Walt Disney Imagineers are the masterminds behind thrilling twists and epic launches like the take-off on TRON Lightcycle / Run, but their stories set Disney attractions apart. The Haunted Mansion ride, a Walt Disney World staple since it opened, has a queue and pre-show that are attractions before guests even board the haunted Doom Buggy.
Rise of the Resistance transports guests into the center of an epic battle between the Resistance and the First Order, and even the tame Jungle Cruise ride is packed with puns that kids of all ages could listen to for Niles and Niles. Inspired by Walt Disney’s vision to tell stories through attractions, the rides at Walt Disney World command the attention of Guests as if they’re watching a feature film.
Before any movie starts in theaters, there’s a message to silence cell phones, minimize disruptions, and save the chatter for after the film wraps, which are all unspoken (and sometimes spoken) rules for Disney guests. But not every guest abides by the Disney code of conduct, and addiction to iPhones has become an ongoing issue in popular Disney attractions.
Biggest Park Pet Peeve
With animatronics and mechanics neatly tucked behind the Disney curtain on fan-favorite attractions, guests are mystified while watching famous animated characters come to life. In 2012, one of Disney’s iconic classic films was adapted into a ride in Magic Kingdom, and Imagineers designed it to do just that.
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid invites Disney guests to become part of Ariel’s world with scenes from the film and appearances by Flounder, Scuttle, King Triton, and Ursula. While the ride is a can’t-miss attraction for Ariel fans, one journey was spoiled for a guest—and not by an evil sea witch.
On Reddit, u/JerryMouse05 captured a guest committing the ultimate Park pet peeve:
Hey please don’t be this kind of guest especially on dark rides, ruins the experience for everyone!
Hey please don’t be this kind of guest especially on dark rides, ruins the experience for everyone!
by inWaltDisneyWorld
The original poster wasn’t alone in lamenting this behavior on Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid. Another Disney Guest, u/Piratelove08, shared a similar experience of an iPhone light disrupting the ride:
Ah – I yelled at someone on this ride last week! They had their flashlight on during the scene w the angler fish – it completely exposed the mechanical arm that makes the effect possible. Totally ruined the magic!
A Disney Blind Spot
It’s no surprise that phone flashes reveal hidden mechanics behind Disney attractions, but it doesn’t make it any less bothersome to guests.
Other fans flooded the comments with similar experiences on rides like the Na’vi River Journey. Thankfully, in one example, Cast Members allowed the guest with an iPhone flash to disrupt the journey to board a ride vehicle all to themselves for a better experience.
Plenty of comments zeroed in on the topical fireworks spoiled by phone flashes and kids hoisted on their parents’ shoulders, blocking the rest of the Guests’ views. Cast Members can only do so much to intervene, mainly if phone flashes illuminate an attraction in motion. Unfortunately, as u/shocktroop5811 said:
People will always do it because there’s is no accountability for this.
It seems this thread is a starting point for some accountability. Still, in the meantime, Guests will benefit from those minding how their Park behavior impacts the Disney experience of others.
