It's Tough To Be A Bug...

[flortlebap]

How old were your kids when you first took them on this ride?

We did this 3 times on our last trip, spending 2 days at AK and every show time, really young children were taken in (I knew that they would probably be terrified) and were escorted out within the first couple of minutes screaming their heads off. Poor little mites. I gotta admit that when the smoke pours out you can't see even an inch in front of you and it's scary even for me!!

Anyway this time we are going with my DD1 (who would have known last trip that this time I'd be going with a toddler ), and my two neices, 2 1/2 and 5. My DD definitely won't be going on, not taking the risk there of a) scaring her, or b) ruining the show for other people. What about the other two? The 2 1/2 year old I suspect might be OK if she's with her sister, but again, is it worth taking the risk!? There are 7 adults going so baby swapping isn't a problem!!

 

[lovethattink]

My son had just turned 2 and he hated it, this spring. His problem was the puffs of air. He didn't mind the noise or the other effects, but he absolutely hated those puffs of air. He also hates that part at Journey to Imagination too.

 

[badblackpug]

I think you have to judge by your kids. I have read so many posts and Unofficial reviews about kids being "terrified" and "carried out screaming" I have never encountered this with my kids. The have loved EVERY 3D attraction ITTBAB, HISTA, and Muppets!

 

[Secondgradememories]

My DD, 6, hated it! I had never been on it, but my husband and DS10 had. She got teary when the smoke came, and I put her on my lap. Then, at the very end, my husband leaned over and said - you can go back in your seat now, something COOL is going to happen - you'll love it! She didn't. She flipped! So my advice is to tell the younger kids about what they can expect. The surprise is not fun for everyone!

 

[SuperGurl]

My DD4 loved it. She was not afraid at all. But I think it depends on the child. My DD4 was not afraid of Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Dinosaur or any of the 3d/4d shows, but she was terrified of Star Tours when she first got on (She begged to get on it again later) and she was affraid of Stitch's Great Escape, Expedition Everest and Devine, that walking vine character in Animal Kingdom (she thought Devine was "coming to attack" her. lol.) I don't think you can really predict. I thought my DD4 would be amazed when she saw Devine. You wouldn't believe how fast she ran when Devine began walking.

Try explaining to the 2 1/2 year old exactly what will happen so that she knows what to expect. Maybe hold her on your lap. I now she'll miss that effect on the seat at the end of the show but at least you'll make her feel safe if she becomes afraid.

 

[katiesmomluvsdizne]

The first time our DD was 6 and she HATED it! She was crying in fear and we had sat on the opposite side of the exit doors so it was somewhat hard to escape, so my DH just held her and she buried her face so she couldn't see it. But the problem is she would sneak a peek (because the sounds made it seem OK to do so) and them she would be scared all over again. This year she will be 9 and she says we are going to do it again, because she will be OK. She hasn't been in there since that 1st time.
Now if I can only get her into Honey I Shrunk the Aud., she refuses because of the snake. She has a HUGE fear of snakes. And the old planning DVD showed a snake coming at the audience.
Anyways, good luck depending on their tolerance level they all may be a little young still. I thought my DD was brave (except snakes) boy was I sooooo wrong! I love the show though! It's great!

 

[nicolem]

DS, who just turned 2, has seen ITTBAB 3 times - once at 12 months, once at 17 months, and again at 23 months. He always sits in our laps, so he doesn't experience any of the seat effects, but he's never had a problem with the smoke, the spiders, or anything else. I guess it really does depend on the child, because, though I wouldn't consider DS especially adventurous when it comes to climbing or meeting strangers, he's never had a problem with dark rides or 3D shows.

We're skipping AK when we go next month, but if we were going there, we would definitely take him again. He may some day get to a point where things like that scare him, but until/unless he does, he'll join us.

 

[EEYOREMAMA]

They still have pics of my 2 and 3 year olds on the wall when you come in. There's a circle with a line through their faces. We were the ones that had to scoop them up and run. They were hysterical. Of course the boys are 12 and 14 now. Every time we go back, my family wears bags over our faces. I guess AK has a long memory.

Of course every child is different, so it's hard to judge how they will react. I really, really thought my two would enjoy it.