Is there an epidemic of kids falling off of verandah balconies?

[dream2011]

That is so funny thanks for the humor!!! I was having a rotten day

 

[hgon76]

IDK about the verandah on the ships, but I can tell you
my experience on Deck 10 of the Magic the 1st time we cruised. DD was 6 & was SOOO excited to be on the ship. Not sure exactly how she did it, but we were at the sail away party & in an instant we looked over at her & she had climbed up the rail & wanted to "look over the side to see the water"! Like I said, can't really recall how she did it, but DH & I noticed @ the same time screamed & went for her. Then we had a nice LONG discussion about NEVER looking over the railing again!

 

[Hokeysmoke]

The OP is correct, though in hindsight is probably thinking that it would have been better to grumble quietly.

Based on available data it is irrational and statistically blind to think that the verandahs are dangerous to children, so it is logically (as Spock would say) an inefficient use of time to discuss it. Your car (or your bathtub) is probably 10,000 times less safe, for instance, yet there are few discussions of taking safer mass transit to the port instead of a car. That being said, because we are not all statisticians it is also completely understandable and expected that a forum like this would attract concerned parents who want to keep their kids safe. Especially concerning a place where you are actually supposed to "chill out" like a cruise.

 

[justmestace]

The key is for parents to remember to keep the door SHUT.

Can't tell you how many times I've had next door neighbors who leave the door open so the kiddies can run in and out of the room at will, with no one watching them.

 

[4butlers]

I don't think the OP was trying to insult or criticize anyone. Yes, it is a legitimate concern, but I think they were just trying to reiterate that with the right precautions (locking the door) and proper supervision, just like anything with children, the danger is substantially less.
And just because some parents aren't afraid of their kids falling off the verandah doesn't mean that they don't worry about their kids' safety.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

I think the question of safety on a verandah for little kid's is a valid one, but I also think the real culprit's of repeated post's and therefore frustration of other members are for 2 reasons.

1. The search tool on the DISboards sucks! It is really really bad!
Searching on Google with the parameter's of "disboards cruise xxx" (question in place of the x's) usually bring's up a DISboard thread that has relevance.

2. New member's are allowed to post a thread question straight away without a first reply, but can't post a link or PM? And not everyone read's the FAQ Stickies, or look past the first page of threads before starting a new one.
It would be great if the first few thread's start's by a new member referenced a Google search (not a DISboards search engine!) and asked "did you mean this?"

As alway's with every online forum, there will be the same questions asked time and time again, over and over.

Patience is a virtue, sometime's I have little, sometime's a lot more, but at the same time I was also sent a PM saying:
"The DISboards are not here to be people's personal assistants, they are here to offer info and opinions from lot's of people and to direct those asking a question to info that has been previously posted."
So I guess the person asking the question has a certain amount of responsibility themselves to do some research first on their own, (The DCL FAQ has a lot of info but is limited) search on here for their answer, then ask by starting a new thread if they still do not know or cannot find their answer, or the only thread's available are old and outdated.

After all, several threads discussing the same thing is less helpful to the next person who has the same question, rather than a long thread with the question asked, answered and many valuable opinions offered.

JMO.

Ex Techie

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Based on available data it is irrational and statistically blind to think that the verandahs are dangerous to children, so it is logically (as Spock would say) an inefficient use of time to discuss it. Your car (or your bathtub) is probably 10,000 times less safe, for instance, yet there are few discussions of taking safer mass transit to the port instead of a car. That being said, because we are not all statisticians it is also completely understandable and expected that a forum like this would attract concerned parents who want to keep their kids safe.

I would agree with your statistic's or probability of danger, IF the same amount of kid's were on a cruise ship, as the same amount of kid's were taken on a car journey each day.

The amount of car journey's vs day's on cruise ship's just do not match up.

That said, cruise ship's are very very safe, and precautions to keep everyone safe are paramount on decent cruise lines.
Parental observation, control, teaching their kid's the danger's, and the disciplinary consequences of not following laid out rules are up to the parent's or guardian's at the end of the day.

Keep the door closed and locked if another adult is not out there with kid's or invest $1 in this for some peace of mind:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=43352659&postcount=7

Ex Techie

 

[Conservative Hippie]

Wow, I had no idea my question would be so controversial. I did not use the search tool, but I did search through photos of verandah doors to try to get a good look at the lock. It looked to me like the door handle was within reach of a small child. Then when I asked the question, someone posted a photo of the door where I could clearly see the lock was near the top of the door - nearly out of my reach! Like I said, I have major anxiety. I invent worries, and this one had been nagging at my brain ever since I hit the button to book the verandah room. I suppose I could have called DCL, but the last time I called them I was on hold for 15 min, and I've gotten such great information from this board before, I had no reason to believe that I would be ruining someone's day.

 

[extechie rbd/wdt]

Conservative Hippie,

You haven't said anything controversial!
Your worry is natural, I would if I didn't know!

To search for a post about verandah's and kid's would have helped you to find out the info others have asked before more quickly, and the answers there as well!

I genuinely think stevenpensacola wasn't singling you out in his thread!
You were just the last person to ask about it.

Hope you have found some valuable info that will allay your fear's and you will have a great cruise! EPCOTatNight's suggestion is a good one if you are still worried!


Ex Techie

 

[Disney Dreams]

It's funny, I used to think that the DIS boards existed as a means to exchange information and get answers about all things Disney (and then some). I was not aware that there were rules and regulations about what questions people are allowed and not allowed to ask.

I've noticed mean spiritedness in several comments lately. Yes, sometimes I think a question is redundant, often asked or silly, but why would I waste time being mean about it? I agree, the DIS boards are for people to get info, not criticized for thier questions.

umm.. I think its only natural for parents with young children to worry about balconies. It may not have happened on a cruise, but it does seem to happen on land occasionally. I would be more concerned about the parents that don't worry about such things. Why criticize parents that are concerned about their childs safety.

stevenpensacola is notorious for starting threads that seemingly poke fun at people who post genuine questions.

Like this one.
Or this one.
Or... this one.
Or this one.

I personally find it offensive and rude, but others apparently are entertained. I just think that people should be able to post questions -- no matter how silly they may seem to others or how many times they've been asked -- without fearing being made fun of in the future. But... what do I know.

- Dreams

 

[lovethedream]

This is a perfectly valid question and one I had myself before our first cruise. I still got a little nervous when the kids were out there on our second cruise.

 

[TanaL]

.

 

[lbuher]

stevenpensacola is notorious for starting threads that seemingly poke fun at people who post genuine questions.

Like this one.
Or this one.
Or... this one.
Or this one.

I personally find it offensive and rude, but others apparently are entertained. I just think that people should be able to post questions -- no matter how silly they may seem to others or how many times they've been asked -- without fearing being made fun of in the future. But... what do I know.

- Dreams

I was going to post a very similar response, but I wouldn't have taken the time to go find and post the links to the OP's other similar threads. Thanks for doing that.

It is, indeed, a pattern.

 

[PizzieDuster]

Disney Dreams, do you remember way back when posters here got banned and they started their own site? That's the first time I learned the term "troll". The whole site was referencing here and what drama they could start.."look at this thread..." Dang....those were the days. Thank goodness I have the Real Housewives now

 

[sambycat]

What's wrong with a porthole window or inside room anywho until one is comfortable with a verandah or whatever? I don't know and don't want to research any particular poster but that's what I always want to offer when I see the verandah question. And also don't watch titanic!!

 

[Conservative Hippie]

What's wrong with a porthole window or inside room anywho until one is comfortable with a verandah or whatever? I don't know and don't want to research any particular poster but that's what I always want to offer when I see the verandah question. And also don't watch titanic!!

Had an Oceanview room for our first cruise. For this one, I found an awesome deal on a GTY Verandah that would have been a sin not to take. My anxiety about the Verandah and my little trouble maker did not start until after I had booked it, and as you know GTY's are nonrefundable.

 

[mmouse37]

While of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions I honestly do not think this thread was meant as malicious but more out of curiosity as to why some are so fearful of balconies.

Just like anything in life...people are different...some things bother some people and some things bother other people.

I can very easily see both sides of this.

MJ

 

[kellyb2000]

It's called "Being a MOM" - something you'll never understand!!!!



However I do realize OP is just trying to get my goat...

 

[OrlandoDisneyFan]

I'm leaving with my 7 year old daugther on a Daddy/Daughter cruise in two days, and you should hear the earful I'm getting from my wife regarding not letting her fall overboard. This from a Mom who is a veteran of 4 cruises with all of us together and is familiar with the relative safety of the verandahs and railings in the public spaces.

But I understand how she is concerned, especially since she will not be there.

 

[dizzi]

I think the question of safety on a verandah for little kid's is a valid one, but I also think the real culprit's of repeated post's and therefore frustration of other members are for 2 reasons.

1. The search tool on the DISboards sucks! It is really really bad!
Searching on Google with the parameter's of "disboards cruise xxx" (question in place of the x's) usually bring's up a DISboard thread that has relevance.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS!!!!

After all, several threads discussing the same thing is less helpful to the next person who has the same question, rather than a long thread with the question asked, answered and many valuable opinions offered.

JMO.

Ex Techie

How ever i do not agree with your last statement, i personally would rather read 2 or 3 small thread about the same question than have to use a shovel and a wheel barrow to get through a long thread where many of the posts probablly dont relate to the subject line at all......such as this post and yours for that matter....

I am NOT NEW and ask many questions that i am sure have been asked over and over for this very reason i have a question i want a few answers.

Also some (many) things change from thread you may pull up from 3 years ago or last week....

******************************************************

Now the topic .....
I was terrified to let my 8 year old DD on the Ship at first, even after being on the ship for a couple days when they went up to the sports deck with her club to play ball at night, i was still terrified, i asked over and over again if they were going to be watching them closely and they couldn't leave the area etc.

I know now that they are fine, BUT those kids are our life, our blood and can you just imagine our fear for one moment if something horrible could ( OR DID) happen to them on the vacation of a lifetime ..... no words could describe the horror.

unrealistic thoughts probably.....but i mothers fear is fear indeed, nothing can take that away