Long lines, anxious parents with impatient kids and large crowds can all lead to shorten tempers and forgotten manners. As most of us have experienced, it is impossible to go to a park as large at the Magic Kingdom, and not be bumped into by someone, have had someone cut in front of us in line, have our toes stepped on or our seat stolen when we only got up to get some ketchup. It happens. However, it is how we deal with it that truly matters. Some simply say excuse me and go on with their day like nothing happened. Others, however, take that bump a little too seriously.
For example, on Sunday a guest called the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to the Magic Kingdom Park, because they wanted to report a battery. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the guest claims that one guest elbowed another because they thought he was cutting in line on the It’s a Small World ride in Fantasyland. When deputies arrived the guest decided not to press charges.
With this most recent alleged attack at the Walt Disney World Resort, you can never be to safe when it comes to protecting your kids. Sometimes the crowds at theme parks can get so overwhelming that kids get misplaced in the hustle and bustle of the park. Plus, their height can also make them victims to a swinging hand or they can easily get stepped on if not seen by others walking by.
Having a five and 10 year old I have found some tricks and use them every time we go to one of the theme parks in the area. They are very helpful in keeping track of them and ensuring their safety while we are having fun.
Many of you who are parents know that when a young child sees something that gets them excited, they loose all fear. Imagine this…they see Mickey Mouse walking down Main Street U.S.A. and “poof” take off for him. Now they are short their ability to dodge through the crowd is much faster than ours and depending upon the size of the crowd, you may loose sight of them. It is amazing how they can be as close to you as a few feet, but yet you still loose sight of them for a moment as the crowd moves by.
I make it so my kids can be seen from space. You think I am kidding. I dress them in the brightest colors they have. Bright neon green, orange, yellow, blue and red. All bright colors, so that when you look for them, you cannot miss them. The other thing I did, was buy them shoes with lights. This way at night while trying to struggle our way through the crowd to the car, I can see their feet, no matter where they are. These are things that you may not think of, but trust me they work.
For small children who may not be able to remember your phone number, I write my name and cell phone number on a sheet of paper and put it somewhere on the child. In their pocket or in their shoe. I have also seen some girls with bracelets made out of number beads, which have their phone number on it. Granted, you should never let your children out of your sight while at the parks, but let’s be honest, things happen. This is just a precautionary measure I take, just in case, so I can be called if he is lost, then found.
You will also want your kids to know who they can go to should they get separated from you. At the entrance to every theme park there is a bag check with a security guard. I always take a moment after he has finished checking our bags and introduce my kids to him. I tell them that if they get lost, they can go find someone wearing the same outfit that he is or someone who has the same type of name tag he is wearing. Many times, the security guard plays along and shakes the hand of both my kids and gives them a little speech of his own. It is a safety measure, but also a moment my kids will remember, because he took the time to talk to them.
As I mentioned before, little ones may not been seen because of their height and could possible get stepped on. For the younger ones, I always make them sit in a stroller when we are in an area where there is a large amount of people. This way, should someone not see the stroller, or me, the kids are protected by the structure of the stroller.
When standing in line, there can be some pushing and shoving as one mother experienced in May 2007 while waiting in line for the Mad Tea Party ride at the Magic Kingdom Park. Aimee Krause was knocked down to the ground, hit on the head and had her lanyard pulled so tight that she started to black out by another guest. Krause had testified in April 2008 that Victoria Walker had done this to her, in front of her two kids, while waiting in line for the ride. This was all because Walker had thought that Krause had cut in line. The jury did convict Walker of battery and she was sentenced to 90 days behind bars.
Because of acts like this one, you need to keep an eye on your kids while they are in line. Smaller children, if possible, I would suggest picking them up. This will prevent them from becoming victim to someone else being shoved into them. What we do is keep the kids between all the adults. So should some pushing and shoving between guests around you occur, you will be the bumper between the incident and your kids.
When it comes to keeping your kids safe while visiting Central Florida theme parks, it is all a matter of common sense. Do what you would do at home, but be a little bit over protective. You will want your vacation memories to be magical and not have the memory being hurt.
For more information about the Walt Disney World Resort visit www.disneyworld.com
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