Is Radiator springs racers suitable for 3yr old and 5 yr old?

[amyg1975]

We are going to attempt to take our 4 year old daughter on RSR in a few weeks. She likes fast rides, but is terrified of darker rides, even Toy Story!

 

[Lauren in NC]

My 3yo son adores Cars, but we just tried RSR on our last trip and he was terrified during the dark scenes - specifically the loud horns blaring with Mack and the Frank bit. He liked the rest of it, but he definitely didn't want to ride again.

 

[crystal1313]

My 3yo son adores Cars, but we just tried RSR on our last trip and he was terrified during the dark scenes - specifically the loud horns blaring with Mack and the Frank bit. He liked the rest of it, but he definitely didn't want to ride again.

My youngest was the same when he rode at 3. He loved the racing part, but Frank totally scared him and he wasn't thrilled with Mack at the beginning of the dark part either. I would just cover his eyes during the Frank part and he was ok. I agree with all the PP to maybe watch the ride video first and see what he thinks about that. We never make any mention of anything being scary either, and talk very positive about the ride and how big of a boy they are to ride the ride, etc. Sometimes even tell them they can call their grandparents after to tell them how brave they were, etc.

I also recommend asking nicely to ride in the front row, and have each boy on the sides. They can see a lot more that way. They will be cut off in the ride photo though, but my two boys love riding in the front. That way you can ride in between them too and help with the seat belt and put your arms around them. =) Have fun!

 

[Drcbelle]

Every kid is different so it's hard to say but my two cents is my 3 year old LOVED it. Every second. But she also liked space mountain and BTMRR They might surprise you!

 

[pinkberryfox]

Get a fast pass to RSR first thing. Most likely it will be for early afternoon.

If that's the case, which lunch reservation works better, 11:30am or 12:40pm? Thanks!

 

[coaches24]

Only issue DD (now 7, but was 4 the first time she rode RSR) had with the ride was her fear of it going to fast. But that's only at the end of the ride and not very long. I usually don't make her ride things she doesn't want to but I did in this case and she has loved it ever since. She did stay mad at me for a little while after the first time though. But I caught her smiling during the ride and don't let her forget that.

 

[taniahappy]

yes and yes

 

[Fuhnuh]

My first thought was that it should be fine, but on further thought I remembered our first trip to DL. DD15 just turned 4 and we thought Pooh would be a good ride to start off with. She was so scared afterwards that we only rode Heimlich for the rest of the trip. Since then, we have suggested (and maybe prodded just a bit) each trip and now California Screamin and RnR Rollercoaster in WDW are the only two rides she hasn't done. She wants to do RnR this summer. Too bad for me as I am a ride wimp and have only done any thrill rides the first time to show (pretend) dad wasn't scared. We were just at DL and I don't remember and loud noises except the soundtrack music. There is one scare where a combine jumps out in one of the dark areas. I hope whatever you're decision, you and your family have a great time.

 

[Marlyn]

I don't think it's scary at all....but my boys were going on Tower of Terror at the age of 5. All kids are different.

 

[bakerudall]

It's really not anymore scary than a ride in a convertible down the highway.

...in California.

 

[Malcon10t]

How does your child handle dark rides?

My granddaughter rode it as her first 40" ride at 2.5 years. She loved it and declared it the best ride ever. Until she met Space Mountain, then it was the best ride ever, until she made Matterhorn at 3 yo which became the best ride ever, then Grizzley, and currently at just shy of 5, Indy became "the best ride ever." She is a daredevil. She is just shy of making Screamin' the best ride ever.

ETA - Tower is not on the "best ride ever" list. She loves Goofy's Sky Skool and rode it 10 times in a row last summer. Tower is crossed off her list and is classified "Never again"... She will change her mind in a couple years.

 

[Indiana Scott]

...in California.

Oh no, it's not that scary!

 

[agamble]

I never thought of the ride as scary before, but I guess it could be to a little one. Is there a reason you're going to DCA before DL? As others have suggested, perhaps get a FP for RSR and enjoy some more friendly rides first. My little boy LOVES Mater's ride. Best day of his life when he was tall enough to ride it finally.

Thanks, that's good suggestion, and we very likely will be doing that.

Just a question, I am planning to get fastpass to WOC as well. As of for timing, we are planning to go for rope dropping. What order shall we do, grab fastpass for RSR, then grab fastpass for WOC, then wait in line for Toy Story Mania? Are we able to fit everything without missing the time window for RSR. We also have our lunch reservation at 11:30, will that be too tight timewise?

Anyone who can give me some advise, will be much appreciated!

We would typically line up near the Soarin' side of the entrance and walk toward Paradise Pier that way. It's a slightly longer walk, but much less crowded. You can grab a FP for WOC on the way. Then we like to ride Toy Story before getting FP for RSR. As others mentioned, if the FP window is during your lunch time you can always wait for a different time. You can use Ask Otto to check on return times before heading to the FP machines. I'm not sure if the new app has up to date return windows for FP or not, someone probably knows though.

How does your child handle dark rides?

My granddaughter rode it as her first 40" ride at 2.5 years. She loved it and declared it the best ride ever. Until she met Space Mountain, then it was the best ride ever, until she made Matterhorn at 3 yo which became the best ride ever, then Grizzley, and currently at just shy of 5, Indy became "the best ride ever." She is a daredevil. She is just shy of making Screamin' the best ride ever.

ETA - Tower is not on the "best ride ever" list. She loves Goofy's Sky Skool and rode it 10 times in a row last summer. Tower is crossed off her list and is classified "Never again"... She will change her mind in a couple years.

LOL! Sounds like my daughter. She has reached 48" (barely) at 5 1/2 and has ridden a few big coasters at other parks since we haven't been to Disneyland recently. She loves Indy and all the Mountains. She's not a big fan of Tower of Terror though. The last few trips she said she wouldn't ride it, though she always ended up riding with Daddy.

 

[Malcon10t]

I can see a younger ones fears. The first ride with my granddaughter, I did see that 1 second of fear when we hit the top of the third hill. Even at 40", their feet don't touch the floor, so they can't brace.

 

[geergirl]

It was the hills during the race where the kids catch a little air that got one of my kids. They had just turned 4. One loved it and the other loved it until that moment. After that she didn't want to go on anything she thought was fast. And this is the kids that was previously asking for roller coasters!

Definitely try it and they'll probably love it but you never really know what's going to freak them out. Kids are strange!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

My 5 year old will ride it, but he does get scared, so if we have to wait longer than 30 minutes and can't get a good FP we don't do it (or my husband and I switch off and do single rider). It's fun, but there are some scary parts and the race at the end goes fairly fast for a ride that starts off as a relaxing dark ride type setting.