Parade "Barriers"

[MagicHappens1971]

On my most recent trip, a kid ran ACROSS Main Street DURING the parade, three cast members had to hold her mother back. A) Why would you let your child run across? It looked like she asked her, and after she ran across she asked a CM on how to get back to the other side. B) Why doesn't Disney use gates, ya know like at a concert? It takes too long to clean up? Just wondering... And is there anything else Disney can do to prevent things like this from happening again?

 

[Andrew C]

On my most recent trip, a kid ran ACROSS Main Street DURING the parade, three cast members had to hold her mother back. A) What kind of mother are you? To let your child run across? B) Why doesn't Disney use gates, ya know like at a concert? It takes too long to clean up? Just wondering... And is there anything else Disney can do to prevent things like this from happening again?

What do you mean with "what kind of mother are you?"??

Her kid runs across and she is automatically a bad mother?

 

[MagicHappens1971]

What do you mean with "what kind of mother are you?"??

Her kid runs across and she is automatically a bad mother?

Sorry I worded that wrong and didn't mean to make it sound like that. I just fixed it.

 

[danlb_2000]

On my most recent trip, a kid ran ACROSS Main Street DURING the parade, three cast members had to hold her mother back. A) Why would you let your child run across? It looked like she asked her, and after she ran across she asked a CM on how to get back to the other side. B) Why doesn't Disney use gates, ya know like at a concert? It takes too long to clean up? Just wondering... And is there anything else Disney can do to prevent things like this from happening again?

Yes, I would think setting them up and taking them down would take to much labor. Also, it probably wouldn't stop this sort of thing since parents would inevitably let their kids sit on the top of the barrier. Although a kids running out during a parade isn't a good thing, I would think in most cases it isn't that serious a problem. The parade floats move very slowly and there are always a lot of CM's around, both surrounding the floats in the parade as well as the normal crowd control CM's

 

[MagicHappens1971]

Yes, I would think setting them up and taking them down would take to much labor. Also, it probably wouldn't stop this sort of thing since parents would inevitably let their kids sit on the top of the barrier. Although a kids running out during a parade isn't a good thing, I would think in most cases it isn't that serious a problem. The parade floats move very slowly and there are always a lot of CM's around, both surrounding the floats in the parade as well as the normal crowd control CM's

Thats what I had thought, and yes you are right. I had never seen that before and just was shocked.

 

[Andrew C]

Yeah, that would be a lot of gates to put up...for the entire length of the parade.

That would be a lot of metal!!

 

[Andrew C]

Thats what I had thought, and yes you are right. I had never seen that before and just was shocked.

I have never seen a kid run like that before either. Although I am sure we have all seen fights/arguments between people about their spots on the front row of the parade route.

 

[yedliW]

Maybe they could figure out a way to make retractable gates similar in concept to the bumpers at a bowling alley.. something that can pull up diagonally and lock in, then fold down flat when they are not in use.. it would have to be faster than putting down the scotch tape like they do now..

It may be costly to install, and it would lock in a parade route.. but they could work with it..

 

[wogwog]

If you have ever been to a parade at the MK on a busy day think back at what happens at the end of the parade.
The ropes are quickly removed before everyone charges into the parade path behind the last float to get to a ride, a meal, or out of the park. Any more of a restrictive barrier would create more issues as they would be impossible to remove quickly.

As for the floats, in addition to the CM folks working the ropes Disney has several people walking the parade route trying to blend in and not take away from the parade. Those people have the ability to stop a float instantly and remotely from the driver. Each float is being monitored the entire parade route. So the chance of a stray youngster being hurt is not very likely.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Maybe they could figure out a way to make retractable gates similar in concept to the bumpers at a bowling alley.. something that can pull up diagonally and lock in, then fold down flat when they are not in use.. it would have to be faster than putting down the scotch tape like they do now..

It may be costly to install, and it would lock in a parade route.. but they could work with it..

Or the actual option that they would take... end parades! Everyone knows that you aren't supposed to cross the street during a parade.

Why is it not OK to ask where the parental control was during that episode? Yes, maybe the child bolted and ran across before the parent could stop them, but, really... is it not part of the job of a parent to keep them safe until they have the ability to make wise decisions on their own?

 

[ninjaprincesst]

Or the actual option that they would take... end parades! Everyone knows that you aren't supposed to cross the street during a parade.

Why is it not OK to ask where the parental control was during that episode? Yes, maybe the child bolted and ran across before the parent could stop them, but, really... is it not part of the job of a parent to keep them safe until they have the ability to make wise decisions on their own?

My thoughts exactly plus the fact that the parents see nothing wrong with it. It really doesn't matter how safe or unsafe it is the point is it is a rule and rules should be followed.

 

[Daniel Johnson]

Be kinda cool if they built fences that raised out of the curb....
And I don't think she is necessarily a bad mother. seen way more questionable parenting at the world, some times kids get away. That's why my parents had me on a Lesh when h was a very young boy at wdw. Think what people would say now about that....

 

[Goofyernmost]

Be kinda cool if they built fences that raised out of the curb....
And I don't think she is necessarily a bad mother. seen way more questionable parenting at the world, some times kids get away. That's why my parents had me on a Lesh when h was a very young boy at wdw. Think what people would say now about that....

I guess it would depend on whether or not you consider her a bad mother. If you don't then, frankly, they, do not know what they are talking about. If you do then I guess they have an argument. I had a sister that would take off like a shot in large crowds. My parents had to resort to a leash system otherwise we would have spent all your time looking for her. But, that was their way of protecting her from her bad judgment. It may be awkward to see, but, no more then seeing people walking their dog with a "dog stroller". To me that is beyond weird, but, if that makes them happy, why should I care.

 

[rufio]

I have never seen a kid run like that before either. Although I am sure we have all seen fights/arguments between people about their spots on the front row of the parade route.

I've seen grown men and women run across in the middle of the parade and the CMs just stand there and yell at them and stare. I mean, honestly, what can they do?

 

[Goofyernmost]

I've seen grown men and women run across in the middle of the parade and the CMs just stand there and yell at them and stare. I mean, honestly, what can they do?

The CM's cannot do anything if an Adult runs across the street during a parade. (Maybe visit them in the hospital after a float runs over them, but, not much else!) However, we were talking about someone's child doing that and I am quite sure that there would have been multiple things that I, as a parent, could have done to be sure that didn't happen.

 

[rufio]

The CM's cannot do anything if an Adult runs across the street during a parade. (Maybe visit them in the hospital after a float runs over them, but, not much else!) However, we were talking about someone's child doing that and I am quite sure that there would have been multiple things that I, as a parent, could have done to be sure that didn't happen.

Oh, I definitely agree with you! I was just pointing out that, as ridiculous as it is for a child to do this... they're children! For an adult to behave this way is inexcusable and just seeing the looks of awe on the CM's faces was confirmation of how bizarre it was!

 

[Mouse_Trap]

Without witnessing it, there's not always much you can do to stop a kid running across.

Honestly with the sensory overload for kids, I'm just surprised it doesn't happen more often. Especially when you consider some parades have actually had stops and had the kids come out and interact with them.

I would think that the livelihood for a serious injury to occur is almost zero, the floats move so slowly and can stop on a dime if necessary. Plus there are loads of people watching out.
Having actual barriers would be completely overkill and disproportionate to the risks. They would end up causing more injuries from people falling off them, crushes against them etc. At least with the rope, if it gets too overcrowded people can easily overspill it.

Not to mention how much longer it would take to put them up and down each day, not to mention someone has to carry them to the location....that would be fun in a crowded park. Think of a marathon etc, they normally have to install them at least the night before.

 

[rickdrat]

As a lifelong resident of New Orleans, I know a thing or two about parade barricades (think Mardi Gras). During the season we deal with far larger crowds than Disney ever will so the large, interlocking metal barricades employed here are essential for crowd control. While effective at keeping people at bay, it takes a large number of strong individuals to assemble/disassemble and store them in large batches temporarily on the side of the road. They're not put into permanent storage until Mardi Gras is over for that very reason. It would be a major traffic inhibitor to have Disney follow a parade with flatbed trucks and forklifts just to pick up the barricades and then bring them out a few hours later all over again.

 

[NYwdwfan]

Maybe the next generation of magicbands will be shock bracelets and there will be invisible parade fences embedded in the pavement.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Maybe the next generation of magicbands will be shock bracelets and there will be invisible parade fences embedded in the pavement.

Great idea, the masking tape and rope idea isnt much of a deterrent is it?