Is the Haunted Mansion Holiday or more less scary that usual?

[Ashlotte]

So, even though my kids have been to DL/WDW every year since toddlerhood, they have never been on HM. We always figured it was too scary for them (the eldest is a bit of a scaredy cat). We figure they are 7 & 9 now, certainly it is time. We will be there in two weeks during the holiday version. Is this more scary than normal, less scary, or irrelevant? My kids have not seen Nightmare Before Christmas, so they won't know who any of the characters are.

 

[disneegrl4eva]

So, even though my kids have been to DL/WDW every year since toddlerhood, they have never been on HM. We always figured it was too scary for them (the eldest is a bit of a scaredy cat). We figure they are 7 & 9 now, certainly it is time. We will be there in two weeks during the holiday version. Is this more scary than normal, less scary, or irrelevant? My kids have not seen Nightmare Before Christmas, so they won't know who any of the characters are.

not at all...its totally geared around christmas and NBC...its very cute

 

[Eeee-va]

I find it less scary, and some folks here report their kids can ride the holiday version but not the regular one. My mom doesn't care much for the regular one either, but she likes the bright colors in the holiday version.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Go during daylight if you can- less scary.

My DS has been going since he was 3. Last trip our buggy was stopped twice during the ride & the announcement is something like "ghosts are not pleased with you on the ride". DS thought it was SO cool that the ghosts were mad at us...LoL. Each kid is different but at 7 & 9, I would think they are ready. Personally, I wasn't too impressed with the Holiday overlay, I like the normal HM. it's not scary at all- more campy.

 

[KateDrake]

My DD3 wants to make HMH the first ride we hit in the parks! She adores it, and is only a little scared in the stretching room at the beginning, mostly because of the thunder. She hasn't been on it since last year, when she was only 2.5, and hasn't stopped talking about how much she loved it and how she wants to see Jack Skellington again. So yes, I think your kids will be fine

That said, I did have her watch the movie before we went the first time, and I think that helped. She recognized the songs, knew the characters were more funny than scary, etc. So I would highly suggest watching the movie before you go. I was able to get a copy at my local library, so you could always do that if you don't want to buy it. I think Netflix and Blockbuster would have copies, too.

Have a great trip!

 

[94bruin]

I don't have an answer for you, but I just wanted to mention that my 7yo is a bit of a scaredy cat as well and has never gone on HM either. Maybe I'll have her watch NBC before our October trip and see if she'll go on it then.

 

[chrissiecutie]

If they are a little scared, keep them distracted while in the stretching room. IMO, that & the walk to the buggy is the scariest part. Plus, I personally think the hanging body is just not appropriate for small children to see. But that's just me...

 

[bumbershoot]

Show them the movie! Repeatedly. This will make the characters feel safe to them and not scary. To come across the Oogie Boogie Man for the first time lifesize at the end of the ride might not be very fun. Show them the movie.

DS thinks Jack's face is happy and sweet, but someone who doesn't know his character might not feel that way.


(and yes, the stretching room brings out the worst in grown people who feel the need to scream as though there's something scary there...which then causes kids, who could probably handle the ride *just fine*, to react to the *adults who are terrified* and it goes south from there)

 

[RavenRequiem]

I've never been on HMH but I remember my first trip to DL when I was old enough to remember, I was 6 going on 7. I LOVED HM. I think I made my aunts and grandma go a couple of times. It was one of my favorite rides. I know I always had to go a couple of times everytime I went. I'm so excited to see it all decked out though as I really like NBC. I think it probably depends on the child if it's too scary. Apparently my nephew doesn't like the dark so we may have to figure out a few ways to help him get to the fun parts of this ride. Have fun.

 

[RavenRequiem]

@Bumbershoot - we'll be there the same time. Our first disney day is Sept. 30th. LOL!

 

[rwhistler92]

The 1st time we took our kids it freaked them out. They had never seen NBC and they wanted to know why they were cooking Santa. They didn't want to go on it again.
We have only taken them in the fall so they have never seen the original HM. (maybe next trip).
We have watched NMC so they are more prepared, but it is still is only a ride they want to go on once.
They scariest part is the stretching room.

 

[NewbieMouse]

I find it significantly less scary; more whimsical and in that way great for the kids. Personally, I really prefer the regular HM and am disappointed to never get to see it because we always go at Xmas now. But the kids really do like it.

 

[luvsmickey1968]

My children have never liked the Haunted Mansion as they don't like scary things but like the NBC version. They both agree it is less scary!
I agree with other posters that the scariest part is really at the beginning in the stretching room but only when others find the need to scream.
My children put their hands over their ears when they know it is coming!

 

[jennilouwho]

We tell our kids people scream in the stretching room because they think it's fun and they are being silly. Last time we went they were 3 and 5. They did really well. We have a rule on rides that if they scare you, you can just close your eyes, but it's Mickey Mouse magic, so nothing is going to hurt you. My oldest is more of a scaredy cat so he closed his eyes for most of the ride. My 3 year old was more into it. This was in the regular HM, not HMH. My 5 year old shut his eyes on several rides during various parts, but it worked out well and we were all able to ride together then.

 

[krispin41]

If they are a little scared, keep them distracted while in the stretching room. IMO, that & the walk to the buggy is the scariest part. Plus, I personally think the hanging body is just not appropriate for small children to see. But that's just me...

I agree. One of my earliest memories of Disneyland in1976 was of the stretching room and crying hysterically. But, on the other hand I liked the skeletons in POTC. LOL

 

[starshine514]

It's less scary. Personally, I'm not a fan of the original HM. When i first saw NBC (in the theater when it first came out), I found it freaky and didn't watch it again until I had my girls. BTW - they had the same reaction the first time they watched it; it was months before we tried it again. Luckily, my girls are huge Kingdom Hearts fans, and there is Halloweentown world there, so they were already accustomed to the characters and were willing to try it again much sooner than I was. they like it now and loved meeting Jack at Christmastime.

 

[hootey]

In addition to NBC, everyone should see the "The Haunted Mansion" w/eddie murphy. A lot of the ride/attraction is in the movie. We watch before going to DL....

 

[chrissiecutie]

In addition to NBC, everyone should see the "The Haunted Mansion" w/eddie murphy. A lot of the ride/attraction is in the movie. We watch before going to DL....

I just rented that from the library for DS.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Far less, maybe watch the movie with them *we love it! It's been years since we've seen the HM in it's regular state, I wouldn't mind seeing it non NBC *but it is so fun. I'm going as "Jill" Skellington to the Halloween Party!

 

[KateDrake]

One other thing I forgot to mention in my PP is that you can watch the whole ride on YouTube! I think that is a great way to help them get prepared. That way they won't be surprised when they go. I've been doing this with several rides for this trip, as DD3 will finally be big enough for BTMRR, Splash, Soarin', etc. It's really helped her get a feel for what it will be like, and has her excited, rather than scared.