Family Faces Backlash Over This Dangerous Disney Hack
A family shared a Disney Park 'hack' on TikTok that caused outrage among parents. Here we explain the viral hack, why it's dangerous, and how the backlash began.Fact checked by Sarah ScottFact checked by Sarah ScottWe love Disney parks probably more than the next family. For our middle child's first birthday, we took a family trip to a Disney amusement park and have been back multiple time each year since.That's why when I came across the viral TikTok Disney "hack" from the Kelly family, I was intrigued. As the administrator of a very large Disney group online, I have seen all the ways in which people will attempt to bend the rules to get what they want at the parks. I'll be the first to admit, for a wildly expensive vacation, I can't say I blame people for wanting to stretch their dollar as far as possible. On the other hand, I have never seen a Disney "hack" as irresponsible or dangerous as the one that's been going around on TikTok.Here's everything you need to know about this dangerous work-around, why it's irresponsible, and the backlash the family faced after it went viral.
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The Viral Disney Hack, ExplainedHere's how it all started. In the original video, the family explained how their youngest son, Kannon, is a thrill seeker and loves getting on rides at amusement parks. But he doesn't quite meet the height requirements for some of the more adventurous rides. So, the family took matters into their own hands.The video shows the parents shopping for and purchasing a platform shoe for their son. Then, with the help of some flip flops and gorilla glue, they add additional layers to the bottom of the shoe to make a higher platform to help their son "meet" the height requirements for the ride.Why This Hack Is DangerousThe height requirements put into place for rides are not negotiable. According to Rides Database, there's evidence that children who don't meet the height requirements are at higher risk for injury, including falls and ejections from moving rides. There's endless amount of testing that goes into a ride before guests are allowed to experience them and the height restrictions are put into place as a safety measure. The safety mechanisms on a ride are designed by the manufacturer for people that fall within the stated requirements.It seems like all of that would be common sense. And yet here we are. The sharing of this hack was not only irresponsible for the millions of people who have now seen it, but it literally put the child in the video in danger. As a parent, we have an obligation to our children to teach them right from wrong.Bending the rules or trying to cheat the system so that you fit within the rules? WRONG! Disregarding the rules because they may not be fun? WRONG! In this case, the blatant disregard for the rules is not only wrong, but dangerous. How can you plan to hold your children accountable for future indiscretions when they are literally being taught that the rules don't apply to them?The Outrage That FollowedThe collective rage from both parents and non-parents all over the internet has been loud and livid. Amusement parks, Disney especially, are a privilege. Now, it seems like The Kelly family has also realized the dangerous impact of the content surrounding their Disney shoe hack.The parents initially responded to the backlash from commenters by insisting that they would never encourage anyone else to try their "hack." They also shared that their son never actually rode any of the rides that he didn't make the actual height requirements for. Yet another video posted on YouTube, along with images circulating on the internet, shows the family successfully putting their hack to the test.So finally, the Kelly family took down all of the videos related to the shoe hack—and replaced them with their mea culpa. In the video, the couple says that with their influence comes responsibility. They admitted while their son was not injured executing their "hack," they'd never want anyone else to get hurt from one of their ideas. They also said they are committed to being more careful with the content they put out. But is it too little too late? It comes several days after sharing their initial "ultimate Disney hack" video—and after major backlash and criticism over potentially putting their son in danger.Influence and responsibility to the masses aside, I look forward to the day when people are not so obsessed with chasing clout on social media that they forget basic safety. The family may all have been unharmed this time, but we really shouldn't be promoting breaking rules that are put into place to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
Related: A Reimagined More Inclusive Toontown Reopens at Disneyland—and It's Pretty Awesome
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