Haunted Mansion

[mountdew1]

I would wager that the worst part is the heads that pop up in the graveyard scene. Sudden things like that especially in the dark tend to upset little kids. The rest of it shouldn't be a big deal if they don't mind the dark. I would definitely not make it my first dark ride with them however.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I know there is not a height limit on the Haunted Mansion but would it be to scary for a two year old? Thank you.

Little kids get freaked out by it. You'll know before you ever enter the stretch room whether your child is ready for HM or not. The foreboding atmosphere is pretty intense for some young imaginations. An exit is conveniently located.

 

[Missy29]

Thanks for all the replies! I have never been on HM so I was not sure what to expect. We are no going for another 9 1/2 months and my son will be a week away from turning 2, but as of right now he is fearless but alot will change by then. Thanks again!!

 

[Bunnyfeather]

As so many others have said, it depends on the kid.

I took my son on HM at DW 2 weeks before he turned 3. He LOVED it, begged to go again. He thought the ghosts were funny, loved the graveyard and the singing. Problem was that my 4-year-old, who loved every other ride in the park, was TERRIFIED of HM.

We went on HM 6 months later, this time someone suggested to my DD that she scare the ghosts back, and she loved HM as much as her brother.

 

[mishkamushka]

my nephew was 18 months old when we took him the first time and he LOVED it- -- went on it another 3 times I think. Was his favorite ride (was upset that the Goossssst -- the way he said it -- didn't really follow him home!)

Then when he was 3 and went back he wouldn't get on it at all so you never know.

We're going to see what kind of kid my son is before we say yeah or nay (he'll be two as well)

 

[Erica's Mommy]

When dd first rode she was 3...she didn't cry and did fine the whole time, but when we got off she said she didn't want to ride again. We are going in December and at 5 she says she wants to ride. She's usually not scared of anything so it just depends on your child and only you know how they will react.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[wdwcraz]

As everyone has said, it depends on the kid. My 8 year old is scared of it, but my 4 year can't get enough it.

 

[Experiment_626]

Although there are certainly exceptions -- and when the time comes, you'll probably know if your child is one -- I think most two-year-olds aren't yet at an age where they associate the things you see on the Haunted Mansion with things to fear. The things that frighten a child of that age, in my experience, tend to be things like the idea of being separated from a parent or perhaps animals that might be threatening. My first child, when he was a two-year-old, rode it with no problem -- in fact, he wanted to ride again later when we passed it, so we did. A year or 18 months later, however, he would have none of it and nearly got hysterical as we approached the place. Now he's five and can't wait to ride it again every time we go.

A tip we learned that might help with children who are a little skittish and might be on the borderline between riding or not -- try to make your first attempt to ride it take place during daylight hours. The exterior doesn't seem so foreboding when the sun is shining.

Scott

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We took our 3 year old Grandson this past January. He was so scared just walking up to the HM and POTC there was no way we were going on them. He wanted no part of them.

 

[21hearts]

My 2 year old DD loved the ride while her 3 year old brother hide behind me (he doesn't like the dark). It just depends on the child.

I was able to get my DS to look at the end of the ride by making it silly. "Look this guy has no head. That's not right" "Look those statues have funny faces".. Ect. That seemed to make it better for him and then he was okay with it.

 

[runner_princess]

Was terrified on this at age 6. Still don't enjoy 20+ years later. The dark and the loud music at the end freaks me out.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Our DGC didn't ride it until they were 5, 6 and 7...they were all fine with it at that point. I had played the music for them for years and explained that it could be scary for them. Still, I wasn't sure if they were ready, but they were! Now at 6, 7 and 8, they all really enjoyed it, especially with the new effects!

 

[Partyof8]

The Haunted Mansion was my dd's favorite ride when she was three. The first time we rode she hid her face and wanted to be held. Pointing out silly things helped quite a bit and we rode at least a dozen times during our stay!

 

[jaceraden]

My 1 and 3 year olds loved it.

 

[Disney Khi]

DD rode the HM at DL at 21 months and the HM at WDW at 23 months. She held onto me with a death-grip, but afterwards said she liked it. She liked to say "Boo!" to the ghosts. She still (2months later) talks about the ghosts having a party.

 

[kaligal]

Some might go through oblivious. Others might be scared to death. Heck, I think even the same kid might react differently, depending on the day.

I wouldn't take a 2yo on it. (This is not a "If you do it, you're a terrible person and a much worse parent than I am" statement. I just wouldn't.)

If you do, please let us know how it worked out.

I love updates.