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

[CdnCarrie]

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.

This. I love Splash! But really the majority of it is slow as molasses! You drift along looking at Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox and listening to music. Its actually super cute! There is no way of getting motion sick on Splash.

 

[summerw]

There is a part in Spash where it gets darker and the music turns more menacing and the drop is more intense than btmrr. Btmrr is largely outside, easy to see what comes next and you don't get wet. Btmrr for sure

 

[I M Fearless]

I would think for most kids 7DMT is a good place to start for several reasons:

1. The duration of the ride is much shorter than BTM
2. The ride is very much smoother than BTM
3. There is a lengthy slow section mid ride which is good breathing space
4. The restraint system is far more restrictive for young children, there is less movement within the seat.
5. The beginning of BTM is very dark and extremely loud.

I would certainly think BTM is not out of the question, however as it is a new experience for her I would think 7DMT is a great starting point, then on to BTM if she loves 7DMT.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Do both, but start with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It was my favorite ride as a kid (still is my favorite ride!) and it's tons of fun. I first went on Splash Mountain when I was nine and it petrified me.

 

[epcotty]

Personally I'd recommend Splash before BTMRR. More recently, we've liked Splash more and I think it's more tame than BTMRR. I think 7DMT is a decent coaster as well, especially if you're in the back.

 

[ryanogs]

I have strong memories of both attractions from when I was a kid but I would say go for BTMRR first and then head straight to splash, I would advise using FastPass+ at the moment as I hear Magic Kingdom is crazy busy!

 

[okilydokily]

Splash is my favorite ride and the best one to go on first. Watch a video of the ride so she knows what to expect. My then 4yo was ready for all the rides before we got there. Never thought of Soarin as being scary, but that was his first ride and he cried because he didn't know what to expect. Now he takes all the coasters he can so being scared on the first ride or two doesn't mean they will be scared forever. But what do I know, there are people who refuse to go on POTC because of the "drop" in it.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Both. And yeah, Splash Mountain is not a roller coaster.

I also have a daughter who dominated Rock n' Roller coaster at age 5...so, there's that.

 

[BubblyTrip]

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

I'm going to bet there are many parents who will tell you they took their kid on something too scary in the morning and then couldn't get them on anything else the rest of the day. Working your way up is better for some kids.

My son finds Splash more intimidating than BTMRR, but loves both. The darkness at the story portion of Splash is actually not appealing to my kid, strangely enough. My kid has always loved coasters and thrills, but doesn't like scary story lines.

 

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Why don't you just ask her?

 

[ars0525]

7dmt first, btmrr 2nd, splash 3rd

I would do this order also. This way just in case the drop at the end of SM really freaks her out she at least rode the others already & you can always go back to those. Plus you can watch the drop on SM & she can see what it looks like.

 

[HM]

My four year old (ages ago) loved both. Splash was her favorite ride of our first trip and I think we ended up doing it four times.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

My 3.5 year old loved them all!
We started on the barnstormer and then worked our way up!

Have fun!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I would do Barnstormer, then BTMRR, then Splash.

I would do BTMRR before Barnstormer. Because BTMRR is "on a mountain", you don't really notice how high up you actually are. Barnstormer is just a track.

 

[David Daniels]

I would also recommend Barnstormer. Super short ride, no"drop", and is a good first taste/confidence builder. Once you tackle that, I recommend Splash, for a few reasons. First, it's a long ride! Lot's to take in, and enjoy. I know there are plenty people who don't like the drop, but there are a few throughout the ride that help you build up to it. Second, it's nice and slow! Our daughter (3.5 first ride, now 5) loves Thunder Mountain. However, she doesn't really hold on. On that ride, its all you can do to stay put yourself without trying to hold on to the kiddos! I'm exhausted after that ride and it wasn't enjoyable. Ultimately you just need to know your kid, but most of the rides at Disney are not thrill rides, so the sky is your limit!!

 

[DavidNYC]

Splash really isn't a coaster - just that one last drop. But it's a must do - one of my favorite rides in all of Disney. Big Thunder is a great first true "big girl" roller coaster. Fun, moderately fast, but no stomach turning drops.

But definitely do both! (Barnstormer is also a good first coaster but does really come across more as a kids coaster and is far shorter. 7DMT is also good - but if she wants to feel like she's riding a big girl ride - 7DMT still has a bit of a kids feel to it - but still a good ride).

 

[Baptist]

I'm going contrary to the pack. Start with Splash! The ride is more engaging than BTMRR. It starts slow, has a catchy theme song (How do you do?), and has fun animatronics (when working). It finishes with a bang, but it's over before you know it. Splash is one of my favorites!

BTMRR and 7DMT are good family roller coasters too. Enjoy the magic. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Pesky]

BTMRR. I would judge how she does on the drop in PoTC to see how she is with the drop and splash factor before trying SM. PoTC was a good predictor for us as DS hated the drop and DD loved it, which is why DS did not go on Splash.

 

[mickeymom22]

We took our daughter on the Barnstormer first. When we were coming to the end of the ride, she looked at us and said was that it? We knew she was ready to try BTMRR. I would warn your daughter about how loud BTMRR is when it is clanking up the hill. My daughter loved it! She also likes 7D and Space Mountain. She will not ride SM because she doesn't want to get wet. 7D has those "tight" seats. I think it makes the kids feel more secure than the seats on BTMRR.

I would go with Barnstormer, 7D, BTMRR, and then Splash.

I hope it goes well for you and your daughter and she ends up loving them all!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I'm going to bet there are many parents who will tell you they took their kid on something too scary in the morning and then couldn't get them on anything else the rest of the day. Working your way up is better for some kids.

My son finds Splash more intimidating than BTMRR, but loves both. The darkness at the story portion of Splash is actually not appealing to my kid, strangely enough. My kid has always loved coasters and thrills, but doesn't like scary story lines.

Kids are pretty consistent. Tell them it's scary and they'll be scared. Tell them it's fun and they'll have fun.

When they're tall enough, take them to Cedar Point and put them on Top Thrill Dragster. Then tell 'em it all gets easier from here.