Read something about US/IOA parks and now I'm worried about my kids

[jewell]

Okay, first of all, please don't get mad. I'm planning to going to US/IOA in August, and we are all SO excited. We (me, hubby and six year old son) were last there in early May of 2000, the crowds were very low and we had a great time. BUT I just read the post "Don't know if y'all are interested but..." on this board, now I'm just a bit worried.

On this upcoming trip we will have three kids with us, my son age 13, and my sister's girls, ages 11 and 8. Our kids all go to public schools and we aren't prudes, but we go to church and we rarely, if ever drink (not that I have a problem with other people drinking, as long as they aren't obnoxious with it). We also don't allow our kids to listen to music with bad words or sexually explicit lyrics. I don't push my views on anyone else, but it's just the way we want our kids raised. After reading that post about what the person wrote about in the US/IOA parks, I'm just a little worried. Please tell me this person over exaggerated!!!!

I realize that there will be people using cuss words, and I know that some girls will be suggestively dressed, as this can happen everywhere. And I know our kids, especially my son who goes to middle school hears cuss words everyday. But one thing that did bother me just a little was the music, the poster stated they were playing a Janet Jackson sexually suggestive song---is this kind of music played all over the park and is all the music like that or is that just an isolated incident?

I know the parks have no control over people's laugage or the way they dress or even act, for the most part and that I can deal with. But parks do have control over the songs they play and I have a problem with a theme park playing songs with sexually suggestive themes over a intercom when they know that children of all ages will be there.

Like I said I'm not a prude, my 12 year old son talks to me about everything, actually I can't believe the things he talks to me about, but I am happy that he feels he can talk to me. Please don't think I'm some dress wearing, no make-up, no jewelry type of person because I'm not, but at the same time I don't want to subject my children to an overload of cuss words and sex.

Those with families please tell me that you are fine with the parks and that the poster that talked about US/IOA was way off base. And please don't get mad at this post, I'm so excited about our up-coming trip. We went to Disney in 2004 and stayed on site the whole week and had a great time, I even told my hubby that it killed me to be in Orlando (we live in WV) and not be going to US. I'm not one of those types of people who loves WDW and hates US/IOA or visa versa, both parks are different, yet the times I've been to both I've loved them both.

 

[lookingforward]

We go to US/IOA at least four times a year and stay at the Hard Rock and other onsite hotels. In all my times there I have NEVER felt it was not an appropriate enviornment for my children. The hotels are wonderful and the parks are well run, clean and safe. Are there teen who act stupid sometimes?Sure. Once there were a group of tipsy college students in the hot tub that got silly....but really not an issue for us.

My point is that these parks are a great place to visit as a family. They offer great rides, attractions, shows and some of the best theme park dining around. (Try Mythos).

 

[chobie]

I appreciate your honesty. I can't answer the question fully, because I have never taken notice of the actual songs being played. There are songs I don't like my kids to listen to and will change the station in the car when they come on, but that is just because I want them to know I don't approve it, not to try to keep them from every hearing sexually suggestive songs. I know the stuff is out there.

They might be playing songs you don't want your kids to hear, but I doubt your kids will be paying attention to lyrics while waiting for rides.

If this is not a deal breaker for you, but you are worried, if you start hearing lyrics you don't approve of, maybe you could engage your kids in conversation so they won't pay attention to them?

I think that poster was paying more attention to details than most people would because she didn't really want to be there in the first place.

 

[damo]

I honestly would not worry one bit about it. That poster made mountains out of molehills. Your kids are the perfect age for Universal and there are no swear words blasting over the parks or sexually explicit content. The Horror Makeup show is as bad as it gets. If you want to preview it, watch this video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gPJ_SOc_2o

A few snippets would be...they show a picture of a full moon and ask the audience what movie it is from...everyone yells ET...it isn't from ET but a werewolf movie and the host says, "Yes, it is ET. He is back and he is pissed." That is the worst language you will hear in the show. The host picks a volunteer and gives her body parts to build a boyfriend. There is a comment about the benefits of her boyfriend having three hands. There are a few comments like this that will go right over any youngster's head. The show is rated PG 13 to give parents an idea of the content. If you are concerned, simply skip this show. It is the only show in the parks that has any content that is questionable.

The rest of the stuff that concerned the OP in the other thread can be found at any park and shouldn't be worried about.

As to lyrics for songs playing outside MIB, I never actually spend any time OUTSIDE MIB, so I don't know and I don't think I would be listening anyways. When we go to the parks as a family, we are usually joking around and having fun, so we don't really have time to listen to the lyrics of songs that are playing in the background. I have been to the parks many, many, many times and I honestly could not tell you what songs are played (other than at IOA, where the soundtrack is all themed to the land you are in).

Personally, it is this non-juvenile attitude at Universal that makes me love it. I get so sick of the cutesy stuff at Disney. We don't smoke, don't drink much, have no tattoos or piercings and I usually wear underwear and I still love the place.

 

[tlinus]

jewell -

I have a 12, 7 & 5 year old. I have not seen or heard anything that I would deem inappropriate at the parks. Yes, there are some knuckleheads that may let a cuss fly here or there, but as you stated, your child has heard it. We returned from out trip on 5/1/07 and we had a FABULOUS time. 90% of the time we don't even listen to music in the parks because we are too busy walking talking and seeing.

Go and have a great time.......you can form your own opinion and come back and let us know!!!

 

[sha_lyn]

We've been to universal about 8 times over the last 5 yrs. I have never seen the things that the OP in that thread brought up.

We've been to WDW twice. if I thought like the OP of that thread I would have left WDW and never returned after our first 18 hrs there. The door to our room broke, we had a horrible meal at CM then the next AM the bus driver over slept (first AM of turning the clocks back an hr) so we were late for EE our frist morning in the parks.

On our first trip to USO DD was 3 1/2. I read the warnings for things such as T-3 and horror make-up and iddn't dismiss them. The only area we've had to avoid due to behavior, music etc is the upper area of CW after 9PM on the weekend.

I couldn't help but laugh at some of the comments on that thread... couldn't avoid the time share people... we've had the same problem at WDW. The worst being in DTD and the lobby of GF.

As chobie said, I really think the OP of that thread was upset that she wasn't in WDW and was looking for reasons to tear USO parat.

 

[jewell]

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! I really thought that poster was WAY over dramatizing things, but I just wanted to hear from other families that have been going to US/IOA. Okay, so I'm not happy about the songs being played at MIB, but that's okay if it's just at that one section, and like you said, if we hear a song we don't like we will just engage the kids into some conversation.

You know how many questions I've been asking on this board (I figure most of you are sick of me by now! ), so I wasn't trying to put down US at all, just wanted some things cleared up and you did that for me. You know, when I was on the Disney side of the board for my last trip WDW a few people said that the US/IOA board wasn't friendly or helpful, well I totally disagree, everyone here has been very nice and more than helpful.

I can't say a bad thing about Disney---love it, love it, love it, but I have a feeling that I'll feel the same way about US, one thing I know I'm going to love is staying on site and having FOTL privileges, that alone makes me want to spend our hard working money on US/IOA instead of Disney (especially in August! ).

 

[Planogirl]

I took my son for the first time a few years ago when he was 11 and I never noticed anything inappropriate in the music either. I heard some I didn't particularly like but I suspect that it was more of a generational thing.

Come to think of it, sometimes a radio station in the car would play or do something suggestive and I'd feel a little odd so I know what you mean. But truthfully, it hasn't happened at Universal, at least not yet.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

The person totally exaggerated. The music around MIB is akin to the music that was in the movie. I can't tell you the lyrics; it's a theme park, with kids crying and having meltdowns, families talking to each other, vendors selling stuff and talking to customers ... I can't even understand the lyrics in the songs!

Yes, there are folks walking around with a beer or frozen drink, but I've never noticed any more or less drinking than I do in Epcot, AK or MGM. It's hot. People are sweating, walking a ton and ON VACATION. On vacation -- especially if they're staying onsite at either USO or WDW and don't have to worry about driving -- to a lot of people includes having a beer at one o'clock in the afternoon, something most of can't do when we're back home and back to the grind. If this bothers anyone, they need to focus on spending the bulk of their time at MK.

There are obnoxious folks everywhere. At my grocery store, on the road, in the lines at all theme parks -- EVERYWHERE. When I go to WDW, I'm just not looking for, nor focusing on, obnoxious behavior. The same when I go to USO.

Based on what I see on these boards alone, I think a lot of people go on vacation looking for things to complain about. I mean, really, I could care less if somebody's kid has wheels on their shoes, if a family uses a refillable mug they bought last year, if they want to check out the neighboring resort's pool, how a parent uses a child credit on the DDP, etc. There are thousands of posts on these boards about these "topics." I think it's really important to consider that type of stuff when you read some of these "trip reports."

 

[JawsCPA]

Jewell,
Go to Universal and have a great time. We went for a family vacation last June and had a blast. If I listened to all the negative hype on these message boards - we would not have gone. Our son was 11 and had a great time and we aren't thrill ride junkies so we passed on the coasters.

I do not remember seeing any outrageous behavior from the crowds. Basically, just families on vacation. Off course, some of the teen girls don't wear enough coverage, but I see this everywhere we go - sign of the times.

I read the post you are talking about - he is just plain wrong. We had a great time staying at Hard Rock for 5 days and are looking forward to going back in 2008. We don't drink and are not into the "bar" scene and found plenty to do and was not offended at all. I do not remember any lyrics in the parks - obviously it wasn't that loud since I can't recall it now.

Go over to the trip report board and read some past trip reports. Most talk about what a great time they had.

As for me and my family, we can't wait to get back in '08.

 

[damo]

Jewell,
Go to Universal and have a great time. We went for a family vacation last June and had a blast. If I listened to all the negative hype on these message boards - we would not have gone. Our son was 11 and had a great time and we aren't thrill ride junkies so we passed on the coasters.

I do not remember seeing any outrageous behavior from the crowds. Basically, just families on vacation. Off course, some of the teen girls don't wear enough coverage, but I see this everywhere we go - sign of the times.

I read the post you are talking about - he is just plain wrong. We had a great time staying at Hard Rock for 5 days and are looking forward to going back in 2008. We don't drink and are not into the "bar" scene and found plenty to do and was not offended at all. I do not remember any lyrics in the parks - obviously it wasn't that loud since I can't recall it now.

Go over to the trip report board and read some past trip reports. Most talk about what a great time they had.

As for me and my family, we can't wait to get back in '08.

Funny about the teen girls...they seem to show some cleavage but are all wearing bras under those little tops. It is the older women NOT WEARING BRAS under those little tops that make me kinda ill.

 

[jewell]

The person totally exaggerated. The music around MIB is akin to the music that was in the movie. I can't tell you the lyrics; it's a theme park, with kids crying and having meltdowns, families talking to each other, vendors selling stuff and talking to customers ... I can't even understand the lyrics in the songs!

Yes, there are folks walking around with a beer or frozen drink, but I've never noticed any more or less drinking than I do in Epcot, AK or MGM. It's hot. People are sweating, walking a ton and ON VACATION. On vacation -- especially if they're staying onsite at either USO or WDW and don't have to worry about driving -- to a lot of people includes having a beer at one o'clock in the afternoon, something most of can't do when we're back home and back to the grind. If this bothers anyone, they need to focus on spending the bulk of their time at MK.

There are obnoxious folks everywhere. At my grocery store, on the road, in the lines at all theme parks -- EVERYWHERE. When I go to WDW, I'm just not looking for, nor focusing on, obnoxious behavior. The same when I go to USO.

Based on what I see on these boards alone, I think a lot of people go on vacation looking for things to complain about. I mean, really, I could care less if somebody's kid has wheels on their shoes, if a family uses a refillable mug they bought last year, if they want to check out the neighboring resort's pool, how a parent uses a child credit on the DDP, etc. There are thousands of posts on these boards about these "topics." I think it's really important to consider that type of stuff when you read some of these "trip reports."

Maybe you didn't read all of my post, I never complained about people drinking, actually I said I don't mind people drinking as long as they aren't obnoxious about it and we won't be in CityWalk around the clubs at night, so I don't worry about that either. What other people do isn't my concern, my concern is to keep my kids away from certain situations. Also, I've never went on vacation looking for things to complain about, I've been to US/IOA in early May 2000, LOVED IT, went to WDW early May 2004, LOVED IT! Went to Yellowstone last year LOVED IT. But I do care about my kids, and don't want them to be subjected to certain things, again this is just my parenting style, not pushing my ideas on anyone else.

To all the people that eased my mind I thank-you, like I also stated in another above post, I really did think that person was just trying to start something, but can't blame a parent for making sure. Thanks guys!

 

[t-and-a]

Funny about the teen girls...they seem to show some cleavage but are all wearing bras under those little tops. It is the older women NOT WEARING BRAS under those little tops that make me kinda ill.

Yeah! I happen to have a pic from one of my vacations that shows a braless older woman...not a pretty picture!!! I think she just happened to turn our way as the picture was being snapped. You know how it is, you sometimes don't even see the people when you are snapping a picture until you review your photos when you're at home.

 

[scarboroughmom]

The music playing around MIB is Will Smith doing the theme song from MIB. It is completely innocuous. You could read the words out loud in church.

 

[ChrisFL]

The music playing around MIB is Will Smith doing the theme song from MIB. It is completely innocuous. You could read the words out loud in church.

No, actually outside they play other songs as well, but from much earlier than when MIB came out, like MC Hammer

Still, I'm quite familiar with most of the songs from that era and the ones they play are very tame, and I've never heard explicit lyrics anywhere at the parks

 

[scammermom]

People see what they want to see. I feel that was a total exaggeration. We took our then 5 & 7 last fall and had a blast. I'm very confident you'll have a great time!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Well, I think you need to worry a little. From your concerns I'd disagree with you and say that you do seem kind of prudish (by my standards) and if you have certain elements of everyday American life that you're trying to shield your children from then Universal is going to be a big change from Disney (it's the percentages). Universal attracks a younger, hipper and roudier crowd and while damo is right that most of the young girls do wear bras often times it seems that is about all they are wearing. Further, there will be a lot more people drinking than at WDW (except for the Epcot festivals) and more groups of local youths (in which the colorful vernacular of the day is spouted loudly like a challenge to us old fogies).

Aside from that though Universal is great. I personally don't have a problem with the differences. It's just generational for the most part and I think young folks deserve the right to behave at least as badly as I did when I was a punk (live and learn).

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Maybe you didn't read all of my post, I never complained about people drinking, actually I said I don't mind people drinking as long as they aren't obnoxious about it and we won't be in CityWalk around the clubs at night, so I don't worry about that either. What other people do isn't my concern, my concern is to keep my kids away from certain situations. Also, I've never went on vacation looking for things to complain about, I've been to US/IOA in early May 2000, LOVED IT, went to WDW early May 2004, LOVED IT! Went to Yellowstone last year LOVED IT. But I do care about my kids, and don't want them to be subjected to certain things, again this is just my parenting style, not pushing my ideas on anyone else.

To all the people that eased my mind I thank-you, like I also stated in another above post, I really did think that person was just trying to start something, but can't blame a parent for making sure. Thanks guys!

Whoa! I read all of your post, twice actually. I commented on what I've seen and observed at USO, after reading your concerns.

I realize you said you don't have a problem with drinking. I don't know what your definition of "obnoxious" is. I've seen 50 people on these boards chastise a parent for keeping a beer in the cupholder of a stroller. There seems to be a broad spectrum of what constitutes "obnoxious" depending on the person. Do you think folks are obnoxious at Epcot and AK with their drinking? If not, then you'll see much the same at USO/IOA. If you tend to avoid the World Showcase and bar outside of Tusker House in AK because you find folks are obnoxious with their drinking, then you may want to focus on parks that don't have drinking. That was the point I was trying to make.

Sounded like your biggest concern was the musical lyrics being heard around the parks. Honestly, 99 percent of the time, I couldn't even tell you what the lyrics are. I think I remember Elton John around Earthquake once. I mean, it's like what are the lyrics of one of the songs you hear walking along Main Street or walking around Fantasyland? I'm not real sure, you know? It's mostly background noise, IMO, and really hard to even decipher the words unless you take a step back and really concentrate on it.

And I never meant to imply that you were looking for a reason to complain; my point was there's a lot of folks on these boards who seem to, and I try to take that into consideration when making a decision for my family, too. I think that thread that caused you concern was a lot of folks looking for a reason to complain (like the heelys, refillable mug, pool hopping threads). Just trying to make a helpful suggestion to keep in mind when you're reading some of these threads that just totally blow things out of proportion.

I think you completely misread my post, because I, too, was one of the people trying to ease your mind

 

[jewell]

Well, I think you need to worry a little. From your concerns I'd disagree with you and say that you do seem kind of prudish (by my standards) and if you have certain elements of everyday American life that you're trying to shield your children from then Universal is going to be a big change from Disney (it's the percentages). Universal attracks a younger, hipper and roudier crowd and while damo is right that most of the young girls do wear bras often times it seems that is about all they are wearing. Further, there will be a lot more people drinking than at WDW (except for the Epcot festivals) and more groups of local youths (in which the colorful vernacular of the day is spouted loudly like a challenge to us old fogies).

Aside from that though Universal is great. I personally don't have a problem with the differences. It's just generational for the most part and I think young folks deserve the right to behave at least as badly as I did when I was a punk (live and learn).

It's very obvious to me that two people who have responded to this post didn't really read my original post (I put those two people's responses in quotes). If you would care to actually read my post you will see that I NEVER said I was against drinking, I just said that I don't drink. I did say I can't stand obnoxious drunks, but then again I can't stand obnoxious people, drunk or not.

If you care to really read my OP, you will even see that I said that the parks can't control the way people talk and dress, or even act. My main concern actually was that the parks weren't playing sexually explicit songs all over the parks all day and that my kids wouldn't have to hear the *F* and *GD* words constantly, yes, I'm sure they will hear it a few times, my son and I just look at each other and roll our eyes, he is a good kid! Sorry, if I don't want a 13, 11 and 9 yr old to hear that kind of music and language all day, thankfully some very nice people on this board has stated this isn't the case.

Also, as I've stated on this thread about three or four times already I did think that the person who made that post was way over dramatizing things, but I just wanted to check it out. I asked a simple question and MOST of you have been very helpful and I thank those posters!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Sorry you think I was over dramatizing but I was giving you an honest opinion and yes I read into your post to try to prepare you for what I thought you may be uncomfortable with. If you want to to take what I've said personal, I'm sorry just disregard what I post.

If it's truly just the music you're worried about then you have no worries, I don't EVER recall understanding the lyrics or even paying attention to the background music...You'll hear the language in the Parks over and over and over again but if this is somehow different then you're OK.