Christians- Rides/ Attractions to avoid

[BCV513]

Well, off the top of my head, here's what I can think of:

Magic Kingdom

Haunted Mansion - obvious reasons
Pirates of the Caribbean - not sure how you feel about that
Snow White - Evil Queen, vanity, Snow White lives with seven strange men
Philharmagic - basically same reasons as Fantasmic
Small World - there are non-Christians represented; not sure if that's okay for you
Jungle Cruise - there are natives throughout

Epcot

Probably most of Future World - Spaceship Earth, the Land, Mission Space, Universe of Energy, all mention science and the beginning of the world
World Showcase - you should be okay. You might want to avoid Morrocco - the tower there is a non-Christian prayer tower.

MGM

Tower of Terror - besides your blessings' ages, mention of the supernatural Twilight Zone
Voyage of the Little Mermaid - Ariel is dressed improperly in seashells
Toy Story Mania - not sure how you feel about guns and shooting

Animal Kingdom

Dinosaur - obviously talks about dinosaurs. Same with Primeval Whirl and Triceratops Spin

 

[SydneyBristow]

We're born again Christians & we don't avoid any rides.

 

[piney]

I guess you should be sure to avoid Gay Days as well.

 

[SLK1]

Well, there is such a thing as over-thinking things and sucking the fun right out of a perfectly good trip to Disney World!!!

 

[piney]

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 don't mean to sound snarky, but why on earth did you buy annual passes if you intend to avoid most of the attractions?

 

[hudsoncs]

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!!

Thanks. I did not feel ridiculed but I appreciate the concern. I just wanted to clarify that we are VERY realistic with our exposure, we don't shelter in a way that would keep our kids out of this world...we expose (as long it we don't believe it will harm- like fear) and teach. "Teach your children in the way they should go and they will not depart from it."

While I will mention that above all else (age appropriate or political correctness) my concern is for my child's spiritual growth. My prayer for them is that above all else they will love God....I believe that if they do, they will be set up for success...."Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you." Of course I provide them with other things such as nutrition and education but their relationship with the Lord is my #1 priority. After all this life is like the wind, here today, gone tomorrow while our spirits will live forever.

 

[Missy1961]

I don't mean to sound snarky, but why on earth did you buy annual passes if you intend to avoid most of the attractions?

I have to admit that is my question as well.

 

[surfergirl602]

We are a Christian family, and just to play the devils advocate, so to speak... if everything at Disney goes against your religion, why are you even going?

Disney is all about the magic. If you don't want your children to see that Disney magic, you are wasting your money and your time.

Again, just tossing up a different perspective here for the sake of looking at all angles.

My children love Disney, just for the make believe and the pretending. Dressing up like a princess and meeting the characters. They know they are just stories.

Avoid animal kingdom and epcot, would be my advice. I don't know how you would go about the dinosaur issue. Saying the earth isn't millions of years old when carbon dating and the earth itself tells us it is, and seeing the real bones of a dinosaur at AK and saying they weren't here would be kind of difficult for me.

We believe that God created the earth and all its wonders. the Bible teaches us that. We look at the very many aspects of the world as magnificent creations that God has left us to educate us and help us to learn more about Him and all his wonders. We appreciate it all just a bit more knowing all the wonderful things he has done for us.

 

[hudsoncs]

I don't mean to sound snarky, but why on earth did you buy annual passes if you intend to avoid most of the attractions?

I never said I planned to avoid most rides

I'm asking for opinions/ experience. I would actually take my kids (my 4 yr old WOULD understand) on rides that Mention evolution (and teach otherwise) as long as the whole thing is not completely focused on that....what purpose whould that have.

I have only regretted 3 things between our Disneyland trip (Son was 2) and our 4 hour MK visit:
- Fantasmic- big one because of Mickey "the good guy" fighting the "bad" with sorcery...just seems confusing to my little guy. I saw the Electric light show in the MK last week and I didn't like Mickey not the black demon looking this but I did NOT have the same regret although I wouldn't see it again.
- Stitch at MK- my son got scared, my hubby took him, so I don't know what was so bad but he still tells no "NO STITCH"
- The Magic of Brother Bear show at Disney Land- The WHOLE thing seemed to be about calling spirits and Magic...It WAS 100% about that, I just didn't like it. It's to hard to explain to my son that it's not OK when the WHOLE think is about that???

 

[MSSANDRA]

May I suggest to look for ways to bring your Christian values into things at WDW.
At living thought the land boat ride, express to you kids that God is so good to give us all these differnt foods; With dinosaurs, what a cool thing God created, Space, wow God (Jesus) is everywhere! I doubt that even a very bright four year old is going to pick up on enough of the dialog to question evalution.

There is a LOT of magic so you will need to decide where you stand on that one. You can call it fun Mickey magic but if you say it is not real, be ready for "is micky real".

The Fear factor is a huge issue. WDW can make ANYTHING scary and often does. Very few rides do not hold any fear factor. EVen the pooh ride with the huffalumps scares a lot of kids and Stitch is terrifiying! Get a good guild book, watch U-tube and decide for yourself what might be beyond what you are comfortable with.

Good for you for exploring what is, in your opinion, ok or not for your children.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I am not trying to be rude OP at all so take this in the vein that it is meant.
It is an amusement park. Not a religious experience. Your children will be exposed to many things in the world whether at WDW or anywhere else. We are Christian and we don't spend our trips talking about religion and making every ride a learning experience. They are stories and fun rides. That is it. Some rides the kids like, some they don't. They do not equate their church teachings with Disney. Sure they hear about evolution etc. but when they ask we tell them that there are many different theories etc. and this is what we believe. I don't think watching Fantasmic or going on TOT is going to lead our children on a path of witchcraft etc. They are stories. The same as if you watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
I think you are thinking too much about things. If you truly are sickened by the themes of the WDW stories then I hate to say it but maybe it isn't the place for your family. I am not being rude, but WDW was never meant to be a religious retreat. It is a theme park. Nothing more, nothing less.
Good luck

ETA- Our kids are pretty brilliant too and they don't question our beliefs because of Disney.

 

[hubb1972]

Fun thread. We are a christian family as well and we use our best judgement when choosing attractions. You could read into most anything but we usually eplain to our kids it is make-believe, made up. For example, we took our 4 yr old on POTC and he asked what they were drinking, we say cool-aid or juice and the women auctions they were just playing a game. I agree it is a lie but and not looking for criticism in that (I raise my children the way I want, you do the way you want). There will come a time when this will need to be explained and it will at that time when they can understand it.

I say ride most everything and if something comes up, then make something up. Works for us.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Fun thread. We are a christian family as well and we use our best judgement when choosing attractions. You could read into most anything but we usually eplain to our kids it is make-believe, made up. For example, we took our 4 yr old on POTC and he asked what they were drinking, we say cool-aid or juice and the women auctions they were just playing a game. I agree it is a lie but and not looking for criticism in that (I raise my children the way I want, you do the way you want). There will come a time when this will need to be explained and it will at that time when they can understand it.

I say ride most everything and if something comes up, then make something up. Works for us.

That is awesome!
We tell them it is rum, but we are a bit layed back with letting them know stuff like that. Of course we also tell our kids when they are taking their medicine "take what you can" and they reply "give nothing back!"

 

[hudsoncs]

May I suggest to look for ways to bring your Christian values into things at WDW.
At living thought the land boat ride, express to you kids that God is so good to give us all these differnt foods; With dinosaurs, what a cool thing God created, Space, wow God (Jesus) is everywhere!


watch U-tube and decide for yourself what might be beyond what you are comfortable with.
children.

I agree! I want to teach my kids that's our responsibility. U-Tube is a great Idea too! Thanks

 

[surfergirl602]

I am not trying to be rude OP at all so take this in the vein that it is meant.
It is an amusement park. Not a religious experience. Your children will be exposed to many things in the world whether at WDW or anywhere else. We are Christian and we don't spend our trips talking about religion and making every ride a learning experience. They are stories and fun rides. That is it. Some rides the kids like, some they don't. They do not equate their church teachings with Disney. Sure they hear about evolution etc. but when they ask we tell them that there are many different theories etc. and this is what we believe. I don't think watching Fantasmic or going on TOT is going to lead our children on a path of witchcraft etc. They are stories. The same as if you watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
I think you are thinking too much about things. If you truly are sickened by the themes of the WDW stories then I hate to say it but maybe it isn't the place for your family. I am not being rude, but WDW was never meant to be a religious retreat. It is a theme park. Nothing more, nothing less.
Good luck

ETA- Our kids are pretty brilliant too and they don't question our beliefs because of Disney.

ITA.

 

[trennr]

As a Christian parent...I see the want to shield your children from certain things that are not age appropriate. (for example SS couples you will encounter.)

But as far as the rides at WDW? You know I feel we should use somethings as a way to equip our children to respond to certain thing from a Biblical perspective. For example in Epcot on Ellen's Energy Adventure...you get the whole big bang and evolution stuff thrown at you. Teach your children how to respond to these. Frankly the Big Bang and Genisis can coexsist nicely together...evolutionist have a bigger problem of explaining how everything came from nothing, or what action caused the reaction of the big bang...which goes against the laws of Thermodynamics (for every action there is an EQUAL and opposite reaction.) For Christians we have a Supernatural God whom eternaly exsist and can create such a big bang with a mear thought.

So my reccomendation is to teach not shield.

 

[sshd]

Our children are older so we actually enjoy going on rides like Ellen's Energy adventure and remarking at how silly the big band theory is to us. Of course everyone is open to their opinion and we go to all the rides. My children have been going since they were about 4 and we never avoided anything. We have always felt they live in the world, and experiencing it with the proper guidance will help them make decisions on their own. It has helped them grow as Christians, not hurt them. Again, just my opinion.

However there is a time that I suggest you go for sure. Every September there is a weekend called Night of Joy. It is an after hours extra ticket event. There are Christian concerts all over Disney's Hollywood Studios. The atmosphere of thousands of Christians worshiping God through music at Walt Disney World brings me to tears every time. We always leave feeling so filled with the spirit and lots of interesting conversations with fellow Christians. It is an excellent experience that you should have at least once. We have been 3 times already.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

I never said I planned to avoid most rides

I'm asking for opinions/ experience. I would actually take my kids (my 4 yr old WOULD understand) on rides that Mention evolution (and teach otherwise) as long as the whole thing is not completely focused on that....what purpose whould that have.

I have only regretted 3 things between our Disneyland trip (Son was 2) and our 4 hour MK visit:
- Fantasmic- big one because of Mickey "the good guy" fighting the "bad" with sorcery...just seems confusing to my little guy. I saw the Electric light show in the MK last week and I didn't like Mickey not the black demon looking this but I did NOT have the same regret although I wouldn't see it again.
- Stitch at MK- my son got scared, my hubby took him, so I don't know what was so bad but he still tells no "NO STITCH"
- The Magic of Brother Bear show at Disney Land- The WHOLE thing seemed to be about calling spirits and Magic...It WAS 100% about that, I just didn't like it. It's to hard to explain to my son that it's not OK when the WHOLE think is about that???

I am a Christian who has brought my children to Disney many times. I totally understand your fears and concerns. My children are older now(my youngest is 10) and I have to say that although we, as adults, see the problem with Mickey fighting the "bad" with Sorcery, however, when my children were younger, they never made that connection at all. When they are young they just see Mickey beating the bad guy, the sorcery part goes right over their heads. As the kids get older, they do start to get the part that Mickey supposedly uses sorcery to defeat evil but by the time they get this, they have already been taught the serious problems with this and why it is wrong. It's kind of like evolution, when they were young, they had no idea what the rides were talking about, they just liked looking around at the things going on around them and the rest of the stuff went over their heads. As they got older and we taught them the reasons why we don't believe in evolution, they now go on these rides and kind of just roll their eyes when things about evolution are mentioned because they know the truth.

Honestly, unless your kids are going to Disney on a daily basis and those concepts are continually being reenforced, I think what others have mentioned is the right way to handle things, use it as a teaching lesson. I believe it is better for them to learn about things with you there to teach them then it is for them to learn about them from someone else. That said, I would not bring my children on rides that you know would scare them. Also, I believe if you pray and ask the Lord to guide you while you are there, He will let you know and give you discernment as to what is and isn't appropriate for your family. In our family, we don't avoid any rides now(obviously fear due to our kids' ages is no longer a factor)but we have always and still do talk about the rides and still use them to teach our children.

 

[princessmom29]

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.

Wait a minute. I am a christian and I believe that the earth is millions of years old. How is that agianst christian beliefs???? Doesn't the bible say that a thousand years is but the blink of an eye to God? The bible never spells out exactly when creation takes place.

 

[cglaura]

I never said I planned to avoid most rides

I'm asking for opinions/ experience. I would actually take my kids (my 4 yr old WOULD understand) on rides that Mention evolution (and teach otherwise) as long as the whole thing is not completely focused on that....what purpose whould that have. ...

I was glad to read that. I think by exposing them to different ideas is a great way of strengthening your family's belief system, while also teaching acceptance and kindness towards others even if they don't believe what you believe....

I am an athiest, my best friends are not. My daughter is not. I homeschool, so I've had to teach some bible curriculum. I think it is important to note that people who don't believe in God, still may have and usually do, the same moral principals as christians. In fact, I think I "act" more christian than alot of christians I know!

However, for the sake of the rides, I do agree on age appropriate / scary factor. My dd is 17 now, and still won't ride Dinosaur! We never looked at sorcery as bad, it fell into the fiction category for her.

So I feel by making our house exposed to different beliefs she has definitely grown into a well rounded person. Her mom is an atheist, her friend's family are wiccans, and she is deeply rooted in christianity. It is up to you to guide without alienating.