WDW says Heelys not permitted in Parks

[Shubunk]

I have seen CM's stop a couple of kids before but the problem is when they are out of sight they start using them again. If they were made to walk around barefoot it might help with enforcement.

I have actually seen people walk barefoot in the parks!

 

[MI mom of 3]

Good point. Most of the kids I see wearing them are over the minimum height anyway, but it is something to consider.

I teach middle school and we've had a terrible time with Heelys this past year. The administrators have been telling students to take the wheels out during school, but the kids pop them right back in as soon as the admin. is out of sight. TWO of our 400 students had casts on BOTH forearms from Heely accidents. I've decided to take the wheels myself on sight, pop them into a labelled ziploc bag, and make them stay after school to get them back (we have an early bus for students who have all their work done and another bus half an hour later for those who didn't do homework or who earn disciplinary detention). In your own driveway or skate park, with necessary helmet and protective gear - fine. Anywhere else - they're a menace!

I work in a Middle School also and I absloutely agree. They are horrible. We do not permit them to wear them. The first time we see them we make them take the wheels out and put them in their lockers. If we see them with them in again, we take the wheels away. They are taken to the office where they are kept until a parent comes to pick them up, at which time they are told that the shoes are never to be worn to school again. If they are unwilling or unable to remove the wheels, no problem. They sit in the office until mom or dad shows up with new shoes. My DS has asked for these things and been told NO WAY!!

 

[TSR6]

The wheels are in the heel of a sneaker-type shoe. I have seen them in either white, black and brown colors. The child learns to walk slightly leaning forward on their toes. The wheels can be removed and a cover is placed over the hole so that the shoes can be used as a normal shoe.

Makes me wonder if this is going to effect their posture? ...hmmm...

 

[kvogel11202]

I guess I missed the point where it was decided if the rule isn't strictly enforced it's OK to break it? So if someone doesn't hassle you about it it's OK? I guess that explains why we have so many kids commiting serious crimes these days. They aren't being "strictly enforced" so therefore it's OK. I hate Heeley's, my kids do not have them. If your child over the age of needing a stroller (and at Disney that age increases slightly) cannot handle the walking needed, perhaps a new exercise regime is in order. I am old and out of shape and I have no problem walking the parks. Just leave the Helleys at home and save yourself the trouble. I for one will happily point out the children violating htis rule to cast members and insist it be enforced. Why should my kids or my parents have to dodge them? They are the ones violating the rules.

 

[LadyOmega]

I didn't even know these things were still in vogue with kids.......they came and went out of style quite a while ago here. But I notice most of you posters are from quite a ways north of me, maybe they migrated.....

 

[MissMichelle]

Thanks Eric for posting this...My kids don't have and never will have a pair of Heely's..I am a mean mommy I guess, but they know the dangers, and my daughter has actually come home and told me of injuries caused to her friends, both by themselves wearing them or other getting hit by someone wearing them.

My niece was just given a pair by a friend for her birthday...She wore them at my house all weekend as she brought no other shoes..I warned her that if I saw her ONCE on the wheels inside my house then she'd be barefoot the rest of the week. She never pushed me on it.

I hate that some kids have ruined what could be a really fun item for other kids, adn I guess that may be partially my own fault...I have a bad taste in my mouth over them, even if I know my kids would be ok and be responsible.

 

[flynnibus]

I'm sorry, this article is just pushing it. Yes, its not the same as walking, but its not so deadly.

http://searchwarp.com/swa5933.htm

"The natural skating position of the Heelys forces the neck to push the head outwards to balance a body that is now poised to fall backwards. The neck and shoulder muscles are strained to push the head forward to counteract gravity. However, our neck muscles were not made to hold our head out on a horizontal plane. This is a stop gap measure by our body to prevent us from toppling. Sadly, the damage is not going to be stop gap nor temporary"

You mean like doing any other activity where you put your feet in front of you? Like water skiing, etc?

"Constant walking on shoes that pivot on rollers (now that wheels have taken the place of the heels) conditions our gait muscles to walk in a manner contrary to natural stride patterns. This leads to knee, shin and foot injuries later in life."

You mean like wearing high heels? I don't hear cries for banning hi-heel shoes due to injuries.

The shoes should be treated just like using skateboards, etc.. when it comes to where they are acceptable or not. But lets keep the paranoia down.

Katrina's sister says, "My sister took a few steps, and then her foot just slipped out from under her and she just fell back."

"We both heard the big thump, terrible, terrible thump," says Valerie, "and we came running and found her on the floor crying, holding the back of her head."

The same exact story could be told if she stepped on a marble.. bearing.. a slick spot on the floor.. etc. These aren't excessive as the story would want you to believe.


..and I should add.. for the first article.. just read the disclaimer!

Medical Note: Winston Ng, his coaches and invited speakers are not medical doctors (unless otherwise stated). From time to time, we do have medical doctors and specialists on our advisory board. All our recommendations provided are given as is and not intended to substitute professional medical care or consultation

 

[alien]

I agree. Why do rules have to be "enforced"? Rules are rules. I am a school nurse and boy, I cringe when kids wear these to school. They are not allowed to use them in school but only in a certain area on the playground. Well, of course, kids wear them whereever and whenever they want.
One boy, while walking in the hall on his heelys, fell and hit the back of his head on the floor. Three teachers came running out of their classrooms because of the "thud". This is a student who had been banned from wearing them because of not sticking to the rules the first time.

 

[polyfan]

It amazes how overboard people get on something that they do not like. All of a sudden everyone is demanding that rules be followed. However, I doubt anyone is following every rule out there. We all choose what rules we want to follow- ie.. I have a poll on the CB about the speed limit and you know what so far noone has voted that they obey it!! How ironic, we find things to fit our own wants. These kids are not wearing them 24/7. It is no different then going roller skating they are going to have the same type of injuries. One is not going to hurt their back by doing it occasionally. Now, if it is an everyday shoe that they are using it for then that is different. But come on, we were all kids at some point and tried new fads.

 

[Shubunk]

It amazes how overboard people get on something that they do not like. All of a sudden everyone is demanding that rules be followed. However, I doubt anyone is following every rule out there. We all choose what rules we want to follow- ie.. I have a poll on the CB about the speed limit and you know what so far noone has voted that they obey it!! How ironic, we find things to fit our own wants. These kids are not wearing them 24/7. It is no different then going roller skating they are going to have the same type of injuries. One is not going to hurt their back by doing it occasionally. Now, if it is an everyday shoe that they are using it for then that is different. But come on, we were all kids at some point and tried new fads.

good points!

 

[DeluxePrincess]

They might not be allowed, but they are all over WDW. I especially seen them in Epcot for some reason. I wouldn't mind the Heelys so much if I didn't have to witness all the wipeouts on the hard pavement. I also don't enjoy my family having to fear for our safety because someone can't control their movement. I've seen Heely people skate right by Cast Members who have said nothing.

 

[JRawkSteady]

But come on, we were all kids at some point and tried new fads.

Off Topic: I was a weird kid. I refused to buy into that crap. When I was a kid it was pogs, LA Lights, Mortal Kombat, and GI Joes, but I hated all of that.. Then again, I became a punk when I was 8, so I guess that may explain it.

I actually have to disagree with you, because it's not just kids who buy into fads. How many times do you see a new mode of transportation, TV show, or technology take over the world for a little while. Like IPods...that's not just kids, it's everyone...and I, for one think they're pointless. When my CD Player runs out of it's battery life, I just put a new one in there. When the IPod dies, you have to have your computer so you can charge it. Also, if you decide you really want to listen to a CD that's not loaded on there, you have to wait until you can upload it. Plus everyone has them, so they're not so unique. I'll stick with my CD Player for life (it plays MP3 CDs too).

On Topic: I am not a fan of those heelys either.

 

[maxiesmom]

It amazes how overboard people get on something that they do not like. All of a sudden everyone is demanding that rules be followed. However, I doubt anyone is following every rule out there. We all choose what rules we want to follow- ie.. I have a poll on the CB about the speed limit and you know what so far noone has voted that they obey it!! How ironic, we find things to fit our own wants.

I never get this argument. So because we are not perfect we shouldn't follow the rules?

I haven't seen your speed limit thread--but I do follow it! Much to the horror of anyone who rides with me! I also--do not pool hop, do not try to sneak in a child over 3 for free, say a child is a child when by Disney standards they are an adult, reuse my mugs, save pool chairs, smoke in a non smoking section, make adr's with little intention of using them, take flash pictures on rides. I am sure I have missed something. So what I am saying is that I do not do things that I know could make someone have a less than magical vacation or that Disney has told me not to do. But I do sneak in a drink to my desk at work (not allowed!). So no, I am not perfect! But my sneaking in a drink does NOT have the propensity to hurt someone. Unless I get mad and dump it over a persons head, I suppose.

 

[Robo]

I'll stick with my CD Player for life (it plays MP3 CDs too).

Haven't been around technology too long, huh?

My basement is a testament to the "I'll stick with X for life" fantasy.

LP's & 45's
Reels of tape
8 Tracks
Audio Cassettes
DAT's
Mini-Discs
2" Quad Videotape
3/4" Umatic Video Cassettes
1" VPR reels Videotape
BetaCam SP Video Cassettes
VHS Videotape
Hi8 Video Cassettes
DVD's
miniDV Video Cassettes (I'm sticking with THESE for Life!)

And that doesn't scratch the surface of the computer technology "graveyard" that's constantly growing.

 

[MastaMind]

Haven't been around technology too long, huh?

My basement is a testament to the "I'll stick with X for life" fantasy.

LP's & 45's
Reels of tape
8 Tracks
Audio Cassettes
DAT's
Mini-Discs
2" Quad Videotape
3/4" Umatic Video Cassettes
1" VPR reels Videotape
BetaCam SP Video Cassettes
VHS Videotape
Hi8 Video Cassettes
DVD's
miniDV Video Cassettes (I'm sticking with THESE for Life!)

And that doesn't scratch the surface of the computer technology "graveyard" that's constantly growing.

No Laserdisk?!?!

 

[Robo]

No Laserdisk?!?!

About 150 LD's.
But they are upstairs in a storage cabinet.
I was just "scanning" the basement.

Of course, NOW the new "HD" DVD's are starting to be produced.

I don't look at the audio/video technologies as "FADS" (some are, I suppose) but a new WAY to enjoy the entertainment.

LD's were superior in quality to VHS/Beta.
DVD's are "better" than LD's.

HD DVD's will have higher resolution than "regular" (SD) DVDs.

The state-of-the-art changes so fast I hardly have time to make a "too high" investment in one technology before the newer ones come along.

Back to mp3's and iPods... they, in fact, do NOT have as high a quality as CD's... but their portablility of THOUSANDS of songs in a tiny package make them an amazing method of personal listening.

 

[laceemouse]

I'm sorry, this article is just pushing it. Yes, its not the same as walking, but its not so deadly.



You mean like doing any other activity where you put your feet in front of you? Like water skiing, etc?



You mean like wearing high heels? I don't hear cries for banning hi-heel shoes due to injuries.

The shoes should be treated just like using skateboards, etc.. when it comes to where they are acceptable or not. But lets keep the paranoia down.



The same exact story could be told if she stepped on a marble.. bearing.. a slick spot on the floor.. etc. These aren't excessive as the story would want you to believe.


..and I should add.. for the first article.. just read the disclaimer!

Yes BUT, what are the odds of slipping on a marble in the mall? Pretty slim I would guess! I agree, they are probably no more dangerous than roller skates, but I for one have NEVER seen anyone roller skating in the mall or grocery store! Most reasonable folks would agree that that would not be safe. So why do they let their kids wear Heeley's everywhere?? I have to add, I have seen them in the mall (for sale) but I have yet to see kids in my area where them in stores. And, I did not see them in WDW last December. I guess it will take a couple of lawsuits before Disney starts enforcing their rule.

 

[zookeeper]

Ya know, I witnessed the a similar situation at my Target. I was shopping with my 2 little ones and my dd 5 was walking next to me when this boy came zooming by on those stupid things and knocked my dd over because he lost his balance. I was sooooo furious. I turned to look for the mother and she was just strolling along not paying attention. Ugh!!

Unfortunately, these parents will almost never see that they are making a mistake by allowing the behaviour no matter how many rules are put in place. If her son had crashed into you she probably would have found some reason that it was your fault.

 

[Karnak]

Very interesting post. I would be surprised if any thinking parent would allow his or her child to use those things anywhere at WDW. They are a hazzard for us walking adults, as well as the children using them.

Common decency, as well as common sense should keep them away from the resort.

Enjoy (and be safe too).

 

[Cruz Family]

It amazes how overboard people get on something that they do not like. All of a sudden everyone is demanding that rules be followed. However, I doubt anyone is following every rule out there. We all choose what rules we want to follow- ie.. I have a poll on the CB about the speed limit and you know what so far noone has voted that they obey it!! How ironic, we find things to fit our own wants. These kids are not wearing them 24/7. It is no different then going roller skating they are going to have the same type of injuries. One is not going to hurt their back by doing it occasionally. Now, if it is an everyday shoe that they are using it for then that is different. But come on, we were all kids at some point and tried new fads.

I have never personally seen a group of kids rolling around the neighborhood with them, like we did years ago with rollerskates. I only see them in stores, malls, amusement parks, and places like that, places where it effects others.
So I guess that would be where ever they go, does that count as 24/7?
As far a fads go I don't think it is the kids who really buy into them as it is the parents. More parents should not be affraid to tell their children NO. After all isn't pretty much all adults standing in front of Best Buy at 4am waiting for the doors to open to buy the latest video game system, because little Tommy just has to have it TODAY!