Please stay off the street right before MNSSHP starts!

[Terry S]

I was at MNSSHP on the 8th. We were sitting to the right of the LTT. The CM's were doing thier best to keep everyone off the street and kept telling them they needed to stay behind the line. It was like a scene out of a bad movie for me, I looked over my right shoulder and could see the headless horseman coming around the corner, just then I turn my head back and a guy ducks under the line as a CM, myself and several other people yelled stop to him, he kept running accross the street and the headless horseman came within inches of running him over. It was so scary for everyone there. He could have easily been hit and killed and/or spooked the horse who then could have come towards the rest of the people sitting on the side. It was just a stupid thing to do. The headless horseman has a real hard time seeing so please just stay off the street right before the parade starts.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Terry S
The headless horseman has a real hard time seeing ...

I'm sorry ... I know your post is serious and that people darting out in front of the rider is very dangerous to both guest and rider. But this line just made me laugh. Of COURSE the headless horseman has a read hard time seeing. Um ... he's HEADLESS.

 

[Terry S]

I know the sentence sounded kind of funny when I wrote it.

But, really this a very scary thing that happened and I just wanted people to realize that he goes very fast, he can't see well, and sometimes comes really close to the guests on the side.

One of the CM's actually called security and they sent the 2 security people over to talk with the gentleman.

 

[crzy4mk]

Originally posted by Terry S

One of the CM's actually called security and they sent the 2 security people over to talk with the gentleman.

I'm glad they talked to him, but I don't think that's enough. If there are ropes or barricades up and CMs are telling people to stay off the street, and some idiot who thinks the rules apply to everybody but them decides to run out in the street, then this is a blatant disregard to rules and regulations set up by the park. I think you would see a lot less stuff like this take place if Disney would get a little tougher on people like this who ruin the fun for others.

 

[disneyfanz04]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
I'm sorry ... I know your post is serious and that people darting out in front of the rider is very dangerous to both guest and rider. But this line just made me laugh. Of COURSE the headless horseman has a read hard time seeing. Um ... he's HEADLESS.

Hysterical!!! I am sorry I don't want to make light of the situation either, but that just made my day.

 

[underdesea]

I agree that the OP's message is serious. The "Headless Horsemen has a hard time seeing" did make me chuckle as well, however, because it reminded me of a similar logistical dilemma. I used to work at a living history museum, at which historical accuracy was extremely important. Each year, this museum holds a Headless Horseman halloween event, where guests take a hayride through a "haunted forest." At some point during the ride, an employee dressed as the Headless Horseman comes by on horseback. The Horseman would always yell, "Who has my head? I want yours!" or something along those lines.

Well, one night the man who usually played the Horseman was sick and couldn't ride. A female rider was replacing him. The education department told the female she had to "ride silently" without yelling at the guests, because "the Headless Horseman is a man. It will ruin the authenticity if the guests hear a female voice." And those of us in the Communications department were cracking up, because obviously, if we were being so authentic, the Horseman wouldn't yell at all. He's headless, for goodness sake. The education folks did not see the humor in the situation, though!

 

[PatriciaH]

That was cute. Good post though because they will most likely do away with things like the Headless Horseman if people do things like that guy!

 

[WDWFAN9]

My DDs and I were in the MK for Halloween a couple of years ago. Some type of announcement was made about being careful, and then this Dad, leading his family, ducked under the ropes and headed across the street. I never saw so many CMs move so fast! Fortunately the family made it across safely, but I have to say that I am surprised the WDW continues with this tradition. There are just too many people who think the rules don't apply to them, and when they get hurt they will be the first to sue. It will be a real shame if WDW ever discontinues the headless horseman because of these knuckleheads.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

I agree! We were sitting in the same spot as you on 10/3 and people would not listin to the CM's. It was a little distracting. What is so hard about 'Stay Behind the Ropes!'

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Jenn Lynn
I agree! We were sitting in the same spot as you on 10/3 and people would not listin to the CM's. It was a little distracting. What is so hard about 'Stay Behind the Ropes!'

I was there behind that rope on 10/03 also. We were at the same spot you are talking about. I wonder if I saw you.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Oops! Double post!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I was there behind that rope on 10/03 also. We were at the same spot you are talking about. I wonder if I saw you.

Were you sitting on the ground? Did you have kids with you? My DH was standing on the wall behind the bench video taping. DD stayed with MIL, who stood during the parade. And I was in between 2 families of 4, on the ground, right up by the rope taking pictures. I had a sweatshirt on (I was cold because I was sick).

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Jenn Lynn
Were you sitting on the ground? Did you have kids with you? My DH was standing on the wall behind the bench video taping. DD stayed with MIL, who stood during the parade. And I was in between 2 families of 4, on the ground, right up by the rope taking pictures. I had a sweatshirt on (I was cold because I was sick).

I was sitting on the ground next to DD who was sitting in a rented double stroller. Right behind me was the brick planter in front of the Hall of Presidents. My mom was sitting there. I thought you were sitting near there but after reading I now see I was wrong. You were at LTT. I misread. Sorry~

 

[Robinette]

Terry S., thanks for posting this. It's good info to put out there. I would hate to hear this part of the party being discontinued because of people not following simple instructions!

The headless horseman is the best part of MNSSHP for us!

 

[erikthewise]

Another point, though not as dramatic, is that when you step or even lean out into the street to "get a better view", you are blocking the view of 100-200 people behind you. A very selfish thing to do.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I really have a problem with the people that don't think the rules apply to them. That's probably the only negative experiences I've ever had in my numerous visits to the Disney parks: the line-cutters, the rope-dodgers, etc. I wish a had an "eject" button !!!

 

[frstimer128]

I read someplace that the horseman has absolutely no visibility while in that costume. They use a specially trained horse to run the route so he runs it by memory. The horseman has no control over where the horse runs. It is amazing how many people don't know how to behave around animals. Thank goodness no one was hurt.


Copied from allearsnet.com:
"TIP: 10 minutes prior to the Parade Start time, Mr. Knickerbocker takes his place in front of the Liberty Bell and tells the story of the Headless Horseman. At the time he finishes the story, the Horseman begins his gallop through the Magic Kingdom (from Main Street through Frontierland). Once the Horseman has cleared the entire parade route, the parade begins on Main Street! Legend has it the Headless Horseman can not see at all through the costume and is guided only by the well trained horse (which is why the Cast Members are SO vigilant about making sure the streets are cleared!)."

 

[WDWLinda]

I heard the Headless Horseman also has a hard time eating - that's why he never stops for dinner on the way!

(Sorry - I couldn't resist...I do agree this is a serious topic and I hope no one bites my head off for joking!)

~Linda

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Originally posted by WDWLinda
I heard the Headless Horseman also has a hard time eating - that's why he never stops for dinner on the way!

What a tasteless joke!

 

[disneyfanz04]

I love this boeard...you guys crack me up!!!