Help - Park rules - what they don't tell you

[ducklite]

i really dont think ive ever seen a starving kid at disnsey.

Unfortunately I've seen a LOT of kids unhappily waiting in line at various retaurants--often those geared more towards the adults interests than the childs--when seating was delayed or the parents made a late reservation. All too often the child was crying that it was hungry, or jsut crying that miserable cry of an over tired child who would rather get something at a food court and go to bed. That isn't fair to the child--or other diners.

just because people do things differently than you doent make them bad parents.

They are bad parents if they decide that because it's vacation the kids can do as they please and the adults are too self-absorbed to care.

kids dont have to be hungry or tired to make them upset.
they get upset over little things, like if dont get the toy they want, or the lines to long, the rides to scary.

I agree with you, although many of these issues can be handled by parents being proactive. Tell children they get to choose one toy per day or trip, as the budget can handle, and remind them of that every time they ask for a toy. Talk to them about this for days before the trip. Even practice choice while at home in the grocery store for example by allowing the child to choose one snack item on that trip. Use Fast Pass to avoid the longest lines. Bring things to entertain kids while in lines. Brings small snacks to feed kids if they get hungry and the lines for food are out the doors. And for God's sake, don't drag a kid onto Pirates of the Caribbean if they are afraid of the dark, or Tough to be a Bug if they are afraid of beetles.

Unfortunately I've seen so many parents who either didn't take their kids emotions and needs into consideration, didn't plan appropriately, or just didn't care.

With a little common sense, a little planning, and a lot of parenting, a Disney trip can be a terrific family vacation. But again, just because you are on vacation, manners and parenting do'nt get set aside. And when a child acts up or becomes disruptive, a parent needs to take steps to quickly extinguish the behaviour or remove the child to a place where the behaviour is less likely to bother others without waiting until they and the child have both completely lost control of the situation and themselves.

Anne

 

[northriver]

I appreciate all the useful comments that have been made - you guys are great!

I'm kind of giggling at some of these posts. Frankly - I've seen adults at WDW misbehaving much worse children - defacing Disney property, throwing garbage, cutting in lines, and breaking all kinds of other rules. It just makes you go hmmm. . . But, like the fussy kids - there isn't anything I can do about it so I just move on and enjoy my trip.

It sounds to me like some of the PP's are spending WAY too much time worring about what other people do and say!

 

[bradisgoofy]

Some time ago, I came across a site that told you things that Disney doesn't make public. For example, they will give you free cups of ice at any concession stand. I'm looking to find out things like this.

I'm also wondering if there are rules regarding what you can and can't bring into the parks. I know some places don't let you bring backpacks...other's don't let you bring your own food. What's the Disney rule on this type of stuff.

Thanks!!!
Lisa

Wow, did this thread go off topic.

 

[ducklite]

It just makes you go hmmm. . . But, like the fussy kids - there isn't anything I can do about it so I just move on and enjoy my trip.

Actually you CAN do something about it. If you see someone defacing property, smoking in a non-smoking area, using profanity, or any type of behaviours like that, please tell a CM. If they don't know about it, they can't make WDW a better place for everyone.

Anne

 

[flying_babyb]

People swear around kids? WOW! thats a sign of somthing!

 

[xyzabc33]

NO offense to those who want to discuss parenting (which I find an interesting topic btw) but personally I opened this thread to find out about tips NOT parent skills or lack thereof. OR whether parents should but roller skates for their kids/monsters/angels/brats/dumplings/pumpkins/critters/evil beasts/etc. or not. I find the info on whether they are allowed or not much better reading on this thread. Start a new thread or go post on one already in existence. I want to know the tips as I am sure others do.

Now that I am done ranting..............
I didnt know that you could return things to other stores on property. Cool!
What other things can you wise old owls on here depart to us little owlets?

 

[flying_babyb]

I would love to know other little secret tricks like that.

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

In Sept 2005 my brother was stopped at Disney Studios while he was carrying my niece on his shoulders and was told they do not allow that in the parks. They said it was dangerous. I guess it could be bad if she fell. But we had never experienced that anywhere. There quite a few dads carrying kids on their shoulders.

Lori

My nephew who is a seasonal CM told us they are told to discourage this. My DH carried Aidan on his shoulders quite a bit and was never told not too.

 

[MikeAidanEoinMom]

It was set up more like the pre-op section or ER of a hospital -- with curtains separating the beds and chairs. There were probably 10-12 little "rooms". There were actually several people in there "resting" while we there. The nurses kept going back to check on them and asking if they needed anything. They did give my dh a blanket to put over his bottom half while I stitched up the pants.

On a sad point, as we were leaving a wife and 2 little children came up. Apparently, the little boy (maybe 5 or 6) had done something to tick off daddy and daddy had hit him hard busting his lip and then left the wife and kids. I got the impression they were staying off site. They called a paramedic to come take the little boy to the hospital to get stitches (he was bleeding badly) and assured the mother that they would arrange a taxi to take her back to the hotel/villa.

poor kid

 

[flying_babyb]

i aggree, poor scared kid

 

[kimis]

I agree with you. It is usually the parents that look really bad. A child is a child but there are plenty of adults that need to grow up. LOL

 

[NotUrsula]

Even if you are leaving WDW within two days, you still don't have to carry your purchases around a park all day. You can ask that they be held for you at the park entrance--they will keep them at a designated shop there. You cannot do it too close to closing time -- I think the deadline is something like 90 minutes before closing, but otherwise it works fine.

 

[Kath2003]

A CM told me YEARS (1997) ago that the cost of a t-shirt is designated by the number of embroidery stitches it uses - prices are in brackets so if you go one stitch over the previous bracket, it costs a few $ more. Pretty obvious that they charge by the amount of material they use but I thought it was interesting.

Also there is no direct route from Typhoon Lagoon to DTD even though it's right nearby. You have to go via one of the hotels (although you can stay on the bus - the route is Hotel-DTD-TL-Hotel etc.).

 

[Coyne]

I'm new here and have a question that hasn't been addressed. Hope its OK. For those of you who have been to the Magic Kindom many times, are there some places for watching Spectro Magic or Wishes that are better than others or places one should avoid? Years ago I knew just where to go at Disney Land but am unfamiliar with WDW Thanks

 

[flying_babyb]

Kath- what a cool baboon!

 

[Kath2003]

Kath- what a cool baboon!

Thank! His name is Geoffrey

 

[mickaholic4077]

I'm new here and have a question that hasn't been addressed. Hope its OK. For those of you who have been to the Magic Kindom many times, are there some places for watching Spectro Magic or Wishes that are better than others or places one should avoid? Years ago I knew just where to go at Disney Land but am unfamiliar with WDW Thanks

The two best places i have always watched Spectro are: the first,if you can invest the time,is the train station balcony at the foot of Main Street,and the low walls outside of Pecos Bill's in Frontierland. Welcome to the Dis,BTW!!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I'm new here and have a question that hasn't been addressed. Hope its OK. For those of you who have been to the Magic Kindom many times, are there some places for watching Spectro Magic or Wishes that are better than others or places one should avoid? Years ago I knew just where to go at Disney Land but am unfamiliar with WDW Thanks

I think the best place for Spectromagic is at the train station, center, up top, esp. since you can get a chair here, too - good thing -last time we had to get there 3 hours early for it! Also, you see the fireworks, but it doesn't have that "close up" feeling you get from being right in front of the castle. For Wishes alone, I particularly like the bridge to Adventureland, but the right hand side of the castle where the roses are is also a great spot.

I would suggest that if you can see it twice, do it once from farther away like the train station or even 'Ohana or California Grill or Narcoossee's and then once close up right in the thick of things in front of the castle by the flowers and the Statue of Walt and Mickey (Partners).

Here's my other tip - if you don't see something you'd like on the menu, as long as it's fairly simple, they'll gladly prepare it, in most cases. I took my nephew to Sci Fi, and they made him grilled cheese, even though it wasn't on the menu. Not at WDW, but recently at a hibachi place by me, the chef even made my nephew a plain scrambled egg on the grill.

If you have annual passes or AAA or anything else, ask if there's a discount.

Actually, that's the best tip - just ask. Whether it's for directions, or for a discount, or for a special menu item, always ask. The worst they can say is no! It never hurts to ask, and you might end up happily surprised.

 

[lucky1]

#1:If you go to Griradelli fountain shop in DTD and plan to go back, save your receipt and show it the next time to get 10% off.

#2: If you are staying at a WDW resort and you have a sick child that must visit the hospital or Urgent Care. The WDW will give you a vocher for a roundtrip trip via a taxi to Urgent care or call the Urgent Care Shuttle.

 

[JenEeyore]

Many many good tips here everyone (and a few OT rants too). A couple of things we have found over the years:

The child care stations at the park are wonderful - learn where they are if you are a parent of babies or small ones. They have the bottled water coolers, you can purchase extra baby supplies such as formula, diapers, baby food etc if you accidentally run out of something. The changing stations are clean and have AC, there are places for nursing, and usually a small quiet play area for the little ones who need a break from the crowds. They also have a clean family restroom and MGM has a restroom especially for toddlers with a tiny toilet and sink just their size.

We often pick up an ID tag from Guest Services or the child care areas to write our name and phone number on to put in our son's pocket or on his beltloop in case of emergency; also introduce your kids to the castmembers early on, so they know it is safe to go to a person with that kind of costume or name tag if they get lost to ask for help in finding mom and dad.

I totally agree about all the kudos given to the first aid stations...they have come through for us on more than one occasion and can help save a day.l

You can also pick up special free buttons at Guest Services for Anniversary, Wedding, B-Day or First Trip to wear in the parks. Gets you some special attention and occasional unexpected perks. CM's love it when they can make a special occasion more special.

We bring in bottled water (and often the single-serve lemonaide packets) and small snacks in the parks too for in between meals so we aren't buying an expensive snack every time a twinge of hunger hits (especially for fussy younger ones).

If you are traveling with those needing special assistance, but aren't necessarily in a wheelchair or something more obvious to needing some help from CM's at attractions, you can pick up a card at Guest Services at the beginning of your trip that states how many are in your party, and what kind of assistance is needed. You show the card to the CM at the start of the line and they can direct you accordingly.

And one more tip. When getting FastPasses for attractions - don't toss them away if they "expire" in their time range. They are good at any time of the day AFTER the start time of the range. You can use them hours later too!!!

All I can think of at the moment...keep the ideas flowing!