Ellen's energy adventure - fun for toddlers?

[Mom2Finn]

I've never done this ride but am about to go with my two and five year olds. Is it something they will like? I'm worried it's too long - 45 minutes?

 

[mesaboy2]

No, it is not fun for toddlers in the least.

 

[prudence64]

Honestly, not fun for anyone.

I would skip.

 

[fbb]

If they can sit through Gone With The Wind a couple times in a row without fidgeting, they'll have no problem with Ellen.

 

[Marilou]

My son did NOT like it at first, he was 7. Truth be told, a couple other attractions ruined him that year. The Honey I shrunk the audience and the Its tough to be a bug. They both terrified him!!!
So after those.... even Philharmagic scared him!

There is a very loud portion of the ride and the dark dino section can be frightening to young ones.

But by age 8 he developed a tolerance for it and by the time he was 10, he loved it like the rest of us.

Since we go in summertime usually.... we welcome the long ride to rest and cool our body temps down a bit. Plus.... we really enjoy it!

 

[Janomi]

Unfortunately, it is definitely not fun for toddlers. You're better off standing in line for Figment or Nemo.

 

[Tinknalli]

Not fun for toddlers. An unpleasant mixture of boring and scary for them.

 

[figment_jii]

Yeah, I have to agree that this isn't a ride I'd take a toddler on. The dinosaur sequence in the middle might be interesting, but it depends on how easily scared the kids are (some of the dinos are pretty passive, but others can be scary looking - not in the Dinosaur ride way, but still scary/threatening). Unfortunately, the rest of the ride is rather boring and there is no way to easily leave if you need to. Until you know your kids can sit through the entire 45 minute ride (mostly watching a video screen) without wanting to get up, I'd forgo this ride. The dinos and the fact that's it's indoors (and therefore, air conditioned) are about the only thing the ride has going for it these days.

 

[MatoMany]

My oldest actually liked it when she was 4.. My 2nd daughter was 2 at the time and thought it was the perfect time to take a nap!

 

[baldy6060]

Not fun for kids. Nor adults. I only go on it if I need a nap.

 

[Mom2Finn]

Thanks I think we will skip it.

 

[ucfknight]

I wouldn't recommend the ride for anyone between the ages of 1 day and 100 years.

 

[Eastern]

This is one ride I'm actually sick of. Not good for toddlers, unless they like Jeopardy.

 

[Capo]

I'll actually be in the minority here I suppose...

My little ones usually enjoy most of this ride in one way or another. Here's some things to consider:

1) They like the large, open room where you watch the initial video.
2) They like the dinosaurs
3) If it's hot out, it's a nice ride to do during the hottest part of the day
4) If your kids still nap, it's a good ride to let your kids get a quick rest.

I think a lot of the enjoyment comes from how YOU interact with them on the ride. If you say nothing, they will likely get bored easier. But if you quietly whisper things to them or point things out, they will likely be more engaged. Also remember to let them sit on your lap if they're small. A toddler will likely see very little if they're sitting down alone.

 

[biondagirl]

It's a nice place to relax. Especially in August. My kids have always enjoyed it. As toddlers and, as 7 and 10 year olds. My husband usually naps.

We took our 8 year old niece last August and she panicked through the whole ride. It's dark and slow and if you have a child that is skittish, it's probably not a good ride for them.

 

[mickeygirl78]

I wouldn't recommend it. The ride is long and boring. The only good part is the 2 minutes of dinosaurs, which would probably scare a toddler.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd skip it for toddlers... and for most everyone else, unless you need a break or a nap.

 

[agavegirl1]

I wouldn't recommend it. The ride is long and boring. The only good part is the 2 minutes of dinosaurs, which would probably scare a toddler.

I still ride it every trip for the 2 minutes of dinosaurs however...and to rest my feet.

 

[daannzzz]

And its loud... LOUD!!!!
I enjoy the attraction and do it every trip but the movie portions would mostly be boring (and the loud part when the Universe forms).

 

[ArthurKing1220]

I say this as someone who absolutely loves Ellen's Energy Adventure (despite it being in desperate need of an update): this is probably one of the worst attractions at Epcot to take toddlers to. It involves extended periods in the dark viewing a somewhat adult-themed (in the sense of the humor and relevance, not inappropriate) video centering around three people who your toddlers are unlikely to even recognize (Alex Trebeck, Ellen Degeneris, and Bill Nye). The actual "ride" portion will probably be entertaining for them if they're patient but it represents less than half of the total ride time. And the entire experience is lengthy -- perhaps 45 minutes even if there is no line wait? It seems to raise several red flags on the "young children are not going to enjoy" Official Disney Enjoyment Warning Scale.