Heelys Banned?!

[lovethattink]

I'm getting more and more irritated at having to dodge kids on wheelies. Of course, it's not just kids anymore. We've seen adults and teens as well. I've seen some people do some crazy things while wearing them. Ds got a video camera for his birthday and takes it to the park. He is so tempted to tape some of the shanigans we've seen.

 

[Allison]

maybe if they start turning people away at the gates when they have heelys on like they do for people trying to bring wagons into the park then maybe the parents that think there kids are above the rules will get a clue.

That is what they will eventually have to do. It's very sad that people don't voluntarily comply with laws/rules . It would make life much easier for everyone. Here's an example-Tickets have been non-transferrable forever but because people had the attitude of "I can do whatever" I want, Disney had to begin doing the biometric scans to enforce the rule. It's the same thing here-an attitude of "I'm going to do it until you stop me".

 

[TDC Nala]

I don't know if they ever will enforce at the gate. It will take too much time to study the kids' shoes to see if they're wearing heelys.

My nephew has a pair of those things and the wheels pop out so I don't see why they'd need to take the shoes off, just remove the wheels. Of course my guess is that once a lot of them get into the park, the wheels will go back in.

The heely epidemic on my last trip started in the airports on both ends. Kids rolling everywhere in heelys. I went to three parks and in two of them, heelying kids all over the place. MGM was too crowded for heelys.

 

[nbodyhome]

I think Disney should take the wheels when a kid is skating around, and throw them in the trash.

You KNOW that any kid who hurts himself will have a sue-happy parent. "I didn't see the sign that said no heelies".

 

[nbodyhome]

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.

Did you let the store management know that you'd told them to stop?

Parents are the worst, letting the kids use them like that.

 

[bluwater]

I previously mentioned that Disney should check at the gate, not wait until people enter the park. That way, they can go change before going in.

Frankly, potential injury and annoyance aside, I DO NOT think Heeley's are good for a child to wear ALL DAY in a park. They need comfortable shoes made for walking. Heeley's are heavy and I'm sure they aren't "good" for a child's growing feet - the same feet that need to walk day after day in those parks.

My DD9 has them and wears them quite a bit. But, I am very conscious of her movements in them. If we enter a supermarket or mall, I make her stop skating. If she can't skate, it is best to remove the wheels since walking with the wheels in is difficult and also very tempting.

The skating is a habit. Sometimes she tries to skate (absentmindedly) when no wheels are in or when she is in her normal walking sneakers. Other parents have told me that their children do the same. It is funny to see.

As a parent, I WOULD NOT let my daughter spend a day in the Disney parks in Heeley's - for the sake of her OWN health - because of the weight of the Heeleys, being on their heels all day, and the potential risks of not having gripping shoes while moving onto and off of rides(risky).

Perhaps this is why there is such a problem with getting "Disney Park Heeley Allowing" parents to consider the health and safety of strangers.....they haven't even considered the damage the Heeley's can do to their own children.

 

[Flametamr]

I think it has been shown here to be a touchy subject. I'm sure even the parents here defending the wheely kids will agree it's wrong to intentionally danger others just so you might have some fun. Regardless of rules or laws it should be obvious that it's just a bad idea. But I guess it won't sink in until their kid hurts some innocent child and they get sued. Then they will probably just call it an accident. I'm also sure they would take action to protect their child if someone were to try to harm them. And if someone did harm them they would expect justice be done. That's the point I was trying to make.

I am drafting a letter to Disney operations about my concerns on this matter and I suggest other concerned people do the same. It's up to us responsible parents to protect our kids from the selfish irresponsible ones.

I apoligise to the board for getting on my soap box. I hope I have not offended anyone. I won't respond any further and I wish everyone a happy Disney day.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Just curious. - Are Heely's without wheels banned? I can see some kids popping the wheels back in once in the parks.

 

[Clover9990]

Yet another responsible parent in the world teaching their kids to follow the rules.

I did follow the rules, toots. I specifically asked the CM when booking our reservations if Heelys were allowed, and she told me yes. I appreciate your compliment and acknowledgement of me being a responsible parent.

 

[Clover9990]

Good point, Flametamr. The person committing assault and battery is the one wearing the Heelys who runs into another person. Assault is the threatening/endangering approach, battery is the physical contact (y'all can check the dictionary, but as a victim of this legally-defined attack, I feel qualified to post this brief description)a person without the person's consent "

You armchair cops and lawyers are cracking me up! I hardly consider your attack a qualification for you to describe a state statute (and obviously, I am correct, since you are wrong.)

From the Florida State Statute 784.03:

"(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:

1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or

2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person."

ACCIDENTALLY bumping into someone on your Heelys is NOT an intentional act, therefore, NO CRIME WAS COMMITTED.

 

[MisunderstoodLilo]

I hate Heelys!!!!

I think the CMs SHOULD enforce the rule. But I also think they are afraid of parents complaining to their supervisor and the supervisor not sticking up for the CM. It has to be a group effort. If it's in the policies of the park that Heelys should not be worn, then everyone needs to be on the same page. If a parent gets pissed off, too bad. It's not going to spoil their vacation if Little Bobby or Little Susie has to lose the wheels. You're not spending thousands of dollars to wheel around WDW...you're going for the entertainment. And if you're not going for the entertainment, stay home so there is more room for ME!

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I did follow the rules, toots. I specifically asked the CM when booking our reservations if Heelys were allowed, and she told me yes. I appreciate your compliment and acknowledgement of me being a responsible parent.

Because we ALL know that one CM's word is SO MUCH BETTER than an official statement by Disney that is posted on their website! Even after reading that you said you would still have to ask someone.

If your child would run into me, I don't think I would press charges, no. But I sure as heck would have FH running after you (since I wouldn't be able to move) and cause enough of a fuss to have your family thrown out of the park. Those things are dangerous and ONE accident is enough. So your kid is careful right now. Bravo. Must be why they call them accidents right?

What happens if your kid trips on a rock or a bump in the sidewalk and falls into a stroller with a baby in it? What happens if they fall into a handicapped person, leaving that person unable to walk? What happens if they fall and god forbid, break something? WHY in God's holy name would you take that chance?! To make the kid happy? Ha! Talk about entitlement. Way to raise a kid to have the same... people will be sure to love them when they grow up demanding to have whatever they want.

 

[Allison]

I did follow the rules, toots. I specifically asked the CM when booking our reservations if Heelys were allowed, and she told me yes. I appreciate your compliment and acknowledgement of me being a responsible parent.

I have found the reservation CM's do not know much about the parks. I would not take what they tell you to be Disney World policy. I have seen so much inaccurate information posted here that was obtained from those CM's.

For example, someone was told that instead of buying a park-hopping ticket they could just buy extra days on their base ticket and use it for park hopping. That of course is not true.

I was told I would have to have 2 rooms to stay at AKL for my family of 5. Of course, that is also not true. We can stay in a deluxe room.

 

[Wendy1953]

You armchair cops and lawyers are cracking me up! I hardly consider your attack a qualification for you to describe a state statute (and obviously, I am correct, since you are wrong.)

From the Florida State Statute 784.03:

"(1)(a) The offense of battery occurs when a person:

1. Actually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other; or

2. Intentionally causes bodily harm to another person."

ACCIDENTALLY bumping into someone on your Heelys is NOT an intentional act, therefore, NO CRIME WAS COMMITTED.

But the fact that someone is wearing heelies in an area that is marked with signs that state that they cannot be worn there is definitely committing a crime. Did you know you can get a ticket for going above the speed limit, even if you claim you didn't see the posted speed limit sign? Glad to hear your son did not bang into anyone, and also glad he himself did not get hurt wearing them. I am not crazy about these heelies, especially since the children and adults who are wearing them are not wearing protective gear to help them when and if they have an accident. All they have to do is have one accident hitting their head on a hard or sharp object, and they could be damaged for the rest of their lives, that is if the trauma doesn't kill them. With that said, please get your son a protective helmet for when he wears them at home, and please do not allow him to wear them at WDW anymore, since you now know it's against policy!
Thanks!

 

[JenLynn]

My problem is with people who are not courteous, responsible and careful when in such crowded conditions as WDW parks. I agree that rules are in place for the protection and comfort of everyone. And this extends to: people with strollers who use them as battering rams, people in scooters who speed past others and roll over the toes of children who are crowded close to their parents while waiting for the crowds following the fireworks displays to disperse, people who smoke in non-designated areas, people who jump up in lines to join others that are far ahead, and people who wear Heeley's and speed along through crowded areas. (and yes, my two children both have Heeley's that they are allowed to wear at designated times and in certain places).

I think everything comes back to common courtesy and awareness of your surroundings.

When we were in WDW this past Thanksgiving, we saw many children wearing Heeley's and I thought it was a great idea. All of the children we saw used them carefully and only in "open" areas. I bought my children Heeley's for Christmas thinking they would be fun for them for our upcoming vacation. BUT, since the rules prohibit them in the parks, then I will be sure my children follow the rules.

I really don't understand the debate in this thread .... if there is a rule, then I believe it should be enforced and followed. If you disagree with a rule, then work to change it, don't just break it.

 

[Clover9990]

I have found the reservation CM's do not know much about the parks. I would not take what they tell you to be Disney World policy. I have seen so much inaccurate information posted here that was obtained from those CM's.

For example, someone was told that instead of buying a park-hopping ticket they could just buy extra days on their base ticket and use it for park hopping. That of course is not true.

I was told I would have to have 2 rooms to stay at AKL for my family of 5. Of course, that is also not true. We can stay in a deluxe room.

Point well stated, and taken.

 

[JodyTG]

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.

Well, as long as you and your son are happy then what do the rest of us matter. It should be obvious to all of us that your son's enjoyment is the only thing that we should be concerned with. Our personal safety, and the safety of our children, aren't important as long as your son is having a good time.

 

[diznyfanatic]

I did follow the rules, toots. I specifically asked the CM when booking our reservations if Heelys were allowed, and she told me yes. I appreciate your compliment and acknowledgement of me being a responsible parent.

It's no secret that you can call 25 different CM's for whatever reason and get 25 different responses. That's why people should check the WDW website for definitive answers.

That's of course really only necessary if you feel you just HAVE to bring a completely non-essential item that poses a danger into the parks in the first place, rather than simply relying on common sense and displaying some consideration for others without having to be told to.

While you may have not known of the ban before, you certainly do now. If confronted, are you going to continue to use the argument that 1) you didn't see the sign 2) you didn't check the website 3) the booking CM said it was okay???

This attitude cracks me up. The people that want to try to ignore stated polices that they don't like, will spend days researching every miniscule detail to use those policies to their advantage of it saves them money...

"What????? I looked at the fine print on your website for the code I found plus all the information that was sent with my vacation package AND every Disney Message Board on the internet and nowhere does it say that I shouldn't be entitled to use this discount!!!!!"

 

[satman1962]

Well, as long as you and your son are happy then what do the rest of us matter. It should be obvious to all of us that your son's enjoyment is the only thing that we should be concerned with. Our personal safety, and the safety of our children, aren't important as long as your son is having a good time.

This is the best one I've ever heard!

 

[Allison]

Point well stated, and taken.

Of course, Disney could avoid all the misinformation issues by hiring me (a self-proclaimed Disney nut) to give out the proper information. A lifetime park pass and free reservations at the Polynesian would be all I need.