Cement May Contain Peanuts!!!

[rotlex]

original thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2937043

Thanks for that link! LOL, I was just looking for it after listening to the show. Have to read through it, and attempt to refrain from offending anyone. I must admit, I love Pete's rant on this.

 

[disneydad78]

Love this podcast,,,, CONCRETE MAY ARE MAY NOT CONTAIN PEANUTS!!!

"YOUR child is not allergic to the look of peanuts, your not allergic to make believe peanuts"

Come on people GET A LIFE, people will complain about everything.

LOL " The idea of peanuts will not send your child into shock!"

" and slap everyone of them " OMG



I was crying laughing, thanks Pete!!!! I understand buddy , I understand.

I know its not a joke for those with this allergy. My sons best friend is allergic to peanuts.
BBBBUUUUTTT I can just see people jumping around not wanting to touch the cement peanuts in MK.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Thanks for that link! LOL, I was just looking for it after listening to the show. Have to read through it, and attempt to refrain from offending anyone. I must admit, I love Pete's rant on this.

I understand what you mean...completely!! I love a good rant and this one had me cracking up! I often wonder what other drivers must think when they see me practically in tears from being doubled over in laughter!

 

[steve76]

OK, so I realise I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but this is my opinion:

Peanut allergies can be lethal. If you are the parent of a small child with a peanut allergy, then I would imagine that you teach that child of the dangers of peanuts, and to avoid them at all costs. So, a small child sees peanuts in the ground in Fantasyland and - quite wisely - recognises that they are to be avoided. A small child doesn't know that they are probably fake - why would he/she? Isn't everything in WDW made to look real to children? The child's reaction is completely sensible and rational, and may well save his/her life one day.

Even as an adult, who's trained yourself to look for peanuts in unusual places, you may think logically that they are fake, but would you be willing to bet your child's well-being - maybe even life - on it? If not, then what do you do? You find out by asking a cast member, or calling Disney. You can then be reassured, and in turn reassure the child that those particular peanuts are make-believe and that they can enjoy Fantasyland.

All of which is a logical and reasonable response for people that are in a unique situation. No-one in that thread was "up in arms" about having peanut details in the concrete. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a parent of a child with a peanut allergy; I do not pretend to know what they're going through. But if I was in that position, I think I would probably be devastated to be mocked for those actions.

 

[WebmasterMike]

 

[SamIAm21]

With as conscientious as Disney is about their menus and how accomodating they are in their menu choices for people with allergies, gluten issues, vegetarians, vegans, etc., why would anyone think that Disney would purposely put down real peanuts in the walkway at the Magic Kingdom? Do you think Imagineers are morons? Do you think they just had a tragic brain lapse and weren't aware that peanuts are dangerous to some people out there? Honestly, common sense has really gone out the window with this latest round of griping.

I've never known another company as focused on healthy choices and making everyone who enters their park feel at ease regarding each individual allergy or dietary need.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I was truly hoping that this would not turn into a debate thread, more so as one chuckling at the humor in this particular episode of the podcast.

I'd like to weigh in on the serious side to this topic. As a teacher in a school which is very conscientious about food allergies, I think that some individuals can become hypersensitive about what should and should not be done. Both on the door to and inside my classroom there is a large sign stating "This is a peanut-free classroom." With the exception of a holiday party in December, all celebrations typically involving food have been erased due to food allergy concerns (not my decision). Items served at the holiday party are scrutinized before being bought and served to the children. Similarly, there are "peanut-free" tables and the like in the cafeteria. On field trips, a nurse is brought along in case an issue arises. I have been emergency and epi-pen trained. Therefore, I'm comfortable saying that I am aware of the allergy, what to be done in an emergency, and the like.

With this being said, I don't think Disney did anything wrong here. I'm not sure how anyone could believe that the "peanuts" are real. In fact, I think it's a good learning tool for those children with the allergy. I would hate for a child to grow up thinking he would not see jars of peanut butter or bags of peanuts in Target or the local grocery store and, if he did, to feel it was necessary to overreact. Dumbo ate peanuts and this area is themed to the movie. I think it's a lovely touch.

 

[steve76]

I don't think Disney did anything wrong here either. It's a nice touch.

My point is that I do not think it is right to bully and publicly mock those parents who are dealing with this and who might have thought twice.

How often do we hear that we should be more considerate to people using wheelchairs and ECVs in the park, and that we should not criticise until we've been in their situation. But apparently this does not apply to other disabilities - apparently it's OK to mock them and bully them. Dressing it up as 'humour' doesn't negate it. There's enough nastiness in the world already.

 

[OllieDannyandMe]

I was truly hoping that this would not turn into a debate thread, more so as one chuckling at the humor in this particular episode of the podcast.

I'd like to weigh in on the serious side to this topic. As a teacher in a school which is very conscientious about food allergies, I think that some individuals can become hypersensitive about what should and should not be done. Both on the door to and inside my classroom there is a large sign stating "This is a peanut-free classroom." With the exception of a holiday party in December, all celebrations typically involving food have been erased due to food allergy concerns (not my decision). Items served at the holiday party are scrutinized before being bought and served to the children. Similarly, there are "peanut-free" tables and the like in the cafeteria. On field trips, a nurse is brought along in case an issue arises. I have been emergency and epi-pen trained. Therefore, I'm comfortable saying that I am aware of the allergy, what to be done in an emergency, and the like.

With this being said, I don't think Disney did anything wrong here. I'm not sure how anyone could believe that the "peanuts" are real. In fact, I think it's a good learning tool for those children with the allergy. I would hate for a child to grow up thinking he would not see jars of peanut butter or bags of peanuts in Target or the local grocery store and, if he did, to feel it was necessary to overreact. Dumbo ate peanuts and this area is themed to the movie. I think it's a lovely touch.

I agree. This year, a few miles from my home, a 7 year old girl died while she was at school because of a peanut allergy.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesFood/allergic-girl-died-school-peanut-child/story?id=15341841

I can understand parents of young children with severe allergies teaching their children to avoid all peanuts. I would do the same if my daughter had an allergy. It is scary! But this is a good learning tool. It's an opportunity for parents to discuss the situation further with their children. Disney did not do anything wrong.

 

[darrengs]

John ruined my magic, I am not riding in a hollowed out elephant carcass? Now I am upset!

 

[gigi1313]

OK, so I realise I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but this is my opinion:

Peanut allergies can be lethal. If you are the parent of a small child with a peanut allergy, then I would imagine that you teach that child of the dangers of peanuts, and to avoid them at all costs. So, a small child sees peanuts in the ground in Fantasyland and - quite wisely - recognises that they are to be avoided. A small child doesn't know that they are probably fake - why would he/she? Isn't everything in WDW made to look real to children? The child's reaction is completely sensible and rational, and may well save his/her life one day.

Even as an adult, who's trained yourself to look for peanuts in unusual places, you may think logically that they are fake, but would you be willing to bet your child's well-being - maybe even life - on it? If not, then what do you do? You find out by asking a cast member, or calling Disney. You can then be reassured, and in turn reassure the child that those particular peanuts are make-believe and that they can enjoy Fantasyland.

All of which is a logical and reasonable response for people that are in a unique situation. No-one in that thread was "up in arms" about having peanut details in the concrete. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be a parent of a child with a peanut allergy; I do not pretend to know what they're going through. But if I was in that position, I think I would probably be devastated to be mocked for those actions.

Thank you! ~parent of two peanut allergic boys (one of whom is 4yo and did not want to take a chance walking on fake peanuts, but once reassured by a non-overreactive parent, not only trod over them, but enjoyed dumbos ride!)

 

[danaw11]

I don't think Disney did anything wrong here either. It's a nice touch.

My point is that I do not think it is right to bully and publicly mock those parents who are dealing with this and who might have thought twice.

How often do we hear that we should be more considerate to people using wheelchairs and ECVs in the park, and that we should not criticise until we've been in their situation. But apparently this does not apply to other disabilities - apparently it's OK to mock them and bully them. Dressing it up as 'humour' doesn't negate it. There's enough nastiness in the world already.

Thumbs up! Thanks for at least trying to put yourself in someone else's shoes instead of instantly mocking.

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

Does anybody have a photo of the space we're talking about?

 

[DisneyKevin]

How often do we hear that we should be more considerate to people using wheelchairs and ECVs in the park, and that we should not criticise until we've been in their situation. But apparently this does not apply to other disabilities - apparently it's OK to mock them and bully them. Dressing it up as 'humour' doesn't negate it. There's enough nastiness in the world already.

While I have agreed with most of what you said, I don't agree with this.

Comparing someone who spends life confined to a wheelchair, to someone that reacted to a cement peanut seems far-fetched.

I also feel that we have recently seen the degradation of the word "bully". People are finally starting to speak to the real and serious issue of bullying and the results that can come of it.

Disney does a great job of dealing with folks needing help with accessibility as well as folks with food allergies. No one is taking anything away from that.

As for wrapping this in humor....I think we could all take ourselves a bit less seriously and laugh at our foibles. If anyone has reacted or over-reacted to cement peanuts....I think we could all take a step back and laugh.

Please do not insinuate from what I have said, that I think peanut allergies (or any other potentially lethal allergy) are humorous. I don't.

Had Disney spread real peanut shells around the Dumbo ride, I would think that guests have every right to be worried, but, as these were actually imbedded in the cement (so guests don't trip over cement peanuts), in hindsight...it's kinda funny.

 

[mdvlprof]

Get a life, people. Kids shouldn't spend whole life in a bubble.

It's Dumbo..Circus elephants eat peanuts. Peanuts fit with the theme. If they're cement peanuts, does away with allergy threat.

 

[safetymom]

You can see the peanuts are very subtle in the theming.

Here is some of the other theming in the cement.

 

[DisneyKevin]

The footprints aren't real either.

 

[darrengs]

The footprints aren't real either.

Whhaaattt, now I've heard everything.

 

[kuzco-like]

I understand that food allergies are deadly serious. I understand that those who are allergic must be careful to steer clear of the allergens that are dangerous to them. But I have to wonder where this is going? In my home town, Vancouver, someone is trying to get peanuts in the shell banned from stadiums and sports events because she is allergic. I do empathize with her. It must be terribly confining to be that allergic. But how can she ask everyone to change to accommodate her? Is that reasonable?

 

[Mousemom234]

Not taking sides, just offering a suggestion. I can understand that this might be a cause for major concern, based on what I've learned about peanut allergies. I might have called, too, just to make sure, if it was an issue for my family.

If a child on your trip would be freaked out by the cement peanuts, to the point of terror, then it's a serious concern to you and to them.
What I might say to reassure them is something like, "Those peanuts belong to Dumbo - they can't hurt you. They were made especially for him."