Alien attack - opinions please

[Sue & Co.]

Hi last time we went DH and DS (then 9) went on this whilst I took the girls elsewhere. This time DD's will be 9 1/2 when we go. Should I let them do AA and then I can as well or would it be too frightening for them. One DD especially doesn't like the dark too much and is quite timid, the other DD is like DS and not afraid of anything (almost). Opinions and your experiences welcome please.

Sue

 

[Goofyish]

I assume you mean the Alien Encounter in MK

Without giving too much away, part of the attraction is in complete darkness. If your DD is afraid of the dark it may be a bit too intense for her, especially as you are held into your seat with a harness!

My DD did it last trip when she was 8 and liked it - but all kids are different.

 

[Minniespal]

I went on it once and vowed never again. I am by no manner of means a timid person and absolutely love rollercoasters and thrill rides but I just didn't like it. When we went on it there were lots of children crying and getting upset.

 

[miceandmen]

I agree completely with miniespal. I went on this when it first opened, and never went on again. And I also do ALL roller coasters. It is very intense and would not recommend to anyone less than a teenager. My boys love it btw, but they are 18 and 15.

 

[signtalker]

Another vote for not being a timid person, but I hated it!!!

DS was 9 the first time we went on it, and be both came out shaking like a leaf and white as a sheet(and neither of us are what you call wimps!)

Once you are in your seat, you arent going anywhere!!!, so if your DD gets frightened thats it!.

This is one thing I will never do again!

Jules

 

[Julia Ann]

i love it - it is very intense and dark a lot of the time, but i remember hearing the small children cry and because you are harnessed in you can't even comfort your child - I think i struggled to even hold hands with my boyfriend (if i remember right) - Try and go on yourself first and vet it for yourself - it would be a shame for you to miss out.

 

[Madjock]

I think this is a very difficult "ride" to judge. I'm like the others here, not scared of any of the coasters or "big" rides and I always have to go on them on my own. I have been thrilled with plenty of rides but could honestly say not scared by any until AA. I was literally shaking when I came off that ride and vowed never to go on it again. I know I'm definitely not going on when we go back in Oct. However my partner who hates most rides unless they're for 5 yrs or under loved AA. I think one of the main reasons being that this isn't really a "ride" but relies greatly on an individual's imagination and sense of fear, hence why I think its a very difficult one to judge for other people.

I would say as suggested above that you try it out yourself if possible as only you would really know whether your children would be able to cope or not. I know my 10 year old daughter never would.

Annmarie

 

[vernon]

I would agree with the suggestions to try it out (maybe with the braver ones first) to see if you think it's suitable. After all no one know your child as well as you do. Even saying that I wouldn't give you too high odds that the one you think might be dodgy ends up lovingit and it's one of the "brave ones" that's reduced to a quivering wreck LOL.

My own view of the attraction is that it's very clever and makes great use of lighting (or lack of it) and suspense to make for great "theatre" IMHO it's the best example of "theatre" in any of the theme parks. It is definately not for anyone who suffers from claustrophobia or who has an intense dislike of the dark ( it is PROPER dark in there LOL)

 

[WDWfan uk]

Sue, I would not take the daughter that is timid and isn't keen on darkness into this attraction.

As has been said, you are held in an over-the shoulder restraint which does not budge at all and is automatically lowered and not lifted again until the end of the presentation. The darkness is absolute - totally pitch black and lasts for what seems like several minutes.

I think it is important to tell children that this happens beforehand - otherwise some find this a terrifying experience and no attraction is worth that.

My sons have always considered this attraction disappointing - but they have never been scared of any attractions. I think when they first experienced it, they were expecting a ride.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

This is one ride I have no intention ever of trying again. I really didn't like it - complete darkness is not for me - especially when you can't get out your seat.

Cath

 

[marlouwrig]

Went on this 'ride' for the first and last time last year.

Will never go on it again. I felt truly claustrophobic and disorientated. DS (then 12) not of a nervous disposition usually was as white as a sheet when we came out and started to develop a migraine which ruined the day for the whole family as we had to take him back to the hotel. It took him 24 hrs to be back to normal again - even with medication.

I realise this could have been a coincidence but I'm sure the Alien Attack thingy was the trigger.

 

[Grumpy John]

Love it! Go on it everytime we visit. First time we went on I finished up covered in bruises on both legs. One side was her indoors and the other side from a woman who did not leave her name!

There are warnings outside. It is down to the parents to use their discretion and be sensible.

One of the best attractions at any of the parks.

Roll on September - legs need bruising again!!

 

[AlisonB]

It's one of mine and DH's favourite attractions in MK - but there is NO WAY we would let our girls in there! (They are 10 and 8 BTW). The 10 yr old still has a night light in her room - but the 8 year old is a bit of a dare devil and can't wait to do TOT and Rock n Roller Coaster this year, but there's no way she will do AE.

It is loud, dark and very scary - by playing on your imagination - very cleverly I might add.

I laughed my way through it!

 

[Tiggery]

I am not a fan of horror films or scary movies but I LOVED LOVED LOVED Alien Encounter. Go figure

 

[BiGGy]

oh dear Alien Encounter

me and my son went on it on our first visit when he was about 7, we had just come off buzz lightyear and he was a happy bunny

didnt stay like that for long, not long after i was white as a ghost and he was crying his little heart out. and nearly 4 years on neither of us will never go on it again hehehehe



rgds
BiGGy

 

[Disney owl]

Don't take your timid DD on.

We all 5 went on during our last visit and our DD who was 10 at the time hated it . She'd been on more " big " rides than her older brother that holiday but this really freaked her out. She started crying half way through & didn't stop till we got out.


as Julia ann said, all we could do to comfort her was to pat her hand & tell her it would be over soon.

I didn't like it either & won't be going on again.

 

[Sue & Co.]

Thanks - I think if it is possible I will go on with DS and then judge it for DD's or if that is not possible I will just keep them off and say that they can try it next time we go to Orlando. Thanks for all your input, when I asked DH (as he had been on it last time) he just said 'I don't know!!'. LOL