Mansion stretch room too frightening for children

[DfromATX]

Teen angst. Check his age on his profile.

I doubt he's really 13. I have a 13 year old and he would have no interest in posting on here. He'd rather be outside with his friends or playing video games or texting people. His writing is not like a 13 year old either. And, a 13 year old would probably feel the more gruesome the better - certainly no complaints with HM. I'm just not buying it. I think he's bored grown up. Probably the same person as one of the princesses on here.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I loved the old Hunchback show at the Studios. That is all.

.

I still get angry that its gone. Real talented performers.

 

[MOXOMUMD]

Two words: Old Yeller

Oompa Loompas freak me out. And McDonald's should dump Ronald because he's a clown.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Oompa Loompas freak me out. And McDonald's should dump Ronald because he's a clown.

Ronald should run for president like so many other clowns are doing!

 

[Dead2009]

If anything about the Haunted Mansion is truly terrifying, it's the movie Eddie Murphy was in. That's sure to give the kids (and parents) nightmares.

 

[danyoung56]

I still get angry that its gone. Real talented performers.

I could not agree with you more. I used to make the time to see this show at least once on every visit. A real loss!

 

[Incomudro]

One of my twin sons was afraid to go in the Haunted Mansion his first time. Not terrified, just apprehensive.
He was probably six or seven years old at the time.
Now, as his father - I obviously knew him well, and knew what scared him. I knew the HM well too, and knew that what scared him - really scared him, not temporarily gave him a jolt - wasn't contained in the HM.
I was very big on age appropriate things and would not have brought my son into a graphic blood and guts display.
That's the kind of thing that scared him, and that's the kind of thing I would not have subjected him to at that age.
(Speaking of which, many neighborhood Halloween decorations have entered that realm.)
I really wanted him to go in HM, because again - I knew what was in there, and that my son would not only be fine with it, but that he'd actually enjoy the whole experience.
"Disney Scary" I told him.
"Disney doesn't do the type of things that you are afraid of, and you know that daddy would never do that to you..."
Anyway, we went in and he thoroughly enjoyed it, of course.
The rest is history as they say.
Oh!
Side note...
On the Jungle Cruise (same trip) as the boat turned around to reveal the blowgun and spear holding headhunters, my son ducked!
Hysterical, and one of my favorite WDW memories!!
Let's hope no one complains about the headhunters.

 

[tirian]

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.

Wait, are you serious? You took your daughter into an attraction labeled "The Haunted Mansion"; you call it a "classic," implying you are aware of its reputation; you love Disney enough to join a fan forum; and you're acting like you didn't know it would have dark segments.

You are the parent. It's not Disney's job to make sure everything is appropriate for a 5-year-old, and there IS a warning sign posted outside the attraction.

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I was just listening to some of the Voices of Liberty stuff and there was some stuff from Hunchback... You wanna talk a dark Disney movie... Hunchback is a dark Disney movie...

Yes!

Two words: Old Yeller

And definitely yes

Don't forget Bambi. Talk about traumatizing. But that's a whole other thread...

Aaaand yes-every time I think of Bambi's mommy my soul dies a little.

Dumbo breaks my heart too.

 

[DfromATX]

Yes!

And definitely yes

Aaaand yes-every time I think of Bambi's mommy my soul dies a little.

Dumbo breaks my heart too.

I forgot about Dumbo. That's another tough one. I remember I couldn't understand why those other 'mom elephants' would laugh at a baby elephant's ears. There was a thread a while back about sad Disney movies... there's lot's of 'em.

 

[NormC]

The ride part should never been changed. from start when you load the doombuggys to finish it is a amazing experience and story. I have said this before there is no concern or complain with the actual ride. If not Disneys best it is right up there in the top five best that is offered.

Guess what Princess - Disney has provided a solution to your problem for years. If you have a sensitive snowflake you can bypass the stretching room. See Disney listened and agreed with you years ago.

 

[graphite1326]

One of my twin sons was afraid to go in the Haunted Mansion his first time. Not terrified, just apprehensive.
He was probably six or seven years old at the time.
Now, as his father - I obviously knew him well, and knew what scared him. I knew the HM well too, and knew that what scared him - really scared him, not temporarily gave him a jolt - wasn't contained in the HM.
I was very big on age appropriate things and would not have brought my son into a graphic blood and guts display.
That's the kind of thing that scared him, and that's the kind of thing I would not have subjected him to at that age.
(Speaking of which, many neighborhood Halloween decorations have entered that realm.)
I really wanted him to go in HM, because again - I knew what was in there, and that my son would not only be fine with it, but that he'd actually enjoy the whole experience.
"Disney Scary" I told him.
"Disney doesn't do the type of things that you are afraid of, and you know that daddy would never do that to you..."
Anyway, we went in and he thoroughly enjoyed it, of course.
The rest is history as they say.
Oh!
Side note...
On the Jungle Cruise (same trip) as the boat turned around to reveal the blowgun and spear holding headhunters, my son ducked!
Hysterical, and one of my favorite WDW memories!!
Let's hope no one complains about the headhunters.

I gotta say, looking at your picture, you are one nice looking father.

 

[keegaan]

... What did you expect from a ride called The Haunted Mansion? Cats dancing on rainbows?

 

[DfromATX]

... What did you expect from a ride called The Haunted Mansion? Cats dancing on rainbows?

Hey now, THAT would be entertaining!

 

[mouse_luv]

... What did you expect from a ride called The Haunted Mansion? Cats dancing on rainbows?

At that rate we could have this:

Or even this!

 

[DfromATX]

At that rate we could have this:

Or even this!

I hope no cats were harmed in the making of those recordings.

 

[myhappyplace]

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.

False. The "core customer" is NOT families with small children...it is everyone. Meaning that there is something for everyone, but everything is not for everyone.

I don't have mynown children, don't plan to. I am a Toddler teacher though, and absolutely LOVE kids. Do I think that all rides need to be for them? No. Guess what, if the dark of the stretching room scares your child, that is not a ride you need to take your family on.

 

[mousehockey37]

Guess what, if the dark of the stretching room scares your child, that is not a ride you need to take your family on.

That's the problem though, it's easier to pass the blame to Disney and make them be the bad person. Parents are supposed to be buddies with their kids, right?

OP just needs to realize that they screwed up, their kid didn't do well in the stretching room and take it as a parental fail and learning experience. Nothing needs to change on Disney's end... Just the parenting of the OP.

 

[jaklgreen]

Parents should not need to adjust when visitng a place called Walt Disney World aka a place design for family and children. It is the people who always have to have thrill or scary attractions in order to have fun who need to visit six flags, Universal or busch Garden where those requests can be met. If I take my daughter to those places and she is scared it is not right for me to complain there, as those parks are designed to be age specific and have rides or shows that cater to audience which can handle scares. But disney is not those kind of parks and which is why we love it there. Oh and Disney agrees with me! Have gotten back a email response from last week and they agree and said will continue to provide and improve ride and attractions to accomodate all its guests. Do not believe me? I can foward you the email. and this is the type of service and understanding we have come to expect from Disney which is why we will return for years to come. It is what disney does that no other theme park or company can match. Sorry you do not feel the same way but it is good to know the company itself does not see me as a bad parent for wanting my child to enjoy all ride and attraction the park has to offer.

Your outlook on life is a bit infuriating. The world should not have to change for you or your child. Why should everyone else accommodate and change to only what YOU like or what only YOU want? If you do not like it build your own damn amusement park. Seriously your statements have to be a joke. You are some weird guy just saying this crap to cause controversy. I can not believe that someone actually has this mentality. And there is no way that any place will ever accommodate ALL people. It is just not possible. If someone in your family can not handle HM then don't go on it. My husband gets sick just looking at the tea cups. Maybe they should change it so they stop spinning. If you are legitimately a parent then as one parent to another I will say that you are not doing your daughter any favors. And she wont grow up and thank your for not preparing her on what life is really like.

 

[PrincessFairest]

My son was 5 the first time we took him on Alien Encounter. I took the time to explain to him everything that was going to happen. I pointed out some of the effects as we entered and reminded him that the monster is just a big rubber suit with motors in it - just like the Presidents. I also told him to listen because when the lights go out and you hear the sounds like the monster is behind you and feel the "breathing" of the monster that I was going to yell out "oh no, it's got my arm". I never got a chance to do that, because he did it first, he even added a blood curdling scream. We walked out of there laughing and talking about how good the effects were. My only advice is parents, be parents, and prepare your kids for what live has in store - be it good or bad. And unfortunately, life will have uncomfortable stuff that they will need to deal with and it is unreasonable to think that you (or they) can change every little thing that upsets them...

That does make alot of sense. Having ridden the Mansion before I probably should have been more clear to my daughter before the ride as what was to be expect once inside. that may have made her traumatizing experience not scary but I had forgotten about it going pitch black dark in the room at all. I remember the lightning but forgot about no lights at all for a few seconds in that stretch room. but everything you said makes alot of sense on how I could have calmed the situation by giving her warning before we entered the mansion on what would happen and how it is all pretend.