Is It True About Those Heely Shoes In The Parks????

[foto202]

I've responded to one of these threads before but, hey, every argument needs a rebuttal, right?

I have an eight year old that has Heelys and that is getting new ones for his birthday. We would never let him wear them at Disney because I am way too commando and they would tire him out!

They are not "lazy-making" shoes as it takes a lot of coordination, core strength, and muscles to ride them properly. Think about riding a skateboard for hours at a time. Every muscle has to be tightened to maintain a good "flow" and you have to push off fairly hard each 8-10 feet.

As far as danger, I find that my son and his friends get hurt all the time playing football and basketball (recreational in the backyard) and none have been hurt Heelying. Since they are not off the ground far and most do not go incredibly fast even a fall usually results in a skinned knee at the most. I can't say the same for getting hit on a bike or a hard game of tackle football!

The core of the issue is parents letting their kids do what they want because they are too lazy to supervise. Heelys are not the problem. Bad parenting is.
DS would never be allowed to wear them in a crowded place and if he interferes with one person the wheels would be out.

My DD6 just got them for Christmas and she knows when and where she can use them. I've already told her she can't wear them(with the wheels in) at WDW in April when we go.

 

[loveDmouse]

We saw quite a few kids with them last month. Although no crazy behavior with them.

 

[ukcatfan]

I've responded to one of these threads before but, hey, every argument needs a rebuttal, right?

I have an eight year old that has Heelys and that is getting new ones for his birthday. We would never let him wear them at Disney because I am way too commando and they would tire him out!

They are not "lazy-making" shoes as it takes a lot of coordination, core strength, and muscles to ride them properly. Think about riding a skateboard for hours at a time. Every muscle has to be tightened to maintain a good "flow" and you have to push off fairly hard each 8-10 feet.

As far as danger, I find that my son and his friends get hurt all the time playing football and basketball (recreational in the backyard) and none have been hurt Heelying. Since they are not off the ground far and most do not go incredibly fast even a fall usually results in a skinned knee at the most. I can't say the same for getting hit on a bike or a hard game of tackle football!

The core of the issue is parents letting their kids do what they want because they are too lazy to supervise. Heelys are not the problem. Bad parenting is.
DS would never be allowed to wear them in a crowded place and if he interferes with one person the wheels would be out.

I am not judging you parental decisions at all, but have you considered the potential damage that they do without an accident? My DW is currently paying the price for wearing flip flops for four years straight. No accidents, just wearing a shoe with no support. If that can do permanent damage, then what can heelys do? My DW is in her 30s and not an athlete, so she will manage without surgery. The doctor told us that even with surgery, it can never get back to 100%. That part of your body is just that delicate and you basically get one shot at keeping it healthy. He compared DW's ankle condition to that of a NFL linebacker. I cannot imagine being a kid and having to deal with something like that for the rest of my life.

Kevin

 

[orljustin]

Sorry to bring this thread back, but I had to post.

I just returned after a few days in the parks. Too many kids with heelys to count. Ugh. Weaving in and out, gliding down hills away from parents, etc. But two main things...

1. Was sitting in front of China on a bench, looking back at the pavilion. Group of three comes wheeling down the hill. First one hits cobblestone section near the garden and completely eats pavement, tossing water bottle in the air and attracting attention. I laughed so hard, I nearly fell off the bench. Parents finally catch up to them and hobble him over to a bench on the other side, and start using the water in the returned bottle to wash the blood off his leg.

2. Was waiting for the Dreams parade at the Kingdom on Main Street. Some kid comes wheeling down the road. The CM about 10 feet away from me looks at them and says "Skating is not allowed here. Please walk." Or something to that effect.

Good times had by all.

 

[stargrazer]

Here's a good one for ya...
We were in line for Nemo Saturday, out front by the birds/sign. Two kids with dad in front of us, a pre-teen boy and girl, both wearing heelys and skating in circles, up and down the line on the walk, etc. The girl, everytime she goes to skate, stumbles like she is going to fall REPEATEDLY. She settled down once we were in the building and DD10 strikes up a convo with her...and notices she has a splint on her wrist. DD asks her what happened...and she sprained it after falling on her Heelys. That she's wearing and (badly) skating on. In the park. In her splint.

 

[robynv]

Sorry to bring this thread back, but I had to post.

I just returned after a few days in the parks. Too many kids with heelys to count. Ugh. Weaving in and out, gliding down hills away from parents, etc. But two main things...

1. Was sitting in front of China on a bench, looking back at the pavilion. Group of three comes wheeling down the hill. First one hits cobblestone section near the garden and completely eats pavement, tossing water bottle in the air and attracting attention. I laughed so hard, I nearly fell off the bench. Parents finally catch up to them and hobble him over to a bench on the other side, and start using the water in the returned bottle to wash the blood off his leg..

Wow. You nearly fell off a bench laughing at some child who was bleeding? Yes. Sounds very funny. What could be funnier? Perhaps if the child had a compund fracture and needed EMS?

 

[orljustin]

Actually, if the one had fallen, and then the other, and the other, that would have been funnier. Maybe lessons would have been learned, eh? I didn't stick around, but I bet the kid went rolling off again.

 

[MushyMushy]

Here's a good one for ya...
We were in line for Nemo Saturday, out front by the birds/sign. Two kids with dad in front of us, a pre-teen boy and girl, both wearing heelys and skating in circles, up and down the line on the walk, etc. The girl, everytime she goes to skate, stumbles like she is going to fall REPEATEDLY. She settled down once we were in the building and DD10 strikes up a convo with her...and notices she has a splint on her wrist. DD asks her what happened...and she sprained it after falling on her Heelys. That she's wearing and (badly) skating on. In the park. In her splint.

For the parents of that child:

I would not be just a nuffin'
My head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain--Whoa!

 

[stargrazer]

For the parents of that child:

I would not be just a nuffin'
My head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry
Life would be a ding-a-derry
If I only had a brain--Whoa!

Ya made me sing it!


I don't like heelys at the park, but I try to reserve judgement...however this was obviously a bone head move...the girl obviously needs pads and a helmet to use them...

 

[MickeyNicki]

We have seen a ton of kids on HEELYS, some were addressed by CM's that caught them with the wheels out...they were told that they are not allowed to use the wheels while in the park...I APPLAUD those CM's...

We also noticed alot of CM's ignore it...kids where wheeling by and some CM's did and said nothing.

 

[nicknamy1996]

My 7 y.o. DS wore his this year for our trip. It was his first trip out of a stroller and (other than a stroller) we would have been lost without them. Either my wife or I "towed" him most every day(I'd say we do 5 to 15 miles a day). He did very good to hold on tight an simply be pulled like I was pulling him in a stroller. He did skate to the car and back at the hotel and parking lots, but always at our sides. We did have a CM at MGM say to us... "Oh hun, no rolling please" He said yes ma'am and walked (honestly only for a bit though) But no "rolling?" Strollers roll? I know you can't set rules and say it's ok to wear them I'm you are being towed, and if they ban them (WDW tells me to leave them at home) I will, but I don't feel bad about what I did.

Didn't read the whole thread, saw the comment about achilles...interesting... but I'd say one thing these kids won't ever experience is shin splints. MAN I HATED THOSE!

As to anyone who is glad to see a kid bleeding, obviously doesn't have kids, so I can't wish ill will on them (and wouldn't) You are sick (and by your other posts, probably just looking to start something) But perhaps your wife is doing 60 MPH in a 55 and slams in to a tree? Would you laugh at her blood?

 

[LizzySwan1022]

Everytime I've seen kids with Heelys in the parks a CM either warns them that they can't skate on them at the entrance or stops them if they're already skating. I once saw a CM chasing a kid just to tell her she couldn't wear her Heelys.

 

[nicknamy1996]

Oh yea, along with the one request to "stop rolling" We had one compliment from a CM... seeing me pulling my son along side of me, the CM said something along the lines of "Now that's the way to get around!" to my son and "good idea" to me.

 

[MyManGoofy!]

We have seen a ton of kids on HEELYS, some were addressed by CM's that caught them with the wheels out...they were told that they are not allowed to use the wheels while in the park...I APPLAUD those CM's...

We also noticed alot of CM's ignore it...kids where wheeling by and some CM's did and said nothing.

Yes - there are many CM's that ignore the Heelys, for two main reasons. Those parents that allow these kids to wear them into the parks are not exactly at the top of the parenting heap, if you catch me. CM's are often verbally attacked, threatened and I even know of one CM that a dad raised his hand to hit her over it. It is just not worth the abuse over it. Although you will still see some dedicated CMs giving it the ole college try.

The second is that CMs rarely get backed up by Disney management on any kind of issue like this. Mgmt tends to fall all over a disgruntled guest, giving them fastpasses, food coupons or whatever instead of backing up the CM and telling these guest that their kids cannot wear Heelys and that the parents cannot scream and yell and threated CMs.

So, if this bothers people as much as it seems to, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE say something to Disney mgmt. Write emails to complain, go to Guest Relations when you are in the park, heck, grab any area manager (they are dressed business casual and have a blue colored id on them) and complain to them too. If they hear that there are more guests being "put out" by the Heelys than there are guest upset by being told they can't have them, things might change.

 

[MushyMushy]

My 7 y.o. DS wore his this year for our trip. It was his first trip out of a stroller and (other than a stroller) we would have been lost without them. Either my wife or I "towed" him most every day(I'd say we do 5 to 15 miles a day). He did very good to hold on tight an simply be pulled like I was pulling him in a stroller. He did skate to the car and back at the hotel and parking lots, but always at our sides. We did have a CM at MGM say to us... "Oh hun, no rolling please" He said yes ma'am and walked (honestly only for a bit though) But no "rolling?" Strollers roll? I know you can't set rules and say it's ok to wear them I'm you are being towed, and if they ban them (WDW tells me to leave them at home) I will, but I don't feel bad about what I did.

But you WERE told! The CM was nice about it -- too nice IMO, but she still told you.

And Disney does state in their rules that wheeled shoes aren't permitted. What is so difficult to understand about that?

 

[ukcatfan]

My 7 y.o. DS wore his this year for our trip. It was his first trip out of a stroller and (other than a stroller) we would have been lost without them. Either my wife or I "towed" him most every day(I'd say we do 5 to 15 miles a day). He did very good to hold on tight an simply be pulled like I was pulling him in a stroller. He did skate to the car and back at the hotel and parking lots, but always at our sides. We did have a CM at MGM say to us... "Oh hun, no rolling please" He said yes ma'am and walked (honestly only for a bit though) But no "rolling?" Strollers roll? I know you can't set rules and say it's ok to wear them I'm you are being towed, and if they ban them (WDW tells me to leave them at home) I will, but I don't feel bad about what I did.

Didn't read the whole thread, saw the comment about achilles...interesting... but I'd say one thing these kids won't ever experience is shin splints. MAN I HATED THOSE!

As to anyone who is glad to see a kid bleeding, obviously doesn't have kids, so I can't wish ill will on them (and wouldn't) You are sick (and by your other posts, probably just looking to start something) But perhaps your wife is doing 60 MPH in a 55 and slams in to a tree? Would you laugh at her blood?

Please do not be offended by my take on this, but I believe the rules at WDW do say that there is no skating allowed, so I don't understand your "WDW tells me to leave them at home" comment. Are you expecting a personal call from Robert Iger to let you know that they are not allowed? Disney will not name them specifically on any set of rules until there is some major incident like a death involved with them. Even then, it would probably be a press release and not added to the official park rules.

It sounds like you do know that they are not allowed, but continue to use them. That is your choice though. I am not saying that I have never broken a Disney rule either. It sounds like you keep your child under control, so your only worries should be his safety, which is again your choice, and getting your family kicked out of the parks. I have seen people kicked out before, so yes it can happen. I personally feel that those things are dangerous to the point of causing permanent injury, so my kids will never own them.

I totally agree that laughing at anyone being hurt is just not right. Breaking the rules or not, it is still a person.

Kevin

 

[orljustin]

As to anyone who is glad to see a kid bleeding, obviously doesn't have kids, so I can't wish ill will on them (and wouldn't) You are sick (and by your other posts, probably just looking to start something) But perhaps your wife is doing 60 MPH in a 55 and slams in to a tree? Would you laugh at her blood?

Yeah, obviously. Tell that to my two kids.

I didn't say I was glad to see them bleeding. I said I laughed when I saw it. Mostly because after all the posts here about people running into rails, trees, people, falling down, etc... I'm in the park for less than an hour, and boom!

Start something? I don't have to start anything. I'm just reporting the facts. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[reesecup]

Well, I was trying to refrain from posting on this but I can't resist.
First of all, I haven't read all the posts but, to you adults, who are saying you would trip a child I have two words for you.... Grow UP.

That being said, I do agree they should probably not be allowed in the parks. We just let our son get some and he will be restricted with his including school. There are MANY things out there bad for children as well as adults. But, in this case, it is up to the parent to set limits. I don't want my son getting hurt and I surely don't want him hurting anyone else.

About the post where someone said about rolling over fingers. Believe me, I have seen strollers that have either rolled over or come very close to rolling over someone's fingers. While at the parks in Jan. , I saw several of the kids wearing these. But I never saw them being misused but I'm sure they could be. What I did see and HEAR were ADULTS pushing and shoving and cursing at others. And running over others with scooters whether it be by accident or not.

What this comes down to is respect for others and unfortunately in our world adults are setting the example to not care about others and to do as they please and not have limits.

It is NOT the Heelys (this is after all a means of fun for the kids just like skateboarding, jumping on a pogo stick, jumping on a trampoline.....all of which should be restricted). Everyone wants to complain that kids need to get off their butts and stop playing video games, etc. My son enjoys just playing with the in the garage (where we made him get used to them at) and we will let him use them here at home, outside. As a responsible parent , I will set limits for my son. If he can't follow the rules, then I will discipline. And that's the way it should be.

There are many worse things ADULTS do that hurt others. I think we should probably lpost a link on how many people are killed every day by drunk ADULT drivers. The problem here is, just like the shoes, is that although there may be rules, we all know that rules are always broken. So what needs to be done is for parents to set limitations for their children as well as themselves. ANd hopefully they will raise their kids to later be responsible adults. I , by all means, am not a perfect parent or adult but I do try my best to let my children know there are always consequences involved if you don't know how to respect others.

This is long...sorry...adults just amaze me sometimes. I would never laugh at a child bleading (or anyone else for that matter). And I certainly would never purposely trip a kid if they were wearing these.

Now, there's setting a good example!!!

 

[makinorlando]

I have not read through all the posts in this thread, nor do I intend to - but I did see an encounter between a CM and Heely wearing guest near the entrance of BTMRR on Saturday. MK was in my opinion VERY crowded on Saturday, and the area around the entrance is always congested with the line to the drink/popcorn cart as well as all the folks coming and going to BTMRR.

My party had just gotten in line, and I was standing to get a bottle of water when I heard the CM say to someone and pointing - "You, please come here". She repeated it a couple times and got the persons attention and advised them that Heelys are not allowed in the parks and that you can be fined? That was all I heard of the exchange, but I did hear other guests ask what Heelys were.

This was the first time in our very frequent visits to the parks that I had personally heard a CM reprimand a guest.

I see that this is a very difficult rule to enforce - as it is not posted, and the vast majority of guests do not read the DISboard! (I don't allow DD to wear her wheels to the park - she's strictly a Croc girl when it comes to Disney!), but if it is something folks really have not thought through as far as their "legality" in the parks I can see where they would let their children wear them. It's those who allow them to use them dangerously or in very crowded areas that really cause the problem.


Now ask me about the man cursing out the CM at EPCOT on Friday night because he could not use 2 days of admission in one day to park hop! YIKES!

 

[nicknamy1996]

orljustin, I recant my statement about the bleeding, you did say you laughed when they fell, and not when they were bleeding. Understandable... You see an out of control kid sleigh ride through a group of kids like bowling pins and you laugh... turns out one of them needs to have pins put in his shin for a multiple fracture... no longer funny. But indeed there was laughter.

As to the breaking the rules. Nope, don't expect a letter, but I would want to hear it from a CM. And from them I was 1 Yes and 1 No. I checked the back of my AP, no comment there and didn't see it posted at the park. I'm not a rule bender (Believe Me! I paid full price for a 38 month old one year) But I knew Disney's policy is posted 3 year old. I guess I haven't read every word on disney.com, but I have listened to every announcement, and haven't noticed any signs either so yes when Disney tells me no heelys, then no heelys. We have no plans to go back as of now but when we do I will get an answer from "Disney" if I need one (probably won't because I'm not going to be pulling them around all week again (and I don't let them skate in the parks)

Aside from WDW to any parent who won't let their kids use them... that is a personal decision and as a fellow parent on to be respected. But I just have to wonder do you let them go to skating parties? what about riding a bike? sleigh ride? use trampolines?... ask an orthopedic surgeon about trampolines someday!!! Will they be allowed to play sports? drive a car someday? Ok I'm carried away, but I'm just wondering where they rank by some parents. I let my boys (5 and 7) do all of the above except trampolines. (ok I don't let them drive cars yet) But I'm wondering where heelys rank. Again you are the parent and if you don't want them to do any of it, that works, you are the boss. But if you are going to pick and choose an orthopedic surgeon would be the one to ask... and trampolines will rank lower than most anything. I actually asked out Ortho about my sons heelys she rolled her eyes... I got nervous, and said "Oh do you see a lot of injuries" She said "No, they just annoy me at the mall" I thought it was great.

Ok last thing... for the record last trip... 7 days... Heely injuries witnessed 0, ECMs? ECV? E?? What the heck is it again? The rechargeable "wheelchairs" 2 (1 minor and 1 major) I know it's not the same thing, because heely are optional (and possibly "illegal") But I can guarantee more people are injured everyday at WDW because of those than heelys. (yes, I know not relevant, but still true)