Just how scary is the Haunted Mansion

[DISUNC]

Just being in the DARK, can frighten some children! If your kids are like this, then they may find this ride scary.
However, it is a "NOT TO BE MISSED"attraction and a lot of fun. I suggest you rent the movie (or buy it a Target for 10.00) if you kids find the movie scary, then dont do the ride!
Anticipation of Fear is sometimes worse than the actual event.

 

[melaniemiller2002]

My daughter went on it when she was 3 and her brother was 6. They were both fine with it. She rode the Matterhorn, saw A Bug's Life, etc. and was fine with all of it. Her brother was actually more scared in Bug's Life than her....he took off the 3D glasses about halfway through and was reluctant to put them back on...teehee!!!

Melanie

 

[dbanzai]

When I first rode it, only one part slightly scared me, and that was the end. That was about 25 years ago (it's been that long? Wow., and they changed the part that scared me... Or at least how I remember it scaring me (didn't it once upon a time say "see yourself as a ghost" as opposed to the end now?). Space Mountain scared me more back then. I was about seven at the time, but I was a skittery kid, even for that era. I don't think kids will be scared these days.

Remember the song: "Grim, grinning ghosts come out to socialize." These are happy ghosts.

 

[stemikger]

I have been on since I was a kid and I was never scared. It's Disney's version of scary. Not very.

 

[bbump]

I've read on an earlier thread that if you look up in the stretching room when
the lights flicker off, you can see a hanging body from the ceiling.
I am planning to look up at this part on our next trip, but I wanted to know if anyone's seen it before?
Also...if you have kids that scare easily, maybe you want to make sure they don't look up at the ceiling at this part. (????)

 

[swtnikki]

In all honesty, I don't think it's scary. I think The Haunted Mansion is a lot of fun!

 

[AngelEyes]

It all depends on the child and how you present it to them the first time. My kids first rode it when they were 4 and 2. I had talked to them about it, told them they were fun ghosts that didn't hurt anyone, and that I was going to be right there with them. I also stood out front for a couple of minutes so they could see that everyone coming off of it was smiling and happy. Once they got through it the first time, it became one of their favorite rides.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I've read on an earlier thread that if you look up in the stretching room when
the lights flicker off, you can see a hanging body from the ceiling.
I am planning to look up at this part on our next trip, but I wanted to know if anyone's seen it before?

Oh yes...it is definitely there. Funny thing is that I first saw it years ago, and just thought that everybody knew about it except me. After finding these boards, I see I was not the only one!

As for how scary it is...It's been my favorite since I was 4 years old. However, my now 5-year-old doesn't like it (even though he's been on it before and loves the movie). My 2-year-old doesn't know the difference so just sat through the whole thing.

 

[bridgettesmom]

I just took my 4 yr old niece this past May. Before we walked in, I told her that everything was make believe and that it was actually kind of funny. I kept reminding her during the ride that it was make believe and I even told her that the scene at the dining room was funny and she started to laugh. As soon as we walked out she asked to ride it again Believe it or not, riding the Haunted Mansion was the highlight of our trip for her and now this tiny 4 yr old tells everyone really proud that she rode the haunted house twice

 

[pixelpixie]

This is my favorite classic ride at Disney. I LOVE this ride. Last year we took our 4yo DD to Disney for the first time and I was concerned about how she would do on the ride. We spent lots of time talking about "mickey magic" and pretend. When we did the ride I was pretty sure if she could get past the first room that queues you for the ride we would probably be fine. The rest of the ride has so much humor that I didn't think it would be a problem. So when we went in the "stretching room", daddy took pictures while dd and I made scary funny faces and we giggled at the pictures on the growing walls, all while I held her. Then the lights went out (and I made sure she knew that was going to happen). Then we boarded the "doom buggie". All went very well. She was a little apprehensive but still tried to get into the fun that daddy and I were having. When the ride ended she immediately wanted to do it again and again and again!

So I would recommend that (especially for the youngest one) you prepare them for the lights going out and hold hands (or put arms around them or something) and everybody should be just fine. I do NOT agree that the movie is a good indication of whether they will be scared. IMHO the movie had some very scary moments for young viewers and was not presented with as much humor or "campiness" as the ride. The movie was interesting and used elements from the ride but they are very different. Just my 2 cents!
Have Fun!

 

[christygobar]

I also think it depends on your child. You know them best. I was really scared of it as an 8 year old. But my brother was 6 and he wasn't. My parents kept telling us it was supposed to be funny, but I didn't get it.

The next time we went, I was 13 and I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. It wasn't until I was 15 that I realized it WAS cute and funny and not scary. But I'm proof that even older kids might be nervous about riding it. The darkness scared me, as did the whole thought of ghosts and stuff.

But lots of kids aren't 'fraidy cats like me and will enjoy it

 

[sandibeck]

My DD6 didn't like it. She's not a 'scaredy cat', but the theme just wasn't her thing. I think it was because it was dark, dusty, "cobwebby" because she chickened out of TOT too - and it has the same 'theme'. It's weird, because she loved the 'thrill' rides - did all the mountains. In fact, did Space & Big Thunder twice but Splash only once. Her favorite ride at all the Disney parks was BTMRR! Go figure!!

 

[tiggersthebest]

I don't think it is really scarry, but it depends on your child. I took my 2 year old on it during her first Disney trip and she was never scared. She actually would fall asleep on it, so it became our destination anytime I wanted her to nap There are some spots where things jump up, but not really scarry, just cool effects like the ballroom scene and the hitchhiking ghosts. However, my DD who is now 1 is more timid, so I'll have to be careful if I take her on, she might get scared. Each child is different, but I have always loved this ride. Have a magical vacation.

5 1

Too many times to list as a kid
Once I “grew” up:
1997 Fort Wilderness (summer); Coronado Springs Christmas
1999 Wilderness Lodge (Spring); Fort Wilderness Christmas/New Years
2002 Polynesian
2003 Caribbean Beach
2004 Took a break after having a baby
2005 Going to Port Orleans Riverside
2006 Going to Grand Floridian

 

[ReggieB]

My DS4 dislikes The Haunted Mansion (or as he calls it the Haunted Mattress, for some reason!!??) Purely because it is too loud. If the volume in the cabs was a bit quieter I think he would like it a whole lot more. I don't think he could get past the noise to even notice what was going on...

 

[momofpunkinboo]

I've seen the hanging body. It is one of the few parts of the ride that actually looks real to me. Look up next time. It's a treat!

 

[dbanzai]

I've seen it too, and I also thought everyone knew about it.

 

[Belle1111]

Thanks for all the reply's! I feel much better about it now- good idea about telling them what to expect. The dark, the noises. We found Haunted Mansion on live.365 and they've been listening to that- I think it's more the unknown that is scary, not the ride itself.

This message board is great!

 

[MickeyMousesGal]

I don't think it is that scary, except for the ghosts that pop-up in the graveyard. It depends on if the kids get scared easily and how well they handle scary things. The biggest concern I would have is the ghosts that pop-up, and when you meet hitchhiking ghosts. I hope this helps!


Jessica

 

[Laurajean1014]

The part that is scary for me is the bride with the heart bounding....... it reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe......

 

[Wishes]

My daughter was only 5 the first time she rode it. We told her that this is Disney and they wouldn't do anything to scare little ones too badly! We told her it would be like Snow White or Peter Pan - you just ride along and look - no real person will jump out to scare you or touch you. Also, as we rode along I pointed out the exit signs and it was a gentle reminder that it wasn't a "real" haunted house! She wasn't too fond of the scary heads that pop out from behind the gravestones but again - if you want to you can look a little harder at things and see how they work. I think you all will love it!