Dear Parents ...

[Cheshire Figment]

Who was it again who said: "There may not be much adult in most children, but there is certainly a child in every adult"?

In 1982, Dr. L.L. Ware, one of the co-founders of Mensa, while addressing the American Mensa Annual Convention, stated: "All Mensans are gifted children, it is just that some have aged chronologically" (and that quote has stuck with me ever since I heard him say it).

[hobie16]

Stay crazy, stay young.
---hobie1616

[Disneyguy85]

Stay crazy, stay young.
---hobie1616

Well said!

[BRWombat]

Mark Cuban: "Today is the youngest you'll be for the rest of your life. Act like it!"

[hobie16]

Mark Cuban: "Today is the youngest you'll be for the rest of your life. Act like it!"

Mark lives up to those words every day. He's fun to watch.

[Mayonnaise]

The way I see it, deliberately making the adult choice to suspend disbelief despite foreknowledge of the unreality of the environment inside a Disney Park is one way for grown folk to show respect for the people who work there. The characters are part of a fully interactive theatrical experience (hence calling guest areas "on stage",) and to treat them as anything other than what they purport to be, is to throw that effort back in their face.

Goofyernmost are you really purporting that adults should be barred from waiting on line to meet characters unless no children are waiting behind them? If you start on this, where do you stop it? Should adults without children also be barred from riding Dumbo unless there are no children? Should parties without children be barred from reserving tables for character dining?

8^S

[Goofyernmost]

Goofyernmost are you really purporting that adults should be barred from waiting on line to meet characters unless no children are waiting behind them? If you start on this, where do you stop it? Should adults without children also be barred from riding Dumbo unless there are no children? Should parties without children be barred from reserving tables for character dining?

8^S

Of course not...what I am saying is that in spite of the fact that we all release our inner child when in a Disney Park doesn't mean that we should put our own child like desires ahead of an actual child. We should be able to remain adult enough to set priorities and be kind and feeling enough to know when to be an adult and when not too. Strictly voluntary. One cannot legislate maturity.

[lovethemouse]

We should be able to remain adult enough to set priorities and be kind and feeling enough to know when to be an adult and when not too. Strictly voluntary. One cannot legislate maturity.

Well said, I have seen adults block childrens views of parades (how many six foot tall people can't see over a three foot tall kid?) and even tell people in wheelchairs that they have their own "special" seating for parades so move it! It is disgusting. Prior to having kids of my own I always made way for a child, and I always make room for handicapped people (what kind of person does not?)
This is one gripe I do have with CM's, they never want to get involved, in December after a big burly guy nudged me and DD out of our spots for viewing the parade we were behind the rope. The CM had been within feet of this whole episode, when I spoke to the guy and he pretty much said too bad he is bigger then me and then went to the CM they just shrugged. Needless to say we couldn't see the parade! And the same CM told me to move along because I was behind the rope, go figure! Mind you this man had no children with him, just a grown woman.
I wish people were on better behavior at WDW! It is hard to tell my young children about proper behavior when they see adults act like such idiots!

[turkeyham]

When Marvin and I went to see the showboat show on Rivers of America around Christmas time, we did have plenty of room and let a bunch of kids in front of us. The mom was a happy camper because she had SG cutting in front of her kids. All 4 of them were in front of us. ;)

[Zazu]

...what I am saying is that in spite of the fact that we all release our inner child when in a Disney Park doesn't mean that we should put our own child like desires ahead of an actual child. We should be able to remain adult enough to set priorities and be kind and feeling enough to know when to be an adult and when not too. Strictly voluntary. One cannot legislate maturity.

Did you just call me immature for patiently waiting my turn to visit with Mickey?

Are you suggesting it's only okay for me to be myself when there are no children present?

If so, this sounds like a good argument for banning children from each park one day a week so we "mature adults" can have a chance to enjoy the park and characters. Is that also something you advocate?

If I can't enjoy all of the attractions and characters a park has to offer simply because I'm too old, shouldn't I qualify for a discount?

I'm having real trouble figuring out how to reconcile your philosophy and childless adults having any reason to visit the park at all!