How scary is HM?

[SillySallySews]

My three year old is afraid of everything even remotely scary but loves the HM! Except for the stretching room. In there she cries and buries her head in the neck of whoever is holding her. We just tell her it will be ok. By the time she gets in a doom buggy she's all smiles and when it's over she asks to go again. I agree it has a lot to do with how you make them see it. We point things out and smile and wave and make it fun. I think her favorite part is the room with all the brides.

 

[Bluegrrl]

I think the main fear little kids have is in the stretching room and with the idea that something will jump out and "touch" them.

I always describe it like this (from Willy Wonka the the Chocolate Factory): "Little surprised around the corner, but nothing dangerous." Nothing will touch you, grab you or be mean. But there is always a chicken exit, if he gets freaked out.
There is also a fabulous book out about the HM and it describes all about its creation, the various effects, the backstory, and the other mansions at different parks. Yeah, knowing about the effects takes away from the "fun", but it can also be helpful in that it makes it way less scarier.

Bring a glow stick if they have major dark issues. A little light can make everything a lot easier.

 

[buggy2727]

Thanks for all the great info and suggestions. I think, like most said, with a little pre-ride discussion and explanations he will be fine. He's not scared of the dark but we will definitely prep him about the stretch room. He loves rides and has gone on many a coaster! It won't be our first ride there. He's not a scared kid but you never know. We would never push him either! Now DD's on the other hand, this ride is not for them!

 

[ariel326]

My 3 1/2 year old did it and was fine. IT wasn't his favorite ride, but he did it.

We talked about it before hand.

There are some good videos on youtube if you want to preview it or have your kid preview it.

 

[heybravo626]

Scary is completely subjective and there is really no way to know if he'll like it until he tries it. Neither of my kids scare easily so we decided to give it a try for the first time with them last summer. My 5 year old thought it was the greatest thing ever, but my 9 year old was completely unhinged. It absolutely terrified him for whatever reason. I don't think he'll be trying that one again for a while...

I agree. My kids love it at 7 and 8 but we have been with friends who kids were terrified of it at the same age.

One trick we used was to not refer to it has the Haunted Mansion or a haunted house. We just called it The Mansion when our kids were younger and told them it was fun funny (which it is is).

 

[michsig]

When I was younger, I remember refusing to ride it (but I was a very anxiety-ridden child, lol) .. like others said, if you show him the ride on youtube or something like that, let him gauge for himself whether or not he wants to ride! I love HM!

 

[slickpoetry]

You can watch the whole ride on youtube to get a good idea of the ride (including the stretching room). The camera operator uses night vision to catch more details in the dark parts of the ride.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_UmFM77Foc


Just watch through the video and judge the ride for yourself. You could also show it to your 8 year old and ask their opinion directly. I showed the video to my 4 year old and he definitely wants to go on it now but he loves scary stuff.