Meltdowns at the parks

[stacktester]

In the last 2 days I've seen some pretty nasty behavior from some parents. Yesterday at Pirates of C, I saw a woman and her 2 kids arguing in line about something. The mother was so mad at the daughter she was hitting a water bottle on the wall abover her head. Everybody was just looking in ahhhhh. Her hubby never said a word btw.

Saw this a few more times just not as bad. Most parents were beside themselves who had this problem. Today we saw some more tantrums at MGM. This is why I don't plan, plan, plan. We just kinda do what we want and if it doesn't work out and we miss something it's ok. I know I'm only 2.5 hours away and can come more often but it's not worth blowing my heart out and embarrassing my kid and myself. Believe me, I've had my days too and I've learned from it. DD is not always darling lol. She could drive god himself crazy at times. I wanted to talk to this woman and calm her down but she was a wreck. She was wiping tears the rest of the line. Hopefully their day got better. It's so hot during this time and I just have to tell everybody to chill out, go back to the pool and enjoy some down time. I am so looking forward to when we come back in a few weeks to just sit in this cg or go to a water park. No worries, just food fun and maybe a few cocktails with all the fellow dis'ers who are coming.

__________________________________
Donnie

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I always cringe when people write in for advice on the board and have packed so much into the day that you know the kids are going to be miserable. I think it would be much better to see half as much completely than rush around stressed out trying to cram everything in one trip. How many time have you read people asking if it is doable to do the petting zoo, pony rides, Hoop de doo, sing a long and hay ride in one evening, and then to top it off it's the first night they arrive after a long drive or plane ride? The reality is they don't really want anyone's opinion on their schedule, they want validation for what they are putting their kids through. It's a real shame that for many families the Disney trip turns into a stressed out nightmare. I say slow down, relax a little, don't get overwhelmed and enjoy the trip, even if it means missing something.

 

[stacktester]

I agree completely FWGuy. I love these trips myself and it's for me too, but I love seeing DD have a good time as well. We used to run, run, run but not anymore. Since we started camping I feel my stress level has gone way down while we're here. Since the sites are not as much as a room we can stay longer (well that's stretching it because I wanna stay longer lol) but we have so much more freedom being so close to the MK and parks with the flexibility to come back and grab something to eat or swim. I know the same can be done in a room but it's easier having your own place away from home. Just MHO.

 

[Gatordad]

the problem is these soccer mom starbucks drinking overplanners come from Michigan, Ohio, NJ or whatever, and intend to fill their entire 5 day stay with things to do, with all the money they are spending. they have it planned out better than d-day..... you can't reason with the soccer mom

 

[Elliott]

Parenting is tough and unfortunately they don't require a license to do it.

 

[MBMacs]

I know what night we have Mickey's BBQ, I know what day the 4th of July parade is and I know what day we are leaving.........Short of that, where we go and when, what we do, what rides we get on or don't get on....take it as it goes...thats why they call it vacation....Over planning ruins it.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I know what night we have Mickey's BBQ, I know what day the 4th of July parade is and I know what day we are leaving.........Short of that, where we go and when, what we do, what rides we get on or don't get on....take it as it goes...thats why they call it vacation....Over planning ruins it.

AMEN!

 

[surferrat]

Not sure what is happening here, but on Sunday ( I believe ) while in MGM, DW was waiting outside of Rockin roller Coaster for me and DD, and she overheard someone #%^#% about can't wait to leave and upset at his DD becasue she could not ride Aerosmith....

I guess not all can be HAPPY CAMPERS!!!!

In the last 2 days I've seen some pretty nasty behavior from some parents. Yesterday at Pirates of C, I saw a woman and her 2 kids arguing in line about something. The mother was so mad at the daughter she was hitting a water bottle on the wall abover her head. Everybody was just looking in ahhhhh. Her hubby never said a word btw.

Saw this a few more times just not as bad. Most parents were beside themselves who had this problem. Today we saw some more tantrums at MGM. This is why I don't plan, plan, plan. We just kinda do what we want and if it doesn't work out and we miss something it's ok. I know I'm only 2.5 hours away and can come more often but it's not worth blowing my heart out and embarrassing my kid and myself. Believe me, I've had my days too and I've learned from it. DD is not always darling lol. She could drive god himself crazy at times. I wanted to talk to this woman and calm her down but she was a wreck. She was wiping tears the rest of the line. Hopefully their day got better. It's so hot during this time and I just have to tell everybody to chill out, go back to the pool and enjoy some down time. I am so looking forward to when we come back in a few weeks to just sit in this cg or go to a water park. No worries, just food fun and maybe a few cocktails with all the fellow dis'ers who are coming.

__________________________________
Donnie

 

[Swimnoid]

DD taught me very early to take it easy to have the most fun. When she was about 4 we were trick or treating and I was determined to get to as many houses as possible, hurrying her along etc. Finally she said "This is the worst Halloween ever!" BANG! From then on we did everything at an easy pace and we haven't had a bad holiday, or especially, Disney trip, since!

 

[mickeymouse1017]

You won't believe this one but we checked in to FW Campgrounds last Thursday and while we were in line this mother and daughter (older teen) were fighting. The mother hauls off and punches (YES, I said punches) the daughter in the face. With that, the daughter punches (again, yes, punches) the mother in the face. Like the pp said, that father just stood there and watched as these two had a knock down drag out fight. We got checked in and left so I don't know what became of them. I hope their vacation got better because it was off to a bad start.

 

[CottontailCurl]

You won't believe this one but we checked in to FW Campgrounds last Thursday and while we were in line this mother and daughter (older teen) were fighting. The mother hauls off and punches (YES, I said punches) the daughter in the face. With that, the daughter punches (again, yes, punches) the mother in the face. Like the pp said, that father just stood there and watched as these two had a knock down drag out fight. We got checked in and left so I don't know what became of them. I hope their vacation got better because it was off to a bad start.

Maybe they're the same family? It's Jerry Springer in the parks - yee haw!!

 

[tungpo1]

We dont plan either, we get up when we get up, we go when we go, its vacation!!!! relax cook out, go swimming and did I mention RELAX ITS VACATION!!!!!!

 

[Skyw]

YOu just can't overplan a vacation with small ones. My son did OK last Jan. But something changed when we were on the DCL this past month. He threw a full fledge fit at the airport on the way home. He was very tired. And since then he has been throwing them about once a week. We are planning to go the the cabins in the fall but if we haven't resolved the trantums...then we aren't going and he knows it.

 

[cyberdeb]

In the last 2 days I've seen some pretty nasty behavior from some parents. Yesterday at Pirates of C, I saw a woman and her 2 kids arguing in line about something. The mother was so mad at the daughter she was hitting a water bottle on the wall abover her head. Everybody was just looking in ahhhhh. Her hubby never said a word btw.

Saw this a few more times just not as bad. Most parents were beside themselves who had this problem. Today we saw some more tantrums at MGM. This is why I don't plan, plan, plan. We just kinda do what we want and if it doesn't work out and we miss something it's ok. I know I'm only 2.5 hours away and can come more often but it's not worth blowing my heart out and embarrassing my kid and myself. Believe me, I've had my days too and I've learned from it. DD is not always darling lol. She could drive god himself crazy at times. I wanted to talk to this woman and calm her down but she was a wreck. She was wiping tears the rest of the line. Hopefully their day got better. It's so hot during this time and I just have to tell everybody to chill out, go back to the pool and enjoy some down time. I am so looking forward to when we come back in a few weeks to just sit in this cg or go to a water park. No worries, just food fun and maybe a few cocktails with all the fellow dis'ers who are coming.

__________________________________
Donnie

I learned a long time ago, not to assume anything. I have three kids and the two oldest have serious mental health issues. They are both adults now and we rarely if ever even went out in public when they were younger because it was just too stressful and people are rude and would stare and offer unsolicitated advice on what they perceived as bad parenting, tantrums, etc. etc. It just wasnt worth the stress. When my oldest (the most severely ill) moved out of the house, we decided it was time to have a first family vacation. We bought a pop up and headed to FW. I thought at the time that my second son was reacting to the stress in our home because of his brother. We did not over plan and took it very slow and easy, but the worst happened and he had a huge meltdown in Epcot over my dh asking him to not videotape every single second as he was using up all our tapes. I almost dropped him off with his fathers, who lived nearby and flew home alone. I am human and i hate to see people dragging their kids around and hate seeing parents behaving badlyand hate seeing parents ignore bad behavior in their kids, but i also know that i have no idea what they have been dealing with and what is behind all of it, so i remind myself that things are not always as they seem.

 

[loveDmouse]

Trying to do to much doesn't do any good for anyone kids or no kids. Take it easy. It is vacation. You are suppose to enjoy it not be miserable. You can stay home and be miserable.

 

[mommyoeo]

I plan commando! However, I plan around my kids and their stages at the time. Lately our plans have been to get up at the crack of dawn, tour early, back for a nap and pool time, and later to return to another park. I plan, plan, plan, SO THAT we have down time by maximizing our touring time. I know the order of rides, what meals we'll eat from what restaurant at what time. For us, that's how it's best and it leaves lots of rest time so it feels like vacation.

Walking around deciding what we're going to do next, not nowing the order, not carefully avoiding certain long lines at certain times of the day, etc. is what leads to meltdowns for us because it takes soooo many more hours in a hot park and lines. We go commando style-- get in and get out-- so that we save enough time to rest also. Staying in parks for too long is tough on us and our kids. Commando-style touring maximizes our time and makes us relax, not the opposite.

I feel sorry for the kids mentioned as well. That's no fun for anyone! A little planning could have helped.

At the mall yesterday, a mom decided to punish a boy and his older brother by giving them some punishment when they got home. The toddler was being punished becuase he couldn't get his own shoes on. The older child (around 10 yrs old) was being punished becuase his mom's patience was lost-- I hadn't seen any in the first place. He didn't do anything wrong but she wanted to punish him. He said he was just sitting there-- and he was right-- but she said if you don't shut up, you won't get any food today. My children and I cried together as they left. I may not know the circumstances completely, but her actions were still wrong. Kids deserve food, even the rotten ones!

As for the comments on not knowing what else is going on, I will agree. But it would not condone a mom for hitting a water bottle above the child's head. I feel sorry for that child-- and I wonder what happened once all observing eyes were gone. It sickens me to think of it.

 

[kitamom]

When we were at MGM a few weeks back. Hubby and I were in a smoking area when two couples with young children came up. Two of the little girls were fighting over a stroller. When the parents went to break up the girls fight, they almost hit us when trying to get the girl under control, the little girl's feet and hands were flying all over the place.

We enjoyed FW campground but had mixed feelings about the theme parks. We got real tired of unsupervised children. Try to enjoy the fireworks at Epcot with a group of teenage kids yelling and screaming right next to you. When we got the spot it was older folks. One of the people next to us was the teens chaperone. He left the area when they all started to show up. Some of the kids had already been in trouble that day and were escorted out by Disney Security, a different chaperone was called to come and get them. They should not have been allowed back in the parks.

Parents and chaperones need to keep the kids under control. Not walk away from the problem. I have to keep my dogs under control and am not allowed to take them out of the pet loop at the Fort. I have also paid the adult admission price to the theme parks and am treated as second class and expected to give up my place in line for the ungrateful kids. If I have to stand in line to see Mickey so should the kids.

Sorry about the vent but we were pushed and shoved out of places so many times at the theme parks that we have no desire to go back. We were also told we had to leave an outdoor eating and smoking area by 7:30 pm because it was the VIP viewing area for the 9 pm fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

 

[CyndiL]

the problem is these soccer mom starbucks drinking overplanners come from Michigan, Ohio, NJ or whatever, and intend to fill their entire 5 day stay with things to do, with all the money they are spending. they have it planned out better than d-day..... you can't reason with the soccer mom

Wow! Talk about an over generalization!! I'm a mom of three, none of who play soccer, I drink coffe, from Speedway and I'm from Michigan. None of these things will cause me to over schedule my five days at Disney! The last thing I want to do is make my children or myself miserable.

I do really worry about what kinds of idiots might be driving golf carts around the fort recklessly and hurt one of my kids.

 

[pamom65]

Thanks CyndiL, you took the words right out of my mouth. We had our first visit to FW with our four kids (two of them soccer players!) a few months ago. I didn't really plan anything except for the fact that we had four-day tickets and would go to a park each day. What stressed me out beforehand was reading the Disney tourbooks and some of the postings on this website that make it sound like you have to have a reservation for every meal six months ahead of time and know exactly what rides you'll be going on and in what order and also that you need to be at the parks at opening. Well, guess what? The earliest we managed to get to a park was 10 am. We walked around and when the kids wanted to go on something, we went on it. If the wait was long, we got a Fastpass and did it later. The only meal we had a reservation for was the Hoop De Doo. We had a fabulous time, did most of the things we wanted to do, and shockingly, we were able to eat in restaurants even though we had no reservations. In a year or two, we'll go back and see whatever we missed. I guess you could call me an "underplanner".

 

[loveDmouse]

I do really worry about what kinds of idiots might be driving golf carts (like the one in your av) around the fort recklessly and hurt one of my kids.

How about the parents who let their kids drive the golf carts around? Those idiots worry me.