California Screamin' with a 6-year-old?

[susnoahchris]

We're headed to Disneyland/DCA for our 4th trip next week, and for the first time, my son (6 years old/almost 7) will be tall enough for California Screamin'.

He loves Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, and Mulholland Madness...but he totally chickened out of Everest at WDW.

I've never gone on Screamin' because he couldn't go with me, so I need opinions! Is it a terrifying coaster, or is it on par with what he's done before and loves?

Thanks for any thoughts...I'd like to avoid scarring my child for life (but I reallllllly wanna go on it with him!)

 

[DangerMouse]

I took my son on his 6th birthday, but he was the one who chose it. He was so excited to ride it for his birthday, and he was not disappointed. It is a smooth coaster with no scary theming (unlike Everest). Why don't you let him watch some youtube videos of it and let him decide for himself if he wants to try it? The scariest part is the fast takeoff at the beginning, IMO.

 

[Raindown]

When it says keep your head back on take off, do it.

 

[rentayenta]

They are so funny at this age. In WDW last year my son, 7 at the time, LOVED RnR but refuse ToT. I cannot understand what makes some rides their favorites and others seem terrifying.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

My DD6 was finally tall enough for CS, last July, but at first she was a little hesitant.

I didn't give her any pressure, but she eventually decided to give it a try.

After we finished the ride, she said,

"Let's ride it again!" (We did.)

My son rode it when he was 6. Afterward, he felt a little bit woozy, but since then he's been on it a few more times and he still enjoys CS.

Like DM mentioned above, the initial acceleration is a little strong, but overall CS is fairly smooth.

HTH

 

[MG3G]

We just had our TINY 7 year old on this for the first, 2nd, 3rd.... I think he ended up riding it 6 times.. in a row! (THANK you GAD Fast Passes)

I was worried about how he would be on the ride because his shoulders are SO small - I was afraid that the restraint system wouldn't hold him at all. We watched some youtube videos of other little ones and they don't budge an inch! Which gave me the confidence to let him try. It is a smooth ride - take off is the worst part but at least there isn't a lot of time for anxiety before the ride starts (unless for some reason you have FIVE mis-starts like we did )

The upside down part - which I was worried about for him is so fast you don't really realize you are doing it. The sensation is only of being pushed down into your seat. There isn't even really a lot of that weightless - stomach flying - in the ride.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

It's my DD's favorite ride. She wasn't quite tall enough when we went when she was 6, but LOVED it at 7!

 

[californiamomof4grls]

My girls LOVED it too! It was me who was scarred!!

 

[TSRE]

My oldest loved it when he was 6 - he rode it as many times as he could get anyone to go with him. And he is scared of Space Mountain! Last time we went he was 9, and rode Screamin' 15 times in 4 days - I think it being out in the open helps, for him at least.

 

[susnoahchris]

Thanks so much for the feedback, everyone! I'm totally confident that he'll love it now...and I've read to him your thoughts directly and his verdict is "OKAY!!! Let's do it!" Yesssssssssssssssssss.....

 

[Hound 109]

When it says keep your head back on take off, do it.

Heed this advice.

Your instinct will be to look at kiddo (can't do it unless you lean your head forward a couple inches & look sideways). When they say "head back" (two seconds before take off), heads need to be back (against the head rest) with eyes forward.

Other than that a very fun & very smooth coaster.

 

[indiesgirl4ever]

Heed this advice.

Your instinct will be to look at kiddo (can't do it unless you lean your head forward a couple inches & look sideways). When they say "head back" (two seconds before take off), heads need to be back (against the head rest) with eyes forward.

Other than that a very fun & very smooth coaster.

Can you hear the announcer clearly when they say it? I'm afraid some of the kids might not listen and try to look around...

 

[Dopey's MIL]

Heed this advice.

Your instinct will be to look at kiddo (can't do it unless you lean your head forward a couple inches & look sideways). When they say "head back" (two seconds before take off), heads need to be back (against the head rest) with eyes forward.

Other than that a very fun & very smooth coaster.

I agree...however...I have to look at each daycare kid I take because their moms want to know...I hold out my camera as well and take pictures to get the first impression of this ride.

So it can be done but it has to be out of deliberate intention and you must know what to expect.

All my daycare kids tall enough to ride it have enjoyed the heck out it! Again again again....but I love it too so I can't deny them!

Have fun!