6 year old and FOP?

[Rafikifan]

He's 44" so he can ride it but do you think it's too intense for a 6 year old? Have to make FP selections tomorrow. Any advice from those who have done it would be appreciated.

 

[jettagirl]

We went in July with our almost 6 year old and he loved it! He actually got to ride it twice because we used rider swap. For reference, he's used to riding Mine Train, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Star Tours and Soarin'. He used to ride Tower of Terror but has since decided it's too scary. I was nervous about FOP and he was the one reassuring me (during the ride) that I'd be fine!

 

[TwinkleKS]

It all depends on the child and what they like. My six year old rode it earlier this summer and was fine. One of the 8 years olds went thru the line and refused to get on the first time then went back and rode it later that day (but did try demanding to get off once the ride had started). In the end she was fine too and happy she had done it.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

He's 44" so he can ride it but do you think it's too intense for a 6 year old? Have to make FP selections tomorrow. Any advice from those who have done it would be appreciated.

Highly variable on the child. My DS rode when he was 6 in May and really enjoyed it. He's cautious by nature and not a big fan of dark/super intense rides, but he's inconsistent.... eg, loves EE but won't go on Pirates due to the dark drop . Wouldn't touch HM until recently. Won't go on TOT at all.

The long FOP pre-shows gave him a bit of anxiety and I could see he was starting to question the whole thing.... but he hopped right on the ride vehicle when it came time. When it was over he proclaimed it the best ride ever. I figured it would be 50/50 whether he'd love it or leave crying (father of the year I guess), so I was glad it worked out.

I'd get the FP if you think your child is up for it - it's an amazing ride.

 

[KimBean]

What's in the preshow that made him nervous. Have an 8 yo girl and know she will love it but her mind can get the best of her.

 

[AngiTN]

Not too intense for any 6 yo I've ever known

 

[dodolitsky]

FOP is about as intense as Star Tours, and more so than Soarin. As others have mentioned, it really depends on the 6-year old whether they can handle it. If he does decide to ride, I would remind him that he can always close his eyes if he gets scared. Compared to Star Tours, I'd say that FOP has less real movement, but there is more in the ways of near-collisions and the sort, so the eyes-closing trick would probably be more effective here.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

What's in the preshow that made him nervous. Have an 8 yo girl and know she will love it but her mind can get the best of her.

Nothing in particular... just darkish rooms, lots of lights/noises, the silly pre-show stuff on the TV (the one actor is very corny). For us it was just dark enough / just long enough for DS to start to question "what the heck is this" but we got past it. Note, I had purposely not prepped my son AT ALL for what the ride was/how it worked. Partly because I didn't know myself, and partly because I didn't want to spook him! But again, he LOVED it and we can't wait to go back again.

 

[ucfknight]

Most 6 years olds would be fine. But every kid is different.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

My six year old freaked out right before we got on it, but then begged the rest of the day to go back despite the wait because she liked it so much.

Be aware that the 3D glasses are WAY too big and your child may have to hold them on his face during the ride.

 

[disneyvoice]

We had two young children around that age next to us when we rode it. They both LOVED it. I mean REALLY, REALLY loved it. Like screaming (good screams) and laughing and shouting the entire ride. They both exclaimed it was the best ride they had ever been on after it was over and talked a mile minute about everything they loved as the walked out. I think your son will love it!

 

[jpeterson]

I plan on taking my 5.9 year old next week. I don't think he will have any issues based on everything else he has ridden (DINOSAUR, Everest, etc)

 

[WDWRook]

There's no chance for a young kid to fall out right?

 

[BookishKells]

There's no chance for a young kid to fall out right?

No, it's very secure.

My ride-wary 6yo rode it and he didn't love it, but it didn't bother him. He liked FoP better than Soarin, which scared him, because he felt more secure in the ride vehicle.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

There's no chance for a young kid to fall out right?

Not a chance. If anything, I think the restraints are a little over the top.

 

[KimBean]

We had two young children around that age next to us when we rode it. They both LOVED it. I mean REALLY, REALLY loved it. Like screaming (good screams) and laughing and shouting the entire ride. They both exclaimed it was the best ride they had ever been on after it was over and talked a mile minute about everything they loved as the walked out. I think your son will love it!

Awesome.

Dd8 likes BTMR, TT, 7DMT, soarin and this was all when she had just turned 6. But she said splash is scary because it is dark and she doesn't want to try space because it is dark. Her big new ride to try is ToT. She will turn 9 on the trip. She was kind of fearless last time. I feel she is sort of a different kid now, you know how they start being more aware of things and getting insecurities as they become big kids. So I've been nervous for her this trip but she says she wants to go on all that. We watched some videos so she would know what to expect. She doesn't remember a lot from last trip.

 

[KimBean]

Not a chance. If anything, I think the restraints are a little over the top.

For myself.... I'm more worried the restraints will make me feel claustrophobic. Lol.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

My sister just took her granddaughter, age 5 & 1/2 & she is a outgoing kid. However, she hated it & was terrified. As you sit by yourself I think it might make it worse... even though she could reach her. Said she couldn't enjoy the ride at all as the granddaughter was so scared of it.

 

[jaz0308]

My 7 year old hated it! LOL! She likes Star Tours and Soarin but hates roller coasters. She said it felt too much to her like she was falling. She is a ride scaredy cat though!

 

[tinkerhon]

He's 44" so he can ride it but do you think it's too intense for a 6 year old? Have to make FP selections tomorrow. Any advice from those who have done it would be appreciated.

Like others have said ----all children are different. In our case, I was more apprehensive than our 6 yo !!
He would have gone on all day if given the chance !! It's amazing !!