? about chicken exit for ToT

[akayf]

My older son is 5 and has expressed interest in riding ToT. DH and I are both think it might be a little too much for him but if he's up for it, we'll let him try it out. We were going to use the child swap so both adults will get a turn(and DS gets a 2nd turn if he likes it) since our younger one is obviously too small to ride.

My question is if DS backs out at the last minute and we need to use the chicken exit, will they give the adult a fast pass or something. The other parent would be able to ride solo with the child swap pass but the parent that was with the kid who backed out and had to use the chicken exit, are they just out of luck?

 

[ChloesDaddy]

If you get FPs to start with you may not have to worry about it. We used rider switch seven times on our trip last month and not once did they collect the FP for the second adult when issuing the rider switch ticket. Then if you have to leave without riding you will still have a rider switch ticket an a FP that can each be used for solo rides through the FP line. If they do collect the FP for the waiting parent and you have to leave it wouldn't hurt to ask for some kind of re-entry pass. I have not heard of a standard practice for something like this though.

To offer some encouragement that this may not even be an issue, our DS5 rode ToT and loved it, and he can be easily spooked by things. He spent most of the ride just looking at the people who were screaming as though he thought they were nuts.

Another suggestion is to find a YouTube video shot from on the ride and show him. I personally don't like spoiling surprises on rides, but you may find it helpful.

 

[akayf]

thanks! I've shown him videos and he likes drop type rides. However, he has recently developed a slight fear of elevators in general and wants me to put an arm around him whenever we are in one. As soon as the doors close, he says hold me and clings to your side until the doors open again. So even though he says he wants to ride. I'm thinking it might not be the best idea in the world.

 

[delmar411]

thanks! I've shown him videos and he likes drop type rides. However, he has recently developed a slight fear of elevators in general and wants me to put an arm around him whenever we are in one. As soon as the doors close, he says hold me and clings to your side until the doors open again. So even though he says he wants to ride. I'm thinking it might not be the best idea in the world.

Well keep in mind the chicken exit is getting on an elevator that goes down with a CM in costume (both attitude and dress) where you come out in the dark basement exit. Lol

I'd tell him it's an elevator ride no matter what he chooses.

 

[figment_jii]

Well keep in mind the chicken exit is getting on an elevator that goes down with a CM in costume (both attitude and dress) where you come out in the dark basement exit. Lol

I'd tell him it's an elevator ride no matter what he chooses.

I believe the bit with the Twilight Zone video and some crashing thunderstorm sound effects also happen before the exit (there a second Twilight Zone video once on the ride itself). It's to set up the story (and the mood), I've seen kids freak out at that point and want out of the ride as soon as possible.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

thanks! I've shown him videos and he likes drop type rides. However, he has recently developed a slight fear of elevators in general and wants me to put an arm around him whenever we are in one. As soon as the doors close, he says hold me and clings to your side until the doors open again. So even though he says he wants to ride. I'm thinking it might not be the best idea in the world.

More reassurance - my son also has gotten skittish about regular elevators but had no such anxiety about ToT. Maybe it was being seated that made it different enough for him. Whatever you do, hope you have a great time!

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I believe the bit with the Twilight Zone video and some crashing thunderstorm sound effects also happen before the exit (there a second Twilight Zone video once on the ride itself). It's to set up the story (and the mood), I've seen kids freak out at that point and want out of the ride as soon as possible.

I was worried about that too, having ridden without DS5 previously. He covers his ears in the regular movie theater, even when we give him earplugs. The storm and other noises on ToT weren't very loud and piercing, and it didn't really phase him when we rode. By that point you're committed to the ride anyway, so if he freaks out just keep an arm around him and reassure him.

ETA - I meant by the second video you're committed. The first video is indeed in a waiting area before you board the ride vehicle. It's mostly static and creepy music and talking.

 

[figment_jii]

By that point you're committed to the ride anyway, so if he freaks out just keep an arm around him and reassure him.

I thought there was a set-up video (Twilight Zone themed) that came before you go to the basement/boiler room...then from there you waited a little bit more in the boiler room and then loaded into the ride vehicles. Once the ride starts, then there is another video (at this point your committed and there is no way off until the ride ends). There must be a chicken exit from the basement/boiler room because I saw a CM offer to let a family with their crying child leave the semi-loaded ride elevator.

Edit: Ah, okay, saw your edit! For a moment I thought maybe I had been thinking of the wrong ToT, but both DLR and WDW seemed similar to me in the basic set-up!

 

[Haley/Hayden Mom]

The "chicken exit" is in the boiler room and ironically it is an elevator too. Our oldest DD (she's 13) goes through the cue with us and takes it down just so she can see the inside. Loves the theming but won't get on the ride.