Autistic 12yr son and Epcot - Soarin and Test Track ride question

[JulieSharp]

Hello

Just wondered if anyone had taken their child on Soarin and Test Track who has Autism and was it ok? what was your experience?

We have been to WDW many times but have not been on these rides before, we were thinking as Joshua was older now we would try them together, but go on them as soon as the park is open to avoid big lines.

 

[stampin_fool]

We have taken Jacob on both and they are two of his favorite rides. We just went and the first thing Jacob wants to do is ride test track. He is a huge car, NASCAR, racing fan so this may be the reason but I think he likes the stimulation he gets from it, kind of like the roller coasters. With Soarin he loves the smells and the feeling of flying and (he is sitting next to me and says that he likes the great sights in the movie). When he got of it last week he said " Wow wasn't that the best ride ever" which I thought was pretty funny since we have been on quite a few times in the past and had never said this.

Hope this helps. Have a great trip!!

Ronda

 

[pilgrimr]

My son Joshua (age 6) loves Soarin. We have to take him several times while we are there. Now he has been on Test Track and he has been okay with it. He does not get excited on it like the other rides, but he does not hate it.

 

[minimandymouse]

My Son James Is 11 Now But Has Been Going On Test Track Since 2003 He Absolutely Loves It In Every Way Possible
He Thinks Soarin Is Brilliant Too I Am Sure He Thinks Its Real
I Am Sure He Will Love Them Both

 

[Figment1964]

Both of my sons with AS have been on both of these rides. My oldest is 15 and he first went on it when he was 12. He didn't like the noise from the outside but once we got him on he loved it and the CM's even let us go around again without having to exit, they could see his joy. He had no problem with Soarin' that year. My 7 yo (at the time) went on both rides without a problem at all.

Fast forward 3 years and my oldest wouldn't get on Test Track for anything! No amount of convincing would work for him. We did get in line with another family who were taking their ASD (about 10yo) son on TT for the first time and he was super nervous and we were able to encourage him. He LOVED it! We saw the family later in the park and they again said Thank You for our help.

I'd guess it really just depends on the day for our son. He can be so fickle about stuff, but we've just learned to go with the flow.

Good luck!

 

[kat_balou]

Test Track ended up being my ds11 favorite ride. He loved it! He liked Soarin' too but the first time we rode it we were in the front row and he had several anxious moments - first with our row going up so high and then the feeling of flying. He did ok and we ended up riding Soarin two more times during the course of our trip but TT was definately the fave!

 

[JulieSharp]

I've heard that there is a seatbelt for children on Soarin, do the seats go up very high?

Julie

 

[mechurchlady]

Guests who do not meet the red mark are required to slide the seat belt through a loop so that the guest will not slide out. Not sure how high up but you would have to lean way over to see how high up you are. Sue posted some great pictures of the Soarin' ride at the Epcot FAQs which is sticked under the disabilities board.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Row 3 (the back row) only goes a few feet off the floor. Basically the layout is

(when parked): Screen, Row 1, Row 2, Row 3

During Show:

S Row 1
C
R Row 2
E
E Row 3
N

 

[Disneylvr]

My DD (age 5) LOVES Soarin, Test Track and any ride that moves fast. She is totally the sensory seeker when it comes to her autism. I was afraid she would somehow get out of her restraint but they do have the extra loop for smaller kids but perhaps older kids could use it as well??

 

[AJKMOM]

My autistic son, now age 20, loves Soarin and Test Track. He never had any trouble adjusting to anything. On both rides, you can sit right next to your son, and you can use the FastPass or GAC to ensure that you don't have to wait in long lines.

 

[Figment1964]

Guests who do not meet the red mark are required to slide the seat belt through a loop so that the guest will not slide out.

When we were there in November my 11, 10 and 9 year old sons all had to use the extra slide through belt because they weren't tall enough. Not a big deal other than trying to help all three of them get it done in a timely manner...so many kids, not enough hands! My 9 year old is one of my ASD kids and he seeks the fast movement and heavy pressure. We had no problem with him trying to get out or anything like that.

 

[KPeveler]

just so you are aware, the line for test track had MUCHO stimulation - there are machines simulating car testing and doors opening and closing and lots of color and lights and sound and MANY MANY people... you may need to ask about alternate entrance for this one, since the line may be too much for him, depending on what his needs are

 

[ireland_nicole]

When we do Soarin, we always sit in row C around our two kiddos. We use the middle strap for both of them and also hold hands across the front of them; DD has tried to lean wwwwaaaayyy over to see what's underneath and this strategy works for them. We definitely need the ear protectors for the TT line too. Neither of them are our kids absolute fave, but they like them both. FWIW, Mission:Space and the Carousel are DD's faves, and DS loves splash mtn and BTMR.

 

[jamesmommy]

My son is 6, and these are two of his favorite rides. The noise level is quite high in Test Track, even using the fastpass entrance. James wears earmuffs on the loud rides and shows and it has allowed him to do things he couldn't do before. We bought the Peltor Kids earmuffs, they also make these in adult sizes.

 

[Brer Shay]

My son THOROUGHLY enjoyed both of these rides. He can't wait to do them again on our next trip. These two, SM & SE are his favorites. I agree with PP who mentioned that the queue area in TT is quite stimulating.

 

[DWFan4Life]

My son Joshua (age 6) loves Soarin. We have to take him several times while we are there. Now he has been on Test Track and he has been okay with it. He does not get excited on it like the other rides, but he does not hate it.

That sounds great, just enjoy your stay at WDW. Try all the ride he wants so that he won't get bored.

Have a nice day.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Thanks for all the responses to my wife's post.