Walt Disney World: It's Not Just for Kids

Jen has brought this point up before, but I figured I’d explore it in more depth.  You all know I’m unapologetic about adults meeting the characters, but what about “kiddie” rides?

The gold standard of these rides, even among all these rides in Fantasyland, is Dumbo.  For some reason, Dumbo has a reputation for being a line that moves very slowly-the Unofficial Guide (Ding!) has a touring plan they labeled the “Dumbo or Die” touring plan for a reason.  Dumbo is slow loading, and popular.  It’s also so classic that there’s a “must do” sensation-people who are dying to ride on Dumbo usually aren’t placated by the nearby Magic Carpets of Aladdin, nor by the TriceraTop Spin at Animal Kingdom.  To be perfectly honest, I had to Google to find out the name of the latter attraction.  Dumbo appears to be in a lot of Disney promotional material, both official and unofficial (who remembers Kimmy Gibbler and her sneakers on Dumbo from the Disney World episode of Full House*).  So, should children have a special ability to ride Dumbo, or other “kiddie” rides like Winnie the Pooh, or Buzz Lightyear?

I don’t think so.  As with my thoughts on characters, I believe that any paying guest (or guest under the age when they need to pay admission) should be able to ride any ride they choose to ride.  As Dumbo is among the rides open during Magic Kingdom’s Extra Magic Hour (EMH), I think it would be nice if anyone who wanted to ride Dumbo, regardless of age tried to get there early, but not necessary.
While Universal Orlando is not Disney World, they do have an interesting policy regarding their Pteranodon Flyers attraction at Islands of Adventure.  Only children between the heights of 36″ to 56″ may ride this ride.  Adults may only ride when accompanied by a child of that height.  While this limitation addresses the fact that this ride is a slow-loading ride, it does not address the fact that unaccompanied adults might be interested in riding the ride. (In my opinion, the irony of this policy is that it’s mainly themed around a movie franchise that people who are taller than 56″ remember.  I find it further ironic that this policy exists given that Jurassic Park is rated PG-13).  Because I enjoy being contrary, I probably wouldn’t care about this ride, save for the fact that I can’t ride it.

How about you?  What are your thoughts?

*I was all excited when my nephews got into Full House a couple of years ago.  They adored the Disney World episode, but the blank look I got when I asked if they got why Steve was Aladdin reminded me that I am old.  LOL

Hip hip hurray!  This post is in the Disney Blog Carnival 2:  The Sequel!

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