Question for Muslim visitors to WDW

[ajcolorado]

I am trying to compile some information about about common issue faced by Muslim guests to Walt Disney World. Some that immediately come to mind are:

Dietary issues - pork / alcohol.

Riding wet attractions like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids when you are "covered"

Is the idol near Expedition Everest or the Tiki gods in Adventureland an issue?

What are the less obvious issues that I am missing?

Will you please send a message to me if you are Muslim or if you have a Muslim friend or relative who has visited WDW?

Thank you.

 

[KPeveler]

I know, as a point of interest, that there are prayer rugs you can borrow and a quiet prayer place in Morroco in EPCOT for the daily prayers.

 

[KPeveler]

One issue I can think of, for any more conservative religious group (note i said conservative, meaning adhering more closely to the beliefs put forth both in Holy scriptures and those beliefs taught by religious leaders. I mean in no way to criticize any group of beliefs!!!)

anyway, for any more conservative group, one of the problems many encounter is not that they are less-than-appropriately clothed, but that others are nearly naked. For example, Orthodox Jewish women do not look at a man (other than her husband) in a state of undress. The same goes for Othodox men, but vice versa. And certainly some people in WDW can be said to be in a "state of undress." there are some women who seem to confuse shorts with things that cover as much as a diaper!

also, (my knowledge is more Orthodox Jews than Muslims, but much of the same ideas apply) adult men and women do not touch each other, unless they are immediate family members or married. This can be a problem in a crowded park.

 

[ajcolorado]

Thank you - those are helpful bits of information.

 

[The Sweetness]

there are some women who seem to confuse shorts with things that cover as much as a diaper!

I resent that remark! I havent been to WDW in 7 yrs and even then, I saw plenty of shorts in the parks that cover half of what my 2y old's diaper covers

 

[themudd4]

I resent that remark! I havent been to WDW in 7 yrs and even then, I saw plenty of shorts in the parks that cover half of what my 2y old's diaper covers

You nailed it!

 

[Tam1067]

Regarding dietary issues, alcohol is served in all the parks except for MK. Of course, you do not have to drink any.

Pork is available in some places, but you will never find a restaurant which only serves pork. And if a burger comes with bacon, you can always ask for one to be prepared without. There are some places which serve Kosher food, and I know Muslims sometimes will eat Kosher food because preparations are similar to hallal food, right? The link below will take you to a page about Kosher options you might find acceptable. http://www.allearsnet.com/din/guestkosher.htm

I'm not Muslim, but my son's best friend is, and his family is visiting WDW this summer. His mother does cover, and the family does not eat pork or drink alcohol. Disney is not a problem for them.

 

[faindrops27]

i did not know there were issues with people riding splash mountain, is that an ssue for muslims. Just goes to show how uninformed I am about certain things.

 

[Doombuggyman]

I am trying to compile some information about about common issue faced by Muslim guests to Walt Disney World. Some that immediately come to mind are:

Dietary issues - pork / alcohol.

Riding wet attractions like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids when you are "covered"

Is the idol near Expedition Everest or the Tiki gods in Adventureland an issue?

Now I'm no expert on the Muslim religion, but... accommodating dietary issues is something Disney prides itself on, and common ones like an avoidance of alcohol or pork should present absolutely no problem. Water attractions would be as much of an issue to clothed/covered Muslims as they would be to virtually anyone else who is fully clothed. As for the "Idols": seeing as how they're not objects of actual veneration (and are likely fictional), I can't imagine anyone objecting to them.

It's worth noting that the WDW Resort has played host to the Saudi Royal Family on many occasions.

 

[KPeveler]

I resent that remark! I havent been to WDW in 7 yrs and even then, I saw plenty of shorts in the parks that cover half of what my 2y old's diaper covers

I was giving them credit! While I do not hold to any particular conservative/strict religious rules, I am shocked to see what some people consider appropriate to wear into the parks.

my mother always says they must have no good friends. a good friend would never let you go out wearing that!

 

[disneyjunkie]

I am trying to compile some information about about common issue faced by Muslim guests to Walt Disney World. Some that immediately come to mind are:

Dietary issues - pork / alcohol.

Riding wet attractions like Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids when you are "covered"

Is the idol near Expedition Everest or the Tiki gods in Adventureland an issue?

What are the less obvious issues that I am missing?

Will you please send a message to me if you are Muslim or if you have a Muslim friend or relative who has visited WDW?

Thank you.

Wouldn't people just avoid the things they don't agree with or would be uncomfortable doing?

I don't see how these issues are unique to Muslims. There are plenty of people who do not eat pork, do not drink, and don't enjoy getting wet on rides.

 

[Tinker74]

I remember on one of the hottest days of our trip last August...I saw a muslim family arriving at the MK,,The mum was head to toes in a black burqua.
I almost fainted thinking how HOT she must be....She was also pushing a double pushchair loaded with bags.
Her Dh on the other hand was dressed in shorts and a tee.

 

[laceemouse]

I remember on one of the hottest days of our trip last August...I saw a muslim family arriving at the MK,,The mum was head to toes in a black burqua.
I almost fainted thinking how HOT she must be....She was also pushing a double pushchair loaded with bags.
Her Dh on the other hand was dressed in shorts and a tee.

Agree, I have seen the same thing. I honestly think I would be so hot I would get ill! I guess folks build up a tolerance for the heat, I would faint.

I have to say, our family does not drink alcohol, we do not approve of many of the outfits we see at WDW, and my oldest does not eat meat (not for religious reasons though) and we just try to avoid/ignore that stuff!

 

[KPeveler]

Wouldn't people just avoid the things they don't agree with or would be uncomfortable doing?

I don't see how these issues are unique to Muslims. There are plenty of people who do not eat pork, do not drink, and don't enjoy getting wet on rides.

I think the OP is doing a project or report or something on Muslims at wdw... so there are some things that others may not consider, such as where Muslims can go where it is peaceful and they will not be trampled for the 5-times daily prayer

 

[disnut8]

Wow - this is a fascinating thread. I didn't know about the daily prayer place in Morocco. I really hope that privacy is respected.

 

[NancyIL]

I remember on one of the hottest days of our trip last August...I saw a muslim family arriving at the MK,,The mum was head to toes in a black burqua.
I almost fainted thinking how HOT she must be....She was also pushing a double pushchair loaded with bags.
Her Dh on the other hand was dressed in shorts and a tee.

Poor woman...I'd be rebelling if that were me!

Can someone enlighten me as to where the belly dancer at Morocco fits in to the dress code for Muslim women?

 

[lucincia]

Poor woman...I'd be rebelling if that were me!

Can someone enlighten me as to where the belly dancer at Morocco fits in to the dress code for Muslim women?

Just like you have strippers in a Chrisitan nation like good ol' United States of America.

 

[Rneighh]

I remember on one of the hottest days of our trip last August...I saw a muslim family arriving at the MK,,The mum was head to toes in a black burqua.
I almost fainted thinking how HOT she must be....She was also pushing a double pushchair loaded with bags.
Her Dh on the other hand was dressed in shorts and a tee.

I don't get this either. Why does a women have to be totally covered and the males can wear anything. For any muslims where does this teaching come from?

Renee

 

[Tinker74]

I think its because very strict muslims insist their wives wear burquas with only their eyes showing because other men are not allowed to look at them.
Its to cover their sexuality.
I won't give my opinion on this though as it would probably get me banned.
Iam not talking about a simple haed scarf rather a total body and face covering burqua.

 

[NancyIL]

I think its because very strict muslims insist their wives wear burquas with only their eyes showing because other men are not allowed to look at them.
Its to cover their sexuality.

I guess those guys don't marry the belly dancers.