My 11 yr old is exactly the same as yours. He went on BTM last summer for the first time and now he can't wait to get back. He is so cocky and confident now in such a sweet sweet way because he is such a chicken. This is the kid that grabbed on tight and closed his eyes when we rode in the front car of the monorail when he was 7 y.o. He says he is doing Splash and Space Mountain this summer. I can't wait because I know he will love them. He just needs a gentle push sometimes.