Does your preschooler like the 3D attractions?

[lexiluke]

We will be taking our 8yo and 3yo to WDW in Nov. I love the 3D attractions, and would love to enjoy them as a family, but I'm not sure how my 3yo will react. I know it depends a lot on the individual child, but was curious as to what some of your experiences have been with your kids.

Has anyone tried it by having the kids NOT wear the glasses? I thought this might be an option, but I'm sure that our son would insist on being like everyone else!

 

[MouseLover]

We tried HISTA when our DD was 2.5yo. She was afraid, particularly of the snake. I took her glasses off and it helped some, but the noise is so loud in there.... She did not scream or cry, she just clung to me and leaned her head on my arm, covering her eyes from time to time.

Same DD at age 4yo, loved both HISTA and the bug show. Actually, she STILL talks about the dog sneezing and the stink bug.

My advice: Sit in the outside seats by the exit door in case it is too much for your child.

 

[Dimplenose]

My son was 7 when we did HISTA he hated it so much he won't go to 3D attractions anymore, apart from the Muppets (he's 12 now and has done all the big coasters). It wasn't just the pictures but the effects, especially the "mice" he couldn't cope with.

My daughter (4 at the time) was a little frightened but taking the glasses off worked for her.


Libby

 

[swilphil]

We took our 3 year old, who is afraid of nothing, to the Muppets. He enjoyed most of it (so did we), but we even had to take the glasses off at one point because he was a little skittish about things coming up so close to him. We decided not to take him to HISTA based on this experience and his 6 yo old cousin becoming unglued during the whole HISTA. It was one of her first "rides" and she was afraid of everything after that, including Haunted Mansion, which our 3 year old was fine with. I much prefer Muppets over HISTA. If you are wanting to relive that movie, I would recommend checking out the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area at MGM, fairly close to the Muppets.

 

[jeannej]

Depends on the Child. My son doesn't like them and hasn't since he as little and my daughter does. My son goes and just doesn't wear the glasses.


jeannej

 

[sherrie]

We have only taken our GD-4yrs to the muppets,which she loved. she is afraid of bugs so that one is out. HISTA freaked me out so I wouldn't even dream of taking her in there.

 

[GlennandAnn]

Our 4 y/o DS loves the Muppets. He was terrified of It's Tough to be a Bug, and we decided not to have him try HISTA.

Ann

 

[Emy'sMom]

Last year my daughter wanted to try HISTA - she was 5 at the time. It REALLY scared her....especially the snack and the part where it feels like mouse tails are hitting your legs. She jumped into my lap. She tells me we are NOT going in HISTA ever again!

Debbie

 

[lexiluke]

Thanks. I think we'd better stick with the Muppets only! My fear is that something will scare him so much that he'll be hesitant to go on other attractions, which seems to have happened to some of you.

 

[Jen D]

Taking the glasses off won't necessarily help in ITTBAB--- there are plenty of other scary effects whether your glasses are on or off.

 

[sha_lyn]

DD loved all 3 at 2 1/2 and 4 1/2. One of our funniest memories of our first trip was her during HISTA. DS who was then 10 (almost 11) jumped and covered his eyes during the snake. DD just said "oh cool snake". During TTBA she did sit on DH's lap but that was because she wanted a better view. During our second trip she loved the seat effects. Now my 40ish sister was freaked during HISTA and TTBAB during the seat effects.

 

[minnie mouse]

When my two girls who were 6 and 4 and the time, did not like the 3-D at all.

We are going this year again and one of my daughters has already told me she does not want to see any 3-D movies.

Both of my girls are big fans of the Spy Kids movies and with the new one being 3-D I'm not too sure I will be able to get them to go.

 

[vcunning]

It all depends on the individual . . . my 3-year old DS loves all the 3-D movies . . . however, my 60-year old mother-in-law jumped into my lap and won't go again

 

[jacksonsmom]

It really depends on the child.

My son 3.5 yrs old went to all three (Muppets, HISTA, ITTBAB) and he loved them all.
The only part he said he did not care for too much was the snake part in HISTA BUT he still wanted to see it again so it must have not freaked him out too much!

Only you know your child. If you do take them to any of the 3-D shows I found it really helped to explain the 3D effect to them, before going in there. Especially if they have never been to a 3D show before.

 

[swilphil]

Lexiluke--I think Muppets only is a good plan. My husband and I loved it as well. It was one of the few shows that we all wanted to see again. While you're at MGM, check out The Little Mermaid show, and Disney Playhouse, if he's into Bear in the Big Blue House. It gives the kids a chance to dance around and interact.

 

[chb]

Had to share my crazy story. Took my dd over spring break to a park near our home that has a similar theatre show that they call 4D. She was not quite 4. The friends we were with had seen it and were worried she might be scared. I thought, "No problem, If she gets scared she can just sit in my lap." Well, she got scared and climbed up in my lap. Ever heard the expression "Scared the pee out of me?" Poor baby! Neither one of us has forgotten it. I know that there is no way that I will be able to get her to sit through even the Muppets.

 

[Susiesnowflake]

Our experience is similar to Dimplenose's. My son was 7 when we went to see HISTA. Although there was no crying and hysterics, it scared him to death! Even without the glasses, the poor little guy appeared traumatized. He refused to go back as a 10 y.o. and also had no interest in ITTBAB. He did see ITTBAB last year. He was 12. I think he wore the glasses but I suspect his eyes were closed for most of it. He tolerated the attraction, but I don't think he rec'd any enjoyment out of it. I guess the 3-D stuff just isn't his thing. And this is a kid who loves TOT, SM, and the biggest roller coasters you can find!

 

[skoi]

We took our son (first at 3 then 4) to see Muppets, but not the other two as neither he nor his older sister had any interest. He loved the Muppets, but from time to time would try to grab things "coming out" of the screen. He was really puzzled when he always ended up empty handed.

Julie