Strollers: Friend or Foe?

[CMGUY89]

Hi everyone, I'm brand spanking new and I figured this was as good of a topic as any.

First of all let me preface this by saying that I worked this past summer as an Attractions Host at the Land Boat Ride (no wisecracks please).

As part of our duties as slaves to the guest blackhole otherwise known as Soarin' (which I love, don't get me wrong) we have to stand at the front doors and make sure strollers don't come in the building as per Reedy Creek fire codes. Simple enough, right? WRONG!

You would think asking people to park their strollers was like giving up their first born! Here are my most commonly encountered responses.
Guest: "But he's sleeping!"
G: "I thought Disney was supposed to be kid friendly!?!?"
G: "I am going to sue you if my baby gets heatstroke"
or my personal favorite
G: "No. (Continues walking right past me)"

Then I had a guest with the audacity to ask me "Why do you allow wheelchairs in and not strollers?"
Me: "Because it's a federal law and they cannot walk."
G: "My baby can't walk either."
Me: "At least you can carry your baby..."
G: "I don't want to carry my baby"

GRR! People just irk me sometimes!!!

[PapaMouse]

Hi everyone, I'm brand spanking new and I figured this was as good of a topic as any.

First of all let me preface this by saying that I worked this past summer as an Attractions Host at the Land Boat Ride (no wisecracks please).

As part of our duties as slaves to the guest blackhole otherwise known as Soarin' (which I love, don't get me wrong) we have to stand at the front doors and make sure strollers don't come in the building as per Reedy Creek fire codes. Simple enough, right? WRONG!

You would think asking people to park their strollers was like giving up their first born! Here are my most commonly encountered responses.
Guest: "But he's sleeping!"
G: "I thought Disney was supposed to be kid friendly!?!?"
G: "I am going to sue you if my baby gets heatstroke"
or my personal favorite
G: "No. (Continues walking right past me)"

Then I had a guest with the audacity to ask me "Why do you allow wheelchairs in and not strollers?"
Me: "Because it's a federal law and they cannot walk."
G: "My baby can't walk either."
Me: "At least you can carry your baby..."
G: "I don't want to carry my baby"

GRR! People just irk me sometimes!!!



The following will explain everything...

http://johnfenzel.typepad.com/john_fenzels_blog/images/2007/03/24/jerks.jpg

[darph nader]

That's PERFECT Papamouse. :cool:

(damn,I miss the Farside). :(

[Shorty82]

Hi everyone, I'm brand spanking new and I figured this was as good of a topic as any.
WELCOME!

First of all let me preface this by saying that I worked this past summer as an Attractions Host at the Land Boat Ride (no wisecracks please).
No wisecracks from me. I enjoyed the Land Boat Ride on my last visit. It was fun and a good way to relax.

You would think asking people to park their strollers was like giving up their first born!
Don'tcha know, in a way it is. People load their strollers down with everything but the kitchen sink and they don't want to leave their belongings behind.

Below are some of the things I would like to have said to the SGs if I were in your place but never would.

Guest: "But he's sleeping!"
Too bad. Wake him up!

G: "I thought Disney was supposed to be kid friendly!?!?"
It is. So friendly in fact that we provide a nice area over there to park your stroller so it is not in the way in the event of an emergency.

G: "I am going to sue you if my baby gets heatstroke"
Heatstroke inside a well airconditioned building. Not going to happen. Try another lame excuse.

or my personal favorite
G: "No. (Continues walking right past me)"
Hey, you! Yeah, you, the one with the stroller! Get back here, I said "NO STROLLERS", dumbass, not "bring your stroller and half your worldly possesions"!

G: "I don't want to carry my baby"
Too bad. That's part of being a parent.

GRR! People just irk me sometimes!!!
People are stupid. Especially some of the people that visit WDW.


The Land is an oddity at WDW. A very large building with multiple attractions and places to eat. I know of nowhere else in the parks quite like it. Closest thing I can think of are the Innoventions buildings and they allow strollers if I'm not mistaken.

There's just no room for strollers in there, fire code or not, so I'm glad they aren't allowed.

I'm curious, did you ever tell these SGs that it is fire code why they can't take their strollers inside, not some rule there to just inconvience the guests? What did you do when somebody went in with their stroller even after being told not to?

[ICStupidPeople]

I hate strollers, but, I fully admit to them being a necessary evil. I think when people actually used them for kids, they were not a problem. Now every 10 year old in the park needs one because little johnny has A.D.D or some chit. My opinion on that is A.D.D or not, threaten to leave if he acts up and follow through. Once doing that and that suddenly makes them behave. Go figure? Sitting your bratty 10 year old in a stroller will not help the problem. In addition, they are probably overweight and need to exercise anyway. Make them walk and <gasp> take breaks during the day. We took my friend's 10 year old granddaughter to WDW last august and she would have been mortified to use a stroller.

In addition, people use them for purchases and such. They rent the double ones, and use one side for their 40 lb diaper bag. I'm sorry, if your kid needs a 24 pack of pampers for a day at Disney, then they have a stomach virus and should not be at the park to begin with.

I think when used correctly or in moderation, then they aren't a big deal to me. It's when they become a ram or an excuse to lazy parent that bothers me.

I am in the "glad they aren't allowed in the land" crowd though. That place is nuts as it is. I am equally glad they are not allowed in lines for rides. I can't image the waits if they had to unbuckle, put socks back on, fold up, ect.

I will say, some parents are really great at doing the "pick, straigten, fold and enter" thing on the busses. They have hella organization. I am also not opposed to actually helping the overraught parents by maybe holding a baby bag if needed or something else. It wouldn't hurt some of us to offer assistance and not criticize all the time (the "us" includes me and is a general "us" to noone in particular, i get just as frustrated and annoyed)

[Floridian]

I am equally glad they are not allowed in lines for rides. I can't image the waits if they had to unbuckle, put socks back on, fold up, ect.


Some attractions have you bring them threw the queue line and then a CM takes the stroller from you halfway threw and parks it in an area right outside the attraction's exit. Your right though slows that part of the line WAY down. Although for some reason half the guest think I am trying to mess with them when I tell them not to park their strollers but to bring them right on it.

They must get taught very well at the Land not to bring strollers in with them because I have had guest flat out say,' no we must park our stroller outside'. Kinda funny when the kid in the stroller is calling out 'mommy, mommy, we gotta park to stoller! park the stroller first!'

[Big Wallaby]

Yeah, on the buses we get them well-trained, because we can't move the bus before the strollers are all folded, per Federal law. When they ask, I apologize and say I wish I could let them, and that seems to be very disarming. How do you argue with someone who wishes the rules weren't there so you could leave your sleeping child in the stroller...never mind what I really think of the situation.

My view on strollers is this for myself: When I do have kids, they are not going to see Disney World or Disneyland or any other place like that until they are old enough to not need to constantly be in a stroller. I'll bring along an umbrella-type (maybe), but if I have to worry about not waking my sleeping child, that seems like it would take away from the Disney experience.

[Cranbiz]

What we really want to say.


Guest: "But he's sleeping!"


CM: Then maybe you should go back to your resort for some quiet time


G: "I thought Disney was supposed to be kid friendly!?!?"


CM: It is kid friendly, It's not stroller friendly!


G: "I am going to sue you if my baby gets heatstroke"


CM: I'm sorry, you are in the wrong park, Pirates is at Magic Kingdom.


G: "No. (Continues walking right past me)"


CM: Security!

[DLRFantasmic!Dan]

You would think asking people to park their strollers was like giving up their first born! Here are my most commonly encountered responses.
Guest: "But he's sleeping!"

Either you take him out or you can come back later when he is awake. Your choice!

G: "I am going to sue you if my baby gets heatstroke"

If your baby gets a heatstroke. He deserves to be taken away from you.

G: "I thought Disney was supposed to be kid friendly!?!?"

you thought wrong!


G: "No. (Continues walking right past me)"

I'd suggest stand in front of him and block his way. If he tries to run you over, you can charge him assault with a deadly weapon!! :twisted:

As you can tell, I am ticked off right now! :mad:

[Main Streeter]

(damn,I miss the Farside).darph, how can you miss the Farside when you are so unmistakably a part of it?:rolleyes: Just had to throw this in as I've not jabbed you for over a week.:p: Your peace is over. My ADOs & $$ ran out. :(

[BRWombat]

darph, how can you miss the Farside when you are so unmistakably a part of it?:rolleyes: Just had to throw this in as I've not jabbed you for over a week.:p: Your peace is over. My ADOs & $$ ran out. :(Just for the fun of it -- a few of the people who share the same birthday (8/14) as Far Side creator Gary Larson:

Steve Martin
Susan 'Cindy Brady' Olsen
Danielle Steel
David Crosby
Magic Johnson
Me!!! :D:

[freepixie]

I agree with all of you who have mentioned about children getting up and walking - childhood obesity is so obscene! I'm a preschool teacher and let me tell you now that each and every child in my classroom is not obese - if they come in the room and they are obese, they lose that fat really quick because we WALK! Just the other day we scoped out a new playground for the children, its a 2-mile walk each direction! And they did it, and they enjoyed it, and wow did they sleep at naptime :D: Its funny when we tell the parents that we take walks like that - they don't believe us and say things like "well how can you do that without any wagons or strollers? Couldn't the field trip bus pick them up?" :rolleyes:

[darph nader]

darph, how can you miss the Farside when you are so unmistakably a part of it?:rolleyes: Just had to throw this in as I've not jabbed you for over a week.:p: Your peace is over. My ADOs & $$ ran out. :(

Of course I am.I just didn't want to let the cat out of the bag.(as long as it isn't 'shaved' :eek: )

ps,glad you're back :)

[BRWombat]

Of course I am.I just didn't want to let the cat out of the bag.(as long as it isn't 'shaved' :eek: )Dang, does every thread have to go to this now? :confused: :rolleyes: :D:

[Big Wallaby]

Hey, look! A flower!

Wait, even I read that differently from how I meant it...

[ktulu]

Dang, does every thread have to go to this now? :confused: :rolleyes: :D:

Yes. Yes it does.

[Cranbiz]

Back on topic (I know a novel idea)

This next example is where the stroller was both friend and foe.

Tonight I had a run to the Contemporary and the Poly (Co Po for short) out of PI. I get to the Co and let off about half the bus. SG in back takes this as her signal to unfold her stroller and start to load it up. I see this and stop the bus. Turn and politely inform the SG to please fold the stroller, Federal regulations require all strollers to be folded on the bus. She gives me a dirty look, mutters obsenities just loud enough for me to hear and then slams the stroller shut, and throws it to the floor while saying "It's folded!"

So next thing out of my mouth, "Ma'am, you will need to either stow the stroller under the seat or hold it. I cannot allow it to block the aisle, in case of emergency, it's a safety hazard."

Now she is really pissed, grabs the stroller and holds it until I get to the Poly. She makes a beeline for the exit and tries to get past the front door. Well by then I had no more guests and I get off the bus and say to her (quietly) "I hope that you don't kiss your kids with that mouth!" Then I get back on the bus and drive away while she is still standing there like this. :dropmouth

[Main Streeter]

Back on topic (I know a novel idea)
I get off the bus and say to her (quietly) "I hope that you don't kiss your kids with that mouth!" Then I get back on the bus and drive away while she is still standing there like this.YAH Cran!! WTG :hi5: Can't quite believe you said this as you are such a gentleman. Abt damn time CMs throw some back to SG. :cool: As long as management isn't around & you can drive off like The Lone Ranger,:bus: I opt for you to do a repeat then a 3 peat. Must have felt very g o o d. Hey Cran, thanks for your novel idea of BOT. ;)

[hobie16]

"I hope that you don't kiss your kids with that mouth!" Then I get back on the bus and drive away while she is still standing there like this. :dropmouth
Scoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeee eeeeeeee!!!

[BRWombat]

... I get off the bus and say to her (quietly) "I hope that you don't kiss your kids with that mouth!" Then I get back on the bus and drive away while she is still standing there like this. :dropmouthAh, the last word. Sweet! :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Cranbiz]

Fortunately we can get away with a little bit more when driving downtown.

It did feel good but the point that I was trying to make with Mrs SG was that other guests and their kids should not have to listen to that filth that she was spouting. It's one thing with the folks at a bar, it's another at a family theme park.

My problems with her were two things, 1) her mouth and 2) her "I'm staying at the Poly, Kiss my ass" mentality.

MS: I'm still a gentleman, I was polite at all times with her.

[mechurchlady]

A lot of SGs do not realize that they are ruining the vacation for others and that little kids do not need to hear about sex, illegal activities, immoral lifestyles and cussing. Hugs to Cranbiz.

[leftcoaster]

A lot of SGs do not realize that they are ruining the vacation for others and that little kids do not need to hear about sex, illegal activities, immoral lifestyles and cussing. Hugs to Cranbiz.

They don't need to hear about hugs to Cranbiz ?
:confused:

[Main Streeter]

They don't need to hear about hugs to Cranbiz ?
:confused:left, :hi5: :hysteria: :hysteria: :hysteria:

[HocusPocus]

First, I wanted to say that I have lurked here for a while and I have so much respect for you guys who work with the public every day. My folks had a resort in Missouri and while it was certainly nothing like the amount of people you guys encounter at the theme parks, I had had enough of people to last a lifetime.

Now, having said that, I have to agree about the strollers. The double, side-by-side ones are the worst. Ugh. When my daughter was small, we rarely travelled with a stroller-even at 12 months. I found a backpack and would put her in it. She would be out of the way and could flirt with people while we were doing things. In fact, I carried her down Carlsbad Caverns and she (at the time was 18 months and no way could walk it) had a ball saying hello and chattering with people.

What I have seen, generally, is a huge disregard for other people's feelings. It's all about me and nothing else.

And for those of you who drive the buses and transportation, I used to work for the local transit authority. It only gets worst outside of the parks!

;)

[ktulu]

Hey, another local! Wombat will be around to sing 'The Yellow Rose of Texas', 'Texas, our Texas' and 'Deep in the heart of Texas'.

We had the stroller for Abby when she was younger because she was more comfortable (as were we) in the heat, but we used it when we were getting on rides and stuff. We just used the free rental (via Disney Visa) at DL, but on this last trip we found our own umbrella stroller was easier to use (smaller, and easier to spot).

And we only use it as a weapon when necessary...

[HocusPocus]

Hey, another local! Wombat will be around to sing 'The Yellow Rose of Texas', 'Texas, our Texas' and 'Deep in the heart of Texas'.

And we only use it as a weapon when necessary...

LOL...I agree. strollers are a terrific weapon, when necessary. And yep..we'll do a duet.."The stars at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas. Lalalala lalala...oops" -that's about all I know.

I have been reading these forums for so long, I feel like I know you guys. I love it here. I have had so many laughs because of the stuff you post. It's amazing what people do in public (one my 'vices' is watching 'Bridezillas' and other reality shows (occassionally). It's like knowing two trains are going to wreck and you can only watch. Amazing.

[mechurchlady]

They don't need to hear about hugs to Cranbiz ?
:confused:
Since when did SGT become a no-hug zone?
I will hugs whom I like and when I like except for times when spouse do not approve of such activity.

I gave hugs to Cranbiz because I was rewarding his heroic stance again bitches and potty mouthed people.

[ktulu]

Strollers are friends, not food.


Oh wait...nevermind.

[Cranbiz]

There is nothing with hugging a roly poly Cranbiz, just watch your hand placement. ;)

Like my spiel,

"If you are unable to hold onto the handrails, you are free to hold on to your siginificant other, or a total stranger. If you opt to hold onto your siginificant other, please remember.... There are children on board."

[Shorty82]

Since when did SGT become a no-hug zone?
I will hugs whom I like and when I like except for times when spouse do not approve of such activity.

I gave hugs to Cranbiz because I was rewarding his heroic stance again bitches and potty mouthed people.
:grouphug: :hugging: :hug:

[vixen101485]

Hey, another local! Wombat will be around to sing 'The Yellow Rose of Texas', 'Texas, our Texas' and 'Deep in the heart of Texas'.
Can I join in since I was a temporary Texan. YEEEEE HHHAAAAA!

[Big Wallaby]

Like my spiel,

"If you are unable to hold onto the handrails, you are free to hold on to your siginificant other, or a total stranger. If you opt to hold onto your siginificant other, please remember.... There are children on board."I stole part of your spiel, since I so much liked it. Since you are all dying to know what I say, here is a script. Please note, this is a spoiler, so I am putting it in a color that you will need to highlight it in order to be able to read what I post with any sense of ease. All stolen material is in italics. All notes for the reader are in my beloved parenthesis.

Hello, everyone, and welcome aboard the Walt Disney World Transportation System. We're on our way to ______RESORT/PARK_____, (JUST LIKE THE MiMs) and we'll be arriving there shortly.. That is, of course, as long as we don't get lost... in the woods. (MANIACAL LAUGHTER)

For your safety, please remain seated at all times. If you're standing... Tough. (Stolen from another driver, Greg, who stole it from others. THIS IS MY FIRST TEST TO SEE HOW PEOPLE RESPOND TO MY JOKES. IF THEY RESPOND WELL, I WILL CONTINUE WITH FUN FACTS, TRIVIA, ETC.) Hold onto the hand rails overhead or to the side. If you cannot reach the handrails, then hold on to someone who is holding onto the handrails, or find a willing lap. Please note, if you choose either of these two options, then please be sure you introduce yourself first. This could be the beginning of a lifelong relationship. (Stolen from Cranbiz)

Finally, I ask that you refrain from eating, drinking or smoking on the bus. If I find you eating or drinking, I will force you to share with everyone on the bus. If I find you smoking, I will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action to put... you... out. (Southwest Airlines, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THE FINAL "T" IN OUT)

So now, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. We'll be arriving shortly at _____RESORT/PARK_____. That is of course... assuming we don't get lost... in the woods. MANIACAL LAUGHTER

If you want to read the closing spiel I have that that I can post too. It's completely stolen, so you will have heard everything before.

[vixen101485]

LOL...love it and of course we want to hear the other one. Now I know what to listen for.

[DevilDuckie]

A lot of SGs do not realize that they are ruining the vacation for others and that little kids do not need to hear about sex, illegal activities, immoral lifestyles and cussing. Hugs to Cranbiz.


Heh. I made my husband and out friend stop saying "boobs" in Disneyland. It helped that I issued the smackdown right before my kid called the friend "Boobs".

[DevilDuckie]

I *hate* double wide strollers. I think they are the world's rudest thing to take into the park. A front/back tandem does not block the entire walkway the way a double wide does.

[Main Streeter]

If you want to read the closing spiel I have that that I can post too. It's completely stolen
Big W, please post. I love stolen stuff! :momtheres

[ktulu]

Come on September! Between this, reading my book on Walt Disney and the guide book I seem to buy before each trip that I really don't need but buy anyway, I'm soooo ready for this vacation.

Post more!

Do it!

Now!

Please!

Okay, fine, we'll pay you. Wombat, you're the big, high priced, fancy pants attorney ;) Pay him!

[Cranbiz]

I stole part of your spiel, since I so much liked it.

Not a problem, I have no problems sharing my material. In fact, I have stolen a lot of it myself.

[BRWombat]

Come on September! Between this, reading my book on Walt Disney and the guide book I seem to buy before each trip that I really don't need but buy anyway, I'm soooo ready for this vacation.

Post more!

Do it!

Now!

Please!

Okay, fine, we'll pay you. Wombat, you're the big, high priced, fancy pants attorney ;) Pay him!Hey, I work for a city guvmint, I ain't made o' $$$.


Hey, another local! Wombat will be around to sing 'The Yellow Rose of Texas', 'Texas, our Texas' and 'Deep in the heart of Texas'.Keep in mind that although I am a native Texan, I grew up in Colorado & still have to fake my way through those songs when they're being sung.

[ktulu]

Hey, I work for a city guvmint, I ain't made o' $$$.

Yeah, we've heard that one before ;)


Keep in mind that although I am a native Texan, I grew up in Colorado & still have to fake my way through those songs when they're being sung.

Yeah, but you have the mad vocal skills. The best I can do it play the drums along with it.

[EmptyCinema]

There is nothing with hugging a roly poly Cranbiz, just watch your hand placement. ;)

Like my spiel,

"If you are unable to hold onto the handrails, you are free to hold on to your siginificant other, or a total stranger. If you opt to hold onto your siginificant other, please remember.... There are children on board."

Heard on the parking lot tram @ MK: "Watch your head as you exit the tram... and if you don't watch your head, watch your language."

[Big Wallaby]

Heard on the parking lot tram @ MK: "Watch your head as you exit the tram... and if you don't watch your head, watch your language."Hey, I use that one!

[Cranbiz]

Heard on the parking lot tram @ MK: "Watch your head as you exit the tram... and if you don't watch your head, watch your language."

Me Too!! Just it's not watch your head, it's watch your step.

[Big Wallaby]

Me Too!! Just it's not watch your head, it's watch your step.I meant step. I don't mention anything about watching your head.

[leftcoaster]

I meant step. I don't mention anything about watching your head.

If your eyes are on your head, how can you watch your own head? You could watch someone else's head, but unless you have a mirror, it would be difficult to watch your own head.

Maybe the spiel should be "Please watch someone else's head as you exit the tram."

[ktulu]

If your eyes are on your head, how can you watch your own head? You could watch someone else's head, but unless you have a mirror, it would be difficult to watch your own head.

Maybe the spiel should be "Please watch someone else's head as you exit the tram."

"SIR, I SAID WATCH SOMEONE ELSE'S HEAD AND YOU WERE CLEARLY STARING AT HER...oh look, bunnies!"

[vixen101485]

"SIR, I SAID WATCH SOMEONE ELSE'S HEAD AND YOU WERE CLEARLY STARING AT HER...oh look, bunnies!"
Maybe that is what Big W was doing when he punted poor Thumper. LOL :rolleyes:

[Big Wallaby]

If your eyes are on your head, how can you watch your own head?You just have to know where to look. On those buses, there are plenty of mirrors.

[Zazu]

I thought the line was:

"Please mind your head and watch your step. If you don't, please mind your manners and watch your language."

The head part makes better sense on the trams than on the buses.

[Big Wallaby]

The head part makes better sense on the trams than on the buses.Although on that *ahem* wonderful *gag* prerecorded spiel, it says to watch your head and step.

Mind you, if you're tall enough to need to watch your head on the bus, you've probably been watching your head well enough throughout your entire adult life that you don't need to hear yet another recording about it.

[Cranbiz]

I thought the line was:

"Please mind your head and watch your step. If you don't, please mind your manners and watch your language."


If I said that, all I would get is blank stares.

[Randy B]

If I said that, all I would get is blank stares.

Or should that be blank stairs? because everyone would stop and stand there trying to figure it out, not exiting via the stairs. :D:

Randy