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Has there been a change in policy regarding kids wearing Heelys (skate shoes)? I had thought they were not permitted in the theme parks.
However, I could have counted lots of kids wearing them last weekend...much more than I've seen in the past. I was run into once and had another close encounter.
Just my opinion, but I think the parks would be better off without them. Hate to give Security another thing to look for though.
When we were there a month ago, we saw them stopping folks with kids wearing them. We saw one family arguing with security at the MK about this, and one kid bust his rump at the AK. These things are dangerous, and I wish people would stop following only some of the rules.
No, the policy hasn't changed, it's just getting harder and harder to keep people from breaking the rules. We try to control the problem, but many adults don't listen.
When I'm at work, I'm not in a position to say anything. When I'm off of work and visiting as a Guest....I make a very loud and obvious point of laughing hysterically when the child falls and hurts themselves.
My DS 11 has had heelys for a few years now. He wore them at Disney until he was one day told not to. This was before there was a policy on them. Now, he takes his wheels out before we even leave for Disney because he wants to follow the rules. Sweet kid huh?
Last year before our trip, I read on here about the policy...My DS wore his minus the wheels...He actually switched to a different pair after one day because he said that they were uncomfortable...IMHO I dont know how they can walk on the wheels all day...My DS said there would be no way he could walk around with the wheels in after wearing them without...I think that the policy is good...Now they need to make one about strollers running up your leg...:sorry:
SO many children get hurt on them and adults get hurt by being run into!!!!
Well, I put Heelys on my Christmas list :blush: but my adult kids & DW decided as a group that no one would get them for me. :noway: :drama: :pout: :nono: :sob:
The problem wouldn't really be finding a place to "legally" wear them, tough tho that might be. The challenge would be keeping the various pieces of my skeleton intact and properly connected to each other. :ambal: :haha:
Yes, you are ;) Not sure who told you you weren't....Quote:
When I'm at work, I'm not in a position to say anything.
If I see a kid rolling along on the wheels, it's just a polite, "Hi guys, I'm sorry, but there's no skating permitted in the park. Please remove the wheels from the shoes...thanks."
But, yes, I have to agree with Jessica...it's harder and harder to "stop people from breaking the rules" by politely telling guests about the "rules" for fear of losing your job (!) (PM me if you want details...), and not just with the Heelys. It's smoking in non-designated areas, the rolling backpacks, climbing in the flower beds, climbing trees to see a parade, getting out of ride vehicles, etc.
I won't let my dd wear hers out to crowded places. I have bumped into kids at various places who dead stopped right in front of me. This one lady said I shouldn't have been right behind her kid!
The 'official' Disney policy, to my knowledge, is no Heely type shoes allowed. However, I don't really know how often they enforce that rule. I've seen CMs inside the park asking kids not to skate, but it was usually in stores or resturants...not the general park areas. :confused:
OK, I'm glad to hear they're still not allowed. Just saw more this trip than before, but maybe thats because there's more kids wearing them.
I hate to see more "don't do this" signs go up, but maybe there should be a "skate shoes not permitted" sign posted near the entrance until people get the idea.
Whats next skateboards, come on parents follow the rules. I think everyone is waiting for that big pay check from Disney, when there kid falls and gets hurt. My son has them and was stopped at the gate and told to take the wheels out. He doesnt even bother to ask if he can take them anymore. They are very heavy to walk in if you arent using the skate. So why bother..
I agree, you would think (hope I guess) there would be more responsible parents out there, but could you imagine the aggravation if a CM told the family they had to go back to hotel, home, etc... to change shoes. I disagree with putting the wheels up or taking them out, that means they could easily still put them back in once inside the park.
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Originally Posted by Von-Drake
That's an idea. Check for heelys at the security checkpoints at the entrance. Confiscate them for the day (they can be picked up at the park exit at the end fo the day), and have a shoe stand right there at the entrance so that parents can buy replacements (flip flops, sandals, cheap sneakers, whatever.) :thedolls:
It wouldn't take long for word to get around if they did something that drastic, and I bet parents would take the rule more seriously.
Of course, can you just imagine how well what would go over?! :crazy:
Maybe that is something they need to post at the bus stops and parking lots. And then if you are asked to change or LEAVE it's your own fault. Im come on, its only one day the kids arent going to suffer if they cant wear them. And they know already that they arent suppose to in the first place. Disney isnt the first palce to ask you NOT to skate around. Oh well its going to take something major for someone to post it all over. because you know the first thing your going to hear after "Get my Lawyer" is "there were no signs posted" and "I cant believe Disney, wouldnt have someone walking around with every child to make sure they didnt fall" Some poeple :ack:
Oh, by the way can my son bring his Razor (Scooter):mickey:
My kids have Heely's and love them but they are not allowed to wear them to stores and most other crowded public areas with the wheels in. My DS loves his enough that he'll take the wheels out and wear them as shoes (they look goofy and heavy to me but he thinks it's cool & since I wore parachute pants in the 80's who am I to judge?). So based on this idea if he shows up with the wheeless shoes we go back and change? I suppose we could be hiding the wheels in our bag?Quote:
Originally Posted by Von-Drake
Quote:
Originally Posted by dteed
To be honest I don't think most people who let their kids wear Heely's realize that they are not allowed and generally aren't doing it to be malicious. I have several friends who let their kids wear them everywhere and don't think twice of it. These are good people with good kids, defiantly not hooligan's or purposeful rule breakers. If they were to show up at the MK gates (I could see them doing it) and were told they weren't allowed I know these people would happily remove the wheels and go on with the day not complaining and never think twice to put them back in. I would think that most people at the parks fall into this same category. I've never once noticed a sign saying Heely's aren't allowed, let's give the majority of these people of the benefit of doubt.
In our area these shoes are very popular and with the prices coming down the past year more kids than ever have them. The fact thet were seeing more of these in the parks doesn't surprise me just because there are so many more kids who now own them. I'm sure some realize they are breaking the rules just like some smoke wherever they want, my guess though is that this isn't the majority of Heeley wearers.Quote:
Originally Posted by King Triton
I agree 100% that there is a time and place riding on these and at a WDW park is defiantly not one of these places and I'm not saying neglegence is an excuse. The policy though is one that can easily be missed. I see know reason why a CM can't and shouldn't politely advise/remind guests that these aren't allowed. I doubt this would be an issue with the great maority of these rule breakers.
Disney really needs to start enforcing these policies. Hit the offenders where it matters... their wallets. Everyone deserves a warning once for their entire stay. After that warning, revoke their passes. This is easily done. If it is a MYW pass, revoke that day and remaining days. They can choose to purchase new ones or not go to the park. If it is an annual pass, then tough luck, buy a new one. Imagine the liability Disney has if a kid rolling on Heelys knocks someone over and they break an arm or a leg. If it happened to me, I know exactly where my lawyer would be calling. Then Disney would be going after the individual that caused the suit.
This is just another sign of Disney being too lax on rules. They need to become more strict and do it inconspicuously. They could have Security dressed similarly to the Dream Squad. Take the offenders off to a secluded section and into a closed room. Then they can show them what they "won". It definitely would not hurt their business at all.
Here is a thread we had not to long ago talking about these shoes and a copy of the Disney rules saying no wheeled shoes allowed. http://www.intercot.com/discussion/s...d.php?t=127991
As long as these rules are not enforced people will always break'em. Same with Fast Pass some CM letting people use them hours even days past when they "expired".
I see dozens of kids daily at Orlando Airport, scooting among the throngs of people as if it was open space. And on an average day, I see one or two of them either run into someone or fall on their hindquarters.
Like anything else, there's a time and a place for everything. What's needed is more parents with the common sense to figure out when it's safe and when it's not.
I think that it is so sad that this has to happen. Luckily most people are really good & try to comply to the rules & when reminded of them say "ok sorry didnt' realize". Then you got the ones that no matter what think the rules don't mean them & its this handful that make your jobs so hard. Also they are the ones that ruin it at times for other.Quote:
Originally Posted by Main Street Jim
As for the rules they should be posted in an area near the parking lots, TTC, hotels including hotels outside Disney etc. This way if someone gets to the park & is told something then its shame on them not CM just being rude & ruining their good time.
My question for anybody is Why doesn't Disney feel they need to enforce the rules? I know at times its hard too. Disney has a reputation that can withstand a few bad reviews. Most people are smart enough to think or say to them "its your own fault for not following the rules." As least I am.
I agree Disney needs to post the rules regarding heelys in a very conspicuous place. I don't think I've ever seen it posted anywhere except in tiny print on the website.
Of course it should be common sense that heelys don't belong out in most public places (duh!), but obviously many parents don't seem to understand that.
Please tell me you're not serious about that.Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainJessicaSparrow
It depends on how seriously they got hurt. Tha harder they get hurt, the harder I laugh....:thedolls:
LOL, of course I was! I'm surprised it took that long for someone to say something. But when they do fall with the Heelys, I take care to remind them that this is why they are not supposed to wear them in the parks.
This is just another case of Disney not having the backbone to enforce their own rules. Very simple have the kid remove the wheels and have them checked at City Hall like a coat check so they don't have access to them until they are leaving the park. If they refuse escort them out of the park. I have seen people refused entrance for offensive t-shirts and told they must either change their shirts or they will not be admitted what makes wheelys any different.
Pretty soon it will be like airport security.
:stop:"Please remove your shoes for inspection.":trooper:
It is sad when park security has to do the job that responsible parents should be doing.
Personally i would NEVER buy these for my children, how obnoxious!! Kids use them only in places they shouldn't it seems. I even see them skating down the aisles of the grocery store when i'm trying to get shopping done.
If I see kids skating on them when i go, i will be sure to remind their parents of the rules.
I have NEVER had ANY problem with kids in heelys. I see them all the time, my DS has them and if there's an open area he might use them if it's crowded he doesn't even bother. They're really nice at Disney and places where there a looonnnnggg strech of open area to skate down or hang on to Mom while she pulls. It's FUN!
My only problem is that I'm jealous :thedolls: because I know I'd bust my keester if I tried.
Now if they really want to outlaw these things let's outlaw all those little kids that are allowed to run wild, bash into people, roll on the floor, tear up the giftshops. :mad: I've had a LOT more of kids in regular shoes crash into me or trip and bust themselves up because they were running, chasing each other, hanging on the chains, ropes, bars etc...bashing into me because they're bored in line and they start play fighting or pushing each other...than I've had ANY kid on heelys do ANY harm or annoyance to me. A parent can tell a kid NOT to heely here just like they can tell one not to RUN.
Skates have been around forever, so have bikes, moon shoes, skateboards, etc. Kids have fun with all this stuff. Sometimes they get hurt. But I've found that even if they're just running around in $150 sneakers, helmet, arm guards, wrist bands, knee guards, shin guards, goggles, face masks, cups and mouth guards, and gloves...they STILL get hurt.
Believe it or not there was a time kids were kids. They played baseball with rocks and a stick, they made mud pies (and sometimes ate them), they jumped out of trees with parachutes made out of sheets, string and a shoe box and SWORE they worked, they made skateboards out of a box and wheels and rode it down the steepest hill they could find. Apparently enough of them survived to become parents.
I stand if the child is in a crowded area and is annoying others. The CM should simple ask them to "Please Remove the Wheels" just like they say "Please Don't Run". If they're wheeling around in an area that's open and bothering no one...no big deal.
Now we venture into the lawsuit department. Sure someone can bring forth a lawsuit but most are only going to be "annoyances". If someone falls because something wasn't properly/reasonably maintained then it's one thing if they fall because of their own stupidity...it's another. (Personally I wish we could CHANGE the policy on these STUPID lawsuits...a lot of countries have a "loser pays" system and a lot of this frivilous JUNK never makes it to court) Post a sign that states no heelys in crowded areas. "Disney is not responsible for accidents cause by improper use." Heck...why not throw in "Disney is not responsible for improper use of feet too."
It's just really sad with everything else going on in the world we're so worried about a kid on wheeled shoes. They're fun but I'm just too uncoordinated for them to have them for myself
This is the whole point--THEY AREN'T ALLOWED... it doesn't matter how good your kids are in them or if he doesn't use them in a crowded area. There are rules and by allowing your children to use them in any capacity, you are contributing to the problem and breaking the rules. It might be fun, but there are reasons why they are not allowed at the parks.Quote:
Originally Posted by thrillme
I understand the point of your post, and while it would be nice if everyone complied with a certain set of standards that made them safe for all concerned, that isn't the case and Disney has said no. And who determines what "crowded" is exactly? There is no sure fire way to monitor that, nor should there have to be. They shouldn't be used in the parks, at all.
Busy or not they are not allowed!!!
I just wonder - how many kids who use Heelys in public would use roller skates in the same locations? Isn't that really what they are? I would never let my child roller skate through a store, a theme park, or any close quarters.