Mansion stretch room too frightening for children

[Po'Rich]

Last Christmas when I went on HM, we were ushered straight through the room. I had assumed that it was because of the crowds and the desire to keep lines moving as fast as possible. I clicked on this topic in fear (quaking fear!) that Disney had decided to permanently bipass the room (one of my favorite experiences at the park). I can't tell you how relieved I am that this thread is just about some self-entitled person finding a meaningless reason to complain (well, that and a side discussion about someone's twelve-foot pole).

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Well, we were less than welcoming. But to be fair, someone's first post proclaiming that a classic Disney attraction should be neutered isn't a good first impression.

 

[DfromATX]

Well, we were less than welcoming. But to be fair, someone's first post proclaiming that a classic Disney attraction should be neutered isn't a good first impression.

I thought it was just a joke. I wonder if some of these posts are made by our own under aliases just to get a rise out of us? Maybe the joke's on us. Same with Katiebug. Maybe even that other princess on here.

 

[aw14]

I think this is more a case of a troll than anything else. As the second post stated, each ride/attraction is different and each kid interprets them differently. My DD at 8 had no issue with it, but her 13 year old friend, is still too afraid to go on it.

Go figure

 

[PinnySmart]

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.

Then kindly keep yourself and your child at home. Is the word "Haunted" not in your vocabulary? I thinking this has to be a troll.

 

[POLY LOVER]

I have sympathy for your child BUT to change the ride because of this would ruin it for others. Best just explain there are parts of the ride that are dark and rider beware. I hope she found some of the other ghostly parts funny.

 

[Berret]

Well, as I think everyone has said in one form or other, what exactly did you expect might be contained within a ride called the "Haunted Mansion?" Unicorns and rainbows?

 

[sophie_the_pooh]

KATIEBUG HAS RETURNED!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad she's back! Another thread that will come back to haunt us forever and ever...!

 

[ninjaprincess]

My daughter was 2 it did not phase her at all, it never has. She was terrified of bugs life but the stretch room was fine. My nieces were 3 and 5 and they loved it found it to not be scary at all. This is an absolute classic and the best part of the ride, I would hope they will never change it. As said previously it is the haunted mansion the word Haunted should clue you in. Good thing you didn't have one of the guest scream along like I have seen them do many times, then you would really be upset.

 

[ninjaprincess]

The Brazilian tour groups are much scarier than the haunted mansion could ever be.

 

[mf1972]

OMG... is this a joke? I noticed she hasn't replied back to anyone. Ohhhh brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

she's going to be in for 1 heck of surprise when she sees all these replies if she's legit

 

[mf1972]

my wife gets a little spooked out with the bride in the attic, but that doesn't stop her from riding it while we're there. it's a must ride for both of us.

 

[graphite1326]

Freaking joke. Get a grip.

I agree. Give me a break already.

 

[graphite1326]

I have never seen It's Tough to be a Bug without hearing kids crying.

Yeah I always get a big smile on my face when I see a lot of kids going in. I tell whoever I am with that these kids will all be screaming soon.
My kids thought it would was great

 

[Phineas]

I first went to WDW when I was 5. My parents brought me on the Haunted Mansion-and the ominous atmosphere and structure had me terrified. Then the doors opened, and I saw the portrait of Master Gracey decaying, and clung to my parents for protection. By the time the stretching room started to work its magic, and the lights cut, just as some kid's balloon popped, it was game over for me: I was sobbing and begging to go home (not back to the hotel, but home home). I remember being fascinated by the ballroom, and had my eyes shut for the rest of it. (I'm pushing 30 now, my parents still laugh about how freaked out I was.)

But here's the thing: the mansion became a fascination. I would draw pictures of what I remembered, and hung paper ghosts in my room. I almost wore out our VHS copy of Disneyland Fun watching Grim Grinning Ghosts safely under blankets over and over again. My dad made me a giant cardboard fort shaped like the mansion, and I colored a portrait of Master Gracey and hung it inside. The Haunted Mansion was my favorite thing about our trip, and I only really saw about 20% of it because I was so scared.

I'm not saying your daughter will have the same sort of experience I did, but Walt Disney and his artists designed his attractions, and his movies with the knowledge that on some level, children kind of like to be scared. It's all part of the magic-and while I distinctly remember checking behind me to see if Phineas really was following us home, I didn't hate the experience. I wasn't all for going inside again or anything, but the fact that a ride that terrified me so much is still my favorite 25 years later says to me that Disney is doing something right with this one.

 

[Phineas]

Or is the internet sinking?

it depends on which coast you're closer to while viewing the thread.

 

[GVentola]

I used to be scared of the Haunted Mansion as a child. My parents let me wait at the Yankee Trader store while they were on it. This is when parents did not need to keep an eye on their children 24/7. Now I love the ride. And it's a good thing, too, because they recently replaced Yankee Trader with Memento Mori.

 

[bethymouse]

I was scared of the wolf howling. When I was little ( 1972) it seemed louder. My Dad always said "nothing's gonna hurt you girl". Sure enough. I was hooked, especially on the song, and the hitch-hiking ghosts ( I was only 3).

 

[Andrew C]

We took my 2 year old on Phantom Manor at DLP. She was good until the "underground" western scene. We will see how she does at HM at WDW next month, which she will be 3 by then.

 

[PrincessFairest]

Ok there is alot of misunderstanding so let me be perfectly clear in that I do not want HanutnedMansion ride to be removed EVER!!! It is a classic that makes Disney what it is. I had ridden it years before and loved it but never remembered the stretch room going pitch black. Of course that was before having kids, so things like that would not have been a issue. To also be clear I do not want the stretch room in itself to ever be taken down. It serves as a nice intro to the ride and sets the stage for what is to come. It is always fun watching the portraits transform as they stretch and of course that classic narration and candle gargoyles. The room itself is not a problem or that introduction. But what bothered my daughter was the few seconds of TOTAL darkness followed with the loud scream and shattering noise. Imagine those few instances from the eyes of a 5 year old. It was beyond terrifying for her and almost made for us to have to leave the attraction alltogether. but this does not mean we hate the ride or want it taken down and I apologize if there was any confusion in that. The haunted Mansion has always been a classic and always should be a classic. I am not even angry at disney over the pitch black scene, only suggesting for future guests with small children. I am not trying to ask for refund or get anything from it. lol Our trip as a whole was amazing and we will be back as soon as we can for more adventures. What Disney provides other parks can not even come close. But a few scenes could be changed to be more appropriate for children of all ages, as this is a place which advertised as a family destination. But pls do not think we hate the haunted Mansion ride or would ever want it to be taken down. Not even the stretch room as it is part of the entire experience. Just the only few seconds of total darkness. The rest is a great time to be had which makes it great!