As Christians, Any WDW attractions to AVOID?

[JoyG]

Hello,

The thread about WDW attractions of interest to Christians inspired me to post a question I've been wondering about for a while.

I'm a newbie, and I'm taking my family to WDW in August. DH, myself and boys 5, 5, 2.

Are there any attractions that a young Christian family might want to avoid?

I'm already planning to skip the Haunted Mansion, Snow White's Scary Adventures and Fantasmic... am I missing something?

Serious responses from Born Again, Evangelical or Christian Fundamentalists would be appreciated. Not trying to offend, but I'm looking for responses from people who know where I'm coming from.

Thanks a bunch,
Joy

 

[Cindy B]

Not offended, but none of those attractions bother me, and I am a Christian.

My BIL is more conservative than I and his family watched Fantasmic, and thought it exemplified evil more than it should. He said his family would not do that again, but it wasnt so terrible that they walked out.

Personally I see nothing wrong with Snow White. Haunted Mansion may not be everyone's preference, but that one doesn't bother me either.

 

[lovethattink]

There is a book called Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids by Kim Wright Wiley. I suggest you purchase this book. There is a detailed description of each ride that includes the scare factor of each ride. I'm sure by the description you should be able to tell if this ride is for you or not.
Since each Christian's relationship with Christ is so personal and at a different "level", it would be difficult to generalize and say don't go on this or that. What could cause one person to stumble wouldn't even phase another. For example both the movies Mulan and Brother Bear contain ancestor worship. My family enjoyed both movies. We had seen that Focus on the Family was advising Christian families not to go see Brother Bear. Well, that actually prompted us to go. We used it as a learning experience for our son. Recently, some close family members had died. So death and what we believe as Christians happens after death had been a recent subject at our house. Before we saw Brother Bear we explained to ds that he might notice that Kenai and Koda believe things that we don't. He was able to enjoy the movie as a delightful story. When we asked him if he noticed anything that they believed that we don't he was able to identify the differences. He was 10 at that time.
Another thing to consider is that Disney is the most MAGICAL place on earth. There is reference to magic everywhere. If you are the type of person that wants to avoid this make believe magic...well, you can't. From Fairy Godmother using a magic wand, to wishing upon a star the Disney magic is a big part of your vacation. CM's go out of their way to make your stay a magical one. When someone does something nice for you at WDW, that's called spreading the magic. The afternoon parade sings that "it's time to remember the magic."
Some people are offended by the sexy costumes of some of the characters. Jasmine has been known to turn an eye or two.
Some people are offended by the rogue scenes in Pirate's of the Caribbean.
As for Fantasmic, that is my very favorite show at Disney. I love how all the character's pass by in boats. I'm amazed by the special effects. The quality of the show is incredible. However, it's a completely different story for my one son. The 1st time he saw it he was in kindergarten. It scared him alot. It was too dark, too loud and too many villians for him. He is now 11 and he still has no desire to see it, so we skip it.
Snow White's scary adventure is scary because the evil witch is chasing you the whole time. Another one ds still doesn't like.
Seriously, consider buying that Walt Disney World with kids book. It has some great tips and explains why a ride might be scary to some children.

 

[CarolA]

I know lots of "Born Again" Christians and they go to EVERYTHING at Disney. However, you might remember that the Southern Baptist Convention voted to boycott the whole place so maybe it's all or nothing?

 

[fam4jc]

Hi. I remember a few years ago about the boycot of Disney. Before we went the first time that bothered me... We are a Christian family. DH is a deacon, I teach sunday school, committed to Christ. That said, we went to Disney and all of us loved it. I didn't see anything that glorified evil, violence or sex. We have talked about Walt's dream about a park for families that was filled with magical feelings. A place to be happy. My girls (8 & 5) both know that magic isn't real and that Mickey makes things happen with tricks and special effects. My dd5 even said she loved the ghost riding in her car at the haunted mansion, using mirrors! She understands that it's all make believe.

Now, Snow White is pretty scary and we haven't seen fantasmic yet. Tower of Terror is another ride that you might want to avoid. It also deals with a ghost story, (my dd5 wouldn't go near the place).

My advice is to not go on the rides that you don't feel comfortable riding. Or, maybe send you dh first to see what he thinks then maybe the rest of you can ride. WDW is a place to be happy so don't try something that might upset you. You can always use the sights, rides, sounds, etc as teachable moments... we do that alot also.

You could get some good books about special effects before you go so they will have an idea how some of the stuff is done. It's pretty cool to see their little brains churning about how Pooh and piglet moves and talks!

If fantasy and make belief is not part of your children's life, then Disney may not be the place for your family. It's full of both and done with superb quality.

May God bless your day and grant you wisdom
fam4jc

 

[G00fyDad]

Okay, I am not offended either but for the life of me I can not think of one single thing that would be offensive to a Christian. I am a Christian my self (Southern Baptist) and nothing about WDW would ever offend me. I just don't get it.

What's non Christian about Haunted Mansion, Snow White's Scary Adventures and Fantasmic? None of these rides force a different religious view on you. Okay, I know that as a Christian you may have something against ghosts and dragons, but Snow White?

 

[720L]

I agree with a previous poster--tell your kids it's all "make believe". I find that a lot of the DIsney stories have a "dark side" to them--a little scary then everything turns good. I wouldn't avoid those rides--the haunted mansion is one of the best! At Epcot Universe of Energy is about the big bang theory. We just tell our kids some people believe thats how the world began. If your kids (especially your 2 yr old) are scared of the dark, that might be a reason to avoid those rides.

 

[goofy4tink]

I think it is probably the whole evil, witch, ghosts thing that would bother the more fundamental groups. As an Episcopalian we don't have any issues with anything in WDW. But, I know some do. I have a lady in my church who is horrified that anyone would put up those paper cutout witches at Halloween. She truly believes that in doing so, we are allowing evil doers into our house. Do I believe it? NO, but she does. And that is her right.

I would either avoid the 'other worldly' type attractions if you think it would bother your family due to your religious beliefs. Or could you just have a talk with your children and explain that it is all just make-believe and that 'our family' doesn't believe in this kind of thing but isn't it funny. There just seems to be a lot you would miss out on. But, again, if that is your belief then so be it.

 

[JoyG]

Thanks for your frank replies. I guess I'm looking for Christians to tell me if they ever went on a ride that "didn't sit well with their spirit". I appreciate the story of the family that said although they went once to Fantasmic, they won't be back. Those are the kinds of reactions I'm wondering if anyone's had on other attractions.

The Disney "feel good magic" doesn't bother me, but the magic of socerers and witches would. That's why I will be skipping Snow White (b/c of the witch) and anything that deals with socerer Mickey. Just reading the description of Fantasmic bothers me! LOL.

Thanks!
Joy

 

[Cindybell]

What an interesting thread. I myself am a born again Christian and am a member of a conservative Baptist church. I just love Disney but in the context that for the most part it is more family oriented than other things we could choose to do together. In the past Disney has made some movies that to me have had very definite agendas that I found offensive. That said though there are probably not any companies that produce secular movies that do not contain some offensive materials to me. I would be a hypocrite to boycott Disney but then watch other movies that have even more offensive material. I find that even PG 13 movies can get pretty bad! I don't know of any rides that I could say I would avoid except I didn't think Alien was appropriate for Disney but I think that ride is gone. I believe that it is OK for children to use their imaginations and hear stories that are nothing but fairytales as long as that is how you present them. In most of Disney's tales the evil is not glorified but is triumphed over by good. I also agree with one of the other posts that really it is an idividual decision and has to do with your walk with Christ. There may come a time when I will join the ranks to boycott Disney but as of yet that time has not come. So, for now I will look forward to going to Disney with my family in June and pray that all will go well and thank the Good Lord above that I live in a country that I can enjoy such wonderful blessings.

 

[estnh]

I mean no offense by this reply--everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, and faith is a wonderful thing. However, if things like Snow White, Sorcerer Mickey, and the Haunted Mansion bother you, perhaps Disney World is not a place for you.

The whole point of Disney is to present a fantasy world that takes us away from harsh reality for a few hours, and lets us escape to a magical place that may include a mouse in a sorcerer's cap, or perhaps a duck in a witches cloak.
It is not real--it is fantasy, and it is not evil in any way. It is a world best seen through the eyes of a child, and it's real beauty is in its innocence.

As for me, the thought of a world without this special kind of magic is sad indeed.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

That's why I will be skipping Snow White (b/c of the witch) and anything that deals with socerer Mickey.

Then you definitely need to avoid Disney MGM Studios completely. The center of the park is sorcerer Mickey's hat and the sorcerer Mickey character meet and greet is there too. He is also featured on the Great Movie Ride. Oh also the Stars in Motor Cars Parade. I've also seen him walking around the park many times, he could jump out at you at any given moment!!! So stay away from the studios for sure.

Also you'd have to skip Mickey's Philharmagic and the Spectromagic parade at MK. They both have sorcerer Mickey as well.

Wow, if I were you I really would consider a different vacation.

 

[lindsey]

I am also a born again Southern Baptist Christian, and I love Disney.
Two things we have always explained to our son - Disney is make-believe, and Disney's storytelling version in Universe of Energy and Living Seas was not how we believe the world came to be. One very nice thing Disney does at Christmas is the Candlelight Procession, in which they tell the true story of Christmas - Jesus' birth. It's so exciting to see that many people sit down several times a night during the holidays to hear this. Alot of people are there to see a "real" star do the guest speaker part, but they do hear the true story of Christmas.

 

[elaine and the boys]

Personally, as a Christian, I find that the "magic" of Disney fills my heart. The innocense of childhood, the feelings of wonder and happiness...and goodness! Perhaps this sounds corny, but you could replace the word "magic" with "love". It's about sharing time with your family and friends, learning about other cultures, sharing a dream of peace for all. How can you beat that??

 

[luvmk]

We are christians and active in our church. There is absolutely nothing at disney that we find offensive. Ds9 and dd6 have never question the "beliefs" expressed in the Living Seas or Universe of Energy. They know how they believe, and that's what is important. We LOVE sorcerer mickey and have never seen him as more than a character of the parks. It is make believe. We do all of the rides and I have never been insulted by what I saw. I guess it never occured to us to be upset with the "magic" or the witches from the movies, especially since MNSSHP is one of our favorite events.

I would seriously consider another vacation if the villians and sorcerer mickey are going to upset you. I also agree with TigrLvsPooh, stay away from MGM. I do think it's a shame to miss Philharmagic. Hands down, one of the best attractions I have ever seen.


Rachel

 

[luvmk]

Personally, as a Christian, I find that the "magic" of Disney fills my heart. The innocense of childhood, the feelings of wonder and happiness...and goodness! Perhaps this sounds corny, but you could replace the word "magic" with "love". It's about sharing time with your family and friends, learning about other cultures, sharing a dream of peace for all. How can you beat that??

There--that's it! That's what I was trying to say!


Rachel

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Also, another one I just thought of, in Fantasyland they have a show featuring Merlin periodically throughout the day. (near the castle) I think he's an even more powerful sorcerer than Mickey.

Oh, and you'd need to avoid the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. Ursula uses dark magic to conjure a potion that takes away Ariel's voice.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI, in reference to the Southern Baptist Convention's boycott of Disney: the boycott had nothing whatsoever to do with any of the attractions at the theme parks. I researched it pretty carefully at the time, b/c I wanted to know if it was likely to affect my investments in the company.

The primary reasons for the boycott were the Disney Company's decision to extend family benefit coverage to the same-sex partners of their employees, Disney's tolerance of the Gay Day event, and the content of films released by certain production companies owned by Disney, e.g. Miramax in particular. (Walt Disney Pictures, the unit that releases animation, was not singled out.)

 

[caitycaity]

However, if things like Snow White, Sorcerer Mickey, and the Haunted Mansion bother you, perhaps Disney World is not a place for you.

seriously, you are going to run into the kinds of things that bother you at wdw. even if you avoid rides, you will see fantasy type stuff through out the world. i would seriously consider a different vacation.

 

[AtlantaSue]

Hi! I absolutely love Disney, but I do have a comment. A few weeks ago, I went on the Pirates of the Carribean for the 1st time since I was a teenager. As a teenager, I was not a Christian and I remember thinking it was great. Well, this time, it just felt funny. Like you said - it just didn't sit right with my Spirit. It was very dark, in the evil sense. Pirates killing, looting, taking women prisoners, etc. It just felt odd to me to be riding around and enjoying looking at such dark images. Usually, I take more of a "it's just fantasy" approach - I didn't have any problem on any other attraction, even Haunted Mansion or Snow White. But when we go back to Disney, Pirates isn't going to be on my list. I hope your trip is great, and that you don't have any "unmagical" experiences.