990: I apologize if you find my use of God's name in vain. I wouldn't actually ever trip anyone on purpose. However I do admit to the temptation. Hey I'm an honest guy and can admit that I have temptation. Would I act on it? Never. I guess you don't have temptations?

You don't know me. Don't presume to. I am not perfect and neither is anyone on this board.

I appreciate your apology. You are right- nobody is perfect, and yes, everyone has temptations...I guess I should give you props that you at least have the guts to speak of your "darker" ones out loud!

 

[jco_direwolf]

A couple of weeks ago I was nearly knocked down in a department store by a tween girl in heelies. It was frustrating, and I wondered why parents would take their kids into a store wearing them.

Well from my experance with some parents I know. "It's easier to let them wear them then argue with the children about it."

I will admit I've never had children. But it seems to me just letting kids do what they want underminds your ablitity to keep them displined. But hey someone is going to flame me for not having children and not understanding the pressure.

That is my feeling if you tell you child not to do something and then insist you can't give in.

johno

 

[Clover9990]

You're wrong. In Orange County, and most Florida counties, it is illegal to skate (using rollerblades, skateboards, skates, or heelys) on private property without the owner's permission, for liability reasons. There is a stiff fine for violating this ordinance. Disney doesn't impose the fine, the Orange County Sheriff's Office does.

I just returned from the World yesterday, and yes there ARE signs that say that heelys are NOT ALLOWED. And yes, the signs are being ignored. As always, the real problem is not the kids, it's the parents, who should know better.

Can you please point me in the direction of that county ordinance?

I saw no signs banning Heelys during my 4 days at WDW this week. We went to the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM Studios, Downtown Disney, and the Caribbean Beach Resort. Perhaps you saw said sign at one of the other WDW destinations.

 

[kimluvswdw]

We allowed my 8 year old DS to wear his Heelys to the parks this past week, during our visit to WDW. He is not allowed to skate in crowded areas, and NOT ONCE did he bump into anyone or anything. Flame me all you want, but my DS enjoys wearing his Heelys in the parks...and yes, he wore them all day long for 3 days in a row. As long as he continues to control himself properly while using his Heelys, and there are no clear rules posted banning Heelys from the parks, I'll continue to let him wear them.

If everyone flames you, then they can flame me also. My kids love their Heelys and they have never come close to running into anyone. Some children can be taught to use them properly. I have a pair myself. I know people yell about how they are not allowed and think the shoes should be taken away at the gate. When then while we are on the subject of taking things away for not following the rules, I think they should take all the cigarettes away from everyone who enters the park because I really get sick and tired of people walking through the park smoking anywhere they want. They are not following that rule and I think that getting cancer from second hand smoke is everybit as important to me as kids running into everyone else with Heelys. I will say that if Heelys are not allowed they should post signs and people should obey them.

 

[nurse.darcy]

Well from my experance with some parents I know. "It's easier to let them wear them then argue with the children about it."

I will admit I've never had children. But it seems to me just letting kids do what they want underminds your ablitity to keep them displined. But hey someone is going to flame me for not having children and not understanding the pressure.

That is my feeling if you tell you child not to do something and then insist you can't give in.

johno

You are absolutely correct in your thinking and EXACTLY why our society is so morally corrupt these days. The attitude that rules are meant to be broken and that the rules don't apply to "me" thinking and then Parents refusing to just say no to their kids in "fear" or "frustration". To parents everywhere - it is your responsibility to make sure you teach by example, discipline wisely and learn to set limits (this includes learning to say no).

I have been run over by kids in heelys more than once. Usually the kid is out of control but sometimes they are just not caring and actually think that YOU are in the way. Horrible!

 

[madcoco]

You're wrong. In Orange County, and most Florida counties, it is illegal to skate (using rollerblades, skateboards, skates, or heelys) on private property without the owner's permission, for liability reasons. There is a stiff fine for violating this ordinance. Disney doesn't impose the fine, the Orange County Sheriff's Office does.

Agree with it being illegal but just like others said IMO it needs better enforcement. Heeleys Wheelies whatever they're called besides causing physical damage can also cause cosmetic damage by scuffing chipping concrete just like skateboards. There are a place and time for them. Not to get too OT and somewhat comparing apples to oranges.
The non enforcement of this rule indirectly resulted in a loss.
After weeks of watching/HOA complaining about local kids(most not even from our neighborhood) tearing up steps in the new community,it finally took a group of juveniles breaking in 2x and doing thousands of dollars of damage (just for the fun of it) to our new home in Orange County to reach the breaking point. The police finally stepped in/caught them and the kids/parents are being held responsible for the damage. Here is hoping for better enforcement in the parks before a serious accident happens.

 

[MidgeD79]

If this is the way we talk to each other on a Disney board, imagine how a cm would feel talking to a guest in person?

 

[PoohnPglet]

For all of you that are unhappy about the no Heelys enforcement (or lack thereof), please tell me you complained to Disney!

Not to a CM, because as much as they want to help, they have no real control/power. Tell me you went to Guest Services. Or you grabbed a manager. Or when you got back home you sent an email or made a phone call.

Like everything else, Disney operates under the "squeeky wheel gets the oil" rule. If you really want to see some enforcement take place, you have to let DISNEY know how unpleasant these things make your stay.

As for CM enforcement, I think someone on here mentioned that it is either futile because the parent just has them stop until the CM is gone or because the parent would rather get confrontational than follow rules. (You have some fine examples of this right on this thread.)

 

[Kellyscrapbooks]

I think they should take all the cigarettes away from everyone who enters the park because I really get sick and tired of people walking through the park smoking anywhere they want. They are not following that rule and I think that getting cancer from second hand smoke is everybit as important to me as kids running into everyone else with Heelys. I will say that if Heelys are not allowed they should post signs and people should obey them.

Even though I'm not a smoker, I'm going to disagree with you. It's a completely different subject. Smoking IS allowed in the parks, in designated areas, and as such I think anyone caught smoking anywhere but those designated areas, then they should have their cigarettes taken away however to take them away at the gate would be wrong. Heeleys are NOT allowed in the park and as such shouldn't be allowed in. If there was a "designated heeley section" then they could wear them in.
Of course, as I said before, if people would just control their children and make them follow the rules, this wouldn't even be an issue.

 

[Kimmie5870]

OHHH , the CM's have a lot to say about parents of heelie users

Seriously though for those who let your kids use heelies in the parks and other busy places........I'd like to know what I'm supposed to do if your kid gets distracted and it looks like their going to run into my daughter? And please don't say "not my child" ,everyone has accidents and I'd really like to hear some reasonable suggestions.

 

[leighe]

i just got done reading all the threads and wow this dis board gets some very heated topics for the "happiest place on earth" I read the "germ" one last week and that was heated as well...as for Heelys...rules are made for a reason. as responsible adults it is our obligation to set a good example for our children whether or not the rules are fully enforced, It goes back to is it okay to steal if you do not get caught or to run a light etc...
as a teacher I see it all the time the kids feel the rules do not apply to them and the parents make excuses or tell the kids the rules don't apply to their little prince or princess. societal issues my friends the break down of the moral code ...really a very sad commentary

I agree. And maybe I'm just a lazy parent but I would never buy these for my DD because I wouldn't want to bother saying, "No you can't use your wheels here" all day long. They are just unnecessary - a kid in WDW should be able to have a perfectly good time without being on wheels and they are a nuisance to other guests.

 

[snugglepeas]

I really hate those things, i used to work in a department store, one day I was a kid with them on wheeling around I walked right up to him and tild him and his mother they were not allowed in the store the mother said ok, the kid gave a dirty look and about 25 mins later I was walking up near the office and there is the kid with an ice pack on his head, with his mother and are store manager the kid had ran right into a clothing rack and the mother was trying to blame the store.

 

[Clover9990]

OHHH , the CM's have a lot to say about parents of heelie users

Seriously though for those who let your kids use heelies in the parks and other busy places........I'd like to know what I'm supposed to do if your kid gets distracted and it looks like their going to run into my daughter? And please don't say "not my child" ,everyone has accidents and I'd really like to hear some reasonable suggestions.

And what happens when your child gets distracted in public because she is busy looking at XYZ off in the distance and walks right into me on accident? If you see a child headed straight for you, the obvious thing to do would be to a) get out of the way and b) tell the child to look out, watch where he/she is going, etc. (Not only for the offender's sake, but also the sake of others around you.)

I must say that we must be extremely lucky, because never have we been bumped into by a child on Heelys, neither at WDW nor anywhere else in public. We've been bumped into far too many times to count by people (not just children) who simply don't watch where they are going, or who don't care to "share" common walking areas...we've also been cut off numerous times during this trip by people who are impatient and dash right in front of us.

 

[EnnEss]

I just can't believe people, such as the person who asked the question on allears originally. Everyone is crashing into each other enough and frequent "excuse mes" and "sorrys" are being uttered, do wheels need to be added to the mix? Many kids who wear these things simply just roll on and on, regardless of who is in front of them, forcing everyone to either part and get out of the way, or halt their progress as the child passes.

I suppose I just do not grasp the self centeredness of someone who chooses to allow their kid to use these in a crowded place, such as Disney. Would they let them skate board there?

 

[jco_direwolf]

Smoking IS allowed in the parks, in designated areas, and as such I think anyone caught smoking anywhere but those designated areas, then they should have their cigarettes taken away however to take them away at the gate would be wrong.

I've not seen CM confront smokers as much as I think they should. But I have to say many times I have seen CM stop guests and tell them that they are only allowed to smoke in the designated areas.

And I have to say I've seen many people try to explain to the CM why the rule doesn't apply to them. What about all of the rest of us that HATE smoking, and like the park because it's supost to be non-smoking, except for a few areas I can avoid.

I've never seen a CM confront a kid or a parent with heely's.

johno