I had an interesting conversation with a CM at MGM

[always quiet]

While we were at MGM last month, my SIL, DD and I were sitting on a bench, waiting for the guys to get back from Star Tours. A CM was walking past and joked with us about being tired and needing a break...I laughed and told him we were waiting for the guys. We just got to talking in general and somehow, the topic of baby strollers came up. I had said to him that I honestly could NOT ever imagine pushing a stroller where the child's head was actually higher than the canopy of the stroller (there were far too many BIG kids getting pushed around the parks - healthy kids who need to get off their tushes!! ). He admitted that yes, they have noticed more and more parents using the strollers. He said sometimes, they actually laugh about it when they see these "skinny little parents" trying to push overgrown kids in those things. We have some more chit-chat and the topic of sloppy guests come up. I had said to him that I hate when we leave Fantasmic, if you look down the rows of seats, people just get up and leave EVERYTHING behind. There are plenty of trash cans and no excuse for their laziness. His reaction was something along the lines of "Amen to that!!" and he laughed and asked me if I wanted to wear an "ugly green shirt" like he was. I told him honestly, I would LOVE to have a job working in the parks............but could imagine myself getting fired when I told parents to get their over-grown kids out of the strollers and to start picking up after themselves!!

He really was a pleasure to talk to and ironically, we had seen him again later that evening........he was training new CMs on what to do when they are assigned to Fantasmic!! He made it a point to come up to us, introduce us to the 'trainees' as his "favorite family". I really have to give the CMs credit...to be able to deal with the amount of people that they do in the course of a day takes all the patience in the world.

To any and all CMs that might be reading this............

 

[DVCLiz]

Perhaps you could be the new CM who stands at the stroller rental counter and tells prospective renters, "Sorry, your kids look too big to me -they must be lazy, so no stroller for you!"

Why do people need to judge who can and cannot make a decision for a particular family's needs, based on nothing more than a casual observation? If I want to push my child in a stroller, why should you have an opinion on that? I've never been able to figure out why people feel the need to do this.

 

[Goofyta]

Touchy Touchy!

How great that he remembered you later and said you were his favorite family!

 

[ujpest_doza]

Perhaps you could be the new CM who stands at the stroller rental counter and tells prospective renters, "Sorry, your kids look too big to me -they must be lazy, so no stroller for you!"

Why do people need to judge who can and cannot make a decision for a particular family's needs, based on nothing more than a casual observation? If I want to push my child in a stroller, why should you have an opinion on that? I've never been able to figure out why people feel the need to do this.

My DD will be 3 in April and we currently very rarely ever use a stroller for her at home or at the local mall.

However, when we go to WDW in December, when she will be nearly 4, i will be surprised if we don't use a stroller becuase they are long and tiring days for a small child. Not saying she'd be in it all day, but she will need a rest.

 

[always quiet]

I think it's perfectly acceptable for a child up to maybe 5 (if they are healthy) being pushed in a stroller. When I see kids, at least 8 to 10 being pushed (and yet they can hop off that thing and run to the next ride), I'm sorry, this just isn't right. IF there is no medical reason why they need to be pushed, than they need to be out of that thing and walk! Think of the parents who's children are handicapped - I bet they would give ANYTHING to have their children up and walking.

 

[ujpest_doza]

I think it's perfectly acceptable for a child up to maybe 5 (if they are healthy) being pushed in a stroller. When I see kids, at least 8 to 10 being pushed (and yet they can hop off that thing and run to the next ride), I'm sorry, this just isn't right. IF there is no medical reason why they need to be pushed, than they need to be out of that thing and walking! Think of the parents who's children are handicapped - I bet they would give ANYTHING to have their children up and walking.

Very very good point.

I'd be surprised if the strollers could withstand the pressure of 8 year olds in them all day long.

 

[worm761]

great story. some of the CM's are just great. all you have to do is stop and talk to them. most of them are ignored by guests. i have never had bad interaction with a cast member.

as for the kids in strollers...just because a child looks healthy doesn't mean they are.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm sorry but we too seen way too many older kids being pushed around in strollers. Its ridiculous. Yes, there are some who have hidden disabilities, but some are just plain lazy. WALK!! My DS has not used a stroller since he was 4, nor does he want to. He even remarked our past trip a couple times. Now at 7, he said, look mom those kids are bigger than me and they're in a stroller. I just nodded.

Great for you and your family and that wonderful CM!!!!!

 

[krismom]

here comes the "if the 8 year old should get up and walk, then why can't the overweight person on the EVC!" controversy.

 

[goodeats]

I think there's definitely a limit. At Animal Kingdom there were so many strollers! I couldn't handle it. I really think one of the kids I saw was 11. Why do these parents molly coddle them?

 

[always quiet]

I forgot to mention...my SIL is the mother of a son. He is in his 30's. He suffers from Palsy and he is also mildly retarded. He needs to use either a walker or a wheel chair. He was in WDW with us. My SIL told me that her husband actually embarrasses her at times when he sees parents pushing healthy, over-aged kids around in strollers. He will speak in a louder than normal voice and say something along the lines of "It's no wonder the world thinks Americans are lazy" or mention that fact that "many of today's kids are over-weight". These are thought from the father, who has been pushing his son around in a wheelchair, having to tend to his "personal" needs for the past 30+ years. Do you think he'd want to push his child around if he didn't have to?

 

[beattyfamily]

I guess these 'too old for stroller' threads are going to be on a weekly basis now. There was just one that got locked on the same exact subject.

Oh well, have fun! These threads are a total waste of time cause it won't accomplish a thing except getting nasty and locked.

 

[wrldpossibility]

pacifiers in their mouths? Or 3 year olds with bottles? Yes, both these things (and the stroller thing) bother me, and when I see it, I shake me head in wonderment, BUT, like another poster said, it's not my problem. Let's let these families just stroll by in peace.

That said, about the EV (electric vehicle) thingies, I won't get into the do-they-need-them-or-not debate, but you cannot deny that US obesity is skyrocketing, and there IS a corrolation between overaged kids AND adults being pushed around WDW and the obesity epidemic. Just my opinion. Go ahead and flame me now.

 

[DVCLiz]

And I still think it's no one's business how a parent chooses to transport his/her child through a WDW park. Many parents choose strollers for older children - it's just none of my business why they do it. And people who think it is their business are simply rude. I'd never make public comments to someone like your SIL's husband - doesn't he have any manners at all? I don't think most of the handicapped community would react that way - they'd be too busy having fun in the park, which is set up for people of all types and abilities, even those who seem unable to behave themselves in public.

 

[DizneyKrazed]

I don't know about the rest of you...but I am entirely sick of all the threads about strollers and what age is too old to be pushed

 

[always quiet]

My intent for this post was not to be one of a debate. I simply mentioned what the CM and I had discussed. Yes, I think that many kids being pushed around are too big. I am not here to debate this though (BTW, I don't normally read stroller-related threads as my kids are now 11 and older).

Now, can any person justify why so many people leave trash wherever they want to while in Disney?? That REALLY drives me nuts!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I think the most important thing here is the mention of "hidden disabilities". You have no idea why that "big" kid is in a stroller. We got one at the end of the trip last time for our (very tall for her age) 8 year old. WHY? Because she had blisters in several places on her toes and heels. There is no way she could have walked around like that. It was my fault her shoes didn't fit right--why embarass her for something that isn't her fault--she felt stupid enough having to be in a "baby" stroller.

Or my friend who's daughter has severe asthma. If it flares up, she may need to get her a stroller, because the physical exertion of walking around the park all day could KILL her.

Why do we need to put signs on the stroller to justify to TOTAL STRANGERS why we need them? Why should we have to put up with rude and nasty remarks just because we have a need that isn't obvious?????

I'm sorry, this does make me mad--MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! I am not bothering you, leave me (and my kids) alone!

 

[lovetoscrap]

That EVERYONE should pick up their own trash! And quit running across the bleachers when you leave F! (had a discussion with a CM about that one once--she kept sreaming for people to get off the bleachers, and they kept ignoring her!)

 

[DizneyKrazed]

Now, can any person justify why so many people leave trash wherever they want to while in Disney?? That REALLY drives me nuts!!

There isn't justification for this. While on vacation, those who leave garbage lying around instead of taking the time to throw it away are simply lazy, and probably feel that's "what CM's are paid to do".

I've heard guests complain that "for the price they pay to visit Disney World, the least they can do is have their trash cleaned up after them"...if only these people realized that with that attitude, they are making the costs higher.

More people who litter = more trash that needs to be cleaned up = more CM's hired to clean = more money to pay the CM's = HIGHER COSTS

 

[wrldpossibility]

I think the most important thing here is the mention of "hidden disabilities". You have no idea why that "big" kid is in a stroller. We got one at the end of the trip last time for our (very tall for her age) 8 year old. WHY? Because she had blisters in several places on her toes and heels. There is no way she could have walked around like that. It was my fault her shoes didn't fit right--why embarass her for something that isn't her fault--she felt stupid enough having to be in a "baby" stroller.

Or my friend who's daughter has severe asthma. If it flares up, she may need to get her a stroller, because the physical exertion of walking around the park all day could KILL her.

Why do we need to put signs on the stroller to justify to TOTAL STRANGERS why we need them? Why should we have to put up with rude and nasty remarks just because we have a need that isn't obvious?????

I'm sorry, this does make me mad--MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS! I am not bothering you, leave me (and my kids) alone!

We know there are always exceptions. I was talking in general. I would do the same for my child if he had blisters.

I'd like to add to the posters who say it's none of my business in these matters: of course it's not, and of course I realize that...which is why I NEVER comment or give the person "looks" of any sort. You never know (nor is it any of our business) why people make their decisions. But here, when discussing things on a board, I can have an opinion about it. There's a difference.