Kali River Rapids

[MouseEarsJenny]

MouseEarsJenny, the water that goes over his head isn't 'dumped from above' but from what you describe of your son's fears, I would think if he got hit with the full wave it would scare the bejeebers out of him. It's like getting hit with a 'wall of water' from behind, which then crests over your head and dumps into the boat (and your lap!). DEFINITELY a huge wave that pours over your head.

Also, even if he isn't the one to get the full force, he'll be able to see it crest over someone else's head, which might scare him just as much. It's an awesome sight, that wall of water! We love it, but as a mom I didn't want you to think it wasn't going to (possibly) scare your boy just because there isn't anything over his head that dumps on him. The wave has the exact same effect.

Oh! Well, thank you! That does sound a bit overwhelming. I definitely won't take him on it without explaining what might happen, and from the sounds of it, he'll be wanting to opt out. Ah, well! Nobody likes walking in soggy shoes, anyway!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Not trying to criticize, but from your list you are going to be missing out on some of the best rides in the various parks, IMHO. But to each his own, of course.

Really? I guess I figured they were mostly just the roller coasters. We can ride that sort of thing at home. Stuff like Pirates of the Carribean, the Haunted Mansion, Kilamanjaro Safari - that's why we're driving for three days! I'd genuinely be interested to know why you think our skip list is the best. I haven't gone without kids since the early 90's so I really haven't ridden any of them myself except the Magic Kingdom Mountains.

Thanks for the input!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

The non-rider and second parent don't have to stand in line for a switch off. At least we didn't for all the rides we did it at last year. Tell the CM who is standing at the end of the line, usually where the height ruler is, and he will give you a "pass" which is similar to a fast pass.

Interesting. Does the second parent ride alone? (It's just going to be the four of us...)

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

I agree with the other posters that I wouldnt sacrifice everyones fun time because one child does not want to ride certain rides. This is not fair to the others. Only the small one is making out good at the expense of the others.

Hrm. I guess that could be the case. If dd (who is only 9 herself, so not so very much bigger) decides she really HAS to go on a ride and ds digs in his heels, maybe we'll try one of the techniques y'all have shared. Thanks!

Oh, and thanks all for the reminders on the Bug's Life show - we were gonna skip that, too, cause NO ONE in the family likes bugs, lol!

 

[degrapevine]

The second parent can either ride alone or bring the older child to ride again.
I think the Rider Switch pass allows up to 3 people to ride.
My two boys love doing this, as DD5 is too short for many of their favorite rides.
They ride with DH while DD and I get a treat or play in the play areas following many of the "thrill" rides, then when they get off, I take them on again with me.
It's great for the older kids and Mom and Dad both get to ride too.
(I think they'll actually be disappointed when their sister finally is tall enough to ride those rides!)
Just wanted to mention - Although you may have coasters at home to ride, the Disney theming is second to none!
If your daughter would like to ride some of those rides that her brother can't, please consider doing the Rider Switch!
Have a great trip ... and keep asking questions - the DIS is the best!

 

[MareQ]

Interesting. Does the second parent ride alone? (It's just going to be the four of us...)

Nope If DD wants to go again she can ride a 2nd time with the "next" parent

 

[KyCruisinSusan]

Space, Splash and Big Thunder Mountain and Stitch's Great Escape at MK
Expedition: Everest and possibly Kali and Dinosaur at AK
Test Track and Mission:SPACE at Epcot
Tower of Terror and R and R Coaster at MGM

That's not a big deal to us cause most of those wouldn't interest dd anyway, and dh and I are more concerned about making the kids happy than hitting all the big thrills.

Did I miss any majorly scary rides I should be avoiding?

Was just wondering how much older your DD is because you seem to be passing up all of the GOOD rides. I think your DS6 would love Stitch, it's not really scary. DD4 loved it last year. She also loved BTMRR, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, ToT and Test Track. The only reason she didn't ride RnR and Primeval Whirl is because she was a little to short.

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Was just wondering how much older your DD is because you seem to be passing up all of the GOOD rides. I think your DS6 would love Stitch, it's not really scary. DD4 loved it last year. She also loved BTMRR, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Dinosaur, ToT and Test Track. The only reason she didn't ride RnR and Primeval Whirl is because she was a little to short.

She's 9. She's probably not going to notice the rides we skip, since she doesn't really have anyone to tell her how "cool" they are, and "it's too scary for you" or "Nicky (brother) can't do it" usually suffices as an explanation if she does notice. She's a fairly mellow kid.

On the other hand, Nick is high strung and capable of stopping fun in its tracks if we don't ease him into things. Took us an hour at Jeepers riding the baby train before he agreed to get on the mini-himalaya style ride and another hour to work up to the mini-coaster. After that, he went gangbusters and rode things until everyone else got dizzy.

Based on that usual dynamic, we decided it was best to just use him as our measuring stick for the big rides. We figured on starting with Dumbo and Pooh and working our way up to Pirates, etc. the first day. Then, if all is well, trying some simulators like Star Tours cause he LOVES Star Wars, and Soarin' cause we hear it's pretty non-scary. Then maybe work up to something like Dinosaur at the end of the week.

Maybe we'll end up totally tossing the plan! Who knows. Fortunately, since it's a total surprise for the kids, they won't build up expectations and will likely think anything we do is awesome. Thanks for sharing your experience with your dd. She sounds like my niece - game for anything!

 

[blessedby3]

The only thing you might rethink is Dinosaur. This ride is VERY scary for small children. DH and I rode it in 1999 while my mother sat with the three children. I was panicked in it because LARGE dinosaurs are in it and try to "come down" into the ride vehicle. It is very jerky and loud in there and the small kids on our vehicle were screaming and crying and I felt horrible for them. We decided that our two oldest would not ride (4 and 9 at the time, our third was only 10 months). We did not do this ride again in 2003, but took oldest DD15 on it this past November. She was okay at 15 with it, but did her fair share of screaming and closing her eyes herself. Definately ride this and see before you let your kids on it. Also, my DD(now 7) loved Thunder Mtn. and Splash Mtn at 4 and 7. She also loved Test Track, Star Tours, Soarin and most everything else in the parks except for TOT, RNR, and SM. We have not let her ride these yet and she does not meet the height requirement for some anyway. DD is small for her age. Im sure your kids will love much more than you think. Just beware of Dinosaur!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DCDisney]

get on the mini-himalaya style ride and another hour to work up to the mini-coaster. After that, he went gangbusters and rode things until everyone else got dizzy.

If he liked coasters he would probably love Big Thunder though you can always try Goofy's barnstormer first as it's a very short coaster ride.

At 4 and 6 both my kids hated Pirates and totally refused to do Haunted Mansion after that. The medium coasters like Big Thunder, test track, and splash mtn were fine for my "scared" 4 year odl daughter.

The scary theming like Pirates, Bug's Life, etc got to my kids significantly more than anything fast or bumpy.

Yvonne

 

[DisneyDiva74]

The only thing you might rethink is Dinosaur. This ride is VERY scary for small children. Just beware of Dinosaur!!!!!!!!!!

I agree! Definitely be careful with Dinosaur. I'm almost 32 and it was too much for me. I rode most of the way with my eyes shut (my family still teases me about the picture at the end...I don't look happy!). Really brave kids might be okay, but there were definitely plenty of criers in our vehicle.

 

[MareQ]

My problem with Dinosaur isn't so much the scare factor(although it did scare me as well - lol) - it's that the ride - for me anyway - was VERY rough - I felt like my head was going to snap off - lol!

This ride is right up there with my ride on the Back to the Future ride when I got stuck in the back seat and my head kept hitting something - I thought I was going to pass out. Never again for either ride - lol