Just a different data point; I've been on it when there was what I'd estimate as a 5 year old and the poor guy screamed in panic the whole ride... Just know your kid, as some of them would eat it up, some would hate it.
As for "jerky" I'd say yes, I find it a lot more jerky than FoP, for instance. But, our family younglings always enjoyed it, as well as us oldlings. lol