What is Disney policy on intervening when children panic?

[Glennie5]

When my son was younger he was frightened to go on HM. He said he would try it and did not freak out in line but he asked everyone he could if it was scary. He kept asking over and over again are you sure it is not too scary? I had to hold my hands over his ears while he burried his head in my lap. As soon as we were off he wanted to try riding again and he loved it. ToT is a hit and miss with my girls. When ever one of them says they don't want to ride I am so relieved. No one cries before getting on but I am pretty sure I cried a few times while riding.

 

[miami305]

We boarded Tower of Terror and there was a little girl whose parents forced her to get on. She was completey hysterical. When the CM comes to verify seat belts are fastened, he said "do you want to ride?". She said no. The parents were clearly pissed and trying to talk her into it. The CM said, "I can't start the ride if she doesn't want to ride and is this upset". We were all just waiting there....... So finally they all got off. Thank goodness cause I was scared she was going to vomit all over the place or something.

I thought this was Standard procedure for all theme parks. Ride doesn't start if some is hysterical. The parents forcing kids on rides...ugh. I'm glad I've never witnessed such abuse.

Read through more responses. Vacation is supposed to be a FUN time. Rides are supposed to be FUN. Working your child into a hysterical state and then forcing them into the ride is not FUN. It is cruel. If a child at school treated your child in that manner you would call it bullying. If the teacher did it, you would sue the school and the teacher would be arrested for child abuse.

 

[DeaverTex]

I thought this was Standard procedure for all theme parks. Ride doesn't start if some is hysterical. The parents forcing kids on rides...ugh. I'm glad I've never witnessed such abuse.

Read through more responses. Vacation is supposed to be a FUN time. Rides are supposed to be FUN. Working your child into a hysterical state and then forcing them into the ride is not FUN. It is cruel. If a child at school treated your child in that manner you would call it bullying. If the teacher did it, you would sue the school and the teacher would be arrested for child abuse.

 

[OhioDisneyDad]

I'm a big, some would say "hulking" male who played college ball and all that BUT riding Dinosaur scares me EVERY SINGLE TIME. I love the ride and I can't explain why it scares me but when the Carnotaur pops out or is "chasing" the vehicle it scares me. I've ridden Dinosaur many times so it's not like I don't know what's coming but it ALWAYS scares me.

I can't imagine how a young child who has no idea what the ride is like and only has their own thoughts of dinosaurs as a reference. I have never and would never force one of my kids on any ride and can't comprehend why a parent would even try. Just sad.

 

[North of Mouse]

I thought this was Standard procedure for all theme parks. Ride doesn't start if some is hysterical. The parents forcing kids on rides...ugh. I'm glad I've never witnessed such abuse.

Read through more responses. Vacation is supposed to be a FUN time. Rides are supposed to be FUN. Working your child into a hysterical state and then forcing them into the ride is not FUN. It is cruel. If a child at school treated your child in that manner you would call it bullying. If the teacher did it, you would sue the school and the teacher would be arrested for child abuse.

Agree completely. I don't care how much a parent "thinks" their child would like it, or does indeed like it by the end, at that very moment when they are scared, and hysterical and don't want to ride, but are forced - that is being abusive.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I have seen a CM at boarding area ask a child if they wanted to ride. The CM spoke directly to the child, not the parent.

I have seen this as well. This child was very upset and they finally pulled them off the ride, much to the horror of the parents.

Disney used to have a policy of not starting the ride if there was a kid visibly terrified (crying and panicked). I don't know if this is still the policy or not.

 

[photo_chick]

I don't give a flying Tinkerbell if you know what's best for your child or not. You have no right to cause a scene that infringes on the enjoyment and possible safety of the other paying guests getting on the ride. It's selfish and inappropriate, and a CM ought to be empowered to intervene.

Your attitude is discriminatory and I find it inappropriate and selfish.

What looks like a scene to you may be daily life for families with people who have special needs. Kids or adults who don't understand social situations and get loud at times. Who may have unusual reactions to some situations. Those families have every right to enjoy Disney. Most parents that I know with kids like this, myself included, do try and keep our kids quiet out of respect for others. But sometimes it just doesn't happen. Sometimes there's a meltdown as you get on a ride. And with a meltdown sometimes you remove from the situation and sometimes it's better if you work through it. But only the parents know which is the right thing for their kid at that time.

I'm not saying that every kid who throws a tantrum or is upset has special needs. What I'm saying is you can't tell from the outside if they do or not and unless there is a safety issue this is not something the CM's or other guests should be controlling. It's a parental call. And yes, some parents don't make a very good call in those situations. But you can't parent other people's kids.

 

[luvmyprincesses]

I have to side with the parents in the original post. I have been in many situations where my bipolar child has had a meltdown. It can happen at any time and any place. And yes, I have told her she was ruining our vacation because she was. I love her so much, but when she has a meltdown and I know she can control herself, I am not backing down. It was not child abuse and it was nobody's business to intervene. The child may have been doing this to spite the parents,,,yes I am serious. Believe it or not there are children who need parents to tell them they will do something they don't want to do. You just don't understand unless you are in those shoes of those parents.

 

[alice99]

Disney used to have a policy of not starting the ride if there was a kid visibly terrified (crying and panicked). I don't know if this is still the policy or not.

I remember a few years ago my kids asked to go on a carnival ride, they both looked thrilled when the ride started, were sitting nicely with a lap bar over their legs...... well, within a minute of the ride starting, my daughter started to panic and was attempting to crawl out from the ride. I nearly lost my mind, I was screaming at her to stay in her seat. Of course, the fella operating the ride didn't notice, as he is not focused on my kids..... but something like this could easily happen and you never know how a small child is going to react.
Could you imagine a kid trying to exit Space Mountain ride or Splash Mountain while having a meltdown ??!!


Does anyone remember this story? This boy was riding alone, his Mom was waiting at the exit, and he left the ride vehicle and drowned.

http://articles.nydailynews.com/2005-08-04/news/18311118_1_ride-boats-long-island-sound

 

[sandym718]

Your attitude is discriminatory and I find it inappropriate and selfish.

What looks like a scene to you may be daily life for families with people who have special needs. Kids or adults who don't understand social situations and get loud at times. Who may have unusual reactions to some situations. Those families have every right to enjoy Disney. Most parents that I know with kids like this, myself included, do try and keep our kids quiet out of respect for others. But sometimes it just doesn't happen. Sometimes there's a meltdown as you get on a ride. And with a meltdown sometimes you remove from the situation and sometimes it's better if you work through it. But only the parents know which is the right thing for their kid at that time.

I'm not saying that every kid who throws a tantrum or is upset has special needs. What I'm saying is you can't tell from the outside if they do or not and unless there is a safety issue this is not something the CM's or other guests should be controlling. It's a parental call. And yes, some parents don't make a very good call in those situations. But you can't parent other people's kids.

Not the poster you quoted, but I agree with that person 100%. It is not discriminatory. Having special needs or a child with special needs does not give one the right to infringe upon the rights of others. It is not appropriate to be "working through" a meltdown if that could in anyway endanger the safety of those around you. It is also not appropriate if it, beyond a very mild level, infringes upon the enjoyment of the ride for others around you. The other people on the ride paid admission, waited in line, etc, not to hear/watch your child scream, kick and/or throw a fit (whether that's a behavioral problem or a special needs issue), but to enjoy the ride/attraction. Anything that infringes upon the other guests' right to enjoy that attraction is inappropriate (flash photography, yelling or screaming by anyone of ANY age). Now of course, sometimes things happen DURING the course of a ride, and I think most people understand that is beyond the parents' control, and just appreciate anything they can do to minimize it. And I don't think most would be bothered by some (SOME) crying, loudness before the ride starts. But if it is an escalating situation, whether the reason is intentional or not, that is the parents' responsibility to deal with while eliminating/reducing the impact on all other guests. That might mean skipping the ride. All parents make sacrifices, those who have children with special needs, often have to make many more..that's life. Other guests should be accepting and kind, of course, but special needs is not an excuse for "anything goes and everyone has to just deal with it no matter what" (I'm not saying that you said that, just making a point). And CM's should be empowered to deal with these situations to ensure the safety, comfort and enjoyment of ALL guests.

 

[photo_chick]

Not the poster you quoted, but I agree with that person 100%. It is not discriminatory. Having special needs or a child with special needs does not give one the right to infringe upon the rights of others. It is not appropriate to be "working through" a meltdown if that could in anyway endanger the safety of those around you. It is also not appropriate if it, beyond a very mild level, infringes upon the enjoyment of the ride for others around you. The other people on the ride paid admission, waited in line, etc, not to hear/watch your child scream, kick and/or throw a fit (whether that's a behavioral problem or a special needs issue), but to enjoy the ride/attraction. Anything that infringes upon the other guests' right to enjoy that attraction is inappropriate (flash photography, yelling or screaming by anyone of ANY age). Now of course, sometimes things happen DURING the course of a ride, and I think most people understand that is beyond the parents' control, and just appreciate anything they can do to minimize it. And I don't think most would be bothered by some (SOME) crying, loudness before the ride starts. But if it is an escalating situation, whether the reason is intentional or not, that is the parents' responsibility to deal with while eliminating/reducing the impact on all other guests. That might mean skipping the ride. All parents make sacrifices, those who have children with special needs, often have to make many more..that's life. Other guests should be accepting and kind, of course, but special needs is not an excuse for "anything goes and everyone has to just deal with it no matter what" (I'm not saying that you said that, just making a point). And CM's should be empowered to deal with these situations to ensure the safety, comfort and enjoyment of ALL guests.

This is as discriminatory as it would be if my child had a physical difference and were not allowed to board because people were inconvenienced by the delay. Your intolerance infringes upon my family's rights to enjoy the park.

I want to make clear here... I'm not talking about taking a child on a ride just because I want to ride. I don't ride a lot of things because my son is genuinely scared of the ride. I'm talking about taking a child on a ride that they love even if they happen to have a meltdown at an inopportune time.

 

[Marnm02]

When I was a kid (I think about 7) I clearly remember being scared of the Backlot Tour at MGM, because of a promotional picture showing a dramatization of the catastrophe canyon part. This was back in the days when the Backlot tour was a huge park of the theme park (also before child swap), so my parents were not willing to to miss it, and were all set to drag me on kicking and screaming, knowing that I'd be fine once I realized the tram was not really about to go driving off the edge of a canyon.

I'm pretty sure I was clinging to a rail, screaming my lungs out while my mom tried to pry me free, when the CM who was the tour guide came up to me. He told me they were filming a commercial in the studio that day and they needed a little girl my age to ride in the front of the tram and wave as it approached the cameras. He said he thought I'd be good for the role, and asked if I'd go to the front of the tram with my family.

Of course I forgot all about being afraid. Never saw any camera either. I did have fun, and I'm sure my parents were so grateful for that quick thinking CM. I like to think that he has a pretty high up position at WDW now. Hearing the accounts posted in this thread makes me wish there were more like him, not afraid to get creative and use his "magic" as a CM to help families out. He took a big risk, as I'm sure some parents might have been offended by the "fib" and it seems like all the CMs today are just too scared, or too overly-trained, to try things like that anymore.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Umm no- I am a parent of two incredible kids who have special needs, including autism. I am always conscious of the rights and needs of others, not just my kids. If my kids have a meltdown at an Inopportune place or time, we leave. I always have a exit strategy- always. I would never ever choose to enter a ride while my child melted down. And I always have tools for them to utilize to deal with anxieties etc while In a queue or even on a ride. For instance, dd started to lose it a bit on HM- during the ride so not much I could do to exit. I immediately got her iPod on and also gave her a penlight to shine into her hand (on her hand, in her lap, so it wasn't disturbing others). It is my job to teach my kids how to function in society, not to always expect society to change for my kids. Now I do get comments occasionally from people regarding why my 12 y/o is in a "stroller" at wdw- it's actually a pediatric wheelchair, but we utilize it because it's an accommodation that allows her to cope with the overstimulation of Disney. I have chosen to incorporate any tools possible to prevent meltdowns in the first place. And if they happen anyway, we stop and deal with it.

 

[sandym718]

This is as discriminatory as it would be if my child had a physical difference and were not allowed to board because people were inconvenienced by the delay. Your intolerance infringes upon my family's rights to enjoy the park.

I want to make clear here... I'm not talking about taking a child on a ride just because I want to ride. I don't ride a lot of things because my son is genuinely scared of the ride. I'm talking about taking a child on a ride that they love even if they happen to have a meltdown at an inopportune time.

This is not the same. A delay in boarding does not impact the other riders' ability to then enjoy the ride. A meltdown could very well do so. If it is able to be handled quickly, fine. As I said before, most people would not be bothered at all by some crying, loudness, vocalizations before the ride begins. It's when it cannot be controlled before the ride starts that the CM should be able to intervene. If the meltdown is happening at an inopportune time, then try the ride at another time. I am far from intolerant and do not like being called so. Everyone has the right to enjoy the park, no one's rights supersede any others'

 

[Glennie5]

This is as discriminatory as it would be if my child had a physical difference and were not allowed to board because people were inconvenienced by the delay. Your intolerance infringes upon my family's rights to enjoy the park.

I want to make clear here... I'm not talking about taking a child on a ride just because I want to ride. I don't ride a lot of things because my son is genuinely scared of the ride. I'm talking about taking a child on a ride that they love even if they happen to have a meltdown at an inopportune time.

I don't think they were talking about a child crying for an unexpected reason during a ride, stuff happens. If you take your child on a ride kicking and screaming knowing full well that they will continue acting that way throughout the ride then it can be annoying for others who are trying to enjoy the ride. I am not saying that it isn't their right to ride just that it can be irritating.

 

[photo_chick]

Umm no- I am a parent of two incredible kids who have special needs, including autism. I am always conscious of the rights and needs of others, not just my kids. If my kids have a meltdown at an Inopportune place or time, we leave. I always have a exit strategy- always. I would never ever choose to enter a ride while my child melted down. And I always have tools for them to utilize to deal with anxieties etc while In a queue or even on a ride. For instance, dd started to lose it a bit on HM- during the ride so not much I could do to exit. I immediately got her iPod on and also gave her a penlight to shine into her hand (on her hand, in her lap, so it wasn't disturbing others). It is my job to teach my kids how to function in society, not to always expect society to change for my kids. Now I do get comments occasionally from people regarding why my 12 y/o is in a "stroller" at wdw- it's actually a pediatric wheelchair, but we utilize it because it's an accommodation that allows her to cope with the overstimulation of Disney. I have chosen to incorporate any tools possible to prevent meltdowns in the first place. And if they happen anyway, we stop and deal with it.

That's how you handle your kids needs. Not all kids have the same needs. My son has ADHD and Aspergers. When he has a meltdown nine times out of ten I can get him moved on to something else rather quickly so there is no need to remove from the situation. That one time in ten that I can't get him to move on we remove him from the situation. This is based on the advice I've been given from his occupatioal therapist and doctors and it works for him. It's not the right thing for all kids but don't judge what I might do by what you would do. Everyone has to do what is right for their children.

I also think there's a misunderstanding here. I wouldn't put a kid on a ride to scream the whole time and that's not what I'm saying here at all. My point way back at the beginning was that you can't know what's going on with someone elses kid. The OP saw a situation she read one way and in truth it could have been very different from the parents perspective. We simply don't know because 1. only the OP was there. And 2. we are not those parents.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I don't need to know if the child in OPs post had special needs or not. Any time a patent is literally dragging a child around by an arm, telling them they're ruining their vacation and forcing them to ride when they're hysterical has clearly lost some valuable perspective an common courtesy and may or may not be engaging in abusive behavior. And I think people have a right not to have to ride with kids or adult who are completely losing it and being a safety hazard. And that does not make the PPs discriminatory, etc in any way.

 

[Rip]

These threads are always so informative. They inform me that everyone else really does think they know your business. If you aren't about to witness physical violence, mind your bidnez.

 

[aubriee]

I have seen this as well. This child was very upset and they finally pulled them off the ride, much to the horror of the parents.

Disney used to have a policy of not starting the ride if there was a kid visibly terrified (crying and panicked). I don't know if this is still the policy or not.

I saw this at Splash Mountain just this past Dec. A kid (about 7 y/o) was screaming all the way through the line that he didn't want to ride and was scared. His parents just kept yelling at him what a coward he was and how he was ruining their trip. As the parents were trying to get him into the log, the CM informed them that at least one parent needed to escort him out as he would not be allowed to ride as upset as he was. The parents started yelling at the CM that he'd be fine once the ride started. The CM looked the kid in the eye, said "Do you want to ride this ride" and when the kid yelled "No", the CM insisted he be removed. They held us up for several minutes arguing, with another CM coming over to support the first. Both parents finally got out and left with the screaming kid. As they were leaving, they had grabbed the kid by the arm, shook him, and made a comment about him being a d-mn coward and ruining their vacation and they should have just left him at home. I felt so sorry for that little boy. He was terrified and absolutely miserable and his parents were cursing at him and shaking him by the arm like a little rag doll.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Our Disney rule with our youngest was: You have to try everything at least once. If you don't like it, you don't have to do it again. The only one he skipped a second time was ToT.

We have the same rule.