Question about expedition everest and space mountain.

[jlatina32]

My family and I are going on our second trip to WDW at the end of September. Now that my 5 year old son meets the height requirements for Expedition everest and space mountain, he is really looking forward to riding them. As many mommies in this world, I am very protective of my children and I want to prepare them for these rides. So I ask you, my fellow DISBOARD peeps to give me some insight on these rides. How fast do they go? Is Space mountain really dark as I have heard? How intense is the backward sequence on EE? Would you recommend these for a 5 year old? Please keep in my mind that my son likes thrill rides. Well, at least, the ones he could get on last year. He enjoyed SPLASH MOUNTAIN, GOOFY'S BARNSTORMER, AND DINOSAUR just to name a few. I appreciate anyones input and thanks.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

Oh my! Well if he has done those rides...then he will be just fine!! Space Mountain is a roller coaster in the dark (its not completely dark..there are small glimmers of light around) and although it does seem to go fast...it is really only traveling at around 23 miles per hour. It is super fun, and I am sure your son would love it! Everest is fun, as well...but compare it to Big Thunder Mountain. It does go pretty fast, and the backwards sequence is not all that scary, but compared to most thrill rides it is not that intense. I think your son would so fine!!

 

[BlindTyldak]

I can't speak for EE (not getting to ride it until November) but I wouldn't have hesitated in the slightest to put my daughter on SM at 4 if she had wanted to go and was tall enough (one inch too short). It's a very tame ride that just looks intense because it is in the dark, and even then it is hardly pitch dark. Dinosaur was many, many, MANY times rougher and scarier than SM.

 

[BTown]

Yeah, I wouldnt worry about it. If he has had experience with thrill rides, and is eager to ride these rides, he will be fine. Generally, when you see kids screaming and having a terrible time on these attractions, its because parents have encouraged or forced kids to try these rides much against thier better judgement.

And you know, if he rides them and decided they are too scary, he doesnt have to ride them again, and I assure you it wont ruin his trip. But if he is eager to try them, let him.

 

[TinyLolitaBunny]

My belief is that if they meet the height requirement and are not afraid let em do it!

Space Mountain is very dark but not scary!
Haven't been to EE yet. But I am taking a (just turning) 6yr old on it myself.

 

[KimR]

Just be forewarned that he will not be able ride next to you on Space Mountain. The seats are arranged one behind the other so he will be sitting by himself. That combined with the fact that the ride is in the dark can be quite frightening to some children.

 

[netdisalvo]

My daughter first rode SM when she was 4 1/2 and she loved, loved, loved it! I was freaked out when I saw that she had to sit in the seat without me. But, she was fine with it. I sat in the first seat and she was in the middle seat. She wanted to keep riding it again and again. I will be taking her on EE in Nov. and I can't wait (she is 6 now). I would do it as long as he wants to.

 

[jlatina32]

Thank you everyone for you input. I will take into mind what everyone has said. I know that if he has any hesitations to get on Space M. or EE, I have no problem with that. I would never force him or his sister to get on something they don't want to. And yes, it is very unfortunate when parents do the very opposite. Anyway, thank you to all!!

 

[druiser]

I'm with the other posters so far ... he should be fine.

As far as the seating on SM, If you want to, you can sit behind him, and reach his shoulders to "hold him in" if ti makes you both feel better. I just kept yelling "you're driving like a maniac" to my son the whole time, and he was cracking up so much, he couldn't get nervous. Rode it 2x at age 4 and 2x so far at 5.

On EE, the only thing I'd mention to you is this ... the backwards section can get a little disorienting - makes you feel "funny" ... but as far as thrills - he can do it.

My DS 5 LOVED both of these rides, and was even juuuuuuust tall enough to get on RnRoller Coaster ... after being a bit freaked out at first, he wanted to ride it again and again.

Have fun, and don't sweat it.