Is the Haunted Mansion scary or funny? Would it scare a3.5 yo?

[Northernlites]

Just wondering if we should try the ride since we are here now

 

[jazz0007]

It's dark but not scary. Nothing jumps out at you or startles you (except a head that pops up in the cemetary). Ive been bringing my kids on it since they were babies on my lap. I think most people agree! Have fun!

 

[TDC Nala]

It'll totally depend on the child. If the kid has a problem with the dark or loud noises, you may want to decide against it. In general the scariest part is the stretching room, you can leave the attraction after that if you wish, just notify a cast member.

 

[mesaboy2]

It'll totally depend on the child. If the kid has a problem with the dark or loud noises, you may want to decide against it. In general the scariest part is the stretching room, you can leave the attraction after that if you wish, just notify a cast member.

I believe it's also possible to skip the Stretching Room. Ask a CM if interested.

 

[atomicgirl]

We found it was all in how we prepared our kids for what was coming.... it is a dark ride, but not fast or intense. We would point out the ghosts and our DD would love to try & find them first. she liked to tell stories about the ghosts too.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

Nothing about it seems like it would be scary IMO but if the kid doesn't like the dark they may freak out when the door is shut and lights go out in the stretching room. As for the ride it is mostly holograms and projections but it is all a little whimsical and not meant to be terrifying. I think as long as you hold the child when you go into the stretching room they should be fine. But not all kids are the same. You know if your child tends to be a fearful child or is a bit on the daring side.

 

[WMorganS]

Terrified my son till he was 7, now he closes his eyes. My daughter loved it starting at 4.

If you make it past the picture of the aging man, you're fine. I suspect the picture might even be there just to weed out the feint of heart ;-)

 

[minnie mum]

Some children who are timid, afraid of the dark, or afraid of the solemn and stern faces of the CMs (in character) may be very scared on this ride. When my 7 yr old went on it for the firs time we tried to prepare her, but the poor kid spent the entire ride with her face buried in my shoulder. You might want to try watching a You Tube video of the ride with your child to see what the reaction is.

 

[msmama]

I would say that with a 3.5 year old its going to be how you present it. If you don't give them any reason to be scared, then they won't. I've been taking my son on it since he was a baby and he's never shown fear except when the lights go out in the stretching room (I make sure I'm holding on tight to him or even pick him up now at almost 5). But heck, the stretching room even scares me a bit!

 

[Mad Hattered]

We took twin 4 year old boys on it last year. One was terrified and left after the Stretching room and the other one loved it. Go figure.

 

[popy]

You might make mention that sometimes big pepole scream to make it fun.

 

[Smuckles]

I think most children balk at an attraction like this because they expect that it's an elaborate trick. When I was a child, no matter what my parents insisted about a haunted house ride -- that I would be safe above all else -- I would never believe it and not ride.

In hindsight, I expect that being prepared for what I should expect inside might help a child feel comfortable with this. Insisting that it's safe might not be enough. Giving them an idea of what they'll see on the ride might be good.

"Disney wanted to make a house that ghosts might like to live in. Because they aren't real, they had to make pretend ones. It's not scary. Instead of trying to scare you, the ghosts are having a party and we get to see it. I wonder what their parties might be like. I heard that they sing and dance. Let's check it out!"

 

[WMorganS]

They won't really believe that there's no such thing as ghosts, but you could tell them that Mickey's in charge and so they're all friendly ghosts.

 

[nfceagles]

My 7 yo DS has been scared by it on all 3 of our trips, starting when he was 4. This last trip he seemed somewhat better. My now 4.5 yr old DD has never minded it. We do remind them that the ghosts are all pretend. So it all depends on the child. My DS also didn't like Pirates the first trip, but happily rides thrill rides like Space Mountain. It's the creepy stuff that bothers him.

 

[bwang123]

Just wondering if we should try the ride since we are here now

my 6 year old girl has hated it since she was 2. and my 2 year old boy loves it ane thinks the ghosts are funny.

 

[ryalluvdiz]

Both of my boys have loved it since they were 3

 

[scoolover]

My 9 year old would not go on it with bribes, threats, extra love, punches or anything. He didn't as an 8, 7, 5, or 3 year old either.

I am quite sure that my 2 year old would walk right on and love it. In my family, it depends on the punk - oops - kid!

 

[lhermiston]

When I was down there with my twin 5 year olds, one worked up the courage to go and she loved it. She begged me to take her on it again. Even after bragging to her sister that she went on it and that it wasn't scary, my other child refused to go. So, we went a second time and daughter number 2 went with mommy to It's a Small World.

I think the "Haunted" gives some children a mental image that's harder some to shake than others. The daughter that went on the ride with me is more adventerous, the one who choose not to is a little more timid.

I'd give your child a little overview of the ride and then just ask what they want to do. No need to force the issue.

If your child does go on the ride, I can't think of anything that would be very traumatizing. Whenever I got the sense my daughter was getting a little nervous, I just said it was all done with computers.

 

[MyTwoPrincesses]

I would not ride it early in the trip. One scary dark ride and your child may refuse to go on all other indoor rides. Seriously. I recommend working up to HM with your 3.5 year old. Start with non-scary rides such as It's a Small World and Peter Pan. Then add in scarier rides like Winnie the Pooh (yes, that can be scary) and Nemo at Epcot. Only add Haunted Mansion once your 3.5 year old has ridden on several indoor rides without fear.

 

[bytheblood]

My daughter hated it until she was about 9. My niece (7) and nephew (6) are terrified. You will get varying opinions on this one.