DD4 and TOT

[LCoulter]

My DD3.5 wanted to ride TOT the last time we were at Disney. Although she is fearless on all the rides, I am afraid of the drops (I’ve still been on it about 6 times ) so I wouldn’t let her go on it. We are going again in a few weeks and DD will be 4 and again she wants to ride it. I know that each child will have a different experience. Have your young children enjoyed the ride or were they terrified? How did you prepare them for what to expect? I’ve showed her a video of the riders screaming as the car dropped and explained that the car feels like it is falling but it is safe.

 

[DEA]

I asked the guys on the DisDads thread this question a little while ago. In reading over their answers, I thought that while my DD4 might like the big drops, the overall spookiness might creep her out too much for anyone's comfort. I hadn't been thinking about that part as much; just about the "thrill" part of the thrill ride.

 

[LCoulter]

I asked the guys on the DisDads thread this question a little while ago. In reading over their answers, I thought that while my DD4 might like the big drops, the overall spookiness might creep her out too much for anyone's comfort. I hadn't been thinking about that part as much; just about the "thrill" part of the thrill ride.

I guess I get so anxious about the drops I just don't remember the rest of the ride very well to know how scary it was. My DH is all for taking her on it, since she is fearless he thinks she will be fine.

 

[Cinderella94]

This is coming from a 16 year old who kept her eyes closed the entire--and I do mean entire-- time from being so scared .

I think even though she was fine on other rides, none of them have theming quite like this one, and it might freak her out.

 

[adventure_woman]

If she wants to...let her go on it. My DD is scared of everything...so no chance there. BUT, when my nephews were JUST tall enough to ride it (probably 3-4) they rode it. They have always loved roller coasters/etc. I stood in line with them (before FastPass)...telling them the whole time that it is scary and that if we stand in line, we are GOING to ride it. So, we get in...I look over at them before the 1st drop....down we go...I look over again to see how they are doing...they have their HANDS UP! We bought the picture of the 1st ride...every other person (almost all adults) are hanging on for dear life and these 2 little boys have their hands up.

My advice...go on it and sit in the front row so you can have a good picture of your DDs first ride of TOT.

 

[MinnieMouse73]

If she is fearless, then she will probably love it. My daughter was desperate to ride it at 2.5 years old but wasn't tall enough - next year at 3.5 she was and she loved it

 

[3pletprincesses]

One of my DDs is fearless and want to do it desperately and she is 4. We are going twice this year and although mommy will be doing it, she won't! I just don't her to get scared because of this one ride and spoil the rest of the rides. I'll wait until they are 7 or so.

 

[candielips]

thanks for posting this thread. I have often wondered if there were actual kids that young that enjoyed rides like ToT. I know my DD will be 4 for our trip this year and there is NO WAY we could get her on that thing. The ghost part wouldn't scare her, it would be the actual dropping.
We will be lukcy if we can get her on Splash Mountain.
But, if she wanted to go on it, and I thought she could handle it, I would def take her on it. I say go for it.

 

[teacup princess]

My son wanted to ride it at 4 y.o. so I let him. I was fearless as a child so I thought maybe he would be too. Not so. He did fine with the theming and got into the ride with no problem. He just didn't care for the drops and screamed loudly the whole time. It didn't ruin him from riding the other rides though (other than Dinousaur- we had to walk out of that one), but to this day when we talk about WDW he says he can't wait to go back- he just doesn't want to ride the TOT.

 

[perpetualplanner]

When my DS(11) was 4 he rode TOT and loved it but he's always been my thrill seeker. DS(15) has never ridden it and swears he never will. He still gets anxious just standing in the line with us even though he knows he will take the "chicken" exit (we don't call it that though).

Every kid has a different personality and you really won't know how they will react until they get there. If they want to chicken out at any point you need to be prepared for that even if you've stood in line for an hour.

 

[gabriellyn]

My DS4 rode it right before he turned 4 and he loved it! It really depends on the child. He also loved Dinosaur and can't wait to go back on it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

check out a u-tube for it. DGS is four and while I will let him ride if he decides he wants to, this is not one I am going to encourage as I know it will scare him and unless it's one of the last things he rides, it will make him question everything we go on. You know YOUR child best. He's 4 and 42 inches and the only two things I am not encouraging him to try are TOT and dinosaur. TOT scared my then 8 year old.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

TOT is my favorite ride at WDW. That being said, I am taking a mom/daughter trip in june with my DD who will be 4. I have shown her the video's of the TOT and I have tried to explain it to her best I can, that it is dark, people scream really loudly and the ride goes "up and down" really really fast. She still agree's that she wants to ride it!

She is quite the daredevil, she has ridden ALL rides that she is tall enough here at the Busch Gardens in Williamsburg. She even went into a Haunted House last year with the guy I was dating (mom was the wimp and stayed outside)

I plan to take her on TOT, at least ride it once to see how she does, I have planned the HS day to be 5days into our trip so she can get "warmed up" by the other rides, Test Track, Soarin', Splash Mtn, BTRR... etc... also so that if she freaks on TOT she will know that now all rides are scary


However, Dinosaur is scary as H***!!!!!!!!!!! I cant even go on that ride! That is honestly the one that I think parents of young children should avoid 100%.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

My son loved it as soon as he could ride it - a few months shy of age 4. He says it's like "being a bouncey ball!" I personally do not care for the falling sensation, but he loves it. The preshow does not bother him at all.

 

[LCoulter]

Thank you for all the replies. I've decided that if she wants to go on TOT, she can. My DH will have to be the one to hold her hand and reassure her because I am going to be busy

 

[waltskids]

DS rode TOT at 3.5 years old and loved it! He likes thrill rides though, including Splash, Test Track and Big Thunder. He is almost 44 inches tall (at 4years old!) so he may be able to ride Space Mountain this summer.