How to Thrill Levels Compare: Wonderland to Disney?

[Misha72683]

Since our FP date is just over a month away, I'm trying to figure out which rides I think my older son (who'll be 4) will be on. He's 40" and on a recent trip to Wonderland he loved all the rides including the Ghoster Coaster which Wonderland ranks as a thrill level 4 (out of 5). So I'm assuming that he'll be ok with all the rides that he can actually ride at Disney?

We're skipping Tower of Terror anyway, as none of us have any desire to ride it, and I'm mostly talking about the MK rides (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.).

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

We just returned from a Wonderland trip this week While the rides are definitely more 'thrill level rides' at Wonderland, there is no magic there like there is at Disney - I think it's the pixie dust factor
I would say that at the Magic Kingdom, Splash Mt and Big Thunder would be no problem for him (as well as 7DMT) if he can ride the Ghoster Coaster. The one ride that I would say *maybe* to is Space Mountain, simply because it is single rider (3 people to a 'rocket ship' but one behind the other) and it's dark. If he is ok with that (sitting with no parent beside him) and the dark, he will be fine. My DD's both loved this ride at 4, but I can see where a lot wouldn't like it. But, my eldest would NOT ride the spinning teacups - motion sickness
Be sure to check the height requirements before booking FP+. My DD's are teens now, so I've forgotten all of the height requirements.
Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Misha72683]

He's too small for Space Mountain (it's 44") but can ride the rest. On one hand he seems so little (he'll have justt urned 4 when we go) but at the same time he's fearless.

 

[OurLaughingPlace]

He's too small for Space Mountain (it's 44") but can ride the rest. On one hand he seems so little (he'll have justt urned 4 when we go) but at the same time he's fearless.

If he's got that fearless attitude, he will likely be fine. The 'story line' in Splash Mt is fun (maybe read him a couple of Brier Rabbit books if you can find them). That way he'll understand 'The Laughing Place' and the big drop (getting thrown in the Brier Patch). Maybe see it on some youtube videos too. The themes of the rides are so fun - if he's good with drops, he should have a blast Have fun.

 

[chimo2u]

Tower of terror is amazing! Sooooo fun and I definitely wouldn't miss it!!!

 

[thr33boys]

Since our FP date is just over a month away, I'm trying to figure out which rides I think my older son (who'll be 4) will be on. He's 40" and on a recent trip to Wonderland he loved all the rides including the Ghoster Coaster which Wonderland ranks as a thrill level 4 (out of 5). So I'm assuming that he'll be ok with all the rides that he can actually ride at Disney?

We're skipping Tower of Terror anyway, as none of us have any desire to ride it, and I'm mostly talking about the MK rides (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, etc.).

Our youngest was 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 on our first 2 trips. He absolutely loved Big Thunder both trips. We didn't do Splash the first year but he loved it the 2nd year. Rides he did that he didn't like the first year were ToT (but he rode it twice, go figure) and Dinosaur (I think he was ok with it the 2nd year). He would have done HM on both trips as well but I don't remember if he liked it or not. He was great at trying rides and when he got off he would just tell us if he liked it or not. He's a big fan of Ghoster Coaster, Guardian and Thunder Run at Wonderland.

Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[LemonNeko]

If he likes the ghoster coaster I would try to get FP for the mine train.

 

[Lavitz]

Space Mountain shakes your head about 3 times as bad as Top Gun or Flight Deck or whatever it's called does. I wouldn't let my 10 year old ride it because of this, plus it's a very boring ride.

 

[thr33boys]

Space Mountain shakes your head about 3 times as bad as Top Gun or Flight Deck or whatever it's called does. I wouldn't let my 10 year old ride it because of this, plus it's a very boring ride.

OP's child is only 40", not eligible for Space Mountain.

 

[Bigwands]

It's not MK, and I haven't been since the "remodel", but Test Track should be good. I actually can't handle Ghoster Coaster (was very surprised when I tried it at 23 and it was too much :s), but my favorite Disney rides are Test Track and Big Thunder Mountain. Rockin' Roller coaster is manageable too, but I'm not sure if he'd be tall enough for that one? Can't really comment on Splash Mountain cause I hate log flumes, but it can't be that different from Timberwolf falls at Wonderland.

I agree with the above about the magic. Wonderland is fun, but I feel like I'm being nickle and dimed at every turn (those lockers at the new Guardian ride?!), whereas Disney technically costs more, but I get so much more value.