Whiny Tourist

Yesterday I received an email from MoveOn.org. That isn’t so unusual. Sometimes I’m inspired to sign the petitions; other times I’m not. But the petition in this email was ridiculous! At least MoveOn.org sent it out to get feedback on whether the group should sponsor the petition, which had been submitted on the group’s public website. Here is the issue at hand, aimed at Walt Disney World [WDW]:

“While visiting the Florida theme parks with my family I was appalled to learn that WDW's policy for their attractions is such: 
If a person does not meet the height requirement for an attraction they are not allowed to stand in the queue for that attraction. This includes any aged child. 
The problem with this restrictive policy is that parents are now forced to be separated from their children. 

Example situations: 
A grandparent takes a 4 year old and a 7 year old to an attraction at the Magic Kingdom. The 4 year old is not tall enough to ride but the 7 year old is. The grandparent now has to stay outside the attraction with the younger child and the older child is forced to wait in the line alone or not ride at all. 

A mom and dad with a 1 year old would like to use the "Child Swap" option at an attraction. The 1 year old is not allowed to be in the queue. The parents must now wait separately. One in line alone, one out side the attraction with the baby. 

It is unfair to ask children to be separated from their families. 
It is unfair to ask families to be separated from one another. 

Walt Disney World, Please reconsider this restrictive policy that puts families in compromised situations!”

Okay, so first of all, I don’t see how this policy “puts families in compromised situations!” Secondly, when you have kids who are different ages, you have to make accommodations! Is this a surprise? One parent takes the bigger kid on the bigger rides, or everyone goes on the smaller rides. Isn’t this how it’s always been? I know that’s how I did it, and most of the time I was the only parent there. I think this mom needs to shut up. (And I’m not assuming it’s a mom; her name was in the email, but I didn’t include it here.) This family should be glad to spend time together on a nice vacation – if your idea of a nice vacation is a jam-packed, over-priced theme park – and grateful to be able to afford it instead of expecting the park to change its rules to allow this family to maximize its time.

I didn’t say all of that when I checked the box for “No, MoveOn.org should not support this position.” Here’s what I did say: “When so many in our country are fighting for equality, healthcare, jobs, shelter, and issues that truly have life or death consequences, to support a "family's right to stay together in line" while on vacation would substantially undermine the integrity and credibility of MoveOn.org. Perhaps I should start petitions to have a Macy's open in Jacksonville and to have my local Publix expand its selection of gluten-free food options.”

Some days I don’t even have to try to come up with a topic for my blog.