New Dumbo interactive area - what would Walt think?

[Swmr359]

opps, posted twice

 

[akhenaten]

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?

I agree! And I sure hope he does not have to "roll in his grave" every time someone says he is doing it!!!

 

[disneysteve]

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.

I'm not sure the kids are so "cool and comfy" in that August heat either. Believe me, we've gone in August the past 3 years and will again this year so I understand wanting a break from the heat and I also understand the kids needing some play time. My DD spent ages in the Dinoland dig, the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground, etc. That's why I wonder if kids aren't going to want to spend ages playing here and not leave just because the beeper goes off.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~Walt would think it's simply fabulous! Then he would ask, "What took so long?!"

 

[Butler_chic07]

Regarding the original post, unfortunately I can see parents sitting on the sidelines pre-occupied with something such as their phone.

That being said though I think Walt would like it because it is supposed to be family friendly. It is supposed to provide more time for parents to interact and play with their children as opposed to standing and waiting in line. Disney is providing a place for them to do so, now it's up to the parents and other people to take advantage of it.

I'm not saying it's not okay to sit for a while and watch your children play, that's not at all what I am saying, but I think it provides a great family opportunity.

My DH and I minimize all technology at Disney. We enjoy the time talking and hanging out. I'll be that way when we are taking kids to Disney as well!

 

[CentralFloridian99]

Looks good, for younger kids. It's out of my age range and I'd probably just sit down and enjoy the AC IMO Walt would love this.

 

[DisneyCrazy915]

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?

Exactly. It may be a ride for kids, but it's nostalgic for adults. I like to ride it on occasion, but have no desire to wait in an elaborately themed playplace! I'll take the heat outside instead.

And to those saying Walt would love this, yes because that's exactly what he wanted, to sit on a bench while watching his children play.

 

[Hannathy]

And to those saying Walt would love this, yes because that's exactly what he wanted, to sit on a bench while watching his children play.

No Walt would love it because his business is making enough money and drawing in enough paying customers that he needs 2 of the same ride! -actually three cause Aladdin's ride is the same ride different theme!

Kids being happy was only a nice addition to the equation, making money was the priority. because if kids being happy was the priority then the original parks wouldn't have had different levels of rides and tickets! And kids wouldn't have had to choose what they wanted to spend their ticket on. And to make your kid the happiest wouldn't have required buying additional tickets for the good rides.

 

[DanBoris]

I have read a few threads about the new queue and people always seem to bring up the argument about Walt wanting a place where parents and kids can both have fun together. I don't think his intention was ever to have a place where evey single ride and attraction could be enjoyed equally by both, but instead he wanted a theme park that parents would enjoy going to as much as kids. If you want to condemn the queue because parent and kids can't enjoy it together, then you also have to condemn every ride that has a hight limit, because the whole family can't enjoy those together either.

I think the new queue is well suited to the purpose for which it was designed. My only real criticism at this point is that Disney may have played this up to be more then it actually is.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Walt hasn't trekked miles around his completed parks in the FL August heat. If he had he would LOVE it.

 

[maxiesmom]

And to those saying Walt would love this, yes because that's exactly what he wanted, to sit on a bench while watching his children play.

That would be the parent's choice. And if they are apt to sit on a bench, playing on their phone while their kids have fun, then they would stand in line out in the sun on their phone anyway.

 

[millerette]

My DD Dumbo lover is going to LOVE this!

 

[brea]

No different than a parent having to explain to their child that they have to get off the carousel or Pooh's ride so that others can enjoy it in my opinion. This just adds to the experience.

Will some take advantage? Sure
Will some kids not get it? Sure
Has Disney considered all of this....? I'd put money on it.

Good job on the area Disney.

 

[Colleen27]

I'm not sure I'd project Walt's vision for the parks to the experience of waiting for rides. Dumbo is still something families will be enjoying together, only now they'll be waiting for it in air conditioned comfort with something to amuse younger children rather than standing around in the heat. If anything, that should enhance the whole-family enjoyment - no more trying to soothe or distract hot, tired, bored children in line, no more parents wondering why didn't just go to a nice, relaxing beach somewhere, no more getting bumped into by other people's kids jostling ropes or splashed by their mister fans or bubbles... All around a vast improvement that the entire family should enjoy!

As far as getting kids to leave the play area, I don't think that will be all that common an issue. Most kids love Dumbo, that's why we parents end up waiting 30-60min or more to ride it even though you can go on essentially the same ride system at every traveling carnival in America.

I am a little disappointed in the queue as seen in the videos posted so far. I was hoping for more of an all-ages interactive area, not something that will be perfect for my 3yo but leave my 10 & 14yos (and us adults) just sitting around watching her fun.

 

[linda_loo]

I think it's awesome, and I could care less what a parent does while waiting in there. Pushing the stroller and lugging the gear is exhausting... and I always found it tough to balance my own needs with those of my kids. If I could relax a little, maybe play a little mindless Words With Friends, or listen to my own music... or whatever, I would feel recharged and ready to rock. Additionally, I think a little free-play time for kids is fabulous. Just the break that my family would need.

 

[rachel09985]

OMG I wonder how many pagers they had to order! What if they run out of pagers?

 

[Eoywin]

My DD, who loves Dumbo, is going to go nuts over this queue area! I'll probably be taking pictures but my husband will probably play with her in the areas that he can.

In the video, there was an adult going down the slide. So I'm guessing that there are some things big kids and adults can do.

 

[goofyernmost]

In my humble opinion...there has never been a more misunderstood statement than that particular one. You know..."someplace where parents and children can have fun together".

My interpretation is that the park, in general, is a place where parents and children can have a good time together. Not everyone (adult) wants to ride on things that were designed for children, but most, not all, of the attractions that adults can go on are designed for both.

Didn't Walt install a carousel in Disneyland? Wasn't that what he was referring to when he was talking about it. "I'd sit there on a bench, eating peanuts, watching them ride the merry go round." What was one of the first things in Disneyland?...a carousel!

The difference in Disneyland was that after the kids would ride the carousel, they could now go to an attraction that both would be able to enjoy. Not just a whole day on kiddie rides. I do not believe that he ever intended that they stay joined at the hip for the entire experience.

So in response to "what would Walt think"...I think he would be absolutely OK with it and not for the extremely negative reason that he was a profit monger. A lot of disrespect there for a supposed Disney fan on a Disney board. Without Walt Disney everyone would be at a beach someplace getting sand in their underwear. None of us would have experienced the magic that is the Disney park experience.

 

[buffettgirl]

In my humble opinion...there has never been a more misunderstood statement than that particular one. You know..."someplace where parents and children can have fun together".

My interpretation is that the park, in general, is a place where parents and children can have a good time together. Not everyone (adult) wants to ride on things that were designed for children, but most, not all, of the attractions that adults can go on are designed for both.

Didn't Walt install a carousel in Disneyland? Wasn't that what he was referring to when he was talking about it. "I'd sit there on a bench, eating peanuts, watching them ride the merry go round." What was one of the first things in Disneyland?...a carousel!

The difference in Disneyland was that after the kids would ride the carousel, they could now go to an attraction that both would be able to enjoy. Not just a whole day on kiddie rides. I do not believe that he ever intended that they stay joined at the hip for the entire experience.

So in response to "what would Walt think"...I think he would be absolutely OK with it and not for the extremely negative reason that he was a profit monger. A lot of disrespect there for a supposed Disney fan on a Disney board. Without Walt Disney everyone would be at a beach someplace getting sand in their underwear. None of us would have experienced the magic that is the Disney park experience.

Actually, I find sand in my underwear quite the magical experience. Doesn't everyone? I'm offended that you would think a beach vacation wasn't as good as a Disney vacation. Walt would be disappointed. I know it.

sheesh.

 

[chimommy]

Im really excited about it. Nothing is worse than waiting in a hot line with little kids! seems like such a great idea! My son loves Dumbo... I cant wait for him to see this play area!