New Dumbo interactive area - what would Walt think?

[disneysteve]

I just saw the video of the new interactive waiting area for Dumbo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z4M0kaTg1Y&feature=em-uploademail

I was rather surprised to hear the show producer say that it would give parents the opportunity to sit and enjoy the air conditioning while their kids play.

Isn't that exactly what Walt Disney was trying to get away from when he designed Disneyland? Didn't he want a place where parents and kids could do things together rather than Dad sitting on a bench while his daughters rode the rides?

I can see it now. A bunch of parents sitting on the seats reading e-mails, sending texts and playing on their iPhones while their kids are off running around unsupervised. Then, when the pager goes off, the parents will be trying to drag their kids, who are busy having fun, out to ride the ride. I remember when DD was younger and it took us half an hour to get her out of the Dinoland digging area with her screaming and crying because she didn't want to leave. Somehow, I think the same thing will happen here. The play area looks like a lot of fun. Kids aren't going to want to leave.

Thoughts?

 

[Robo]

what would Walt think?

From the info I have about Walt Disney,
I'd say he'd like it.



.

 

[Gaia]

I personally think it's a great idea. From what I've seen at the parks (and I've only been once), there is a ton of waiting and not too much interactive parental enjoyment goes on during that time (at least not with my family). I also have 2 kids on the autism spectrum, and waiting is not their forte at all. This would a be a godsend for me.

JMHO

 

[Dopey420]

Walt has been dead for 40 years. Things change.

 

[peachygreen]

I personally can't imgine him not loving this. It is wonderfully themed. It is interactive. Kids and parents can interact together or the kids can blow off some steam on their own.

 

[zeferjen]

This looks amazing. I can see my kids wanting to stay here rather than move onto other rides. I'm ok with that.

 

[andyman8]

Where was this ten years, ago? My wife and I would have given anything to just sit in a air conditioned tent while the kids play. Even though we have teens, still can't wait to see this. I'll admit it'll be a bit weird sitting there and waiting while watching all the little ones play.

I think Walt would approve (even though it is really irrelevant) because the ride is still something for families to enjoy, while the queue is for parents and kids to enjoy separately. Look at it like this: my wife and I sit, talk, and get some "alone time" in the AC, while the little ones (if we still had any!) can go play in a fun and safe area. We rejoin and ride! I don't see this as "ironic" as the original concept for Paradise Pier at DCA!

Sounds good to me.

 

[MariDisney]

I can't imagine Walt would prefer the previous arrangement, which was having guests packed together in a sweltering hot queue for 45 minutes with nothing to do but get hot and agitated. I love this new idea. I wish it was around when my DD was Dumbo age.

 

[akhenaten]

Sounds fantastic!!!! Especially since dumbo usually has such long waits!!!!

Families can enjoy each other much more the rest of the day.. after they have a bit of a break... and amusing little ones on the dumbo line was always so hard... they looked so close to getting on yet still had a long wait!!

 

[disneysteve]

This looks amazing. I can see my kids wanting to stay here rather than move onto other rides. I'm ok with that.

Yep. I think the kids will love it. It does look really neat. I wonder if Disney has factored that in to the wait time algorithm. How many people's beepers are going to go off but they won't come out to ride? And how long after your beeper goes off will you have to ride if your kids don't want to stop playing?

Does anyone know if this area will be accessible to everyone even if you aren't waiting to ride the ride? Can you just go in there to play and cool off?

 

[akhenaten]

Yep. I think the kids will love it. It does look really neat. I wonder if Disney has factored that in to the wait time algorithm. How many people's beepers are going to go off but they won't come out to ride? And how long after your beeper goes off will you have to ride if your kids don't want to stop playing?

Does anyone know if this area will be accessible to everyone even if you aren't waiting to ride the ride? Can you just go in there to play and cool off?

I do not know for sure.. but I imagine it would be open to everyone... like the exit children's play area at Mission Space...

I also think most kids would be excited when the pager lights and the "ticket" can be used... I know mine would have been....

 

[buckeyecinderella]

This looks wonderful! Is there anything for adults to do besides check email and play with their iPhones? I haven't been on Dumbo in years. I would really like to try it again.

 

[ttintagel]

I just saw the video of the new interactive waiting area for Dumbo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z4M0kaTg1Y&feature=em-uploademail

I was rather surprised to hear the show producer say that it would give parents the opportunity to sit and enjoy the air conditioning while their kids play.

Isn't that exactly what Walt Disney was trying to get away from when he designed Disneyland? Didn't he want a place where parents and kids could do things together rather than Dad sitting on a bench while his daughters rode the rides?

I can see it now. A bunch of parents sitting on the seats reading e-mails, sending texts and playing on their iPhones while their kids are off running around unsupervised. Then, when the pager goes off, the parents will be trying to drag their kids, who are busy having fun, out to ride the ride. I remember when DD was younger and it took us half an hour to get her out of the Dinoland digging area with her screaming and crying because she didn't want to leave. Somehow, I think the same thing will happen here. The play area looks like a lot of fun. Kids aren't going to want to leave.

Thoughts?

I'm with you on this one. Although I can see that modern parents are going to love it (except for when it comes time to drag the kids kicking and screaming off the playground when it comes time to ride) it does go against what Walt specifically stated his goal was. And since he did specifically state it, I don't feel that it's conjecture on our part.

Now, whether or not Walt's goal should be the goal of the modern parks is another discussion, and the two points don't invalidate each other.

 

[disneysteve]

Now, whether or not Walt's goal should be the goal of the modern parks is another discussion, and the two points don't invalidate each other.

Well stated. No denying that the world has changed, families have changed, travel has changed. Disney, and all parks, do need to keep up with the times or else they'll fade away.

 

[MamaLema]

I guess you haven't pushed a double stroller in August

The kids are cool and comfy while I push the stoller all day. What's wrong with a parent break from the sweltering heat? Just because I take a little break, doesn't mean I'm not enjoying WDW with my kids the other 99% of the time.

 

[akhenaten]

I guess you haven't pushed a double stroller in August

The kids are cool and comfy while I push the stoller all day. What's wrong with a parent break from the sweltering heat? Just because I take a little break, doesn't mean I'm not enjoying WDW with my kids the other 99% of the time.

exactly... and why do they assume kids will kick and scream and not want to leave to ride Dumbo... I know mine would not have!!

 

[Swmr359]

To me this is really disappointing...I was hoping that the interactive queue would be for adults also. I travel alone or with another adult, what am I supposed to do, watch other people's children play while I just sit there?

 

[serene56]

Will the area only be accessed by people with pagers?

or unlimited access to any number of people

 

[shellybaxter]

When Walt originally invisioned Disneyland I'm not sure he was invisioning a place where families would vacation for a week or more. I'm sure if he had he would had realized that a bit of relaxation for parents while still being "with" their child (the seats I saw were right there inside the play things) would be welcome and I think he would have approved.

 

[maxiesmom]

I starting to think the phrases What would Walt Do and What would Walt Think should be banned from the Dis. It seems anytime someone doesn't like something, they are quick to throw out Walt wouldn't like it, or Walt wouldn't do things that way. Can't we let the poor man rest in peace, without using his name to try and shore up our own points of view?

The video also shows families playing together, parents don't have to just sit their and watch their children play. Isn't this taking care of what so many posters thought was a big problem? Keeping kids happy in line out in the heat? Now you can play in the air-conditioning while keeping your spot in line. Sounds like a win-win for everyone.