At what age is Haunted Mansion ok for kids?

[laura428]

Thanks everyone...

The reason I'm asking is because DD6 is easily startled by loud noises (often covers her ears in movie theaters), and DS8 has been going through this phase lately of being freaked out by the dark. So combining dark, loud and spooky just made me question whether it was a good ride for our kids.

I like the idea of previewing the ride via YouTube - definitely going to do this. Honestly, I think they'll be ok - both have seen Harry Potter movies (up to the fifth one), and DD6's favorite movie right now is "Spooky Buddies.". They both love rollercoasters and other thrill rides...

Just want to be sure we're not setting them up for a major freak out session. Both kids were really uncomfortable with "A Bug's Life," DD6 (then just 5) even scared sitting on my lap and had to leave within the first few minutes of the show (thank goodness we were sitting on the end of the row).

We'll preview it, and play it by ear when we're there. I don't remember much about it - haven't seen it since I was 15, and that's going back WAY longer than I care to admit.

And, to feel even sillier, I have to ask... What exactly is the stretch room?

 

[Cin]

My kids were 10 and 5 when they went and they liked it. I get the creeps though by the long hall of door knockers but it really depends on your kids.

 

[Ktharee]

my daughter rode it 9 times. Nine. In a row. When she was 3.5. Still her favorite 5 years later.

 

[melliej]

I had this as a "no" on my itinerary for our last trip based on the ages of my children (DD5 and DS2). When my DD5 saw it, she begged to go on the ride. It wound up being one of her favorites (along with BTMR). My DS insisted on going as well and I did feel the need let my little guy know that it is all pretend and we would "scold" the "naughty guys". You can also do a lot of re-directing if you don't want them to see a specific image.

 

[delmar411]

And, to feel even sillier, I have to ask... What exactly is the stretch room?

The stretching room is the first part before you even get on the ride. It's the room where they put you and it has no windows and no doors and then it 'stretches' up so you can see the pictures of how those people died (silly ways) and then it goes pitch black and lightening at the top with the guy speaking, hanging from a noose. And a loud scream. That's literally the 'scariest' part of the whole thing.

I find this portion hilarious and we all say it along with our 'ghost host'. Takes the scary out of it.

Here's a youtube of it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=IL&hl=en&v=c2gSidkbuag

 

[mwmom]

My DD was 5 last year and it was he favorite ride. Just tell them that the special effects are great, just like in some of the cool movies they see.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

So my DS8 and DD6 have been asking about doing Haunted Mansion for our upcoming trip in January. Checking out the video on Disney's site makes me think no way, but they claim that it's a ride for all ages...?

Anyone take their kids on this ride? At what age do you think they can handle it?

We have been taking our Kids since they were babies. It's not scary--at all--to us.

 

[DisDiva2]

i agree it depends on your kids..mine are 6 and 9 and really scared of ghosts! no way they will go anywhere near it! lol and i don't push it

 

[watkinsme]

ours did it when they were:
4&2
5, 3, and 11 months
and will be doing it again at 7, 5, and 2...in fact they are excited about it

 

[Jey12]

I think letting them preview it is a great idea. The youtube videos are pretty dark, but so is the ride, so it should give them a good idea. Kids and adults are funny with what does and doesn't freak them and us out. Plus it can change from year to year with kids. Sadly I find the rides that were amazing when I was younger are not near as fun now? Probably because I have more to put in my seat.

 

[brerbear]

This past August we took our 15-month old to WDW for his first visit. Ever since I was little, Haunted Mansion has been my favorite ride; for months all I could think about taking him on Haunted Mansion and just hoping he wouldn't panic. We took him on the ride five times...on four of those occasions, he was asleep by the time we reached the dining/ballroom. The one time he stayed awake, he laughed the entire way through.

 

[heatherbynum]

It all really depends on how your child handles things. It was not scary to my 5 and 8 year old but depends on each child. My 5 year old loved it.

 

[vcgirl925]

Birth? My kids have been going every year since they were infants and we ALWAYS go on The Haunted Mansion. They love it! It's really not that scary.

 

[kaligal]

A friend of mine was taken on HM at age 5 and tells her mother that she should have been charged with child abuse. Scared the crap out of her.

It is just too hard to tell which kid will be okay and which won't. If you know the kid is a scaredy-cat, it's an easy call. If not...you pays your money, you takes your chances.

Good luck!

 

[MrRomance]

My kids were 4 and 8 when they did HM, they are both autistic and prone to freaking out, but they loved it. It didn't bother them at all.

 

[Lynn57]

My sister was in Kindergarten when we first went on it and LOVED it. I was in 4th grade and couldn't be more scared. For me, waiting in line and the stretching room were by far the worst parts. I still don't like the stretching room, actually!

 

[RMulieri]

Depends on the kids..Mine was on at age 4 and loved it

 

[Minnesota!]

It would never cross my mind to not bring my kids on this (or any other ride w/o a height restriction).

They have both gone on this ride many many many times since they were 2. It's tame and not scary at all..

 

[bama-mom]

Mine have been going on HM since they were infants! Depends on the child sometimes, but mine LOVE it! At different times when they were 2 or 3, they may have gotten a bit scared. I would just make it fun for them, point out silly things, make up funny stuff about certain ghosts, etc. They are now 8 and 5 and not scared at all on this ride. They are more scared by the Snow White ride than HM!

 

[bowbat]

We took our 5-year-old on it last year. He doesn't scare easy, loves the thrill rides, and we explained to him in advance that even though things on the ride might look real, they're not. He did fine on the ride, no freaking out or anything, but he did tell us he didn't like it & didn't want to go on it again. Bummer, 'cause it's my favorite.