A few more questions from a parent with small children...

[jonnylbluejeans]

First off, thanks to all who have responded to my previous post with all theire helpful advice.


(Background - We have 2 girls aged 4 and 6. Staying 9/21 - 9/27. I've been 12 times, and my wife has been once as a pre-teen.)


Any answers on how to handle the Haunted Mansion with a 4 year old. Like, Snow White's Adventure, she can decide to not get on, but be there with either my wife or I. At the haunted mansion, there's really no way to get her anyway near the ride entrance without scaring her to death. (stretching room)


I'm gonna play it by ear, and see how she does with things. (Explain that everything here is PRETEND, it's meant to be funny, and that I'm right here.) But you parents know how it is...

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS, <b>jonnylbluejeans</b>. I'm glad you found us and I hope you can visit often. We have lots of fun planning trips here.

My 6 year old nephew made it through the "stretching room" but absolutely refused to get in that doom buggy. There is baby swap here but I think you may have to miss part of the preshow to use it if you think the "stretching room" is a bit too intense for your 4 year old.

Have you asked this question on our Disney for Families board, too? They have lots of experts about things like this over there. You will find that board right <b>HERE</b>

Katholyn

 

[CamColt]

We just went through this with my 3 1/2 yo. He was so paranoid about it that when we entered the dark part in Tomorrowland Transit Authority his face dropped and he said "dont tell me this is the haunted mansion???". We did finally get him on the HM by telling him they are funny ghosts who have a party and sing, etc... He went on and was fine, although a little nervous about it at first. Now at home he keeps asking if we can go on the Haunted Mansion, LOL!
Good luck...and be sure to look for the hidden Donald in HM.

 

[Kimberle]

Welcome!

Our dd is 4.5. This will be her 3rd trip.

We took her on HM when she was 2.5 and she didn't like it at all. I sat with my hands over her face most of the time.

It's hard to know with small children exactly what they will like. This trip, we'll have just reached that 40" mark which will open up several more rides.

I'm going to start slow, explain the rides to her & show them as much as I can, but let her make the decision whether or not she wants to ride.

Every child is different. People have posted that their 3 yo's love TOT. I couldn't imagine, I don't even like it!!

Do your best. I'm sure you'll all have a wonderful trip!

 

[higgin704]

Just my .02... my DDs were absolutely terrified by the HM last year (at ages 4 and 2) and remember it (and blame me) to this day!! I trusted a book that said it was only scary in "the sweetest of ways". Liars.

angie

 

[SueM in MN]

there is a Disney Sing along video that shows a lot of the Haunted Mansion (OK, it's really DisneyLand's HM, but the rides are pretty much the same on the inside). The video is called Disneyland Fun and you might be able to find it at your library. The HM part has the grinning ghost song and shows a lot of the scenes you will see inside the ride and some scenes outside with the witch from Sleeping Beauty (who doesn't really look scary) and some character like Donald Duck with sheets over them (but enough of them showing that a 4 year old can figure out who they are). The video includes the Pirates ride song too (another ride that a lot of kids are afraid of) and Splash Mountain.
I wish they had that video when my oldest DD was little. She went on HM when she was 4 and she was quite scared. She would not go on it for many years after. She just started riding it with her eyes open recently - and she's 21.

 

[swilphil]

My .02: If a child is really scared before you get on the ride, I'd skip it. My 3 year old, who isn't afraid of much, acted a little timid when we got on HM. We brought his "Spinning Buzz" toy that lights up. They sell them at the Disney store and parks with several different characters. When it was completely dark, the lights on his toy helped and distracted him. We also talked him through the ride and told him they were funny ghosts. He didn't say a word the entire ride but was acting scared. When we got outside again, he said, "That was a good one."