Heelys - Should I let the kids use them

[gigi1313]

If they are no more dangerous than any other athletic shoe than why have there been so many accidents in these? Try googling "heelys injury" & read there.

you misquoted me... i said they are no more dangerous than any other athletic shoe *if you are comfortable in them* aka if you know how to wear them/walk in them/use them...

 

[daisyduck123]

you misquoted me... i said they are no more dangerous than any other athletic shoe *if you are comfortable in them* aka if you know how to wear them/walk in them/use them...

Yes, but many of the injured thought they were good at using them, you can count on that.

 

[ParrotBill]

just returned from a 10 day WDW trip. Heelys were everywhere, far too much for cast members to be able to enforce the no skating rules.

I had a near miss with a child cutting across my path at least once a day, and saw dozens of similar situations all day long each day.

I agree with the earlier posters that said that kids in a sensory overloaded place like Disney parks can't make good judgement calls. They don't track the 50 people about to walk into the path that looks clear from here to there.

Even on a seemingly clear area like the paths around the lake at Beach / Yacht / Swan / Dolphin / Boardwalk.... What happens is a seemingly clear area suddenly has a child moving twice normal speed on wheels and if you are anywhere alongside or in the direction of travel it seems a threat and causes distress to those around... even if the child was fully aware and stops rolling in time.

 

[gigi1313]

How about "a lot of people believe it is rude and unsafe." Sometimes, I just have to say "sorry, I don't agree with society on this, but you can't say "Jesus Christ on Crutches" in school and not expect to get into trouble. I don't know WHY you can't wear pajamas to school, but you can't, and no, there isn't a rule in the school handbook, you just CAN'T. Nor is it nice to call your teacher by her first name - once again, no rule in the school handbook, but she has requested being called Ms. Hanson and we respect that. I don't see any reason why you can't throw paper airplanes in the cafeteria (other than its disruptive, but it seems to me that the cafeteria is such a madhouse it can't be made worse by paper airplanes), but apparently you can't."

Disney has no way of telling if the person in Heelys is a safe Heely wearer or is five minutes away from crashing into a stroller and knocking over a six month old. I'm sure Tony Hawk could ride a skateboard through Disney and never knock somone over - doesn't mean most of us should be taking skateboards through Disney - or even that Tony Hawk should be allowed to.

as i said... that works when i need it to... but if i want proof positive, so will he and imo (and given that he's my kid, it's my opinion that matters, no?) he's entitled to an explanation/proof of the rule since it directly effects him... and "because people on the disboards said so" isn't good enough for me... thusfar, other than opinions that "rollerskates = Heelys" i've seen no evidence that they are banned from wdw... and posters have reported that they've seen Heely wearers, even inconsiderate unsafe Heely wearers, yet nothing was done to curb/control them by cm's, which tells me it's a very subjective "rule"...

 

[kvogel11202]

as i said... that works when i need it to... but if i want proof positive, so will he and imo (and given that he's my kid, it's my opinion that matters, no?) he's entitled to an explanation/proof of the rule since it directly effects him... and "because people on the disboards said so" isn't good enough for me... thusfar, other than opinions that "rollerskates = Heelys" i've seen no evidence that they are banned from wdw... and posters have reported that they've seen Heely wearers, even inconsiderate unsafe Heely wearers, yet nothing was done to curb/control them by cm's, which tells me it's a very subjective "rule"...

There is the key word "entitled" you and your child are not "entitled" to anything. You have gotten very defensive about the whole issue, and really there is no need to. You asked a question, people (including myself) gave what we thought the appropriate answer. You obviously don't like what we had to say, so don't listen. Do what you are going do, and that's it. If your son is aked to remove the Heeleys, or you are asked to leave the parks, just have the grace to accept that people here did point out that he shouldn't where them. That's all. In the end it's your child, your decision. It's Disneys park, Disneys decision. Is it worth the risk?

 

[twinklebug]

I love a good debate

Problem is it's so hard to keep score.

 

[Feralpeg]

as i said... that works when i need it to... but if i want proof positive, so will he and imo (and given that he's my kid, it's my opinion that matters, no?) he's entitled to an explanation/proof of the rule since it directly effects him... and "because people on the disboards said so" isn't good enough for me... thusfar, other than opinions that "rollerskates = Heelys" i've seen no evidence that they are banned from wdw... and posters have reported that they've seen Heely wearers, even inconsiderate unsafe Heely wearers, yet nothing was done to curb/control them by cm's, which tells me it's a very subjective "rule"...

Just because people get away with breaking a rule doesn't make it right. Like a previous poster said, there are so many people doing what they want that it makes it very hard for the CMs to enforce. Right or wrong, many CMs avoid confrontation. Security will enforce the rule if they see it being broken.

It is like smoking outside of the smoking areas. The rule is enforced sporadically. Should it be enforced all the time? Yes, but that would require more security or CMs to confront guests on a regular basis. The squabbles wouldn't make for a very pleasant visit for those witnessing the incident.

The only way I see for Disney to ensure that "no skates" rule is enforce would be to inspect every-ones shoes as the enter the park. That would definitely slow things down. Wouldn't it just be better if everyone voluntarily followed the rules instead of seeing a way to ignore or get around them?

 

[Hixski]

I love a good debate

Problem is it's so hard to keep score.

I agree.

I also find it amusing that some parents just can't say "No you can't wear them" How do you tell little Poindexter he can't do a back flip off the table in a TS restaurant. There is no rule he can't........There is no rule in the rule book that says he can't.......It is not posted ........Sorry just

Going back to

 

[Mariposa]

I actually heard a CM at the front desk at Pop Century tell a guest that he wouldn't be able to wear his Heelys in the parks. She was walking across the area and saw him and just stopped to mention it. But yeah, there were countless other guests I saw wearing them.

 

[gigi1313]

There is the key word "entitled" you and your child are not "entitled" to anything. You have gotten very defensive about the whole issue, and really there is no need to. You asked a question, people (including myself) gave what we thought the appropriate answer. You obviously don't like what we had to say, so don't listen. Do what you are going do, and that's it. If your son is aked to remove the Heeleys, or you are asked to leave the parks, just have the grace to accept that people here did point out that he shouldn't where them. That's all. In the end it's your child, your decision. It's Disneys park, Disneys decision. Is it worth the risk?

yes, "entitled" to an explanation FROM ME (because i so choose to give him one and because that's how i raise my kids) that goes beyond "because i said so" (which is the post i was responding to)... i'm not saying that he's "entitled" to wear his Heely's if there is a rule that says he cannot... but he is entitled to more than "because i said so" because that's not a good enough reason IN MY OPINION! ergo, i feel i owe him more than that... and as an aside, we really do not know if he cannot wear his Heely's because there are reports of kids wearing them and not being spoken to by a cm... all the responses on this thread are subjective, not objective... nor is there an actual "rule" that anyone can point out...

if my son is asked to remove his wheels of course he will... that's if he even chooses to wear them to the park (they're hot)... he may not even bring them (they're heavy)... but if he chooses to, unless wdw tells us no, he can... *that* is my point... so what are we "risking?" condemnation by all the disboarders that don't find them appropriate? like another poster said, she doesn't find boxers showing above the low riding waist band appropriate... or bathing suit tops appropriate... or some people don't like the look of crocs... but unless disney rules say "no" then they're all good to go...

please know that i am not "defensive" at all... i personally don't "care" what's being said here (only got involved in the thread to point out that not every Heely wearer is some rude crashing out of control kid enroute to a head injury!) 'cause i will wait to hear from wdw itself as to whether or not this is really an issue at all... like so many subjects on the disboards, they are disboards subjects, not real wdw rules... i.e. no pool hopping = wdw rule, no saving a lounge chair = disboard issue... kwim?

 

[gigi1313]

Just because people get away with breaking a rule doesn't make it right.

but you are only breaking it if there is such a rule in place... i've emailed wdw guest relations to inquire... i'll report if/when i hear back

 

[Tidus]

My son has them and he does enjoy them, however, I will not let him wear them in Disney. It is just too crowded and I don't want him 20 feet in front of us. Also, I will agree that they are dangerous (maybe no more than rollerskates, but I wouldn't let him do that in the parks either.) I know for a fact that many stores don't allow them either. He has been told by Target people and other stores and they can't wear them to school. (Although many do). I'm sure that Disney doesn't want to be responsible if someone gets hurt while wearing them or by someone who is wearing them. I'm starting to wonder where they are allowed (lol), but I would say Disney would have good reason to not allow them.

 

[gigi1313]

I agree.

I also find it amusing that some parents just can't say "No you can't wear them" How do you tell little Poindexter he can't do a back flip off the table in a TS restaurant. There is no rule he can't........There is no rule in the rule book that says he can't.......It is not posted ........Sorry just

Going back to

some things are just common courtesy/common sense/common safety (something my children are filled with -- must get it from their father ) and others that potentially infringe on the right of others... what brand of sneakers my kid wears does not infringe on others... ergo, big difference...

also, i *could* just say "no you may not wear them" and will and do (i.e. camp... it's just not safe to climb a rock wall wearing Heelys!) but this is something i am not going to enforce if it's just a disboard "rule"

 

[Fantasmic303]

like so many subjects on the disboards, they are disboards subjects, not real wdw rules... i.e. no pool hopping = wdw rule, no saving a lounge chair = disboard issue... kwim?

Actually, just FYI, the no saving a lounge chair actually is a WDW request/rule. There are signs up around the pool area (Atleast around Luna Park at the BWV) that say saving chairs is not permitted. I know people still do it, and I know it's probably a Dis issue as well, but it IS an actual Disney rule.

As for Heeleys...

We just got back from ten days at the World, and more than once I cursed a skater under my breath. (Keyword = UNDER....I know there are young ears around.... ) I may have uttered some choice words about kids running in the parks too. Neither, in my opinion, is appropriate in a place where thousands of people are walking with you.

If it's so easy to plug up the shoe (instead of using the wheels), I don't understand why parents would even consider allowing it in the parks.

 

[Hixski]

some things are just common courtesy/common sense/common safety (something my children are filled with -- must get it from their father ) and others that potentially infringe on the right of others... what brand of sneakers my kid wears does not infringe on others... ergo, big difference...

also, i *could* just say "no you may not wear them" and will and do (i.e. camp... it's just not safe to climb a rock wall wearing Heelys!) but this is something i am not going to enforce if it's just a disboard "rule"

Yes, some things are just common courtesy/common sense/common safety.
But as we all know they are tons of folks with none of those traits. So even though your child is responsible there are tons more that are not. Hope yours doesn't get hurt by one of those. After all there is not a rule.......

 

[SpecialK]

i personally don't "care" what's being said here

You're spending an awful lot of time responding for someone who doesn't care what's being said here....

IMO, common sense would dictate no Heelys. Too many distractions, too many uneven surfaces. That would serve as enough of an explanation for my son.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Oh, I tried to resist this thread, really I did, but:

Actually I would argue that shoes like Heely's DO infringe on others, since apparently I encounter the kids that must not know what they are doing on them - so that I have to dodge this particular child in order that the child and I don't get hurt. If I have to help look out for a child I don't know and keep myself safe from that child, I kinda do find that an infringement.

But, the reality is that whether or not WDW says they are allowed I can't even walk through a Disney park without being cut off, having to stop short for those map reading visitors that come to a grinding halt in front of me, dodging strollers and running kids, you know -all the things we complain about on these boards - and are going to happen every day there. Why anyone would think throwing a kid, even a kid that under normal circumstances is proficient on Heely's, into that mix is a good idea is beyond me I don't need a sign from Disney to make a judgement call about safety.

But hey, some people have to learn things the hard way, so go ahead - if you're determined - and see what happens.

 

[Schmeck]

but you are only breaking it if there is such a rule in place... i've emailed wdw guest relations to inquire... i'll report if/when i hear back

You know what's so funny about WDW? Ask 20 CMs the same question, and you get 20 different answers. So, I'd say it depends on who answers your email as to the answer you'll get.

When you are rolling around on Heelys, would you consider them rollerskates? If not, what do you consider them, unicycles?

 

[gigi1313]

npoe, bicycles 'cause there are two wheels...

ya know what... i've stated my case... i've made points in favor of Heely wearers... they're not all hellions... but i'm going to be judged whether ds wears them or not... w/or w/out wheels... i'm going back to the MLP thread where everybody knows my drink... this was fun while it lasted but it's getting exasperating and i'm obviously not going to change anyone's mind... nor are we going to learn anything new at this point... so hakuna matada...

 

[LadyOmega]

some things are just common courtesy/common sense/common safety (something my children are filled with -- must get it from their father ) and others that potentially infringe on the right of others... what brand of sneakers my kid wears does not infringe on others... ergo, big difference...

also, i *could* just say "no you may not wear them" and will and do (i.e. camp... it's just not safe to climb a rock wall wearing Heelys!) but this is something i am not going to enforce if it's just a disboard "rule"

I absolutely understand what you're saying. I'm sure, judging by the way you feel about your child to be able to wear Heelys if he wants as long as there is no specific rule not to, that he has lots of experience and knows how to use them responsibly. I agree that if there is no "set in stone" rule, then you're child has every right to wear them if you feel like he is responsible enough to use them properly.
But I think if I was in that situation, I would be afraid of "starting something". Maybe someone else thought their children could not use them in the parks, then they saw my children doing it, and decided it must be ok. What happens if their kids are little terrors when they get on these things? Their being able to wear them could seriously infringe on people (ie. running into people or over people). I know, I know, it's not up to you to control what other people do. But, not to be mean, but there are a lot of rude people that go to the Disney parks, we all know this!! I would rather set a good example for those kind of people, so that maybe their rudeness will be curbed a bit, and everyone can have a better time. Once again, I know that nothing can give you control over what others do, but I do think that a lot of people do things just because they see others do it. I don't want to be responsible for doing something that others will repeat, if it is something that will make others uncomfortable. But maybe that's just my Southern upbringin'......that's just the way we're taught to look at things I guess.
So bottom line, since your kid is a very responsible child, and knows his using Heely's will not infringe on others, he has every right to use them unless Disney tells you not to. But for others whose children are less experienced.....please weigh your decision carefully before you give your children a yes to Heely's.


EDIT: And just for the record, I totally agree with the fact that kids that wear Heelys, or kids that skateboard, etc, are definitely not hellions. My hubby and I used to have a skate shop inside our sports store, and we got complaints all the time about the skaters practicing outside the shop - other patrons said they were "bad kids", and wanted us to make them stop practicing in the parking lot. No they weren't bad kids....they didn't even know the kids, but were judging them anyway, based on how they dressed, and their choice of recreation. No way were we telling those kids to leave, they we wonderful kids!! So I get what you're saying about that.