Help for a boy who doesn't like rides

[Lori]

My little guy is 7 and isn't at all excited about our upcoming trip because he doesn't like rides. I have tried to explain to him that it is so much more than rides but he isn't buying it. Can anyone help us out? I assume there must be loads of threads discussing all the things you can do in Epcot or MK, etc that aren't rides. It is just so overwhelming looking through all these posts. Does anyone know of a good thread I should look at? Thanks for your help.

 

[outlander]

There are tons of shows and parades at every park. You could fill up days with all of the shows.
Definitely get a passport or make a mask at one of the lands in EPCOT and take it around to get stamped. We also had the CM from each land write a greeting in the language from their country. You could really do a lot with the different countries in EPCOT.

 

[cleo]

Hi Lori, and Welcome to the DIS!

My first question would be, what does your son consider a 'ride'? Does he mean any attraction that moves, or does he think more of roller coasters, bumper cars, fairground-type attractions, etc? He may have the idea that all the rides at Disney are somewhat aggressive, or possibly scary.

Most of what you will find at the parks ARE rides (though there is much on offer that isn't), but a ride like Spaceship Earth is far different from a ride like Mission: Space. That would be the first thing I would wonder about.

Even so, there are plenty of shows and other experiences (like Tom Sawyer Island, Honey I Shrunk the Playground, etc) for your son to enjoy. I wouldn't worry too much about it at this point. Once he's there, he's going to love it.

 

[HMHunters]

go to allearsnet.com

click on "theme parks" (on the top)

click on a park (under "attraction info on the left)

on the left menu list will be an "entertainment" section which should be helpful

also, there are lots of "attractions" that aren't really "rides" like Hall of Presidents, all the 3D movies, Carousel of Progress, etc. "Rides" at Disney aren't like "rides" at a normal amusement park. Try to find one with a them that he's interested in (for a 7 yo boy maybe Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin?) that he can try out and may get him excited enough to try other rides.

Good luck!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would suggest you get a copy of the Unofficial Guide to WDW (2006 or 2007 edition, don't know if 07 is out yet). It has very good descriptions of the rides and their thrill factor. They rank the rides with star ratings for each age group. I agree with the above poster about doing the kidcot stops at Epcot. There are also lots of shows, live and 3D. The Living Seas is a wonderful exhibit at Epcot. My kids can spend hours on Tom Sawyer Island. There is the railroad at MK if he likes trains. At MGM Studios they have a Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground and animations workshop, a backlot tour, stunt shows and a couple of live musical shows. Animal Kingdom has several trails to explore, a live bird show called Flights of Wonder and a petting zoo. And of course there's the water parks. You and he might be surprised at how much more he likes the rides than he thinks he will. I know when I took my son to Disneyland the first time I envisioned lots of times when he and I would sit out the rides. He was 8 and had never liked amusement parks which is why we hadn't done Disney yet. He ended up loving everything. We started out with slower rides like Pirates etc., and the next thing I knew he was wanting to ride everything. You just never know. Of course as others have stated there are parades, fireworks and other things to see at night. The great thing about Disney parks is that there is something for everyone of all ages. Your son will have plenty to keep him busy and having fun. Have a great trip!

 

[loridean2000]

I have a boy of 8 who doesn't like rides either. He loves Disney anyway. He likes finding characters at all the parks. At the MK, he loves the shops, Tomorrowland Transit Authority (easy, slow moving ride), driving the cars (cause he controls it), He enjoys It's a small world, Peter Pan, the Philarmagic (that is all at Fantasy Land), he loves!!! Tom Sawyer Island (he can spend hours running around the caves and forts- I usually stay with him here, while rest of family rides the coasters, etc. My son loves Pirates, but will not ride Pirates of the Caribbean though, so shopping is a must. He enjoys climbing the tree house and find treasures all over. And, he didn't like Buzz Lightyear the first time he rode it, because he didn't trust the ride, but after the first time, he loves it! My suggestion would be, do not "trick him" on rides, it will not be worth it! If you have any more questions about other parks, just e-mail or pm me. I have all the parks down to a science for a boy who doesn't ride the rides!

 

[WVParkfan]

Definitely take him to the Animal Kingdom. There is so much to see and do there that aren't "rides." If he enjoys the AK, then he may begin to understand the Disney "magic" and realize that you can have a FABULOUS time, without ever setting foot on Space Mountain!

 

[TheGoofster]

Possible suggestion.
If you have the time to do this, start browsing all the photo threads, and pictures from the various web sites, find ones that are about characters, parades, shows, sites, etc... (anything that isn't a ride) copy the picture to a special file (most pictures are copiable, and there is no problem doing so), and let your son start getting excited about all the "other" things that Disney has to offer. It's like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!!!

 

[BlindTyldak]

Definitely get him to explain a ride to you in his own words. he may associate "ride" with anything that may go fast or spin, or be scary or bump you around a lot. There's actually not all that many rides of that nature there, and when he realizes that he may be much more excited.

My DD was very apprehensive about the rides at WDW as well, because she too had only amusement park experience and not all of them were good. We found that Spaceship Earth was the PERFECT ride to introduce her to what a typical experience was all about, since it was very dark in the ride itself, but nothing was intimidating, there was noise from the ride itself (those cars are really sounding their wear), and lots of sensory stimulae but nothing on the scale of, say, HISTA. After Spaceship she was much more excited about trying other rides like Peter Pan, El Rio, etc. and we just worked her up from there.

 

[Lynne M]

There's a book called "Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World For Kids, By Kids" that sounds like it's just what you need. It describes the rides, shows, etc. on a child's level. This should give him a good idea of what there is to do besides rides, and may even change his mind about some of the rides.

Most people think of theme-park rides as big scary roller coasters, and your little guy may just need to see that most of the WDW rides aren't like that at all.

Good luck!

 

[marciemi]

Sounds like everyone's said this already, but I'd try to get him to enjoy some of the milder "rides" first - I was especially thinking of Peter Pan, Small World, Living with the Land. If he starts to realize that these rides are really just shows in which he's the one moving (instead of the screen!), then I'd go up to things like POC or Buzz. I agree to talk to him because he's probably thinking of rides like he sees at the local fair.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I second Peter Pan, followed by Small World...a nice easy transition for him.

 

[Lori]

I really appreciate the thoughtful responses. I have some great ideas to work from now and like the idea of having him look at pictures or looking at a book with me as he likes to read. That may be the way to lure him into it. It's funny but I just love this stuff and I just want him to be excited about it, too.

 

[ticktock]

The dark rides in Fantasyland are good "starter" rides for those with fears or motion sickness. I don't think I would start with Spaceship Earth as some have recommended because it seems longer to me than say, Peter Pan and if he can't take the dark or whatever he will be traumatized longer (and so will everyone else in there with you if he is a screamer).

I can't recommend Tom Sawyers Island highly enough. My ds has LOVED this place since he was tiny and he still loves it at the age of 12. You take a raft over to the island, which opens at 10:00. If you are some of the first people over to the island you may find a paintbrush prop that the cms hide (not very well) for kids to find. You turn the paintbrush in for a certificate which is usually good for a fastpass to Splash Mountain or BTMRR. If you tell the cm you won't be doing those I'm sure he can come up with some other prize. If your planning on bringing snacks this is a great place to sit down, unwind and hand out the juice boxes etc.

There is a shooting gallery in Frontierland which all small boys should love. It does cost extra, but if he is having a rough time I'm sure this would brighten his day.

In Adventureland there are remote controlled boats that also cost extra, but are great fun. Another thing to do in this land is the Swiss Family Robinson tree house where you climb up a LONG staircase to see the replicas of the family's home from the movie. This is another of my ds's favorites.
If he did well in Fantasyland you could try the Jungle Boat ride here as well. It is very slow and the only dark part is when it goes through a cave.

In Epcot there is Innoventions. This is two buildings across from each other that have alot of interactive exhibits. You and your ds could spend alot of time here and have a blast! In the world showcase you could do the Kidcot stops as has been mentioned. My ds has always really liked the world showcase unlike alot of kids I've heard of. If your ds isn't into it you can always try "candy around the world" that should get his attention .

My best tips would be to get the old Disney movies that many of the rides were based on and let him watch them. The Swiss Family Robinson is a favorite at our house. The original Tom Sawyer, maybe? We haven't seen this but ds read the book (as have we of course ). My ds read the book Johnny Tremain which was made into a Disney movie (which we also haven't seen, we're bookish people I guess) and alot of the themeing in Liberty Square is based on this movie/book. Ds was pointing out the Liberty tree etc to me last time we went, here's a way to sneak in a little education on them.

 

[Lori]

I see I didn't answer the question about what my son considers a ride. He doesn't like spinning or roller coasters. Part of the problem started when we went a few years ago and my sister (when he was with her and not me) took him on a dark ride first thing. It scared him and he was unwilling to try much else. He is older now and I think that will help, but we can't even get him to go near any amusement parks near us because he says he doesn't like them. He also doesn't care for really loud things. I have ear plugs and hope he will use them this time. He's a great kid but he's only just started to enjoy movie theatres and only sometimes. So, I feel like we need to find other amusement for him. It won't be a problem to take him off on his own if need be because we are travelling with my husband, my daughter and my in-laws.
How do you get the passports at Epcot? I am sure both of my kids would love that.

 

[mandy200587]

Passports can be bought in any store in Epcot I believe.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Have you ever been to Disney World before???

I know you're apprehensive and he's not thrilled, but I would LOVE to be holding his hand as you walk through the train station and walk down Main Street toward the castle. There is no way to really experience it or explain it until you're there.

Ideas for a 7 year old.
Don't push the rides at all. Which it sounds like you won't.

Get an autograph book and "collect autographs". When my niece was 7 she liked this better than the rides.

They sell lanyard and pin sets. We got the cheapest one for my niece and then let her trade her heart out with the CM's for better pins. I think we also ended up getting another little set of the cheapest pins for her to trade too so she had about 10 I think. She LOVED doing this.

My boys also really liked hanging out at the pool at the resort too for a couple hours. I think it helps to get a break. Improves everyones attitude and it's so relaxing.

No loud noises, no spinning, no roller coasters and no dark.

MK-
Tom Sawyer Island
Peter Pan
Pooh
Small World
Mickey's Philharmagic (if you think he'd do OK with 3-D)
Buzz Lightyear (if he'd like "laser" target shooting)
afternoon parade
Spectromagic and Wishes

AK-
Lion King Show
the Jungle Treks
Flights of Wonder
Safari
Boneyard
afternoon parade

MGM-
Muppets Show (3-D)
Stunt shows-
Lights Motors Action
Indiana Jones
Honey I Shrunk the Audience Playground
Little Mermaid (not sure if he'd like that or not)
The Great Movie Ride has some "shooting", but it's not threatening more like a show
the Magic of Disney Animation lets the kids draw
Beauty and the Beast Show
Fantasmic

Epcot-
Turtle Talk
Living with the Land
Spaceship Earth
Figment
the passports and masks in World Showcase
Illuminations

He probably won't feel "safe" until he gets there and actually sees that it's not all the bad things he's imagining.

 

[Plantlady]

There's a book called "Birnbaum's Guide to Walt Disney World For Kids, By Kids" that sounds like it's just what you need. It describes the rides, shows, etc. on a child's level. QUOTE]

I second this idea. All three of my kids LOVED this book. We found an old edition at the library, and liked it so much we bought one off of Amazon.com. They were so prepared for what they wanted to do, and knew what kids thought of each of the rides and shows. They even knew of secret things to look for in different areas.