Kid Advice

[Vanryan]

My kids are 3, 7 and 9. My oldest is very timid about rides. (Although she'll ride the tea cups over and over, go figure.) How can I encourage her to try the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain etc. without forcing her?
Once she does one she'll be fine and become a ride nut, I'm sure. She did not want to try the water slide at BC last year, but once she did it was non-stop. Anyone else have the same trouble? I think the younger two will want to be more adventurous this year and I don't want her to feel badly.

 

[jenndisney]

My 8 year old is the same way. We just started out simple: Tea cups, Peter Pan, Small World, and then went for Haunted Mansion first. It doesn't have any drops or fast movements. Next do Pirates, again except for the drop it is a calm ride. I would save Space Mountain for later. If all else fails, have the 9 year old wait while the other two ride a "fun" ride. When they come out talking about it, it may help.

The other thing we have done this year is to let my daughter read about a few of the rides she has not done yet in the guide books. She has now decided that Test Track and Thunder Mountain sound like fun. She has made that decision and we are not pushing it.

Have fun and remember not to push too fast. Everyone is different.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

I don't really have any advice, except that Haunted Mansion still might frighten your DD? Our DD is 10, and last year, after riding Space Mountain, Rock and Roller coaster, tower of terror, and splash mountain, she still came unglued when she rode Haunted Mansion. (She thought she'd be okay, but didn't want any part of it again.)

 

[risy]

Haunted Mansion is fun, however:

When I took my 7yo DD, the thing that scared her was all the screaming in the beginning - before you board the doom buggy. I didn't remember that part, since I hadn't been in 8 years! There were children much older than mine who were looking for a way to get out..once on the ride, it was great.

Pirates is not scary - tell her it is a show about pirates.

My (now) 5yo & 8yo DDs love Big Thunder Mountain. Although they were initially gunshy. Start her out on Goofy's Barnstormer...

 

[riopooh]

There is a video clip of the Pirates of the Caribbean under the Pictures/Video Link. I'm sure some where there is one for HM - Maybe Doombuggies.com. Maybe a preview would ease her mind.