Haunted Mansion

[Dizzy over Disney]

So, my six year old is trying to decide if he can handle the HM or not. We watched a video on Youtube and didn't really see anything jump out? Can anyone describe the ride for me?

Thanks!

 

[MKandy]

The attraction is designed to be "scary", however, it fails to do so. The attraction is completely in the dark and there are somethings that "pop" out at you. They pop slowly and normally you can see/hear them in advance and can prepare for them. There are not any really scary scenes. Some parts can actually be fun for kids. (The part where the ghosts are sitting on your "doom buggy"). I have known some children to be frightened, mostly because of the darkness. Overall, I would say go for it. It really isn't that scary at all, and I think that if your son can handle darkness and a FEW surprises, he will be fine.

Have a magical day.

 

[Moonpie]

I was scared of the HM until I was 12! It gets very dark, and I've always been sensitive to things jumping out at me...and several things will jump up from behind objects in the graveyard scene.

 

[MBELSANTI]

I think it also helps to be very cheery about it when you go to the ride. DS first time was when he was not yet 3. He went again for the next 2 years and then again when he was 7. It was only last year at 10 did he say he didn't want to go. Of course being the mean mom that I am, I made him go and he was fine. I think he was most afraid of the stretching room at the begining. Keep reassuring him and letting him know that ghosts are not real. (I personally believe in them, but I wouldn't tell DS that )

 

[C50T]

The Haunted Mansion was a rite of passage for my 6 year old DD. She was very brave in the line, and in the elevator room. Once we got into the doom buggy it was all fun for her. And yes, the rode it "again, and again, and again".

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

My DS5 can be scared of certain rides, but he loves the HM
and he loved it last year when he was 4

 

[Sawyer]

My sons 10 & 8 are scared to death of it. We went on it last year and it scared the poop out of them. Now as we're planning our trip in October they keep saying "But NO Haunted Mansion!" I like that ride so it's a bummer for me. I'm scared the MNSSHP might scare them also. Hope not. They've just got very active imaginations and it all seems real to them.

 

[snykymom]

We took our then 7-year old on the HM and she loved it. It's now on our "must do" list of attractions. Last time we were there, she was 16, and we did HM at least 3 times; then during EMH she and a friend did it 5 times in a row! (Spent a lot of it trying to make a CM at the buggy laugh!)

 

[Trixster]

One of the scariest parts of the ride for my DS 4 was the pitch black stretch room at the start. Someone stated that it is possible to ask one of the CMs if they could bypass the stretch room and start the attraction past this point - which is apparently possible through the whell chair access point. This should reduce any unnecessary stress at the start. Good luck!

 

[madelyn]

Our 6.5 year old son rode Haunted Mansion on our last trip (just returned Jul 30) and he didn't appear scared during the ride or afterwards but another evening we went back to MK and he opted not to ride it again and said he said it was scary. He rode some of the "big kid" rides like Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Test Track & Mount Everest and I think he only wanted to ride Splash Mountain another time.

 

[melancholywings]

DD (now 7) does not like this ride. Which is tough on me as it's one my favorites and I often have to solo it. I think it really depends on the kid and if they find 'ghosts' scary.

 

[perkinsrose]

If you can sit small child between 2 adults--that might help for comfort.

I always tell young kids what to expect and if they're scared to --cover your ears and close your eyes and i'll hold you. If their eyes are closed --i calmly tell child about what's going on and let them know its a fun-makebelieve thing. DD6 went on twice last trip--first hid alot but 2nd time enjoyed it.

 

[jinia]

This ride caught us by suprise! We didn't think our DS then 5 would be scared on this ride, but he was terrified. The start in that small, dark, and crowded room I think did him in, and I didn't realize it until we were already committed! This was the only ride he rode that he was terrified the whole time! We will be at DW on Aug 27th--yahoo -- and this is an absolute no for him!

 

[World Bouncer]

One of my first and fondest memories of WDW is riding the Haunted Mansion in 1978 at age 5!!

I Loved it and compared every other theme park haunted house ride to it for the rest of time.... I think it is much more fun than scary, but it does have its dark elements.

I suppose it all depends on how sensitive your child is...

Good luck and I hope the Haunted Mansion is a great success!

 

[Sawyer]

My DSs (7 and 10 then) would barely even look at the ride! They would peek up every now and then but kept their faces hidden most of the time. Ghosts are very scary to them. Loud noises, dragons, snakes, etc. don't bother them. As some of the other posters suggested, I think it depends if your child is spooked by ghosts.

 

[bobbyshawatl]

I'll share a couple of stories about the haunted mansion as I was growing up. The first time I still remember riding it, I was maybe about 7 or 8. I rode the entire ride with my eyes closed.... I wouldn't recommend that! My mom made me open my eyes near the end -- at the spot where the ghosts are riding along with you. That CERTAINLY didn't do me any good! Scared me for a long time.

The next trip to Disney, I was 12 years old. I had 2 old teenage sisters, who were already teasing me and getting me nervous about the ride, but wouldn't let me get out of line. I was VERY nervous. I was still in line with the riverboat, close by sounded his horn. I hit the ground like I'd been shot! Everyone around me was laughing. Once I was inside, I rode the ride that time with my eyes open. I've loved it ever since, and it is a must see since then.

I'm looking forward to seeing the changes they've recently added to the ride.

Robert

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

Most of the HM effect seems to come from the overwhelming sense of not knowing whats around the next corner. With the ways the Doom Buggies control what you see it often leaves people wondering what just might behind you . For the first part of the ride you really don't see much for the ghosts... you hear them.. and can see faces and eyes watching you.... but nothing like you start to see in the ballroom scene.

The stretching room even spooks my 9 year old but he LOVES the HM.

It's just that little scream at the end....

Once you get past the Seance circle things tend to take on a bit lighter note.... (other then the new bride ).

Putting a face to the ghosts made things more fun for my kids.

This is the BEST video you will find out there with all the updates in the HM. You can see everything clear as day and will get a perfect idea what the HM is all about - http://www.attractionsmagazine.com/HauntedMansionRehaunting-540p.mp4 . It was filmed in High Def and has amazing sound as well.

Watch our for this creepy guy though in the Conservatory

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

My DD rode HM for the first time when she was 4 and she did fine. The part of the ride that bothered her was the attic scene where the heads pop up with the screams.

Also, when she rode HM during the day she was fine but when we rode at night during MNSSHP she was very afraid for some reason.

She'll be 11 in a few weeks and HM is one of her favorite attractions.

 

[MNWDWMANIAC]

My DD rode HM for the first time when she was 4 and she did fine. The part of the ride that bothered her was the attic scene where the heads pop up with the screams.

Also, when she rode HM during the day she was fine but when we rode at night during MNSSHP she was very afraid for some reason.

She'll be 11 in a few weeks and HM is one of her favorite attractions.

Thats the best part about the changes to the attic. The groomsmen that used to pop up saying "I do" are all gone .

Now there are pictures of Constance's (the bride) past husbands. And of course the new Bride .

 

[tink771]

It's funny because when I was a child I was so frightened to go on the Haunted Mansion. Now as an adult it's my favorite ride at MK!