New JTA age restriction

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Wow. That's not cute at all. If I were that child's parent, I'd be so embarrassed! He pretty much brought 2 grown men to their knees. There are rules for a reason!!!

 

[starjazz]

Ha! That is hilarious. I think that went just fine, to be honest. Was it by the script? Nope. But everyone handled that completely fine. And that Stormtrooper is obviously not hurt, but rather playing along.

 

[KateP85]

I'm amazed how many people have commented on that video and thought it was funny! That little boy was out of control! If I were his parents I'd be horrified!

 

[wilkeliza]

Ha! That is hilarious. I think that went just fine, to be honest. Was it by the script? Nope. But everyone handled that completely fine. And that Stormtrooper is obviously not hurt, but rather playing along.

See that's the big difference in thinking. To me it isn't cute at all. Yes the Stormtrooper may just be playing along but I think the Jedi trainer indeed took a pretty good hit or two to the crotch. That could be really harmful to him and if he has to sit out they will cancel shows are there aren't usually back ups for those roles.

 

[lovethattink]

Must be an older video. Stormtroopers are no longer part of the training.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Obviously some people think it's hilarious and that everything went just fine, but the cast member(s) getting hit in the crotch isn't funny at all. Normally I'm quite accepting of others' opinions, but in this case, you're just plain wrong. Sorry. That kind of mentality is why we have more and more "common sense" rules, because there's too many people out there who think that no matter what they do, they'll get away with it, because it's "cute."

 

[wilkeliza]

Must be an older video. Stormtroopers are no longer part of the training.

I believe it is from March 2015. It just hit the major Disney internet circle on the 5th though so it is starting to gain a ton of views out of that.

 

[AZMermaid]

This is interesting. I have never seen JTA but plan on signing my then to be 5.5 year old (47-48 inch) son up for the DL version in June. My daughter will be a younger 4, but she is doing Anna and Elsa's boutique. I never considered signing her up because this way they each have their own "thing." I never considered the rule folowing aspect of it, just the age. My younger one is more "independently minded" so now I don't think she would be a good fit this year anyway! They are only 17 months apart, so they generally support each other and understand sometimes one gets something the other doesn't. But... it does help when they each have something special!

 

[starjazz]

[QUOTE="Ursula's Apprentice, post: Normally I'm quite accepting of others' opinions, but in this case, you're just plain wrong. Sorry.[/QUOTE]

This isn't a matter of fact, it's a matter of opinion. I think it's funny and cute. You are welcome to disagree, and I honor that. But I can't be wrong in my opinion. Because it's mine.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

[QUOTE="Ursula's Apprentice, post: Normally I'm quite accepting of others' opinions, but in this case, you're just plain wrong. Sorry.

This isn't a matter of fact, it's a matter of opinion. I think it's funny and cute. You are welcome to disagree, and I honor that. But I can't be wrong in my opinion. Because it's mine.

Yes, it is indeed your opinion, and you are entitled to it. I guess the part I don't get is how anyone could think it's cute for a child to hit an adult in the crotch? I realize that it wasn't on purpose, (at least we're assuming that wasn't his intention) but that doesn't change the fact that it happened, and it wasn't supposed to. Do you find it cute when a woman kicks a man in the crotch? Or is it only funny when it's an accident? I'm just trying to understand the thought process. Logically, it doesn't make sense to me.

 

[bumbershoot]

We are going to luck out because my 3 year old will turn 4 on the day we are going to Hollywood Studios so he will hopefully get to do it and he will be of legal Disney age.

Now that is some excellent planning!

Lol. Yeah, it actually took longer than I thought before the flaming began.

In reality, if they asked her, we'd be out of luck, because I wouldn't tell her to lie about her age. But, as mentioned, I'd positively round up if she's a month or two from the required age, and they asked me only. Especially because she has always acted older than her age.

Why? Why would I do such an abhorrent thing as round up a month or two when asked about my child's age? Mainly because I don't have the heart to tell her that because she's 1,430 days old instead of 1,460 days old, she can't do this totally awesome, once in a lifetime thing. And not only can't she do it, but she has to watch her older sister have a super fun experience. I just don't have the heart. I think 1,430 out of 1,460 is just about close enough for JTA.

But please, continue to flame on - I'm sure there's a special level of hell for those of us who round our kids's ages up on occasions like this.

You feel that that was flaming? Not sure you've been on message boards long if so. Definitely didn't plan your wedding on theknot or weddingchannel, that's for sure.

I'm the oldest of 5. When adults have more than one child (and I'm not talking about multiples), the reality is that they will end up with kids of different ages. And that means that one kid can do x while the other kid can't. It is part of life. Let the younger do x when not old enough, will she expect it again? Older goes to school while younger is too young, you get to explain that. Older starts dating first. Older goes to college first, gets to legally drink first, etc. and I'm sure there are things the older misses that the younger can still do. When you are fortunate enough to have more than one child, there are situations that happen like this.

Plan better, IMO. If I, a mother of an "only" (and due to mystifying secondary infertility it's heartbreaking that we only have the one, though he's darned awesome), plan a trip so he is 20 days too young for something, that's on me. I should have planned better.

hiro - that's a fair point. If my 3 yo was still peeing in her pants, and couldn't follow directions, I, personally, wouldn't try to get her on stage. That's probably no consolation, but I'm just telling you my personal position. I don't think its quite as sinful as some, apparently.

FWIW you can't always know that a kid is done with that!

Ds was an old 3 or young 4 and wanted to do JTA at DL. He had started figuring out the potty at 18 months and I gave in to the fact that he didn't need to keep wearing diapers a year later. So he was long past needing diapers by then. But the long wait (before signups) for the show was too long. When the preshow started and the kids got up to show their enthusiasm and hope to be picked, he realized that he *had to go NOW*. While sitting there was no urge. But standing it was different. If I'd let him continue there would have been an incident. So we mournfully (and quickly) left the area. So sad. He still hasn't done JTA at DL. But now with the signups he's going to next week, by golly!

Anyway, you can't always predict when pee will happen in a younger kid, even when you think they are long done with it.

 

[keaster]

Yeah you can see in the video the kid take a few big swings at the Jedi instructor who is obviously trying to corral him off there.

 

[starjazz]

Yes, it is indeed your opinion, and you are entitled to it. I guess the part I don't get is how anyone could think it's cute for a child to hit an adult in the crotch? I realize that it wasn't on purpose, (at least we're assuming that wasn't his intention) but that doesn't change the fact that it happened, and it wasn't supposed to. Do you find it cute when a woman kicks a man in the crotch? Or is it only funny when it's an accident? I'm just trying to understand the thought process. Logically, it doesn't make sense to me.

Nope, it's not funny for a person to get hit in the crotch. But I don't have any evidence that anyone got hit in the crotch. That's what you think you saw. And that's fine. I didn't. I thought the kid was cute. I thought the actors were responding to him and at least for a bit allowed his actions, and even engaged in them. So yeah, we have a different assessment of the situation.

 

[starjazz]

Now that is some excellent planning!



You feel that that was flaming? Not sure you've been on message boards long if so. Definitely didn't plan your wedding on theknot or weddingchannel, that's for sure.

I'm the oldest of 5. When adults have more than one child (and I'm not talking about multiples), the reality is that they will end up with kids of different ages. And that means that one kid can do x while the other kid can't. It is part of life. Let the younger do x when not old enough, will she expect it again? Older goes to school while younger is too young, you get to explain that. Older starts dating first. Older goes to college first, gets to legally drink first, etc. and I'm sure there are things the older misses that the younger can still do. When you are fortunate enough to have more than one child, there are situations that happen like this.

Plan better, IMO. If I, a mother of an "only" (and due to mystifying secondary infertility it's heartbreaking that we only have the one, though he's darned awesome), plan a trip so he is 20 days too young for something, that's on me. I should have planned better.



FWIW you can't always know that a kid is done with that!

Ds was an old 3 or young 4 and wanted to do JTA at DL. He had started figuring out the potty at 18 months and I gave in to the fact that he didn't need to keep wearing diapers a year later. So he was long past needing diapers by then. But the long wait (before signups) for the show was too long. When the preshow started and the kids got up to show their enthusiasm and hope to be picked, he realized that he *had to go NOW*. While sitting there was no urge. But standing it was different. If I'd let him continue there would have been an incident. So we mournfully (and quickly) left the area. So sad. He still hasn't done JTA at DL. But now with the signups he's going to next week, by golly!

Anyway, you can't always predict when pee will happen in a younger kid, even when you think they are long done with it.

An 8 year old third grader could easily have an accident. Maybe they should make the age limit 9. Heck, who thought giving twenty 4-10 year olds a bunch of light sabers wasn't gonna produce a few accidents and miss swings, eh? Probably ought to cancel the whole thing. It's far too risky.

 

[jenrose66]

Lol. Yeah, it actually took longer than I thought before the flaming began.

In reality, if they asked her, we'd be out of luck, because I wouldn't tell her to lie about her age. But, as mentioned, I'd positively round up if she's a month or two from the required age, and they asked me only. Especially because she has always acted older than her age.

Why? Why would I do such an abhorrent thing as round up a month or two when asked about my child's age? Mainly because I don't have the heart to tell her that because she's 1,430 days old instead of 1,460 days old, she can't do this totally awesome, once in a lifetime thing. And not only can't she do it, but she has to watch her older sister have a super fun experience. I just don't have the heart. I think 1,430 out of 1,460 is just about close enough for JTA.

But please, continue to flame on - I'm sure there's a special level of hell for those of us who round our kids's ages up on occasions like this.

I'm not judging I just don't lie in front of my kids. Plus my sons are both very literal and would not lie about their age and would call me out if I did so. We did make sure to get younger DS an ice cream while he watched his brother and he enjoyed the show so our day wasn't ruined. He was just very dejected until we got on our first ride which took his mind off it.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Ha! That is hilarious. I think that went just fine, to be honest. Was it by the script? Nope. But everyone handled that completely fine. And that Stormtrooper is obviously not hurt, but rather playing along.

IMO, It isn't funny to have an out of control kid who cannot follow directions and do as they are told. Again, this is why so many people disagree with you. Differing parenting styles.

Hey - to each their own. But I thank you for the unsolicited parenting advice.

Its not parenting advice. Just an explanation as to why so many people disagree with you. Your kid, your rules.

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah, I'm with the others. There is nothing funny about that. Sure, at the first it was a little cute how he was in super turbo mode. But he clearly lost control. Whether they were fine (not hurt) or not is besides the point. The kid was incapable of following the directions, and then when they were trying to get him corralled/get him to stop, he hauled off and started trying to hit all three of them. There's nothing funny about children trying to hit those in an authority position. He could have hurt them. So, no, that's not fine or funny. And is why there are age limits. And yes, obviously kids lose control, it happens - and as this video shows, they know how to handle it. But that doesn't make it okay when it does happen, or that people should go around applauding the behavior and laughing about it.

 

[Teacup53]

Now that is some excellent planning!

Thanks bumbershoot. It will be his 4th birthday and the third time he has celebrated a birthday at WDW - we were able to get a trip in for his first birthday and then one just under the wire for him to be a guest of Mickey when he was still 2 years and 364 days old. Going in Jan works for us, of course, he is asking if all his friends are going to come too .
We planned the HS day for his Birthday - we might go earlier in the week so he can see JTA and see if he will REALLY want to do it and if he will pay attention and follow directions.

I am a rule follower and so we will adhere to the rules because there are generally reasons as to why they are in place - especially in a place like WDW.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

Nope, it's not funny for a person to get hit in the crotch. But I don't have any evidence that anyone got hit in the crotch. That's what you think you saw. And that's fine. I didn't. I thought the kid was cute. I thought the actors were responding to him and at least for a bit allowed his actions, and even engaged in them. So yeah, we have a different assessment of the situation.

I guess that just goes to show why when multiple people witness an event, there's multiple stories. There's your version, my version, and the truth.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The idea that you'd lie about age to get your child into JTA is very similar to a lot of the entitlement many of us criticize at Disney and elsewhere.

"This is a one in a lifetime chance!" Well, it may be for another child who meets the guideline.

"I paid a lot, my child deserves to see!" This does not excuse running people over with a stroller.

"But the age limit is unfair!" Yes, but it is equally unfair to everyone. Much like kindergarten enrollment. Here, if your kid is born on September 1, they wait a year. If they are born on August 31, they start. Could be a difference of 1 minute. Most age limits are somewhat artificial. There aren't easier ways to make fair limits in many cases, though, especially as parents will lie about things other than age (like potty trained).

I have seen this express in many venues. The bottom line is all of these attitudes are completely oblivious to the idea that we are traveling through space with a lot of other people, and trying to make everything all about yourself is ridiculous.