Is this true? Pediphile in parks?

[KIS]

My mother-in-law mentioned about about a week or two ago that someone did something to a kid in a park at WDW. Is that true? My mother-in-law is even more prone to hysteria than I am. I'd have asked sooner, but I've been too busy recently to get to the boards.

KIS

 

[DukeStreetKing]

Originally posted by KIS
My mother-in-law mentioned about about a week or two ago that someone did something to a kid in a park at WDW. Is that true? My mother-in-law is even more prone to hysteria than I am. I'd have asked sooner, but I've been too busy recently to get to the boards.

KIS

The lack of specifics makes the story suspect.

 

[KIS]

Even if she hears specifics, she never tells me, but she does tend to intensify things.

KIS

 

[caseymaureen]

I she's talking about a guest, it's quite possible, but a little less possible that the person would actually be caught. Since they can't give every guest a background check you never know who's in there. I specifically remember a case of a man exposing himself to two young girls in the hot tub of one of the resorts, and that was just in the 4 months that I worked there! If she's talking about cast members, they are somewhat screened but unless the person had a prior conviction there's no way to tell...

 

[donald@home]

Is she talking about the Tigger incident, where a costumed character was accused of fondling a girl and her mother when a photo was being taken?

There is also a famous urban legend about someone trying to kidnap a child, cutting and dying their hair in a bathroom, but it is not true. You can read about it at snopes.com.

 

[jimmytammy]

but remember the old videos of Goofy learning a sport. Sounds like a good time for Goofy to learn boxing. I hope this is just rumor. What a terrible way to remember a trip to WDW

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by KIS
My mother-in-law mentioned about about a week or two ago that someone did something to a kid in a park at WDW. Is that true? My mother-in-law is even more prone to hysteria than I am. I'd have asked sooner, but I've been too busy recently to get to the boards.

KIS

I'm assuming she read or heard a news report regarding the Tigger incident and then assumed from what she was hearing that there was a pedophile in the park. What happened is that, last Friday, a mother and her 13-year-old daughter accused a character performer in a Tigger costume of inappropriate behavior -- of touching their breasts during a meet & greet. The performer has been suspended and arrested, and police are investigating.

 

[KIS]

that must be it. she generalized. thanks. it sounds like an isolated incident. But, let's face it, that sort of thing would be hard to screen guests for, now wouldn't it be?

KIS

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by KIS
that must be it. she generalized. thanks. it sounds like an isolated incident. But, let's face it, that sort of thing would be hard to screen guests for, now wouldn't it be?

KIS

It would be IMPOSSIBLE to screen guests for, since you're not required to present any type of information to be a guest at WDW. Sure, you need an ID if you have an annual pass, and there's some info taken if you make a priority seating or a resort reservation, but it's not like Disney is going to do background checks on guests. Can you imagine!

 

[Luv2Roam]

That is why I always wonder about parents who leave their kids (of all ages I have witnessed) unsupervised or out of eye sight at WDW. (Not that any place is really safe.)
Hmmmm... Now where might a pedophile go in central FL or So CA to easily get a victim? Hmmmmm I wonder.....
Rare am I at WDW when I don't see parents away from their kids -- with the kids wondering off or lagging behind, and the parents not having a clue (or even seem to care).
I have even seen a small toddler dropped off (left alone) in the Norway restaurant waiting area during dinner time -- and not for a short time. He was there when we arrived and was there until half way through our meal.

Anyone recall a television expose' awhile back (and it might have been in DL) where the news people picked out families for volunteers. The families knew SOMETHING would happen to them that day and they would be filmed. They didn't know what.
Even the parents who considered themselves attentive easily had their kids taken frm them. Even when they were on their guard SOMETHING would happen.
One person approached the parents, asking questions, while their kids were walking behind them. An accomplice started talking to the kid and just easily walked the kid off in another direction. They didn't have to use force or coersion.

 

[stemikger]

Even when in Disney, I always keep an eye out. Better safe than sorry. It's sad but true there are some sick people out there.

 

[DemoBri1]

Originally posted by Luv2Roam
That is why I always wonder about parents who leave their kids (of all ages I have witnessed) unsupervised or out of eye sight at WDW. (Not that any place is really safe.)
Hmmmm... Now where might a pedophile go in central FL or So CA to easily get a victim? Hmmmmm I wonder.....
Rare am I at WDW when I don't see parents away from their kids -- with the kids wondering off or lagging behind, and the parents not having a clue (or even seem to care).
I have even seen a small toddler dropped off (left alone) in the Norway restaurant waiting area during dinner time -- and not for a short time. He was there when we arrived and was there until half way through our meal.

Anyone recall a television expose' awhile back (and it might have been in DL) where the news people picked out families for volunteers. The families knew SOMETHING would happen to them that day and they would be filmed. They didn't know what.
Even the parents who considered themselves attentive easily had their kids taken frm them. Even when they were on their guard SOMETHING would happen.
One person approached the parents, asking questions, while their kids were walking behind them. An accomplice started talking to the kid and just easily walked the kid off in another direction. They didn't have to use force or coersion.

All they do with these exposés is give the criminal element out there more ideas on how to commit the crimes.

 

[RugratsMom]

We just returned after a few days at Disney. Our twin daughters who will soon turn 9 know that they are required to hold one of our hands. They don't argue or even seem to mind over it. It seems to comfort them in those crowds. But even in the mall or grocery store they are either holding our hands or right beside us at all times. Some may think I am a freak over my kids but I have to know where they are at all times. I know what a CRAZY mixed up world we live in and I do all I can to protect my kids.

Rugratsmom

 

[Goofyposter]

The performer has been suspended and arrested, and police are investigating.

Whoops!.....my bad.

for a moment I thought this was a news flash about Ei$ner!


j/k

 

[mitros]

So far, the Orange county sheriffs department has been approached by 25 other guests that complained of being fondled by "Tigger" at different times. So far, 15 of these accusations have been discovered to have credible complaints along with incriminating photos. The sheriffs dept. continues to investigate. And it does not appear to be just a podophile case, as this has also happened to adult woman.

 

[bom_noite]

8 Years ago I worked as a contractor for WDW. One day, me and a CM had to go visit our back-up "puter" which was stashed down in the "security central" area of the tunnel.

We walked in to the tunnel as many CM's were getting ready for the afternoon parade. The guy playing goofy had was standing 10 feet from us and had his head off. He was a 6' 4" brute of a guy. Unshaved, looked stoned, etc.

The CM I worked with leaned over and said "that is the guy that will hug your little girl in the park tomorrow!". It was very funny.

What I can say from my experience is that WDW takes this type of incident very, very serious. To that end they have tons of camera's and a large number of under-cover security agents in the park.

Unfortunately, in this day and age something can happen any time any where. And, no company can have eyes everywhere. But, from my personal experience I believe my daughter is safer in the MK then at any mall.

 

[Samirella]

Originally posted by Luv2Roam
That is why I always wonder about parents who leave their kids (of all ages I have witnessed) unsupervised or out of eye sight at WDW.

Also, why is the age that WDW will allow children into the park unattended eight years old?

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by Samirella
Also, why is the age that WDW will allow children into the park unattended eight years old?

I rode the subway (Boston) alone when I was nine.

Just because WDW lets unaccompanied minors in doesn't mean you should let your kids roam free. There are a lot more dangers than just pedophiles. How about bullies who steal lunch money and hopper passes, or knocking over food trays?

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

(Someone else's post copied from another Disboards thread)
"Several years ago a man used my three y/o's head as a camera tripod during Illuminations."

It was not mentioned whether the man had on a Goofy costume, looked unshaven or stoned, or hugged the little 'un shortly thereafter.

 

[OnWithTheShow]

8 years ago the guy that played Goofy was not unshaved. It would be against the Disney Look and would have resulted in a reprimand and the cast member being told to go shave before returning to work. This is why there are vending machines with razors and shaving cream in them.

 

[dcentity2000]

A place like Disney, being a prime attraction for children, will of course be visited by pedophiles. I'm not saying that there will be a large number of them, most of the time they are probably non-existent within the parks and for most of the remainder they will be non-offenders ie. those poor people who have a problem but cannot act upon and are to frightened to address it.

Back here in Brighton, UK, we have a large pier - the 'Palace Pier'. It is hugely popular and houses large rides, stalls, everything. It also attracts children and therefore pedophiles. It recently got warned as a hotspot for pedophile activity by Sussex Police.

It's nothing against the pier, or Disney, but it's a flat fact that where large groups of children congregate, there may be predators. Make sure you know where your kids are and everything will be fine, guaranteed.

As I said, there won't be a predator around every corner, but the fact that it's Disney won't exactly make it danger free either. Most stories you hear will be urban legends, if not all. But keep a watch over your kids, just in case

Don't let it put you off going though! Predators exist, flat fact. But there are very few of them and they very, very rarely act. Above that, Disney is full of watchful people, CMs, characters; it's not a dark alleyway! And finally, wherever you go, you'll always have the same problem. Just remember that it's relatively tiny and keep an eye on your kids



Rich::