We were shocked at the parks

[Priorityonecb]

I find it upsetting too when I see parents behaving that way. When we go to WDW (or DL...Sea World...etc.) it truly is for our children...we are just happy we get to go along to chaperone!

When they are thirsty, we get a drink. When they are tired...we find a bench and share an icecream. At DL last time, our dd was right at the cusp of being to old for a stroller...and too young to manage walking the park all day. Every day around 11am we'd start seeing the signs of fatique setting in. We noticed the signs, and would stop as soon as we could for a nice leisurely lunch. That was all she needed to regroup and go for the rest of the day.

Just about every day though around 2pm, we'd start seeing more and more exhausted, hot children loosing it and their parents being frustrated and upset.

I am not a perfect parent...I've had moments of frustration as well. But, I do think that common courtesy and respect for our children goes a long way in keeping everyone happy.

 

[jackmac]

I've seen things there that border on child abuse. So far I've never seen anything that crossed the line, but it's been close. The happiest place on earth can sometimes be just the opposite, especially when there are crowds, high temperaturs, long lines and expensive everything. Kids get tired and cranky. Especially when they are in the parks from morning to late at night. A long time ago I decided that I would only stay at a Disney resort so that I could take a break during the day and chill out.

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I think the UG had the best quote (from a guest who had written in)...

"Take the nap. Take the Nap! TAKE THE NAP!"

I think for people with little ones (and even some of us big ones) it's a must to get out of the park for a little while and rest. The kids can come back refreshed. At least, that's what I'm hoping, since we're heading for our first trip there with our children this fall!

 

[PixiDust04]

I agree...a more grueling pace is only good when the family consists entirely of children over the age of 9 or 10. Younger children need a slower pace so they can take in the wonderful, kid-friendly surroundings! I understand that some families can only afford to make the trip to WDW once, so they want to do everything. If that's the case...wait until the kids are a bit older. It will save both the kids and the parents a lot of arguments and disappointment! I know that older children might not enjoy the "kid" rides as much...but you will be able to get much more done before a snack, nap, or potty break is needed.

I'm not a parent, but I am 20 years old and have been going with my family since I was about 9. My youngest sister was only 4 when we went, and we didn't see nearly everything there was to see the first time we went...and we didn't know at the time that we would have the chance to go back. I think that sometimes a parent just has to be a little more understanding that a child's body can't handle as much of the hot FL (or CA) sun as an adult's can...

I'm not trying to make anyone upset, I'm just sharing my opinion...

 

[Feralpeg]

Unfortunately, people have such high expectations for everything now days. They expect to have a perfect vacation at WDW and don't want their kids to mess up their plans. The kids are on overload and are often unpleasant. It really goes both ways.

The other day I saw a woman sitting on the wall in front of the lake at DTD near Legoland. She was crying. The dad was talking to a little boy. I heard him tell the boy that there would be more trips to fun places, but he only had one mom and he better appreciate what he had. I don't know what happened prior to that conversation, but I would bet the kid wasn't being very nice to his mom.

I realize that people want to make the most of their time at WDW. These boards are a perfect example of how determined people are to have that perfect vacation. By the time they get to WDW, they are already stressed. Add heat, crowds, lack of sleep and it is a recipe for problems.

In some ways, I wish all the WDW information wasn't so readily available. Maybe people would go more relaxed and have a better time with their families.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

A few years ago I was in Epcot, near Morocco, and it was well over 90 degrees. This poor kid was crying so hard and his father was yelling, no screaming, at him becuase the kid wanted something to drink. The father was yelling that he didn't work that hard to spend that much money on a bottle of water. I just hoped that kid didn't get dehyrated with that kind of attitude.

I don't like yelling, but I dislike a lack of discipline less. If my child had refused to carry the water bottle they chose and swore they would carry, then I would yell the same thing as father above. (Then I would take my child to the nearest water fountain.) I have fewer effective discipline tools at my disposal while in the parks, so yelling does go up. I will not turn a blind eye to willful disobedience of age-appropriate expectations just because I'm on vacation. There may be other issues of which you are unaware. While many above examples do seem over the top, it is possible that some children are being yelled at deservedly. I hope that if I am over the top, a DISer would offer to help somehow - maybe an extra napkin you've got that my child's dripping ice cream needs.

 

[brymolmom]

I have laughed at a few of these and I'm sure many of these tense situations were not the best parenting presenting itself. BUT.....please keep in mind that you usually don't know the whole story. The story about the dad not wanting to buy the kid water made me think of my 'getting evil look from other people' story. First day at POP last year, kids took a long nap, first time even getting in line for the bus to the parks and offered kids a drink while we were waiting (it was hot - lots of hydration). Well, dd2 decided to have an all-out tantrum demanding juice. We NEVER carry juice in the diaper bag and she only gets one small glass a day so why she was surprised at my 'no- we don't have any, only water' response is beyond me. Actually, I know it wasn't surprise, but rather putting on a show for all the onlookers. I had never seen her have a tantrum like this over something so small. NOW I try to take a step back if I think someone's being a horrible parent.

Just think how I looked, I'm sure others there were like 'why not let the kid have some juice' OR when I decided to ignore her and let her have her tantrum, they likely were thinking 'why are you letting your kid cry like that?'.

Anyway- it always looks different from the outside.

 

[PixiDust04]

Again, I agree...you don't always know the whole story. I understand also that each family runs differently, and has different rules. But taking all of that into account, I still have to say...not all of these things that adults are seeming to get upset about are "discipline issues." Yes...a child getting upset because they can't have a certain toy or go do something 'right now' is a simple discipline issue, and the child may just want attention in the crowded place. But since when is a dripping ice cream cone a discipline issue? Florida is HOT, and ice cream melts! Just give the poor kid a napkin and let him eat his treat!

Sorry...it just made me mad to hear about that. I know if I was a kid, I wouldn't like that either.

 

[MinnieNurse]

I find it upsetting too when I see parents behaving that way. When we go to WDW (or DL...Sea World...etc.) it truly is for our children...we are just happy we get to go along to chaperone!

When they are thirsty, we get a drink. When they are tired...we find a bench and share an icecream. At DL last time, our dd was right at the cusp of being to old for a stroller...and too young to manage walking the park all day. Every day around 11am we'd start seeing the signs of fatique setting in. We noticed the signs, and would stop as soon as we could for a nice leisurely lunch. That was all she needed to regroup and go for the rest of the day.

This board has made me sad.

I agree with the above. When we went last year we had a plan but we often strayed from the plan if we were tired. Slept in a couple of days!!

We are going in June and have already explained to our DS that it will be hotter this time so if he needs a drink, or to stop and rest, or wants to go back to resort to rest he just needs to let us know. We are there to have a good time and make wonderful memories for him. I dont think getting slapped in WDW would produce very good memories.

 

[weeluvdisney]

I totally agree with brymolmom. You don't always know what transpired before any meltdown whether it be the parents or the children.. Disney World is the Happiest Place on Earth but it can also be the most tiresome and hottest place on earth. Nobody is perfect and if I were to see a major meltdown I would turn the other cheek. Things will cool down with the family on their own and I wouldn't want people staring or passing judgement on me if one of us had a meltdown.

 

[princess angel]

I could never understand why in the world families insist on staying in the parks so many hours. People say they need to get their monies worth.. how is a cranky, screaming, tired... turning violent ... family.....getting your monies worth? getting in less attractions and rides would equate to a better vacation if everyone is happy.

 

[DisneyPhD]

"Just because Disney is the happiest place on earth doesn't mean only the happiest people on earth go there----"

So true!!!!!!!!!

"Some people just shouldn't go out in public anywhere." also supper true!


"Again, I agree...you don't always know the whole story"

Also at the risk of sounding repetitive TRUE!


Once when it was only DH and I in our family we were at Dixi Landings waiting for a bus. This family came up to the stop and the mother wondered out loud where the MK bus stopped. The father started yelling "READ THE SIGN, WHAT DOES THE SIGN SAY" "READ THE SIGN!!!!!" DH and were embarsed for his whole family. The man was the biggest jerk. Well from then on in the trip (and there after in our lives) if either one of us though the other was being a jerk we would say "read the sign. What does the sign say?" It was code for don't be a _______ fill in the blank"




These type of situations stand out and are so bad that we noticed them, and let examples of "good parenting" and good familying (is that word??? I don't think so, but I think you know what I mean ) go unnoticed.

We go in less then 2 weeks. I will try my best to be on my best mommy behavior (and wife too! ) Remember people "shower the people you love with love. "

 

[mama2sam]

It's amazing how the Happiest place on Earth can be the most stressful place on earth for the parents. We want everything to be perfect and sometimes forget that kids just want to be kids, and they don't always want to do what's planned. I know I need to slow down and listen to what the kids are saying, and what their atitudes/behavior are saying!

 

[dwaters]

Think of all the Disney World commercials you see.
Kids walking hand in hand with Mickey with no one else around.
Families enjoying ride after ride --never showing the lines you have to stand in or the walking you do to get there.
It sets you up for wanting the "perfect vacation" just like on TV.


I often wonder if people talked or posted on a message board after seeing my two year old daughter throwing a fit in the Magic Kingdom on the ground rolling around in her Cinderella dress. We said we'd never bring them that young, but with grandparents we figured four adults could handle two children ( 2 and 6). She bucks and kicks and flails her body, screeching and turning red. She wanted to got up the castle steps but it was roped off for Cinderellabration. I hope the people seeing her tantrum realized that the same little girl went on to have a great day riding in the stroller and riding the carousel and enjoying her Mickey-shaped lollipop.
If you can do survive Disney with a tantrum prone two-year-old, all the future trips will seem easy.

 

[MartDM]

Just think how I looked, I'm sure others there were like 'why not let the kid have some juice' OR when I decided to ignore her and let her have her tantrum, they likely were thinking 'why are you letting your kid cry like that?'.

They might have simply been thinking "why is she subjecting all of us to her daughter's tantrum?". While I agree with not wanting to cater to that sort of behavior, choosing to ignore a tantrum while in a crowd waiting for the bus does negatively impact everyone around you. Given that, I can certainly understand why others might have been giving you some looks and wondering why, if you were choosing to ignore the tantrum, you didn't remove your daughter from the bus waiting area until she had calmed down. Had I been there I probably would have been mentally applauding you for not giving in to her but, at the same time, cursing you for subjecting me to her hissy fit.

That being said, I do agree that things can look very skewed to the outsider just getting a snapshot and a soundbite of the whole situation and I do try to give the parent the benefit of the doubt.

 

[JillandFamily]

I agree with almost everything being said here. I hope no one thinks that i was trying to be offensive in any way. If you do I apologize. I am far from being a perfect parent or having a perfect child who never threw a hissy fit (don't we all wish that?) I was just venting that it gets a little uncomfortable sometimes when you are in such close quarters with strangers because the place is crowded. Hope no one got upset.

 

[sz9144]

Yep. Seeing it more and more. It's terrible. You just want to hand these people a valium and tell them to get a grip already. Kids will be kids - jeez.

I think I've seen your family- you must be the ones lounging lazily by the pool while your kids monopolize the pool, splashing in other people's faces and screaming like maniacs.

It is very tough to be a parent who controls their children in a world where others do not.....

 

[Minnie_Moo]

My DD (23) has sworn off of going to all theme parks after working counter service for the summer at Universal/IOA. She saw far too many unhappy children and screaming parents. It has even kind of put her off of having her own children someday.

Hopefully, I'll at least have a grand or two!

 

[Glendamax]

I'm a single adult with no children, and have never been to Disney with kids. When I see a child having a tantrum, I tend to feel bad for the adult. I think about all the saving and preparing it took just to get myself there, then try to imagine what they had to do to get there and then the child is going to act a FOOL! God help them! When my brother and I were kids, we were not allowed to act that way - there was no room for it, and I didnt even know about "tantrums" until I was older. When I was a kid, I knew that at any moment, I could either get "the look", or a slap that would end it all. But I guess now, some parents are scared to do anything for fear of being locked up or something.

So to all of the parents out there, believe me, I'm not one of those people who stare at you when your kids are going crazy. Insted I'm staring at the kid who has no idea what the parents went through just to get them there.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

There have been times I have wanted to slip the KID a Valium. I have seen this only a few times, but I have witnessed kids screaming at their parents. I tell you, this would NOT have flown with my parents when I was a kid.