WDW says Heelys not permitted in Parks

[lisadam]

wow - I've read thru this thread and the other one too - and I am always amazed at what I learn

I am not being sarcastic here - but I didn't realize that people didn't like Heelys. We recently bought some for our son because of all the kids we've seen in stores like Target and Costco - I asked other parents what they were and I was told - I thought they were great. I've never seen a happier group of kids shopping with their parents. In fact I struck up a conversation with a mom after her kid banged into me. I see them all over - most kids are right next to their parents doing a little 2-3 foot roll and then walk again. There are the uncontrolled kids - but those kids would be uncontrolled whether they were on Heelys or not.

For the first 3-4 weeks all my son did was Heely in the house until he could start and stop by himself. Then he was in our driveway with a helmet - I will take him to Costco and if it's empty he can Heely in the aisle that I am in - I asked when I entered if he could wear them and the Asssitant Manager said it was fine - use my judgement if there were too many people around. He said that too many people don't use judgement - but it's not just a Heely thing.

I wouldn't let him wear them at 6 Flags - too crowded and too many steps to climb - school doesn't allow them - and I now know that WDW doesn't allow them either. I won't knowingly break rules... and now that I know so many people fear the uncontrolled Heelying child, I'll make sure I keep an even tighter reign on him.

I do however let him wear them in the chemo room when I go for my treatments - the nurses have all given their permission - he doesn't do it near other patients unless they want a demonstration - and many times he doesn't get much rolling in at all because it's not a good time.

BTW he doesn't get everything he wants - we have two small 19" TVs - neither one in his bedroom - he doesn't have a video game system - he doesn't have a motorized mini-bike - he doesn't have a lot of the things he wants.

Thanks to all the posters who explained why some people are nervous around them. Until now I didn't realize. I've only had people ask me what on earth DS was gliding on.

 

[Becky_Boop]

and i can walk in skates. i can also hop, skip and jump in them, but i still wouldn't wear them. as i said; just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

It's much easier in Heelys. I wouldn't wear them to WDW either. Just wanted to let you know that these are not skates, they are much, much different.

 

[Grandmouse]

They may not be allowed, but I just got back and saw many kids (esp boys) wearing them and using them, most often at Epcot. Very annoying. And CMs were few and far between so I never saw any of them stopped.

 

[nephthys43]

It's much easier in Heelys. I wouldn't wear them to WDW either. Just wanted to let you know that these are not skates, they are much, much different.

i do know what they are. as i said, my friend's daughter has them. and in mine and a lot of people's opinions, any shoe with a wheel on it, is a skate. just because it has one instead of 2 or 4 doesn't change that.

ETA: even the heelys website calls them skates.

 

[Becky_Boop]

i do know what they are. as i said, my friend's daughter has them. and in mine and a lot of people's opinions, any shoe with a wheel on it, is a skate. just because it has one instead of 2 or 4 doesn't change that.

If that's your definition of skates, fine. Heelys, IMHO, are not skates. They are different from roller skates, inline skates, and ice skates. If the Heelys website calls them skates, they are using your defenition of skates. They are unique.

 

[polyfan]

Face it folks- you can not control whether a parent buys Heeyls for their kid or not and you can not control whether or not they wear them. You can not like them all you want, but the fact is they are becoming more and more popular. Personally I don't like those things they sell in the parks that light up and spin around. A kid had it going and turned and it hit mine smack in the face, but that is life. Accidents happen whether you follow the rules or break them. I can drive the speed limit all the time and still have an accident. Someone can get bumped into just as easily by someone wearing regular shoes who is walking, but takes that one second to turn his head and what do you know he is falling into the person in front of them. Happens all day at the parks. We don't live in a bubble or a perfect world. If you don't want your child to have them then that is okay, but you can't dictate what another parent can buy for their child. I don't like 4 wheelers and refuse to let mine have one, but I can't stop everyone else. I don't like the electric skooters( the ones kids use), but many kids have them. If I am ever in the physical condition that I have to worry about being injured that easily in the parks, as many of you have stated, then I will not go, since I can get bumped into by anyone not just those on Heelys.

 

[head mouse]

The wheel just pops out on the heeleys. But, if someone came in wearing regular skates, with no other shoes to change into, you better bet they would make you leave the park to get a real pair of shoes. So if someone refuses to remove the wheel on the heeleys, the same would apply to them.

Comign to the park with skates is differtn then wearign SHOES that has a small wheel on it.

And beside, whats to say they pop the wheel off, and put it back on later.



I personaly don't mind them. I dont like the punk kids that wear them in places like Wal-mart and if the park is full then it's not a good idea. but if the park is kinda dead then I see no harm in someoen rolling around.

On the other hand, From Disney's POV. Someoen on wheels falls, they can try to sue Disney. So it's a catch 22.

 

[Tink In Training]

I have a couple of questions on this issue. If one of these responsible or irresponsible children run me down what should I do. Some of these kids are as big as I am. I already have bad knees. Am I supposed to fall and get hurt so I do not touch anyones child. I certainly don't think I should be the one to get hurt when someone is being careless. I am not saying they should but if I can block them... But that is touching them.
I would like to know what Tink in Training would do if a couple of 12 year old boys who were bigger than her ran her down. Just fall and laugh about...I think not.

I can assure you that I would not raise my hand to hit them or intentionally put my arm up to "clothes line" them.

Also, as a side note, to the person who said it was common sense to not let a child wear these in a crowded theme park. You're right...I wouldn't let my girls utilize the wheels anywhere it was crowded (that's just that good ole; common sense kicking in here...) but see, we typically go to the grocery store or yes even Disney when it's not crowded.

 

[Tink In Training]

Oh yes, just a prime example of people who think they are exempt from the rules.

Don't worry, Tink in Training, your kids don't have to remove their wheels. That rule only applies to the rest of the world.

Actually, if you take the time and read above you will see that never once while we were at Disney were they ever asked to remove them...so please roll your eyes somewhere else.

As far as the rule my experience has been different than what was posted in this post. Which is why when we go back down (or prior to) I will have inquired with an OFFICIAL Park representative and if they tell me they are not allowed they will not wear them.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Tink, it was just shown here the official rule from the CM's intranet service. What more "official" word do you need?

 

[Tink In Training]

phalynx, you don't happen to have a digital camera with you? If you could snap a photo of one of the signs at the entrance to one of the parks about no rollerskating, etc, that would be great! Then those people here who insist that it's OK for their kids to break the rules because their kids are so good on their Heelys might (although I doubt it) stop and think and have the kids leave the Heelys at home...

See now, I don't think anyone on here has said that it's okay for their kids to break the rules...except of course those who are insisting because kids wear these they're automatically breaking someone’s rule somewhere.

If there is a rule it is not common knowledge which I believe has been proven to be evident on this thread.

We were not aware of any such rule when we were there in February.

 

[Becky_Boop]

Tink, it was just shown here the official rule from the CM's intranet service. What more "official" word do you need?

Which would you trust more, some stranger posting a letter on the internet, or talking to an official in person? She's going to follow the rules, people.

 

[head mouse]

Ok, Havent heard this brought up yet. I havent been to WDW in a year, but from what I remeber, the sidewalks, streets, any walkign area at all is not very smooth and has lines and cracks.

Normal skates have larger wheels and could work, but the "Heelys" have smaller wheels and I iamgine would not preform usefull???

 

[Becky_Boop]

Ok, Havent heard this brought up yet. I havent been to WDW in a year, but from what I remeber, the sidewalks, streets, any walkign area at all is not very smooth and has lines and cracks.

Normal skates have larger wheels and could work, but the "Heelys" have smaller wheels and I iamgine would not preform usefull???

Good point. Here's the solution:

You can walk with Heelys. You walk when there's cracks or any other obstacles. When there's a stretch of not crowded, smooth pavement, you can skate for a few feet, and stop again before you reach the obstacle.

 

[TommyTutone]

I can assure you that I would not raise my hand to hit them or intentionally put my arm up to "clothes line" them.

Also, as a side note, to the person who said it was common sense to not let a child wear these in a crowded theme park. You're right...I wouldn't let my girls utilize the wheels anywhere it was crowded (that's just that good ole; common sense kicking in here...) but see, we typically go to the grocery store or yes even Disney when it's not crowded.

If your kid is coming at me at full steam on those things, I can assure you I will be bracing myself and putting up a hand as needed to prevent injury to myself. It that means your kid ends up on his *** or his head, that's his fault.

Likewise, if your kid is wheeling towards my 4-year old son, I will absolutely push your kid out of the way to make sure he doesn't run down my son.

I won't go out of my way to knock down your spawn, but I will take steps to make sure neither my family nor me get hurt, even at the cost of your kid's well-being since he is the one on skates.

 

[Tink In Training]

I can only imagine what your reaction would be if one your kids was rolling along through a store on Main Street, happened to lose her balance because someone got in her way (a pedestrian by the way), she stumble a bit but a hook holding on to some lovely Disney product happens to jam in her eye, permanently blinding her. I suspect that incident would be that person's fault who got in the way of your daughter AND it'd be Disney's fault for putting those display hooks at your daughter's eye level.

Here's something incredibly telling about your character based upon your post above. And I quote:

'Nuff said.

No actually, see I'm not a sue happy person. That's that whole responsibility and accountability thing that most people are missing today...but hey, the same thing could happen to you walking, not watching where you were going, bending down to pick something up or many other ways. If order for the above to happen my daughter would have to be skating uncontrollably and probably pretty quickly which from my experience you really can't do. They are not roller skates and can not get up to the same speeds and such.

Have you ever even been on a pair of Heely's? If you have the slightest inkling of how to use them you can stop yourself from falling or pretty much anything by just putting your toe down.

But hey, by all means, keep going on about this and judging every child who has the audacity to wear them, every parent who has the incomprehensible nerve to buy them (irresponsible people that they are) and every person who may or may not know whether there is a rule about something…

As far as your ingenious quote above...wow...are you a god like pillar or what? Do you go the speed limit everyday...do you completely stop at stop signs...have you never had a piece of paper fly out of your car window…do you follow every single rule all the time, moral rules, legal rules, assumed rules, public rules. If you do I salute you, you must be a one of a kind person, and heaven will surely open the doors when you arrive.

Don't assume to know me or judge me, you can't and for you to so blatantly try from something like the quote above is just ignorance at its best.

Carry on with the kid wearing irresponsible parent Heely’s bashing now…

 

[Becky_Boop]

If your kid is coming at me at full steam on those things, I can assure you I will be bracing myself and putting up a hand as needed to prevent injury to myself. It that means your kid ends up on his *** or his head, that's his fault.

Likewise, if your kid is wheeling towards my 4-year old son, I will absolutely push your kid out of the way to make sure he doesn't run down my son.

I won't go out of my way to knock down your spawn, but I will take steps to make sure neither my family nor me get hurt, even at the cost of your kid's well-being since he is the one on skates.

Chances are the kid's gonna stop somewhere between where he is and where you are. Or, you can move out of the way. Or, ask the kid quickly and nicely to stop. I haven't seen any kids like this, but there's your emergency plan.

 

[flynnibus]

Chances are the kid's gonna stop somewhere between where he is and where you are. Or, you can move out of the way. Or, ask the kid quickly and nicely to stop. I haven't seen any kids like this, but there's your emergency plan.

uhhh.. if that happened all the time.. this thread woudn't exist!

Obviously the problem is the kids who are out of control.

Remember people.. guns don't kill people... people kill people.

Its the same thing here.. if you take out the bickering back and forth.. the problem is irresponsible kids doing something inappropriate for the situation. Its bad enough that rules have to be made to forbid it.. and now its a spin of 'kids and parents not following the rules'

Heelys aren't the problem.. its the operators. Heelys are perfectly safe when used properly. If you can't stop.. then you have a serious individual problem. Falling over is a different story and will happen to even experienced users.

Just the same way any one of us can trip going up the same steps in our house that we walk up and down every day.

 

[head mouse]

Ok, I called WDW and recored the call with my cell. My cell only records their side of the call (stupid cell)

HERE is the call.

The quiet parts are me asking her questions as follows.

Her: Sir. Thank you for holding. It would be the same as Rollerblading, we would not allow that. I'm Sorry

Me: So if someone was rolling around...

Her: They would just send them out of the park.

Me: So someoen just walking an dnot attractign attention, they [Disney] would not say anything?

Her: How would they [Disney] know if they'er not drawing attention?

Me: Ok. We were just makign sure. We're talking about it on a few web boards and needed a clear answer.

Her: Right, so yeah the official answer is that you cannot do that.

Me: Ok, thank you.

Her: Your welcome, Have a magical day.

 

[Fitswimmer]

OK-if some kid wearing these things crashes into me and I get hurt at WDW, who pays for the medical treatment? I would imagine WDW, not the family of the child who hit me. He or she is gone by the time I hit the ground. That just might be the reason why WDW doesn't want them in the parks. I would think that it would be the same in a mall or store, if a person is hurt in a fall on their property, regardless of the causative factor, the company would most likely end up bearing the cost.

And yes Tink, some of us do follow the rules-even the ones that aren't posted at the entrance. We drive the speed limit (saves gas), we don't litter, and we come to a complete stop at the sign. We also have enough consideration for others to be aware that we can't always do everything we want, everywhere we want because it might interfere with someone else's enjoyment or safety. If more of us did that and taught the children in our lives to do that-this thread woudn't be so long.