Nice experience at Mr. Toad yesterday

[WonkaKid]

Mr. Toad is usually the second ride I hit post rope drop (after Peter Pan, of course). Yesterday was no exception. However, once we got in line, there was a family with a girl aged about three who was not having it: she was too afraid of the ride and fought her mother the entire way.

I love kids and hate to see them upset and -- while being sensitive to and respectful of parents' boundaries and parenting styles -- I will sometimes try to help, if the conditions feel right. I'm told that I give off a good vibe and, I think/hope, people are often receptive to it. In this case, I caught the mom's eye and she smiled. Then I caught the little girl's eye and tried to explain that the ride was a lot of fun and not scary at all. It didn't seem to help (I tried) and when they got to the front of the line, they had to leave. The girl was simply too scared. At her age, I might have felt the same.

Moments later when we exited, we found the mom and girl sitting in wait for the rest of their party at the carousel wall. I approached and asked the mom how her daughter was feeling. She'd calmed a bit but was still upset. Lately I've been bringing wrapped mini candies (Twix and Kit Kat) for the CMs at Buzz Lightyear. Many of them recognize and know me by name. I asked the mom if I could offer her daughter one. She consented and I let her take her choice. This seemed to help her feel a bit better and moments later (while in line for Dumbo) I saw them walking off as the girl ate her Twix. It made me feel good and I hope/believe it helped her too.

Again, I'm sensitive to people's privacy and don't always butt in -- only when I sense a connection and feel that they'd be receptive. I understand that parents know their children best. Sometimes, though (I hope), an outsider's perspective can be helpful.

Rob

 

[chickapin parterre]

that sensitivity part is getting harder and harder......I use to help, being the teacher and all, but the last time I finally understood the fears. it was TSMM, not enough seats for entire family and their first time....... being 6'4 and an old gray hair man, I naturally had been conversing for some time with them, trying to explain the intricacies of the attraction and without adult supervision, the intent of TSMM was lost....so I offered to have the oldest boy in my vehicle to show him what to do with the arcade mechanisms...parents had a discussion back and forth.....I had not clue....after all I was a school teacher....the decision was finally made that I would switch places in line , be behind the family, so that their son and I would exit last.......it was that decision, a good one on their part.......that I finally understood. so I don't intervene anymore, stranger danger is what it is and it shouldn't be watered down by folks with good intentions.......as for the twix....do they save them and put them in the pool of given items at the end of the day.....I started giving CMS rare disney character pins....they couldn't keep them but had to wait for the end of the day.

 

[joseph821]

Mr. Toad is usually the second ride I hit post rope drop (after Peter Pan, of course). Yesterday was no exception. However, once we got in line, there was a family with a girl aged about three who was not having it: she was too afraid of the ride and fought her mother the entire way.

I love kids and hate to see them upset and -- while being sensitive to and respectful of parents' boundaries and parenting styles -- I will sometimes try to help, if the conditions feel right. I'm told that I give off a good vibe and, I think/hope, people are often receptive to it. In this case, I caught the mom's eye and she smiled. Then I caught the little girl's eye and tried to explain that the ride was a lot of fun and not scary at all. It didn't seem to help (I tried) and when they got to the front of the line, they had to leave. The girl was simply too scared. At her age, I might have felt the same.

Moments later when we exited, we found the mom and girl sitting in wait for the rest of their party at the carousel wall. I approached and asked the mom how her daughter was feeling. She'd calmed a bit but was still upset. Lately I've been bringing wrapped mini candies (Twix and Kit Kat) for the CMs at Buzz Lightyear. Many of them recognize and know me by name. I asked the mom if I could offer her daughter one. She consented and I let her take her choice. This seemed to help her feel a bit better and moments later (while in line for Dumbo) I saw them walking off as the girl ate her Twix. It made me feel good and I hope/believe it helped her too.

Again, I'm sensitive to people's privacy and don't always butt in -- only when I sense a connection and feel that they'd be receptive. I understand that parents know their children best. Sometimes, though (I hope), an outsider's perspective can be helpful.

Rob

God Bless you Rob!
Joe

 

[WonkaKid]

God Bless you Rob!

Thank you, Joe!

 

[joseph821]

Welcome. Good souls like you need to be acknowledged. Whether Mr. Toad is good is another matter. Toady!

 

[Linkura]

Mr. Toad was my favorite ride as a little kid at WDW, pre-Splash Mountain. I guess I was a weird little kid. What a nice little story!

 

[SteveMP]

Strong username to post content ratio!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Good parents keep the candy on hand for a time like that. Haha! I keep the juice jelly beans from our local grocer in my bag for melt downs. Sugar calms. We learned in trauma training. Good call Wonka!