I'd like a kids meal for my....er, I thought you had him dear.

[DisneyMom]

Bru, you are very brave to be able to post about your bad experience. Years ago, people just didn't talk about these things, but now, it is a necessity to discuss them with our kids. Many people who are survivors keep it inside and never get any resolution to the fact they were harmed.
You were a child, and you were blameless. That person knew exactly what they were doing, and pretty much was stalking you and probably a few others simultaneously...I do not know if you can do anything about it so many years later, but if you want to, it might make you feel better...who knows where that person is and what he is doing now. You might be the one who could stop him. Most pedophiles never stop and will actively seek proximity to children until caught.

[Purpura]

When I am working at Plaza Inn, Sometimes I'm not behind the counter and I'll see the little ones get put down so they can walk with Mom and Dad to get their food. Sometimes the little ones 2-4 year olds think "OOH Space! I can run away from Mommy and Daddy! and play!" If I happen to be sorta near where they are, I'll anticipate where they're going, and turn to face them, get low and say,"Hey. Where's Mommy/Daddy? This place is a big place, and I don't want you to get lost." Sometimes Parents pay attention, and come up behind their little ones, or the little ones get shy and go right to Parents.

[February]

(((((Disneymom))))))))

Thank you for your kind words. I'm not brave I'm just worried about other people's children- and my own when she goes to WDW with her father and step mother this spring- and their small son. I have told her that she has to be sure that the adults keep an eye on him, she's still too young to be responsible for him in such a huge place but I know how they are. The whole trip idea makes me a nervous wreck.

I know what happened to me was a minor thing- I was lucky. This event happened in 1981- and I do not believe that I can do anything about except, after all these years finally share my experience here so that others can perhaps head off danger for their own kids.

I didn't talk about it -ever- until I was an adult- and then only to my sisters. I still have never told the whole story to my parents.

Thanks for listening. Again like I said last night (early this morning?) I don't like to say anything to harm the WDW image,- I worked myself to help build up the 'magic' and perfect Disney image for the Company and I still do every day in my own ways- I still think that it is the best, and safest place in the world to take your kids on vacation.

I honestly believe with my whole heart that other resorts/cruise ships/etc provide much more of an opportunity for people to prey on children because as GP pointed out, there are thousands of good CM's that will keep an eye open and step in if they see anything that looks amiss.

I can't wait to go back to WDW and to take my child again too- but I guess I would have to admit that when I heard they were closing up that little movie theater years back, I was glad.

One last thing I want to add- everyone here who knows me at all knows CM's are still my heroes. And this could just as easily have been a guest that was inappropriate with me.


Bru

[Cranbiz]

Mind you, a few kids have been kidnapped and *taken* to WDW.... I mean, how do you think we keep Small World staffed?

No we don't stock IASW that way, we use the kids that are "accidently" left behind on the bus, monorail, boats and attractions to meet the staffing needs. :D:

[February]

No we don't stock IASW that way, we use the kids that are "accidently" left behind on the bus, monorail, boats and attractions to meet the staffing needs. :D:

You know I heard a bus driver use that line in a speil a few years ago and just about fell out of my seat LOL.

One of my other all time favorites: "Please gather your belongings. . .take all small children firmly by the hair-er, hand. . . lower your head and watch your step. But if you miss the step and hit your head, please, watch your language."

[Shorty82]

A tram conductor on my last trip said: Please lower your head and watch your step as you exit the tram. If you forget to lower your head please watch your language."

[GuestJockey]

One of my other all time favorites: "Please gather your belongings. . .take all small children firmly by the hair-er, hand. . . lower your head and watch your step. But if you miss the step and hit your head, please, watch your language."

That's an old standby from the skips! It ends with "for some reason there are children EVERYWHERE."

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That's an old standby from the skips! It ends with "for some reason there are children EVERYWHERE."

YEAH!! We gotta do something about that!!! (fence in a parking lot, put a bunch of balls in there, like at a certain pizza chain, and throw the kids in!!!)

every once in a while throw in some candy bars and bottles of water!

(parents can reclaim their kids only after 6 hours, and proof they went to a park and had fun!! hehehehe)

[Tara_Lee3]

My mom tells me I've been to Disneyland. I was five at the time so my memories are understandably vague. I remember not being able to ride a roller coaster and riding Dumbo instead. And my clearest memory of the park was a Big Sign with a picture of a train on it.

I couldn't really read, but Mom and Dad stood me in front of this sign and showed me the picture. Then they pointed to the train tracks in the ground and said.

"Now, honey, this sign says there is a train that runs around Disneyland. And It Only Watches Out For Kids. So, unless you want us to get run over by this train, You Have To Stay With Us."

I guess it worked. :p:

Now I'm 25 years old, living on my own, a productive member of society.... *grin* But I still love the Disney parks. It's a running joke between my mom and I. When I see even a picture of Cindy's castle I'll point and say, "hey mom there's my house." Or the pumpkin carriage, "hey mom there's my car."

[February]

You know, I hate to be a downer and I know that this thread has taken a lighthearted upswing again but I just had to say a couple more things before I bow out of it.

First of all- It has nagged at me ever since I read it and I just have to say, I just don't think the joke about abducted children being put to work in IASW is in any way funny. But to each their own, I know.

Secondly, how does someone who is not in law enforcement confirm for a certainty, really, that there has never been an abduction from WDW? Can you say the same about assaults on children, by fellow guests or otherwise? These things often go unreported- as in my experience because I was a kid and nobody talked about these things back then like they do now.

I am not meaning to pick a fight with anyone- but I got to thinking about it and I just wonder how you could really be sure that there aren't sealed court documents or something somewhere. I don't think anyone can.

I've seen too much in my life, I guess, to think that if you called up Orange County or the FBI that they'd be that forthcoming. If I asked them to tell me if there has ever been a documented abduction from WDW how could they say anything but "no." ? If they said yes, would they volunteer location, date, time? Do they volunteer that info about any crimes from purse snatching or what have you that happen on property? Nope! Because there is an image to uphold!

Again, I'm sorry, everybody, but this whole topic really got me down and thinking back again over what happened to me when I was a kid has made it important to me to get the thread back to the topic of kids getting lost and why people need to be sure they know where their kids are at all times.

If I've worn out my SGT welcome with these posts and by asking the above questions, I apologize and I'll go quietly. But this is a topic too close to my own heart to just sit and stew about it. It's not good for my health.

I don't doubt that the question was asked. I just doubt there is even an obligation on the part of law enforcement to be forthcoming with the truth.

Bru