Kids on your shoulders

[Briarrose1306]

I think it might not be as big of a deal for WOC, parades and etc if the kid was already on shoulders to begin with. I've had this happen to me several times with WOC and Fireworks where my party and I have been behind others so we situate ourselves basically in the "holes" of the family in front of us so that we can see too and then a couple minutes into the show, kids go up on shoulders and we're left with no view and no opportunity to find a better viewing spot.

I agree that the standing for WOC sucks and makes it difficult for people to see the show, ALL PEOPLE NOT JUST KIDS. So what are we told? Get there early so you can get a spot in front of the rails, that's what everyone should have to do. Just because you have a child doesn't make your experience any more important than mine. In the times I've had a rail spot and seen children behind me, I've offered to their parents to let them stand in front of me because I can obviously see over them. Unfortunately, so many people have decided nowadays that their child's experience is more important than anyone else's that all their teaching their kid is entitlement.

Bottom line, get there early for better spots or at least have the courtesy to let those behind you know that you're going to put your kid on your shoulders so they have time to find a better spot.

 

[DizMe]

Acceptable to me is everywhere EXCEPT when it would obscure someone else's vision at a show like WOC, parades, etc.

If you happen to run your kid's head into something, it's clearly none of my business.

Wellllllll....I don't think it's clear at all. If I saw that you were going to whack your kid's head on a doorway, I'd make it my business to let you know. If I thought your kid was in danger of getting hurt because of a choice you made, is it my business? Maybe not, but it would sure make me feel bad if a kid got hurt because I didn't make it my business.

ETA: Other than the head whacking thing, I don't care if people want to walk around with kids on their shoulders. Unless the kids were teenagers...

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i think as long as you are not in shows or fireworks you should be fine. I remember my dad putting me on his shoulder many times when i was younger walking up and down main street. No prob at all just be careful and i agree they need to make woc seating and put benches in and go up like a stadium so those who are in front arent in those behind them way. rreally it wouldn't cost much and with disney raising ther prices they can afford it.

 

[starshine514]

I'm pretty sure I've seen Disney parks advertisements with a little girl (possibly in a Tinkerbell outfit) on her dad's shoulders, so I think the park itself is fine with it for general walking around.

Most people (including myself) have issues with it for viewing events, such as fireworks, Fantasmic, WOC and parades. My girls occasionally get to ride on shoulders in the park, but if they are lifted for an event viewing, their heads are no higher than mine.

 

[PigletSeeker]

Doesn't bother me at all when you do it. I'm short and can't see over a tall person anyway...them being 2 feet taller makes little difference.

 

[specialks]

Before our trip last week I was in the you shouldn't do it during shows group. Now I completely understand the need for WOC. Disney needs to do something about the viewing area. I didn't put my DD on my shoulders but I did hold her at my height so she could see and I was miserable trying to hold a 40 lb child for 25 minutes at the end of a long day. There were several parents with kids on their shoulders and I'm sorry but next time I'm going to be one of them. I am 6 ft tall and I couldn't see everything myself. DW swears shes going on rides next time instead of trying to watch WOC because she couldn't see much of anything. The only chance a child has to see the show without getting one of the very few spots by the rails is to be on a parents shoulders.

I wish they did WOC more like F! (I can't believe I'm saying that). But we have found it MUCH easier to get a good spot for F! than for WOC. I can understand people deciding that if they have to decide between their child seeing the show and possibly blocking part of others views or they keep the view clear and their kid can't see the show its not a hard choice for me. The only part that bothers me about that is that Disney has it set up so that people have to make that choice. Not everyone is able to find a prime spot so no matter what people are going to end up with a bad spot and terrible view. IMO its up to Disney to fix the problem and until they do I think it's not only appropriate for kids to be up on parents shoulders during WOC it's necessary.

"Not everyone is able to find a prime spot so no matter what people are going to end up with a bad spot and terrible view."

Just highlighting that sentence because it is the crux of "the devil's advocate" tact I'm taking.
Like Coaches24 once was, I am someone who has not gone to DLR yet with my kids and totally understand and nod along when people think that shoulders should not be used for parades, WOC, etc. But I also understand the idea that it's a situation where *someone* is not going to get to see the show. So when you say, "My kid can't see. Take your kid down," you're also effectively saying, "Your kid won't be allowed to see the show so my kid can." You're saying, "Make me happy by making someone else unhappy." Given the unfortunate fact that some people will have an obstructed view, I'm not convinced that the "fairest" thing is for the youngest and shortest people to be those people who do not get to see.
Are you willing to tell people over, say, 6' that they can't take the prime areas along the rail for WOC or be on the curb for the parades because they'll be blocking so many others' views? If not, what is the big difference for someone made "tall" by being on someone's shoulders? From what some have said, some of the issue is that it comes as a surprise. You think you have one type of view, and then when the show starts, you suddenly have a different view because an adult adds a child that you did not realize would happen. But I don't demonize the people who are trying to help someone small see.
I know that at some shows, CMs will support those who find kids on shoulders unacceptable, so you have that official approval, but that doesn't convince me that it isn't still a raw deal for the people who can't otherwise see if they're not on shoulders. (Especially at WOC where it sounds like so few people, short or tall, really get to see the show properly.) You fix one person's problem by creating one for someone else. (An argument that of course applies in the direction of the people hoisting kids up as much as it does for people insisting they come down.) There just seems to be no acknowledgement of how, no matter what happens, there is always someone left unhappy, someone who was just as excited to see the show, who waited as long or longer (After all, they're in front of you, right? So they might have gotten there by arriving before you did and waiting even longer.), and who are just as disappointed when they can't see.
I wish I had a solution that helped everyone.

If you want your kids to see, show up early or hold them in your arms at your level. When one kid goes on someone's shoulders it ruins the view for all the multitudes of people standing behind them, not just one person. What you are in fact saying is, "my kid's experience is more important than the hundreds of people behind me who will now have 3 foot black poles in front of their show screen. So, if you go to a movie and your kid says they can't see, would you let them stand up in their seat because their experience matters more that all the people sitting in chairs behind them? Then let us not forget that once someone sees that this is "acceptable" (ha!) behavior, they will also raise their kids up onto shoulders thinking it is okay, or in the case of a movie theater, the kids behind now stand up in their chairs. Now, if a 7 foot person was in front of me, I would move spots (or seat in a theater) to make sure I could see the screen.

 

[ToodlesRN]

Acceptable to me is everywhere EXCEPT when it would obscure someone else's vision at a show like WOC, parades, etc.

If you happen to run your kid's head into something, it's clearly none of my business.

Our 1.5 year old rode on dads shoulders a lot it gave her a different scenery than seeing everyones behinds in the stroller!!

 

[Argento]

Wellllllll....I don't think it's clear at all. If I saw that you were going to whack your kid's head on a doorway, I'd make it my business to let you know. If I thought your kid was in danger of getting hurt because of a choice you made, is it my business? Maybe not, but it would sure make me feel bad if a kid got hurt because I didn't make it my business.

I think you're confusing the point. You have no business telling me I can't have my kids on my shoulders because I *might* run her head into something. What you are describing is a common courtesy that most, including myself, would be absolutely grateful to receive. What others in this thread have hinted at is that nobody should be allowed because it could, maybe, possibly result in some injury. It is that attitude that I am calling out in my post.

 

[amberdawn]

My husband and I don't believe in stroller use, we teach our kids to listen, keep a close on them and feel strollers do the oppisite. That being said, when we need to carry the LO my Husband often throws him on his shoulders, he is 6'7 so DS has learned to duck when going in placesWe would never have him up there during a parade or show though

 

[ashnjam]

Specialks no im not saying her experience is more important than yours but we pay the same amount as you so we should get the same experience. Does that make sense? Movie theaters are never a problem due to stadium seating so i don't get your point there.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Bottom line, get there early for better spots or at least have the courtesy to let those behind you know that you're going to put your kid on your shoulders so they have time to find a better spot.

So you would be OK if, as you situated yourself for a show before it started, a kid was already on someone's shoulders, and you planted yourself in a spot with that in mind?

"Get there early so you can get a spot in front of the rails, that's what everyone should have to do."

Sure, and as others and I have pointed out, the fact that these people are in front of you suggests at the very least, they got there before you, waited longer than you did, and that you yourself did not "guarantee" yourself a good view by getting there early enough for the prime spots. Besides, there are simply not enough quality spots for everyone who arrives early, even an hour early, especially with the WOC mad dash that goes on once people are allowed into the area. People who were first in line for a section can have people who arrived 30 minutes later run by them and claim a better spot. (This is actually the #1 reason why I don't think we'll bother with trying to get to WOC early to try for a decent spot, the fact that I would have to run with young children and a stroller as people who arrived later than I did ran by faster. Fortunately, it sounds like this situation does not apply as much to other things like fireworks and parades.)


"Just because you have a child doesn't make your experience any more important than mine."

No, and it also doesn't make their experience any less important or you more entitled.
So if I see the claims as equal, I don't feel that there is a ringing certainty to an edict that X *should* be done and Y should *not*.

I also don't see how the child is so much more of an obstruction than a very tall person, who no one has suggested CMs should command to stand in the back of viewing areas or to hunch down. It's not like a 4' child *stands* atop 6' high shoulders, creating a body taller than any human achieves on his or her own. It's a kid sitting on shoulders, usually popping up no more than a foot above the top of the adult's head. I'm 5'9" and have a 2yo. If I put him on my shoulders, I would estimate the top of his head to be about 6'3", 6'4", well within the range of other adults. (Although I'm sure people can say they've seen people with strong backs put an 8yo up, so it's more like a 7' person.) If the element of surprise is removed, how is it different than ending up behind a basketball team?

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Moving this over to the DL Community Board, with a reminder to everyone to please be courteous when responding to each other.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, I'll second that you should NOT have them on your shoulders during fireworks because it does block those behind you. In addition, I have seen CM's ask parents to take their children off of their shoulders during fireworks. It could have been just that particular CM, but I have seen people told not to do it.

I will third this as well. As an adult, I'm only 5'3" - put a child on an average man's shoulders and I can't see anything either, much less any other child that may be with or near me. It's incredibly frustrating.

I also don't see how the child is so much more of an obstruction than a very tall person, who no one has suggested CMs should command to stand in the back of viewing areas or to hunch down

As to this - generally speaking we do arrive early (not insanely so, but not last minute either) - and we choose a spot based on how well we can see when we arrive. Usually at this time the start of the show/fireworks is far enough off that children are not on adults shoulders as yet - giving me the impression that I'm choosing a spot where I'll be able to see. It's not until the show starts that the child goes up on the shoulders, then completely blocking my view and at that point I'm stuck where I am because the show has already started and there's nothing I can do about it. That is what's frustrating.

 

[coaches24]

Why is your experience more important than my child's? Like I said I find fault with Disney to put people in the situation to have to make that choice but if I have to decide between you seeing the show or my child then who do you think I'm going to choose? If I got there before you then my daughter has more of a right then you do to see the show. If I or someone steps in front of you when you were there first then you would have a reason to be upset.

There is no right answer to this problem as long as Disney doesn't give a
Proper viewing area.

I think it might not be as big of a deal for WOC, parades and etc if the kid was already on shoulders to begin with. I've had this happen to me several times with WOC and Fireworks where my party and I have been behind others so we situate ourselves basically in the "holes" of the family in front of us so that we can see too and then a couple minutes into the show, kids go up on shoulders and we're left with no view and no opportunity to find a better viewing spot.

I agree that the standing for WOC sucks and makes it difficult for people to see the show, ALL PEOPLE NOT JUST KIDS. So what are we told? Get there early so you can get a spot in front of the rails, that's what everyone should have to do. Just because you have a child doesn't make your experience any more important than mine. In the times I've had a rail spot and seen children behind me, I've offered to their parents to let them stand in front of me because I can obviously see over them. Unfortunately, so many people have decided nowadays that their child's experience is more important than anyone else's that all their teaching their kid is entitlement.

Bottom line, get there early for better spots or at least have the courtesy to let those behind you know that you're going to put your kid on your shoulders so they have time to find a better spot.

 

[Teki]

I never thought this was a problem during shows and fireworks providing the parent is aware of the obstruction to views. When my little sister was young I had her on my shoulders and would stand near something else that was tall like a lamp post etc. If your standing in the middle of mainstreet during the fireworks that might not be a problem. During no show times I don't see what the big deal is as long as your not banging the kids head on things

 

[Teki]

Before our trip last week I was in the you shouldn't do it during shows group. Now I completely understand the need for WOC. Disney needs to do something about the viewing area. I didn't put my DD on my shoulders but I did hold her at my height so she could see and I was miserable trying to hold a 40 lb child for 25 minutes at the end of a long day. There were several parents with kids on their shoulders and I'm sorry but next time I'm going to be one of them. I am 6 ft tall and I couldn't see everything myself. DW swears shes going on rides next time instead of trying to watch WOC because she couldn't see much of anything. The only chance a child has to see the show without getting one of the very few spots by the rails is to be on a parents shoulders.

I wish they did WOC more like F! (I can't believe I'm saying that). But we have found it MUCH easier to get a good spot for F! than for WOC. I can understand people deciding that if they have to decide between their child seeing the show and possibly blocking part of others views or they keep the view clear and their kid can't see the show its not a hard choice for me. The only part that bothers me about that is that Disney has it set up so that people have to make that choice. Not everyone is able to find a prime spot so no matter what people are going to end up with a bad spot and terrible view. IMO its up to Disney to fix the problem and until they do I think it's not only appropriate for kids to be up on parents shoulders during WOC it's necessary.

Agreed, Im 5'4" was up against a railing and could still hardly see the show the standing thing really needs to be reconsidered.

 

[calsig31]

Before our trip last week I was in the you shouldn't do it during shows group. Now I completely understand the need for WOC. Disney needs to do something about the viewing area. I didn't put my DD on my shoulders but I did hold her at my height so she could see and I was miserable trying to hold a 40 lb child for 25 minutes at the end of a long day. There were several parents with kids on their shoulders and I'm sorry but next time I'm going to be one of them. I am 6 ft tall and I couldn't see everything myself. DW swears shes going on rides next time instead of trying to watch WOC because she couldn't see much of anything. The only chance a child has to see the show without getting one of the very few spots by the rails is to be on a parents shoulders.

I wish they did WOC more like F! (I can't believe I'm saying that). But we have found it MUCH easier to get a good spot for F! than for WOC. I can understand people deciding that if they have to decide between their child seeing the show and possibly blocking part of others views or they keep the view clear and their kid can't see the show its not a hard choice for me. The only part that bothers me about that is that Disney has it set up so that people have to make that choice. Not everyone is able to find a prime spot so no matter what people are going to end up with a bad spot and terrible view. IMO its up to Disney to fix the problem and until they do I think it's not only appropriate for kids to be up on parents shoulders during WOC it's necessary.

The other solution is holding the kid on your back “piggyback” style that way their head is no higher than yours. I’m sorry, but the attitude that there are bound to be several obstructions to people’s views so you may as well just make your kid one of them is adding to the problem not the solution.

Im guessing fireworks wouldn't be a problem because everyone is looking up?

There are some lower things that are shot off just over the castle, too that could be obstructed by a child on one’s shoulders.

So when you say, "My kid can't see. Take your kid down," you're also effectively saying, "Your kid won't be allowed to see the show so my kid can."

No, it is saying to hold the kid at a lower level where they will still be able to see but not selfishly impede on other people’s view.

 

[SomeDude78]

Why is your experience more important than my child's? Like I said I find fault with Disney to put people in the situation to have to make that choice but if I have to decide between you seeing the show or my child then who do you think I'm going to choose? If I got there before you then my daughter has more of a right then you do to see the show. If I or someone steps in front of you when you were there first then you would have a reason to be upset.

There is no right answer to this problem as long as Disney doesn't give a
Proper viewing area.

Agreed 100%. In an ideal world, we'd all do what is "right." In the real world, there are oftentimes choices where it's "me or the other guy." No question who I'm picking in that one.

 

[coaches24]

And holding the kid on my back is almost as uncomfortable as holding her in front of me. I'm sorry but that's not a choice. If Disney isn't going to fix the problem then I'm going to add to it if it allows my child to see the show without making me more uncomfortable than I already am after waking 15+ miles around the parks and then being forced to stand to watch the show.

Anyone know why they don't have everyone sit down during the show? While sitting on the ground isn't the best it's better than standing the while time. And small children could stand with their parents and still see the show I would think.

The other solution is holding the kid on your back “piggyback” style that way their head is no higher than yours. I’m sorry, but the attitude that there are bound to be several obstructions to people’s views so you may as well just make your kid one of them is adding to the problem not the solution.

There are some lower things that are shot off just over the castle, too that could be obstructed by a child on one’s shoulders.


No, it is saying to hold the kid at a lower level where they will still be able to see but not selfishly impede on other people’s view.

 

[cmwade77]

Inside the parks, I would say never. There are a lot of items that would be very dangerous if you accidentally lost your grip that you would not normally encounter outside the parks. For example, poles that hold up ropes come to mind.

I would hate to see anyone get hurt over something like this.

And it is NEVER acceptable at WOC, because there are several disabled sections that get completely blocked during the show when kids are on people's shoulders (also see the above about safety). This is not fair to a person who CANNOT stand. Please show a little respect.

Due to the safety issue, I think that people who do this should be thrown out of the park without a refund. Yes, I am a stickler for safety and in this case, this is also affecting other guests enjoyment of the show who have no choice.

I do agree that they need to fix the viewing area though.