Haunted Mansion Question About This Page:

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I would like to take DD (3) on HM on this upcoming trip... but I am 85% sure that the beginning room (with the lights out, the lightning and the elongating paintings) will absolutely freak her out and she will then panic and decide not to go on the ride.

Is there a way to get to the loading area without going through that room? Is there a CM you can ask, that will understand and can point us another way so we don't have to experience the room? I don't want to cut the line or anything, just want to skip the room part if possible.

Thoughts here?

[B.M.]

I don't know if they will accomodate that or not- but I could feature it. Hopefully someone will come along with experience. I'm just chimming in because I will also be taking a 3 yr old on the Haunted Mansion. Since I've only rode it once, my memory isn't that great on how scary it was- I was just planning to take him through the whole thing.........

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I'd like to think the CM's would be able to accommodate something like that... but I'm just not sure HOW that would work... I don't recall that the beginning is particularly scary in that room... but the lights go out and there's thunder and lightning, and I just think it might freak her out, even if I prep her. I guess I'll see how it goes, and worst case I'll skip it!

[Griffin]

I wonder if they would let you go in the special access or handicap entrance, if that part skips the stretching room? Good luck talking to the CMs though, each time I tried to talk to them a few weeks ago they just looked at me and didn't say anything...

[bradk]

as mentioned, there is an alternate entrance which goes right into the queue area. it's available to anyone, just ask the greeter CM about it.

[Carousel96]

tell us how it went -- that may make DD willing to ride.

[truenancy]

I just held my DD and she closed her eyes. I think she got non-stressed vibes from me, and she found the ride totally worth the couple minutes of her face buried in my shoulder...

I hope they let you bypass, just in case!

[wyomom]

Not sure if there's an emergency exit prior to the ride (there has to be one right?) but I can tell you I took my dd (3) on the ride and what helped was pointing out all the people and children and how "excited/happy" they were to get to be on this ride. Just keep pointing out this is Disney and Mickey Mouse loves this ride. This helped a lot. Thinking I also made it very clear prior to going inside the HM that it was dark, but that was ok as it was part of the fun. If she got scared, she could close her eyes. By the time we were on the buggies, her and DS (8 at that time) rode in a buggie by themselves!
Hope DD enjoys the ride!!

[carters_mom]

My son did the whole thing start to finish at age 3, for those taking that route. Sounds like you will be able to skip the beginning no problem Principessa_di_Fata

[Principessa_di_Fata]

Thanks for all the feedback and reassurance, guys! I know I'm probably worried for nothing, but I like to sort of be prepared at least somewhat for an "alternate" if I get the idea that DD is going to flip out. It's funny because it's hard to tell what will set her off. She's really brave about some things, and acts like it's no big deal, but then other times she'll get a little bent out of shape about something that I would never have thought would upset her.

I guess we'll see exactly 3 weeks from today!!

[happyhedgehogs]

My DD was 5 on our last trip, and was very scared of Haunted Mansion. DH had gone back to the room to start packing, and I hated for DS to miss the ride since he was so excited about it. I explained to DD what would happen (including the stretched paintings and the darkness and lightning effect). I reminded her that it was all just pretend, and I had her watch for the jokes--the funny parts of the stretched paintings. That seemed to help. For the ride itself, I suggested that she keep her eyes closed and just ride. She came up with a better idea, though: She wore her sunglasses in the ride! It was dark enough with the sunglasses that she couldnt really see anything, but could peek over them if shse wanted to see a particular scene. It gave her a lot more confidence, and she got through the ride just fine!

[elisa1006]

In June, I took a recently turned 4 and 2 yr old on the ride, and they were fine. In the stretching room, we held them and they didn't get scared. My 8 yr old on the other hand, was freaking out the entire ride!

[mpwife153]

I want DD(5) to try this ride when wego this week. We have been watching LOTS of rides on YouTube. In Jan alot of the dark rides were really loud & they scared her alittle. This time we are taking DH's headphones he uses when he shoots. I also got her a small led light that I attached to her lanyard. She is very excited about our trip now & can tell me exactly what will happen next on each ride.

[stubekis]

Originally Posted by Principessa_di_Fata

I would like to take DD (3) on HM on this upcoming trip... but I am 85% sure that the beginning room (with the lights out, the lightning and the elongating paintings) will absolutely freak her out and she will then panic and decide not to go on the ride.

Is there a way to get to the loading area without going through that room? Is there a CM you can ask, that will understand and can point us another way so we don't have to experience the room? I don't want to cut the line or anything, just want to skip the room part if possible.

Thoughts here?

Wow, I am so glad you asked this question! And that Brad had the answer! My 9 yo ds HATES that part of the ride. I mean it completely freaks him out. Last time he literally starting panicking in there and DH had to leave with him through the chicken exit. He's fine with the rest though - go figure. I think the fact that it goes completely dark just really upsets him. So, if we can bypass that, then our whole family can enjoy the ride together without that anxiety. He is really my tough one with that kind of stuff - I think he thinks too much! DD, 5, goes on pretty much anything and everything and doesn't give it a 2nd thought. He also refused to go on the Great Movie Ride at HS this year because the last time we did it he got really scared by the Alien part of the ride! There's no getting around that so we will just skip that ride for the time being, I guess - but nice to hear about HM!

[Tonichelle]

the thunder, lightning and SCREAM that goes through the room, would have freaked me out as a little kid... good to know there IS a way to go through to the ride without the stretching room, though that's my favorite part of the ride.