Those kids on Mom or Dad's shoulders

[pixiemel]

How about the kids behind those folks whose parents are also trying to create a magical memory????

Don't they count, too?

They should absolutely be up on their Daddy's shoulder's too!

 

[Michelle2]

How about the kids behind those folks whose parents are also trying to create a magical memory????

Don't they count, too?

I totally agree, and this is one of my biggest pet peeves when I go to a Disney park. To me, it is a me me me attitude, and very inconsiderate. I have young kids, and would never do this due to consideration of the people and children behind me. We just stake out spots in the front or in an area where no one is front of me so that I never have to deal with this problem. Its just my opinion.

 

[ilovemyears]

I think those people that want to put their child on their shoulders should move to the back.

I had a friend visiting once and we were at Illuminations. When the man in front of us put the child on his shoulders my friend tapped him on the shoulder. He told him it was rude to block the view of others. The guy did put his child down.

If I am waiting just like someone else I don't think my view should be blocked.

This could have been us - the problem with our particular situation is that NOBODY was behind us when we put our children on our shoulders. Two people walked up behind us then told us WE were rude because they couldn't see. My husband complied because he does not like conflict, but it was horribly unfair to our children as they were there first. In a situation like that, we will not move them again. Go ahead and ask, I will politely tell you "No." Go ahead and tell me I'm rude, I will ignore you and enjoy that time with my children.

 

[safetymom]

Maybe we need to look at this from the other side. What if you were behind someone with their kids on their shoulders and you couldn't see. What would you do?

 

[ilovemyears]

I would find another place to stand or go do something else (which I have done before when I didn't have children).

I certainly wouldn't tell someone that they were being rude for wanting their children to see.

 

[TDC Nala]

Yeah, it's really sweet all right.

Then you get to take videos like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bmAWokb3oY

 

[TDC Nala]

1) I am 6'4".
2) I put the grandkids on my shoulders all the time.
3) I have not invaded anyone's physical floor space (rather, concrete space).
4) I didn't know there were reservations/rules/guidelines for air space.
5) Sorry, but unless we are in the first row, I will continue this practice.
6) The kids deserve to see, and I can help until they get too old.

Everybody else deserves to see too.

 

[TDC Nala]

1) Alas, this is a question that can't be answered to everyone's satisfaction.
2) People and kids in other than the first row deserve to see parades easily.
3) But, it can't always happen.
4) I don't think WDW will make people stand according to height.
5) Or, install bleachers/risers for people to stand.

6) So the questions are:
. . . do kids (or short people) 2-4 people back from the front row have a right to see?
. . . if they can sit on dad's/granddad's shoulders to see, why not?

7) Does a 5'8" female have a right to see over a 6 foot man with a 3 foot kid on his shoulders?
8) Can you buy those stilts they use on PI anywhere?

 

[BamaFan121s]

Yeah, it's really sweet all right.

Then you get to take videos like this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bmAWokb3oY

Wonder how many people behind that person couldn't see because they were holding their video camera up in the air over everyone's head--it seemed to be on the same level as the kid... I mean, he/she couldn't have been holding it at eye level or the only thing in the shot would have been the people's heads in front of them....right? Honestly, for something like that where everyone is standing in a group on the same level, I doubt there is a such thing as a completely unobstructed view.

 

[Cool-Beans]

They should absolutely be up on their Daddy's shoulder's too!

What if there are 2 parents, but four kids? Should the two year old go on the shoulders of one of the three year olds? How high must we raise all these kids????

Or what if those kids have parents who are considerate of those around them? I know, I know....Nice guys finish last.

A little consideration for those around you would be nice. Nobody can force you be considerate, but it would be appreciated.

 

[TDC Nala]

EEK double post

 

[TDC Nala]

EEK triple post

 

[TDC Nala]

Wonder how many people behind that person couldn't see because they were holding their video camera up in the air over everyone's head--it seemed to be on the same level as the kid... I mean, he/she couldn't have been holding it at eye level or the only thing in the shot would have been the people's heads in front of them....right? Honestly, for something like that where everyone is standing in a group on the same level, I doubt there is a such thing as a completely unobstructed view.

The camera is smaller than my hand and I would not have had to hold it up if the kid hadn't been there. Although I suppose the suggestion is going to be that I should have forgotten about taping the darn thing.

Actually a cast member came in about halfway through and asked the guy to put the kid down. He refused.

 

[BamaFan121s]

The camera is smaller than my hand and I would not have had to hold it up if the kid hadn't been there. Although I suppose the suggestion is going to be that I should have left and let the kid enjoy the show.

Nah, no suggestions here. I was just trying to keep up with the over analyzing the situation in general.
To be perfectly honest, I think it's completely insane and unrealistic that people honestly expect to go to a packed out park and have everyone read minds and cater to their every wish and desire so that their entire vacation is *perfect* in everyway...completely clear views in this case...be it kid, tree, weather, whatever.
And I don't think it's neccessarily always a self-serving attitude behind it all everytime--I think just as often it's a situation that is the result of someone bound and determined to find something to be unhappy and complain about. And when that's not enough and doesn't satisfy them, they go home and complain about it online too. (Which includes me...pot, meet kettle...)

 

[TDC Nala]

Nah, no suggestions here. I was just trying to keep up with the over analyzing the situation in general.
To be perfectly honest, I think it's completely insane and unrealistic that people honestly expect to go to a packed out park and have everyone read minds and cater to their every wish and desire so that their entire vacation is *perfect* in everyway...completely clear views in this case...be it kid, tree, weather, whatever.

You can't move the tree. You can't control the weather. But you don't have to stand in the front row at a show and put a kid on your shoulders.

 

[BamaFan121s]

You can't move the tree. You can't control the weather. But you don't have to stand in the front row at a show and put a kid on your shoulders.

Lol...please re-read the part about over analyzing. I was just throwing random things out there, ya know. Just trying to point out that there are a million different factors that could contribute to the END result of not having your 'Dream Experience' in the parks. (Be it views, lines, buses, ANYTHING) If it ain't one thing, it's another...

So I realize it wasn't fair that the kid went up in unexpectedly in your otherwise fine angle of the show, making it less than favorable for you. What about the people behind you who then had to dodge your hand? What's the difference? Stick my video up or not get the shot vs stick my kid up or they can't see... You just continued the trend on back. And I'm not blaming you--I may have done the same thing. My video may have been full of me shouting "Hey you, put that kid down!"

 

[TDC Nala]

Lol...please re-read the part about over analyzing. I was just throwing random things out there, ya know. Just trying to point out that there are a million different factors that could contribute to the END result of not having your 'Dream Experience' in the parks. (Be it views, lines, buses, ANYTHING) If it ain't one thing, it's another...

So I realize it wasn't fair that the kid went up in unexpectedly in your otherwise fine angle of the show, making it less than favorable for you. What about the people behind you who then had to dodge your hand? What's the difference? Stick my video up or not get the shot vs stick my kid up or they can't see... You just continued the trend on back. And I'm not blaming you--I may have done the same thing. My video may have been full of me shouting "Hey you, put that kid down!"

They couldn't see over the kid anyway. He's a lot bigger than my hand. with more overanalysis I guess it could be said that everyone should stand with their hands at their sides and watch the show without moving.

If the guy wouldn't put the kid down when the cast guy asked him to, he wasn't going to put him down if the people behind him asked him to. I guess it was good that the kid could see, and I guess he could get the father of the year award, but nobody behind that guy could see unless they bobbed and weaved around the kid. that isn't right.

 

[Padme_Bluebell]

As someone who is 5'11", and has been tall all my life with a Dad who is 6'2", this thread really bothers me. I read through the entire thing, and I must say, not everything's always going to be perfect on vacation. That's just the way it's most likely going to end up being, you can let it get to you, or you can ignore it and continue having a good time.

Earlier on in the thread, it was mentioned about having your kids sit on your side (waist), but if you're tall, and someone is standing to the side behind you, isn't that doing exactly the same thing as if you put them on your shoulders? If you're 6'2", and let's say, there's someone to your left and right, and instead of putting your child on your shoulders, you put them on your hip, they still end up being your height, which blocks one of the people's view around you. So, in essence, you would be doing the same thing as if you put your child on your shoulders. Maybe to fewer people, but it's still someone. Does a number of people obstructed classify how polite you are? Should one suffer at the expense of many? What if you're that one?

Honestly, I can't see someone putting a child on their shoulders unless the crowd was light enough for it to be done. Obviously not a packed area. So I would assume that those around you would in fact be able to move. And it's not like you're going to get an amazing view no matter how much you stake out your spot, unless you're in the front or second row.

I personally don't have a problem with kids on the shoulders of parents, especially since I grew out of being able to do that early, and sitting on my father's shoulders was a part of some of my most magical times in Disney. I think it's just as easy to move to another spot, if your view becomes obstructed. Besides, it's not like the parade is stationary. If someone blocks you infront, it's sometimes almost easier to see the parade to your left or right. Sure it might not be the best view, but you're the one that makes the decision to turn a simple molehill into a mountain if you choose not to move and be done with it. It's not always intentional when people do it, and lots of times it's spontaneous, because, like people mentioned, there is a domino effect where one person at the front stands up blocking the view of everyone else. I doubt anyone at the front is really going to put their child on their shoulders, but if it happens, you have the ability to look around 360 degrees, use it, and look to the left/right. Not a big deal.

I don't normally stop for parades anymore, because people always end up shoving me to the back where even I can't see, only because I'm tall, and they, being shorter, figure they should have a better view. Either that, or I let them infront of me because I don't want to block people. The only one I stop for is Spectromagic anymore, and that's when it's a light enough crowd that it's worth while.

Lots of animosity over this topic

 

[fumipappa]

to the people who are not happy about kids on daddy's shoulder.

If you find out that the person behind you are holding kid on his shoulder during parade/fireworks, what will you do?
It is possible that by you standing in front of them, the daddy must hold kid on his shoulder. However by doing it, he is blocking the view of people be,hind...

1. Of course, it is MY spot, I cannot care about everybody else.
2. Of course, EVERYBODY deserves to see parade/fireworks, so I let the kid go in front of me. by doing it, my camera opportunity or my perfect romatic moment may be ruined.

 

[BamaFan121s]

with more overanalysis I guess it could be said that everyone should stand with their hands at their sides and watch the show without moving.

See? Now you're catching on to it!

I read through the entire thing, and I must say, not everything's always going to be perfect on vacation. That's just the way it's most likely going to end up being, you can let it get to you, or you can ignore it and continue having a good time.

Yes, I agree!