We often talk about things that annoy us in Disney World — now, don’t get us wrong, we’re still feeling pretty magical in the Most Magical Place on Earth, even when we are a little annoyed.
Magic Kingdom
But sometimes, it’s just TOO hot and muggy in Florida, y’all. Sometimes, there are BUGS. Random rainstorms still catch us by surprise (but we have learned to pack rain gear, even on sunny days). Sometimes, our favorite ride is closed. Sometimes, we’re annoyed at what other people do in Disney World. That’s okay, though, because we recently asked YOU, our DFB readers, about some things that annoy you on Haunted Mansion. There was one thing, though, that some of you mentioned: we think it deserves its own spotlight, and we HOPE this trend stops soon.
So this thing that our readers mentioned that annoyed you annoys us, too. It’s also something that isn’t just specific to the Haunted Mansion but for any dark ride in Disney World. Basically, it’s when we’re inside the mansion, whether we’re enjoying the pre-show or actually on the ride, and an adult has let the children in the party play on iPads or other devices in the dark. It lights up the whole scene and ruins a lot of the whole experience of a dark ride, which is supposed to be, well, “dark.”
It’s dark in here for a reason
Of course, some children may have special needs and may prefer the iPad or tablet over the ride. Cast Members may recommend using the rider switch option on dark rides. If you’ve got a kid who would rather be involved with something on a screen, one parent can wait with the child in a specified area while the rest of the party enjoys the ride. Then, when that first parent gets off the ride, the two parents can swap places, and the parent who waited can then ride without having to wait in the regular standby line. You can check with a Cast Member at each ride to see if this is an option (and it is for many rides).
Rider Switch at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
However, this isn’t specifically a problem with kids. A lot of adults are also using their phones during the ride pre-show and on the ride, lighting up scenes in a way no one wants. You can send that text when the ride is done; thank you very much. Folks are also using flash photography (which the Ghost Host says NOT TO DO) or even using their phone’s flashlight to record video. This spoils the ride experience for others, and it’s just really not a nice thing to do.
Keep the Haunted Mansion dark!
Anyway, we’re hoping this is a trend that comes to an end. Maybe by mentioning it, we can at least make people more aware of it, just in case they’re just not thinking when they do these things. So, please, don’t light up dark rides with your devices, for the love of Mickey!
In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for more.
Six Words: DON’T DO THIS IN DISNEY WORLD
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Experienced this myself. Pathetic. Usual suspects…..
My husband and I were in the Haunted Mansion last spring and the group in front of us kept screaming like they were scared (the laughter showed it wasn’t real!). They were generally warned and then the ride was stopped. Adults acting like juveniles. There were also lots of people with phones lighting up scenes that never should have lit up. These people are ruining it for all the newbies on the ride.
It must be noted that Disney has heavily contributed to the necessity of phones in the park with Genie+ and now Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Many suggestions for optimizing your mileage with these systems recommend booking new attractions immediately after scanning in and also continually checking the app to see if there are earlier or more optimal times available for choices you’ve already booked.
Add in mobile ordering and there are plenty of reasons people might be using their devices to plan their day at Disney and many may view a situation where they are standing or sitting in the dark as an opportunity.
You lost me at ‘y’all’.
Sorry – I don’t get it. Are you there to enjoy the rides or spend time on your phone/tablet? If it is so important to book your next lightning lane ride during the ride then this one ride is not important to you – you are spending a lot of money for not living the moment you were supposed to be having fun with ! If a child has an issue with dark rides – use the rider switch option – it is there for this very reason. Maybe Disney will have to start collecting phones before the rides so everyone can enjoy their rides.
If your child is more interested in their IPod than the attraction or what’s going on around them, why would you pay all that money to go to WDW? Stay home. Your bank account will thank you.
My last time riding Haunted Mansion someone filmed with their flash on the WHOLE ride!!!
Sorry, John! We say “y’all” a lot in the Southern states.
Happened just last night on the Haunted Mansion. Adult was talking and texting while on the ride. No child on board. People are just rude and have no consideration for others anymore.
The following applies to SOME, a small but NOT insignificant number of Guests:
A Guest who is hearing impaired will use devices that light up in order to read and enjoy the attraction.
So before someone who is easily triggered instigates a problem with Guests using devices, take a moment to first see if they might have a legitimate reason. Yes, it will likely be rare, but do not demonstrate the FOOLISH mortal within yourself by confronting someone, for they might have a legit reason for using a device on dark rides… and confronting them might end with you being trespassed from the Parks.
Notify a Cast Member of the issue and allow the Cast to follow up. If these Guests are continually misbehaving, Disney reserves the right to remove them.
Okay I need to say this… We travel with an individual that uses an iPad application for communication attached to a wheelchair. If we are going through the stretching room we turn the brightness way down, while on the ride we expect that we are not going to be chatting and expect others to keep their conversation to a minimum so the iPad is not visible unless absolutely necessary. If we can get through the ride without interfering, I don’t think your phone is necessary.
I don’t get it. If your kids have to be entertained by an iPad while you are WDW then they are missing the experience so why spend the money? It’s important for kids (and adults) to be able to enjoy what is around them without having a screen at all times. Also it’s just rude because you are ruining the experience for those around you.
Adults on their phones/apps during movies in Epcot. If you don’t want to watch the movie go elsewhere and use your phone.
Never ever shame a parent for allowing their child on an iPad or device in the parks. Although we do try to limit this on any sort of dark ride, my child uses their device for communication. Accept and include those with needs that are different from the typical. We are striving to be included in a world that is not made for us.
Amen! Inconsiderate, misbehaving adults in WDW are the worst.
Just curious… are you including the many vloggers who do this all the time?
Just wanted to mention, some of these may actually be using AAC (augmentation and alternative communication)…. and while, yes, it can be irritating and remove some of the magic, I’d personally rather think that a child with a communication disability is communicating with their parent/caregiver than that it’s just a child planning the next ride etc.
I’m the guy who will yell at the phone users to shut it down or leave. Because of my “appearance” everyone has always listened. Nothing gets to me more than when inconsiderate people think the world revolves for their pleasure. Most of time when I yell at someone they actually have a “deer in the headlights” look. Happened only once to us in Haunted, told the guy turn it off, he turned around quick, like he was going to say something till he realized he was staring at the bottom of my chest, my wife smiled. Guy shut the phone off.
I do have to somewhat agree with Jared, Disney has nurtured the use of phones and now they push the use. However those people should still be considerate of those around them and understand they are on a ride and there is a measure of decorum inside a ride.
But it’s a me first, it’s all about me and my rights society we live in, this is the good ole USA.
A few years back we went into the Country Bears Jamboree & a woman with several children sat a few rows in front of us & messaged someone else for the whole show. Clearly she either didn’t know or didn’t care that everyone behind her could read the whole conversation because it was so dark in there & her screen was so bright.
Of course! Everyone should be respectful of others around them.
All those talking about AAC, we are one of those families please see my previous comment. There are ways to make this less intrusive, we do it all the time. If we can do it with a necessary device those that do NOT “need” to be on their phones.
You don’t need bright lights to film !! Be courteous to others who are there for the first time and enjoying the excitement!!
It is also annoying with the fake screams and giggles for attention !! We saw that a lot when we were there in February!! It was so annoying while we were trying to have fun in the jungle Cruise – a group were having their own loud conversations !! Even our cruise captain brought up their being so rude – they didn’t hear her ! We didn’t know them but apologized for their behavior! She had never had a group like that before !
People need to remember people are there to experience the magic and fun – the crude / rude behavior is not appreciated by anyone !!
It’s sad 🥹
The adults are the worst offenders. They know better. Just don’t care.
The general lack of civility overall continues to get progressively worse every year. The use of external lighting now seems to happen almost every time we ride a dark ride. But I’ve really noticed people constantly talking thru entire rides like Pirates, Living with the Land, etc. If people are commenting on the ride, no problem…but this is where people just chit-chat none stop. If all u want to do is talk, don’t get on the ride.