My $.02,
Disney appeals to kids and families. If you're a teen/adult and you venture into Disneyworld it's probably because you had childhood memories there. However, teenagers are changing. They seek new thrills that Disney can't produce because it might be "too" scary.
If you haven't caught on, I'm talking about Halloween Horror Nights. Universal's cash cow. Universal just sits there and laughs as thousands of teenagers and adults pour into their park each halloween while Disney can't bank on it because Not-So-Scary doesn't appeal to the same demographic. How do we solve this problem? Compete.
Not all of Disney is family friendly, don't know what genius said that. Ever look at Pleasure Island? Pretty much a good chunk of Downtown Disney becomes a teen/adult hangout past 9PM. Families have already had their dinner and are probably back at their hotel.
Teens and adults are a huge demographic that Disney could easily bank on. They could make so much money and rip HHN right out from Universal's feet. If they're going to let a few ignorant parents/tourists stop them, then that is a shame. Perhaps the first year make it a seperately ticketed event with an age limit. BAM! There goes the problem. Any parents that complain can be told "This event is too scary for children, sorry".
Or if Disney will let anybody in they should tell people with children at the turnstiles that the event is scary. Better yet, when they're buying tickets, OR if the commercials, billboards, ads, etc. look really scary and have "NOT FOR CHILDREN" printed so everyone can see it, that should help to.
In conclusion, Disney is letting a potential opportunity for easy money fly right past them. Get on the bandwagon and produce a few haunted houses for 2008, Disney. You'll be glad you did.
P.S. - What is the deal with Nightmare Before Christmas? It was a creepy film, but it wasn't scary. It's not something you'd find at HHN. It would be pathetic if the halloween event focused on Disney villans or Jack Skellington. Lame. Gore, Chainsaws, Fog, etc. is needed at an event to compete with HHN, not Jack Skellington.
Lexxweb