Best First "Big" Ride?

[dancer_mom]

I have very anxious kids (used to be scared on Peter Pan) that are now tall enough and feeling brave enough to try a few big rides this trip. We watched a bunch on youtube and while they said no to several they stated they wanted to try the following:

7DMT
Soarin'
Test Track
Dinosaur
Splash Mountain
Star Tours

Which one do you think we should do first? Which one do you think will encourage them to keep trying the faster, scarier rides?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Dinosaur is dark, loud, jerky, and scares some adults. I'd save that one for last if you try it at all.

I'll let people with kids rank the rest for you.

 

[ellie05]

I think soarin' is the mildest one as long as they are not super afraid of heights. Test track woukd be my second choice. Follow by splash and ST and finish with the actually roller coaster. I would skip dinosaur completely if they were afraid in Peter Pan. If they do ok with 7DMT I would try BTMRR.

 

[Matty_Disfan]

Splash will pull them in with its imagery and immersive environment. The only scary part is a physical drop. There is no psychological fear here, and the adrenaline rush is sponged away by the laughing place and a gentle finish. It will make them hungry for more.

 

[Pesky]

7DT or Soarin'. From the looks of it, 7DMT is themed, mild, and most importantly of all, short. So even if they are absolutely losing their minds in utter fear, it's over fast. Soarin' is one that I agree that unless they are afraid of heights, shouldn't be a big deal. Kids weren't keen on it but it wasn't due to fear, they just didn't like it as much as other rides. Splash is well themed and the first few drops aren't bad and that long drop is over before you know it. Star Tours and Test Track next. Test Track is similar to RSR in DLR, just less themed (RSR is awesome) but the kids were petrified of the speed even with ride-through videos. Lesson learned. ST being enclosed might be a bit easier, especially if you explain the process (DD loved it). Dinosaur looks dark and jerky and I have to say the similar ride vehicle and experience freaked out my oldest but DS in particular is looking forward to trying it but he is a budding paleontologist so I think it's more a dinosaur thing than the actual ride.

 

[theone74733]

I'd say 7DMT just because it is a slow, very quick roller coaster that sways side to side more than having any major drops. There is a period where the ride slows down and can kind of give your children a rest if they get too scared. Also, I would ask the CM for the front so that your kids don't feel the one major dip in the ride and they can expect whats coming next (back rows are more intense). I could only feel that drop sensation riding this in the middle to back seats.

 

[hakepb]

7DMT
The "swaying" actually makes the ride more smooth instead of adding extra sensations.

 

[TXStormtrooper]

I agree with above poster that saving Dinosaur for last is a good idea. If you don't, you might not be able to get them on another ride.

 

[KEVD]

I have very anxious kids (used to be scared on Peter Pan) that are now tall enough and feeling brave enough to try a few big rides this trip. We watched a bunch on youtube and while they said no to several they stated they wanted to try the following:

7DMT
Soarin'
Test Track
Dinosaur
Splash Mountain
Star Tours

Which one do you think we should do first? Which one do you think will encourage them to keep trying the faster, scarier rides?

I guess that kind of depends what it was on Peter Pan that scared them? Was it the darkness? The "heights"? The spooky factor? The rides you listed are all very different. I will advise that you stay away from Dinosaur or at least leave that one at the end of the list.

 

[KathyNY76]

I guess I'd want to know what about PP scared them? The dark? Being 'up in the air'? And how old are they now?

In MK I'd go 7DMT then Splash just because you see the big drop as you walk up to Splash so that might freak them out. If they have 7DMT under their belt, they might be feeling more brave.

In Epcot: I'd think Soarin' first b/c it is very smooth. But it can be high up, and if they didn't like flying in PP, they might really dislike Soarin'. But TT is mostly in the dark - and there is one big 'surprise' in the dark area that gets me every time, even though I've been on it about 4 or 5 times. But maybe they've seen that in the videos so would be prepared?

Dinorsaur is VERY dark. And jerky. I didn't find it terribly scary, but I could see how some people would. Also, we got stuck 3 times on our ride, and 2 of those 3 times we were in an almost pitch black area. It could have been really bad if the kids were scared of the dark.

 

[Ambear]

Splash will pull them in with its imagery and immersive environment. The only scary part is a physical drop. There is no psychological fear here, and the adrenaline rush is sponged away by the laughing place and a gentle finish. It will make them hungry for more.

Agreed, the slow start won't freak them out and when you board it doesn't look like a coaster and no restraints so they won't think it's crazy scary.

I remember when I was ~7 conquering my fear of that scary drop felt so awesome. I made my mom ride it 9 more times in a row (those were the days <3 ...).

 

[g-dad66]

All good advice here.

It would be great if you can do Epcot on your first day, because I think Soarin and Test Track are the two least-likely-to-traumatize on your list.

Definitely agree with Dinosaur last, and since they don't seem to have selected any of the other coasters as ones they want to try, then 7 Dwarfs Mine Train is probably also not the one to start with.

And while much of Splash Mountain should be fine, the big drop is probably the single most terrifying moment for any of those six rides.

For simulators like Star Wars, I always tell the grandkids that if they get scared (or their stomach starts to bother them), just close their eyes. It would be my third choice after Soarin and Test Track.

 

[Robertfam08]

My very (very) skittish rider did best with Soarin' and Test Track, and she HATED 7DMT, haha. It was too much for her. But then...she also doesn't like the Barnstormer...just not a coaster kind of gal. She has never done Splash and is nervous to do so, but I think we'll get her on it the next trip. She really is a trooper, and will try just about anything once. She's my strong willed child, and she hates to sit on the side lines, even when she knows she isn't going to love something. On your list, I definitely think Soarin' is the place to start.

 

[Hezzy04]

I think Soarin' would probably be best first...and I definitely agree to do Dinosaur last!

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Everest, Mine Train, Big Thunder, Soarin' if it ever reopen.
Soarin' is not scary
Please do not scare the kids too much. No need to make them feel they have to ride big rides.

I have very anxious kids (used to be scared on Peter Pan) that are now tall enough and feeling brave enough to try a few big rides this trip. We watched a bunch on youtube and while they said no to several they stated they wanted to try the following:

7DMT
Soarin'
Test Track
Dinosaur
Splash Mountain
Star Tours

Which one do you think we should do first? Which one do you think will encourage them to keep trying the faster, scarier rides?

 

[Shellyb84]

My DD is scared of almost all the big rides. We were able to get her to try 7DMT, Soarin, Dinosaur, Star Tours, ToT, TT and Barnstormer. Barnstormer was the first ride she did, she was brave to start with, and she said she liked it but wouldn't do it again. She hated everything else except she really liked TT. The only thing new she's agreed to try next trip is Haunted Mansion, but I doubt she'll follow through with it!

 

[jbish]

My vote is for Soarin' and 7DMT. My more timid boy, at age 4, was able to handle Soarin' and I think (generally) enjoyed it. He did TT and I think that was a tad too much for him. He hasn't done' 7DMT yet but will on this next trip.

My more adventurous boy (at age 4) did Splash, LOVED TT and Soarin', and handled Barnstormer pretty well.

On that same trip, my daughter was 7 and conquered them all - Big Thunder, Splash, Barnstormer, RNR, TOT. Her first "roller coaster" was Space and then she was HOOKED. She couldn't handle anything more than Soarin' when she was 4. The only thing she didn't do that trip was EE because AK was our first day and she hadn't worked her way through the coasters yet. Needless to say, she's very much looking forward to finally "conquering Everest"!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

DS5 loves Dinosaur and always has since he was tall enough to ride it but I'm pretty sure he is an odd case. I would go for Soarin' first followed by SDMT. DS5 will ride SDMT with his arms in the air but he still holds on tight on Splash for what it's worth.

 

[busymommy2pink]

I have a timid one and a daredevil. The dare devil rode and loved all those and more from 3 on lol (she was tall for her age).

Based on my timid and fearful one:

Soarin (she LOVED this! It's not scary, but she did like to hold my hand. It is up high, just told her to keep her head back and not look down and we rode it multiple times)

Next I would say Splash. Both of my kids have loved this from a young age. Even my timid one. Once you get past the first drop, it's easy to do again. The imagination and whimsy of this storybook ride is so amazing. Highly recommend it. Timid one sits with me and I wrap my arm tightly around her waist for the drop. She closes her eyes and holds the bar. It makes her feel safe to have my arm around her(her words). Our last trip she even put one arm in the air. The youngest has been doing that since 3 lol

7dmt is definitely a smooth coaster. If you can get fast passes I recommend it.

I don't think I would do dinosaur with your kids yet. My timid is now 10 and still doesn't like it. I ride it with my daredevil every trip.

Test track is jerky and fast. She rode it fine when I told her before hand there is zero chance of a crash and it's not a real car. After that she loved it and we rode many times.

Star tours made me motion sick lol. But an incredible ride. You do feel like you'll fall out of your seat at one point. This scared my timid one who was 9 st the time.

Hope that helps!!

 

[Yahweh]

I would do Splash Mountain first. The psychology of only one big drop at the end, with the rest of the ride is pretty relaxed seems to me the perfect build up. It not overly loud or rough.

Soarin' would be the other choice. It may be a bit scary going up at the beginning, but once you are flighting with the calming music it's pretty tame.