How bad in the Tower of Terror?

[bkerney]

I've got a 6 year old that tends to be a risk taker. Assuming he's tall enough, do you guys recommend it for younger kids?

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

It all depends on how he does on roller coasters, especially ones with steep drops. ToT is different because of the steep drop. Unless it would absolutely terrify him and traumatize him for life, I would think that it's okay though.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My daughter began riding TOT as a 7 year old and has always loved it. If your son does not like drops, then this ride would be a no no. Also, if he is afraid of the dark. You begin with a preshow that is set in small dark room where you watch a tv clip of Rod Serling (I think thats his name) the host from the old Twilight Zone show. At the end, the rooms goes dark for an instant then you exit the room into the line que to get on the ride. The ride also starts out in some darkness as you travel forward to the area where your elevator is dropped. The drops are sudden, once you have ridden you know what to expect, but the first time it can give you a start! The drops are smooth however and not as intense as one might think. The ride is a lot of fun, I see young kids on it a lot. I did see a little girl who was 4 riding it this past weekend at Disneyland who did not enjoy it! But 4 is a lot different than 6. Good luck!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I've read threads here where some people said they took their four year old on TOT! I don't think the ride is all bad at all...I've done rides like Demon Drop and other similiar free fall rides that are taller and faster though. I think if he's a daredevil he will be ok. My niece was seven her first time and she was fine with the drop part, but she didn't like the spooky room with the TV that plays Twilight Zone or the "hallway" part of the ride just before you get to the drop area.

 

[tfiga]

The ride terrified me and I have ridden all of the major coasters, etc. I would try him on Space Mountain first.... If he loves that, he will most likely be able to tolerate ToT.

 

[eeyore45]

Also if you ever get the chance to watch it on the Travel Channel they do a good "behind the scenes" look at ToT, but it in no way prepares one for the continuous drops... drop....

DROP...

Dh is afraid of heights went on it with me, and he just looks at me like I"m 'evil' never again for him, me I cant wait to get back on... DD8 did not get on it, her gf went on it, so she thought it was no big deal, went thru the line que, but took the "chicken exit" no worries...

 

[Becky2005]

This one is really a you know your kid best. My DD went on it this past summer, 11 years old, since her friends told her it was "not that bad". Let's just say to this day she STILL is unhappy about that ride and tells me how she hated it. She screamed her head off and her first comments after we got off - was "My friends LIED" and then she had to go sit down to regain her composure. I think I have a couple paragraphs about it in my trip report (when it was still fresh in my mind).

She did go on to ride RNR and love that, so it just all depends.

It was rather smooth drops (I had my glasses off during the ride so the opening of the doors, etc... didn't affect me because I can't see anything without my glasses).

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

Every time I've been on ToT, kids on the ride seem to love it. When I went on ToT for the first time, I was so happy when it was over - I don't like dropping. The two 5 or 6 year old girls in the row in front of me who were laughing and saying "that was fun!" didn't make me very tough afterwards

 

[MelessaG]

My kids rode it for the first time at ages 4 & 6. I didn't want the four year-old to go, but he was tall enough and very determined not to miss out on whatever his big sister was doing. I stayed behind with the smaller ones, but DH says they both did fine and didn't have a problem with it at all. I will note that my four year-old didn't ride again on the next trip, but his big sister did. So if he's a bit of a daredevil, I say he would be OK.

 

[Msslaydbug]

My son went on this when he was 5 and LOVED it. I am the one who is a chicken and won't go on it ever again. It seems like the only problem we have with my son is explaining to him why he can't ride the bigger rides.

 

[shellynn24]

I'm one of the ladies that took her 4 yo on ToT! He loved it. He actually went on the first time with my best friend, and when he got off he came to me and made me get on with him. I just have to say that I HATE THAT RIDE!!!! It terrifies me but I went on with him because he wanted me too so badly (I'm still alive to tell the tale!). The point is, some kids handle it better then others. If you choose to take your child on, see how scared they get in the preshow and judge accordingly. One of my worst memories of WDW as a child is being forced to go on the Haunted Mansion even though I was scared to death. Have fun with it because you never forget the look on their faces during that first drop

 

[la79al]

We took DD when she was 4. She is terrified of the dark and has not been on any roller coasters rougher than BTMR. I had to hold her hand and talk to her while we were waiting but then she was fine and laughed the whole way through the ride. When we got off she said it tickled her tummy but she requested it again the next day.

 

[MareQ]

My 4 (almost 5) yo went on it. She begged - we discussed it with her, she still wanted to go and was tall enough so we allowed it. She didn't cry, scream or complain while on the ride, in fact we think she may have been in a bit of a shock LOL - but she did say "That was NOT my favorite" and didn't want to ride it after that - lol.

Now my 7 (almost 8) year old asked to ride it and we wouldn't let him. He has sensory issues and without a doubt would have had a complete meltdown long before we even got to the drops. He was ok when we said no to him but yes to his younger sister.

Every child is different...

 

[Nicolepa]

I think 6 is fine to ride TOT, especially if they are a risk taker.

I took my 3yo on TOT! We felt so bad for taking him on it. His sister started riding it at 4 and it is her favorite ride. But...

Dh took him for a day guys trip about a month later, and that was the first ride he asked to ride. Wasn't as bad this time, but dh got it on video, not pretty. Aparently ds had convinced himself that he just needed to hold on tighter, so his bottom wouldn't lift up. He was not happy when his theory was proven wrong.

I don't think it scarred him too much because he played TOT at home for a couple of months afterwards.

 

[3littleHalls]

Just got back from WDW with my 6yr old thrill ride lover. She was so excited to ride this b/c she got a stomach bug last trip and missed it. I rode with her, since I love rollercoasters. She loved Expedition Everest, and Rockin Rollercoaster. But I don't think I could bribe her to ride ToT again. I am glad to say we rode it, but the thought of those drops(and the going ups) still make me shudder!!

 

[Mooch&Boo'sMom]

I really think it depends on the child. My son, who has been riding it since he was 5, loved it the first time he rode it. We rode it 13 times that year. He is also a risk taker and will try anything. My daughter (12yr.) on the other hand rides it but is very apprehensive (sp?) I would try some of the other adventurous rides (Dinosuar in AK, Space Mountain in MK) if he can handle them I would aleast give it a try!

 

[kendzee94]

DD6 loves it! She rode it for the first time when she was 4...DS8, on the other hand loves RnR, but will not ride TOT, after it gave him "butterflies" two years ago (supposedly RnR is better for him), go figure... I would try it. DD also loved MS at EPCOT

 

[Family Fun Mom]

My daughter was 7 when she rode it and she is slightly wimpy. She loved it. If your son is a risk taker, I'd say he'll like it.

 

[makinorlando]

I am slightly wimpy, and TofT is the one "thrill" ride that I can ride. My DD was seven when we rode it first, and after a few initial tears when the doors first closed, and all went dark, she had a blast.

It was her idea to go on in the first place... not mine...... so I'm not a mean mom forcing my child to go on a ride she didn't want to ride!

She also loves the Rockin Roller Coaster!

 

[LaughinPlace289]

If he doesn't mind intense rides I would say go for it. I always thought the scariest part about the Tower Of Terror is not knowing when the first drop is coming. After that just about anyone would enjoy it.