Maybe my initial thoughts on Magicbands were prematurely negative

[nilla]

This is a real thing?

I feel sorry for anyone who lives in so much fear.

(That said, I do know people who like to give silly names at restaurants, just to hear the server call out, "Gandalf!" or some such thing. Yes, I know nerdy people.)

I wonder how people like that have conversations with their children in public.

"Anonymous kid A, leave your sister alone! And anonymous kid B, I don't care if Anonymous kid A hit you first. There's no reason to hit back."

 

[walker0829]

I wonder how people like that have conversations with their children in public.

"Anonymous kid A, leave your sister alone! And anonymous kid B, I don't care if Anonymous kid A hit you first. There's no reason to hit back."

And that's when "A" reminds you that he's actually B. Even in anonymity the kids are mixed up....

 

[DISbot]

This is a real thing?

I feel sorry for anyone who lives in so much fear.

(That said, I do know people who like to give silly names at restaurants, just to hear the server call out, "Gandalf!" or some such thing. Yes, I know nerdy people.)

I think the concern comes from the aggregate information. Like, if someone walked up to your kid and said, "Hi Sally, I'm your mommy's friend - I live in Georgia too, she asked me to take you over to Buzz Lightyear, would you like to get some ice cream on the way?" The name combined with state and maybe one extra piece of information they overheard/gleaned is enough that some children might follow a stranger, or not scream if they were pulled out of a crowd. I don't think the risk is amplified all that much by the signs (if you really wanted to do this you can overhear everything waiting in line like others have said), but it does seem a little bit creepy to some.

It also provides the big brother vibe that not everyone is comfortable with. But that's what tinfoil, or getting a card that doesn't have the ranged RF is for!

 

[Magpie]

I think the concern comes from the aggregate information. Like, if someone walked up to your kid and said, "Hi Sally, I'm your mommy's friend - I live in Georgia too, she asked me to take you over to Buzz Lightyear, would you like to get some ice cream on the way?" The name combined with state and maybe one extra piece of information they overheard/gleaned is enough that some children might follow a stranger, or not scream if they were pulled out of a crowd. I don't think the risk is amplified all that much by the signs (if you really wanted to do this you can overhear everything waiting in line like others have said), but it does seem a little bit creepy to some.

It also provides the big brother vibe that not everyone is comfortable with. But that's what tinfoil, or getting a card that doesn't have the ranged RF is for!

I agree!

Personally, I put the blame for this kind of thinking at the feet of whomever designed those misguided "stranger danger" curriculums of the seventies and eighties. You know, the ones that had us all thinking that the only people we ever have to worry about molesting us are complete strangers with scary eyebrows, and never gave us the slightest bit of advice on what to do when it's your respected coach or the fun babysitter or your own family member, that you love.

Anyway, with regards to the "overheard info in the park scenario":

One, I don't see this happening - ever. Classic "stranger danger" predators, besides being a very rare breed, also tend to be an opportunistic bunch, and I really can't imagine someone paying admission to a place with cameras in every corner, crawling with parents and castmembers, just to try to acquire enough overheard personal info to try to lure a random unattended child off to ...where? Because it's not like they're going to succeed in getting them out of the park!

Two, every child knows that if they get separated from a parent, they should seek out the nearest cast member. Many families even have code words, especially families where both parents work, or are divorced, and pick up routines can get chaotic.

Three, a lost child young enough to be lured (versus older, suspicious ones who just wouldn't fall for a cheesy routine like that), tends to be noticed immediately in the parks. Once, while waiting for a parade, we saw a toddler go wobbling down Main Street, and within seconds multiple people were asking, "Is she yours?" "No!" "Is she yours?" "Whose baby is that!?" A castmember showed up immediately, and began walking her the length of the parade route, saying, "Come on, let's find your family!" Her non-English speaking family was found a few meters away... I think they'd got distracted with all their other kids and hadn't seen her wander off. That child was never in any danger of being kidnapped, not with every adult in the crowd watching out for her. (The child's own reaction confirmed that they were, indeed, her people.)

 

[JimmyV]

I agree!

Personally, I put the blame for this kind of thinking at the feet of whomever designed those misguided "stranger danger" curriculums of the seventies and eighties. You know, the ones that had us all thinking that the only people we ever have to worry about molesting us are complete strangers with scary eyebrows, and never gave us the slightest bit of advice on what to do when it's your respected coach or the fun babysitter or your own family member, that you love.

Anyway, with regards to the "overheard info in the park scenario":

One, I don't see this happening - ever. Classic "stranger danger" predators, besides being a very rare breed, also tend to be an opportunistic bunch, and I really can't imagine someone paying admission to a place with cameras in every corner, crawling with parents and castmembers, just to try to acquire enough overheard personal info to try to lure a random unattended child off to ...where? Because it's not like they're going to succeed in getting them out of the park!

Two, every child knows that if they get separated from a parent, they should seek out the nearest cast member. Many families even have code words, especially families where both parents work, or are divorced, and pick up routines can get chaotic.

Three, a lost child young enough to be lured (versus older, suspicious ones who just wouldn't fall for a cheesy routine like that), tends to be noticed immediately in the parks. Once, while waiting for a parade, we saw a toddler go wobbling down Main Street, and within seconds multiple people were asking, "Is she yours?" "No!" "Is she yours?" "Whose baby is that!?" A castmember showed up immediately, and began walking her the length of the parade route, saying, "Come on, let's find your family!" Her non-English speaking family was found a few meters away... I think they'd got distracted with all their other kids and hadn't seen her wander off. That child was never in any danger of being kidnapped, not with every adult in the crowd watching out for her. (The child's own reaction confirmed that they were, indeed, her people.)

 

[Liljo22]

Threads like these make me happy that Disboards readers make up so little of the actual WDW attendence.

 

[cjparker0110]

You kids sound awesome!

Unfortunately, I live in Pennsylvania, and don't think the system is smart enough to know exactly WHY I selected a purple Magic Band this year

Don't get too excited...I was raised a Redskins fan...haha. We just live in MN and they see Vikings stuff everywhere. Since I don't really follow football (or any sport) anymore they just know what they see.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I didn't see any sports teams pop up when I was there last month, but the ghosts did hold up a sign that said they would see us in our home state...we were pretty shocked at first, lol, and then realized -- it's the bands.

It's pretty neat!! People complain about the weirdest things...

Ahhh this just made the nightmares last another 7 months for my poor 5 year old self. I was terrified for weeks of the hitchhiking ghost who had followed us home; I can't imagine if he had actually known what state I lived in!

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I wonder how people like that have conversations with their children in public.

"Anonymous kid A, leave your sister alone! And anonymous kid B, I don't care if Anonymous kid A hit you first. There's no reason to hit back."

Some people do use nicknames: Bug, bear, bubba or others not necessarily starting with B.

 

[Magpie]

Some people do use nicknames: Bug, bear, bubba or others not necessarily starting with B.

But that'd be an even worse thing for our imaginary stranger to overhear! It's way more personal than a proper name. I mean, only friends and family members call you by your nickname, right?

Good thing he's way more interested in the neighbour's kids, than he is in trolling theme parks.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

But that'd be an even worse thing for our imaginary stranger to overhear! It's way more personal than a proper name. I mean, only friends and family members call you by your nickname, right?

Good thing he's way more interested in the neighbour's kids, than he is in trolling theme parks.

Ugh good point! But yeah from everything I've read there is a lengthy grooming process. Definitely a bleh face

 

[ShinyRedGloss]

I just returned from WDW. Where on EE does the magic band prop appear?

 

[BigAlsGal]

I can't imagine being so paranoid. Must be terrifying to even step foot out the door. Someone might know your name!!!!!

 

[pampam]

I haven't read all the replies so forgive me if this has been addressed.

Nobody in my family is into sports. But we all recognize and know the local teams. If my kids were on a ride and suddenly saw a Vikings thing it would be very special to them. I'm still not 100% how I feel about the bands...they are cool but I always worry about technology like that. That said, it is what they are using so we have little choice in the matter. If we must use it, at least we can have something fun to show for it!

I too worry about the technology. We have a choice. We do not have to use it. I've been on numerous trips since the MBs came out, and just use my KTTW card.

 

[Magpie]

Ugh good point! But yeah from everything I've read there is a lengthy grooming process. Definitely a bleh face

I can attest to that, having been the target of grooming when I was eleven. In his mind, it was some kind of twisted romance. In mine, I was becoming increasingly confused, having been taught to be polite and obedient to adults, knowing he was my mum's friend, and unable to figure out why his "nice" gestures were freaking me out.

It took about a year, and by the end I was having nightmares of him burning the house down with us in it. That's what finally drove me to talk to my mum - I couldn't sleep any more.

There's good reason I don't waste my time imagining fantasy boogeymen engaging in ridiculously complicated theme park scenarios. I know what the real thing looks like, and it's SO much simpler and more personal than, "Hello, Janey, I'm from Idaho, too! Come away to my lair..." Protecting your kids should involve teaching them what their boundaries are, teaching them that they have a right to say no, teaching them that adults can do wrong things, that no one deserves respect just because tgey're older or bigger, that they will always be heard and believed, that tgeir feelings and opinions matter, that their confidences won't be betrayed.

Sure, you can also wrap tinfoil around their magic band, if it makes you feel better, but that's NOT protecting your kids. It's about as effective as Dumbo's magic feather.

 

[walker0829]

You know, the ones that had us all thinking that the only people we ever have to worry about molesting us are complete strangers with scary eyebrows, and never gave us the slightest bit of advice on what to do when it's your respected coach or the fun babysitter or your own family member, that you love.

There's good reason I don't waste my time imagining fantasy boogeymen engaging in ridiculously complicated theme park scenarios. I know what the real thing looks like, and it's SO much simpler and more personal than, "Hello, Janey, I'm from Idaho, too! Come away to my lair..." Protecting your kids should involve teaching them what their boundaries are, teaching them that they have a right to say no, teaching them that adults can do wrong things, that no one deserves respect just because tgey're older or bigger, that they will always be heard and believed, that tgeir feelings and opinions matter, that their confidences won't be betrayed.

I wish I could like these posts a hundred times.