6 Year Old on TOT

[stugers]

Hi

Would you take a 6 year old on TOT - my wee boy wants to go on it when we go next week.

Cheers

 

[BlindTyldak]

if he meets the requirements and knows what he's in for, why not?

 

[Laurajean1014]

My DS (then 3) was tall enough and went on three times in a row. He loved it. Now 10, he loves all the WDW rides.

 

[Jackie H.]

Here's my story: my DS was 7...all he talked about for months was TOT...all he talked about on the 11 hr drive down was TOT. He HAD to do that first! My 4yo DD had no interest, of course.....she wouldn't even get close enough to do the kid swap. No problem, it was a very slow day at MGM. My DS rode with his dad and I was going to go again with him when they got off.

He was so frightened he wouldn't even talk about it. Later in the trip I wanted to buy him a shirt that said "I survived TOT"...he wouldn't even let me do that! I mean he was terrified. Now this kid's favorite ride at 5 was BTMRR...he loved SM....from the moment he was old enough to ride everything at Disney he loved it all. Just not TOT. I mean it is meant to be frightening. The story was what got him.

It took him YEARS to try it again. In fact, I'm not sure he would've ever tried it again except he went with a school group and you've gotta do what all your friends are doing, right?

Now he loves it.....but for a long time he refused to even discuss the possibility.

This story is just to give you something else to think about. Keep in mind the scary ghost story that goes along with the ride. Your son may love it, of course.....we thought ours would!

 

[scrappinmom]

My dd (then 5) LOVED TOT in October! Went on it well over 10 times. Says it's her favorite ride EVER!

 

[WesM]

My DS (then 3) was tall enough and went on three times in a row. He loved it. Now 10, he loves all the WDW rides.

Hmmm, I'm starting to see a pattern here. My 7 yo daughter rode it seven times! I'm guessing your six yo just might be good for a half dozen rides . At any rate, you will find out in short order whether they love it or not. Just give them an idea (as best you can) of what to expect, so it won't be a total surprise.

 

[CheapMom]

This is one of those questions where it all depends on the kid. My DS (9) says he wants to ride this when we go in Sept. but I know the only reason is that his cousins will be there (and have been talking about TOT) and he wants to be like the big kids. I am about 85% certain it will be VERY frightening to him. I am not sure how to handle it- I don't want to discourage him- but I don't want him to end up crying...
However- we met a 4 year old at Disney last year who loved TOT and couldn't get enough of it. I think it has more to do with personality of the kid than the age of the kid.

 

[Indigo09]

The first time I went on TOT I was seven as well, and I was really scared about it. What my mom and I did was we waited in line and then at the last minute if I lost my nerve I took the "escape" elevator and waited for her in the area after the ride, where you can get the pictures. Of course after she said she wouldn't buy said picture because only she was in it, I then got determined to go on it so I could get the picture and I loved it!

Also I remember that a CM took the elevator down with me and though they didn't stay I was always in view of a CM who knew why I was there and the wait isn't really that long anyway.

 

[trulygoofy]

My 6 year old loved TOT. He said it was his favorite ride. I let DH take him and his siblings on it because I did not want to ride it (big mistake on my part. Everyone loved it, and I wish I had taken advantage of the baby swap).

I did not think he would like it, but he still talks about what a great ride it was.

 

[DawnM]

My 6 year old LOVES TOT! He asks to go there first when we get to MGM. He has now been on it multiple times.

My boys are 8 and 6. Both do every ride they are big enough to do. My 8 year old loves Rockin' RollerCoaster. Both love Mission:Space.

We always make them do a ride once and if they don't like it they don't have to go back (my 8 year old doesn't like Space Mountain for example.) He says SM is too "jerky" but he loves RNR. I thought it was because of the dark but I guess not.

Each kid is different. If he really wants to go, let him try it. My two cents anyway.

Dawn

 

[kimkarli]

My DD6 is wanting to do TOT in 23 days. Two of her five year old friends have done it earlier this year and loved it. I guess we will try it and see!

 

[ms.ojo]

My ds 6 loves the mtns, but has no desire in TOT. The idea of falling like that just doesn't appeal to him. HOWEVER, his ds3.5 can't WAIT to be tall enough to go on TOT (and other rides). She measures herself practically daily. She is 38.5" barefoot and hits the 40" mark w/ sneakers. He's trying to be brave yet still talk her out of it...and she is determined to ride it!

Our next trip is in Oct. I don't know what to do. I don't mind her going on things like Soarin' or even Test Track and BTMRR...but TOT???? I just think it's a bit much for a 4yr old barely 40" tall. Maybe she'll have a growth spurt over the next 2 mths like she did last year and truly be 40" but even so, TOT?? 4yrs old???? ugh.

Don't get me wrong, I love coasters, and actually w/ TOT, it's kind of cool w/ the drops, but somehow this just seems too big for a 4yr old.

 

[robinb]

My 6-year old loves TOT! She was originally a little chicken but in the last year she has become a thrill ride girl. She just hot 48" and she wants to do Rock and Roll Rollercoaster even if it does go upside down! That's my girl!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

We just took my 4 and 6 year old daughters on TOT in May. We did not say anything about it possibly being scary. We just told them it was a ride inside a hotel. We never try to give any type of impression of whether something will be scary or not. We try to let them form their own opinions afterwards. We always make sure we remind them for any ride at WDW that they are just a ride with that has a story. We would never make our children ride anything that they don't want to, however we try to get them to at least go once and see if they will like it. Well my 6 year old like it and my 4 year old decided that she never wants to go on it again. She is still at the age where she is unsure of whether things are real or not.

 

[Schmeck]

I'd want to make sure my kids didn't have any health issues before I let them ride any of the big 'power' rides at WDW at that young age. I know the accelerated drop doesn't have the g-forces of RnR or M:S, but 6 yrs old still seems very young to me.

 

[sha_lyn]

DD rode it at 4 1/2 and loved it. She saw the movie first, and I think that helped her not be afraid of the storyline.

 

[Pdowning98]

On our trip in May, DS8 (7 at the time) rode ToT. He did not particularly care for it, but loved RnR. I agree with most of the other posters if he meets the requirements of the ride and you are comfortable with it, let him try it. It happens to be my fave!

 

[lorrainesy]

I'm 25 and I'm too young....or maybe to chicken

 

[RockNGirl26]

The first time I went on TOT I was seven as well, and I was really scared about it. What my mom and I did was we waited in line and then at the last minute if I lost my nerve I took the "escape" elevator and waited for her in the area after the ride, where you can get the pictures. Of course after she said she wouldn't buy said picture because only she was in it, I then got determined to go on it so I could get the picture and I loved it!

Also I remember that a CM took the elevator down with me and though they didn't stay I was always in view of a CM who knew why I was there and the wait isn't really that long anyway.

i just attempted TOT for the first time at 18 - I'm a scardy cat! however I did end up taking the escape elevator and even though i was older i was also in the presence of a CM at all times...and he was cute! but honestly...if need be, the escape route is safe!

 

[cynderella]

My DD6 wanted to go on it, but once we were in the scary ante-chamber at the beginning (before you wait in line some more) she got freaked out and said she wanted to leave. But, I made her go (I know, mean mom). I kept having to reassure her and point out some other little kids who were even younger than her who were waiting calmly. She made it all the way through the ride and afterwards decided she liked it, but it was a bit traumatic getting her through it all. She's kind of a scaredy cat about new things like that, though, so everyone is right: it really depends on your kid.