It's Tough to Be a Bug

[thymed]

My ds,4 is pretty good when you explain make believe from real. I think he can probably handle this show, but did I read somewhere that there is a real snake...that gets into the audience? I don't think I could andle that!!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

There is no real snake. There are some interesting special effects that do create a stir however. But always remember that nothing is real. I almost think a four year old could handle it better than many adults.

HBC

 

[lisajl]

Ok...I could not handle the bee sting on my back.

Sorry, my DS, 8, could not either.
Make sure your child does not lean back. Also be aware at the end you will feel something where you are sitting.

I personally hated it, but I have a problem with spiders.

Thanks for letting me get that out of my system!!!

 

[Ecdubfan]

While I enjoyed the show, my son, who had just recently turned four, did not want anything to do with it. He took his glasses off early and spent most of the show with his head buried in my shoulder. Of course, he is not a bug lover. I think a big aspect of this show is one's personal opinon regarding bugs. I can see why some people get freaked by this show.

 

[momof2OH]

I agree with what Ecdubfan said. It really depends on your like or dislike of bugs and insects. My DM(54), DD(13) and DS(11) really liked this show. I however HATED it!! I actually got up in the middle and walked out. The "bee sting" was the worst!

 

[disney91]

We just got back and took a 2yo,4yo,6yo, and 8yo to the show and they all were very scared. The 4yo, and 6yo boys were the most petrified. The 2 girls just didnt like it. It really depends on the individual child.

 

[sha_lyn]

I wonder if you are thinking of the snake in HISTA. It isn't real, nor does it go into the audience, but the 3D effect is so "real" that it seems to jump right out at you. Also in HISTA therestreams of air that go across your feet that feel like mice tails.
Muppets seems to be less intense of the movies. Try it first, then try TTBAB. Have him watch A Bug's life at home right before you leave. That should help some too.

My DD at 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 loved the 3D movies.

 

[Fantasmic303]

There's always the option of "cheating" lol...

I don't mind the 3-D one bit, but I'm not a fan of creepy things touching me, even if it is just sprays of water or bursts of air. For all the Disney shows that do this - Tough to be a Bug, HISTA, and Alien Encounter (I don't count Muppets) - I pretty much do everything they tell you NOT to do, except take off my glasses. It lets me enjoy the movie without feeling the....stuff...

1 - Sit up straight to the point where you're almost leaning forward, so that your back isn't touching the seat.

2 - I'm short, so I don't have a big problem keeping my ankles/feet from being on the ground, where they should be. I reccommend sorta...dangling them, if you can.

3 - My arms are always in my lap, not at my sides with the armrests.


LoL - it doesn't safeguard EVERYTHING (the "bugs" under the bench for example) but it keeps me from getting creeped about the major things (like the "alien" touches or the bee sting). Like someone else said, there's a good chance that a young kid isn't even going to think anything of it...a big part of 3-D is what your own head is telling you!!

 

[tar heel]

My son was almost 5 when he did this show. We've been back to Disney four times since then, and he flatly refuses to do it again. He does all the thrill rides, though.

I have no trouble seeing why this show is scary for many people. You are in total darkness and have "bug spray" sprayed on you.

If I had it to do over, I would have seen this first before I took him. If you decide to take your child, sit at the far end of the row near the exits. People always leave during this show, so you won't be alone.

My son also didn't like HISTA or Dinosaur. He's fine with Dinosaur now but has only done HISTA one additional time and still didn't like it.

 

[E&B's Mom]

We knew it would be questionable as to whether my DD5 would put up with this attraction. So, we made a point to sit near an exit door. Although we weren't originally seated near one, we asked another family to switch seats and they were very understanding. Sure enough, as soon as the stink bug set himslef off DD started screaming that she wanted to leave, and we just got up and made a quick exit assisted by the CM who was standing near the door. I think this is a great option if you are wondering if your DS can handle it.

 

[thymed]

Your information, advice and hints have beed very helpful!!!

 

[Dopey Sharon]

This just came up in conversation last weekend. My sister came over and my Disney planning DVD just happened to be playing. I asked her about her kids...DS 7 and DD 9, if they finally saw one of the 3D movies. She laughed and said DD finally stayed and watched ITTBAB, on their last trip (almost two years ago), but her DS, just happened to have to go to the bathroom when the doors opened to enter the theater! They tried seeing it with them the year before that, and they both wanted out. Please, one more thing, if your kids don't want to see these movies....PLEASE don't force them to stay. It seems as though every time we watch one of the 3D movies, there's a kid crying. Take them out.

 

[jennymouse]

My fearless DGD8 doesn't enjoy it. She'll ride any rollercoaster you can throw at her, but she really doesn't like ITTBAB! She got "stung" the first time we saw it, so when we went again last October she sat up straight and didn't lean against the back. She didn't get stung, but she still didn't care for it. I don't think I do either. It gets crazy with all the screaming and comotion of the special effects. We're taking a coworker with us next trip and and I asked DGD if we should take her to she ITTBAB, and DGD said her and I could go see something else while my coworker does it. I don't think we'll be seeing that show again.

 

[khawk]

Last time we saw ITTBAB my then 6 yr old DD hated it and cried through the whole thing. Her dad got stung in the back. Something ran under my butt and made me (literally) jump out of my seat. My older DD (8 at that time) loved it. I liked it and want to go again this year because my parents are coming with me and my girls this year and they have never been to WDW. when I told my youngest DD that we had to see that show again she said she didnt want to. I told her she is older now and it wont be as scary and also told her she could sit on my lap. She didnt like any of the 3D shows because she didnt like things "popping" out at her. Im hopeing because she is older it wont be so scary. I told her that her grandma doesnt know what to expect and that we have to go to watch grandma get scared. She liked that idea and agreed to try it again. she is 9 now. she is another one who will enjoy any roller coaster but not other shows. She didnt like the haunted mansion or pirates of the carribean either.
Kim

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We all love the show but my DS was 8 the first time he saw it so that makes a big difference. We have however seem lots of little ones upset in the show. I would 1) see it first to make your own judgment 2) have him sit on your lap to avoid the bee sting 3) remind him it is funny not scary 4) tell him if the moving bugs bother him to just take his glasses off 5) Try to get near an exit and don't hesitate to take him out if he wants to go out.
I would try to do The Muppets first if possible to get him used to the 3-D effect with a less intense show.


jordan's mom

 

[KellyJ]

It might also make a difference if they are familiar with the movie "It's a Bug's Life". We skipped ITTBAB on at least 2 of our trips because we'd heard how scary it was for small kids. Our son would've been probably 2-3 at the time. Somewhere along the way he fell in love with the movie. We watched it over and over. He even liked Hopper and has a toy Hopper that he and his 2 yr. old sister play with all the time. On our last trip (son was 5, daughter 2) we decided to try it. They both loved it! They knew it was pretend (we had that discussion before going in) and the 2 yr. old didn't wear the glasses or sit in a seat by herself but they really loved it. We did it at least 3 more times. I think it helped a lot that they were familiar with the characters, knew the effects were pretend, and were comfortable with the fact that they could close their eyes or just sit in our lap if they needed to. I agree to sit near the exit though, if you're unsure and leave it if gets too intense for them.

Kelly

 

[pennylynn]

It's like everyone said. You know your children best. When we took my 3 year old nephew he loved every minute of it and begged to go back several times. However, him Mom wouldn't go back in.

 

[Praise2Him]

It's also possible that you've gotten confused by the Pocahontas show (sorry, I've forgotten the name). She does have a live snake (small) and she only holds it - doesn't come out into the audience.

 

[strawberryblonde]

We watched this for the first time this March. We were in the back row because my Mom was in a power chair. I think it helped the kids not cry and run out of there screaming when Hopper came out that we were back so far. All of them, 9, 8, 6, 5, 5, 3 were scared. The 3 year old least of all because she was on my lap, didn't wear the glasses, and I covered her eyes/ears when she needed me to. She walked out of there feeling fine and happy while all the other kids were saying how they didn't want to ever do that movie again, lol! Later in the trip, every single kid voted to NOT watch HISTA. Truely depends on the kid.