[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I’m going to disagree, even if I only have a crap argument based on how I feel. Though, first, I'd like to say that your post was really well written and thoughtful and very likely you've weighed in here far better than I'm about to.

If you're in a seated theater, and the people in the front decide to stand up at a concert, it kind of sucks. There are seats. They should sit so you can all sit and enjoy the music. But rather than start a war over it, the people in the back should stand, because shouting, "Sit down up front!" usually just pisses off the musician when he’s in the middle of a quiet piano ballad. Believe me, I experienced this first hand, and it sucked to have my one and only Nick Cave experience spoiled by a bunch of lazy asses sitting around me. If you can’t stand up for Nick Cave, who can you stand up for?! Not everyone can be happy.

I realize there are a lot of adults who love Disneyland. I love the park, too. But I still think of it first and foremost as a place for kids. I understand that putting a kid on someone's shoulders may block the view of other adults and kids, but I don't think they should make a park rule about it.

Also, I don't have kids, so I'm not just thinking about me and mine. It's not like kids at the park - or their parents - don't ever got on my nerves, because I do no have nerves of steel and can easily become annoyed. But at a place like Disneyland, I simply find something to distract me from my annoyance, because I do think it should be more about families and kids than me, a 28 year old girl. Now, is it cool for a kid to pull a temper tantrum and for the parents to turn a blind eye to their child's poor behavior? No. Is it cool to disregard the enjoyment of a 28 year old girl...woman...whatever...just because she's seemingly an adult? No. But I'm not sure what the solution is, so that's why I choose to move myself along to a place where there isn't a kid throwing a tantrum.

I like to imagine the Dad putting his son up on his shoulders is at the park once a year, or once every few years, or only there that one time. And since I live in L.A., I’m not gonna begrudge them that moment. There are a lot of annual pass holders here who can see the park numerous times a year. I realize some of you only get to come down once a year, as well, but you can always move, find a better spot. Be a grown up about it. I can’t understand staring daggers in the back of some dad or mom’s head over it.

I didn’t really get the stroller griping, either. Of course strollers and wheelchairs should be allowed in the park. Maybe some people abuse this; kid too old, injury faked, and maybe some people could be more careful when driving them around, but on the whole, they belong in the park, even if they can be an inconvenience to other park goers. Work around them. Happiest place on earth! Improvise. Leave them a wide berth.

Or, in the case of Kid on Shoulders, find another spot.

Because, like I said, the park might be for the kids in us all, but at its core I really think it’s a place for actual kids. Plus, those fireworks are in the sky. Sure, your view of a parade may be unfairly blocked, but if you’re having trouble seeing the sky where you are, I suggest finding higher ground.

I understand some arguments that the parents are only thinking of themselves and their own child’s happiness. But when I see a parent and kid in preparation stance for a chicken fight, I think of them and their happiness, too.

Perhaps it would be more polite for the parent to check his or her surroundings and then ask, “Hey, does anyone mind if little Suzie sits on my shoulders for a few minutes? She can’t see. I won’t keep her up there the entire time, but it would really mean a lot to us if she could get a clear view for a moment.” Yeah, catch you flies with a widdle bit of honey.

If the Dad were asking me, and he were Southern, he could toss in a little ‘Darlin’, and I’d probably offer to let them both perch atop my shoulders.

Man, I love it when Southerners say ‘Darlin’’.