Flashlight for dark rides?

[ScrapHappyMama]

For the rides that go through dark areas, I was thinking of gettting a couple mini flashlights that are on keychains, and just looping them to my kids' beltloops so they could turn them on if they get scared.... is that allowed????

 

[kribit]

We took them on our last trip based on a tip from another website, but never used them. I'm not certain if they frown upon it or not though.

 

[joshsmom]

I have no idea about the "rules" on this, but when my DS was 5 (the first time we went to Disney) he was scared of dark areas. I bought him a very small light on a key chain (like the kind you would use to locate the key hole in your car door.) It was orange in color, so it didn't disturb anyone else. It was VERY faint, but he felt better having it!

 

[simonkodousek]

Well, if it's a really bright LED light, then no. Those aren't allowed because they can disturb others.

 

[Kae]

My kids used them we got them at WDW they where also a keychain so we hooked them on their lanyards.

Kae

 

[amykathleen2005]

I would be careful with the kind of light. I think that certain ones can mess up the audioanimatronics. It is a good idea though.

 

[Alexis Green]

I've heard some people use those little glow in the dark stars/moons and have their children hold them with their hands in their laps. I haven't tried it but it sounds like a good idea.

 

[cara76]

I use my cell phone, I open and hold it really low where only DS can see it.

 

[GEM]

There was a kid on the Haunted Mansion a couple of days ago with a little flashlight that was driving everyone nuts. He was shining it all over the place. It really ruined the effect of the ride for any of us who were near him.

 

[disney-super-mom]

I think it depends on the ride.

Some dark rides like Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh, IASW, and others like those, it would probably be fine to have a small keychain type flashlight.

However, I very much doubt that they would be allowed on dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Tours, The Haunted Mansion, and possibly others. CMs have some way of watching people on those rides, and if they see a light on of any kind, they will assume it's a video camera, and come on over a loud speaker to ask that the video camera be turned off. The only reason I know this is because I've been on the rides when this has happened.

However, this was at Disneyland, so maybe it's different at WDW.

I would keep a lookout for the "NO FLASH OR VIDEO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED ON THIS ATTRACTION" signs, and when you see that sign, then assume that no flashlights are allowed.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

For my dd3, we bought her a mickey doll that lit up. Unfortunately, It made noise when she pressed the button for the light and was obviously disturbing others, so we just used our cell phone light.

 

[MomofKatie]

We just told DD she could only shine it on the floor of the ride vehicle. She only used her little penlight once or twice (when she was 6), and she never bothered anyone.

If you are really concerned about the "nuisance" factor of a flashlight, you could always buy a bunch of cheap glow bracelets at the Dollar store and just break one out before a dark ride. It will provide a very faint glow- just enough to calm a scared little one, but not enough to bother anyone or ruin any ride effects.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We just told DD she could only shine it on the floor of the ride vehicle. She only used her little penlight once or twice (when she was 6), and she never bothered anyone.

If you are really concerned about the "nuisance" factor of a flashlight, you could always buy a bunch of cheap glow bracelets at the Dollar store and just break one out before a dark ride. It will provide a very faint glow- just enough to calm a scared little one, but not enough to bother anyone or ruin any ride effects.

The glow bracelets are a GREAT IDEA!

 

[CleveRocks]

I'm NOT trying to bash anyone here, but I think flashlights on dark rides is a TERRIBLE idea. The rides are dark for a reason, maybe to create an atmosphere, maybe to hide some of the workings of the ride so as to create/preserve "the magic," and most likely a combination of both.

It seems to me that light from a flashlight would alter the atmosphere and also make visible some of the should-be-invisible stuff that helps make things look cool.

I know that flashlights aren't as bright as photographic flashes, but I have to say, someone rudely taking flash pictures during a performance of the Voyage of the Little Mermaid really ruined the magic for me, and it still bothers me 3 months later. It made visible how those wonderful colorful characters floated and swam, and badly detracted from everyone else's ability to suspend their disbelief and enjoy the magic and wonder of the show.

I have a 6 year old and 4 year old. But I wouldn't prioritize their comfort over potentially ruining or lessening the experience for everyone else. It would be an inadvertantly selfish thing to do, IMHO.

The glow bracelets suggestion sounds PERFECT. Provide the child a sense of security while not throwing light on anything and thus not taking away from anyone else's experience.

 

[JPN4265]

For the rides that go through dark areas, I was thinking of gettting a couple mini flashlights that are on keychains, and just looping them to my kids' beltloops so they could turn them on if they get scared.... is that allowed????

Why would you want to ruin the ride for everyone else. You and I both know that kids are kids and they will be shining thoses flashlights all around the ride or show. I say, if your kids are to scared, don't take them on the ride.

 

[Schmeck]

Small, dim lights, used in a way to not detract from the enjoyment of the attraction for anyone else, would be OK. But that means that parents have to set rules for their kids about how to use the light, make sure that no one else is disturbed by it, and police their children while the kids are using the lights.

If you can do that, then sure, use a small, dim light.

I'd be bothered by a cellphone glow if it was in the row ahead of me or next to me on PoC, BTW.

 

[cabanafrau]

IMO going beyond a glowstick isn't very considerate of others' experience of the attractions. I had a child scared on HM this summer & she braved it through. I skipped PoC w/ her because she felt she couldn't do that at all.

 

[ScrapHappyMama]

Why would you want to ruin the ride for everyone else. You and I both know that kids are kids and they will be shining thoses flashlights all around the ride or show. I say, if your kids are to scared, don't take them on the ride.

Well, the whole point of my asking the question in advance is because I DON'T want to ruin the ride for anyone else. And the MINI keychain flashlights I am talking about barely let off enough light to go 12 inches.... let alone show any "secrets" of the ride. I'm not talking about a full sized flashlight here, I know better than that. Also, as I said, they would be hooked onto their belt loop, so the only place they would be able to shine them would be their own little area. I was asking if they were ALLOWED, because I don't want to break any rules with them.

Thanks for all the NICE feedback. Glow bracelts are a great idea.

 

[amykathleen2005]

I would rather have a little flashlight distract me than a scared screaming kid that they have to stop the ride for......

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I agree that if your kid is *that* frightened by a dark ride, don't take them on. It isn't fair to other people on the ride to have to deal with either a kid shrieking in fright or one who is shining a flashlight around.