How "Thrilling" is Test Track?

[MyGirlLovesTink]

My DD6 is not a thrill rider, but I really want her to try Test Track. I haven't told her that the car goes fast in the end because then she will refuse to get on, but how fast does it really go? Is it fast enough to freak her out?

She's been on Big Thunder and was kind of okay with it, but doesn't want to go on it again. I don't want her to be afraid of everything and try things out, but I don't want to traumatize her and have her crying on a ride either......

 

[ghtx]

Don't take her if she doesn't want to go. It's pretty fast. Faster than BTMRR, I'm pretty sure.

 

[rwdavis2]

At the end it's the same as riding in a convertible on the highway. About 65mph. It does go into a banked turn but at highway speeds. The beginning is more like riding with a new driver. Sort of start/stop/jerky.

 

[MouseMomx2]

She is going to see the cars zooming around the building as she approaches the entrance.

 

[brown2mj]

My daughter hates BTMRR but loves TT. The first time she tried TT, she literally started crying after we got in our seats. I felt bad but we were already starting to move so she was stuck. We were using Rider Switch because of my toddler son and when we got off the ride, she was so excited that she went again with her dad! It's her favorite ride now!

 

[MinnieKitty]

My DD is now 6, and she has been riding Test Track since she was 4. The fast driving at the end does not bother her. In fact, she loves it. However, the first time we rode it, there was a part towards the beginning where you drive through a dark tunnel, and a semi truck comes out with its lights on and honking, and it acts like it is going to hit you. That part was so traumatic for her, that she could not enjoy the rest of the ride. I felt terrible! So, she (on her own accord, I don't convince her to ride anything she doesn't want to) now rides Test Track as long as I cover her eyes while she covers her ears during that part.

In my opinion, if a child does not like Thunder Mountain, they are not going to like Test Track. DD LOVES Splash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. Riding Test Track was a step beyond riding/enjoying those two.

Have you guys tried Soarin'? That might be a good ride to try next if your DD does not like too much "thrill". Hope this helps!

 

[wiigirl]

At the end it's the same as riding in a convertible on the highway. About 65mph. It does go into a banked turn but at highway speeds. The beginning is more like riding with a new driver. Sort of start/stop/jerky.

Really good description!

 

[Pixel Dust]

It is the fastest ride at WDW, 65 MPH. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is second at 60 MPH.

That said, it would be like riding in a convertible on the highway and only one, smooth, banked turn at that speed.

You can't avoid the cars speeding around the outside of the building. It's loud.

 

[budkarin]

I believe its listed as the fastest ride at disney. Like a previous reply said, its ok until you get to the end up on the roof, and it goes around 65 mph thru a banked turn.

 

[richmo]

...However, the first time we rode it, there was a part towards the beginning where you drive through a dark tunnel, and a semi truck comes out with its lights on and honking, and it acts like it is going to hit you. ...

Actually, that part is closer to the end than the beginning. Its just before you go outside, and its still there in the new version of Test Track.

 

[MyGirlLovesTink]

I have taken her on Soarin and she enjoyed it right up until the end when the fighter jets passed by and the fireworks blasted. She does not like loud noises either.

I guess I will have to talk a bit with her about it to feel her out. I just want to make sure I do not say anything to make her scared. She might have a problem with the inside part because it is dark so if I covered her eyes she would probably be okay for that and enjoy the part that is outdoors.

Thanks for the info, great descriptions of the ride!

 

[richmo]

...She does not like loud noises either.
...

Keep in mind that WDW tends to be a loud place. Many of the attractions have loud components: a few that come to mind besides Test Track and Soarin are Dinosaur, Its Tough to be a Bug, even Philarmagic. Not to mention the parades and fireworks. My daughter was sensitive to noise at that age too, and some of the rides we take for granted are quite loud.

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

I have taken her on Soarin and she enjoyed it right up until the end when the fighter jets passed by and the fireworks blasted. She does not like loud noises either.

I guess I will have to talk a bit with her about it to feel her out. I just want to make sure I do not say anything to make her scared. She might have a problem with the inside part because it is dark so if I covered her eyes she would probably be okay for that and enjoy the part that is outdoors.

Thanks for the info, great descriptions of the ride!

I think TT is a very loud ride - even from the outside before you ever walk into the building. You can hear the cars running around the track but you can't really see them, so she'll hear it long before she gets a visual understanding. Maybe watch a you tube video of the ride?

 

[mrsclark]

I have taken her on Soarin and she enjoyed it right up until the end when the fighter jets passed by and the fireworks blasted. She does not like loud noises either.

I guess I will have to talk a bit with her about it to feel her out. I just want to make sure I do not say anything to make her scared. She might have a problem with the inside part because it is dark so if I covered her eyes she would probably be okay for that and enjoy the part that is outdoors.

Thanks for the info, great descriptions of the ride!

I would say the inside part of the ride takes about about half of the time you are on the ride (my estimate only), so it is not just load inside and then boom you are outside - it is a significant portion of the ride.

 

[foxxxy83]

My 6 yr old son was PETRIFIED of those little coin activated ride-ons until a few months ago. When I booked the hol September last year, I figured if he didn't want to ride there was still the shows, the meet and greets etc but I sat watching the rides on YouTube and he came over and was all curious. I explained I was watching the rides at Disney World and he climbed on my knee to watch with me. Every weekend since pretty much, he wants to watch them and a few months ago, my parents took him to a local theme park and he walked around and made a list of any he thought he'd like to go on and that looked "safe enough" then rode each one! I couldn't believe it when I found out! Maybe you could use the same technique?? If she can see the bangs and loud noises aren't anything that's going to hurt her, it may help?? They do say "Seeing is believing" after all!

 

[MinnieKitty]

I second what a PP said about watching a video on YouTube, however, I really would not suggest taking a child on Test Track that is sensitive to sounds and was frightened in any way by Soarin'. Just my $0.02. Also, it does not matter what you do or do not say to your DD about the ride, as soon as you get remotely close to Test Track she is going to hear the loud roar of the cars racing by. As you are waiting for the ride inside the building, there are dummy simulators, and I recall a few of those making very loud sounds as well. If I were in your position, I would just stick to the rides/shows/activities that are not going to frighten or scare your child. Based on everything you said, she'd walk off Test Track in tears.

 

[MyGirlLovesTink]

Yes, I somehow need to figure out a way to have her make the decision to ride it. She feels at her most confident when the decision was made by herself. I still have about 7 weeks left to go, so we'll have to start watching those YouTube videos!

 

[vnuzz]

My kids (dd7 and ds9) both went on voluntarily and were freaked out. Both came off saying 'Awesome!' But the ride photo says it all lol DD was crying and DS had his fingers in his ears and eyes tightly shut!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

Yes, I somehow need to figure out a way to have her make the decision to ride it. She feels at her most confident when the decision was made by herself. I still have about 7 weeks left to go, so we'll have to start watching those YouTube videos!

It helped DD9 a LOT to understand how they use sound & lights to enhance the effects of the ride. She's into drama & theater so she understands the idea of using subtle manipulations like that. Like how the most ominous part of Splash comes just before the final climb/big drop, or how the darkness in Pirates plays a big role in not just seeing the attraction, but experiencing it. Her favorite is still the ToT line queue & the creepy CM's that heighten the pre-ride anxiety. When she embraced the effects it was a lot easier for her to push her fear aside; once she saw it as a SHOW more than a RIDE she started to really enjoy it.

 

[Rustyroo]

I have a child not much older who was afraid of all the rides like this. He was afraid of TT too, but we talked, he reluctantly decided to try it, and he now loves it. My advice would be to work up to it slowly though, and build confidence...