Other guests who ruin the Magic...

[islandmum]

have to say that even though I'm planning the trip of a lifetime for the boys I have the uneasy feeling we'll have very public tantrums coming on ....

they're only going to be 5 and 3, we live on a tiny island therefore not used to things even as small as a Walgreens store! WDW is going to make them wild! it'll tire them out, they'll be over-buzzed, over-stimulated and proably uneasy with all the people .....

even with 4 rest days built in and a very generous non-hectic schedule it'll be alot for them - and if others pout and tut at the way they may well behave and tantrum ...... well suff them really. I'll be hot footing it out the park and getting the kids to have a nap but dont dare look down your nose if they do strop.

its a bug deal, its alot of stress and they're just young kids. sometimes it just gets too much for them.

now if they were 10 years old + ..... that would be a different matter!!

 

[jojoandhb]

The people that post on this board sure do gripe about children a lot. I don't post much on this site as I do passporter. I think I know why as of today. But today alone the hot topic is about parents and their children. I'm shocked. I have children, and it is very hard to be a good parent. I don't judge. I have a hard enough time potty training a 3 year old. My husband gave him a little swat on the bottom at Mcdonalds, for talking back to us, and shouting NO, and this couple came over and told us if they seen us do that again they would call the police. Now, how in the world are you suppose to control your kids again? This question is for all the moms and dads, or the ones that don't have any children and think it is suppose to be easy, out there that could do that once upon a time. Time out is a joke.

It's weird to me that people think they need to hit children to "control" them. I have a 3-year-old. She doesn't have tantrums, she speaks really well, she behaves herself in public, and she's perfectly potty trained with no problems at all. I think parents sometimes get really frustrated when they are in public. They think people are looking at them and judging them because their child is having a tantrum. Most people with kids realize there is a tantrum phase, and we don't think any less of parents who have kids that are having a fussy moment. When the parent gets flustered and hits the child, I have issues with that. I was abused as a child, and I know I am worse off for it. Hitting kids makes them aggressive and amplifies the very behavior you want to suppress. There are tons of great parenting books. What has always worked for me is giving my daughter choices like, "You can either eat your hot dog or go to bed." She'll choose dinner. Plus, I never talk down to her, I'm honest with her, I devote all my extra time to her (instead of watching TV or napping) I take her everywhere we go, even to 5 star restaurants where she behaves very well, and I have never had any problems. I'm patient, and I'm understanding. I don't yell, scream, or hit. That works for me.

 

[jojoandhb]

This thread isn't just about kids - it's about anyone who shows disrespectful behavior at Disney. In fact, I think that younger kids really shoulden't count for this as they do not really know any better, they are just acting out cause they are overwelmed.

This is more for people who are old enough to know how to behave in public and seem to lack better judgement.

That is what I meant by this thread. The tantrum teen is just one example ...

There are people like this everywhere of all ages. I don't think they can totally spoil a trip. I think walking away is the right thing to do. Let miserable people be miserable. What they really want is someone else to be miserable, too. That's why they act that way in PUBLIC. I say ignore them and move on. They can't be everywhere at Disney simultaneously.

 

[jojoandhb]

Actually, I had to read this a few times before I caught the fact that you were talking about a young person!

SERIOUSLY!

The reason is because it triggered the number of times I have seen that kind of reaction from an adult when corrected by a cast member. I cannot believe the verbal lashings that some CM's get when they say, "Excuse me. You cannot sit there" or some other way of correcting a guest. The guest can turn very ugly fast and suck all of the magic out of the place.

Years ago, when I was 18 or 19, I was a hostess. A family of four walked in on a busy night, and there was one table open. I took them to the table, gave them their menus, and started explaining the specials. As I was talking, some people got up from a booth and left. The husband asked if his family could have that table. I told him they could sit there after it was clean and then excused myself to get the bus person. When we came back, in seconds, they were sitting at the dirty table. Ok, no problem. We started cleaning around them. Once the table was clean, I gave them menus and started explaining the specials again. The husband interrupts me saying, "What the h-ll's wrong with you? Aren't you normal?" I thought it was a joke, and smiled. Then, I kept explaining. He yells, "I said, are you normal?" I looked at him in shock. He says, "When you cleaned the table, you got some water on my daughter." I tried to apologize, but he jumped up, called me a b-tch, said he was going to have me fired, and told me to get my manager immediately. I burst into tears and couldn't even talk to tell the manager what happened. My manager's family was seated in the restaurant having dinner, and they told her what happened. She kicked the family out, but the man came up the next morning still trying to get me fired. You will have people like this everywhere. You can't let them get to you. I didn't get fired, and the man was told not to come back. We later found out he even called the corporate office about the "incident." It was nuts.

 

[twinspluscade]

Years ago, when I was 18 or 19, I was a hostess. A family of four walked in on a busy night, and there was one table open. I took them to the table, gave them their menus, and started explaining the specials. As I was talking, some people got up from a booth and left. The husband asked if his family could have that table. I told him they could sit there after it was clean and then excused myself to get the bus person. When we came back, in seconds, they were sitting at the dirty table. Ok, no problem. We started cleaning around them. Once the table was clean, I gave them menus and started explaining the specials again. The husband interrupts me saying, "What the h-ll's wrong with you? Aren't you normal?" I thought it was a joke, and smiled. Then, I kept explaining. He yells, "I said, are you normal?" I looked at him in shock. He says, "When you cleaned the table, you got some water on my daughter." I tried to apologize, but he jumped up, called me a b-tch, said he was going to have me fired, and told me to get my manager immediately. I burst into tears and couldn't even talk to tell the manager what happened. My manager's family was seated in the restaurant having dinner, and they told her what happened. She kicked the family out, but the man came up the next morning still trying to get me fired. You will have people like this everywhere. You can't let them get to you. I didn't get fired, and the man was told not to come back. We later found out he even called the corporate office about the "incident." It was nuts.

Wow, that'd be scary! That man really sounds like he had some serious problems.

If he's like that out in public to a stranger, can you imagine what he's like at home behind closed doors?!

Kelly

 

[islandmum]

Years ago, when I was 18 or 19, I was a hostess. A family of four walked in on a busy night, and there was one table open. I took them to the table, gave them their menus, and started explaining the specials. As I was talking, some people got up from a booth and left. The husband asked if his family could have that table. I told him they could sit there after it was clean and then excused myself to get the bus person. When we came back, in seconds, they were sitting at the dirty table. Ok, no problem. We started cleaning around them. Once the table was clean, I gave them menus and started explaining the specials again. The husband interrupts me saying, "What the h-ll's wrong with you? Aren't you normal?" I thought it was a joke, and smiled. Then, I kept explaining. He yells, "I said, are you normal?" I looked at him in shock. He says, "When you cleaned the table, you got some water on my daughter." I tried to apologize, but he jumped up, called me a b-tch, said he was going to have me fired, and told me to get my manager immediately. I burst into tears and couldn't even talk to tell the manager what happened. My manager's family was seated in the restaurant having dinner, and they told her what happened. She kicked the family out, but the man came up the next morning still trying to get me fired. You will have people like this everywhere. You can't let them get to you. I didn't get fired, and the man was told not to come back. We later found out he even called the corporate office about the "incident." It was nuts.

My god!! people need to remember - WDW for alot of people is overwhelming, incredibly busy and everybody is in the mindset to have 2 THE BEST MAGICAL HOLIDAY EVER!!".

no other vacation has to live up to the hype and expectation and also the levels of visitors and crowds.

To be a member of staff at WDW and keep smiling and happy takes more energy than I could ever think of. Karma to all staff - and a reminder to all that the perfect vacation isnt always about things being perfect .....

 

[twinspluscade]

Has anyone ever been around people who seem to have all disrespect for where they are and the people who are around them? At Magic Kingdom on my last visit, A girl - about 13 years old was having a full on yelling tantrum with her mother at a bench, "I DON'T HAVE TO IF I DON'T WANT TO, DON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" Her father and kid sister were looking on with the "here we go again" face. Where upon she pouted her lips in that snobby spoiled girl way and huffed and sat down, arms crossed.

Yeah, horrid as it was - I could not but help to stare and then crack up with my sisters as we walked out of site. A real brat!

What a spoil sport - talk about "Happiest Place on Earth"

One thing to keep in mind, is maybe she was special needs--autistic, Asperger's or ADD? I always keep that in mind when I see kids acting up in public....

Kelly

 

[teacher100]

The teenage years are tough on many kids. You only saw a moment of what was going on. It's easy to judge the girl as a spoiled brat, but cut her some slack. Who knows what the story is. I remember being on vacation as a teenager and having arguments with my parents.

My mom says that teenagers are hard to live with so we'll be ready for them to move out when it's time for them to go to college! I love my teenage son bunches, but he is a different breed of child now!

 

[mjy]

have to say that even though I'm planning the trip of a lifetime for the boys I have the uneasy feeling we'll have very public tantrums coming on ....

they're only going to be 5 and 3, we live on a tiny island therefore not used to things even as small as a Walgreens store! WDW is going to make them wild! it'll tire them out, they'll be over-buzzed, over-stimulated and proably uneasy with all the people .....

And that's the beauty of going to a resort close to the parks. If the kids get too rowdy/overstimulated/whatever, you can always walk them out of the park and hit the resort's pools. Swimming a while usually both refreshes them as well as relaxes them and they are then ready for either a nap or to hit the park again!

 

[TupperMom7]

Maybe Disney should add a "discipline den" to main street.....wouldn't that get the family values people in an uproar?!?! I can think of several people (adults and children) who would be dragged into it by their ear!

 

[graygables]

I've actually been known to turn to children/teens in these situations and say, "You will NOT speak to an adult like that." It usually shocks the bejeezers out of *everyone*, generally emboldens the adult, and shuts the kid down. Many times, it seems that they aren't even aware that other people are watching and they are SO embarassed when they realize. And, no, I've never been threatened or punched, I just put on my English Teacher Eyes, give them "The Look" and have at it. Most of the time, you can tell a brat from a child with a disability if you look carefully and observantly enough. Part of the problem is that no one feels like they can speak up anymore, not even the parents. God forbid that little Johnny get his ego bruised.

 

[angwill]

I agree with the poster that said the girl could have been a person with special needs. I worked for many years with preteens and teens in a special school set up to help them make it. None of those children asked to be born the way they were and none of the parents could have imagined the challenge for both the child and themselves when they decided to have children. These children and adults look perfectly normal and you can not see in their faces that their minds do not work like everyone elses. These people and their families go through life being judged by people fortunate enough to be born and have children who do not have these challenges. For some children the over stimulation of the parks is just extemely overwhelming. They can make it for so long and then they will melt down over nothing. Believe me when I say even the best parent can not forsee it or stop it once it starts. Maybe after the teen had her fit they took her back to the resort to rest and recoup you never know. Then again she could have been a spoiled teen but nobody but those parents and that girl know for sure. Please don't think I am flaming anyone I just wanted to try to open some eyes to other possibilities. I am just thankful I was not born with those challenges in life.

Ang

 

[nurse.darcy]

I am a parent of a 14 year old who is an absolutely wonderful child most of the time. To be sure, he does have his moments - after all, he is 14 with RAGING hormones. He is allowed to do what he wants as long as he has good grades, minds his manners and is NEVER disrespectful to me or his dad. To this day I have only ever punished him once for disrespect. If he is somewhat out of line all I have to do is give him the "look" and he apologizes and changes his behavior. Compared to some I have seen he is an awesome child and his friends (whom I have taken on MANY DLR trips) are just like him. Makes me proud.

Parenting is a tough job. My other family members who have children do not have it as easy. They are not worse parents, they just have more difficult children. Its okay, because they are wonderful parents and know how to control the behavior so it doesn't disturb all.

 

[Princess Bella Luna]

Maybe Disney should add a "discipline den" to main street.....wouldn't that get the family values people in an uproar?!?! I can think of several people (adults and children) who would be dragged into it by their ear!

Hi-five on that!

 

[kimberh]

I have seen bad children, I have seen some really bad adults...Screaming, the whole nine yards. I saw a woman really losing it with her family at the Castle. It was so sad. They were all just standing there, letting her throw her tantrum! I saw a DAD, on another trip, Screaming at his child, You are going to have a good time!! I have paid GOOD money for you to have a good time and you are going to have a good time, The 9 yr old was just crying her eyes out. We were having a large family trip... with all the married children... for the rest of the week, I heard...Are we having fun, yet? Then they would laugh. It is sad when a family loses it and in front of others. We have our moments, don't misunderstand me. The 'are we having fun yet', would be at one of those moments. It is hard to take a large group to Disney, especially when you have several 'heads of house'.
I have raised 4 children to adult hood. My personal opinion, The reason we experience teenage years is, if we did not , we would grieve ourselves to death when the child ,turned adult, left home. There is a "breaking away", that has to be done. It is done over a period of years. It is very difficult when you are going through it, but the end result is to produce a adult that contributes to society, not takes from it.
As far as a toddler saying No, it has to start then. You are the parent, not the child, I cannot stand to see a child that rules the home. If you don't get control over the toddler, Heaven help you when the child turns 13.

 

[CanadianGuy]

A big second to the "You don't have to be a kid to have a Disney meltdown"

I know -- I have had.. ahem.. one or two myself. As an adult!

One thing I've learned over many years of visiting "The World" -- is the value of deep breathing and counting to ten in certain situations.

Going to Disney is a big deal to me - still - and I still load the trips with lots of anticipation and hopes that everything will be super magical. The reality .. at certain moments .. doesn't always live up to the hype.

I've learned to recognize that and give myself a time-out when necessary and for the most part that works quite successfully. I cannot blame first-timers or children/teens who haven't developed those skills yet when they 'freak out' while at Disney.

When I see a meltdown in progress with other guests, I try to give them some space and not to stare and eavesdrop. Its one moment in time and I don't know them, their history, what happened 5 minutes prior or what will happen five minutes from then.

I should not judge. (I have to keep repeating that to myself too!)

Knox

 

[Baltosam]

Whoo Saa.........Whoo Saaa

 

[Saratoga Souris]

I have a nephew with Aspergers and I teach 3 Autistic children...... and I have raging ADHD (FULLY), yet I survive!

I am sick OF THE excuses. I have a Masters degree in Education. All I can say is........ stop making excuses!!!

Teach coping skills...........

 

[Princess Bella Luna]

A big second to the "You don't have to be a kid to have a Disney meltdown"

I know -- I have had.. ahem.. one or two myself. As an adult!

One thing I've learned over many years of visiting "The World" -- is the value of deep breathing and counting to ten in certain situations.

Have someone notice when you are about to have a moment and just as you take your count-to-ten-deep-breaths, have them massage your shoulders at the same time.

Ahhhh ... massages!

 

[CanadianGuy]

Yeah.. when in my "Cranky Place" -- I'm like a porcupine or a skunk...

I'm best not to be touched.

Knox