Epcot Ride Questions

[sydprincess]

1) Is Maelstrom too intense for a 2 year old?

2) If my DH and I do the baby swap for TT and my DD5 rides the first time, can she go back on with the second person to ride again?

3) I know this may be a crowd-dependant question, but all I really need is an estimate. If I get a FP for TT at 9:30 am, would my return time be around 11, or would it be much later?

Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

1) My ds has been riding Maelstrom since he was 6 weeks. He is now 13 months. We go often and he's been on it about 6 times. He loves it. Instead of showing him the trolls we show him the ceiling above them where the fiber optics sparkle.

2) Yes!! Isn't that great!

3) Really crowd dependent. But on an average day I would say that sounds about right.

 

[cosmo531]

My wife feels that Maelstrom is a little intense for a 2 year old. As for your second question, I don't know, we've never tried it! And for the third question, it depends on what time of year (crowdwise) you're planning on going!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

1 I don't think it is too intense but you just have to point out the trolls to your child. My DD3 was a little afraid of anything that got the least bit dark (and a lot of rides/show do) but we just tried to get her to laugh about funny things she saw. She was great by doing that, she never got to the point of crying or anything. I guess it also depends on the child.

2. Yes, your DD can ride 2X in a row. If you get the baby swap, they will give you a rider-swap pass that says to come back through the fast pass line (usually that's waht it says) and it is good for the rider and 3 other people. We made a mistake the first time we got them and we had gotten 4 fast passes for Splash Mountain (forgetting that my DD3 couldn't ride). MY DD^ made out great, she got to ride 3 times in a row!!!!! It actually works out great for the older kids.

3. I have no idea @TT, we didn't get to ride it.

Enjoy!

 

[cmm]

My DD6 loved test track. We got fast passes yesterday morning for about 1-1/2 out, but the ride broke down. They let us in in the afternoon - it broke down again for a few minutes, but the fast pass line had cleared out by then.

 

[SleepingUgly]

1) Is Maelstrom too intense for a 2 year old?

2) If my DH and I do the baby swap for TT and my DD5 rides the first time, can she go back on with the second person to ride again?

3) I know this may be a crowd-dependant question, but all I really need is an estimate. If I get a FP for TT at 9:30 am, would my return time be around 11, or would it be much later?

Thanks!

1) Not really. I just held my 2-year-old in my lap and she was fine. And I would talk to her during th.e more "intense" moments and make light of the things we saw. The ride itself she enjoyed immensely.

2) Yes. Like others have said, you receive a pass that says good for up to three guests.

3) It could be sooner than that. Depends on whether it's an EMH morning at Epcot. If so, then FutureWorld opens at 8 am, and you may have more people in the parks by 9 am. If not, then FutureWorld doesn't open until 9 am, and it may not be that crowded by 9:30 am, so you may get a return time of only 30-40 minutes later.

Have fun!

Linda

 

[sydprincess]

Thanks for the quick responses everyone!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

1) My ds has been riding Maelstrom since he was 6 weeks. He is now 13 months. We go often and he's been on it about 6 times. He loves it. Instead of showing him the trolls we show him the ceiling above them where the fiber optics sparkle.

So, I will be able to take my DS on Maelstrom? He will be 18 months when we go? I skipped it last time with him (at 9 months) because somebody said it had a drop. What is the drop like? He has been on POTC, with no problems, is Maelstrom comparable?

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

So, I will be able to take my DS on Maelstrom? He will be 18 months when we go? I skipped it last time with him (at 9 months) because somebody said it had a drop. What is the drop like? He has been on POTC, with no problems, is Maelstrom comparable?

The drop is no "worse" than PotC - I don't know exact figures, but it's not like Splash or anything, plus it's not in total darkness like PotC.

If they can handle PotC, I don't think Malestrom should be a problem.

Good luck!

N.E.D.

 

[SueM in MN]

I have heard small children screaming on Maestrom, so whether it is too intense or not depends on the child. A smaller child/infant usually is more afraid of the dark and/or sensations, but may be OK as long as they are held. An older toddler (even one who has ridden before) might be afraid because of the ideas in the ride (a baby might be scared because the trolls are loud, an older child might be scared because they are trolls).

It is a dark ride, but not totally dark. Maestrom has a drop that is about like Pirates, but is not in total darkness. You go thru the scenes fairly quickly. at one point there is a large polar bear rearing up in front of you. You also come to a three headed troll that "discusses" what to do with you and decides to send you "over the falls". At that point, your boat turns around and you do go backwards over the falls (down an incline).
if you want to show your child a troll before you go on the ride, there are some troll figures in the shop to the left side of the "street" compared to the ride entrance.

 

[JodyLynC]

I am so glad you asked about Maelstrom. I thought there was an age or height requirement for this.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

The drop is no "worse" than PotC - I don't know exact figures, but it's not like Splash or anything, plus it's not in total darkness like PotC.

If they can handle PotC, I don't think Malestrom should be a problem.

Good luck!

N.E.D.

Thanks, NewEnglandDisney!