Dinosaur Ride Advice Please :)

[Jacqui Padden]

I agree it isn't scary - well any more than Haunted Mansion is scary (it's dark inside the ride as you know). The biggest problem I have with it is how rough it is - I don't enjoy that part at all. I found the Safari jeep ride in the AK to be rough/bumpy also (I had a serious brain injury a few years ago) but being outdoors and sort of seeing where you're going makes that obviously not scary in the same way dinosaur could be. I can still ride Everest though - once or twice. Space Mountain is also very rough (jerky) so I don't do it either and Star Tours usually makes me nauseous but I'm fine with FOP or Soarin.

I would pick Everest over Space Mountain - unless you're fine with rough/bumpy. You're also in the dark on SM while Everest is outside of course. I find Everest to be just about my favorite Disney ride - I love going backwards apparently - lol.

That gives me confidence. I’ve booked a FP for Everest and so I really want to do it. I’ve told my son I’d do it for the past 2 years we’ve been there and not gone through with it - I’m determined not to let him down this year. It’s only the backwards part I’m dreading!

 

[Jacqui Padden]

Wow. I just don't see how an adult would ever label it the scariest ride unless they were referring to how kids would see it. And I don't mean at all to discount how others view things, I just really don't see it. The story is that you're going back in time to find and bring a dinosaur to the present day. I mean, it's all completely made up and not even realistic at all. Not in any way like what you might find at a haunted house or anything else (trying to think of things where even adults might be scared even though they know in their heads it isn't real). This one is just so silly to me, it's hard for me to buy into it. Even my 9yo thought it was pretty lame.

That’s why I’m surprised when I repeatedly read its the toughest and scariest ride in Disney. Lol

 

[Jacqui Padden]

The theme is the "scary" part.
Its dark and loud.
The ride itself does not have big drops or anything.
Its just very jerky. You're basically offroading in a jeep.
If you don't like being tossed around I wouldn't recommend it.

Oooh I’m still really tempted - off roading in a Jeep sounds ok

 

[cheshiregoofy22]

It's the sound that gets me on Dinosaur and also on Big Thunder (the rocks in the beginning). I have to ride with one hand on the grip bar and the other closing an ear! I look pretty silly!

 

[Cinderella94]

Dinosaur is one of my top 5 - probably top 3 - favorite rides in WDW. I laugh my way through it the entire time and ride it as many times as we can. It does have elements that are meant to surprise you and it does throw you around, but I would not call it 'scary' to the majority of adults.

 

[tzolkin]

I think that’s why I’m cautious. I’ve watched it on YouTube and it doesn’t look that bad (lights on version) but then I read it’s the scariest ride in Disney by far - and seeing as I haven’t been brave enough for Everest or Space Mountain yet, I’m a tad nervous

Wow. I just don't see how an adult would ever label it the scariest ride unless they were referring to how kids would see it. And I don't mean at all to discount how others view things, I just really don't see it. The story is that you're going back in time to find and bring a dinosaur to the present day. I mean, it's all completely made up and not even realistic at all. Not in any way like what you might find at a haunted house or anything else (trying to think of things where even adults might be scared even though they know in their heads it isn't real). This one is just so silly to me, it's hard for me to buy into it. Even my 9yo thought it was pretty lame.

I don't think it's necessarily the theming that's scary (you are correct that it's a pretty silly concept). I think what some people describe as "scary" is that it's very dark and extremely loud. Perhaps "startling" or "stressful" would be a better word since you're not actually "scared".

My DD19 absolutely hates this ride even though she is generally a thrill seeker. I think it's because the ride is intended to induce anxiety ("We're not going to make it!!!"). The jerking, flashing lights, dinosaurs popping out, and extremely loud noises are extremely stressful for her. We convinced her to give it another try during our last trip (she usually just sits outside to wait) and she was balled up with her eyes closed and her ears covered. I have never seen her even have a fleeting moment of stress about any other ride at any theme park we have ever been to even when she was little.

 

[Iowamomof4]

I don't think it's necessarily the theming that's scary (you are correct that it's a pretty silly concept). I think what some people describe as "scary" is that it's very dark and extremely loud. Perhaps "startling" or "stressful" would be a better word since you're not actually "scared".

My DD19 absolutely hates this ride even though she is generally a thrill seeker. I think it's because the ride is intended to induce anxiety ("We're not going to make it!!!"). The jerking, flashing lights, dinosaurs popping out, and extremely loud noises are extremely stressful for her. We convinced her to give it another try during our last trip (she usually just sits outside to wait) and she was balled up with her eyes closed and her ears covered. I have never seen her even have a fleeting moment of stress about any other ride at any theme park we have ever been to even when she was little.

That is so interesting (and sad, to be honest). I'm sorry it causes her so much stress.

 

[Jacqui Padden]

It's the sound that gets me on Dinosaur and also on Big Thunder (the rocks in the beginning). I have to ride with one hand on the grip bar and the other closing an ear! I look pretty silly!

Hahaha ... well I sit sideways on every ride ... so I probably wouldn’t think you look silly at all

 

[Jacqui Padden]

Dinosaur is one of my top 5 - probably top 3 - favorite rides in WDW. I laugh my way through it the entire time and ride it as many times as we can. It does have elements that are meant to surprise you and it does throw you around, but I would not call it 'scary' to the majority of adults.

Great thanks - feeling a bit happier about it

 

[Jacqui Padden]

I don't think it's necessarily the theming that's scary (you are correct that it's a pretty silly concept). I think what some people describe as "scary" is that it's very dark and extremely loud. Perhaps "startling" or "stressful" would be a better word since you're not actually "scared".

My DD19 absolutely hates this ride even though she is generally a thrill seeker. I think it's because the ride is intended to induce anxiety ("We're not going to make it!!!"). The jerking, flashing lights, dinosaurs popping out, and extremely loud noises are extremely stressful for her. We convinced her to give it another try during our last trip (she usually just sits outside to wait) and she was balled up with her eyes closed and her ears covered. I have never seen her even have a fleeting moment of stress about any other ride at any theme park we have ever been to even when she was little.

Oh crikey - maybe, as you say, it’s the combination of things that frighten her. I’m just a wimp in general!

 

[gharter]

If you can tolerate Spiderman and StarTours, you should be fine.
It really is more a matter of tolerating the darkenss with jerky movements, loud noices and surprises for most people.

 

[angierae]

I think that's it for me. I've ridden every gigantic roller coaster at Cedar Point, and I think in terms of "thrill rides" everything at Disney is incredibly tame. But the noise and the stuff that startles you in Dinosaur sets off my anxiety so much. I don't like being startled.

 

[greg9x]

Glad everyone is brave here... But have seen/heard plenty of adults scream at the "surprise" parts.. (and see their faces in the pics). And a lot of young kids are in tears at the end.
Just saying for anyone who is sensitive to being scared...
My son and I just try to come up with silly poses to do at the picture spot.... Which ends up funny, because we're being goofy while others are frightened.

 

[Iowamomof4]

It's so strange, the different reactions. I have suffered from PTSD and anxiety for a long time and absolutely can't stand it when someone jumps out at me and scares me. I'd be the type of person that might have problems with this ride because of that. Yet, I found it the story so cringy and silly, I just thought the whole thing was ridiculous. I knew there was a T-Rex near the end and that would be where the ride photo was, so I was watching for it and smiled right at the flashing light (where the camera would be positioned). Anyway, I guess it can depend on your attitude going in and how nervous you are. I was maybe a little nervous, but when I saw the pre-ride videos and what the whole thing was about, I guess I just couldn't get into it enough to be scared.

Sorry to keep posting, I guess I'm just trying to work out why I didn't react negatively when others with similar issues to mine most certainly did.

 

[karrit2000]

Oh crikey - maybe, as you say, it’s the combination of things that frighten her. I’m just a wimp in general!

The thing that bothers me about Dinosaur that no one else has really gotten into describing is the Lighting effects. All I've seen mentioned is the "flashing lights". They aren't just flashing they are strobe light effects which to me are very disorienting. They are pretty continuous throughout the ride. They bother me so much that I only go on this ride maybe once every 5 years or so. The strobes combined with the constant jerking really does a number on me. This ride is the exact same ride as the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland which I can ride over & over multiple times a day. So I can take the jerkiness just not the continuous strobe lights. And I hated Spiderman, couldn't wait to get off that one.

 

[jalpert]

Never without earplugs....