The Haunted Mansion Might be Scary

Last summer we took our four-year-old into the Haunted Mansion for the first time. I carried him in, as he was a tiny bit nervous. As the stretching room was going down and about to reach the end, I told him it was about to get dark, and I held him close. We seemed to have survived the blackout and screaming well, and the rest of the ride was fun. Fast-forward to a couple days later when Moms are hoping for a return trip through the Mansion. No Way! This continued on our next trip 2 months later. It wasn't the Grim Grinning Ghosts that scared him, it was the dark (and the screams). We even got as far as "next to get into the elevator" when our boy totally freaked out about going inside and we had to take him out screaming like we'd been torturing him. It was sad, and maddening all at the same time.

I heard there used to be a way to by-pass the elevator for wheelchair-users and freaked out kids, but no more. I'm told some Cast Members will allow a little one to hold the CM's flashlight to help ease fears, but I wouldn't want to count on that, just in case.

Sometimes, it is hard to remember what it must be like for young child experiencing Disneyland for the first time. Mostly, it is magical, but also, it can be overwhelming, and what might not frighten a child under ordinary circumstances might scare them when they are tired or taking in a whole range of new experiences. Remember your patience, parents! The kids will be big soon enough :)