Haunted Mansion ride vehicle update

[GymLeaderPhil]

I simply asked the CM why it was ok one day, and not the next?

Like they would know why at the load ramp Cast Member X on X day at X time decided not to split up your X party? There's probably a bit of digression on their part on how many can SAFELY fit into each car. Three sumo wrestlers would not safely fit into a car as would three twelve year-old girls.

The Haunted Mansion isn't a rollercoaster last time I checked. In fact, it moves more slowly than the TTA which has no lapbars and no rules about lap sitting. And, um, have you ever seen a parent with a baby on their lap on a speeding parking lot tram crammed with people? Did you find that to be dangerous and unacceptable too?

I just don't see how it would be safe for a four year old to be sitting on anyone's lap on an attraction that twists and pivots at points with lap bars. There are some quick jerks unlike the TTA.

 

[Chape19714]

On the Haunted Mansion it is perfectly safe to put an infant or small child (2 year olds are pretty small last time I checked) on your lap. I've done so many times when my children were little and there is plenty of space under the lapbar so long as you and your child are normal sized individuals.

The Haunted Mansion isn't a rollercoaster last time I checked. In fact, it moves more slowly than the TTA which has no lapbars and no rules about lap sitting. And, um, have you ever seen a parent with a baby on their lap on a speeding parking lot tram crammed with people? Did you find that to be dangerous and unacceptable too?

Comon people. The Haunted Mansion is about as dangerous as Small World. There's no harm or danger in lap sitting. This family had ridden the Haunted Mansion FIVE TIMES in the last few days in that exact same fashion without anyone batting an eye, and therefore they assumed that Disney was not counting the "under 3" crowd as part of the figure. If you've ever been to Disney with an infant or toddler you'll understand the mentality there that the under 3 year olds don't really count as "people". You don't pay for them, they don't count towards your hotel occupancy, they often don't count for your ride occupancy. So lay off the OP.

I guarente none of you will ever see the danger of attractions until you view each and every one of them as heavy machines, which they all are. If the dangers aren't present to the guests, Disney has done thier job, but that doesn't mean they don't exist.

The roller coaster argument doens't hold water either, becuase I'd venture to say Space Mountain is safer than HM as the lap bars fit tight around each guest. If the CM made a spiel saying only 2-3 per row, the rule should be followed then, reguardless of what was formerly allowed. Most CM's mean what they say, and when instructions were not followed, action must be taken to correct the situation.

 

[joel_maxwell]

Deary deary me, there are some really trully evil parents in this world, what would have happened if the child had slipped from your grasp during the second inversion, its no good hoping that the dog would catch it frizby like. And besides why would any sensible person take a child into a ride filled with evil and satanic m imagery possibly scarring them mentally for life. Would surprise me if were talking serial killer in a few yaesr driving around with a flesh waist coat and a big cheese helmet humming Judas Priest tunes.

:ROFLOL:

that is all i got. simply :ROFLOL:

 

[Skyway]

The Haunted Mansion is no more dangerous than Small World?!?!? There's no harm in lap sitting?!?!

That is EXACTLY the kind of ignorance that gets guests injured or killed. It may be a "kiddie ride", but those ride vehicles are big, heavy pieces of machinery that can easily maim or kill. Read old news reports about the kid who was mangled on Disneyland's Roger Rabbit ride to see what can happen if you fall out of a ride vehicle. (Or the boy who lost fingers on a PotC boat flume)

Lap sitting may seem safe--and for the most part, I'm sure it is-- but it also overrides the effectiveness of the lap bar.

Either the child is squeezed underneath it, leaving other passengers with a huge (unsafe) gap above their laps-- or the child is held above it, which means the child is at the mercy of the adult's arms and hands to hold them in.

You've also gotta figure the size of the seating bench and the small passenger compartment that closes around you when the lapbar pulls down. Seriously, there is a limit on how many sardines that can be packed into a can. Is it four? Is it ten? In the case of the HM, Disney has decided that its THREE sardines!

Sure, you may have done it before. But who are you to question Disney's safety policy? They built the ride, they've safety tested it, they know how many cubic feet are inside the vehicles, and they will be the ones you sue if your child falls out and crushes their skull underneath the castors of the omnimover track.

My question is why its such a big deal for a whole family to squeeze together for an eight-minute ride? If your kid is too scared, do a child-swap.

 

[joel_maxwell]

The Haunted Mansion is no more dangerous than Small World?!?!? There's no harm in lap sitting?!?!

That is EXACTLY the kind of ignorance that gets guests injured or killed. It may be a "kiddie ride", but those ride vehicles are big, heavy pieces of machinery that can easily maim or kill. Read old news reports about the kid who was mangled on Disneyland's Roger Rabbit ride to see what can happen if you fall out of a ride vehicle. (Or the boy who lost fingers on a PotC boat flume)

Lap sitting may seem safe--and for the most part, I'm sure it is-- but it also overrides the effectiveness of the lap bar.

Either the child is squeezed underneath it, leaving other passengers with a huge (unsafe) gap above their laps-- or the child is held above it, which means the child is at the mercy of the adult's arms and hands to hold them in.

You've also gotta figure the size of the seating bench and the small passenger compartment that closes around you when the lapbar pulls down. Seriously, there is a limit on how many sardines that can be packed into a can. Is it four? Is it ten? In the case of the HM, Disney has decided that its THREE sardines!

Sure, you may have done it before. But who are you to question Disney's safety policy? They built the ride, they've safety tested it, they know how many cubic feet are inside the vehicles, and they will be the ones you sue if your child falls out and crushes their skull underneath the castors of the omnimover track.

My question is why its such a big deal for a whole family to squeeze together for an eight-minute ride? If your kid is too scared, do a child-swap.

experiencing things as a whole family is so passe

 

[Figment25]

I just have a question, since I do not have any young children, what would be the proper way to sit a young child or infant with you in a ride such as HM or are you implying that the OP should not be taking her children on rides at all. I see parents all the time with newborns on IASW holding them on their laps?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I just have a question, since I do not have any young children, what would be the proper way to sit a young child or infant with you in a ride such as HM or are you implying that the OP should not be taking her children on rides at all. I see parents all the time with newborns on IASW holding them on their laps?

Indeed, who is preparing the family meal and operating the array of white goods while she is frivolously engaged, and corrupting her young with the devils merryments. If she must visit theme parks she should sit serenely on an adjacent bench when the males in her party engage the machines of mirth.

 

[Legacy]

I'm just surprised that no one has mentioned the dangers of the seance room drop.

 

[happymom52003]

Wow, I'm used to posters attacking others on this board but this takes the cake.

The OP is not saying that she disagrees with the rule. All she is saying is that in ALL the times she has been on the ride, this has never happend. So she thought it might be a new rule.

I also have held my toddler on my lap on countless rides, countless times....including HM, POTC, Peter Pan just to name a few.

I have never, ever once been told not to do this. NEVER in four week long trips riding these rides every single day have I been told this, nor have I read that it was not allowed on these particular rides.

If I had been told, then I would not have done it.

Like me, I'm sure that the OP would never put her children's safety at risk by knowingly breaking a safety rule that WDW has on their rides.

You are attacking her as if she is one of those parents who buys their kids thick sole shoes so they can pass the height requirements.

This is a COMPLETELY different situation.

If Disney does have a "no lap" rule on these rides, then they sure are not doing a good job of letting people know about it or enforcing it.

 

[Laura]

I just don't see how it would be safe for a four year old to be sitting on anyone's lap on an attraction that twists and pivots at points with lap bars. There are some quick jerks unlike the TTA.

Some quick jerks UNLIKE the TTA? Anytime my children have ridden the TTA without sitting on our laps they are thrown all over the car because that ride is terribly jerky. I have never seen them thrown around in a Doom Buggy.

The Haunted Mansion is no more dangerous than Small World?!?!? There's no harm in lap sitting?!?!

That is EXACTLY the kind of ignorance that gets guests injured or killed. It may be a "kiddie ride", but those ride vehicles are big, heavy pieces of machinery that can easily maim or kill. Read old news reports about the kid who was mangled on Disneyland's Roger Rabbit ride to see what can happen if you fall out of a ride vehicle. (Or the boy who lost fingers on a PotC boat flume)

Lap sitting may seem safe--and for the most part, I'm sure it is-- but it also overrides the effectiveness of the lap bar.

Either the child is squeezed underneath it, leaving other passengers with a huge (unsafe) gap above their laps-- or the child is held above it, which means the child is at the mercy of the adult's arms and hands to hold them in.

You've also gotta figure the size of the seating bench and the small passenger compartment that closes around you when the lapbar pulls down. Seriously, there is a limit on how many sardines that can be packed into a can. Is it four? Is it ten? In the case of the HM, Disney has decided that its THREE sardines!

Sure, you may have done it before. But who are you to question Disney's safety policy? They built the ride, they've safety tested it, they know how many cubic feet are inside the vehicles, and they will be the ones you sue if your child falls out and crushes their skull underneath the castors of the omnimover track.

My question is why its such a big deal for a whole family to squeeze together for an eight-minute ride? If your kid is too scared, do a child-swap.

Um, correct me if I'm wrong after having ridden the Haunted Mansion about 500 times, but I don't believe the lap bars go down at all. They are simply in front of you, not HOLDING YOU IN or pressing on your lap. I'm a pretty skinny person and there is always at least 12 inches of clearance between my lap and the lap bar, even if I'm riding alone. They are not "adjustable" and whether or not you have a kid on your lap or not makes no difference in the height of the lap bar.

And of course all rides are dangerous, but only if you're being a MORON. If I'm sitting in my seat on the Haunted Mansion with a baby on my lap who is sitting under the lap bar and we remain seated with our extremities within the ride vehicle, please explain to me the danger here and where my "ignorance" lies?

Perhaps parents with infant children should follow your logic about lap sitting being dangerous and ignorant from here on out. From now on all you moms and dads need to make sure your 6 month old babies are safely seated ON THEIR OWN REARS on all attractions, trams, boats, and anything else that moves. Because that is certainly much safer and smarter than holding them securely in your lap. :wave:

For the record, I've never ridden with more than 3 people in a car. But, I've experienced riding the Haunted Mansion with my skinny self and 2 scrawny kids beside me with enough spare room for about 2 more people in the car, and I've also ridden it squeezed tightly between 2 adults without an inch to spare. The "3 people per car" rule is pretty arbitrary.

 

[jt04]

Indeed, who is preparing the family meal and operating the array of white goods while she is frivolously engaged, and corrupting her young with the devils merryments. If she must visit theme parks she should sit serenely on an adjacent bench when the males in her party engage the machines of mirth.

Not to mention holding firm and not allowing the kids to be used as airbags on said machines.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Not to mention holding firm and not allowing the kids to be used as airbags on said machines.

Ohhh your going to the burny fire for that one. :lol:

 

[joel_maxwell]

Wow, I'm used to posters attacking others on this board but this takes the cake.

The OP is not saying that she disagrees with the rule. All she is saying is that in ALL the times she has been on the ride, this has never happend. So she thought it might be a new rule.

I also have held my toddler on my lap on countless rides, countless times....including HM, POTC, Peter Pan just to name a few.

I have never, ever once been told not to do this. NEVER in four week long trips riding these rides every single day have I been told this, nor have I read that it was not allowed on these particular rides.

If I had been told, then I would not have done it.

Like me, I'm sure that the OP would never put her children's safety at risk by knowingly breaking a safety rule that WDW has on their rides.

You are attacking her as if she is one of those parents who buys their kids thick sole shoes so they can pass the height requirements.

This is a COMPLETELY different situation.

If Disney does have a "no lap" rule on these rides, then they sure are not doing a good job of letting people know about it or enforcing it.

does folded napkins in the shoes count too. :lookaroun

:lol:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Everyone knows the real danger is a poltergeist can grab a kid from a lap more easily because there's more space for him to haunt the car. :shrug:

 

[Skyway]

There are two issues here: lap-sitting and cramming too many people in a vehicle.

Lap-sitting---while probably not the safest--- is OK and not forbidden at Disney (except for the new TSM, and of course the thrill rides)

This family wanted to lapsit AND put three "regular" riders in the vehicle--so four total.

What if those three regular riders wanted to lap-sit a child---so there would be SIX in the vehicle??

Obviously Disney needs a cut-off.

As for the argument that the CM's failed to enforce it--- just because a cop doesn't see you speeding doesn't make it any less dangerous.

We've all been in a Doombuggy. Those things are snug with TWO people. THREE people is definitely a squeeze. And someone wanted to jam in FOUR???? (and we're not talking an infant. its a 2-year-old.) I can't imagine what it would be like if any of those riders had a bag or a purse...or even a few extra pounds of body fat!

And think of the logistics of getting three "regular" riders seated, and then positioning a 2-year-old lap rider....and doing it in the on the very short load conveyor belt. I cannot believe they made it in those previous five times without running out of room on the belt and forcing an E-Stop.

 

[WaltsApprentice]

Everyone knows the real danger is a poltergeist can grab a kid from a lap more easily because there's more space for him to haunt the car. :shrug:

Seriously!! I don't know why people don't understand that major problem...its always overlooked, thank you for pointing it out.:animwink:

Unfortunately, one CM that upholds the rules cannot control what the many, many others do at the same attraction. Some may be more leniant that others, making it harder for the others.

Obviously not in this particular situation, but there is always that common confrontation that comes up where you either follow the rules and upset the customer, or you are leniant with the rules and upset your manager. As a CM, it seems you are out of luck either way, so its best to just enforce the rules.

It's even harder when those "Team Members" at Universal Studios...allow things that shouldn't be allowed...for example.. when parents came to WDW and say that their kid was able to ride on all the rides at US and IOA, why can't they ride a certain ride at WDW!!...

But back to the point....I always remembered my parents when I was a kid splitting up the party...I always wanted to go with my mommy :lookaroun ...um don't tell anyone okay :lookaroun All 4 of use never squeezed into it together...but I can only remember as far as 5 years old...(barely!)

 

[joel_maxwell]

There are two issues here: lap-sitting and cramming too many people in a vehicle.

Lap-sitting---while probably not the safest--- is OK and not forbidden at Disney (except for the new TSM, and of course the thrill rides)

This family wanted to lapsit AND put three "regular" riders in the vehicle--so four total.

What if those three regular riders wanted to lap-sit a child---so there would be SIX in the vehicle??

Obviously Disney needs a cut-off.

As for the argument that the CM's failed to enforce it--- just because a cop doesn't see you speeding doesn't make it any less dangerous.

We've all been in a Doombuggy. Those things are snug with TWO people. THREE people is definitely a squeeze. And someone wanted to jam in FOUR???? (and we're not talking an infant. its a 2-year-old.) I can't imagine what it would be like if any of those riders had a bag or a purse...or even a few extra pounds of body fat!

And think of the logistics of getting three "regular" riders seated, and then positioning a 2-year-old lap rider....and doing it in the on the very short load conveyor belt. I cannot believe they made it in those previous five times without running out of room on the belt and forcing an E-Stop.

is this MERF?

hello brickwall, let me argue with you a bit. the horse has been beatin and is now a puddle of glue. just drop it.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

There are two issues here: lap-sitting and cramming too many people in a vehicle.

Lap-sitting---while probably not the safest--- is OK and not forbidden at Disney (except for the new TSM, and of course the thrill rides)

This family wanted to lapsit AND put three "regular" riders in the vehicle--so four total.

What if those three regular riders wanted to lap-sit a child---so there would be SIX in the vehicle??

Obviously Disney needs a cut-off.

:shrug:

Seems like the same thing to me. If lap-sitting is OK and 3 people on the seat is OK, I don't see why they're not OK together.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

What about lap dancing how many can I get in a car?

 

[maggiegrace1]

Maggie always sits on my lap when we are Haunted Mansion or any other rides to be honest...we have never been told anything before either.

I guess it all depends on the cast member since there are NO written rules that say 2 or 3 to a car.

I swear though...why people feel the need to be rude to someone who is just letting us know what happened to them just confuses the heck out of me...

Thanks for letting us know Kristin..