Magical Beginnings

[PortieOwner]

Aww, I'm dissapointed. I was looking forward to a time with just families with preschoolers and not having to worry about waiting in line an hour for Dumbo. That was the one thing I regretted about our last trip: not getting to ride Dumbo, but its too hard to wait with a baby. I thought since the Magical Beginnings was restricted to families with toddlers and preschoolers we'd have a better chance at smaller lines.

I felt the same way last year. We did ride Dumbo, but it was a wait because so many adults insisted on riding it. Most of the people in line were grown-ups. I never bothered with that ride (or the carousel) when I was childless and visiting WDW.

 

[frannn]

I love it when we actually make it to EMH! The lines in the past have been significantly shorter, so if we can get up and out early enough, we'll be there a few times. I just hope I can get DH to agree...maybe he can meet up with us afterwards....

 

[KimberlyC]

We have an upcoming trip and a 2 yr old. When I heard of Magical Beginnings and that it was for the "Little Ones" I thought to myself, what a great idea. It figures that this would turn into a debate. Gotta read the fine print. Since Disney says "Resort Guests" it has to be for everyone despite the fact that its intended (as marketed) for "Little Ones". How sad! The "Little Ones" can't ride the thrill rides. My DS isn't even tall enough for Soarin. Fantasyland is the one area where he can ride them all without limitation. If MB is going to turn into just another crowded EMH, forget it. Some people just want to suck the magic out what is intended to be a special event for "Little Ones". What's next, demanding to be admitted to Neverland Club (which by the way Little One's under 4 can't participate)?

For the pp that mentioned discrimination, Disney is allowed to discriminate and does so everyday. Rides have height restrictions. Kids clubs have age restrictions. Rental boats, etc have age restrictions. Ticket and ddp prices are dependent on age. If Disney had given more thought to it or had the forethought to anticipate that MB would be used in a manner unintended, it could have prevented this debate. But Disney didnt. There are loopholes in the DDP and loopholes with many other things, because not everything is perfect right out of the gate. Still I wish Disney would have made it like the kiddie rides at some other parks which state, "You must be accompanied by a child under 48 inches to ride these rides." Yes Disney should have stated, "Magical Beginnings is open to Resort Guests who must be accompained by a child under 48 inches to ride the Fantasyland rides." Oh well, maybe they'll do it right next time.

 

[disneymama73]

We have an upcoming trip and a 2 yr old. When I heard of Magical Beginnings and that it was for the "Little Ones" I thought to myself, what a great idea. It figures that this would turn into a debate. Gotta read the fine print. Since Disney says "Resort Guests" it has to be for everyone despite the fact that its intended (as marketed) for "Little Ones". How sad! The "Little Ones" can't ride the thrill rides. My DS isn't even tall enough for Soarin. Fantasyland is the one area where he can ride them all without limitation. If MB is going to turn into just another crowded EMH, forget it. Some people just want to suck the magic out what is intended to be a special event for "Little Ones". What's next, demanding to be admitted to Neverland Club (which by the way Little One's under 4 can't participate)?

For the pp that mentioned discrimination, Disney is allowed to discriminate and does so everyday. Rides have height restrictions. Kids clubs have age restrictions. Rental boats, etc have age restrictions. Ticket and ddp prices are dependent on age. If Disney had given more thought to it or had the forethought to anticipate that MB would be used in a manner unintended, it could have prevented this debate. But Disney didnt. There are loopholes in the DDP and loopholes with many other things, because not everything is perfect right out of the gate. Still I wish Disney would have made it like the kiddie rides at some other parks which state, "You must be accompanied by a child under 48 inches to ride these rides." Yes Disney should have stated, "Magical Beginnings is open to Resort Guests who must be accompained by a child under 48 inches to ride the Fantasyland rides." Oh well, maybe they'll do it right next time.

ITA! Who would have thought people without preschoolers would want to attend "Little Ones" magic hour? It's one hour in Fantasyland. It was a nice idea. It's too bad Disney wasn't more specific.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Still I wish Disney would have made it like the kiddie rides at some other parks which state, "You must be accompanied by a child under 48 inches to ride these rides."

It is policies like this that cause us to go to Disney and NOT to other parks. Another poster has asked about her developmentally disabled 11 yr old (probably over 48in.)that has the mind of a 3 yr old. Does he deserve to ride Dumbo? What about a Developmentally Delayed Adult? I have a 10 yr old that up until this year has been very "skittish" about big rides--and did I mention she is EXTREMELY tall for her age??? Theme parks with these kids of policies have effectively excluded her from riding anything she was interested in since she was about 7, and made all other theme parks a complete waste of our time and money.

I said it on another of the threads about this: Walt's Dream was a place where everyone, of every age, could enjoy together. That is the very foundation of DisneyWorld. He didn't like sitting on a bench while the kids got to ride and have fun. I don't think he would like to see a bunch of kids sitting outside of Dumbo or Peter Pan looking in because they are too big to ride.

Yes, there are restrictions on some rides that "discriminate" against little ones, but those are for safety reasons. The same with the boats. The Kids Clubs are governed by the day care laws in the state of FL and they have to work within those boundaries. I am sure the different licensing requirements, plus the cost of the staff/child ratio makes it far to cost prohibitive for allowing the younger kids.

I can't believe the number of people on here that seem to believe that Dumbo is only meant for preschoolers. I love Dumbo--I am 36. Dumbo is the quintessential Disney ride. Everyone has the right to enjoy it. If your kids want to ride it so bad either get there first, stand in line, or go ride the Magic Carpets or the Dino version at AK.

MB is a promotion, simply that. Not guarantee of specific rights. The promotional information also offered Free Dining--but that didn't mean no one else could get free dining. It advertised "Picky Eater Menus"--aka, the REGULAR kids menu! No big deal!!! It is just a promotion--a way of "respinning" things that already exist to a specific demographic. MB mornings are open to all resort guests and everyone is entitled to be there. I think we will see that the crowds will not be too bad, as most people don't like to get up early, and most will be at the other EMH park enjoying the big rides.

I know some people were informed by CM's that MB mornings would be exclusively for preschoolers--get over it! CM's are frequently wrong or misinformed--we see that happen often here at the DIS.

I can't believe that we have multiple threads on this here. I promise to not run over your beautiful preschoolers the morning I am there, and hope that you will offer me the same courtesy by not being nasty to anyone there without a verifiable preschooler.

I also promise to not waste anymore time on this thread!


Oh, also, Disney does have some places where they do restrict things to under a certain age or height--the Water Parks--that is why the water parks are not much fun for us--dd was told to leave the kids play area several years ago. She was the same age, or younger than many of the kids there, but because she is tall she was made to leave. It broke my heart to tell her she couldn't stay and play with the other kids her age.

 

[disnut1149]

We have an upcoming trip and a 2 yr old. When I heard of Magical Beginnings and that it was for the "Little Ones" I thought to myself, what a great idea. It figures that this would turn into a debate. Gotta read the fine print. Since Disney says "Resort Guests" it has to be for everyone despite the fact that its intended (as marketed) for "Little Ones". How sad! The "Little Ones" can't ride the thrill rides. My DS isn't even tall enough for Soarin. Fantasyland is the one area where he can ride them all without limitation. If MB is going to turn into just another crowded EMH, forget it. Some people just want to suck the magic out what is intended to be a special event for "Little Ones". What's next, demanding to be admitted to Neverland Club (which by the way Little One's under 4 can't participate)?

For the pp that mentioned discrimination, Disney is allowed to discriminate and does so everyday. Rides have height restrictions. Kids clubs have age restrictions. Rental boats, etc have age restrictions. Ticket and ddp prices are dependent on age. If Disney had given more thought to it or had the forethought to anticipate that MB would be used in a manner unintended, it could have prevented this debate. But Disney didnt. There are loopholes in the DDP and loopholes with many other things, because not everything is perfect right out of the gate. Still I wish Disney would have made it like the kiddie rides at some other parks which state, "You must be accompanied by a child under 48 inches to ride these rides." Yes Disney should have stated, "Magical Beginnings is open to Resort Guests who must be accompained by a child under 48 inches to ride the Fantasyland rides." Oh well, maybe they'll do it right next time.

You're so right!!!

 

[zookeeper]

I said it on another of the threads about this: Walt's Dream was a place where everyone, of every age, could enjoy together. That is the very foundation of DisneyWorld. He didn't like sitting on a bench while the kids got to ride and have fun. I don't think he would like to see a bunch of kids sitting outside of Dumbo or Peter Pan looking in because they are too big to ride.

I can't believe the number of people on here that seem to believe that Dumbo is only meant for preschoolers. I love Dumbo--I am 36. Dumbo is the quintessential Disney ride. Everyone has the right to enjoy it. If your kids want to ride it so bad either get there first, stand in line, or go ride the Magic Carpets or the Dino version at AK.


Oh, also, Disney does have some places where they do restrict things to under a certain age or height--the Water Parks--that is why the water parks are not much fun for us--dd was told to leave the kids play area several years ago. She was the same age, or younger than many of the kids there, but because she is tall she was made to leave. It broke my heart to tell her she couldn't stay and play with the other kids her age.

Great post... I highlighted parts that apply to the comments below.

I went to WDW last year, at age 33, for the very first time. It had been my dream all through childhood to go to WDW, but my parents could never justify the cost for all of us to go. Before we went all I said over and over was that as long as I get to ride Dumbo and go on the Teacups I will leave happy because those were the rides I always wanted to go on as a child. As it turned out my mom and dad came along on the trip with us and my mom said she just had to get a picture of me on those 2 rides after all the years of complaining! It was my "magical" moment and I don't care who thinks I was too old.

Also, growing up as a taller than average child I was often excluded from going on kiddie rides because of my height before I was brave enough for adult rides and I remember how terrible that felt. This summer at a nearby amusement park my DS9 who is not a thrill-rider was excluded from a couple of rides he really wanted to try because he was 1/2 " too tall. It broke my heart to see him upset about it. Riding the rides as a family is why we love WDW so much. Yes, it's fun to watch your children enjoy the rides, but it's so much more fun to ride with them.

 

[Fonzy13]

You're so right!!!

Nope.

I'm a 27 year old male and will be going to MB on September 1st. Do I have a pre-schooler? No. Not at all.

But I do have a little brother who will turn 9 that day and has been talking about spending the entire day in Magic Kingdom, on his birthday, for more than a year. Talked and talked and talked.

Am I now to tell him, "Sorry, Tim, we just can't go in yet, we have to let the other kids (there isn't much difference between a 5-year-old and 9-year-old to him) play first. We'll go in at 9 o'clock when the lines are nice and long.

Entitlement? Nice try.

 

[KimberlyC]

Great post... I highlighted parts that apply to the comments below.

I went to WDW last year, at age 33, for the very first time. It had been my dream all through childhood to go to WDW, but my parents could never justify the cost for all of us to go. Before we went all I said over and over was that as long as I get to ride Dumbo and go on the Teacups I will leave happy because those were the rides I always wanted to go on as a child. As it turned out my mom and dad came along on the trip with us and my mom said she just had to get a picture of me on those 2 rides after all the years of complaining! It was my "magical" moment and I don't care who thinks I was too old.

Nobody has suggested that you cannot or should not be able to ride Dumbo or any other Fantasyland ride. Any patron can ride the rides during park hours and any resort guest can ride during EMH. MB is intended to be an EXTRA hour for "Little Ones". It isn't taking away from normal operating hours or EMH hours. Its EXTRA (i.e, In Addition To) NOT Instead Of. At the age of 33 I suspect you do not REQUIRE afternoon naps or an 8pm bed time. Why does an adult without such limitations want to intrude on the EXTRA time intended for "Little Ones" when you can benefit from the same experience during hours of the day when they cannot?

Also, growing up as a taller than average child I was often excluded from going on kiddie rides because of my height before I was brave enough for adult rides and I remember how terrible that felt. This summer at a nearby amusement park my DS9 who is not a thrill-rider was excluded from a couple of rides he really wanted to try because he was 1/2 " too tall. It broke my heart to see him upset about it. Riding the rides as a family is why we love WDW so much. Yes, it's fun to watch your children enjoy the rides, but it's so much more fun to ride with them.

Again, nobody is saying you or your DS shouldn't be able to enjoy the attractions regardless of height. The point of MB is just to have an EXTRA hour for "Little Ones". Everyone else is free to ride at normal park times or EMH if you are a resort guest. As for riding with your children, yes I think that the point of MB is for adults accompanied by a "Little One" to ride with them because who puts a toddler on IASW and says, "See you in 15 minutes"? So yes, the parents or older siblings would be riding too, but the point is that they are accompanied by "Little Ones" for whom MB was intended. I tell you, I'd rather be on Space Mountain than IASW, but touring plans change when you have little ones, which, as a parent, I'm sure you know.

Also, the Disney Cruise Line allots areas of the ship for adults only. PI prohibits kids in the evening. Why is it so hard to accept that Disney intended ONE EXTRA HOUR, only 3 days a week, for a limited time, for "Little Ones"?

I'm a 27 year old male and will be going to MB on September 1st. Do I have a pre-schooler? No. Not at all.

But I do have a little brother who will turn 9 that day and has been talking about spending the entire day in Magic Kingdom, on his birthday, for more than a year. Talked and talked and talked.

Am I now to tell him, "Sorry, Tim, we just can't go in yet, we have to let the other kids (there isn't much difference between a 5-year-old and 9-year-old to him) play first. We'll go in at 9 o'clock when the lines are nice and long.

I'm sorry you feel that way. Since Disney has allowed a loophole, you and everyone else will get to do as you like despite Disney's intention that MB be for "Little Ones" and a 9 year old isn't what most reasonable people would consider a Little One. If there were no MB, you would still be free to enter the park at normal hours and still spend the entire day there. If its an EMH day, you'd have even more time and a 9 year old is old enough to stay up later and doesn't require a nap, so you'd get a full day worth of park attractions.

As for an explanation, there would be nothing to explain. The park will still have a ceremonial opening at 9am and how would your brother know that some little preschoolers came in early and were at the back of the park? Or why would he care if he did know? We take our tween age niece with us to WDW and to other amusement parks. She fully understands there are some activities just for Little kids and some things that little kids can't do. She doesn't get upset about it. She enjoys the rides she can with my DS, but when she's not allowed, she's not allowed. Its the same for adult activities.

As for lines at 9 am, they wouldn't be long if only the people for whom MB was intended were actually using it. I know that when we finished Fantasyland in June (within 1.5 hours despite arriving at 9) we headed out to visit other attractions including Tiki Room, Aladdin, Toontown, etc.

 

[zookeeper]

Still I wish Disney would have made it like the kiddie rides at some other parks which state, "You must be accompanied by a child under 48 inches to ride these rides." Yes Disney should have stated, "Magical Beginnings is open to Resort Guests who must be accompained by a child under 48 inches to ride the Fantasyland rides." Oh well, maybe they'll do it right next time.

This plan wouldn't work either because you're assuming that only families that have little ones that are going. If, for instance, a family had only 1 preschooler along with 3 other older children your scenario would exclude at least some of the older children from riding. How fun would that be?

BTW, Just because Disney isn't doing it how you would like doesn't mean they're not doing it "right". As with everything else that becomes a debate on these boards, nobody is forcing you to go if you don't agree with Disney's policies.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Has anyone called CRO and asked? just wondering.

i have 2 little ones and would have loved it if they could do it on the last day. Since we are there at the tail end of it. But if it's for everyone, it's not really worth it.

i don't understand why people are getting so worked up. It's ONE HOUR, why can't the little ones enjoy their time?? ONE HOUR, not ONE WHOLE DAY, not TWO HOURS...i just don't get it.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Nobody has suggested that you cannot or should not be able to ride Dumbo or any other Fantasyland ride. Any patron can ride the rides during park hours and any resort guest can ride during EMH. MB is intended to be an EXTRA hour for "Little Ones". It isn't taking away from normal operating hours or EMH hours. Its EXTRA (i.e, In Addition To) NOT Instead Of. At the age of 33 I suspect you do not REQUIRE afternoon naps or an 8pm bed time. Why does an adult without such limitations want to intrude on the EXTRA time intended for "Little Ones" when you can benefit from the same experience during hours of the day when they cannot?

well said

 

[ReadingMama]

I am also thinking that if many preschoolers and families take advantage of MB then the lines at 9am will not be much worse than a regular day and may even be better. If we finish all the rides by then, we'll be off to enjoy another part of the park!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

At the age of 33 I suspect you do not REQUIRE afternoon naps or an 8pm bed time

.

If only their parents would take them back to their resort for naps and bed by 8:00 - think how much less screaming and crying there would be in the parks!

Maybe if they have a special times for young kids, Disney will also come out with an "adults only" time in the parks.

 

[DisneyIsTerrific]

I think it's a wonderful idea for preschoolers and their families (including older siblings) to have that extra hour. When my DS was small, we always hit Fantasyland first and it was so hard for him to wait in the long lines for his favorite rides (Dumbo and Peter Pan). If he were still small, we would definitely be there at MB, but since he's now 13 we will wait and let the little kids have a bit of fun first with hopefully shorter lines. My family would love to be in the park an hour early (we are early morning people), but waiting that extra hour to go in won't hurt us and just think of all the wonderful smiles on the little ones' faces when they get to ride their favorite rides maybe even more than once!

 

[RedsoxMickey]

Ok
IF "Big IF" Disney has a time that is just for families of a certain age, I promise not to complain and not to show up with my family. Really I promise. Actually I would be supportive of the idea.

BUT - Disney is doing no such thing. So get over the fact that other families w/out little ones will be joining your family. It has nothing to do with people wanting to destroy your time with your family. Disney DOES NOT have a time that Magic Kingdom is open for you.

I am sorry you think that by my family being in the park we are going to hamper your experience with your children. Disney lines are long if you are not prepared for this DO NOT go to Disney. Again if Disney dedicates time for you and your family I will be the last one to complain about it. Unless of course they don't tell me until I get to the gate.

 

[KimberlyC]

This plan wouldn't work either because you're assuming that only families that have little ones that are going. If, for instance, a family had only 1 preschooler along with 3 other older children your scenario would exclude at least some of the older children from riding. How fun would that be?

BTW, Just because Disney isn't doing it how you would like doesn't mean they're not doing it "right". As with everything else that becomes a debate on these boards, nobody is forcing you to go if you don't agree with Disney's policies.

I fail to see how older siblings would be excluded. Think of it like an unlimited baby swap. pass You show the baby and you get your pass to ride, except its not limited to 3 returning people. Not that it even matters, like I said earlier, despite Disney's good intentions of dedicating a small amount of time to little ones, people are going to do whatever they want regardless of whether or not they suck the magic out of it for others.

I don't think people can debate that when Disney promoted MB for "Little Ones" that was Disney's intent. It has nothing to do with what I want, it has everything to do with people finding a way to disregard Disney's intent because they feel they can. I was just suggesting ways that Disney could use to cut down on the loopholes. I would like for that not to even be necessary. I would like to live in a perfect world where people behave appropriately, don't pee in public, don't line jump, don't pool hop, etc etc but that isn't going to happen. As with everything, people who want to will find a loophole and do what they want no matter what anyone else likes. This is true and will probably always be true. Disney then has to figure out how important it is to try to fix the loopholes. I don't see it happening for MB, since its limited in time and Disney won't be losing any $$$ from it. Disney is making small attempts to fix loopholes in other areas like the DDP, the DDP after all = $$$$. After I suspect much complaining about pool hopping Disney has posted signs at the pools that clarify the pool is for resort guests. Geez, even the mug policy has to be clarified. Why, because despite Disney's intent people just find a loophole and do whatever they want.

And I won't be taking my little guy to MB. We avoid EMH crowds and since it seems people who don't care that it was intended for little ones will be showing up that is all its going to be, a crowded EMH morning that is neither different nor more special than any other except that everyone will be confined to Fantasyland - even worse.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

If only their parents would take them back to their resort for naps and bed by 8:00 - think how much less screaming and crying there would be in the parks!

i see far more screaming coming from mom and dad and then the older kids who don't get what they want in the gift shops. And then you just see the adults that feel the right to argue with everyone in sight..so once they get all those people out by 8 the WORLD will be a better place

 

[RedsoxMickey]

Amazing - My family is now being accussed of "Sucking the Magic out for others"

Disney goes ahead and opens the park up early an extra 3 days a week and adds some other events and folks are Upset because they include all the Resort guest not just their families.
Talk about having a sense of entitlement.

Disney is trying to make it easier for you with more things to pick from having young children.
Shows at MGM, New Character breakfast, opening Disney early an extra 3 days, clearly marked maps for you to enjoy, etc, etc.
They want you to enjoy these things but they want all the Resort guests to enjoy these things as well. The reason why Disney does not need to spell out that this is for guests with 5yr olds is that is NOT the intention.

 

[disneymama73]

LITTLE ONES magic hour. 'Nuff said.