Watching Kids in Play Areas

[gottalovethem]

Hello there. Just out of curiousity in the playground areas -- like Honey I Shrunk the Kids at MGM, how easy is it to "lose" the kids. Is it open on all sides? Are there other playgrounds around that I need to be aware of?

I'm going without another adult and want to make sure I can keep track of my kids and the more knowledge I have ahead of time, hopefully the better the trip.

 

[ellenmiele]

The "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" playground has only one way in and one way out and there are CMs at each. But the area itself has SO many tunnels and climbing things that you will lose track of your kids temporarily while they're in there. It's probably enough to get some parents a little panicky. One thing I found helpful was to dress them in very bright t-shirts (like neon orange) so they'd at least be a little easier to spot as they climbed around. And I usually would position myself near the exit. One thing that's a little tough is rounding up more than 1 or 2 kids in order to leave because no sooner do you grab one than, while you're looking for another, the first one's gone back up in the spider web! I'd say it's not an easy adventure if you've got real little ones and you're by yourself - especially if you know you'd get nervous not knowing exactly where thay are at every second.

 

[Perrine]

I agree with ellenmielle !
I've got 4 years old twins and they do like Honey I shrunk the Kids !
But as they are french we're always nervous when they enter this playground befause of course they can't ask the other kids where their parents are and son on ..!
I personally stay at the entrance of this attraction with my teen and my husband look around inside !
The fact that this attraction has only one way in and one way out makes me feel less anxious but I keep on eye on them............... when it's possible !

Christine (perrine's mom)

 

[Annette_VA]

It ain't called the "Honey I Lost the Kids" playground for nothing

They won't be able to "escape" the playground easily, but they will get out of eyesight within the play area for sure!

Just keep your eyes on the exit

 

[surfgirl]

I'll be the naysayer here... I'm actually not a real big fan of the big playgrounds for two reasons: 1) "losing" the kids feeling (something I think you have heightened awareness of during Disney vacation anyway) 2) "bigger" kids being aggressive (let me explain here). I have 2 little girls who are polite, don't push, wait their turn.... sometimes I wish they were more aggressive (did I really just say that?). They are easy targets to get pushed/hit/etc. and while I know there are many cast members around, they don't 'defend' my little ones as much as I would like.

The last few trips, we've actually avoided the playgrounds as much as possible. We got roped into going to the Boneyard at AK, but we do that VERY early (frequently the first ones there) before hoards of kids descend and I find there are many cast members posted around there (because of all the slides I think).

jmho.... ymmv!

 

[kirlie91]

I'll be the naysayer here... I'm actually not a real big fan of the big playgrounds for two reasons: 1) "losing" the kids feeling (something I think you have heightened awareness of during Disney vacation anyway) 2) "bigger" kids being aggressive (let me explain here). I have 2 little girls who are polite, don't push, wait their turn.... sometimes I wish they were more aggressive (did I really just say that?). They are easy targets to get pushed/hit/etc. and while I know there are many cast members around, they don't 'defend' my little ones as much as I would like.


jmho.... ymmv!

I know exactly what you mean.!! Sounds a bit like us.

 

[delilah]

The playgrounds are my least favorite areas for the reasons stated. Also, if the area is crowded, it really won't work for all the adults to be standing by the exit--it gets so crowded nobody can move. I avoided the little playground in Mickey's Toontown fair, it's been years since we've been in that part of the park. One visit, I was able to convince my son that "Honey, I shrunk the kid" was closed. Now, my son likes the one at Mission:Space, but, also likes the Mission Control game that's there, also. He doesn't ride the ride, but, we go in the back way to play the game.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Maybe this is a stupid question - Am I allowed to keep an eye on them by crawling all over the playground with them?

 

[gottalovethem]

Actually you guys made me feel better. With CMs around and limited exits, that all makes me feel a little better about not being able to lose them. We'll experiment and if it's too complicated we will avoid the others. There is a playground at CBR (at least that's what I was told) so I can always tell them that is the playground they can use. . . we shall see.

Thanks for the info!

 

[lauritagoddess]

My son loved the Boneyard and the Honey I Shrunk the Ground playgrounds. The only thing that drove me crazy was although I knew where to wait for him at the bottom of each slide (for example in the Boneyard he'd tell me he was going down the blue slide) I had to let him go on his own if I wanted to be able to wait at the bottom and I'd have to let him out of my sight while he climbed up to get to the top of the slides. If I went with him to the slides, the only way to get back down quickly without losing sight of him was to go down the slides myself which I wasn't particularly thrilled with. But he did have a ton of fun in both playgrounds. I practically had to pry him out of the Boneyard.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

Maybe this is a stupid question - Am I allowed to keep an eye on them by crawling all over the playground with them?

This is what I do. I don't get so worried at the Boneyard, but the Honey I Lost the Kids makes me more nervous. Too crowded and to many nooks and cranys (SP?)

 

[cindybelle]

Maybe this is a stupid question - Am I allowed to keep an eye on them by crawling all over the playground with them?

That's not a stupid question at all. My DH and I often will crawl around with our DD3.....especially at the HISTK play ground. Plus, she's a little on the timid side....so she likes having one of us to explore with. And she also gets a bit timid with all the bigger aggressive (like someone else mentioned) kids pushing.

Have fun exploring with your kids....it makes you feel like a kid too

 

[Rellim]

Is there an age requirement for Honey, I Shrunk the Kids?

 

[zookeeper]

I wasn't worried at all bringing the kids in the Honey I shrunk the Kids playground once I found out that there was only one way out. I just kept my eye in that direction. You do lose sight of them in there, but just keep reminding yourself that they can't get out and yo'll be OK. The only problem I had with that playground is it was a hot and humid day and it seemed to be MUCH worse inside the playground. I can't remember if it's because there's netting or something around the playground so less air flows through. All I know is it was SUPER hot sitting there.

 

[Paticake]

I was a little stressed out at the Boneyard in AK. My husband and I were watching our 6 y.o. niece and very active 3 y.o.nephew. I was trying to keep up with him and was never quite sure which slide he was coming down. I was very glad to see my B and SIL come back from riding Dinosaur!

 

[lauritagoddess]

The only problem I had with that playground is it was a hot and humid day and it seemed to be MUCH worse inside the playground. I can't remember if it's because there's netting or something around the playground so less air flows through. All I know is it was SUPER hot sitting there.

Yes!!! It was so godawfully hot in there. I was running around after my DS and every time we passed a water fountain I stopped to take a drink. And it wasn't even a really hot day there. I can't imagine what it must be like at the height of the summer.