Seven Dwarfs Loading - Bizarre Things

[seven dwarfs]

We are just back from a 10 day trip to Disney. I have six children and depending on who wants to ride, sometimes I have a child alone. I request at every ride to have my child ride alone, no one to rode with them. Never had any issues until this trip. We had issues at many rides where the CM tried to put a single rider with my child, even after I requested my child to ride alone. I had a daughter inappropriately touched on a ride in the past at Disney. Never even crossed my mind this could happen there. (Stupid of me I know) As a parent I have every right to request no one is to ride with my child. I did speak with a manager this trip after we rode expedition everest just to express my concern. I had to fight for my child to ride alone, which should not even be an issue. I think this is a lawsuit waiting to happen. The manager of EE was extremely understanding and said it was a training issue that needed to he corrected. I just dont think you should have to ride with a stranger if you don't want to, especially if the child is a minor.

 

[maxiesmom]

They have single rider lines at some rides for a reason. To fill in the odd spaces. I do find it unreasonable to ask for a child to sit alone, unless that child is too young to ride alone. Imagine how long some lines would be if people decided they didn't want to share a ride car with others. Heck, there was already someone posting about how to get a gondola for only their family.

As a family of 7 you could easily sit behind the child with the stranger, so you could talk to them and see what is going on.

 

[BK2014]

As a parent I have every right to request no one is to ride with my child.

I think this is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

First of all, I am sorry to hear what happened to your daughter while riding alone. However, while you certainly have the right to ask that your child ride alone, there is nothing that would require Disney to fulfill that request. I am not sure what the lawsuit would be, Disney is not responsible for the behavior of other guests. If you know that they will sit your child with a stranger, and then allow your child to do so, you have assessed the risk and made a decision. Again, I understand why would make the request, but I disagree that Disney has to follow it, or bears any liability if something were to happen.

 

[seven dwarfs]

And are monitored by cameras. And there are undercover security all around. Etc etc

A very different environment than a plane. They are simply not analogous

I had a child that was inappropriately touched on the stitch ride several years ago. I know its hard to believe, it was extremely devastating to our entire family. Yes, its a short time in the dark on that ride. Yes it was enough time to cause life long trama to my child. No, I didn't sue or blame Disney. I blame the pervert who used Disney and its magical elements to take advantage of a family who never thought that could happen on a ride in such a short time. It happens. Its sad and sick. In my opinion, no child should be forced to ride with a stranger ever no matter how busy it is without permission.

First of all, I am sorry to hear what happened to your daughter while riding alone. However, while you certainly have the right to ask that your child ride alone, there is nothing that would require Disney to fulfill that request. I am not sure what the lawsuit would be, Disney is not responsible for the behavior of other guests. If you know that they will sit your child with a stranger, and then allow your child to do so, you have assessed the risk and made a decision. Again, I understand why would make the request, but I disagree that Disney has to follow it, or bears any liability if something were to happen.

 

[maxiesmom]

I had a child that was inappropriately touched on the stitch ride several years ago. I know its hard to believe, it was extremely devastating to our entire family. Yes, its a short time in the dark on that ride. Yes it was enough time to cause life long trama to my child. No, I didn't sue or blame Disney. I blame the pervert who used Disney and its magical elements to take advantage of a family who never thought that could happen on a ride in such a short time. It happens. Its sad and sick. In my opinion, no child should be forced to ride with a stranger ever no matter how busy it is without permission.

As a parent you have the ultimate decision on if your child rides with a stranger or not. If you see they are putting singles in, then you can skip the ride. No one is forcing any child to sit next to a stranger, except for the parent if they choose to let them be seated.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

As a parent you have the ultimate decision on if your child rides with a stranger or not. If you see they are putting singles in, then you can skip the ride. No one is forcing any child to sit next to a stranger, except for the parent if they choose to let them be seated.

While this is technically true, I think it would be pretty bad business for Disney to refuse to honor a parent's request not to seat their minor child next to a stranger.

Not saying Disney is REQUIRED to fulfill that request -- I am sure they are not. But it is certainly much better customer service to grant that request. And it shouldn't be so terribly difficult to to so.

While statistically the real concern is around people the children/family know, I understand a parent not wanting to take even the tiniest risk for something like a theme park ride. We have two accounts here of the worst happening on a camera-filled Disney ride in a matter of seconds in the dark. Is that common? Obviously not. But it does happen.

DD10 doesn't want to sit next to strangers on rides, so she never does. DS12 (already 5'5") doesn't mind. We generally arrange it so that neither of them sits with a stranger. Seems like the latter is the best way to go if possible.

 

[maxiesmom]

While this is technically true, I think it would be pretty bad business for Disney to refuse to honor a parent's request not to seat their minor child next to a stranger.

Not saying Disney is REQUIRED to fulfill that request -- I am sure they are not. But it is certainly much better customer service to grant that request. And it shouldn't be so terribly difficult to to so.

While statistically the real concern is around people the children/family know, I understand a parent not wanting to take even the tiniest risk for something like a theme park ride. We have two accounts here of the worst happening on a camera-filled Disney ride in a matter of seconds in the dark. Is that common? Obviously not. But it does happen.

DD10 doesn't want to sit next to strangers on rides. DS12 (already 5'5") doesn't mind. We generally arrange it so that neither of them sits with a stranger. Seems like the latter is the best way to go if possible.

But where do you draw the line at the request? 7? 16? Why is more Disney's responsibility than the parents? If the child is uncomfortable how about a parent stay behind with them?

Would sitting directly behind the child not be sufficient? That is very simple to arrange. You say you are a party of 5 (or whatever odd number) and as the adult you sit behind the solo child who is next to the non family member. That is typically within arms reach.

I can easily see it getting out of hand if Disney had to honor every request to not sit a solo next to an odd numbered party. Test Track would run half empty, making the wait times horrendous. As would Everest. I think it is more the parent's responsibility to find a solution than it is Disney's.

 

[seven dwarfs]

I had a child that was inappropriately touched on the stitch ride several years ago. I know its hard to believe, it was extremely devastating to our entire family. Yes, its a short time in the dark on that ride. Yes it was enough time to cause life long trama to my child. No, I didn't sue or blame Disney. I blame the pervert who used Disney and its magical elements to take advantage of a family who never thought that could happen on a ride in such a short time. It happens. Its sad and sick. In my opinion, no child should be forced to ride with a stranger ever no matter how busy it is without permission.

I alowd someone to ride next to my child because I lived in a Disney magical bubble and thought the same as others here. The chances are zero, won't happen in the most magical place on earth. But it did happen. Allowing a stranger to sit with a child in an an empty seat is opening yourself up for issues. I learned the hard way. I will never allow anyone to ride with any of my children again. So if you see a Mom causing a fuss at a ride, it may be me. I have the right for my minor child to ride alone. Im guessing my situation is rare. And my oneseat

I had a child that was inappropriately touched on the stitch ride several years ago. I know its hard to believe, it was extremely devastating to our entire family. Yes, its a short time in the dark on that ride. Yes it was enough time to cause life long trama to my child. No, I didn't sue or blame Disney. I blame the pervert who used Disney and its magical elements to take advantage of a family who never thought that could happen on a ride in such a short time. It happens. Its sad and sick. In my opinion, no child should be forced to ride with a stranger ever no matter how busy it is without permission.

I never thought that allowing someone to sit by my child would result in what we encountered. Not in the Disney bubble. I'm just saying it can and has happened. I request my for my child/children to ride alone and will never allow it to happen ever again. I do not know the ins and outs of the law, but I do believe the least Disney can do, is to honor my request. If they refuse, then we won't ride. I'm hoping my experience is very, very rare. I'm sure my one empty seat won't make the line to much longer. I just want people to know it can happen anywhere anytime even on a two minute ride.

 

[SA mom]

We arranged that the children sit together and the adults sat with the stranger. It really bugs me to see seats go empty. I am a mom and I understand the concern. We've always used the buddy system and that is non-negotiable. I really don't care if you want to ride alone. I keep thinking how much less time we would wait in line if all sorts were filled.

 

[seven dwarfs]

As a parent you have the ultimate decision on if your child rides with a stranger or not. If you see they are putting singles in, then you can skip the ride. No one is forcing any child to sit next to a stranger, except for the parent if they choose to let them be seated.

I asked for my child to be seated alone and last minute they added someone. I did not allow my child to ride the ride with this single rider. Never again will I make that mistake, and I do take partical blame. It is a dangerous situation on either side beacause someone can falsely accuse someone. It's sad this discussion is even necessary. I understand my situation is unique with me being the mother of six kids. It happens. Even in Disney. ;(

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Seems like you really didn't read my post.

Why is more Disney's responsibility than the parents?

Didn't say it was. Specifically said "Not saying Disney is REQUIRED to fulfill that request -- I am sure they are not."

If the child is uncomfortable how about a parent stay behind with them?

Sure. I explained how we handle it as parents -- neither child sits with a stranger -- and said: "Seems like the latter is the best way to go if possible."

I think it is more the parent's responsibility to find a solution than it is Disney's.

Didn't say it was Disney's responsibility.

My clear point was that it would be good business for Disney to honor a parent's request. I don't buy the suggestion that "Test Track would run half empty". That's over the top.

 

[maxiesmom]

I asked for my child to be seated alone and last minute they added someone. I did not allow my child to ride the ride with this single rider. Never again will I make that mistake, and I do take partical blame. It is a dangerous situation on either side beacause someone can falsely accuse someone. It's sad this discussion is even necessary. I understand my situation is unique with me being the mother of six kids. It happens. Even in Disney. ;(

I'm not blaming you, what happened was horrible and not your fault! Disney has cameras on every ride, so I have no problem being a single next to anyone I don't know. But if someone is uncomfortable being a single or having their child be a single, the best thing is to skip the ride. But I'm having a hard time picturing anything strange happening with a parent within arms reach, as they would be on most rides. It could easily be arranged on rides like 7 Dwarfs for the parent to be directly behind the solo child.

 

[maxiesmom]

Seems like you really didn't read my post.


Didn't say it was. Specifically said "Not saying Disney is REQUIRED to fulfill that request -- I am sure they are not."



Sure. I explained how we handle it as parents -- neither child sits with a stranger -- and said: "Seems like the latter is the best way to go if possible."



Didn't say it was Disney's responsibility.

My clear point was that it would be good business for Disney to honor a parent's request. I don't buy the suggestion that "Test Track would run half empty". That's over the top.

You are still putting the responsibility on to Disney, and not on to the parent, which is where it should be. You didn't answer, where do you draw the line?

And you may find it to be good customer service to let cars run without every seat being filled. I wouldn't. The rides should run at capacity, and the seats being full or not should not be up to the guests.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney has cameras on every ride, so I have no problem being a single next to anyone I don't know.

Cameras clearly didn't protect at least two children referred to in this very thread. Clearly that isn't a cure-all/prevent-all.

Still incredibly rare, to be sure, but nothing is foolproof against really sick people. I think people are as safe in WDW as anywhere -- probably more because of all the cameras (even though not a prevent-all). But as has come up many times on DIS in many contexts, it isn't literally fantasyland -- isn't immune to the criminal element.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

You are still putting the responsibility on to Disney, and not on to the parent, which is where it should be.

Good grief. No, I am not. I'm going to leave this particular conversation at that.

 

[BK2014]

I have the right for my minor child to ride alone.

This is where I disagree with what you are saying. You have the "right" to ask, but Disney doesn't have to grant your request. If your child is old enough, couldn't they wait for you to ride with the other children, and then you ride with the last remaining child to ensure that they are not sitting with a stranger?

ETA: As others have said, I agree that this is a request that I think Disney could/should fulfill, but that is their decision.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Disney accommodates so many different needs. I think if a solo rider says they don't want to ride with a child, that should be honored. And if a parent says they don't want their solo child paired up with an unknown adult, that should be honored too. Lots of things increase wait times including rider switch. Why is this any different?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding, and I admit I've never been on the Stitch attraction. I've seen photos. Aren't the seats arranged in long rows? So one parent could sit on either end with all of their children between them? Again, please forgive any misunderstanding I have of this attraction setup.

 

[Cinderella94]

Disney accommodates so many different needs. I think if a solo rider says they don't want to ride with a child, that should be honored. And if a parent says they don't want their solo child paired up with an unknown adult, that should be honored too. Lots of things increase wait times including rider switch. Why is this any different?

Yes, but the difference lies, to me, in that this is not "a need." It is a request. Because there are ways around it. One parent with two children = two children ride together, parent rides solo. One parent with three children = two kids ride together, adult rides with one kid. One parent and four kids = kids ride two and two, adult rides solo.

Of course, if any child is violated on a ride, that is despicable and traumatic - I'm certainly not disputing that.

 

[bbel]

I personally don't think it's a lawsuit waiting to happen, purely Disney will have pretty much every inch of their back covered if you chose to allow your child to ride alone (Disney didn't force you to go to go on their rides in numbers that don't work for you) if something does/has happened, they may give you some money to keep quiet about it so the brand looks decent though.

At the end of the day, there are thousands of people in the parks every day and it would be naive to believe that all of them are Walt Disneys.

If you really really don't want your kid to ride with a stranger then, in my opinion, it's for you to arrange something that works for your family. Whether that's splitting up, kids riding together and an adult alone, or inviting a friend to come along.

Let's be honest, we've all been annoyed when we've waited over and hour in line and we're almost at the front and you see car after car with an empty seat go past, whether you admit it or not!