Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4. RESTROOM PROBLEMS
Mom tells 6-year-old Tommy, “I'll be sitting on this bench
when you come out of the restroom.” Three situations: One, Tommy exits through a
different door and becomes disoriented (Mom may not know there is another door).
Two, Mom decides belatedly that she will also use the restroom, and Tommy emerges
to find her absent. Three, Mom pokes around in a shop while keeping an eye on the
bench but misses Tommy when he comes out. A restroom adjacent to the Rancho del
Zocalo Restuarante in Frontierland accounts for many lost children. Because it's loc-
ated in a passageway connecting Frontierland and Fantasy Faire, children can wander
into a totally different area of the park from where they came by simply making a
wrong turn out of the restroom.
If you can't be with your child in the restroom, make sure that there is only one
exit. Designate a meeting spot more distinctive than a bench, and be specific in your
instructions: “I'll meet you by this flagpole. If you get out first, stay right here.” Have
your child repeat the directions back to you.
5. PARADES
There aremanyspecial parades andshowsatthetheme parkduringwhich
the audience stands. Children, because they are small, tend to jockey around for a bet-
ter view. By moving a little this way and a little that way, it is amazing how much
distance kids can put between themselves and you before anyone notices.
6. MASS MOVEMENTS
Another situation to guard against is when huge crowds dis-
perse after shows, fireworks, parades, or at park closing. With 5,000-12,000 people
suddenly moving at once, it is very easy to get separated from a small child or others
in your party. Extra caution is recommended following the evening parades, fire-
works, and
Fantasmic!
Families should develop specific plans for what to do and
where to meet in the event they are separated.
7. CHARACTER GREETINGS
A fair amount of activity and confusion is commonplace
when the Disney characters are on the scene. See the next section on meeting the Dis-
ney characters.
The
DISNEY CHARACTERS
FOR YEARS THE COSTUMED,
walking versions of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and
others have been a colorful supporting cast at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Known unpretentiously as the Disney characters, these large and friendly figures help
provide a link between Disney animated films and the Disney theme parks.
Audiences, it has been observed, cry during the sad parts of Disney animated
films and cheer when the villain is vanquished. To the emotionally invested, the char-
