Mansion stretch room too frightening for children

[danlb_2000]

This has nothing to do with society being pc, and I have no clue why Christmas decorations got brought into this. It is about Disney making all of its rides shows and attraction appropriate for all ages. Nobody is offended about the hanging sequence or pitch black in the Mansion but if it terrifies my child there is something really wrong. Someone mentioned the Splash hill and that is prime example of a age specific ride, as children under a certain age can not ride. as a parent this is a real problem. I am not against the entire haunted Mansion ride and never was. But that one dark scene could be changed to be more age appropriate for ALL children who want to enjoy the experience like everyone else. Disney is good with being inclusive for all people but lets not forget our core customer which is the families with small children who can frighten easy.

Haunted Mansion has existed for almost 50 years across multiple Disney parks. If it was doing any harm to Disney's family friendly nature it would have been changed by now.

 

[PrincessFairest]

That may have been true years ago but times are changing. Disney is becoming and will continue to become more inclusive for ALL of its guests big or small brave or timid. Once again the problem is not with the HautedMansion ride itself or the stretching room concept. It delights children to watch the portraits on the walls grow and morph into funny scene. The hanging ghost host on top is neither the problem as well. All good fun in setting the stage of the story to come in the Mansion itself. That was never a issue for us. I just wish there had been a warning of the TOTAL darkness and scream in total darkness which for many little ones can be traumatic. But will say again this is no beef with the ride concept or stretching room or hanging gentleman up until the room goes pitch black. Even just a warning would be fine. People act as if I hate the ride or have some anger toward disney which is far from the truth. We love the haunted mansion ride, song story, many of the scenes. It is a great ride and experience and would not want anything to change that. Just a few short SECONDS at the very beginning. Just for the youngest of visitors. But know that we will be back, and we had an amazing trip for our daughters first time. The good so much outweighs the negative when it comes to the past few weeks at disney. Just a few little suggestion was all I was saying. But you will never find this mom hating the Haunted Mansion ride as it is a true classic.

 

[danlb_2000]

We recently returned from a 11 day Disney trip March 4 - 14. Exhausting but worth every minute of it. yet there are a few things I noticed and am concerned about, mainly the Haunted Mansion stretch room toward the beginning of the attraction. This was the first trip for our only daughter faire age 5. We thought this would be a good age for her first visit as it would be when she would be old enough to remember alot of the magic yet young enough to believe in the magic. One thing that really got her upset and in tears was the opening scene to Haunted Mansion at MagicKingdom. We never expected there would be a few moments of total darkness plus the lightning and scream nearly sent her into a fit. Disney is a place for families with children!!!!! I was appalled at how no cast member told us we probably should not take her into that scene. We spoke to a cast member at the ride exit who smiled to cheer her up, but still that beginning scene needs to either be changed or removed if disney is going to market as a family park for children. The rest of the ride is amazing, as our little princess faire could sit close to mommy and daddy if scared and there was no pitch black darkness. The music was fun and the characters inside the ride were more appropriate for children during most of the scenes. The beginning however really disturbed her and made her not wanting to ride too much more that day as she was still in shock of the total darkness. The majority of our vacation was great besides that one moment of terror in my daughters eyes. Please consider an update or change in the stretch room, maybe just to remove the total darkness to take into consideration the emotions and vulnerability of the child. When older she will learn to appreciate the ride for what it is as a classic.

Here is an article about kids getting scared by characters in the park. Do you feel that all character meet and greets and other character interactions should be removed? These are after all, all ages experiences.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/planning/sca...miliarize-young-children-with-the-characters/

 

[RandomPrincess]

Im sorry 5 is too old and that is just a little sheltered snowflake thatsscared of their own shadow and will stay that way until Mommie quits hovering and says suck it up and deal and stops sheltering and saying Mommie will make Disney change the big bad dark ride.

Most 5 year olds are still figuring out what is real and make believe. Many still believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny. It is totally normal for them to be scared in the stretching room where threw Disney Magic spooky things happen.

Also this is a child's first trip to Disney. We don't know what there exposure is to things like this before.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Give me a break.

 

[Sans Souci]

Im sorry 5 is too old and that is just a little sheltered snowflake thatsscared of their own shadow and will stay that way until Mommie quits hovering and says suck it up and deal and stops sheltering and saying Mommie will make Disney change the big bad dark ride.

You sound absolutely lovely and compassionate.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

My five year old niece was absolutely terrified at our local 'Pirates' knock-off. The dark, the sounds, the eerie atmosphere. One could argue she picked up perfectly on all the (deliberate) signs of 'danger lurking ahead...'

Fortunately my local park does not market itself as toddler princess heaven, so the park does not need to serve her needs as a five year old. I'm sure she'll be thrilled by it when she is ten, and by the other big kid rides when she is 13. Just like movies and books, really, some of which really are unsuitable for her yet.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Im sorry 5 is too old and that is just a little sheltered snowflake thatsscared of their own shadow and will stay that way until Mommie quits hovering and says suck it up and deal and stops sheltering and saying Mommie will make Disney change the big bad dark ride.

I think the kid's fear is real, normal, warranted too. The Mansion, after all, is supposed to be scary. It is these very scares that we should like to see preserved.

 

[Matt_Black]

I just wish there had been a warning of the TOTAL darkness and scream in total darkness which for many little ones can be traumatic.

It's called "The Haunted Mansion"! Do you expect haunted houses to be well lit?

 

[NYwdwfan]

That may have been true years ago but times are changing. Disney is becoming and will continue to become more inclusive for ALL of its guests big or small brave or timid. Once again the problem is not with the HautedMansion ride itself or the stretching room concept. It delights children to watch the portraits on the walls grow and morph into funny scene. The hanging ghost host on top is neither the problem as well. All good fun in setting the stage of the story to come in the Mansion itself. That was never a issue for us. I just wish there had been a warning of the TOTAL darkness and scream in total darkness which for many little ones can be traumatic. But will say again this is no beef with the ride concept or stretching room or hanging gentleman up until the room goes pitch black. Even just a warning would be fine. People act as if I hate the ride or have some anger toward disney which is far from the truth. We love the haunted mansion ride, song story, many of the scenes. It is a great ride and experience and would not want anything to change that. Just a few short SECONDS at the very beginning. Just for the youngest of visitors. But know that we will be back, and we had an amazing trip for our daughters first time. The good so much outweighs the negative when it comes to the past few weeks at disney. Just a few little suggestion was all I was saying. But you will never find this mom hating the Haunted Mansion ride as it is a true classic.

I find it mind boggling that you are still insisting Disney should cater to your child.

 

[Princess Kaylee]

We recently returned from a 11 day Disney trip March 4 - 14. Exhausting but worth every minute of it. yet there are a few things I noticed and am concerned about, mainly the Haunted Mansion stretch room toward the beginning of the attraction. This was the first trip for our only daughter faire age 5. We thought this would be a good age for her first visit as it would be when she would be old enough to remember alot of the magic yet young enough to believe in the magic. One thing that really got her upset and in tears was the opening scene to Haunted Mansion at MagicKingdom. We never expected there would be a few moments of total darkness plus the lightning and scream nearly sent her into a fit. Disney is a place for families with children!!!!! I was appalled at how no cast member told us we probably should not take her into that scene. We spoke to a cast member at the ride exit who smiled to cheer her up, but still that beginning scene needs to either be changed or removed if disney is going to market as a family park for children. The rest of the ride is amazing, as our little princess faire could sit close to mommy and daddy if scared and there was no pitch black darkness. The music was fun and the characters inside the ride were more appropriate for children during most of the scenes. The beginning however really disturbed her and made her not wanting to ride too much more that day as she was still in shock of the total darkness. The majority of our vacation was great besides that one moment of terror in my daughters eyes. Please consider an update or change in the stretch room, maybe just to remove the total darkness to take into consideration the emotions and vulnerability of the child. When older she will learn to appreciate the ride for what it is as a classic.

Millions of people love this ride, your bad experience is not going to the change the stretch room.

 

[PrincessFairest]

I find it mind boggling that you are still insisting Disney should cater to your child.

No, hun. To ALL small children who want to enjoy the experience. My daughter is no more privilege than yours or the next child. I never thought that she deserves special treatment. But for ALL small children there should not be instances that could traumatize or terrify their experience. Disney needs to be inclusive for all ages in all of its ride shows and attractions. If you want more terrifying experience then there is Universal down the road where those type of age-specific rides are found. But disney is not marketed that way and should not be run that way. It is aimed for the famillies with small children who should enjoy all the experiences together, including the smallest children who wish to enjoy. I never once thought my child is any more special -well she is to me of course - but in the grand scheme of things there should never be an entitlement where she alone gets certain privilege above other children. Sorry if i ever came across like that.

 

[PinnySmart]

That may have been true years ago but times are changing. Disney is becoming and will continue to become more inclusive for ALL of its guests big or small brave or timid. Once again the problem is not with the HautedMansion ride itself or the stretching room concept. It delights children to watch the portraits on the walls grow and morph into funny scene. The hanging ghost host on top is neither the problem as well. All good fun in setting the stage of the story to come in the Mansion itself. That was never a issue for us. I just wish there had been a warning of the TOTAL darkness and scream in total darkness which for many little ones can be traumatic. But will say again this is no beef with the ride concept or stretching room or hanging gentleman up until the room goes pitch black. Even just a warning would be fine. People act as if I hate the ride or have some anger toward disney which is far from the truth. We love the haunted mansion ride, song story, many of the scenes. It is a great ride and experience and would not want anything to change that. Just a few short SECONDS at the very beginning. Just for the youngest of visitors. But know that we will be back, and we had an amazing trip for our daughters first time. The good so much outweighs the negative when it comes to the past few weeks at disney. Just a few little suggestion was all I was saying. But you will never find this mom hating the Haunted Mansion ride as it is a true classic.

Your warning is right there in the title "The HAUNTED Mansion". Common sense should tell you that there may be darkness and scary stuff. Disney doesn't owe you a warning. If you had done even the slightest bit of research you would have known. And you seem to know so much about how classic the ride is, have you been on it before? I think you have. I think you are simply here to get people fired up. I think you've been firing up people on these boards for quite a long time just by a different name. You are the parent, not Disney. Before you leave you house next time please do a little research because you never know when there might be something out there to terrorize the princess.

 

[FigmentForver96]

No, hun. To ALL small children who want to enjoy the experience. My daughter is no more privilege than yours or the next child. I never thought that she deserves special treatment. But for ALL small children there should not be instances that could traumatize or terrify their experience. Disney needs to be inclusive for all ages in all of its ride shows and attractions. If you want more terrifying experience then there is Universal down the road where those type of age-specific rides are found. But disney is not marketed that way and should not be run that way. It is aimed for the famillies with small children who should enjoy all the experiences together, including the smallest children who wish to enjoy. I never once thought my child is any more special -well she is to me of course - but in the grand scheme of things there should never be an entitlement where she alone gets certain privilege above other children. Sorry if i ever came across like that.

Actually up until recently disney made rides that catered to everyone in the fact that some rides were enjoyed by older people and then those more catered for young people. This whole everything needs to be child friendly is why things keep getting watered down. Some of the best rides are Great Movie Ride, Dinosaur, and tower of terror. All of which are more frightening to children.

End of day the ride isn't going to change. First I can't imagine Disney wants to spend the money to change it and second while some mommies would be happy, there would be a much larger group of people who would raise heck.

 

[PinnySmart]

No, hun. To ALL small children who want to enjoy the experience. My daughter is no more privilege than yours or the next child. I never thought that she deserves special treatment. But for ALL small children there should not be instances that could traumatize or terrify their experience. Disney needs to be inclusive for all ages in all of its ride shows and attractions. If you want more terrifying experience then there is Universal down the road where those type of age-specific rides are found. But disney is not marketed that way and should not be run that way. It is aimed for the famillies with small children who should enjoy all the experiences together, including the smallest children who wish to enjoy. I never once thought my child is any more special -well she is to me of course - but in the grand scheme of things there should never be an entitlement where she alone gets certain privilege above other children. Sorry if i ever came across like that.

Disney is not only marketed towards families with small children. Disney is marketed towards those of all ages. Some rides have height restrictions, should they tear those down and build something you little princess can ride? No because Disney isn't just for little princesses its for all of us. Otherwise we wouldn't have rides like Mission Space, The Rockin' Roller Coaster and The Tower of Terror. Your argument just doesn't hold water. This all falls back on you and your parenting.

 

[slappy magoo]

No, hun. To ALL small children who want to enjoy the experience. My daughter is no more privilege than yours or the next child. I never thought that she deserves special treatment. But for ALL small children there should not be instances that could traumatize or terrify their experience. Disney needs to be inclusive for all ages in all of its ride shows and attractions.

Nope, "hun." That's your myopia talking. Because you never know if something that your kid doesn't find scary or appropriately "scary enough" might still be pants-wettingly terrifying for some other child. There's no way to ensure any changes will result in making the ride "safe" for ALL small children. So that means a potentially never-ending series of revisions to fit that bill, only to find one kid somewhere still thinks it's scary, so more revisions will be in order. As opposed to parents doing their job, knowing their kids and exposing them to experiences when they're ready, and not shifting the blame to anyone or anything else if they err in judgment.

The idea that you continue to see what's suitable for YOUR child as inevitably what will be suitable for ALL children is not just ignorant, but willfully ignorant.

 

[Andrew C]

This thread is scaring me now. I need a refund.

 

[EOD K9]

This thread is scaring me now. I need a refund.

And I need a fast pass or two for compensation.

 

[Matt_Black]

But disney is not marketed that way and should not be run that way.

Walt would disagree with you. Do I need to post that quote again?

 

[NYwdwfan]

No, hun. To ALL small children who want to enjoy the experience. My daughter is no more privilege than yours or the next child. I never thought that she deserves special treatment. But for ALL small children there should not be instances that could traumatize or terrify their experience. Disney needs to be inclusive for all ages in all of its ride shows and attractions. If you want more terrifying experience then there is Universal down the road where those type of age-specific rides are found. But disney is not marketed that way and should not be run that way. It is aimed for the famillies with small children who should enjoy all the experiences together, including the smallest children who wish to enjoy. I never once thought my child is any more special -well she is to me of course - but in the grand scheme of things there should never be an entitlement where she alone gets certain privilege above other children. Sorry if i ever came across like that.

Actually, HUN, you ARE asking Disney to cater to YOU because YOU weren't smart enough to research the attraction before YOU dragged your precious into a traumatizing experience. Had you done ANY sort of research you would have known you can skip the stretch room and enjoy the ride just the same. But it's not about that - it's about you trying to take a park with attractions geared to ALL ages and gear it only to children the age of yours.