So few kids

[HopperFan]

I’m saying it. I was there with my kids last week and I find it incredibly strange that adults spend their time at a children’s park. It’s their money and if they feel more comfortable reliving their childhood at an amusement park, hugging on other adults in costumes, then more power to them.

It becomes a problem when these large “children” almost run down my kids or shoulder in front of them in line. I’m sensing that these “caught on camera” physical confrontations will become more and more prevalent as this type of attitude grows.

Disney has never been a “children’s park” and it never will be. Walt wanted to create a themed amusement park that adults would enjoy, along with their children. He had taken his children to an amusement park which was fun for them, but he wanted to build something fun for adults, that the whole family would be excited to go together. Walt called his guests “children of all ages” and I think this quote says it all …

“Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn't much, either.”

― Walt Disney

Disney grew bigger than I think even he could imagine, and the parks grew, and the attractions became more and more sophisticated. All the details and story lines in many attractions are way above young children’s heads, but there for the adult guests. Adult geared attractions recently built and coming up far outnumber the number of child attractions. The dining, the festivals, the late hours party – all geared for adults. While some people view the parks as for children, that is not what Disney planned or how they have evolved for decades. Their ultimate goal is for families to visit and each generation continue to come, spending money as adults and hopefully pass the love on to the next generation. I honestly think the current path of most construction is geared for the 38-40" and taller, that is where the profit is. I've been going since 1971, my kids went from birth ... but if I weren't a regular and contemplating a big Disney trip for the first time, I'd wait until my kids were 8-9+ so they could handle the lines, crowds and all the rides.


I do agree with you that NO ONE should be running, pushing, cutting lines and having bad attitudes. Unfortunately most of my experiences with this have come from parents who bully CMs, claim to have FP+ (or Genie+ or DAS) but don't - holding up lines, who convince their kids to slide ahead cutting line, who claim they need to catch up with others in lines, who refuse to wear masks, who don’t remove screaming children from restaurants and best of all yell at their kids in front of everyone …

There is no monopoly on bad behavior. It is a sad commentary, but we see it everywhere, not just Disney. It reflects on those individuals behavior, not that fact that there are adults at Disney.

 

[DisWeaver]

Disney has never been a “children’s park” and it never will be. Walt wanted to create a themed amusement park that adults would enjoy, along with their children. He had taken his children to an amusement park which was fun for them, but he wanted to build something fun for adults, that the whole family would be excited to go together. Walt called his guests “children of all ages” and I think this quote says it all …

“Why do we have to grow up? I know more adults who have the children's approach to life. They're people who don't give a hang what the Joneses do. You see them at Disneyland every time you go there. They are not afraid to be delighted with simple pleasures, and they have a degree of contentment with what life has brought - sometimes it isn't much, either.”

― Walt Disney

Disney grew bigger than I think even he could imagine, and the parks grew, and the attractions became more and more sophisticated. All the details and story lines in many attractions are way above young children’s heads, but there for the adult guests. Adult geared attractions recently built and coming up far outnumber the number of child attractions. The dining, the festivals, the late hours party – all geared for adults. While some people view the parks as for children, that is not what Disney planned or how they have evolved for decades. Their ultimate goal is for families to visit and each generation continue to come, spending money as adults and hopefully pass the love on to the next generation. I honestly think the current path of most construction is geared for the 38-40" and taller, that is where the profit is. I've been going since 1971, my kids went from birth ... but if I weren't a regular and contemplating a big Disney trip for the first time, I'd wait until my kids were 8-9+ so they could handle the lines, crowds and all the rides.


I do agree with you that NO ONE should be running, pushing, cutting lines and having bad attitudes. Unfortunately most of my experiences with this have come from parents who bully CMs, claim to have FP+ (or Genie+ or DAS) but don't - holding up lines, who convince their kids to slide ahead cutting line, who claim they need to catch up with others in lines, who refuse to wear masks, who don’t remove screaming children from restaurants and best of all yell at their kids in front of everyone …

There is no monopoly on bad behavior. It is a sad commentary, but we see it everywhere, not just Disney. It reflects on those individuals behavior, not that fact that there are adults at Disney.

Then your experiences differ greatly from my trips in late October and last week. I’ve had my small kids knocked down and brushed aside by so-called “adults” looking for a quicker ride.

Also, I didn’t reference Walt’s vision for the parks, just my opinion that these are children’s parks, based on child stories and cartoons. If that’s how grown men and women care to spend their time and money then great. It’s just strange to me.

 

[easyas123]

We were there from 11-25 and there were so many kids. I was surprised since school was om.

We were there Jan 31-Feb. 4, so last week. Kids EVERYWHERE. Strollers, double strollers, little kids & teenagers.

 

[andyman8]

Then your experiences differ greatly from my trips in late October and last week. I’ve had my small kids knocked down and brushed aside by so-called “adults” looking for a quicker ride.

Also, I didn’t reference Walt’s vision for the parks, just my opinion that these are children’s parks, based on child stories and cartoons. If that’s how grown men and women care to spend their time and money then great. It’s just strange to me.

You do realize that these boards are owned by childless adults who go to Disney Parks (not just WDW) without kids on a regular basis?

And at what point do you anticipate it will no longer be normal/appropriate for you to go to the parks? When you’re kids turn 18? When they’re 21? At that point, you’ll stop going to the parks, thinking about Disney (since they’re all children’s stories), and stop posting online about it?

 

[starlite_]

Then your experiences differ greatly from my trips in late October and last week. I’ve had my small kids knocked down and brushed aside by so-called “adults” looking for a quicker ride.

Also, I didn’t reference Walt’s vision for the parks, just my opinion that these are children’s parks, based on child stories and cartoons. If that’s how grown men and women care to spend their time and money then great. It’s just strange to me.

You missed an important part of what they said in your rush to criticize everyone.

I do agree with you that NO ONE should be running, pushing, cutting lines and having bad attitudes. Unfortunately most of my experiences with this have come from parents who bully CMs, claim to have FP+ (or Genie+ or DAS) but don't - holding up lines, who convince their kids to slide ahead cutting line, who claim they need to catch up with others in lines, who refuse to wear masks, who don’t remove screaming children from restaurants and best of all yell at their kids in front of everyone …

There is no monopoly on bad behavior. It is a sad commentary, but we see it everywhere, not just Disney. It reflects on those individuals behavior, not that fact that there are adults at Disney.

To DisWeaver: I wonder if folks like you are just bitter all the time while they take their kids to the Parks. Probably will tell their kids to grow up as soon as they're teens and stop liking childish things. Maybe call them ridiculous if they do like it.

 

[ChipnDale79]

Then your experiences differ greatly from my trips in late October and last week. I’ve had my small kids knocked down and brushed aside by so-called “adults” looking for a quicker ride.

Also, I didn’t reference Walt’s vision for the parks, just my opinion that these are children’s parks, based on child stories and cartoons. If that’s how grown men and women care to spend their time and money then great. It’s just strange to me.

People like different things. for me, i like that disney offers you a bubble and a chance to escape the real world sometimes.

The parks are full of a bunch of other things other than child stories and cartoons as well.

As for kids being knocked down, there is no excuse for that. Zero.

i will say this, when we had strollers, i got tired of people cutting in front of me and me trying to avoid them, after awhile, it was no longer my fault if the front of my stroller hit their feet.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

When you’re kids turn 18?

Whenever posters exhibit that opinion about Disney and kids they never actually answer that question, they just don't. I've yet to find someone who has said with true honesty (as in they aren't just trying to portray an image for strangers on the internet) that once their kid is no longer legally a minor they don't view it as appropriate any more to visit a child's park and in reality if someone views the parks as only for children they would actually have the opinion that once their kid reaches teenage years or even earlier the parks are no longer appropriate because many of those things would be deemed too child-like in interests for those getting older. Majority of us realize that is certainly not how amusement or theme parks work.

In reality people view their children as always their children, they wouldn't think to tell their children you shouldn't go because well that's an awful thing to tell someone or to question why their own children would want to spend their money and time there as if it's inappropriate to do so but it's a classic "do as I say not as I do".

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I question the children's ride part, have y'all never been on Mr. Toad? or Scary Adventures of Snow White? or Pinocchio? I would have been freaked out as a kid going on those lol

 

[ChipnDale79]

I question the children's ride part, have y'all never been on Mr. Toad? or Scary Adventures of Snow White? or Pinocchio? I would have been freaked out as a kid going on those lol

truth.

plus there are a lot of rides that arent made for kids

 

[HopperFan]

Then your experiences differ greatly from my trips in late October and last week. I’ve had my small kids knocked down and brushed aside by so-called “adults” looking for a quicker ride.

Also, I didn’t reference Walt’s vision for the parks, just my opinion that these are children’s parks, based on child stories and cartoons. If that’s how grown men and women care to spend their time and money then great. It’s just strange to me.

You said Disney was a "children's park". It's not.

We all have different experiences and see different things from different perspectives.

There is no monopoly on bad behavior. It is a sad commentary, but we see it everywhere, not just Disney. It reflects on those individuals behavior, not that fact that there are adults at Disney.

I wonder if folks like you are just bitter all the time while they take their kids to the Parks. Probably will tell their kids to grow up as soon as they're teens and stop liking childish things. Maybe call them ridiculous if they do like it.

I'm confused about how what I said here connects to your comment.

I'm not bitter at all, my kids are now all grown and part of who PP was criticizing for going to and enjoying the parks.

 

[starlite_]

I'm confused about how what I said here connects to your comment.

I'm not bitter at all, my kids are now all grown and part of who PP was criticizing for going to and enjoying the parks.

I apologize, my comment was directed at DisWeaver, not you. I simply quoted what you said because I agree 100% and that poster seemingly skipped over it. I can see how that could have been misinterpreted tho, so sorry about that.

 

[DisWeaver]

You do realize that these boards are owned by childless adults who go to Disney Parks (not just WDW) without kids on a regular basis?

And at what point do you anticipate it will no longer be normal/appropriate for you to go to the parks? When you’re kids turn 18? When they’re 21? At that point, you’ll stop going to the parks, thinking about Disney (since they’re all children’s stories), and stop posting online about it?

i do realize that, thanks for pointing it out again though. Should that change my opinion?

I will no longer go after my children outgrow it, whether that’s 14, 16, 18. They can make their own decisions about it one they are adults. I didn’t go after I was a kid until I had kids of my own. I don’t anticipate going after my children are grown … except with grandkids if I’m still around.

Again, more power to you if that’s how you spend your time and money. I’m just their to see my kids smile, not to live vicariously through them.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

You can tell Disney is only for children by the 138 locations currently serving alcohol at Epcot, the wine festival, the themed lands based on PG-13 rated movies, and the $15000 per year private membership club.

Very normal kid things.

 

[starlite_]

i do realize that, thanks for pointing it out again though. Should that change my opinion?

I will no longer go after my children outgrow it, whether that’s 14, 16, 18. They can make their own decisions about it one they are adults. I didn’t go after I was a kid until I had kids of my own. I don’t anticipate going after my children are grown … except with grandkids if I’m still around.

Again, more power to you if that’s how you spend your time and money. I’m just their to see my kids smile, not to live vicariously through them.

I certainly hope you aren't actually going on any rides then. That might be bordering on enjoying something made for children. Adults are only allowed to look at their kids enjoying stuff from outside the rides while sipping wine and complaining about their jobs. Like proper adults.

 

[mattpeto]

i do realize that, thanks for pointing it out again though. Should that change my opinion?

I will no longer go after my children outgrow it, whether that’s 14, 16, 18. They can make their own decisions about it one they are adults. I didn’t go after I was a kid until I had kids of my own. I don’t anticipate going after my children are grown … except with grandkids if I’m still around.

Again, more power to you if that’s how you spend your time and money. I’m just their to see my kids smile, not to live vicariously through them.

Just reminding you that you are a message board contributor to a "child's amusement park". Maybe you're taking this too seriously.

 

[DisWeaver]

Just reminding you that you are a message board contributor to a "child's amusement park". Maybe you're taking this too seriously.

lol, yeah. My children can’t plan trips themselves. Thanks though

 

[DisWeaver]

I certainly hope you aren't actually going on any rides then. That might be bordering on enjoying something made for children. Adults are only allowed to look at their kids enjoying stuff from outside the rides while sipping wine and complaining about their jobs. Like proper adults.

Interesting opinion. When my children are old enough to ride solo, then I’m sure they will. Do I get a thrill or enjoyment from the rides? Sure, but it’s from the smiles and giggles illicited from my kids. Disney World is a vehicle to bond with my kids and have them enjoy a family experience. Again (for the fifth time) that’s my opinion. If you like the parks for yourself, then more power to you.

 

[figmentpopcorn]

Again (for the fifth time) that’s my opinion. If you like the parks for yourself, then more power to you.

“More power to you” but also “you’re strange why are you here at the parks.” Quite contradictory.

 

[DisWeaver]

“More power to you” but also “you’re strange why are you here at the parks.” Quite contradictory.

opinions vary

 

[figmentpopcorn]

opinions vary

How do you feel about parents behaving badly at the parks? Are they an exception because they have kids?