Hollywood Studios for a kid who doesn't like thrill rides

[fruitsnack]

We are taking my 9 year old son to WDW the first week of June. It will be a short trip - just two full days. We had planned it that way, because my son doesn't really like thrill rides. We originally planned on visiting Animal Kingdom our first day (because he loves animals) and Magic Kingdom the second day.

With the Star Wars character meals just being announced at HS, I decided to change our plans to a short visit there on our AK day. I got an 8:40 reservation at Sci-Fi for the Star Wars breakfast. My first instinct is to use the FP+ for that day at HS, to make sure we are able to ride Toy Story. Other than that and Star Tours, though, I'm not sure what else would appeal to him at HS. There's no way he will do ToT or RnRC. I was thinking about also going to the Legend of Jack Sparrow, but that won't use a FP+. I don't think he would have much interest in the shows there either. Am I missing something at HS that would work for someone who doesn't really care for shows or thrill rides?

I'd originally planned on using our first day FP+ at AK for the safari, meeting Mickey and Minnie and Finding Nemo (again, he won't ride EE. I don't know if I could get him on Kali, Dinosaur or even Primeval Whirl).

Do you think I would be better off using FP+ at HS or AK?

 

[kaybird]

Mother of 3 boys and 2 grandsons here. Even if he doesn't like thrill rides, don't dismiss the shows. Most boys love the Lights Motors Action stunt show, the Backlot studios tour, the Animation Tour and drawing class, Indiana Jones stunt show, Muppet's 3D, and of course Star Tours. Even the Great Movie ride might appeal to him.

 

[DisneyFive]

Mother of 3 boys and 2 grandsons here. Even if he doesn't like thrill rides, don't dismiss the shows. Most boys love the Lights Motors Action stunt show, the Backlot studios tour, the Animation Tour and drawing class, Indiana Jones stunt show, Muppet's 3D, and of course Star Tours. Even the Great Movie ride might appeal to him.

Agreed. The only two thrill rides are TOT and RnRC. Other than that, there is SO much to do!

Even though he's a boy, don't rule out Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, and noone can forget Fantasmic!!! ...and ditto the drawing class. Always something we do multiple times in our trip.

Jedi Training Acadamy may be perfect for him too! Get to fight Vader, and dress up like a Jedi. Sign up early though.

Dan

 

[fruitsnack]

Our plan is to spend the morning at HS and afternoon / evening at AK. Although I think my son would enjoy it, it looks like the Lights, Motors, Action show is only shown two times a day . . . is that right? I hope to be at AK around lunchtime - is that crazy to believe with an 8:40 reservation at HS, then doing Toy Story and Star Tours (and maybe Legend of Jack Sparrow and another FP+ attraction)?

 

[Dasha Hermosilla]

We are taking my 9 year old son to WDW the first week of June. It will be a short trip - just two full days. We had planned it that way, because my son doesn't really like thrill rides. We originally planned on visiting Animal Kingdom our first day (because he loves animals) and Magic Kingdom the second day. With the Star Wars character meals just being announced at HS, I decided to change our plans to a short visit there on our AK day. I got an 8:40 reservation at Sci-Fi for the Star Wars breakfast. My first instinct is to use the FP+ for that day at HS, to make sure we are able to ride Toy Story. Other than that and Star Tours, though, I'm not sure what else would appeal to him at HS. There's no way he will do ToT or RnRC. I was thinking about also going to the Legend of Jack Sparrow, but that won't use a FP+. I don't think he would have much interest in the shows there either. Am I missing something at HS that would work for someone who doesn't really care for shows or thrill rides? I'd originally planned on using our first day FP+ at AK for the safari, meeting Mickey and Minnie and Finding Nemo (again, he won't ride EE. I don't know if I could get him on Kali, Dinosaur or even Primeval Whirl). Do you think I would be better off using FP+ at HS or AK?

I'm going to vote against the grain on this one.

My boys (5 and 7) for our last trip in January, have never really liked DHS. They like TSMM but that's about it. The last trip we did Star Tours, but they would still rather be at a different park. My boys also do NOT do shows either so the park is mostly stuff that does not interest them. Even the stunt show the hated. It's very loud and my boys don't like loud noises. Does your son love Star Wars is that why you booked the breakfast? If he doesn't, personally I'd skip it and get an early start on AK (there are many walking trails of animals, the bird show as well as the wilderness explorer badges to earn) and then hop to MK for the afternoon. I think you will find one day at MK is not enough. The Disney rides are not terribly thrill rides- there are some, but not many. My boys are also not particularly into the thrill rides and although plenty tall enough to ride Space Mtn and BTM my 5 year old will not. The now 8 year old just started riding BTM in the last year and will ride Space Mtn maybe once a trip, but no more.

Just my opinion, you know your kid best.

 

[fruitsnack]

Yeah, he loves Star Wars. I think he would love meeting the characters. Then I thought if I'm going to be in HS anyway, he would really like Toy Story and Star Tours. But if I pick those two for FP+, then I'm giving up a FP+, since I don't have another attraction in HS that I think would work with our schedule. It's the same story in AK, though - I was going to do a FP+ for Nemo, just because there isn't another attraction there (besides the safari and meeting Mickey/Minnie) that would work for us.

I'm stumped.

 

[ten822]

Yeah, he loves Star Wars. I think he would love meeting the characters. Then I thought if I'm going to be in HS anyway, he would really like Toy Story and Star Tours. But if I pick those two for FP+, then I'm giving up a FP+, since I don't have another attraction in HS that I think would work with our schedule. It's the same story in AK, though - I was going to do a FP+ for Nemo, just because there isn't another attraction there (besides the safari and meeting Mickey/Minnie) that would work for us.

I'm stumped.

There is way too much to do in the world! Two days is just not enough...you will have to plan another trip in the future. For such a small amount of time, only you can pick what would appeal to your family. Just know that if you don't have a FP+ for TSM you will have to wait a LONG time so it's FP or skip it.

 

[Cynister]

If you plan on visiting DHS during a SWW day & he likes Star Wars, stay the day. The crowds will be heavy so giving yourself the room to not rush off to somewhere else will go a long way. This especially holds true if you think he'll want any SW character autographs. You'll be in line for a bit for each of those. Take him through the Darth Maul during SWW. If he likes SW, then he'll like shopping for stuff there, plus there's special photo ops outside & character meets inside. Don't miss the Disney characters as SW characters too. Those are towards the center stage throughout the day but they end earlier than the other SW characters.

The shows are a definite, my son (9) who also doesn't love thrill rides loved Indiana Jones, the stunt show, & the Backlot Tour. All had lots of action. He also enjoyed the Muppets show. His favorite ride was SW Tour. Definitely use your FP for Toy Story on that day. When we went last year the paper FP was still in play & they were sold out by 10am for the entire day.