Mansion stretch room too frightening for children

[RandomPrincess]

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.

You really need to understand that every child/person is different. There are many 5 year olds that are fine with this ride, some aren't. You can not base the world off of what is best for a single child or person. It is our job as a parents to help our children safely navigate the world. You did nothing wrong taking your child on this ride. You thought it would be fine. After she was scared you said you comforted her, just like you should. Now you know her reaction to this kind of experience and can make better choices for her in the future.

I do take offense in you trying to take this choice away from other people. The world is not set up to cater to your child or anyone else's. You need to understand that if something is not suitable for your child that is fine. Don't do that with your kid, the rest of us will do what's best for our kids. Those might be the exact opposite thing. It doesn't make either person wrong. What is wrong is you trying to stop my kid from doing something because your kid doesn't like it.

 

[halltd]

If all Disney attractions have to be made so that a newborn can experience it, they're not going to be in business much longer. The beauty of WDW specifically is that there's so much to do by the whole family already, you can't possibly do it all. So, you can skip the handful of things your entire group doesn't enjoy if you must do it all together. Or, you can be like normal people and experience things separately on occasion. No one in my family will ride Tower of Terror so I ride it myself, or skip it when I'm with them and ride when I'm with others who do love it. Sometimes my favorite rides on Tower are whenim by myself because I'll chat up strangers in line and get all excited about the experience and how awesome it is.

If your kid is terrified of the stretch room, wait until they're older. My nephew wouldn't ride it until he was 10. Guess what? It's his favorite now. Did he hate his visits before he was 10 because he couldn't ride it? Nope.

 

[brb1006]

It's the "Unmagical Day At The Magic Kingdom" all over again

 

[Goofyernmost]

The overall PC of society. We have to hide anything and everything bad anymore. If people don't like something, like this scene on the ride, they'll complain, go to the press, get a lawyer, what have you and some judge will side with that person and it changes everything. Like in the public schools, in most districts, there isn't a Christmas Concert anymore... it's a Holiday Concert... why? Somebody got offended. Sorry, this is America. This country was founded under the beliefs of celebrating Christmas.

Sorry, but, I have to correct that. This country was founded on religious freedom and equality for all. When public funds are used to promote a certain genre of religion (Christianity in this case) it actually smacks against the reason for this country to exist at all. It's OK to be Christian, just as it is OK to be Jewish, Moslem, Hindu and any other of the 57 varieties that exist in the country. This place is not owned by Christians at the expense of others. So if a minor thing like changing it from Christmas Concert to Holiday Concert is that offensive to you, how does that make you any better. There are multiple avenues for celebrating Christmas, it shouldn't need to be funded by people that do not follow the same path. That is what America should be about. I believe it's called "separation of church and state". Lack of that separation has resulted in the demise of many an innocent person. In the adjusted words of Mr. Samuel Jackson... Wake the hell up America!

 

[Witchy Chick]

I feel compelled to join this epic thread.

We visited WDW in 2013, with our 4.5 year old and not quite 3 year old. We visited Haunted Mansion on that trip - multiple times.

While outside in line for HM, I explained to my kiddos that it was a dark ride, that it was spooky but that it was all make believe.

While in the stretch room, I kept my kids close and made a silly comments to them about the pre-show. They made it thru the stretch room and the subsequent ride without being traumatized.

FWIW, we also took them on GMR and covered their eyes/ears during the Alien scene. Likely for our upcoming visit (kids are now 7.5 and 6), I would not cover their eyes but rather handle it as we handled HM 3 years ago. "There's a scary part, but remember that it's make believe. If you want to close your eyes/cover your ears, it's OK."

 

[halltd]

"There's a scary part, but remember that it's make believe."

Uhhhh....what's this "make-believe" you speak of?

 

[Shane7694]

Isn't there signs posted about how the ride may be frightening for young children?

 

[mouse_luv]

Sorry, but, I have to correct that. This country was founded on religious freedom and equality for all. When public funds are used to promote a certain genre of religion (Christianity in this case) it actually smacks against the reason for this country to exist at all. It's OK to be Christian, just as it is OK to be Jewish, Moslem, Hindu and any other of the 57 varieties that exist in the country. This place is not owned by Christians at the expense of others. So if a minor thing like changing it from Christmas Concert to Holiday Concert is that offensive to you, how does that make you any better. There are multiple avenues for celebrating Christmas, it shouldn't need to be funded by people that do not follow the same path. That is what America should be about. I believe it's called "separation of church and state". Lack of that separation has resulted in the demise of many an innocent person. In the adjusted words of Mr. Samuel Jackson... Wake the hell up America!

Can we not go here Sir? The political and religious debates are things many including myself despise seeing brought up on boards like this, etc. But I do have to say that while I'm not taking sides here, there are some holes in your history lesson.

 

[mouse_luv]

Isn't there signs posted about how the ride may be frightening for young children?

 

[Shane7694]

I think there's another one posted somewhere too..

 

[Chef Mickey]

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.

Is this a troll account? You are absolutely wrong. What part of the Haunted Mansion is terrifying and how is that not subjective anyway? How exactly can Disney ensure no aspect in an attraction or show will offend an overly protective and/or sensitive child? Answer: they can't, won't and shouldn't try.

If it were up to you, everything could potentially be considered too terrifying, so the park should just give up trying to please everyone and close its doors for business.

Honestly, the fact you actually exist - and this is not a troll account - is far more terrifying than a couple of screams in the stretching room. I feel sorry you might actually be rubbing off on your child.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

Is this a troll account? You are absolutely wrong. What part of the Haunted Mansion is terrifying and how is that not subjective anyway? How exactly can Disney ensure no aspect in an attraction or show will offend an overly protective and/or sensitive child? Answer: they can't, won't and shouldn't try.

If it were up to you, everything could potentially be considered too terrifying, so the park should just give up trying to please everyone and close its doors for business.

Honestly, the fact you actually exist - and this is not a troll account - is far more terrifying than a couple of screams in the stretching room. I feel sorry you might actually be rubbing off on your child.

Her kid is a sheltered little whiney frady cat. It is insane for a half grown kid to be scared of 2 seconds of darkness. she wants every thing changed to accomidate big cry babies like hers.A 15 month old handled it just fine that should tell her something about her kid.

 

[NelleBelle]

OK--I can't hep but put in a rambling post (sorry ) after reading all these pages of posts, it's irritated me somewhat. I can understand the OP's "faire" daughter's reaction to being scared in the "total darkness" (but for crying out loud, as she said herself, it was for only a few seconds...does her kid freak out when she closes her eyes, too??)--but as another poster commented, her child is NOT the barometer for what is appropriate for "young" children (and what constitutes the age of "young" children anyway)?

I have taken my children from the time they were infants (1st son was 15 months, 2nd was 4-weeks) on HM. While my 1st son has never really cared for the ride, he knows he can close his eyes/put in ear plugs if he doesn't want to want to participate in the ride. I would NEVER NEVER NEVER have even THOUGHT to complain to have the ride changed to his "sensibilities"--frankly, I felt that when he got to a certain age, he would eventually tolerate or love the ride (which he does).

And I don't know where this idea that all attractions should be appropriate for everyone--should I complain because I can't ride Mission Space because of my low blood pressure and pass-out?? The sooner that the OP and her daughter realize that they will not be able to participate in everything in life (and Disney), maybe the happier they will be (and us)!

 

[HRHPrincessAriel]

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.

Her kid is a sheltered little whiney frady cat. It is insane for a half grown kid to be scared of 2 seconds of darkness. she wants every thing changed to accomidate big cry babies like hers.A 15 month old handled it just fine that should tell her something about her kid.

You are being very harsh towards the child. The kid has every right to be scared of something. My 5 year old Is still terrified of bugs. This is not something we coddle or accommodate. She's a super brave kid in everyother aspect of her life accept bugs. They are still trying to figure it all out at 5.


Just because a 15 month old isn't scared doesn't mean a 5 year old can't be. Just last week at Bug's Life a 3 year old and a 5 year were freaking out over the movie while their 1 1/2-2ish year old brother just sat there mesmerized.

 

[Matt_Black]

Isn't there signs posted about how the ride may be frightening for young children?

There were signs for Alien Encounter; look how that worked out.

 

[danlb_2000]

I feel compelled to join this epic thread.

We visited WDW in 2013, with our 4.5 year old and not quite 3 year old. We visited Haunted Mansion on that trip - multiple times.

While outside in line for HM, I explained to my kiddos that it was a dark ride, that it was spooky but that it was all make believe.

While in the stretch room, I kept my kids close and made a silly comments to them about the pre-show. They made it thru the stretch room and the subsequent ride without being traumatized.

FWIW, we also took them on GMR and covered their eyes/ears during the Alien scene. Likely for our upcoming visit (kids are now 7.5 and 6), I would not cover their eyes but rather handle it as we handled HM 3 years ago. "There's a scary part, but remember that it's make believe. If you want to close your eyes/cover your ears, it's OK."

I know what you mean about the Alien scene in GMR, that Ripley AA terrifies me!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

What in the actual F....

This has quickly become one of my most favorite threads of all time.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

You sound absolutely lovely and compassionate. [/QUOT
There

It does not mean a 5 year old can not be, it means a five year old should not be and instead of babying her and expecting a classic ride to change for her cry baby she should be told to suck it up and grow up.

 

[Shane7694]

There were signs for Alien Encounter; look how that worked out.

Yeah.. My point was she said something along the lines of.. Disney should warn people that the ride may frighten young children.. She clearly missed the signs is all I'm saying..

 

[NYwdwfan]

Yeah.. My point was she said something along the lines of.. Disney should warn people that the ride may frighten young children.. She clearly missed the signs is all I'm saying..

Signs or no signs...it's called the Haunted Mansion. You can't expect sunshine, rainbows and unicorns inside.