Is It's Tough to Be a Bug too scary?

[skuttle]

DS went for the first time during our last trip. He was 4.5 at the time. He enjoyed it. He had to sit on me, so he missed some of the effects. Before the show, we explained that it would be dark. We also explained that there would be a large Hopper, but that it wasn't real and that it was just a big puppet. Thank goodness we explained that because we ended up right next to Hopper! He did fine.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....He was 4.5 at the time.....

4 1/2 already? Goodness time flies.

Good to see you, Allison.

 

[OB1]

agree that loads of youngster do this attraction and are ok. BUT . . . we always hear a few shrieks, crying kids, and people leaving. ALWAYS - EVERY TIME. In fact, we bet on how many will leave the theater each trip. It is important to know your kids and guage how they will react. This and Stitch are the two that can really scare, as well as the Haunted M.

 

[Ctsplaysinrain]

It really depends on the kid... My son is 12 and has a form of Autism... At 12, he still doesnt do many rides except the very,very tame ones.like Small World. Finally, we got him to go on Haunted Mansion last year with much prodding..LOL.. But, this show has always been one of his faves - even his 1st time at 3.. He has issues with loud noises etc BUT this has always been a fave attraction.. Of course, Bug's Life came out about the same time as his 1st visit to this attraction and he was a #1 BUG"S LIFE Fan.. Can't tell you how many times we must have watched that video....

 

[TinkRBel_In_Training]

I think it depends on how well your kids handle 3-D movies/shows. Personally I hate the 3-D shows! They're usually so loud and I hate the feeling of things flying at my face. After suffering through Honey I Shrunk the Audience 3 times (even with taking the glasses off it was hard for me to sit through) I finally said enough and now I go shopping at Mouse Gear when my parents want to see this one. Mickey's PhilharMagic was tolerable because it was cute and not supposed to be scary.

I tried Its Tough to be a Bug once and I hated it! I kept my glasses off the whole time. It wasn't as bad as HISTA but it was still loud and my fear of bugs certainly didn't help things. I guess you know you and your child best. If you think she (and you) can handle a loud, dark show where bugs seem to fly out at you, you should be ok. But if she is freightened easily I would skip this one, at least until she's a little older.

 

[Bella O]

Thanks for all the replies. I feel like I really have a better idea of what it's about, and can gear this to my child. I think I might get a kick out of it, but think she may not be ready. We'll do other shows like this before hitting AK, and I'll see - totally not worth traumitizing my dd!

 

[AngieBelle]

It's a person to person thing. I used to work at that attraction. I've seen little ones love it and 10 yr olds freak out. Children getting scared is so common that there are CMs stationed at the exit door with flashlights for the whole purpose of helping people leave if needed. Somebody usually has to at every performance. It does get intense! I sit forward in the seat to avoid the poke in the back myself!

 

[perkinsrose]

SPOILER ALERT:

Preparing young kids for what to expect can go a long way. If you 're not concerned about spoiling the surpise nature of scenes. Let them know there's a scene where spiders drop from the ceiling, the huge evil grasshopper comes out on stage, and bug spray is used to exterminate the audience and it gets very loud. At the end, some seats have a "stinger" that get a few guests. I always remind the kids, its all pretend, i'm right there with them, and if you're really scared--close your eyes and cover your ears.

 

[Kallisti]

I haven't read the rest of this thread, but I thought I'd throw my experience in. My DS3 had no problems, loved it. My DD5 was a quivering mess at the end. The 'dark' bits where the theatre is filled with dry-ice really freaked her out.

That said, she was over it by the time we hit the outside world again and was ready to get her book filled with Winnie the Pooh characters

 

[disneymd33]

A couple years ago my brother came down with us and he went running for the exit. Picture a 6'4 man wearing an Indiana Jones hat running for the chicken exit on it's a bug's life. He'll never live that one down...

 

[*HappilyEverAfter*]

I went on it last year with my family, and I actually screamed "MOMMMMYYY!!!" and began crying. This was all because of those disgusting HUGE eight-eyed eight-legged freaky spiders that dropped down from the ceiling.

I hate spiders and I never want to see them again (oh wait, I am being forced to go on it this year...never mind).

But yes, it is SCARY if you HATE bugs.

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

My DS4 came out crying the first time saying 'The bugs stung my hiney"

Last time we went, in Nov 07, he and my DS4 this time loved it
You never know

 

[rt2dz]

My kids are 7, 4 & 2--last trip 6, 3, & 2. They have never had a problem with this show. I've never been in a theater when kids have had a problem with it, but I know there are some kids that do. DS4 hates real bugs and I do have him sit on a lap or up the the front of the bench so he doesn't feel anything. I'd imagine that if a kid didn't like the 3-D effects, you could just take off the glasses.

 

[ARC]

Wow! I always plan on doing this ride & then I change my mind when I read a post like this. My DD will be 4this time when we go in December & she loves all the other 3d shows & POTC. But, I am still worried that she will freak out!

 

[georgemoe]

DW and I did ITTBAB for the first time last month. DW want's absolutely no part of bugs in her life. She freaks and actually called me at work one time to come home and get a hornet out of the house.

ITTBAB is DW's favorite attraction at AK!

 

[jlatina32]

In my opinion, I think the part where the audience gets exterminated by the bug spray is pretty scary for a child. They spray so much that it is hard to say anyone even when they sitting right next to you. My kids thought it was pretty cool and their ages are 6, 8, and 9. So, it really depends on the child. Even though you might not want to spoil it for them, I think it is best to let the child know what the attraction entails. I think it will soften the shock factor.

 

[t-roy]

BUT . . . we always hear a few shrieks, crying kids, and people leaving. ALWAYS - EVERY TIME. In fact, we bet on how many will leave the theater each trip.

This is exactly our experience. My DS was 4 the first time he went on and was fine. However, I don't think we've ever done this without seeing someone exiting with an upset child. For us, this has become part of the show. I don't think it's always the show the kids react to as much as all the screaming people by the end of it. With all that being said, this is one of our favorites. I LOVE it.