infant lap sitting at DCA

[hayesmama]

Hello Everyone-
Yesterday we went to DCA and on all of the Bug's Land rides I was told that my 10 month old was no longer allowed to sit on my lap on any rides at the resort. He had to sit next to me on the seat of the ride. He could not see a thing. I never go to DCA, and at DL I never have a problem with him sitting on my lap on Peter Pan, Sm World etc. Anyone else with the same experience???? Guess I am just venting--the Aladdin show was the main reason we went there (my dd's favorite!) and it broke mid performance. We had to leave early and missing the show put a damper on our day.
Thanks for letting me vent!

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

You've got to be kidding me! So they might force my 8 month old to sit in his own seat? Kids that age don't have much sense of balance. It seems mighty dangerous to do what they're asking.

 

[hayesmama]

FamilyoffiveAZ-

I thought it was dangerous myself. I even put him on my lap as the ride was in progress and they (I had 2 CM's on separate rides do this to me) said over the loudspeaker that no children are allowed in laps. They both also told me that as they were making sure the doors/belts were secure before the ride started. My son is walking now, maybe that has something to do with it. I can see a 4 yr old needing to sit by themselves, but a 10 month old?? Maybe I should make a phone call to find out their exact policy on this. Maybe they need to post at the start of the ride an age where children can/cannot lap sit (although there is so much signage as it is right now!).
He ended up with motion sickness from the ladybug ride--not sure if that's because he couldn't see where the ride was going or if he is just sensitive to motion (our first time on that ride).

 

[JenniferW]

Is this only at DCA then?

I have a 3.5 month old who cann't sit on their own at all, would she be able to go on anything?

Jenn

 

[ADisneyPrincess]

I imagine this has to do with safety, but it doesn't seem to make much sense. I would call and see if they can tell you the exact policy.

 

[hayesmama]

Ok--I called.

I was told that each ride is regulated by osha individually and that if the ride has a blue sticker or box that says 'the info regarding the regulation of this ride is available in guest relations' (something to that effect), then the ride has specific standards to its safety regulations unlike other rides. The ride may not have age or height requirements but could have lap sitting requirements> So one ride may allow lap seating whereas others will allow the infant to ride but they may not lap sit. So now I think it is best to ask before getting on the ride. I'm also wondering if these two CM were just being picky whereas other CMs may be a little more lax. She also was not aware of any rides at DL that had a no lap sitting policy for rides with no age/height requirement (I asked her why he could sit on my lap on Dumbo last month, the train, pirates etc but yet he could not at DCA). My next question is why would they install rides like the ladybug ride( and not have any posted restrictions)? Another reason why I would go to DL 100 times over DCA!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I would cut Disney some slack, and lay this at the feet of patrons who sue, laywers who encourage them, and juries that award outrageous damages.
It is not in Disney's best intrest to annoy people, if they are being hardlined it is obviously a big deal to someone. I am guessing that maybe certain rides in DL might have been grandfathered from new regulations....?

 

[hayesmama]

Judy from Boise-

I agree with your post about the patrons and their greedy lawyers. I know someone who works in the legal dept and she has told me some pretty outrageous things that patrons have sued or tried to sue over.
Interesting point about the grandfathering. It does seem like that could be possible. The lady on the phone said she would be more than happy to give me osha's phone number. I politely declined.
I have a step uncle up your way Judy from Boise and my mom and step dad have just bought property up in the Island park area (closer to Yellowstone??). I can't wait to get up that way--looks just beautiful!

 

[familyoffiveAZ]

Well, we leave for DL/DCA tomorrow. I'll be sure to ask before getting in line about the infant seating requirement. I'll bow out of those requiring infants to be in their own seat. Never having seen these rides (first trip to DL/DCA), maybe I don't know what I'm talking about; but in my mind, I can't picture how it would be safer to place a child who hasn't conquered balance in his own seat vs. in his parent's lap. First off, the safety harnesses on most kiddie amusement park rides aren't all that confining. I'd think an infant could easily slip down....maybe bump his head along the way. Second, if the ride is too bumpy, the child is going to feel every bump; too much shaking of babies is not a good thing. At least in a parent's lap, some of those bumps are being absorbed.

I guess if I had it my way, I'd prefer Disney to set an age limit on those rides.

 

[year2late]

Hopefully the signs are marked well.

OK, I am a bit against the tide on this one, but it never even dawned on me to take my son on any ride (outside of transportation type) when he was an infant.

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I would suggest you e-mail/write to Disney and ask them to address this issue with clear signage BEFORE the que area.

We were there in March and had no problems with my 2 year old riding on my lap on the Chew Chew Train. As a matter of fact, the CM's were shocked that she wanted her own seat on the second day. (We rode that ride at least 30times in the first two days).

Be calm and just explain that you were caught off gaurd at the new rules. Give them some suggestions on what they could do to make the change smooth. Since it seems each ride could be given different standards by Osha, posting signs or noting it on the park map might be a good idea.

Sorry you day was a bit off. Too bad about Aladdin.

 

[roymccoy]

My four year old wasn't allowed to sit on my lap on the Ferris Wheel and she was thrown to the floor of the car a few times during the ride. It's funny, there are seatbelts that would have saved Dale Earnhardt on Heimlich's Chew Chew Train but there are none on the Ferris Wheel which is much more violent and jumpy. It also seems funny to me that my 40" daughter can ride The Matterhorn and Space Mountain and Tower of Terror but she can't ride on the bumper cars in Flik's Fun Fair. (Supposedly made for kids)

I know the lawyers have had a lot to do with this, but the continuity from ride to ride is terrible.

Roy

 

[Sonya in Boise]

I posted about this on a different board and there were replies from others who were just there a few days ago and did not have this problem. So it seems, like so many other things, maybe not all CM's are informed of this or some just don't follow the guidlines as strictly.

I would ask. I do know that there is no lap sitting on the Golden Zypher, but that is announced before boarding the ride. But on the Chew Chew train or the Lady bugs. Come on, those are enclosed ride vehicles. Perhaps the rules are due to parents LIFTING their child up to see better.

 

[year2late]

I am curious about that as well, Sonya.

If a parent lifted a child to see better (which they do) and the child got hurt, does anybody seriously think that the parent (who showed very bad judgement)would NOT sue Disney?


I read about folks all the time wanting "free trips" from Disney or blaming Disney for self induced injuries. It makes me sick.

When folks start showing better judgement and stop sueing Disney when they (the patron) do stupid things, maybe things will change. I do not see that happening.