DINOSAUR: Can a 6yo handle it?

[Ness2289]

When my DD(6) was 4 years old, she went to WDW for the first time. She was pretty shaken after riding on Snow White's Scary Adventure, but came around eventually. NOW at six she has convinced herself that she wants to ride Dinosaur at AK. I rode it during our last trip and enjoyed it of course, but it is pretty intense. Should I really let HER make the call and give her a chance? This is a girl who screams when she sees a gnat! What do you think?

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

dd6 and ds4 just went on it last week with their dad. They both thought it was scary, but also knew it was pretend, so it didn't freak them out.
Tough call about your DD though. Good luck!

 

[Trinity721]

IMO, I would not take her on Dinosaur. I am 24 years old and it scares ME to death! It's a pretty rough ride too, which makes it scarier I think. Well I'm sure you remember it. I think I was about 6 or 7 when my parents took me on the Universal Studios rides (King Kong, Jaws) and I am STILL scarred for life!!! I think I would compare Dinosaur to that experience. I am not a total 'scaredy cat' but I just don't like those kinds of rides. Maybe if your child was the adventurous type, but if she is afraid of Snow White's ride and gnats then I am not so sure she can handle it. If she insists and it's breaking her heart not to ride it, then I might consider it. But tell her she was warned!!! Good luck!

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I am 18 and my sister still picks on me about the fact that I was scared out of my wits by this ride. I want to go on it again but this ride may not be the ride for your DD.

 

[Dizfreak]

My niece was five when she went on it. She was scared but didn't freak. Unlike me who at 25 and having ridden over 15 times still screams when the big dino roars into view.

Port Orleans Riverside-May 2005
Offsite-October 2004
Royal Plaza-May 2004
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Coronado Springs- Nov 2001
Contemporary- May 2001

 

[bavaria]

I have been on this many times with kids ranging up to about 10yo by the looks (boys and girls) who are absolutely terrified and shrieking by the end of the ride.

At DL, Indiana Jones is similar (it was the original for this type of ride technology). I once had a teenage boy and a possibly 10-11 yo girl next to me. The girl was genuinely terrified during the whole ride. As we were nearing the end, she got more and more upset, so I told her 'don't worry, it will be done in a few seconds.' At that point she had an absolute meltdown. She was so traumatized that she couldn't get off the ride, and I can't imagine what the rest of her day was like.

Every child is different - you know your kids best. What works for one won't work for another. At 6 yo I closed my eyes on every ride except Peter Pan...

 

[Aimee K]

My dd8, who loves most rides went on it. She wasn't terrified, but she's not in a hurry to get back on it either.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

In December my DD was 6 and went on it for the first time (my DS5 opted out). She got through it okay, but did not want to go on it again (we went on it twice back-to-back). However, she states that she will be going on it again this fall. I think it depends on the child.

 

[larsson7]

I think it depends on the child.

Couldn't agree more.

However for reference my very brave 5 year old DD, who loved every other ride she could get on... including TOT, Space Mountain, and Mission Space was hysterical on Dinosaur.

I couldn't even tell you what the ride was like as I spent the whole time hugging her into me and trying to cover both her eyes and her ears at the same time...not an easy task

I felt so bad when we got off but I hadn't expected her to react like that.

I would say if your DD didn't like Snow White at 4 she will probably not like Dinosaur. JMO

:

 

[gabbygrennell]

I agree with those who have said each child is different...

But in our case, my hubby thought it was lame and me/sis in law/ niece and son were terrified!
The pic in my signature, is one that was taken during the ride. You can see that everyone in our car is scared to death!
There are even two boys in the back row who were probly around 14 or so, and they look like they are ready to cry! The grown man behind me even looks scared!
I thought maybe it was just me, but from the looks of our pic.... our entire carload will NEVER do it again!
The dinosaurs were very realistic, and the ride is very dark!

 

[Evil Queen]

My youngest son rode it at 6 (he's now 9) and hated it. He would not ride it the last trip either (he was 8). For our trip in Sept. he is saying no too.

In my opinion, anything my kid wants to try, I let him. But that is just me.

 

[dizagain]

My DD's were 7 and 9 when they rode Dinosaur...they are both "chickens" when it comes to thinking about rides, so with the exception of rollercoasters and TOT, we encouraged them to try things anyway. Dinosaur, like many Disney rides, is not very scary in the ride itself-only what you see and hear. My girls did close their eyes alot and snuggle up, but they weren't traumatized at all and went on with their day. They didn't enjoy the ride, but they did tolerate it just fine. That said, I am pregnant now and for our trip in a few weeks, I mentioned Dinosaur as one of the rides I couldn't go on with them and they both said, "GREAT, now we don't have to ride it either!"

Each child is different, but if your child is asking to go on, I'd let her. I wouldn't ever discourage my child from trying something new or try to put fear into them that isn't already there. (we're talking rides here, not life situations, of course!)

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[disneyfreak74]

Each child is different!!! I have a wonderful DS (he's now 6) but in Jan 03 he rode Dinosaur!!!! He will NOT ride Splash Mountain!!! In telling me that he wants to go back, he says that he wants to go to the Dinosaur place!!! He LOVED the ride. Given now he is a Dino freak and first words after mommy and daddy was dinosaur!!!

Can't wait!! We are counting down the days that we can ride DINOSAUR!!!

 

[bjakmom]

There is a 'chicken' exit at the far end of the room where they show the intro movie - right before you enter the loading area. DNeph was 6 when he tried to ride and got upset towards the end of the intro and wanted to leave - I exited with him and let my sis ride with her two older boys. The exit leads you right into the store area where everyone exits the ride - he was even more upset with himself as he watched all the younger kids coming off the ride! His bros really teased him - I promised him he could try again on the next trip (with no pressure from big brothers!!) and, sure enough, when we returned 6 months later, after he turned 7, he got right on ( but he told me that he had to keep his eyes shut through most of the ride) he was just proud of himself that he tried it !

Long story short . . . I agree that it's up to the child - there's always an exit before loading if they get nervous - no reason to ever traumatize a kid - they should be ready and excited to ride, IMHO ! Enjoy !

 

[pixiepower1971]

I believe that a child should give it a try if they want to. They may be scared at the end but they made the choice to ride and will make the decision to ride again or not. That is a very important stage in growing up.


My girls have been riding it since they were 4 and 6. The dinosaur always gets us but this has never been a ride that scares them. Is it one of their favorites? Not really. But they like to ride it each time we go to AK. They much prefer primevil whirl!

Have fun and maybe she will surprise you.

 

[cruisin'Mike]

I also let my kids try something if they want to, but won't force them. My DS 5 wanted to do it, so he went on with my wife. When he came off and said he liked it the other two wanted to do it, but he didn't want to do it a second time. So I took DS7 and DD5 on it. The boy liked it, the girl was scared and hid her head. The next time we went, they all did it again, so I guess nobody was traumatized.

We watch the vacation planning DVD often (OK obsessive-compulsively ). The kids had an idea what it would be like. Although it's louder, darker, and scarier when you're actually immersed in the ride, they did know it was all pretend.

You know your child best. If you think she really wants to do it and can handle it, go for it. I thought my DD would be a puddle by the time the ride was over, but she surprised me.

Have fun!!!!
Mike

 

[hockey mom]

I also say let her try it. All 3 of my kids have been riding it since they were around 7 and they love it.

 

[pandamom]

I agree each child is different. My dd4 and dd6 loved this ride and weren't scared at all. dd4 is fearless and will ride/love anything she is tall enough for (40"). dd6 is a little more hesitant going on some rides but has loved them all (she was terrified by the 3D bug's life show though and will not be seeing it again any time soon).

 

[PMart]

I agree with each child being different. I am a 34 year old child who rode the entire Dinosaur ride with her eyes shut lol and DD at the time was 6 telling me to open my eyes. She thought it was neat, she loves Dinosaurs. I thought it was dark and creepy so I just kept my eyes shut

PMart

 

[Greg K.]

I agree with each child being different. I am a 34 year old child who rode the entire Dinosaur ride with her eyes shut lol and DD at the time was 6 telling me to open my eyes. She thought it was neat, she loves Dinosaurs. I thought it was dark and creepy so I just kept my eyes shut

PMart

I agree -- I'm 46, and I can't handle it.

I start out fine, every time. And then, about 30 seconds in, I'm staring at the floor and wishing it were over!

I had no problem with Jurassic Park at Universal, or Indiana Jones at DL (which uses the same basic ride mechanism). But Dinosaur? Ack!