Kids on Walt's statue

[Disvillain63]

I think the big issue here is not really an iPad or phone, tablet, etc. It is about distracted parents who care more about what they are doing on their device. I recently took a social media and society course. We were tasked with taking a social media diet and writing about our experience. This is my post. Please take in in the "somewhat" toungue and cheek manner I intended:

This week we were challenged to give up social media for 48 hours. The challenge may have been difficult for some of you, since using social media has become such a vital part of communicating in our society, but for me, it was not difficult at all! Why? I don't use it; no Facebook, Twitter (I have an account but don't use it), Instagram, or Pinterest....and....no...wait for it.....CELL PHONE.

At this point you must be thinking you are attending class with a dinosaur; not really but maybe just a little bit. I am in my early 40s which is now the main demographic of Facebook users. I have tried each of these social media platforms and I just don’t see the appeal.

Now, why might I be construed as a dinosaur? Is it because I am older, crotchety, or just plain judgmental? People, you are not oh so important that we need to know every little thing you do or think in an update! You don't need to be "in contact" every second of every day. My generation, and those before me, lived without being in constant communication and we survived. One of my sons will be 20 in a month and he survives without a cell phone by choice. It can be done, honestly.

Ask yourself these questions: What are you missing by constantly staring at a screen or talking into a device? Who are you ignoring? Really think about it for a minute. I will wait.... Done?

Consider this....

I spent a wonderful week in October at Disney World. My happy place but something there this time made me incredibly sad. I witnessed so many young children crying, screaming and generally acting like little brats that perhaps needed a good old spanking (before you rip my head off I know spanking has fallen out of fashion). I then decided to look at the parents (did I mention judgmental?). I saw so many parents talking, texting or doing goodness knows what on their fancy little devices that these poor children were just trying to get a little attention. I wanted to scream "Hello parents, you are at Disney World get off your @#$% phones and spend some time with your little ones. Before you know it they will be adults." These little children are not to blame for trying to get some attention. I lay the blame squarely on the parents. Unfortunately, I see this scenario played out far too often. Pay attention next time you are at a mall and you will see it too.

I am not saying never participate in social media as it can be used for good purposes. Families and friends that live far away can stay in contact easier and it is entertainment after all. Personally, I scrapbook for entertainment (yep, maybe a little bit old).

Unfortunately, this behavior by the parents has permeated the schools too. We have parents attend conferences and PTO meetings, but interrupt the meeting(s) to take a call, answer a text, or check one of their social media accounts. When attending their child's performances or ball games, their heads are buried inntheir devices. Kids know when you're not paying attention, and they will choose that time to act out or even do their finest work...parents need to pay attention to their kids, they're missing a lot.

 

[BigTxEars]

Snipers in the castle would have prevented this.

 

[Mr Anderson]

I think the big issue here is not really an iPad or phone, tablet, etc. It is about distracted parents who care more about what they are doing on their device. I recently took a social media and society course. We were tasked with taking a social media diet and writing about our experience. This is my post. Please take in in the "somewhat" toungue and cheek manner I intended:

This week we were challenged to give up social media for 48 hours. The challenge may have been difficult for some of you, since using social media has become such a vital part of communicating in our society, but for me, it was not difficult at all! Why? I don't use it; no Facebook, Twitter (I have an account but don't use it), Instagram, or Pinterest....and....no...wait for it.....CELL PHONE.

At this point you must be thinking you are attending class with a dinosaur; not really but maybe just a little bit. I am in my early 40s which is now the main demographic of Facebook users. I have tried each of these social media platforms and I just don’t see the appeal.

Now, why might I be construed as a dinosaur? Is it because I am older, crotchety, or just plain judgmental? People, you are not oh so important that we need to know every little thing you do or think in an update! You don't need to be "in contact" every second of every day. My generation, and those before me, lived without being in constant communication and we survived. One of my sons will be 20 in a month and he survives without a cell phone by choice. It can be done, honestly.

Ask yourself these questions: What are you missing by constantly staring at a screen or talking into a device? Who are you ignoring? Really think about it for a minute. I will wait.... Done?

Consider this....

I spent a wonderful week in October at Disney World. My happy place but something there this time made me incredibly sad. I witnessed so many young children crying, screaming and generally acting like little brats that perhaps needed a good old spanking (before you rip my head off I know spanking has fallen out of fashion). I then decided to look at the parents (did I mention judgmental?). I saw so many parents talking, texting or doing goodness knows what on their fancy little devices that these poor children were just trying to get a little attention. I wanted to scream "Hello parents, you are at Disney World get off your @#$% phones and spend some time with your little ones. Before you know it they will be adults." These little children are not to blame for trying to get some attention. I lay the blame squarely on the parents. Unfortunately, I see this scenario played out far too often. Pay attention next time you are at a mall and you will see it too.

I am not saying never participate in social media as it can be used for good purposes. Families and friends that live far away can stay in contact easier and it is entertainment after all. Personally, I scrapbook for entertainment (yep, maybe a little bit old).

Oh, the parents are absolutely to blame; I'm not arguing that at all. Horrible failure on their part for allowing their kids to climb up on the bench, up over the rail, and tromp all over the grass and floral arrangements to get up to the Founders statue to sit there. They're probably some of those trashy "We paid so-and-so-thousand dollars to be here, that means we get to do whatever we want, screw the rules and/or common sense" kind of folk. Some of us were just also having fun at their expense for recording/taking pics of fireworks with iPads, that's all.

And yes, I've seen the same thing. I'm totally with you on the whole thing about parents needing to pay their kids more attention. Whether it's being distracted with an iPad, their phone, or other things in their life being more important than their kid, it's just pathetic to see it happen. On our last trip, I saw this family of 6 or 7 walking together, enjoying the sights, leaving this young girl of 2-3 or so tailing behind, walking alone, easily 50-75 feet (if not more) behind the rest of her family. I commented to my wife how easily someone could kidnap the girl and the family would never even know about it until it was too late. I then ran ahead and said "Hey, is that your daughter?" to the group. They looked at me befuddled, and I then realized there was a language barrier. I thought I'd heard them speaking Spanish, so I said "Ummm... su nina?" and pointed at the little girl. Their response disgusted me... one of them turned around, and yelled something at the young girl (my Spanish is a little weak, but I think it was "Hey hurry up" or something of the sort), then whistled at her, and kept walking at the same pace... none of them even went back to get her, or slowed their pace. Eventually, she caught up, no thanks to them.

Some people.

 

[slappy magoo]

My favorite are people who hold up iPads and cell phones during fireworks. To make it worse, they are taking pictures WITH the flash. Do you really think that flash is doing anything for an object that far away? Do you really need awful amateur pictures and/or video of fireworks or Fantasmic?

Things to remember for all you people

1) Your fireworks pictures will come out terrible
2) Your fireworks video will come out terrible
3) You are missing the show trying to take terrible pictures and video that you'll never look at again anyway
4) You are annoying me
5) It's called youtube.com if you want a video of Wishes or Fantasmic and it will be 100% better than your own.

I get the distinct impression many people take video with an ipad because they think hey, bigger screen, better picture, right?

 

[Fox&Hound]

My favorite are people who hold up iPads and cell phones during fireworks. To make it worse, they are taking pictures WITH the flash. Do you really think that flash is doing anything for an object that far away? Do you really need awful amateur pictures and/or video of fireworks or Fantasmic?

Things to remember for all you people

1) Your fireworks pictures will come out terrible
2) Your fireworks video will come out terrible
3) You are missing the show trying to take terrible pictures and video that you'll never look at again anyway
4) You are annoying me
5) It's called youtube.com if you want a video of Wishes or Fantasmic and it will be 100% better than your own.

Haha- and I always wonder: what do people do with the pictures of fireworks? I mean, really. It's the same thing when people go to the zoo and take thousands of pictures of a giraffe. I mean, maybe take pictures of your family instead??? But, to each their own. But not with an ipad, I agree...tacky.

As far as this original statue picture and landscape trampling, there is only one word: trifling.

 

[EOD K9]

That's how it starts. Then, the kids are playing rap music about how tucking in your shirt is for fools, and then they're not waiting an hour after eating before swimming, and then ANARCHY.

Dogs and cats... living together....mass hysteria!!

 

[EOD K9]

They are a useful tool when used correctly.

If used only for good and never for evil.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I get the distinct impression many people take video with an ipad because they think hey, bigger screen, better picture, right?

Lol, never thought about that, but I think you're right.

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

Not even remotely cool......a fence generally means to keep people out.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Yeah, they are OK for basic email, reminders, calendar, etc, but my phone can do all that. If I need an actual computer, the iPad doesn't meet my needs at all. I'm a financial analyst though.

I would never take my iPad in a park, not that I even want to go in a park at all. I will say this, browsing/reading on my iPhone along with getting older has killed my eye sight. I cannot see very well to read on the tiny iPhone screen anymore. This has been a fast progression over the last maybe 3 or so years. Bash all you like...and yeah, I fall into the "for old people" category now that I'm 40, I suppose. But I can sit comfortably on my sofa or lay in bed and actually see what I'm reading on my iPad. I still have my iPhone and my 4 yro MacBook Pro still runs as good as the day I got her. I've had better service from my Apple devices then I ever did any others I've owned. Is the iPad expensive? I suppose but there's a lot of value to me in having something that I know will work and I can have full-service support with at no additional cost.

Laugh at the old folks....I know I did. Someday you'll be here, too.


As to the pic in question, WTH?! Just WTH?! And people see nothing wrong with that?! Really?! I have no words. I imagine this is another of those things my 16 & 18 yro boys would look at, shake their heads in disbelief, then chuckle as they try to imagine the swiftness of their demise had they ever tried something like that.

People will do what they can get away with. If Disney decided they didn't want their guests acting like flippin' animals and actually did something proactive to enforce some standards then people wouldn't do that crap.

 

[FettFan]

I would never take my iPad in a park, not that I even want to go in a park at all.

I don't see a reason WHY anyone would need one in the park to begin with. I actually brought a book with me into the park....The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World. My plan was to act as a bit of a tour guide, pointing out all of the neat little gems to my family while we were moving around the park.

But...I wound up actually forgetting I even had the book with me. It stayed shoved in my backpack the entire time. Wound up ruining a few pages because I tossed a sweating water bottle on it.

So I just let it dry out, memorized a few nice tidbits, and left it at the hotel for bedtime reading.

 

[Susan Savia]

Well I DO carry an IPad mini in my shoulder bag into the parks. I DO NOT hold it up over my head to take pictures like everyone does with their cameras. I remember at our first Osbourne Lights viewing a couple years ago standing and waiting for it to begin. When it did begin, a sea of arms went high into the air to take pictures. I had to step onto the curb to the side to see. I do not have a camera as the picture screen is too small for me to see clearly and so my mini is great for me. I've been knocked into so many times from folks walking along looking down at their devices and not where their going. Regarding the picture....if the parents don't respect personal property, the kids won't either.

 

[EpcoTim]

Well I DO carry an IPad mini in my shoulder bag into the parks. I DO NOT hold it up over my head to take pictures like everyone does with their cameras...........................I do not have a camera as the picture screen is too small for me to see clearly and so my mini is great for me.

So you do or don't use your ipad as a camera?

 

[WondersOfLife]

Some people just don't think it's a big deal. People disrespect the statue because they just simply think it's a statue. Gate or not. It's no the same for us as when we walk into Disney and think all these little things should never be even touched or messed with by park guests. But to most park guests, they come in to Disney World the same way they would come into six flags, carowinds, or any other theme park. There's always gonna be park guests that don't respect property/history. d:

Do I approve of this? Absolutely not. I can't stand this. Did cast members know they were doing this? Perhaps it just wasn't caught yet.

 

[Mr Anderson]

As to the pic in question, WTH?! Just WTH?! And people see nothing wrong with that?! Really?! I have no words. I imagine this is another of those things my 16 & 18 yro boys would look at, shake their heads in disbelief, then chuckle as they try to imagine the swiftness of their demise had they ever tried something like that.

YES! THANK you! How anyone doesn't see something wrong with that picture is beyond me. I am glad your boys know better.

 

[dadddio]

YES! THANK you! How anyone doesn't see something wrong with that picture is beyond me. I am glad your boys know better.

I don't think that anyone is actually taking the position that it is OK to jump a fence and walk through the flowerbed. Rather, I think that the thread title primed everyone for something much worse.

 

[Mr Anderson]

I don't think that anyone is actually taking the position that it is OK to jump a fence and walk through the flowerbed. Rather, I think that the thread title primed everyone for something much worse.

Well, there were a couple of people, at least one I know of, that have now deleted their posts that had counter-arguments saying it wasn't that big of a deal. One guy said it was "trifling".

 

[Tomi-Rocket]

But don't you understand? Their kids WANTED to do that and with today's parents that supersedes rules, manners, respect, and common decency. Plus, don't forget they paid a lot of money for their vacation and, of course, that means they should get to do WHATEVER they want, despite rules, manners, respect, and common decency.

 

[Mr Anderson]

"Finish your dinner, young lady, or else daddy is going to put on After Earth."

Sheesh, talk about child abuse.

 

[Mr Anderson]

They're probably some of those trashy "We paid so-and-so-thousand dollars to be here, that means we get to do whatever we want, screw the rules and/or common sense" kind of folk.

But don't you understand? Their kids WANTED to do that and with today's parents that supersedes rules, manners, respect, and common decency. Plus, don't forget they paid a lot of money for their vacation and, of course, that means they should get to do WHATEVER they want, despite rules, manners, respect, and common decency.

Methinks we see eye to eye, @Tomi-Rocket ! Cheers, mate!