Christians- Rides/ Attractions to avoid

[hudsoncs]

Hello all,
If you're looking here I'm hoping that you are Christians and can assist. I'm not trying to be offensive, I'm just hoping to get input from people with a similar perspective.

We love Disney and just purchased annual passes after not going for over 14 years! We now have 2 little ones. Blessing #1-4years old and Blessing #2 18months.

Here are my concerns. I want to enjoy WDW and not feel like I'm having to protect my kids the whole time, so I want to have a game plan. I feel that I'm responsible for what I expose them to and in my opinion (I'm NOT looking to argue viewpoints- just suggestions from LIKE MINDED people) some things at disney are truly opposed to the scripture. This may seem silly to some but prefer to see a witch portrayed as something bad (like n Snow White-although we WON'T do the ride so I don't scare my kids) that a sourcerer as something good...like Mickey in Fantasmic OR Maybe I just don't like Fantasmic because of the sheer amount of evil presented...I'm not 100% sure. I can tell you that we saw fantasmic at Disney LAND and we left feeling sick.

If you feel the same, can you tell me what rides or attractions to avoid?

Also, I'm about to post about a book called The Gospel According to Disney...look there and contribute, I'de love to know your opinion.

In Him,
Silvia

 

[SLK1]

I think that no matter what you see or experience, you can interpret it in many different ways. Honestly, I hate the movie Dumbo because it makes me cry uncontrollably when they take Dumbo from his mom!!! But others love Dumbo. I don't know that I would try to compare Biblical teachings with Disney attractions...Disney is about fantasy and escape sort of - whereas we should apply the teachings of the Bible to our real world. Also, Disney is about good triumphing over evil (would you hesitate to share David vs. Goliath with your children?). Having said that, you might find Pirates of the Caribbean offensive for the drinking and wife auction scenes. I'll be interested to see other posts here...

 

[lovesmurfs]

That's a tough one. Your little ones are a little young to make a learning experience out of a ride that's against biblical principles...

When my kids were little, I'd often see a movie before letting my kids see it. Since you have annual passes, perhaps you and DH should get a sitter for the kids and go to the parks and experience each one before taking them so that you can know for yourselves which ones to avoid?

 

[MiniGirl]

We are Christians that love Disney. We don't avoid any of it, and just use some moments as "teaching" moments. An example would be "Living With the Land" (one of my oldest dd's favorite rides BTW). The narration during the ride talks about the earth being millions of years old. As Christians we don't believe that (again, like the OP, I'm not looking for an argument just stating our belief), so I just mention to them that according to the Bible that is not the case. Same with Animal Kingdom. I forget where, but there was something about evolution.

It really is no bid deal though as I have to do this almost everytime we go to a museum as well. I just consider it part of being "in the world."

ETA: I agree though that your kiddos are young. I don't know how much of any of that stuff they'd actually pick up on.

 

[mom2faith]

I think you have to take a step back and view it all as Disney. It is fantasy. Like PP said, you have to decide and that is up to you. IMHO I see nothing wrong with any of the rides. Even POTC is realistic to the time, it is part of history, so how can that be un-religious? I mean, this is an opportunity for you to open new discussions with your children about right, wrong and what they saw and how it made them feel. This, IMHO, is much better then sheltering them from it.

If you want to take it to the extreme, there is very little you could do at Disney. Little Mermaid is a creature that God did not create, Pinocchio lies, etc. I think you just need to take it for what it is worth, it is not real, it is fantasy. And, use the opportunity to teach your child using different examples and stories (ex Pinocchio lying). KWIM??

 

[talulabelle]

Well, you may want avoid haunted mansion. Other than that it is all a big judgement call. It depends how far you want to take it. Is the Buzz Lightyear ride wrong because Christians don't believe in life on other planets? Or do you see that as all fantasy and fiction and ok? Honestly, if you want to go all the way with it, you might not want to go to Disney at all because I think there is a lot of "mouse worship" going on there.

 

[2manyprincesses]

Hello!

And a great big good for you!!

I've always felt that anything that causes fear in my children is not OK. "For He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of peace......" So many rides that are presented for little children are out for us. I am OK with that. For example, Haunted Mansion, Snow White, Great Movie Ride, Voyage of The Little Mermaid (monster size Ursula is scary!), Dinosaur, Honey I Shrunk The Audience, and others. Favorites: all the playgrounds, Cindy's carousel, parades, shows, nemo, BTMRR (oldest DD8 only ), kilimanjaro safaris, lion king and nemo shows, just to name a few.

DH chimed in and said that, at your childrens' ages the Lord is putting things on YOUR concience (sp?) for them. So if you get an inkling that something is not sitting well with you or your spouse, it's probably not OK with the Him.

Have a great trip and God Bless!!

 

[a_sailor's_wife]

We're a Christian family who has taken a 3 year old to Disney. Someone had mentioned using those things that go aganist bibical principals as a teaching tool. I agree with that idea. Instead of trying to avoid it and shelter them, let them see it with you and you use that moment as a teaching tool. If they ask why Mickey the sorcer is a good guy, you can explain your thoughts and feelings on what you believe concerning this. Your 18 month won't have a clue, but as a 4 year old this when their minds are going a 1000 to nothing and will have lots of questions. Personally, I'd rather my children hear these things from me than anyone else. So use the time and the questions your 4 year old will have to teach them what you believe to right and true.

 

[hudsoncs]

If you want to take it to the extreme, there is very little you could do at Disney. Little Mermaid is a creature that God did not create, Pinocchio lies, etc. I think you just need to take it for what it is worth, it is not real, it is fantasy. And, use the opportunity to teach your child using different examples and stories (ex Pinocchio lying). KWIM??

First I must mention that my 4.5 yr old is brilliant... he's always "three steps ahead". I have no problem adressing evil or sin (Pinocchio is a GREAT teaching tool) , we talk about those things daily anyway but there are some things that just don't seem worth the exposure...to me Fantasmic was one. Even though it is "make believe" it seems strange to root on a sorcerer as he fights even when our view is that sorcery is evil....it seems a step above make believe. I guess it's that Tinker bell and Ariel can't be real but a sorcerer can???

 

[disdrmg]

We are a Christian family that recently visited Disney. The one thing my husband and I regretted was riding the Haunted Mansion. We rode it for the nostalgia of it but regretted our decision to ride it with our children. They were scared the whole time and in my opinion, I think haunted mansions with ghosts, evil spirits etc. is stepping into the things that Satan would just love for our minds to be consumed with fear. To me, it is different than being scared during Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

 

[Colleen27]

As a non-Christian but a parent who has issues with many of the Disney tales for entirely different reasons, I have to agree with the posters who suggested using some of the things you might object to as teachable moments. The 18mo is probably too young to pick up on any messages, positive or negative, but 4 absolutely isn't too young to begin the (seemingly endless) discussion about how your family's beliefs and values differ from many of the things that kids will encounter in the larger world. It is also a good time to continue lessons about reality vs fantasy, depending on your specific beliefs (ie. there are no such things as ghosts because we are with God when we die, but sometimes it is fun to pretend ala Haunted Mansion).

That said, I'd skip Fantasmic with kids that young regardless. My 7yo was a little scared by the show when we saw it for the first time last year. At 4, she'd have been absolutely terrified!

 

[lucytootsie]

Okay I would say no Pirates of Carribean. Haunted mansion. You already know about Snow white. Just so you know the "evils" Malicifent, Snow White witch etc are in the parades on a float.

 

[RMulieri]

I would say definitely avoid Universe of Energy at Epcot since it talks about the Big bang theory.

 

[lucytootsie]

I would say definitely avoid Universe of Energy at Epcot since it talks about the Big bang theory.

We did not see that 1 sounds like a good 1 to avoid.

 

[saratogadreamin09]

Hello all,
If you're looking here I'm hoping that you are Christians and can assist. I'm not trying to be offensive, I'm just hoping to get input from people with a similar perspective.

We love Disney and just purchased annual passes after not going for over 14 years! We now have 2 little ones. Blessing #1-4years old and Blessing #2 18months.

Here are my concerns. I want to enjoy WDW and not feel like I'm having to protect my kids the whole time, so I want to have a game plan. I feel that I'm responsible for what I expose them to and in my opinion (I'm NOT looking to argue viewpoints- just suggestions from LIKE MINDED people) some things at disney are truly opposed to the scripture. This may seem silly to some but prefer to see a witch portrayed as something bad (like n Snow White-although we WON'T do the ride so I don't scare my kids) that a sourcerer as something good...like Mickey in Fantasmic OR Maybe I just don't like Fantasmic because of the sheer amount of evil presented...I'm not 100% sure. I can tell you that we saw fantasmic at Disney LAND and we left feeling sick.

If you feel the same, can you tell me what rides or attractions to avoid?

Also, I'm about to post about a book called The Gospel According to Disney...look there and contribute, I'de love to know your opinion.

In Him,
Silvia

I would just keep telling your kids that its all not real and just imaginary.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

We are a Christian family that visits Disney. I think the first thing that we taught our children (3 & 5) was it was all make-believe. The second thing is we use it for the basic lessons that most everyone teach children (doing the right thing, not lying, helping others, etc). When they get older we will teach more as they ask and can understand (big bang, etc). For now they are children and enjoy meeting characters and riding rides...the step-mother/witch in Snow White is just a mean, ugly lady & the ghosts at the HM are so silly looking and dancing around...and for now that is just fine with us. Really what is appropriate for YOUR child is only something YOU and DH can decide...what may be fine for my family may not be for your, but we both have our Christian beliefs (as do others with differing beliefs).

 

[nessz79]

We are a Christian family that visits Disney. I think the first thing that we taught our children (3 & 5) was it was all make-believe. The second thing is we use it for the basic lessons that most everyone teach children (doing the right thing, not lying, helping others, etc). When they get older we will teach more as they ask and can understand (big bang, etc). For now they are children and enjoy meeting characters and riding rides...the step-mother/witch in Snow White is just a mean, ugly lady & the ghosts at the HM are so silly looking and dancing around...and for now that is just fine with us. Really what is appropriate for YOUR child is only something YOU and DH can decide...what may be fine for my family may not be for your, but we both have our Christian beliefs (as do others with differing beliefs).

Good post.

We're a Christian family, but we don't feel it's wrong to watch movies with magic in them. It's make-believe.

I'm not sure why Fantasmic would be different from other Disney movies with magic. I understand that OP does not like Sorceror Mickey using magic, but what about the fairies in Peter Pan? They have Pixie Dust, which I think is magic. Or the Little Mermaid transforming into human? Disney is full of magic. I don't want my kids practicing the occult, either, but I'm not sure where the line is drawn with viewing magic in movies. Personally, I tell my kids that it is make-believe and they seem to understand that.

 

[mom2faith]

First I must mention that my 4.5 yr old is brilliant... he's always "three steps ahead". I have no problem adressing evil or sin (Pinocchio is a GREAT teaching tool) , we talk about those things daily anyway but there are some things that just don't seem worth the exposure...to me Fantasmic was one. Even though it is "make believe" it seems strange to root on a sorcerer as he fights even when our view is that sorcery is evil....it seems a step above make believe. I guess it's that Tinker bell and Ariel can't be real but a sorcerer can???

I have to say that I was not ridiculing you in any way and I am sorry if my post sounded like that. I was just trying to point out the extremes. It is difficult to determine what is OK and not OK for a small child to believe in and I truly feel it is personal for each parent.

Although I am Christian, my concerns with the rides at Disney are not religious, but are more to do with what is age appropriate, politically correct, etc. But, it is all personal, and I try not to be extreme in any of them. Just relax, have fun, and again, like I said above, open that door for conversation.

Finally, I have not seen Fantasmic, but it was for the age factor. I had read that it was scary for young kids, so we stayed away from it.

Anyway, have fun!!

 

[nessz79]

I have to say that I was not ridiculing you in any way and I am sorry if my post sounded like that. I was just trying to point out the extremes. It is difficult to determine what is OK and not OK for a small child to believe in and I truly feel it is personal for each parent.

Although I am Christian, my concerns with the rides at Disney are not religious, but are more to do with what is age appropriate, politically correct, etc. But, it is all personal, and I try not to be extreme in any of them. Just relax, have fun, and again, like I said above, open that door for conversation.

Finally, I have not seen Fantasmic, but it was for the age factor. I had read that it was scary for young kids, so we stayed away from it.

Anyway, have fun!!

Another good post.

 

[fussymonkey]

Hi,
I don't know how helpful my opinion is, but here it goes.... I was raised in an pentecostal, evangelical home and as an adult am a member of a more mainline church (Presbyterian). I am probably the only parent in my church that won't let the kids read Harry Potter- but you know... you can take the girl out of the holly rollers, but you can't take the holly roller out of the girl

Anyway, I haven't seen Fantasmic in person b/c I've never been to DHS, but I watched it on you tube the other night and am not planning on taking the kids. I don't mind my kids seeing the Sorcer's Apprenctice, but I do mind them seeing it now. When they are old enough to understand that sorcery is NEVER ok, they will be allowed to watch for art and music appreciation. But for now, no, b/c the only message they'd take away is that sometimes magic is ok, and for us its not. ever.

Beyond that the two things I don't shelter my kids from is evil queens and evolution. In fact I kind of think that the evil queen in Snow White and Maleficient is pretty much in line with our message spells=evil, witchcraft=evil. My kids aren't scared of them, though. DD just says "she's not nice at all, she made Sleeping Beaty died. Price Phillip will get her".

As far as the evolution stuff goes... 1) at this age, how much will they really pick up on that and 2) growing up my mom used to say 'if you believe what you hear from somoene else over what I have taught you at home and at church, I'm not doing my job'. You can't shelter your kids from what most of the world perceives as a scientific reality. If it were me... if the kids asked questions about it, I'd just say, "yes, but we know the truth, don't we? That God created the world and everything in it".

Its a difficult balance, isn't it? Protecting them, but also giving them a healthy exposure to the world.... I keep thinking my kids are only 3.5 and 20 mo and its going to get so much harder...