Big Thunder or Splash for a 6yr old wanting to try her first 'big' coaster?

[JRatManda]

My 6 yr old wants to try her first big roller coaster when we head to Disney in March.
Any thoughts on which one might be better suited for a just turned 6 yr old to try first?
A few notes:

She has no issues getting wet
She has never ridden a roller coaster before but is fairly adventurous
Meets height requirements

We plan on 7DMT as well, but she has asked to try a 'big kid' coaster.
We've watched the ride videos, and she seemed cool with either one.
I have severe motion sickness, so I've done neither, she'll be riding with her dad.
We haven't been to Disney since 2001, so he really can't remember too much about either.

I know we know our kid best, but thought I'd get some opinions.

Thanks!!

 

[Turn the Page]

I would go with BTMRR myself. Splash is milder throughout but that one big drop could be terrifying for a kid that hasn't experienced it before.

BTMRR is pretty mild, it's really not all that much more intense than the Goofy coaster. I would start there.

 

[AntJulie]

Why not do both? My 7 year old granddaughter's favorite ride is Splash. She also likes BTMRR. I prefer BTMRR. Splash has a steep drop that I don't like but will do for my DGD's sake. We went in October, she was 6 then and it was her first trip.

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

I would go with BTMRR myself. Splash is milder throughout but that one big drop could be terrifying for a kid that hasn't experienced it before.

BTMRR is pretty mild, it's really not all that much more intense than the Goofy coaster. I would start there.

I agree! I would start with BTMRR because if she likes it you could tell her that she should try SM next and if she doesn't like it you could say well SM isn't really like BTMRR because it's a water ride...and she can watch people going down the big drop to decide (stand on the bridge and point out how people are laughing at the bottom and cross your fingers no one is crying haha!).

 

[IsThatYouTigger]

Why not do both? My 7 year old granddaughter's favorite ride is Splash. She also likes BTMRR. I prefer BTMRR. Splash has a steep drop that I don't like but will do for my DGD's sake. We went in October, she was 6 then and it was her first trip.

I think she hopes to have her daughter try both! She was asking which was best to try first to ease her in!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do BTMRR. It's so fun and it really is one step up from 7DMT. BTMRR was my DS's first big coaster (this was before 7DMT was built). We started him off on Barnstormer and then went to BTMRR. He loved it! We then went to Splash (which he loves!) and graduated to Space Mountain!

 

[JRatManda]

Thanks, all! Yes, would love for her to do both, but sounds like BTMRR would be best to try first. Appreciate the advice, that's why I love this place!

 

[AntJulie]

She was asking which was best to try first to ease her in!

Then IMO BTMRR is the answer. I guess I didn't read the initial post correctly!

 

[think-like-tink]

We started our kids out on barnstormer a few times, so they could get the feel. Then we moved to Big thunder, my kids 4 and 6 LOVED IT. Also, loved splash. Same trip, the 6 year old wanted to ride ToT....hated it. Now he is 12 and many trips under his belt, he LOVES it.
My dd at 8 rode Tot and loved as well. But, hates EE

 

[mshanson3121]

It's really going to boil down to the child. My son, who typically does not like being splashed etc... LOVED Splash Mountain. It was his first coaster ever. My daughter (5) however did not like Splash but enjoyed BTMR. She did not however like 7D. BTMR is slower but louder (has that really loud clackity noise). 7D is quieter but definitely faster - she didn't like the speed of it.

 

[Baklava]

I would do Barnstormer, then BTMRR, then Splash.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

My kid has loved both of them since he was little, although on splash he still feels insecure on the big drop so he always wants me to hold onto him when we go down the big drop. They are both pretty mild rides but the last drop on splash can be scary for little ones. As long as you put your arm around her for the big drop so she feels more secure you should be ok. Also try barnstormer as well. Its another little kid coaster but the more you do the more likely she will feel more confident on the "big" coasters

 

[StirlingSilver83]

It's really going to boil down to the child. My son, who typically does not like being splashed etc... LOVED Splash Mountain. It was his first coaster ever. My daughter (5) however did not like Splash but enjoyed BTMR. She did not however like 7D. BTMR is slower but louder (has that really loud clackity noise). 7D is quieter but definitely faster - she didn't like the speed of it.

Thats strange cause we thought it was slower that thunder mountain, lol. We rode 7D 3 times on our week long trip, and by the 3rd time we actually thought it was a bit boring, lol. My son LOVED thunder mountain though, but now all he keeps talking about is Everest. We skipped Animal Kingdom last time and I still haven't lived that down. Our next trip I have scheduled Animal Kingdom but I think the only reason is so my kid can ride Everest. I think I will have to put my big girl pants on for that ride, LOL

 

[DisneyOma]

7DMT is fast if you are in the back, slow if you are in the front. BTMRR also lags as you go down the hills if you are in the front as the mechanics still have you in the 'lift' mode, but has enough space in between those lifts to still get a good speed going.

Barnstormer, 7DMT, BTMRR then Splash would be the order if my kids were little.

 

[buccikulju]

Whatever you do, don't do the first ride in the dark! It makes it much more fun and thrilling. But for a first time 6 year old, do the ride in the day.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

We always start with the biggest ride in the park and work our way down.

My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mtn with her screaming "One more time Daddy" all the way. I'd start there.

 

[Tomh]

I will agree with the others, BTMRR first, then if that goes over well try Splash.

 

[caroline1851]

7dmt first, btmrr 2nd, splash 3rd

 

[mrzrich]

ummm... an I the only one who is going to say that Splash Mountain is not a roller coaster. Its a log flume ride. Either way she'll be fine. When mine were 6 they had already riden Space Mountain and Expedition Everest.

 

[Kiaya]

I'd pick BTMRR, that drop on Splash makes me queasy.