Parents help... Is Gotg too scary for a 6 year old?

[DanieB]

I'm trying to decide if my six year old will be too scared for Gotg. I would never have considered Tot Bc of the "creepy" theming but everyone keeps saying how fun Gotg is. When my son was 4 we went to Wdw. He loved splash mountain, 7 dwarves mine train, and test track. However, triceratops spin (like dumbo) and soarin he hated and refused to do again. Any thoughts/advice/ experience with young kids on the ride is appreciated ... Thanks!

 

[Niltiac]

I think every 6yo is different. I would not have been ok with GotG at that age, but I have seen many kids around that age in the same elevator as me and many love it. If your child has been on coasters or thrill rides, use thst experience to gauge what their fears are. The biggest issues eith GotG would be drops, darkness, and loud noises. If your child has never been on thrill rides, then work your way up and see how they react (e.g. go on BTMRR to see how they handle drops, Space to see how they handle darkness, etc.)

 

[Niltiac]

Sorry, I think I misread your post and thought you were talking about two different kids. Do you know what they disliked about soarin and triceratops? If they were ok with splash it seems like drops aren't a problem.

 

[DanieB]

Sorry that is confusing... Yes My son who will be 6 is the same child who went on those Wdw rides 2 years ago. So according to my son he didn't like soarin and triceratops spin because they "went too high". When I asked him why mine train and splash weren't scary even though they have drops he said they "didn't leave the ground". When I pointed out the coaster was up in the air he explained "but mom the track was under us!" It seems like he doesn't like that feeling of just being up in the air. Which on a coaster you don't really feel but something slower like dumbo or soarin you do. It was quite a surprise to me that a child who cried on triceratops spin when we went up to the top setting rode splash 4 times with his arms in the air lol!

 

[MamaBelle4]

Yeah, in that case, I doubt he would like the drop.

I rode TOT when I was 11. Only ride I will never get on again. I genuinely thought the cables had snapped and we were plummeting to our deaths.

I won't even ride any other sudden drop rides like that elsewhere. Actually, I don't even really like being in elevators and take the stars when I can. everything else, I love. Well, except ferris wheels. I ride then when I have to (DH doesn't do rides and my oldest loves them), but I hate it's constant stopping and starting.

 

[Shanti]

I recommend waiting until he is older.

 

[figment_jii]

I just got back from DLR with a 5.5 year old; he did not want to do GotG (but he did ride Space, BTMRR, Matterhorn, and Soarin'). He timid by nature, so it wasn't a huge surprise that he bailed on GotG. He doesn't like the feeling of being in the air, which was one of the issues with GotG. Soarin was fine because his bottom never left the seat (so I think the issue was the feeling of free falling, opposed to heights). The other issue was that, while it's not scary per se, the queue isn't exactly un-scary either. It doesn't have the ghost-vibe that ToT was going for, more of a space alien/weird creature vibe. He didn't like the queue either, but he did "walk" it (he needed to be carried by the end). So, while every child is different, that was my experience with a little one recently.

 

[Tinkerbell19672]

I wouldn’t push it. We were lined up to get on the elevator and I noticed 3 little kids on the end, their parents were on the other side (group split up until seated in elevators). Not sure why one parent didn’t stay with the kids in line. Anyway, 2 of them were seriously freaked out and one started screaming and crying. It was awful and I felt so bad for them. The family didn’t speak English and I think they were confused about the whole thing. One parent finally went to the children and ended up taking one out the exit. All kids are different but I would think if he’s hesitant at all you may not want to take him. Might make him not want to go on when he’s older.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

As much as I've always loved the creepy story line of TOT I've got to say that many children cry on TOT and on GOTG I only saw children laughing and happy to go on again. A CM also said they enjoyed watching kids screaming with delight instead of fear.
So as far as theme goes not scary in the least. Its really whether your child enjoys drops and the feeling that comes with it or not.

 

[tanyaewa]

As much as I've always loved the creepy story line of TOT I've got to say that many children cry on TOT and on GOTG I only saw children laughing and happy to go on again. A CM also said they enjoyed watching kids screaming with delight instead of fear.
So as far as theme goes not scary in the least. Its really whether your child enjoys drops and the feeling that comes with it or not.

This. Honestly, it’s a crap shoot. If your son has seen GoTG it might be better.... but he may not like the ride itself.

 

[tink89]

Only you know you child. When my daughter was 3-6 she would get on anything. especially any role coaster she had the height for. At around 7 she stopped wanting to get on anything super fast or with drops. Now at she is slowly going on other rides she would not get on before. ToT and GoT are the same to her and she would not get on now or before.

If he wants to get on then get on and if he decides he wants to not ride even while you are in line then just use the chicken exit. We have used those plenty of times.

 

[Nalshersmom]

My kids have ridden TOT since they were tall enough at 4ish. My oldest and youngest love it. My middle child tolerates it holding onto someone I don't thing Mission Breakout was any scarier. It was more fun to me. My middle child learned after the 2nd drop they take your picture, so she posed for the pic and immediately went to holding mode.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You might want to look at some Youtube videos on your own to determine if the theming and the ride (given that there are different variations of drops with each song) will work for your child. If even the videos look a bit too intense, then you'll know for certain that the ride will have to wait for another time.

 

[wddub2015]

Since your son doesn’t like the thought of not having something beneath him I think he will likely not enjoy GoG. My 6 year old has loved GoG/ToT since he was 4 and GoG is one of his favorite rides now. My 7 year old loves Space, BTMRR, etc. and can handle roller coaster-type drops but hates GoG because of the quick rises and falls. It sure feels like there is nothing beneath you at times. My vote is wait until he is older or changes his feelings about that sensation.

 

[WillowHaven]

My 8 year old loves those little kid froghopper style rides we have at our family fun center. He says he loves how it makes his stomach feel! Between that and he love of Guardians, he's really looking forward to GotG.

Maybe you could try a froghopper ride if you have one near you? That could give a sense of what it feels like to drop.

 

[DharmaLou]

It's too scary for this 45 year old.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I would never have gone on it at 6, but my oldest went on it in December at 7 and loved it despite not enjoying roller coasters or anything with drops. I would say, don't push it. Show some videos. Explain what it will be like with random drop sequences. It's much more intense than ToT, but doesn't have the creepy imagery. If your kid is a fan of GotG movies, that might make it more motivating.

 

[millie0312]

My 3 year old went in Dec and loved it! It def depends on the kid, but we hyped it up as fun and asked if he would go. We explained it went up and down a lot and he agreed to go when he felt the timing was good for him. I hold him in my arms kinda (leaned over so my arms cradled him and behind his head so he couldn’t bump his head and felt even more secure) and we all really enjoyed the “party.” We didn’t force him to go or to go again, but I think by the end he had gone 2-3 times and he’s not a super adventurous kid necessarily. Maybe if you explain it does a lot of up and down, but still make it sound fun and see if/when they feel the timing is right they will want to try with everyone? Otherwise rider swap will work out too

 

[cobright]

He likes thrill rides. I say explain the ride to him and let him choose. He's got a firm seat and a floor under him the entire time. The theming is funny and not creepy. If it's not his cup of tea, it's over in a minute.

 

[agamble]

This is my 7 y/o daughter's favorite ride. Her other favorite is Splash. She loves the falling of both. Guardians is peppy and fun. I think many kids enjoy it because the music makes it fun. Our son turned 5 this week and finally agreed to try Splash and Guardian's. He enjoyed both.

I feel like he would still have a solid seat and ground beneath him. But ultimately you will have to decide. I suggest talking to him about the ride and asking if he wants to try it. Also, start with other fun rides first and work up to that one. DCA has Racers, which is fast but not scary, and Goofys, which is high up but a coaster with track beneath him. There is also Grizzly with a couple drops. I wouldn't make Guardians the first ride of the day, but don't count it out. It is a fun ride!