Best intro coaster - SDMT or Barnstormer?

[jessicadisneygirl]

We leave in two weeks and I just snagged FP for our party of 8 riders to SDMT! Downside - it is on our first MK day at 10:15 am. Two of the riders are only 3 and have only ever ridden a very small kiddie coaster (think something at a county fair that goes in a circle). My plan was to warm them up to the coaster with a ride on Barnstormer and try SDMT on our second MK day. The second concern is that we were just at the park last fall with one of the kids and she refused to even get in line for Barnstormer based on the noise and what she saw from outside the queue. I have never ridden either coaster so I have no idea what to expect. Which is smoother? Is the load area of SDMT intimidating or loud? Which would you recommend as a first coaster between the two?

And if we do get to the load area of SDMT and one of them doesn't want to ride, is there any chance of the CMs allowing us to do some kind of rider swap at that point by stepping aside and letting everyone but one adult ride then pass the kid over when they return and let the last adult go alone?

 

[rteetz]

Many consider the levels of the Disney coasters to go like this Barnstormer, 7DMT, then BTMRR.

 

[cakebaker]

For us, Barnstormer was the introductory roller coaster. While SDMT isn't a thrill ride by any stretch, it's not as tame as barnstormer. If your child won't get on barnstormer, I doubt they'd want to get on SDMT either.

While the CM's will certainly let you exit with a child unwilling to ride, I don't believe they'll hold you at the boarding point to wait for your party to return and swap out at that point. Not saying there's no chance they'll do it, but I've never heard of it happening that way.

 

[jessicadisneygirl]

They are both 39", so no mountains for us on this trip. Both have ridden thrill rides with large hills and fast moving vehicles like a log flume. I think the problem is that Barnstormer "looks scary" because you can see the whole thing from the queue. Is this the case for SDMT or is that ride more hidden from the queue?

 

[SPOERLX3]

I would definitely say SDMT would be the better coaster! It is a smooth coaster without any jerks.
We don't like the Barnstormer at all. My 5 year old DGS didn't like the Barnstormer at all. He got off saying that his neck hurt because it was so jerky. He LOVED SDMT!

 

[evilqueenmindy]

They are both 39", so no mountains for us on this trip. Both have ridden thrill rides with large hills and fast moving vehicles like a log flume. I think the problem is that Barnstormer "looks scary" because you can see the whole thing from the queue. Is this the case for SDMT or is that ride more hidden from the queue?

I think 7DMT looks more imposing from the outside than barnstormer does (my nephew was scared to get on Mine train, but loved it after he got on, it's very smooth and very kid friendly) Barnstormer would be my choice for a kids first roller coaster.

 

[glassslippergirl]

We did both in the same day with DS3. My vote is for 7DMT because it's smoother and quieter. Can't say which loading area a child would find less imposing. If a child passes at the last minute, you're just going to have to rely on the kindness of the CM-- I'd say your chances are 50/50. If you can't, console yourself with something else awesome in MK.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Barnstormer is a carnival ride. Or something you would see down the shore or at a roadside amusement park. Not Disney quality.
Mine Train is fun and there is stuff to look at.
Probably start with BS though!

 

[ELSA711]

My children enjoy 7DMT more as it's smoother and doesn't throw you around like Barnstormer.
Little DD did 7DMT multiple times at 4 and 5 but only did Barnstormer once. She liked it but definitely was jerked around a lot more which she didn't really like

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'd start with 7DMT. I've been on Barnstormer a number of times, but it doesn't really hold much appeal. We basically only ride it after we've done everything else and only if the line is short. The funny thing is, US's Hippogriff ride is essentially the same coaster (Vekoma Jr) as Barnstormer, but we love it! To us, it is the perfect example of WHY theming is so important.

You have a smart kid! She could see for herself Barnstormer wasn't worth riding!

If nothing else, the Barnstormer queue is also very boring, while the 7DMt queue has some really cute little play areas.

I'd almost encourage you to jump in line at the END of the day vs, getting a FP. Late at night the line is short, you will have been desensitized from the rest of the rides all day, and the fun parts of the queue glow/light up, so IMO they are way more fun after dark.

 

[TexasPete]

Barnstormer is rough and jerky. SDMT is smooth. My DD8 won't ride Barnstormer but loves SDMT.

 

[ktlm]

I think 7DMT is the better starter coaster. 7DMT has slow areas and it is very smooth. Barnstormer is consistently fast and much rougher. 7DMT just doesn't feel as fast or jerky or like as much of a traditional roller coaster as Barnstormer does. DD likes both. My friend and her DD are not coaster fans. Her DD hates Barnstormer. They both really like 7DMT. I also have another friend who their whole family hates roller coasters. I got them to just try 7DMT once and they all loved it. I think the littles will be fine. If one of them resists, when DD was 3, we learned that bribery really worked to get her to try some of the "thrill" rides. (She was 40 inches at that age). A promise of a Mickey Head Ice Cream bad if she rode it, or that Mom would go back and get that little toy that she was begging for an hour before the ride would work wonders!

 

[MischaOz]

I would have absolutely no problem starting with 7DMT first. My daughter went on it at 2yrs 8mos and loved it. Seeing as how your kids have been on carnival rides before they should be absolutely fine. Have fun!

 

[goodeats]

This probably doesn't help you at all, but there is a huge difference in the thrill factor on 7DMT based on where you sit. I was able to sit in the last row and the front frow over a week long trip. The last row ride was really thrilling, and I was surprised based on the reviews I read here about it being a kiddie ride. The front row was very ho-hum and not thrilling at all. I think Barnstormer has a descrepancy as well from back row to front row, but it's not as pronounced. I would say start with 7DMT.

 

[Mainemama]

Though, be aware if you are in the first few rows of SDMT, you end with an up close view of the witch. Cool for adults, but can be scary to kids. I am not one to force a kid to ride if they aren't interested. There is always next time! I would show videos of both rides to kids ahead of time, then offer at the queue. If they resist, just ask for a child swap. (Before you enter FP line). Maybe save that for later and see if they are ready then. My 3 year old (who was not quite tall enough for mine train at the time) hated Barnstormer. She also loved Dumbo. Until day 2.... When she was terrified of anything that went in air. 3 year olds can be unpredictable!

 

[Twende]

The back seats of SDMT have very poor coverage for Memory Magic photos! For a little one I would pick the 7 Dwarfs over BarnStormer. Barn Stormer is fun but is not smooth like 7 Dwarfs. Keep an arm around little ones on SDMT because there is a sudden stop at one point and kids have been known to hit the back of their heads.

 

[jessicadisneygirl]

Great advice everyone! We will keep the SDMT FPs and do that one first. I also plan to sit towards the front if i can thanks to PP advice. We actually have 2 babies as well, so a couple of adults are hanging back and will ride after we get through the first round. If one of the kids balks when we get to the load station, we can try and ask for a child swap. If the kids decide coasters are no good after trying SDMT and don't want to set foot on Barnstormer, I won't be missing anything. Haha!

 

[ammag]

I thought barnstormer was a lot more intense than 7D, although it is shorter. I rode 7d last week with my 4 year old son, he was all smiles until the last and biggest drop but he didn't freak out. Just said he didn't like it. I am not a fan of coasters, I think 7d was fun and I won't rush to do it again but I would go. I'd rather skip barnstormer indefinitely!