FJ- Question about kids

[tmclanton]

Is this ride ok for kids that do not like rollercoasters and get scared easily? My son and I are going, just the 2 of us, and I really want to ride this. However, I am thinking if it is a ride with harnesses, there must be some serious movement. I am not comfortable leaving him alone while I ride it, so I guess I will have to pass if it is a little bit scary! Seriously, I am not sure who my child belongs to... he gets scared of everything!
TIA

 

[tarrbear]

I didn't find this ride anything like a rollercoaster, its like a amped up motion simulator, so I would say yes those who don't like rollercoasters could ride this. Now easily scared? I'm not to sure, how does he feel about dragon's, dementors, and spiders? If these things bother him I'd say no. But if not, go for it.

 

[damo]

I would judge by the Dinosaur ride at AK. If they find that scary, they will probably find FJ scary.

 

[tmclanton]

Let me put it this way. When we watch all the HP movies, he is fine with the dementors, spiders, Voldermort... However, last time we went to WDW we rode the Haunted Mansion and he still will not let me forget how much that scared him!!! From the videos I just watched online, it seems scarier than Haunted Mansion. I am thinking we may just go through the castle and skip the ride. Is the only way to see the castle in the que for FJ or is it seperate?

 

[Brit_Jude]

It is such a different ride from Haunted Mansion. It is part simulator that twists and turns as you seem to be flying through the air above and around hogwarts and then you go through some of the castle/school that has anamatronics such as spiders and dementors this also has twists and turns and at one point you are lying on your back. It is also dark at these points.

I found it really intense and I like roller coasters. Hubby who does not like rollercoasters liked it and scared 16 year old rode it who will point blank refuse to go on rollercoasters. In my opinion if your guy does not like Haunted Mansion then he will not like this, it is worse. You could always try him on Spiderman and maybe the Simpsons before FJ and see how he copes with the whole simulator ride experience and go from there as well as the Dinosaur ride in Animal Kingdom as suggested below for the dark, bumpy and scary things.

By the way the kid swap area is very protected, you can watch people getting on the ride from the room with cast members at both doors. You don't say how old you Son is and I can understand not wanting to leave him by himself but it could be feesible if he is not too young and would not wonder off or get worried by himself. They have the Harry Potter movies playing on a TV in the room. We did kid swap with my friends 6 year old who was most upset she could not ride. She was also upset she could not ride hulk!

 

[Asm]

Is this ride ok for kids that do not like rollercoasters and get scared easily? My son and I are going, just the 2 of us, and I really want to ride this. However, I am thinking if it is a ride with harnesses, there must be some serious movement. I am not comfortable leaving him alone while I ride it, so I guess I will have to pass if it is a little bit scary! Seriously, I am not sure who my child belongs to... he gets scared of everything!
TIA

If HM scares him, he will be PETRIFIED by FJ. It shook me and I don't scream! It wasn't the motion, it was the intensity of the effects. I am seriously reconsidering letting my dgd8 ride, and she loves coasters,etc. I loved it but it's way more than a bit scary.

 

[tmclanton]

By the way the kid swap area is very protected, you can watch people getting on the ride from the room with cast members at both doors. You don't say how old you Son is and I can understand not wanting to leave him by himself but it could be feesible if he is not too young and would not wonder off or get worried by himself. They have the Harry Potter movies playing on a TV in the room. We did kid swap with my friends 6 year old who was most upset she could not ride. She was also upset she could not ride hulk!

I will have to think about that. He will be 8 when we travel. He is not scared to be alone and is a black belt in taekwondo... not saying he could defend himself against an adult, but he is very well trained in how to draw attention to himself if something is happening. It still would be unnerving for me... but something to think about!

Can you see the rest of the castle without going on the ride? Although I would love to ride the ride, the castle is what I really want to see!

 

[Brit_Jude]

Yes I believe you can join the line and stay in it through the castle until just before you get on the ride and then tell the staff that you want to leave. You could also tell them that you want to check out the kid swap area. Then you can judge for yourself if both of you are comfortable with you riding.

 

[Planogirl]

It's a great idea to see the castle even if you don't ride. There's a lot to see and you can easily leave if you decide not to ride.