Kids playing in the fountains at Epcot??

[shellybaxter]

I think it's fine for kids to play in the fountian in their undies. It's better than them having wet clothing for the rest of the day. I wish people would lighten up sometimes with all the "morality" rules. Your morals are just that - your, and mine are mine. But then, after WDW Europe (especially France, Italy, Switzerland) is my favorite place to visit.

Shelly

 

[tifandjim]

I just let my kids play in their clothes! In the hot June sun they dry quickly anyway. I would never let my kids be "nekkid" in public! I would be too worried about some sick-o with a cell phone (camera) taking pics of my kids and putting them on the web like that!

I completely agree with the comment about a cell phone with a camera! With child molesters and sex offenders everywhere (and children being kidnapped and killed, especially recently), I would definately think twice about allowing a child of ANY age run completely naked (or in underwear) in public. Just a thought...

 

[C.Ann]

I don't think it's so much about morality, but more about the sick perverted world we live in now.. Why expose them if they don't have to be? It's no big deal to have them wear a bathing suit under their clothes or to take a change of clothes along in the backpack.. How comfortable can it be for them to have to walk around in wet underwear for the rest of the day?

 

[shellybaxter]

I don't think it's so much about morality, but more about the sick perverted world we live in now.. Why expose them if they don't have to be? It's no big deal to have them wear a bathing suit under their clothes or to take a change of clothes along in the backpack.. How comfortable can it be for them to have to walk around in wet underwear for the rest of the day?

I hadn't even thought about the "sicko" factor. That could be a concern. I'm sorry if I was harsh, just had a lot of issues with doing and saying in the name of morality lately. I shouldn't have read that into these posts. Please except my apoligies.

Shelly

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I think maybe once they reach school age? Or once they are out of diapers?

Naked babies and toddlers are a lot different IMO than naked 3rd graders.

The out of diapers part wouldn't hold true for my son!! He's very young and has been using the potty for a long time, but I'm pretty sure no one would blink to see him naked.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...] With child molesters and sex offenders everywhere [...]

Run and hide, everyone - the molesters are EVERYWHERE!

Yeesh. Protect your child - you bet. I protected mine. But to let paranoia run your lives is wrong; it's a sad thing when a people lives in fear....

Oh, never mind; as long as some folks think that the human body is dirty, shameful and should be hidden (true to our Puritan roots), we're going to continue to be a repressed & uptight society.

Sorry - just a cry for sanity; feel free to resume your trembling....

 

[Meezers]

I must be the most naive cynic I know.

I never even thought about pedophiles and children playing in the fountains! And I work for a police department.

We will be having a play fountain installed in our public park next year....will let you know what happens and what dress code etc our fair small city decides to try to enforce.

 

[DMRick]

I completely agree with the comment about a cell phone with a camera!
**********
Yeah, and then the sicko's sell pic's of half nude kids on eBay and call them photos for scrapbooking. Although not as much as they used to, since eBay will pull the auctions if they are reported..and they are reported. Seems to me, that a change of clothes is in order, and can be planned for in advance.

 

[SammieG]

I fail to see the problem with young kids running around naked I have to say. Of course, there is a time and place for it.. and actually its not something that I encourage in my own son.. but.. it just so doesnt worry me of others want to let their kids run around in the fountains in underwear or even naked. its innocence.. and natural!!

Yes, there are paedophiles around and about.. but most of the people are not paedophiles - most are law abiding normal people..

I am worried for a world where if a child gets lost, a man cannot go and comfort that child. Most men say if they saw a small child crying and walking around without a parent they would find a woman to approach the child in case they were thought to be paedophiles. This is shocking state of affairs!

There are good and bad people around.. the human body is a natural thing we should not be embarrassed about, or encourage our children to be embarrassed about and childhood innocence is so short lived.. let the kids do their thing!

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

SammieG - I am just guessing but since umbluegray used the word boycot - they could be referring to the fact that many Americans called for a boycot of Germany and France when they did not support us in the war on Iraq. Just a guess. I have to say that for me I am a little afraid to go overseas. I hear so much of the anti-American sentiment, it justs make me wonder how I would be treated.

As far as the little ones playing in the water, I think you just have to expect many different people, with many different views are going to be in a place like Disney. If it really bothers you just keep on walking. I would leave it to the CM's, if they don't address it, it must not bother Disney.

 

[newtowdw1]

Sorry - just a cry for sanity; feel free to resume your trembling....

 

[alisonbestford]

SammieG I have to say that for me I am a little afraid to go overseas. I hear so much of the anti-American sentiment, it justs make me wonder how I would be treated.

Well, living in the UK I must have missed that one - except for us all grumbling about having to be finger printed and possibly having to pay a small fortune for a visa at the Embassy (where people have been known to have to wait all day for a 10 minute interview - despite being given an appt time) for something daft we might have done 30 years ago as kids.......

I love Americans but know of many British people who have decided not to travel to the US as they feel their human rights are being violated. And no, I'm not someone who's had the experience but have seen other DIS members literally reduced to tears worrying!

As for kids playing in their underwear. Wherever you go, Europe or no, what you see children doing is all down to personal, and parental, views. I, personally, find it much more disturbing to see children dressed as mini adults and feel that these are the children more likely to be targetted by a 'perv' armed with a camera!
Again, personal views

I almost always pack a bathing costume for DD (6) but, if I forget, then she'll play in her undies

Alison

 

[tikkipoo]

:
I, personally, find it much more disturbing to see children dressed as mini adults and feel that these are the children more likely to be targetted by a 'perv' armed with a camera!

I agree with that 100% Here in my town there was a sicko in Walmart taking pictures of little kids in the carts that got caught grabbing one in the photography area. I don't think the naked kids that are the problem...it's the sickos.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

SammieG - I am just guessing but since umbluegray used the word boycot - they could be referring to the fact that many Americans called for a boycot of Germany and France when they did not support us in the war on Iraq. Just a guess. I have to say that for me I am a little afraid to go overseas. I hear so much of the anti-American sentiment, it justs make me wonder how I would be treated.

My wife and I travel extensively throughout Europe and South America, many times since GW and 9/11 and we have NEVER been treated poorly in any foreign country anywhere. Sure, you'll get the same occasional bad service or poor drivers like you'll find in any city in the States, but never anything related to the US position in Iraq. It frustrates me that people allow the media to tell them who likes us and who doesn 't when the reality is, we all treat people pretty much based on how we were raised. If a French or Germany family were travelling through Epcot and stopped to ask any of you where the Living Seas were, would you refuse to tell them based on their countries' stance on American policy? Hell, no you wouldn't!! Same goes for American is in Europe. All of this boycott stuff is straight up ridiculous! Right now, as we speak, France has troops fighting side by side against religious extremists and terrorists with American troops in Afganistan, and providing some of the most solid info on terrorist groups to the CIA we have today! And for this, we "boycott" or belittle the country because they don't come along on a different war they don't believe in? Heck, if France didn't help America some 225 years ago with funding and troops, we would still be a British Colony! Sometimes you have to look beyond what Fox News or any news agency for that matter says, and think for yourself. How would I treat others in this situtation? Chances are, most people will react the same way.

As for kids in fountains in their underwear, it's entirely up to the parent. 99.99% people wouldn't look twice if they saw a little kid, boy or girl, running in the fountain in their underwear. Unfortunately, sick people are going to look as well. They're always going to be looking, underwear or not, and you can't avoid it. The best you can do is keep your kids safe and don't let fear determine how you raise your kids. Common sense is a better tool. If you feel it inappropiate, don't let your kids do it, and vice versa. There is nothing illegal about either choice, and one way doesn't make you a better parent.

 

[alisonbestford]

It frustrates me that people allow the media to tell them who likes us and who doesn 't when the reality is, we all treat people pretty much based on how we were raised. All of this boycott stuff is straight up ridiculous! Sometimes you have to look beyond what Fox News or any news agency for that matter says, and think for yourself. How would I treat others in this situtation?

As for kids in fountains in their underwear, it's entirely up to the parent. 99.99% people wouldn't look twice if they saw a little kid, boy or girl, running in the fountain in their underwear. Unfortunately, sick people are going to look as well. They're always going to be looking, underwear or not, and you can't avoid it. The best you can do is keep your kids safe and don't let fear determine how you raise your kids. Common sense is a better tool. If you feel it inappropiate, don't let your kids do it, and vice versa. There is nothing illegal about either choice, and one way doesn't make you a better parent.

Absolutely
How would you like to write my university dissertation? I can't seem to get the words flowing this morning (Probably due to my nipping back to the forums every 10 mins )
Alison

 

[Corryn]

Forget about the wet underwear and clothes...
Whenever I see a kid dancing in the fountains there's one thing I'm thinking of....
W E T S N E A K E R S !!!!!!!
When I was a kid my mother gave two #@$% about my appearance/feelings/etc. I know it's fun to have fun getting all wet, but after an hour or two walking around in wet sneakers, that is pure torture.
Sure, for a few minutes they're all nice and cool, but then the humidity sneaks in and then your feet get hot and clammy, and then the blisters start erupting all over your foot in places you've never got blisters before!

My husband had his kneecap operated on six months prior to one of our trips (major work, not replacement, though) and when we went to Seaworld he went on that wonderful Atlantis ride and got soaked. We were only there a few hours before that.
After the ride, about an hour, he was MISERABLE because his feet were so wet and he did not bring his water shoes to change into. It also affected his knee and he was limping and felt horrible. So we had to leave. At least the kids got to feed the dolphins!


So parents, please, if you're gonna let your kid play in the fountains, bring an extra set of sneaks or just take their sneakers off and let them go barefoot!
Everyone knows it takes forever and a day to get sneakers to dry and most people only bring one set of sneakers. Don't do that to your kid. Everyone wants to be comfortable. It will make your time in the parks more enjoyable, and your kids won't walk around complaining - and no blisters....

 

[alisonbestford]

Forget about the wet underwear and clothes...
Whenever I see a kid dancing in the fountains there's one thing I'm thinking of....
W E T S N E A K E R S !!!!!!!

YUK!

 

[DisneyGirl2005]

I certainly did not mean to start a debate on this. I was just guessing as to what was referred to earlier in the post about the boycot. I do not endorse or believe in the boycot. I know about it because I was inundated with emails about it at the start of the war. I do not care where a person was born, we are all humans and we need to treat each other the way we would want to be treated.

As for myself - Yes I said I am afraid to go overseas. I have never been out of the U.S. so I am sure that is a big part of my fear. Unfortunately all I know is what is shown on TV. I very rarely watch news anymore for this very reason. I can't take all the negativity. I know I should not be afraid of how I will be treated in other countries, and I'm working on it. Maybe my first trip overseas will be to the Disney in Paris. I know that the majority of people everywhere are good at heart. If everyone was as nice as all the DIS folks the world would be a wonderful place. Thanks and I hope you understand, sometimes it is hard to write what I am trying to say.

 

[alisonbestford]

I very rarely watch news anymore for this very reason. I can't take all the negativity.

Me too - guess it's a bit of a silly thing for us to do really but, if it helps me not worry so much, and frees me to make my own opinions ....
Alison

 

[jeannej]

Oh for heaven sake they are kids. There is nothing cuter than some innocent "nekkid" kids running around in the water. The reason the kids have at least he underwear on is a poor parent was not prepared for fountains and is doing what they can to let their little onescool off. It's the human body and if you don't want your kid to do it fine just turn around and go the other way.

We no longer live in an age where it is appropriate for a child of any age to run around naked in a public place. I feel the same way about children running around in their underwear in public. It's unfortunate but it is the way it is now.

jeannej