Disney theme parks and kids
Something that was in the news recently grabbed my attention. Mostly because the word ‘Disney’ appeared in the headline. Putting that word in front of my eyes is comparable to offering Channing Tatum a role that will involve the removal of his shirt at some point. I’m incapable of ignoring the word just as he is, apparently, incapable of turning such a role down. And it’s a good thing the view isn’t too bad because he won’t be on the short list for an Oscar any time soon.
It would seem that Disney has enacted a new policy stating that children fourteen and younger will no longer be allowed entrance to their theme parks without adult supervision.
I was kind of surprised that this was an issue in the first place. I don’t have kids, so it’s not my place to judge, but I honestly couldn’t think of any parent I know who would roll up to the curb in front of Disneyland or Disneyworld and drop their thirteen year old off for the day. I wouldn’t if I had a kid. It’s not something my mother or father would’ve done with me, either.
Maybe the difference these days is that the majority of pre-teens and teens have cell phones of their own. That does add to the safety of the whole idea, I suppose. But just because Disney theme parks are the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ doesn’t mean they’re also the safest place. It isn’t as though Cinderella’s and Sleeping Beauty’s castles are fronts for a James Bond level of security technology. On a personnel front, Disney security isn’t exactly staffed with undercover officers of the Swiss Guard.
Those are both awesome ideas, by the way.
This is Disney. Kids are drawn to it. Therefore, horrible as the thought is, people who want to harm kids somehow could also be drawn to it. There are a lot of super crazy and sick people out in the world.
What I can’t understand is that people are actually upset about this. I recently read an article on Cracked.com which states the following and which I agree with. These people argue that, since someone of that age could very well be able to biologically reproduce, then they should be able to roam the theme park free of restrictions. Personally, I agree with Cracked and think it’s kind of a reason to…um…not let them roam the theme park free of restrictions. Also, I really don’t see what one thing has to do with another. The article also mentioned the argument that Disney was “crushing” children’s dreams with this policy. Clearly they mean the dream where kids learn that their parents don’t want to go to Disneyland with them and have fun hanging out as a family.
I did notice the distinction with Disney saying kids under this age wouldn’t be allowed in without adult supervision. I see what they did there. A lot of schools and church youth groups take trips to theme parks. I’ve been on several such trips. You go in and you’re given strict instructions to stay in groups of at least three (sometimes it was at least four). Generally, there was always a central meeting place and check-in times throughout the day. Smart of Disney to specify things on this.
From a corporate standpoint, Disney HAS to cover themselves on this. I don’t remember ever hearing about a kidnapping or something equally horrible happening to a kid on their own in a Disney theme park. Sadly, that doesn’t mean such a thing never will happen. And if it happened to someone whose parents had just dropped them at the park for the day, does anyone honestly think that Disney would not get sued? A day care would most likely get sued if harm came to a child under their care. But here’s the thing. Disneyland (or Disneyworld) is not a day care. Our society today is a perpetual game of ‘Point the Finger’ and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Preferably someone who can pay. And we all know Disney can pay. A twelve year old could do nothing more than fall on the pavement and scrape his knee. Next thing you know, the parents are suing the company for millions of dollars because of ‘emotional distress’.
Heck, that could happen if the parents were WITH the kid.
It really just floors me that people could be upset about a company trying to protect itself and trying to protect kids. What is with the world these days?
It would seem that Disney has enacted a new policy stating that children fourteen and younger will no longer be allowed entrance to their theme parks without adult supervision.
I was kind of surprised that this was an issue in the first place. I don’t have kids, so it’s not my place to judge, but I honestly couldn’t think of any parent I know who would roll up to the curb in front of Disneyland or Disneyworld and drop their thirteen year old off for the day. I wouldn’t if I had a kid. It’s not something my mother or father would’ve done with me, either.
Maybe the difference these days is that the majority of pre-teens and teens have cell phones of their own. That does add to the safety of the whole idea, I suppose. But just because Disney theme parks are the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ doesn’t mean they’re also the safest place. It isn’t as though Cinderella’s and Sleeping Beauty’s castles are fronts for a James Bond level of security technology. On a personnel front, Disney security isn’t exactly staffed with undercover officers of the Swiss Guard.
Those are both awesome ideas, by the way.
This is Disney. Kids are drawn to it. Therefore, horrible as the thought is, people who want to harm kids somehow could also be drawn to it. There are a lot of super crazy and sick people out in the world.
What I can’t understand is that people are actually upset about this. I recently read an article on Cracked.com which states the following and which I agree with. These people argue that, since someone of that age could very well be able to biologically reproduce, then they should be able to roam the theme park free of restrictions. Personally, I agree with Cracked and think it’s kind of a reason to…um…not let them roam the theme park free of restrictions. Also, I really don’t see what one thing has to do with another. The article also mentioned the argument that Disney was “crushing” children’s dreams with this policy. Clearly they mean the dream where kids learn that their parents don’t want to go to Disneyland with them and have fun hanging out as a family.
I did notice the distinction with Disney saying kids under this age wouldn’t be allowed in without adult supervision. I see what they did there. A lot of schools and church youth groups take trips to theme parks. I’ve been on several such trips. You go in and you’re given strict instructions to stay in groups of at least three (sometimes it was at least four). Generally, there was always a central meeting place and check-in times throughout the day. Smart of Disney to specify things on this.
From a corporate standpoint, Disney HAS to cover themselves on this. I don’t remember ever hearing about a kidnapping or something equally horrible happening to a kid on their own in a Disney theme park. Sadly, that doesn’t mean such a thing never will happen. And if it happened to someone whose parents had just dropped them at the park for the day, does anyone honestly think that Disney would not get sued? A day care would most likely get sued if harm came to a child under their care. But here’s the thing. Disneyland (or Disneyworld) is not a day care. Our society today is a perpetual game of ‘Point the Finger’ and everyone is looking for someone to blame. Preferably someone who can pay. And we all know Disney can pay. A twelve year old could do nothing more than fall on the pavement and scrape his knee. Next thing you know, the parents are suing the company for millions of dollars because of ‘emotional distress’.
Heck, that could happen if the parents were WITH the kid.
It really just floors me that people could be upset about a company trying to protect itself and trying to protect kids. What is with the world these days?