Coaster Kids in Training

[Karyanne30]

So maybe my family is just strange. My older sons first ride on our first trip was splash. He did Matterhorn, space, big thunder, rsr, grizzly, goofys.... only ride he didn't like was space. Since then he's done Indy and screaming once he got tall enough. My youngest started on gadgets and in march was 40 in. He did splash first, loved it. He rode big thunder, rsr after that, loved both. Also loved soarin. I wouldn't put splash as scarier than space at all.

 

[3monkeys4me]

My oldest actually did Big Thunder Mountain first, then Matterhorn, then Gadget Coaster then Space. She did great on everything at Disney, except she has not tried Screamin yet. BTMRR was her first roller coaster ever, she was too nervous to try anything before she did that one. She was 6 1/2. She didn't go on a non Disney coaster until last year, when she turned 12.

My middle has always loved coasters, starting from the teeny ones at the fair. His first Disney one was Space.

She did try the roller coasters she was tall enough for in Hong Kong last winter and liked everything so hopefully by the time she makes in back to the California Parks she'll be ready for everything.

Anyway, I think BTMRR is a good second one. Not too rough and not too dark.

 

[mummabear]

We have a rule in our family that you have to ride everything you are tall enough for once, if you don't like it then you never have to ride it again.
They have never refused a re ride. They were tall enough for the 40" rides at about 3 1/2.
We did a "Brave" challenge and printed little books that had all the rides printed and I signed off when they had ridden, when it was all signed off they had $50 to spend at World of Disney.

 

[Malcon10t]

So maybe my family is just strange. My older sons first ride on our first trip was splash. He did Matterhorn, space, big thunder, rsr, grizzly, goofys.... only ride he didn't like was space. Since then he's done Indy and screaming once he got tall enough. My youngest started on gadgets and in march was 40 in. He did splash first, loved it. He rode big thunder, rsr after that, loved both. Also loved soarin. I wouldn't put splash as scarier than space at all.

Everyone is different. For some, that long drop is too much.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

So maybe my family is just strange. My older sons first ride on our first trip was splash. He did Matterhorn, space, big thunder, rsr, grizzly, goofys.... only ride he didn't like was space. Since then he's done Indy and screaming once he got tall enough. My youngest started on gadgets and in march was 40 in. He did splash first, loved it. He rode big thunder, rsr after that, loved both. Also loved soarin. I wouldn't put splash as scarier than space at all.

Everyone is different. For some, that long drop is too much.

This is exactly it for my 6 yr old. She will go on it and likes it all except for that drop. The drop is too much for her, so if given the choice she'll stay off. However my DS has LOVED that right since he was tall enough and ends almost every night riding it over and over again with DH.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We have a rule in our family that you have to ride everything you are tall enough for once, if you don't like it then you never have to ride it again.
They have never refused a re ride. They were tall enough for the 40" rides at about 3 1/2.
We did a "Brave" challenge and printed little books that had all the rides printed and I signed off when they had ridden, when it was all signed off they had $50 to spend at World of Disney.

We have done something similar. They have to try it at least once and I won't make them go back on if they don't like it. DD(6) has sworn she'll never go back on Guardians! My only exception is they can do Screamin' when they feel ready. They've all hit the height requirement between 5-6 and for me that's a little young to make them do one with a loop.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

It really is very subjective.

I was there last Dec. with an 11 year old who absolutely loved Indy and rode it multiple times, but wouldn't ride Gadgets and broke down into hysterics in line for BTMRR. Some of the rankings above leave me a little baffled, I would never have thought someone would find Matterhorn scarier than Screamin', but everyone has different things that peak their scare meters. For the child I was with, it was being exposed on an open elevated track, so for her, something as tame as Gadgets was much worse than something like Indy that looked more like a car on a road. My mom hates anything thrilling, but loves Space Mt. because it's dark and indoors and she cant see anything, for others that makes it much worse.

 

[hodad]

My 6yo rode 7 Dwarf Mine Train at WDW a year ago and it instilled in her a fear of roller coasters, including Barnstormer and Goofy. Since then, she has added to her repertoire the following, in order:

1) Dinosaur!
2) Splash Mtn WDW
3) Indiana Jones
4) BTMRR DLR
5) Splash Mtn DLR

On our last trip she expressed interest in the Matterhorn, so that will probably be next.

 

[arichau]

I have one kid who loves Splash and Guardians but doesn't like Space and Indy. If they like the drops on Pirates and the sensation of dropping on Jumping Jellyfish I would try Splash and then Goofy - and then Guardians if they seem fearless.

My other kid loves Space and Indy but not Splash and Guardians (because of the steep drops). She always wants to go on Goofy but hates the one steep drop.

So basically my kids are split - I'm happy at least one of them will go with me on everything (except not Screamin' yet)

I absolutely agree BTMRR is the one to try after Gadget!

 

[Rabb it]

Big Thunder or Goofy's Sky School I would think

 

[geergirl]

My 5 year old twins both loved BTMRR and desperately wanted to go on the Matterhorn but it was closed. They were terrified by Space and Indiana Jones. I think we started out too intense. Indy was our first ride that trip and it was too much. They both say it was the dark that got them. One kid loved Splash and the other freaked out. I think she will be okay with it next time if we can get over the mental hurdle. They'd probably be fine with Goofy's but we didn't even think of it last time.

They love watching YouTube videos of the rides and especially watching big roller coasters. I expect they will be tall enough for California Screamin next time but I really doubt either will ride it. One might. She loves watching the videos and is generally braver about rides but she also is dealing with anxiety right now so we'll see. GotG is a no-go. DH won't even ride it! I'll probably fastpass it on my own.