Haunted Mansion???

[daystar]

HI,
I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNOWS IF THE HAUNTED MANSION IS TO SCARY FOR A FIVE YEAR OLD????
THANKS

 

[sarahandhannahsmom]

My daughter was just over 4. the intro scared her a little, but the ride itself she loved, especially at the end when the ghost was sitting with us.

i'm even taking my 2.5 on it when we go in september.

i think she will be fine. just reassure her at the intro that the ride isn't very scary.

 

[Micca]

Depends on the kid. If you opt for your child not to go, be sure all the adults/older kids take turns experiencing it because it is one of the premeire attractions on the planet.

 

[Lory]

My 4 and 8 year old loved it---I dont think it really is scary, its fun.

 

[dph40]

My twins went on Haunted Mansion when they were 3, 5, three times when they were seven. I remember all of them.

When the kids were five, my daughter was especially scared of the howling wolf you hear as you stand in line. I told her it was only Scooby Do, and she liked that thought. They've always been a little scared when they're in there. My daughter sits so close to me, she's practically wearing my clothes. There are no tears however. The intro is a little scary to them, but if you explain that everything is computers and not real that helps. They've never been scared enough that it ruined our trip or that they said they'd never go on it again. I would definitely recommend it, but you know your child more than anyone. Seeing how my five-year-olds reacted, I'd say go for it!

One attraction that did cause problems at five was Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The kids saw that at three and were scared, but nothing too bad. However, when they saw it at five and were more "aware" of things, they came totally unglued and were screaming like they were being tortured. I carried them out of the theater clinging to me like vines. Then the rest of the trip they were worried that everything was 3D. They wanted to know before they went on every attraction before they would go on that it wasn't 3D. For me it was a simple question that they asked me every time, but I ran into another mom there who said it absolutely ruined her trip. Her children would not go on anything at all after Honey. However, they both wen on at seven and for my son it was fine. My daughter just takes off her glasses when she gets scared. They both love 3D Muppets and It's Tough to be a Bug. Maybe you should consider those first before the more intense HISTA.

Have a great trip!

 

[Emy'sMom]

My DD's first trip to WDW was in 2000 - she was 3 at the time. I thought she'd be frightened in the HM so I didn't let her go in .... even though she begged me to let her.

We returned in 2001 when she was 4 and I let her ride and she loved it! Now, it's one of her favorite rides!

We went again last year but HM was closed for repairs during our entire trip --- oh, was DD disappointed! But, we are going back again in 11 weeks (yeah!) and DD, as well as Mom & Dad, can't wait to go in HM!

Debbie

 

[Horizons16]

i dunno about telling them it isnt real.... just tell them to close there eyes... telling them it isnt real kind of ruins it. Just my thought.

 

[uncle al]

I think at that age it is all in how you "sell" it. DD has never had any fear about any ride. DS at that age loved pirates, we couldn't pay him to get on the Pirates of the Craibbean. Haunted Mansion he was just the opposite - we had assured him that they were friendly haunts - kind of like a cartoon. He has always loved the ride! Put on your sales & marketing hat - he or she will love it!

 

[BarbaraMB]

It is SO up to the child. I thought my 7 yr DD would be ready for Disney and I was wrong. She was afraid of just about everything. She didn't like the loud noise and that she didn't want to go on something that she didn't know what it was. She is used to amusement rides that she can see what it is. The only way to get her in the Tiki Birds was to peak in the exit so she can see inside. You have to know your kid. Sometimes one unexpected scary ride can spoil it for all the rest.

 

[elemusing]

Every child is different, but I will give you my experience. My DS was 2 going on 3 the first time he rode it. Now it is one of his favorite rides. The only place that scares him is in the stretching room where they turn the lights out for about 15 -20 seconds. I just held him and told him to close his eyes for the first 2 years he went. This past June (just turned 5) he knew it was coming and was bragging about how brave he was going to be and he did it! He stood on the floor and looked up at the hanging man during the lights out and was so proud of himself.

As for the actual ride itself - Not really scary at all. The only thing that freaked him out a bit was going down into the cemetary scene when the cars turn around backward. But after the first time he knew to expect it and was fine.

My advice is to let your child see video of it and pictures off the net and tell her about the stretch room and the car turning backwards before hand and assure her that NOBODY IS GOING TO JUMP OUT OR TOUCH YOU. Again, my ds5 loves the HM!

Angie