WiFi was considerably more available (and usable) this year at BGW.
Let me chime in a two things; understand I’m speaking as a new dad, with a fresh set of eyes (and I had a rough day in the office, so this may come across slightly harsher than I intend)
1) Breastfeeding. A baby does not understand that they need to wait ten minutes until mom can get to a family restroom to nurse. That baby will get fussy, sometimes going fro asleep to screaming in 30 seconds (such as ours). And as far as using a bottle, some babies won’t take a bottle. A lot of parents do not want to use formula (antibodies are great and highly recommended from just about any doctor or nurse you talk to, breastfeeding isn’t a hippy thing).
2) My wife and I have full-fledged memberships. We have a child (almost three months old. Everyone now, awwww). It sounds like our presence would not be welcome in a member lounge, because of the child that may occasionally be loud? Now, an uncontrolled child running amuck, I hope, is what each of you that mentioned this were implying. Because if our $170/person or whatever doesn’t get us into a member lounge on a hot day in August so that we can get some relief for ALL members of our family, I will be pretty upset. Now: if my four year old is running around, making a ton of noise, and screaming without me trying to control him, you can be mad at me, give me the stink eye, and ask a team member to ask me to a) control my child or b) leave the lounge until I can. But if my kid cries because they’re hot/tired, and we are actively trying to resolve that issue, you had best not try to make me feel unwelcome. Membership members come in all ages, and all pay for the same privileges.
3) let’s keep the member lounge alcohol free. I don’t want to be in there relaxing, charging the phone, and have some rowdy, drunk, 25 year old kids ruining my zen. Or park geeks talking about what they hope the 2022 sky-spin-soaker-coaster is going to be themed as.
The point of item 3 is that we all have the ability to be ‘annoyed’ by some other group of paid attendees in the park that we all love so much. But instead of trying to build a barrier, why not help everyone be more comfortable and enjoy the park even more? No, I’m not suggesting open admission to a lounge. But offer directions to someone walking slow in front of you while staring at a map. Offer to take that family’s picture so that they are all in the photo (you may be surprised how many will take you up on the offer, and how surprised they are that you offered. And it cost you 30 seconds of time).
It is my belief that the majority on this forum do not have children, and until a year ago I was considerably less understanding (though patient and more understanding than many) about the trials of parenthood. It is NOT for the faint of heart.
Brauhaus - I don’t see why this shouldn’t remain open to the public. But, there is a sign that says no outside food or drink. When a family of 12 comes in, pushes two tables together for their kids, adults at a third, and they proceed to eat their pizza/fries/carrot cake with nothing being said to them, while we get reminded of the sign as we steal a handful of popcorn from our bucket, well...
And smokers - let’s all agree to politely remind folks we see smoking or vaping in clean air areas, that they are in fact not in a smoking section. The more times they are politely reminded the more I hope they refrain. And I may start carrying a cup of water to douse their cigarettes when they refuse to do the right thing (as most do).
Of all of my rambling, I guess it comes down to this, the Platinum Rule: treat others the way that they want to be treated. It is better than the Golden Rule. Some want to be left alone, some want to be included, some want to scream on Griffon, some want to remain silent for those 80 seconds. Let them, and help them make the most of their day. We can all work together to make the world a better place, starting in Williamsburg.
No, I’m not running for office.