As Christians, Any WDW attractions to AVOID?

[caitycaity]

Pirates killing, looting, taking women prisoners, etc. It just felt odd to me to be riding around and enjoying looking at such dark images.

but the whole point of pirates is that they get what is coming to them in the end - you know "dead men tell no tales"?

 

[jclark3]

I'm heartened by the articulate comments by Christian posters in this thread. As a Christian parent, I'm all about making responsible choices for my family. I love WDW but that doesn't mean I allow our tv to stay glued to ABC where I find highly objectionable programming. Along with the vast array of personal rights our culture offers, come personal responsbilities as Christian parents. And I see this demonstrated in our approach to Disney: we must keep our minds alert and keep talking with our children about our faith.

 

[dolphindan1]

Thats right the Baptist Convention boycotted Disney for there Gay days....Totally un christianlike in my book...I thought as christians we were to accept everyone if we agreed with there practice or not....Jesus died for our sins and will judge us...its not our duty to judge people...If baptists are concerned about gay's then they would not be allowed to leave the house they are all around us along with crime and sin....I for one am against homosexuality I think its against gods word but on the same token its not my job to judge a way of life....I can only control my life.....to an extent

Thats my rant as far as Disney is concerned you will never be able to take yor family to a place of so much joy, excitement and wonder....And as far as the mixed messages go as one poster said use it as a learning experience....Take ellens energy ride and explain to the children why the church believes what they believe and scientists believe the other way....They are gonna learn it in school anyway and parents are the best teachers so I think it would be a good tool...Sorcerer Mickey and villians....Well I think families will experience alot worse in there life even as kids than this....I think you can use it as good always overcomes evil as Disney is trying to tell you....Isnt GOD and the Devil the ultimate good vs evil....I think so....I think skipping stuff that is so family oriented will only hurt your kids in the long run...Sheltering children from life is not a way to help them grow up...I think they need all kinds of experiences so they can form better opinions in the future for there own lives....I am not telling someone how to raise there children but only my feelings....I know I will get flamed but I can handle that....As far as my religion I am a confirmed Catholic recently converted to Episcopalian....I call it Catholic light....I am not the die hard church member...I believe in god and all He/She stands for, I believe Jesus died for our sins, I believe he rose on the 3rd day, I also believe in Science and ellens way the universe is created but that it was set in motion by god....To me that is the ultimate solution....I respect everyones values no matter what the outcome...no matter what you do or decide have a wonderful time

 

[Mermaid02]

but the whole point of pirates is that they get what is coming to them in the end - you know "dead men tell no tales"?

Now that opens up a whole other can of worms!!

Seriously, if someone is so troubled by Fantasmic or POTC I don't understand why they would spend the $$ to go someplace where the entire theme is magic and fantasy. MGM is out- half of the MAGIC kingdom is out- Epcot is borderline...

 

[perdidobay]

I agree with the poster above... why would you want to spend a vacation where you are constantly on guard about what might offend you. It doesn't sound like a fun, relaxing vacation to me.

 

[LSUDis]

Are there any rides in which evil/bad guy wins?

I think that the primary message at any of these rides/shows, etc. at Disney is that eventually good overcomes evil. Isn't that one of the core messages of Christianity, too?

 

[lajones81]

I am a Christian and am not offended by the rides. To me, Disney is a place that reminds me (just like Christ) to have that child like view on the world. Best of luck on your trip!

 

[ashjohnson80]

I would stay away from an attraction called "Pagan Pirates of the Carribean" its a celebration of Wicca...

 

[AtlantaSue]

Mermaid02-

In response to your post - I didn't enjoy POTC - but I sure enjoyed everything else about my Disney experience - it was worth all the $$$$$! I just was uncomfortable on that one ride, that's all.

 

[tmfranlk]

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

Even as a Christian, I can't say that I agree with you, but based on the above quote, and some assumptions that I am making, here is what I would suggest skipping. I may be going overboard, but just trying to give you an idea of possibilities.

MK:
Philharmgic (uses Sorcerer Mickey hat),
Snow White (witch)
Peter Pan (pixie dust magic)
Spectromagic parade (Sleeping Beauty fairies - magic)
Wishes (sorcerer Mickey hat and music)
Haunted Mansion (magic, ghosts)
Share a Dream Come True parade (Villians - all have magic)

Epcot:
Living Seas (evolution)
Universe of Energy (evolution)
Maelstrom (trolls, Norwegian myths)

MGM:
Indiana Jones (evil curses)
Great Movie Ride (Wizard of Oz)
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (Urusla and King Triton use magic)
Fantasmic (good versus evil, magic)
Beauty and the Beast (evil spell)
Stars in Motorcars Parade (villians again)

AK:
Pocahontas show (spirits)

Could I also suggest you at least consider the idea of using these attractions as teaching tools of your beliefs to your children. As I grew into my 20s I began to resent the amount of sheltering from other beliefs that religion tended to have. As I went to college and into the "real world" I felt like I was missing an understanding of others ideas. I feel like I would have been better prepared to counter with my own beliefs if I had even known that these other things existed. Instead, I felt ignorant and unable to fully address why I believe my religion over someone else. (I hope that makes sense. I'm not trying to object to your beliefs or way of vacationing at Disney, just trying to give another point of view.)

 

[Gymbomom]

Joy,
I smile at your post!!! My mothers name is Joy and ya'll sound like one and the same person!! Which is a good thing!!
I understand what you said about not "sitting well with your spirit". That is what my mother would say. And, I know in my life I have felt this way about things before.
Now, I don't feel that way about a whole of Disney things. We choose not to go extreme on some things. We did Fantasmic last time, much to my mothers dismay. My daughter is 7 though and I felt I could explain things to her. okay enough rambling about my thinking, let me see if anything would be offensive to you, or tell you a little about it so you can have the information to decide!
Also, some things are so slight they might go over your childrens heads as in the evolution things.
I will also say, everyone feels differently and the Spirit leads us all differently, just because I think it is okay, it might not be for you and vice versa! We pretty much partake of everything, we tell our children what is real, what is not, does it bother them...etc.

1. The Living Seas-Epcot- The movie at the first has a lot of evolution in it. WE skip this by going thru the exit elveator doors and just go thru the exhibit.
2. Philarmagic - MK-has the sorcerer in it, but my mother was okay with this. But mickey does direct the somethings, Fantasia style.
3. Universe of Energy - Epcot- has evolution references in it.
4. SpectroMagic- MK- Has some scary scenes in it, with villians.
5.I haven't been on the Stitch ride yet
6.Almost everything in Epcot Future World has humanistic thinking in it....not evil, but one world, evoltution, etc. I don't find it evil and most likey will go over your 5 year olds heads.
7. Beauty and the Beast Show- is like the movie, evil spell, spell broken, transformations.
8.Tower of Terror - Spirits, etc.
9.Rock n Roller Coaster- Load Rock Music
10.Voyage of the LIttle Mermaid- Evil vs. Good, witches, transformations
11.Lion King Show -AK- Some christians find the Circle of Life offensive, one world unity, etc.
12.pocohantas Show- AK- Unity, one world, chanting, etc.
13. Norway, the Maelstorn ride- My mother doesn't like this as it has a beast on it.
14. The wonders of Life- Epcot- the making of me- detailed about birth- your children might not be old enough
15. Cranium Command- Epcot- Inside a 12 year old brain- I don't know if it will be right for your childrens ages
That is all I can think of that you might find remotely offensive. I hope you have a wonderful time!!

 

[ndmommy]

There are so many posts saying that I am a Christian and don't find anything in WDW offensive. I would say the same about myself. However, even though we are all Christians, we all have different ideas on what we consider acceptable for our families. There is nothing wrong with that. I admire the fact that the OP is taking the time to make sure that she doesn't expose her children to something she finds unacceptable or offensive.

My best advice would be to get a guide book that has descriptions of all the rides and shows, like The Unofficial Guide to WDW. I would then read the descriptions and then decide if that ride or show is something you feel comfortable taking your children on.

Good luck with your planning.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

Oh, just thought of another one... The Enchanted Tiki Room. There are many references to the "tiki gods". Definitely avoid that.

 

[JoyG]

My sincere thanks to those of you who are respectfully posting your opinions.

There have been a few comments that are especially appreciated:

AtlantaSue- I had been debating about POTC, this is exactly the info I was looking for. Thanks for sharing. I'll take it into consideration.

Gymbomom- Of the list you made, are there any attractions that your Mom wouldn't do again? Or has avoided altogether? You mention the Dragon in Norway...that's something I didn't know and exactly what kind of info I'm looking for.


Again, thank you everyone for taking the time to respectfully post your opinions and suggestions.

I'll try to rephrase my original question: I am most interested in YOUR personal experiences as Born Again/Evangelical/Fundamental Christians. Tell me something YOU wouldn't do again and why. PM's are welcome.


Joy

 

[Tinkaroo]

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??

I think elaine and the boys says it best. DH & I, too, are Christians, and we LOVE WDW. I think Disney is about the wonderful memories you can have as a family, a chance to get away from the normal "pressures" of life, and a chance to see things through the innocent eyes of a child. Being that we are exhorted to have a child-like faith, I find Disney a place here on earth where, once you are adults, you can return to that place of feeling and experiencing like a child once again. I probably have a much better state of mind at Disney than I do at some points through my daily life, and always feel blessed by the experiences I have there. They can't be beat!

I do agree with other posters that maybe this vacation isn't for you if you are going to be highly sensitive to Sorcerer Mickey, Snow White, and the like. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

If you have such a long list of shows and rides that you would find offensive I seriously doubt WDW is the place for you to vacation. I am a Christian (Catholic) but I guess we take a different view of WDW. We find it to be a wonderful, magical FANTASY world. I'm not being mean but I just can't imagine if you are worried about so many things being against your religion that you would have a good time there.

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I'll try to rephrase my original question: I am most interested in YOUR personal experiences as Born Again/Evangelical/Fundamental Christians. Tell me something YOU wouldn't do again and why. PM's are welcome.

Hello Joy Just wanted to let you know that the DIS doesn't discriminate against posters based on religion. Anyone is free to respond to your question regardless of their religious affiliation. If you are uncomfortable reading responses from people outside of your religion then I would suggest finding a different community to post with. We here at the DIS come from all walks of life and I personally take offense to your posting requirements. What would you think if someone requested only white people respond to their thread? Or only African American people can respond? Or only heterosexual people can respond? That is just not allowed here.

 

[LukenDC]

Anyone is free to respond to your question regardless of their religious affiliation.

I agree. The DIS is a wonderful place precisely because it brings together people from so many different backgrounds.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Tigrlvspooh- I'm with you 100%. The Dis boards are for all.
I don't however think that is what Joy was saying. She sounded like she was being very respectful of everyone. Just wanting to know what others personal experiences were who held the same beliefs as her.

 

[Stitch1962]

I think that we should be open to all people's beliefs, knowing that not all people feel the same as we might. I find nothing offensive about WDW, as we live and let live, knowing that not everyone believes the same things. That is how we have raised our child, and she is very grounded in reality and has a very open mind to others. My spouse is Native American, so of course, we have taught DD what her ancestors believed. Having a background in World Religions, we embrace all beliefs, including evolution and have no problems with others who want to choose whomever they want to share their lives.

If you feel uncomfortable, by all means skip that attraction, but just know that as your kids get older and want to experience more, they will likely, out of sheer curiosity, seek out things that are forbidden to them now.