Let's get into it - Why the hell would you bring a toddler to a theme park?

[Symarip]

Yeah, I went there.

A child under the age of 4 isn't going to 'get' going to a theme park, let alone some pedderass in a Mickey Mouse costume. I never went to Disneyland or any other 'adventure' park until I was at least in Kindergarten. I remember every trip we went on since then rather vividly. Honestly, if my parents had taken me anywhere before that age, it'd be lost in the data banks. Hell, they just may have and I don't remember.

But these days? Forget it. It's a sea of strollers. I probably would have never noticed since I don't have kids, don't plan on having kids, and I love my big TV. My mom was the one who pointed this out to me last time we visited the Happiest Place on Earth (when you're tripping balls). I have to say, she's right. Everyone with a stroller looks like someone shit in their Wheaties. There's nothing fun about pushing around a stroller with a screaming baby and looking for shade next to the Pirates of Caribbean. Why would anyone put themselves through that kind of torture?

[Rosie1223]

1. It's usually because the Mother-in-Law insisted.

Not speaking from experience, mind you.

:hi:

[driver8]

11. Amen!!! Been there, done that...

Half of the shit I get dragged to is because my mother in law thought "it might be nice."

Where in the "marriage rule book" does it say that we must do everything my mother in law "suggests"?

[Rosie1223]

15. Yeah, that page got ripped out of the book years ago

Now my MIL just loudly laments to anyone within earshot how her awful daughter-in-law keeps her from seeing her precious grandbabies.

:hi:

[driver8]

16. I am very lucky in the MIL department, but my wife REFUSES to say no to her parents.

Which is why we end up getting dragged to many events that we don't want to attend.

[LynneSin]

2. Did your mother drop you on your head when you were a kid?

First, kids under the age of 5 usually get in for free or for very reduced price to most amusement parks. What are the parents to do - leave their kids back at the hotel room while they go jolly it up at Disney Land?

And although infants might not appreciate the park, there are many many rides suitable for children who are at least walking. I know Hersheypark has an entire section geared towards the wee ones.

And btw I have no kids myself.

[TZ]

3. lol!

I'm thinking of a family outing to Sea World (near Cleveland of all places) that I've heard about again and again...I was 5 my older sister was 7 and my younger sister was 2! From what I've heard, my mother would've probably agreed with you! We drove her CRAZY! So much so that the stories are still family legend 35 years later...:rofl:
The answer is: because the parent thought it was a good idea at the time....

[Gormy Cuss]

4. On my one visit to the Magic Kingdom I was struck by the sheer number of miserable toddlers.

Most kids that age can't stand more than an hour or two without a meltdown or a nap. Good thing it's free to bring them in.

I also saw a kid of about 6 or 7 in the line for Space Mountain and I knew it was gonna be ugly when he failed the minimum height test.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

5. Good question.

Ask my wife. I don't know.

[redqueen]

6. God, no kidding... find a damn babysitter.

That's torture for the poor things, too, cause they can't stand more than a couple of hours and then they need a nap.

I also wonder why people take infants to movies. I personally suspect it's becuase they're frickin idiots.

[PassingFair]

25. You obviously never witnessed the joy of my 2 year old, chasing after Snow White and her dwarves....

and screaming at the top of her lungs:

"Come back, I've got you on my underwear!!!!"

...while trying to pull down her shorts and chasing them into a side door of the enchanted castle.

These parks are MADE for kids.

:crazy:

[Shell Beau]

35. lol! Priceless!

[PassingFair]

38. She's still a little groupie....but now she chases after boy bands...

Especially these guys:

[Goblinmonger]

42. Does she have them on her underwear?

:hide:

[PassingFair]

44. I think she wants them IN her underwear these days...

She'll be 15 this summer.

Help!

[redqueen]

43. Awww!

Yeah, no... I haven't... I haven't been to many theme parks, but at the ones I go to (just the State Fair here and Six Flags) the poor things look bored to tears. I suppose the Disney stuff is more of what they'd get a kick out of. :)

[PassingFair]

45. I wouldn't have taken toddlers to a place like Cedar Point,...

But Disney is tailor-made for kiddies.

[fishwax]

7. well, my folks took me when I was very young, and

while I never had any memory of it growing up, my brother (who is five years older) did and does. Maybe some of the folks pushing strollers just have older kids as well who might be into it? But if none of your kids are old enough to enjoy it (and remember it), I agree that it doesn't make a lot of sense.

[jobycom]

8. Fuck. We have one thread banning adults from theme parks, and now kids.

Fuck fuck fuck. Scrooge was an underachiever.

[lazarus]

9. the zoo, too

Last time I went to the zoo, I couldn't even get to some exhibits because of the sea of strollers.

[Shell Beau]

10. No way. My child LOVED the zoo when we went last year, and she

was under a year old. She loved seeing the animals, and it is a nice family outing. Or we could just keep the kids couped up all day inside. That sounds about right.

[redqueen]

18. Hell yes... the zoo's a whole different story.

it's not like there are a zillion rides they can't even go on, and they absolutely love it - as opposed to being overstimulated and zoning out, which is what most seem to do at the big amusement parks.

[driver8]

12. Well if we can't take little kids to theme parks, we've got to take them someplace!

My kids love the zoo. They are out of strollers now, but it is a great place to spend the day with kids -- even if they are in strollers!

[Shell Beau]

14. And even very small children can learn from that.

There is so much to see, and toddlers absorb everything. I would think the zoo out of all places would be somewhere you'd run into strollers.

[TZ]

17. I think zoos and aquariums where they can look and listen

to neat things are okay, but for very young kids, themeparks just aren't that amusing I think. Even judging from the family story about Sea World with little kids sometimes thats touch and go as well..(My sister spent all the day hollering that she wanted to "Wide a FISH!" a dolphin stroller. When my mom finally found one after alot of effort. My sister got in and said "stinks" and got out..Needless to say Mom was ready to leave after that!" :)

[driver8]

13. Why do you hate America? n/t

[lunamagica]

19. Well, they say is because of the "magic"

I don't have children, but I've heard people like to take their kids when they are toddlers because they still believe. They talk about looking at the kiddies faces when they see the castle for the first time. The kids may not remember, but the parents do. To them those memories are priceless. I guess that's why they do it.

[Shell Beau]

20. Good answer!!

:P

I agree. There are many more things to do at a theme park than just ride rides. And when it comes down to it, parents love the see happiness on their child's face. It makes it almost as fun as when we were kids.

[FedUpWithIt All]

21. I've taken my kids as toddlers to amusement parks, zoos and movies.

I have an age range of 15 years with my kids. I spent a number of those years as a single mother. We do things as a family.

Getting passes to a small amusement park is one of the ways the kids and i distracted ourselves during my very long and painful divorce. We would go spend afternoons laughing and eating while the kids whirled around in little kiddy rides. Those are very fond memories.

Then


We recently took the crew, ages 17, 12, 10 and 2 to the movies to see Alice in Wonderland. My toddler did not make a PEEP. He sat in his own chair happily munching popcorn. After a time he started getting tired and he laid his head on my chest and quietly watched the rest of the movie.

My kids have always, with very rare exceptions, behaved this way.

Kids that are not socialized are no fun to be with in public once they do finally find their way into a crowd. Can't have it both ways. There will either be strollers of toddlers learning to be healthy members of society or there will be older kids who have no idea what is appropriate social behavior making everyone around them miserable.

And now

[Haole Girl]

22. Some people say it's good to expose young children to a variety of social settings

Others keep their children isolated from many situations, until the children are older.

Then again, maybe they can't afford a babysitter.

:shrug:

[flvegan]

23. They do it deliberately to make people like us miserable.

:hide:

[elocs]

24. It depends on the kid and a 4 year old is not a toddler.

From the time she was 4 my daughter loved theme parks and did quite well. We both rested when needed. My greatest difficulty was in keeping a little redhead from getting sunburned.

[Riftaxe]

26. For the same reason you bring a toddler to a romantic restaurant

or an R rated movie, to allow strangers to share your family experience!
It's only being polite and properly considerate to allow the childless to experience tantrums first hand (or reminding them why the do not want to have kids)! :popcorn:

[Shell Beau]

36. Not the same. Theme parks are designed for children and adults.

[Symarip]

39. It's not that simple, though.

First, though, I'd like to say I think kids SHOULD be allowed in theme parks (as much as it seems people think I would not). Maybe separate seating at a nice restaurant or on an airplane, but that's a different conversation. Theme parks are designed mostly with kids in mind, obviously. And kids should ENJOY the trip. When I was a kid, I loved me some Flying Dumbo and Submarine Voyage. Now, not so much... Though the Jungle Cruise can still be a good time (even sober!).

My argument is, if your child is restricted to a stroller, and thereby the parent is too, I don't see the benefit of going to a place where being mobile is of high importance. A 2 year old isn't going to get shit out of going to Disneyland even if he or she is well behaved and/or recognizes the weird looking person with a big head is Mickey Mouse. A parent won't get much either, especially if the weather is somewhere outside of the tolerance of perfect. It seems to me to be a very cumbersome and torturous photo op.

Are there exceptions? Sure. There always are. If you have 2 kids who are of a suitable age and one that's a toddler, sure, you'd take the hit in the pants and get a stroller. Children of special needs, as well, would require a stroller and still would benefit from a great day out. See? I just thought of two and I don't even have kids. Anyone can dream up a million outlier exceptions. But the truth is, if you lay eyes on Disneyland today, the sea of strollers is typically dominated by single child families with children who are probably too young.

For the life of me, I don't understand why. But then again, I don't have kids. So maybe it's not for me to get.

[Shell Beau]

48. lol! You crack me up thinking of exceptions.

I've never taken my child to an amusement park. One--we don't have any around here and two--I'd want to be able to ride all of the rides myself. But even 4 year olds ride in strollers. It doesn't bother me, but I am a parent, so that may be why.

[TZ]

49. Tsk Shell Beau

I'm disappointed. You are supposed to get all mad and call him a kid hating nazi freeper type, not be reasonable! Sheesh.
:rofl:

[Shell Beau]

51. That is always implied.

:P

[Lucian]

27. The real ? is why the hell would anyone bring a toddler to a nice restaurant?

I hate sitting there, trying to enjoy a meal and having little Junior Sonofabitch there whining and crying nonstop.

That really grinds my gears.

[petronius]

28. Because you can't leave them in the car?

:shrug:

[Rabrrrrrr]

29. Because they're selfish fucking idiots who can't think for themselves and bow to social pressure.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

30. Oooh, now you've got my blood boiling

I don't give a damn about the kids at the amusement parks. I avoid those places like the plague.

What REALLY pisses me off is when parents take their toddlers to nice restaurants. I'm talking about the types of restaurants that cost $300 or more for a couple with drinks, dinner and dessert. I enjoy good food and drink in a quiet environment where I can have a good conversation with my wife without all the distractions of the real world.

Some dickhead always has to ruin it by bringing his brat to the place then lets him scream for 2 hours while throwing food at random passersby, running around, crawling under the tables and doing all sorts of distracting shit.

Memo to parents considering taking their toddler to a nice restaurant: either use some rope and a gag ball or get a fucking babysitter. If you can afford the restaurant, you can afford the 5 bucks an hour for the sitter.

[Shell Beau]

37. Be pissed at the parents, but no need to call the kid a brat.

[Arugula Latte]

31. If they have an older sibling, they're going.

[noamnety]

32. We brought our daughter everywhere as a toddler

Disney (with the grandparents, not something I would have picked on my own), The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow when she was 8 months old, college classes in Russian when she was two, the Berlin wall, documenta.

The clearest memory I have of her at Disney is that liked the acoustics in the restroom so she was sitting on the toilet peeing, singing at the top of her lungs, and strangers were cracking up when they walked by the restroom and could hear her.

The bolshoi ballet - she sat completely enthralled by what was happening on stage - there was not a peep out of her, no fussing or boredom - she just sat open mouthed at the new experience.

It was all good. She doesn't remember those things now but that is the age when children's brains are developing the quickest, and being exposed to all kinds of experiences at that age sets them up for a different level of intelligence than they would get if their brains weren't pushed to make sense of new sights and sounds.

[BuelahWitch]

33. "Strollers of Death" was by far the scariest ride I experience at Disney

The second scariest was "Maniac Driven Bus Back to the Hotel." The other rides were pretty tame. :hi:

[snooper2]

34. What the fuck are YOU doing in a theme park

designed for toddlers and kids...

Go sit your ass in front of your big screen and play on the Internets :rofl:

[Symarip]

40. If it was designed for toddlers

Why are there height requirements?

(the correct answer is: midget discrimination)

[TZ]

41. Its a good think those rides don't have emotional maturity requirements..

You wouldn't be allowed on any!! :rofl:

[snooper2]

46. So the Toddlers have something to look foward to the next year

When they grow another foot...

Do I need to explain theme park 101 to you :P

[Shell Beau]

50. You just can't help yourself!

:rofl:

[Symarip]

52. You find this funny?

The world needs to be aware of midget discrimination!!

[Shell Beau]

53. I am sure it does. It must suck big time to be short at the amusement park.

[Symarip]

54. It's a conspiracy

They're trying to keep the dwarfs away from loop-da-loops. The children are just the innocent victims of this merciless war.

It has to end. This aggression will not stand.

[Shell Beau]

55. We need to start the Coalition for Short People Awareness.

CSPA.

[Symarip]

56. No way

Then they'll allow in Carnies. And that's just wrong.

[Shell Beau]

59. We can always say CSPA minus the people who don't really matter.

[TZ]

57. EXCUSE ME! IT IS NOT SHORT PEOPLE

Its vertically challanged. And if you keep this offensive discussion going I'M GONNA PUNCH YOU IN DA KNEES!!! :rofl:

[Symarip]

58. I'm above all this...

Talk.

[TZ]

60. How's the air up there?

Its a bit thinner than down here...

[Shell Beau]

61. I would be a member of the CSPA since I am not too tall myself.

I do meet the roller coaster height requirments though!

[TZ]

62. I just barely do in some cases at

5'0! And I now avoid stand up roller coasters cause my feet have an alarming tendency to leave the bottom in frightening ways.....

[Shell Beau]

63. I am almost 5'4" (not really, but I claim it), more like

5'3-3/4", but my mom is 5' and my grandma is 4'9". Thankfully, I have a tall dad. Whew!

[MountainLaurel]

47. 'Cause you can't kennel them all day?

:shrug: