What not to do at Disney?

[LovesTimone]

I told myself that I would not put in my 2cents about breastfeeding but I just can't seem to do that.

Unfortunately I was not able to breast feed, but I think its wonderful and so touching when you see a mother feeding her child.

I have noticed that some of the post feel that there are small children around and should not see someone feeding their baby. When my DD was little around 3 or 4 we were at MK. There was a young mom trying to feed and the little guy was fussing because he needed to eat. My daughter stopped me and ask whats that mommy doing I simply said that she is feeding her baby. My DD asked did you feed me that way? I said no but all mommy feed their babies and take care of them in different ways. She said okay can we get some ice cream? And that was that. The young mom smiled at my reply and went on feeding.

I think that there are more serious issues going on right now for someone to be worried about a mom taking care of her baby, I would think that people would be more concerned if she wasn't feeding her baby. My thoughts are if someone is breastfeeding, checking their sugar, or whatever, just simply turn your head and move on. If your children ask tell them in the simplest way what they are doing, If you don't think or make it a big deal neither will they.
Okay that my 2cents.

 

[LilMommyBug]

I told myself that I would not put in my 2cents about breastfeeding but I just can't seem to do that.

Unfortunately I was not able to breast feed, but I think its wonderful and so touching when you see a mother feeding her child.

I have noticed that some of the post feel that there are small children around and should not see someone feeding their baby. When my DD was little around 3 or 4 we were at MK. There was a young mom trying to feed and the little guy was fussing because he needed to eat. My daughter stopped me and ask whats that mommy doing I simply said that she is feeding her baby. My DD asked did you feed me that way? I said no but all mommy feed their babies and take care of them in different ways. She said okay can we get some ice cream? And that was that. The young mom smiled at my reply and went on feeding.

I think that there are more serious issues going on right now for someone to be worried about a mom taking care of her baby, I would think that people would be more concerned if she wasn't feeding her baby. My thoughts are if someone is breastfeeding, checking their sugar, or whatever, just simply turn your head and move on. If your children ask tell them in the simplest way what they are doing, If you don't think or make it a big deal neither will they.
Okay that my 2cents.

Well said.

I don't get it when people try to shelter their kids from seeing someone breastfeeding - a natural, non-sexual act- but let them see Victoria's Secret shows, Music videos or other risque tv shows/ads/movies WHATEVER else that have women's ****s/butts exposed purely for entertainment value.

My kids have seen my SIL breastfeed & asked about it. I told them the baby was eating - big whoop. They asked how, etc - I told them. The end.

 

[JordanRHughes]

Interesting thread and interesting read. Thanks for the posts.

Jordan.

 

[banabobana]

This is sure to irritate people, but here it is: I don't have kids. I don't want kids. I understand that Disney is for kids, and I have no problem with that, at all. It's fun for everyone! I like kids just fine, but your kids are not mine. I'm not impressed with whatever shrieky thing they're doing because they're hot and tired. I don't want to have to direct your kid back to you because you're busy taking photos (eating a turkey leg, getting a fast pass, asking a question, arguing with your spouse), or because you think they're doing something so adorable that every stranger in the immediate area should admire. Your kids are YOUR responsibility, you should know enough to rein them in.

Also, and this is something else parents get up in arms about: there are, in fact, some restaurants at Disney that aren't really kid-friendly, no matter what the family dining plan says. There are times of the evening that it's not ok to bring your now cranky, sunburned, overtired kid out to a meal that's costing me more than 200 dollars. I made late dinner reservations so my husband and I are able to celebrate our anniversary without hearing a recap of every single thing your Precious so and so saw from the moment you dragged them out of bed so you could be at the gate for early rope drop until 9:30, when they really ought to be asleep, at the top of their lungs, 3 feet away from me.

I'm sorry if that all sounds snotty, but I definitely think that people with kids forget that there are adults vacationing on the property who aren't interested in the shenanigans of your family.

Having said all of that, the whole BREAST FEEDING IS YUCKY AND INSULTS MY SENSIBILITIES thing is beyond puritanical. If your child is so shocked and dismayed about seeing a woman's cans, I pity the time when you have to have the birds and the bees conversation. Perhaps you can tell them they were hatched from a jar!

 

[banabobana]

"I posted my original response to a pp so they would at least know why I do that; it's not to be dramatic or make a scene, it's because I chose to walk through the DSA and now need to wave the smoke out of my face."



If you're waving your hands around in front of your face, you're being dramatic. Cigarette smoke is annoying, but it doesn't blanket you. You walk through, it goes away. The end.

 

[skiingfast]

This is sure to irritate people, but here it is: I don't have kids. I don't want kids. I understand that Disney is for kids, and I have no problem with that, at all. It's fun for everyone! I like kids just fine, but your kids are not mine. !

Are you sure you like kids? It really doesn't sound like it? I'm not sure you are qualified to tell people how to raise kids if you don't have any and intend not to.

 

[BeadyLady]

This is sure to irritate people, but here it is: I don't have kids. I don't want kids. I understand that Disney is for kids, and I have no problem with that, at all. It's fun for everyone! I like kids just fine, but your kids are not mine. I'm not impressed with whatever shrieky thing they're doing because they're hot and tired. I don't want to have to direct your kid back to you because you're busy taking photos (eating a turkey leg, getting a fast pass, asking a question, arguing with your spouse), or because you think they're doing something so adorable that every stranger in the immediate area should admire. Your kids are YOUR responsibility, you should know enough to rein them in.

I had kids and I still don't think people should ignore their offspring while eating a turkey leg, getting a fast pass, asking a question, arguing with your spouse - very well put!

Having said all of that, the whole BREAST FEEDING IS YUCKY AND INSULTS MY SENSIBILITIES thing is beyond puritanical. If your child is so shocked and dismayed about seeing a woman's cans, I pity the time when you have to have the birds and the bees conversation. Perhaps you can tell them they were hatched from a jar!

Too funny! I so agree. Wonder what the kids would think when the Grandma who dresses as a younger person, with cleavage showing. Now that could be very scary! Might even scar a kid.

 

[tiggerfan9984]

I'm sorry if that all sounds snotty

That's not the word that I would have used.

 

[livndisney]

Also, and this is something else parents get up in arms about: there are, in fact, some restaurants at Disney that aren't really kid-friendly, no matter what the family dining plan says. There are times of the evening that it's not ok to bring your now cranky, sunburned, overtired kid out to a meal that's costing me more than 200 dollars. I made late dinner reservations so my husband and I are able to celebrate our anniversary without hearing a recap of every single thing your Precious so and so saw from the moment you dragged them out of bed so you could be at the gate for early rope drop until 9:30, when they really ought to be asleep, at the top of their lungs, 3 feet away from me.

Considering that it is "Disney's property therefor Disney rules," perhaps you may want to consider in room dining that is also offered on the dining plan.

 

[everydaymathchick]

Please don't text or surf the web on your cell phone during rides/attractions; if you are bored, leave, the rest of us want to see it.

This makes me smile. I texted (tried to text - not good service there) through most of Haunted Mansion last time I rode. Not because I was bored but because I was mistaken in thinking that I wasn't still scared of HM. Yeah... still totally freaks me out, and I rode it solo. Staring at my cell phone playing a game distracted me enough not to be the "annoying screamer".

My "don't" is this: I see a lot of people saying that you need to go back to the hotel and rest when your child has a meltdown. Don't wait until they have a meltdown; head it off by planning rest time after lunch. Also delaying stopping for your meal even by a half hour can be the difference between a fun afternoon with your child and a meltdown.

 

[maxiesmom]

Also, and this is something else parents get up in arms about: there are, in fact, some restaurants at Disney that aren't really kid-friendly, no matter what the family dining plan says. There are times of the evening that it's not ok to bring your now cranky, sunburned, overtired kid out to a meal that's costing me more than 200 dollars. I made late dinner reservations so my husband and I are able to celebrate our anniversary without hearing a recap of every single thing your Precious so and so saw from the moment you dragged them out of bed so you could be at the gate for early rope drop until 9:30, when they really ought to be asleep, at the top of their lungs, 3 feet away from me.

I agree that I don't like kids screaming in restaurants. Having said that, it seems silly to vacation someplace that is crawling with kids and expect not to run into a few who are not behaving themselves. While you may think it is late at night, for a family from say Seattle in may not seem late at night. Not everyone lives on Eastern Standard Time, even while they vacation at Disney World.

And as long as Disney allows you to bring a child into a restaurant, you can feel that it is not appropriate, but others will disagree with you. And as Disney does allow kids in all but 1 restaurant, I think you are the one who will have to adjust your expectations.

 

[banabobana]

Are you sure you like kids? It really doesn't sound like it? I'm not sure you are qualified to tell people how to raise kids if you don't have any and intend not to.

Oh, I'm not interested in telling anyone how to raise their kids. I just think that as parents, you need to be mindful of them. In my experience at Disney, many are not.

 

[banabobana]

Considering that it is "Disney's property therefor Disney rules," perhaps you may want to consider in room dining that is also offered on the dining plan.

Ah, I knew parents would be offended by my post. I am very conscious about my behaivor when I'm around crowds of people. I would never do anything I can control that someone else might consider irritating. All I ask is that parents extend that same courtesy, not only to me (or other people without kids) but to everyone. I completely agree that Disney is a fun place for people of all ages, but I don't think it's ok, as a parent, to turn a blind eye when their kid is acting up and expect that everyone just accept it as par for the course. It's parenting! Those rules don't go away because you're at Disney.

All I'm saying is that parents know when their kids have had enough, or are over tired or are acting bratty, just like I know when I am. I am an adult and can put myself to bed when it happens. I expect the same from parents.

 

[banabobana]

And as long as Disney allows you to bring a child into a restaurant, you can feel that it is not appropriate, but others will disagree with you. And as Disney does allow kids in all but 1 restaurant, I think you are the one who will have to adjust your expectations.[/QUOTE]

I don't have any expectations of kids not eating in restaurants, because I live in the world and kids have to eat. I do have expectations about parents teaching their children manners, which shouldn't fly out the window when everyone sits down to eat.

 

[livndisney]

Ah, I knew parents would be offended by my post. I am very conscious about my behaivor when I'm around crowds of people. I would never do anything I can control that someone else might consider irritating. All I ask is that parents extend that same courtesy, not only to me (or other people without kids) but to everyone. I completely agree that Disney is a fun place for people of all ages, but I don't think it's ok, as a parent, to turn a blind eye when their kid is acting up and expect that everyone just accept it as par for the course. It's parenting! Those rules don't go away because you're at Disney.

All I'm saying is that parents know when their kids have had enough, or are over tired or are acting bratty, just like I know when I am. I am an adult and can put myself to bed when it happens. I expect the same from parents.

Your posts seem to indicate that "all" parents don't tend to their children, and all children all cut from the same cloth. Some parents DO parent and get tired of being judged as a group.

 

[PearlySwan]

This is sure to irritate people, but here it is: I don't have kids. I don't want kids. I understand that Disney is for kids, and I have no problem with that, at all. It's fun for everyone! I like kids just fine, but your kids are not mine. I'm not impressed with whatever shrieky thing they're doing because they're hot and tired. I don't want to have to direct your kid back to you because you're busy taking photos (eating a turkey leg, getting a fast pass, asking a question, arguing with your spouse), or because you think they're doing something so adorable that every stranger in the immediate area should admire. Your kids are YOUR responsibility, you should know enough to rein them in.

Also, and this is something else parents get up in arms about: there are, in fact, some restaurants at Disney that aren't really kid-friendly, no matter what the family dining plan says. There are times of the evening that it's not ok to bring your now cranky, sunburned, overtired kid out to a meal that's costing me more than 200 dollars. I made late dinner reservations so my husband and I are able to celebrate our anniversary without hearing a recap of every single thing your Precious so and so saw from the moment you dragged them out of bed so you could be at the gate for early rope drop until 9:30, when they really ought to be asleep, at the top of their lungs, 3 feet away from me.

I'm sorry if that all sounds snotty, but I definitely think that people with kids forget that there are adults vacationing on the property who aren't interested in the shenanigans of your family.

Having said all of that, the whole BREAST FEEDING IS YUCKY AND INSULTS MY SENSIBILITIES thing is beyond puritanical. If your child is so shocked and dismayed about seeing a woman's cans, I pity the time when you have to have the birds and the bees conversation. Perhaps you can tell them they were hatched from a jar!

^^^ I have kids and I found this entire post hysterically funny. I would have to agree that dragging small children to late night upscale Disney restaurants is not a great idea, particularly if those same kiddos have been on Disney property since before Rope Drop on a hot and humid Florida day.

I read another poster's rationale regarding the time zone difference and how a family from the West Coast might not be affected by a 9:30PM dinner time. However, it would also stand to reason they would not likely be the same family waiting to enter the park at Rope Drop or AM EMH. 12 hours is 12 hours no matter how you cut it, and if you have little ones that are sunburned and overtired they are bound to be exhausted and irritable. Not the ideal situation for late night dinner plans. I have kids but I'm always conscientious of those around me who don't. We are mindful of restaurant patrons who are not particularly interested in my child's 'cute' antics and/or mood.

Btw, for someone who isn't a parent you certainly have a very open mind regarding breastfeeding. I know of a few parents who object to seeing other people feed their infants this way. It's refreshing to hear such an open and tolerant point of view from a person who doesn't have children, nor wants any. Kudos to you.

 

[kellyw8863]

As a recent wish tripper, please don't point and stare or whisper in not so hushed voices when a child on a Make-A-Wish trip is ushered to the front of a line. I can't think of a single parent of a child on a wish trip who wouldn't trade all the hours spent waiting in doctors' offices, waiting on surgeons, waiting for her child to wake from anesthesia, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a cure, etc. just to wait in the seemingly endless lines at Disney. We are there not to make you and your child miserable, but because our children's one true wish is to see Mickey Mouse, and when your child has gone through what our children have gone through, you will do anything humanly possible to make that happen. Please remember that you have the ability to either add to a family's wish experience by being that person who cast an understanding glance or a kind smile, or detract from it with comments such as, "At least we paid for our trip."

 

[banabobana]

Your posts seem to indicate that "all" parents don't tend to their children, and all children all cut from the same cloth. Some parents DO parent and get tired of being judged as a group.

One bad apple, etc etc. (please note: I am joking).

There's no way from me to gracefully extract myself from my original statement at this point. I will absolutely say that 85 percent of the kids I encountered at Disney were well behaved and the parents were attentive and considerate. Of course, I have no way of knowing how I'd act in their shoes. Disney is overwhelming. It's hot, there's a lot of walking and a lot to see. I kind of wanted to throw a hissy several times myself just because I was tired or my feet hurt.

In any event, the things that other people brought up seemed pretty broad, so I thought I'd add my opinion. The end!

 

[livndisney]

As a recent wish tripper, please don't point and stare or whisper in not so hushed voices when a child on a Make-A-Wish trip is ushered to the front of a line. I can't think of a single parent of a child on a wish trip who wouldn't trade all the hours spent waiting in doctors' offices, waiting on surgeons, waiting for her child to wake from anesthesia, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a cure, etc. just to wait in the seemingly endless lines at Disney. We are there not to make you and your child miserable, but because our children's one true wish is to see Mickey Mouse, and when your child has gone through what our children have gone through, you will do anything humanly possible to make that happen. Please remember that you have the ability to either add to a family's wish experience by being that person who cast an understanding glance or a kind smile, or detract from it with comments such as, "At least we paid for our trip."

(I have been following your trip report (love the Lilo dress). I am very sorry that anyone said anything negative to you. It should not happen! Often Cm's will reply to the rude guest. They will also remove the Wish family if possible. Then there are the times I hear someone say something like that

 

[ccgirl]

As a recent wish tripper, please don't point and stare or whisper in not so hushed voices when a child on a Make-A-Wish trip is ushered to the front of a line. I can't think of a single parent of a child on a wish trip who wouldn't trade all the hours spent waiting in doctors' offices, waiting on surgeons, waiting for her child to wake from anesthesia, waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a cure, etc. just to wait in the seemingly endless lines at Disney. We are there not to make you and your child miserable, but because our children's one true wish is to see Mickey Mouse, and when your child has gone through what our children have gone through, you will do anything humanly possible to make that happen. Please remember that you have the ability to either add to a family's wish experience by being that person who cast an understanding glance or a kind smile, or detract from it with comments such as, "At least we paid for our trip."

Are you kidding me??? People actually made comments like that? That is one of the most disturbing things I have heard. I am so sorry people were so rude. I had the pleasure of sitting next to a dad on my flight to MCO last week whose family was on a wish trip and they were staying at GKTW. I also ran into them at a park one day. I have a feeling they may have been receiving comments too because when I said something she said, "excuse me" in a not so nice tone. I then repeated they were on my flight and asked how their trip was going. She seemed happy and was talking to me. I just can't believe people can be so rude. I hope you had a magical trip despite some very insensitive people.