Thoughts on new TSM line system

[alvernon90]

There is always another option - don't ride if you are that paranoid about your 11 year old sitting with a stranger on a ride with cameras, restraints, and you being 5 feet away

Exactly this. And let's not forget that the OP had another choice: she said she was a family of three, and they just like to switch around which of them rides alone. If OP did not want her daughter to ride next to a stranger, she or her husband could have ridden with her daughter and solved the problem right there. But OP wanted to choose who rides on their own and then demand that her daughter be given an extra seat to keep it empty, and then complain that the CM who caved in to her demands seemed annoyed.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I don't see a big deal with a parent of a minor requesting that their child not be seated with an unknown adult if they are not comfortable with that. I haven't read the whole thread thoroughly, but will they accommodate such a request?

WDW does so much to try to accommodate people's needs whether it's with rider swap pass for those parents with little ones, the DAS program, etc. This would really just be another one of those small accommodations that can make a big difference to people's experiences.

 

[Mamapapa]

I just took my 11 and 6 year old and we fit across just fine, and I am 6 ft tall ... I would think two five year olds would fit. And on plenty of rides they let my 11 and 6 year old ride together with no problem, even if it wasn't playing by the rules. There is always another option - don't ride if you are that paranoid about your 11 year old sitting with a stranger on a ride with cameras, restraints, and you being 5 feet away

First of all, you're mistaking me with the OP. Go back and read the posts from the beginning, I'm the one who has NO issue with my 11yo sitting with a stranger. Second of all, I would never sit three across on TSMM when there are only two gaming devices. It's not fair to any of us to not be able to play the game, that ride isn't worth riding without actually playing. Third of all, it's very nice that the CM's let you break the rules, but more times then not the CM's specifically told DH and I that an adult had to sit with each 5yo prior to boarding so we followed those rules. So for a family of five like mine, there is no other option then letting my 11yo sit with a stranger since I don't see rule breaking as another option personally. And just to be clear, neither myself, my DH, nor my 11yo had an issue with 11yo sitting alone or with a stranger on any rides.

 

[Lucius Best]

I don't see a big deal with a parent of a minor requesting that their child not be seated with an unknown adult if they are not comfortable with that. I haven't read the whole thread thoroughly, but will they accommodate such a request?

From what I've seen/experienced, I imagine they would probably accommodate that request on TSMM. But definitely not on a ride like 7DMT or EE. The obvious difference being those cars have individual seats and the parents are right there, unlike TSMM. I'm all for maximizing capacity and loading the cars more efficiently, but for me personally it's not a big deal, if a parent/child is uncomfortable, let the kid right alone.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Exactly this. And let's not forget that the OP had another choice: she said she was a family of three, and they just like to switch around which of them rides alone. If OP did not want her daughter to ride next to a stranger, she or her husband could have ridden with her daughter and solved the problem right there. But OP wanted to choose who rides on their own and then demand that her daughter be given an extra seat to keep it empty, and then complain that the CM who caved in to her demands seemed annoyed.

Exactly! I'll never understand this. You dont want your kid to rid with a stranger? Then you/DH should be riding with her! Its a no brainer! Thats an extra seat that someone else could have had, which in turn would speed up the line. If every single rider requested to ride alone, it would take forever.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am a solo adult. I am sorry that all of you parents are so willing to assume I am also a child molester.

However, if you won't let your child ride with a stranger then you need to prepare to stand in line more times so that "no child rides with a stranger" But I expect your child is in much more danger in school or at other places then on a Disney ride LOL!

 

[BrianL]

I get that it can be awkward riding with a strange, especially for a child. It's one thing on a coaster where you can see each other, but TSMM separates everybody. As an adult single rider, I have usually been seated alone on TSMM, but not always on other rides.

The only time I found seating to be really odd, was at DCA on Mickey's Fun Wheel. The swinging cars are in high demand, so a friend and I were seated with two kids. They were not shy at all, talked to us the whole time, and of course there were no problems, but I did wonder how that scenario might have played out, or even just been perceived. We were basically locked in a cage with these children. I dunno, it's probably never been an issue, probably wouldn't be an issue, and best to think better of everyone, but, well, it still felt slightly odd.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

Exactly this. And let's not forget that the OP had another choice: she said she was a family of three, and they just like to switch around which of them rides alone. If OP did not want her daughter to ride next to a stranger, she or her husband could have ridden with her daughter and solved the problem right there. But OP wanted to choose who rides on their own and then demand that her daughter be given an extra seat to keep it empty, and then complain that the CM who caved in to her demands seemed annoyed.

I didn't read that she demanded, she said
"once I told the CM that DD wanted to ride alone and that I would prefer her not to ride with a stranger"
She did not come on here complaining, just giving people a heads up.
You might want to go back back to the first post and give one more look.

 

[Magpie]

I don't have any personal "fears". We travel in an even numbered group and hardly ever go to DHS because it's our least favorite park so I really don't have to worry about it for me. It still made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up reading about it though. Maybe it's the teacher version of spidey-senses, but my gut feeling is that it is not a good idea to place kids in a ride vehicle alone with a stranger where they can be out of the sight of a parent or chaperone.

Why? Here is a list of inappropriate behaviors that children could encounter from being seated next to strangers on airplanes.

Link to article below.



http://www.airsafe.com/kidsafe/kidsolo.htm

I know that the ride is shorter than an airline flight, however, it doesn't take long for some of these inappropriate behaviors to occur. It is good to coach and instruct children on how to protect themselves and how to react to inappropriate behavior, but despite educational efforts to do so many children don't respond in the ideal way when faced with stranger danger. They are, after all, children. The best thing to do is to minimize risk.

Honestly, it's been awhile since I've ridden TSMM. Maybe the risk is not as great as I am imagining. Maybe you can arrange your family so a child is not alone or out of your sight. Maybe my "spidey-teacher-senses" are overreacting. I just believe that we should always be looking out for the safety and welfare of kids. Unfortunately, in today's world they greatly need it, even at the happiest place on earth!

I work with other people's kids, too. I am always much more cautious about my students safety, than I am about my own children's safety. Why? Because when someone entrust their child to my care, I have a duty to return that child to them in the same or (ideally) better condition.

But MY children need to learn how to navigate the world with confidence. They need me to believe in their competance, and in their ability to look after themselves in an age appropriate way. At age 11, I would expect a child of mine to be able to handle 5 minutes seated next to a stranger in TSM. And if the stranger behaved in any way inapprropriately, I would expect my child to be capable of speaking up to me or a CM. By 11, my kids were taking public transit on their own. My son had been delivering papers in our neighbourhood since he was nine.

Your spidey-teacher-sense seems quite appropriate for a chaperone type situation in the parks. But, parents need to have a different kind of sense, if they want to raise competant, independent kids. Constantly minimizing risk can lead to fearful, dependant children.

My daughter once handled an inappropriate stranger crowding her in a grocery store when she was ten, by saying very loudly, "Can I HELP you?" He skedaddled the moment he realized everyone was staring at him. As for my kid, her feathers were a bit ruffled, but she was proud of herself.

 

[10-4 Good Buddy]

I'm for anything that will reduce ridiculously long wait times.

 

[closetmickey]

It seems like requesting to be alone is like requesting 2 rides for yourself!?

 

[mummabear]

ETA ... I saw them politely, but firmly, not allow someone to ride alone on 7DMT who wanted to and I was a little shocked. On TSMM, I saw the same thing happen, but the CM relented and allowed them to ride alone. I think it just depends on the CM.

As they shouldn't, it's disappointing they relented. Why should a person be allowed to commandeer a second seat?

My 11 yo daughter who often rides alone as her dad and I each take a twin will not like this. She won't feel comfortable with a stranger beside her. Not sure I like the idea of her alone with a stranger either. Especially on TSM where she is out of my sight.

I do agree here where children under x age possibly shouldnt ride with a stranger.

Honestly I'd be pretty annoyed if I'd have to ride with a stranger as well

Why do you think you are entitled to more than the seat you are sitting in?

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

What do all these folks who don't like to ride with strangers do when they are in a ride that has a true single rider line? We use the single rider lines whenever possible, and I've never had anyone comment or even be surprised. Once, I did have to tell a mom and daughter on Test Track that they needed to move down all the way since I was their plus one. Normally though, the odd-man-out doesn't get a head's up that someone will be joining them. The single rider is just told where to go (though I see why a single rider who didn't know they were being matched with someone else would need to be told that the two odd-men-out were riding together).

 

[elaine amj]

Did I miss WHY children will be riding alone with strangers? If anything I would let my kids sit together and I would be next to the stranger

Exactly! I'll never understand this. You dont want your kid to rid with a stranger? Then you/DH should be riding with her! Its a no brainer! Thats an extra seat that someone else could have had, which in turn would speed up the line. If every single rider requested to ride alone, it would take forever.

ITA - I don't see what the big deal is. My kids don't like sitting next to strangers, even in shows. I think they are being silly but it's vacation so I let them arrange our family to their preference. I just wait for my kids to tell me where I will be sitting lol. When we've been odd-numbered, either myself or DH will typically sit by ourselves or with a stranger while the kids sit together. And if the kids forgot to arrange our family's order to suit themselves, i have no qualms telling them to suck it up and sit with the stranger.

I get that it's more challenging for odd number families with very little ones.

 

[roselark]

I do NOT like this change. I am often solo and am very, very shy. Riding with a stranger on something like RnR is fine, because there is a barrier between me and the other person. There is NO barrier on Toy Story.

Has anyone been able to request to ride alone? If not, then I will have to change my fast pass and may never get to ride this again. So very sad.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I do NOT like this change. I am often solo and am very, very shy. Riding with a stranger on something like RnR is fine, because there is a barrier between me and the other person. There is NO barrier on Toy Story.

Has anyone been able to request to ride alone? If not, then I will have to change my fast pass and may never get to ride this again. So very sad.

Don't give up yet! Ask and tell them the reason, I'm sure the CMs at TSMM will try to make it work for you.

 

[Ava]

I work with other people's kids, too. I am always much more cautious about my students safety, than I am about my own children's safety. Why? Because when someone entrust their child to my care, I have a duty to return that child to them in the same or (ideally) better condition.

But MY children need to learn how to navigate the world with confidence. They need me to believe in their competance, and in their ability to look after themselves in an age appropriate way. At age 11, I would expect a child of mine to be able to handle 5 minutes seated next to a stranger in TSM. And if the stranger behaved in any way inapprropriately, I would expect my child to be capable of speaking up to me or a CM. By 11, my kids were taking public transit on their own. My son had been delivering papers in our neighbourhood since he was nine.

Your spidey-teacher-sense seems quite appropriate for a chaperone type situation in the parks. But, parents need to have a different kind of sense, if they want to raise competant, independent kids. Constantly minimizing risk can lead to fearful, dependant children.

I agree with all of this. My children are still young (6 & 2), but there will definitely come a time when they are old enough to go on rides without an adult and want to ride every ride that makes mommy nauseous multiple times in a row. (I suffered through Tower of Terror once for my DD6 this year. Next time, she's on her own.) I hope I can raise them to be confident & responsible enough to wait in line and ride a ride without a parent when this time comes.

 

[GillianP1301]

I noticed this last week when we were there. It didn't affect us because we are a party of 2. Although, I did notice that each time we rode (4 times in total), the right hand side "odd number" line was always shorter than the left hand side, so there is a slight advantage there to the odd number groups. However, they were having an issue with the single rider/extra rider from each group pairing up with another group. They commented under their breath a few times that riders were not loading as they were requesting them to. The system is really only going to work if people cooperate.

 

[Magpie]

I agree with all of this. My children are still young (6 & 2), but there will definitely come a time when they are old enough to go on rides without an adult and want to ride every ride that makes mommy nauseous multiple times in a row. (I suffered through Tower of Terror once for my DD6 this year. Next time, she's on her own.) I hope I can raise them to be confident & responsible enough to wait in line and ride a ride without a parent when this time comes.

You'll know when they're ready! It'll be a little different with each child, but they all get there eventually with enough coaching and practice. I used to talk to the kids about finding "their stranger" - helping them identify the person who could help them if they were ever in trouble. We'd make a game of it - pointing out mums with kids, dads with kids, shopkeepers, road workers... people who either have kids of their own or who are on the job, and so less inclined toward kidnapping. My daughter actually had to ask strangers for help once when her little brother passed out. She remember her lessons and I found her standing with a young woman!

I was also big on bodily integrity - no forced hugs or kisses to relatives. And we tried to always respect their opinions and listen to them, even when they were little and irrational and didn't know what was best for them. Our eldest was so friendly and outgoing that we kept tabs on her for longer than we did her more naturally suspicious and unfriendly little brother. I never worried about him wandering off hand-in-hand with a stranger! Even as a toddler, I was more worried he'd bite the little old ladies who wanted to pet him (he actually snapped at them more than once), than I was about anyone stealing him.

 

[palmtreelover08]

I'm on the fence about this (although I can't see me ever being in this situation as a single parent with one child)- sharing a seat on a thrill ride like EE is different than sharing a bench seat out of view from everyone (assuming you are not Disney security watching rides). I can also see shy adults being wary of sharing a slightly intimate space. Do I like long lines- heck no- but can I see both points of view- sure.