WDW Attractions for the ride phobic, staunchly (think Footloose) religious?

[Vemnox]

I don't know how much a vacation you're going to get out of this, my friend. While parkhopping did an excellent job on post #22 about advising you of some things she could be "less sensitive" to, it sounds to me like you're going to run a risk on almost anything that doesn't involve plain ole walking. Frankly I would say the Disney films themselves might be a good gauge for how you can expect her to behave. You know your wife better than anyone here so the folks here can only do their best to recommend what might be "safer" options for her.

As someone mentioned earlier, you're dealing with not one but two challenges here: your wife's sensitivity, allegiance, or fanaticism (or whatever you want to call it) about her religious beliefs but also her sensitivity of the motion of rides. I'm surprised that she's wanting to go in the first place but at least you're leaving the door open for yourself and the two little ones to have a good time. As many folks here will tell you, just about any one of us would give anything just to be in Disney for a day ... with no rides, no shows, no dining, etc. Just to sit on a park bench and people watch. So by no means do I feel like she would have a "bad" time; just make sure you don't let her drag you and the lil' bits down.

Go with a "better safe than sorry" mindset for her. Folks here have given you a massive amount of great discussion and opinions on "safe" bets, but only you and she can decide what that constitutes. If it's any help, here's my 2 cents on what I would personally consider safe bets with no "magical" properties and movement that doesn't escalate past a car:

Magic Kingdom
Main Street Vehicles
Walt Disney World Railroad
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (unless there's a challenge with the word "magic" being in the title)
Swiss Family Treehouse
Tom Sawyer Island
The Hall of Presidents
Liberty Belle Riverboat
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
It's a Small World (if she can't handle this for either reason, I think it should be a gauge for everything else)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (unless she dislikes the film or premise of monsters)
The Peoplemover
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

Epcot
Spaceship Earth
Project Tomorrow
Innoventions
Imagination with Figment (be careful with magic sensitivity)
Living with the Land
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
The World Showcase (sans rides in Mexico and Norway)

DHS
Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3-D
Studio Backlot Tour (beware Catastophe Canyon ... watch a Youtube video first)
Toy Story Midway Mania
Voyage of the Little Mermaid (provided Ursula isn't a problem)
The Magic of Disney Animation
Walt Disney: One Man's Dream

Disney's Animal Kingdom
Festival of the Lion King
Kilamanjaro Safaris
All the trails
Rafiki's Planet Watch + Conservation Station
Flights of Wonder
Finding Nemo - The Musical
TriceraTop Spin

Biggest piece of advice for you both? Watch YouTube videos of the attractions! Know what to expect so that you each temper your expectations appropriately.

 

[Vemnox]

You could always drop her off at the Holy Land Experience.

I don't know how I missed this earlier but I think this is absolutely a brilliant idea. It's a non-denominational place so I sincerely doubt there would be anything offensive even to a JW.

Also, to the idea of a prepaid cell phone ... just get 2 walkie talkies. Much cheaper, you can keep them after you leave, and they make them with darn good range nowadays.

 

[deserrai]

Personally? I'd find a nice comfortable stationary church pew, leave her off and head to WDW. Glad you love her!

 

[chartle]

1. I don't know how I missed this earlier but I think this is absolutely a brilliant idea.

2. Also, to the idea of a prepaid cell phone ... just get 2 walkie talkies. Much cheaper, you can keep them after you leave, and they make them with darn good range nowadays.

1. Already shot down read some more PP's.

2. I wouldn't rely on Walkie Talkies they claim long ranges but thats in an open field with no obstructions. Also just like a cell phone you may miss a page, with a cell you would at least have voice mail or texting.

Also OP I didn't really want to bring it up but Space Ship Earth has some "concerns" that certain people have issue with. Its starts with a video of primitive man using communication to hunt a woolly mammoth 30,000 years ago and then a shaman/witch doctor inside a cave relaying stories as other are doing cave paintings similar to ones that have been found in Europe. This may go against her "book".

 

[doug74]

I'm surprised that she's wanting to go in the first place

Me too.. But it wasn't her idea to go (my dad's), and as stated earlier she gets defensive when we hint that maybe she sit it out.

Magic Kingdom
Main Street Vehicles
Walt Disney World Railroad
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (unless there's a challenge with the word "magic" being in the title)
Swiss Family Treehouse...............

Another good list, thanks for taking the time, everyone!

Biggest piece of advice for you both? Watch YouTube videos of the attractions! Know what to expect so that you each temper your expectations appropriately.

Yup, this is a good idea..

just get 2 walkie talkies.

I was thinking this, but as mentioned range/interference from other walkies would be a concern.. Has anyone tried this?

This may go against her "book"

It may.. We'll have to go over the u tube stuff.. I don't want to spoil ALL the rides, though..

It's hard to tell.. Like I say, I thought Brave would be fine, and then she bolts at the witch scene, so who knows?

I like the play it safe idea..

As long as she doesn`t guilt the rest of us, she can abstain from whatever.. That`s why I want to go over up front what rides the boys and I WILL be going on, and if she has any objections let her get them out then.. And then I`ll talk to the kids alone and they can make up their own minds..

 

[chartle]

I was thinking this, but as mentioned range/interference from other walkies would be a concern.. Has anyone tried this?

Years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth and before everyone including infants carried cell phones, we tried the walkie talkies at a small park and they just didn't work at all.

Now they may work at Disney since very few people use them now.

But two walkie talkies cost about the same as two pay as you go cell phones with voice mail and texting. You can even get a smart phone.

Many out of the country guests order them from say Walmart and have them shipped to the resort they are staying at. In the US you don't have to register or show ID or anything to buy a "throw away cell phone".

 

[doug74]

Many out of the country guests order then from say Walmart and have them shipped to the resort they are staying at. In the US you don't have to register or show ID or anything to buy a "throw away cell phone".

This is an idea... I wonder how nmuch they are?

We'll have to see if it'd be cheaper than getting a plan from Telus..

We have Motorola 2 way radios already.. Haven't used them much, though.. Should dig those out and test them..

 

[chartle]

This is an idea... I wonder how nmuch they are?

We'll have to see if it'd be cheaper than getting a plan from Telus..

We have Motorola 2 way radios already.. Haven't used them much, though.. Should dig those out and test them..

On a whim I poked around the Walmart site and I found $10 phones and $20 for 60 minutes of air time. You probably need one card per phone, but I think I have seen plans where you can share minutes.

http://www.walmart.com/browse/cell-...fone&search_sort=4&cat_id=3944_542371_1072335

You probably should create a new thread to discuss this topic because I don't even know what the original question was.

 

[Luv4Disney]

Just remembered. What about mini golf? One is based on Fantasia and the other is themed as Winter/Summerland (Christmas meets summertime).

 

[bumbershoot]

I've actually talked about this with my family before. Why, exactly, are pirates being romanticized? I'm sure people who've been attacked by Somali pirates don't find it cute.

I'll go on the ride, and enjoy myself, but really, think about it for a minute.

So true, so true. We have finally given up the conversation, but there were many chats in my household about how Beckett is on the side of law and order, while Jack et all are BAD guys, and how we should be rooting for Beckett. Then again, I have a freaky-weird bizarro crush on Beckett, so you can guess what side I'm on.

And then we're supposed to dislike Blackbeard in #4, when he's just a pirate like all the other pirates we've liked... Don't get me wrong, I've liked all the movies...I just have a different mindset about who the good guys are.



OP, I feel for you! I have some rather religious relatives who also love Disney, and I'm often mystified how they can have a love for both. I'm glad for you that she's open to you guys doing things she doesn't believe in, though.

 

[doug74]

You probably should create a new thread to discuss this topic because I don't even know what the original question was.

There's one going in the Cdn section.. I should see what's up there.

Just remembered. What about mini golf? One is based on Fantasia and the other is themed as Winter/Summerland (Christmas meets summertime).

If we do something like that it will be a waterpark, or wandering around the other resorts..

I just have a different mindset about who the good guys are.

Always the case.. Ever seen Deadwood? Or the Shield?

I'm glad for you that she's open to you guys doing things she doesn't believe in, though.

She's not, really, in the case of the kids.. She's taking them to the meetings with her, trying to get them to tow the line..

But I said, we'll let them decide what they want to go to beforehand, and there's to be no hand-wringing or guilt trips when we get there!

 

[bek]

I'm a ride wimp but I love Soarin' and found Kali River Rapids fun. But be prepared to get soaking wet if you go on Kali River Rapids! I stick to the tamer things like the People Mover. If others in my group want some of the "wilder" rides, I usually shop or people watch. There's lots of details everywhere to enjoy without going on the rides.

I'd add to the already great lists you've gotten. Check the Times Guide in Epcot for the various little shows in the Countries -- acrobats, candy lady, etc. My DH and I ducked into the American Pavillion during Food & Wine to get out of the rain and heard the most beautiful a capella group singing. So there's lots of little experiences around every corner in Epcot. I also enjoyed the aquariums on the second floor of the Nemo building.

Thankfully there's lots of places to sit comfortably while waiting. So if she wants to read rather than ride, just find her a lovely spot to sit.

 

[doug74]

just find her a lovely spot to sit

Good idea!

 

[snapppyd]

We're flying in and staying on site.. And who says she's Christian?

She's a Jehovah's Witness, so they hate.. basically every other religion (including catholic),..

Wow, really? I've never heard that before.

 

[Random Ninja]

We're flying in and staying on site.. And who says she's Christian?

She's a Jehovah's Witness, so they hate.. basically every other religion (including catholic),..

Sorry, all that reference to the Good Book had me thinking Christian/Bible. Most of the attractions are based on the history of the Jews and a little bit of the Jesus story/NT. I'm not very familiar with Jehovah's Witness so I'm not sure if she'd enjoy it or not. You say you are staying on site, without a car I presume; this may not be a good option anyway.

I'm going to join in with the spa group. Send her to the spa while you are riding the rides she doesn't like.

 

[KellyNY]

There are many rides I do not do because I am too chicken, basically all trill rides are out and my DD is very happy to use my FP for them. I just walk around, visit stores, check messages. Not really a big problem. Try to agree before you go what she will not ride and esp. what she will be comfortable to let kids to ride because of her religious believes. While it may not look important to others, it is to her and respecting it is all that really matter. Good thing there are plenty of rides that should be fine with her and you all will be able to ride them together. Also try to see what is next to the ride she will not do. For example, while my DD is on Soarin, I explore Innovations. Call it alone time which can be very productive.

 

[North of Mouse]

I was afraid you were going to say that.. LOL

Any slower moving 'rollercoasters', water rides?

The monorail and the ferry we'll be on for sure.. Soarin' might be ok.. Star Tours (I read that this was lame? how so?).. How are the water rides at AK?

Star Tours lame? It was fast action-packed, and you go through the motions like you are on a star ship, and going fast No, not lame, at all

 

[doug74]

Wow, really? I've never heard that before.

'Hate' is a stong word.. But yeah..

without a car I presume; this may not be a good option anyway.

This is what I was thinking also..

all that reference to the Good Book had me thinking Christian/Bible

They have Bibles.. Just not Catholic ones.. They have their own heavily edited ones..

Send her to the spa while you are riding the rides she doesn't like

I asked her about it.. It's a maybe.

try to see what is next to the ride she will not do. For example, while my DD is on Soarin, I explore Innovations. Call it alone time which can be very productive

Hmm.. Very good idea!

Star Tours lame? It was fast action-packed, and you go through the motions like you are on a star ship, and going fast No, not lame, at all

I'm glad to hear it.. Was looking forward to it.. I think the writer was a bit jaded.. Been to WDW too many times..

 

[North of Mouse]

We're flying in and staying on site.. And who says she's Christian?

She's a Jehovah's Witness, so they hate.. basically every other religion (including catholic),..

Wow! You must have to have enough love for both of you to want to go anywhere like Disney! I've never heard that about that religion before

 

[doug74]

You must have to have enough love for both of you to want to go anywhere like Disney! I've never heard that about that religion before

It was my dad's idea to take us..

JW's came about 100 years or so ago.. Same as Mormons (time wise), but world-wide (they were lumped in with the Jews, Romas, etc by the Nazis in WW2)..