How scary is Haunted Mansion?

[DVC Dreamer]

It really depends on the kids and if they like Halloween scary stuff or not. It is also the music they play that add to the effect.

 

[robndani]

We took my 4 yr old daughter and her 6 yr old friend... The 6 yr old loved it and my 4 yr. old was a little unsure, but she didn't cry. She did like when the ghost "sat" in our car with us. I told her about that beforehand, so she was looking forward to that part.

FYI... We asked a CM if we could skip the "growing" room and they led us a different way (the handicap entrance) which avoided that part. I don't think my daughter would have gone on the ride after that. We waited on line until we got to the front and then they helped us!

 

[treemi01]

My kids have all been fine. It's really not "scary" at all like a traditional haunted house, but it is one of the "darker" rides if being afraid of the dark is an issue. My kids are 7, 4, 2, and an infant right now and we will all ride it when we go in May. Our last trip they were 5, 3, and an infant and everyone loved it. My 7 year old is my more cautious child and he rode it on 4 trips before the age of 2 (so I'm sure he doesn't remember those), at 3, and at 5 with no issue.

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

I say try POTC and go from there if that's cool try HM. My 2 and 6 year olds love both

 

[AshleeH]

The idea of it scares my oldest son so bad that when I finally talked him onto it in 2012, he was terrified and shaking. I realized no ride is worth it, so we used the chicken exit before the stretching room. He kept apologizing, but no ride is worth that - so make sure you really pay attention to your kids. I know he would enjoy it if he actually rode it (much like Space Mountain - he finally tried it at Disneyland last year and can't wait to try it at Disney World after me trying to talk him into it since he was 7), but he has to try it at his own pace.

 

[nadira36]

The pre-show stuff is scary, the ride isn't, but after the pre-show the ride may seem worse than it is.

You can let the CM know your child would be frightened of the room, and they'll direct you around it so your child will be fine. We've done this a couple times with our one DD and she was fine.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

The pre-show stuff is scary, the ride isn't, but after the pre-show the ride may seem worse than it is. You can let the CM know your child would be frightened of the room, and they'll direct you around it so your child will be fine. We've done this a couple times with our one DD and she was fine.

That's good to know. We were going to skip this ride this time around because of that room but if we could by pass it we might do it. The actual ride did not scare my son before but the room was awful!

 

[4leobeans]

As others have said, I think it depends on the kid!

We took our 2.5 and 5 year old girls on HM, POTC and Maelstrom (Norway). They weren't scared of any, although I sat with our little one each time. We even got stuck on the HM ride for ~15 mins, which I thought would end badly, but we just kept talking so they didn't get scared.
Even the scary trolls didn't seem to be too scary we rode each of them multiple times.
I think the glow stick idea is a good one too.

 

[britneyisloved]

Definitely depends on the kid. My daughter went on it at 3 and was VERY scared. It's really dark, scary noises and ghosts...

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Its not your typical haunt mansion where ghouls are jumping out to scare you. It's very tame

 

[Andrea464]

Depends on the kid. DD was 4 when she rode the first time- she loves it now. She was freaked out though the first time. We told her those were Mickey's silly ghost friends and they were all friendly ghosts. She took that well. The stretch room still freaks her out a little though!

 

[Nathansmommy]

DS who is 2 absolutely loved it! I thought he was going to cry with the thunderstorm sound, but nope! he kept asking for more

 

[Tondee]

Prepare for the scream in the stretch room. Glow bracelets and ring pops help. I made sure to laugh and giggle at things throughout the ride to try to make it seem less scary.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I agree with preparing for the stretch room. I don't think the ride itself is scary but that seems the area I see little kids getting scared the most.

 

[lahobbs4]

I remember going when I was 8 and screaming my head of when it goes down those stairs backwards?! I haven't been on it since (I'm 32)....

 

[kohlby]

Trip in 2011: We practice shooting at ghosts using our fingers before the trip while watching some of the ride on the computer. The two younger kids weren't so sure, but quickly loved the ghost hunting idea and enjoyed it. They were 2.5 and 5.5 years old. (Eldest enjoyed it, but we weren't worried about him).

Trip in 2012: We played up the ghost hunting angle again. They were now 3.5 and 6.5 - it will go well again, right?? WRONG! I had two scared kids crying in misery. They both were fine in the stretch room though, the ride was the issue.

So, it depends on the kid and the moment!

 

[lazer]

I agree with preparing for the stretch room. I don't think the ride itself is scary but that seems the area I see little kids getting scared the most.

This is my advice too. My son has been riding since he was two and always closes his eyes during this. He also doesn't like how close you are to others. But, he totally loves the actual ride. Now, my other son, who is about to be two..loves this part. So, be prepared!