Questions on rides for my 6 year old.

[disney-super-mom]

Sorry for posting another thread so soon, but I have a question about rides for my six year old.

We've been to DL and DCA many times but during those times our oldest boy was too short to ride some of the rides. Now that he's six and around 47-48 inches tall, he can ride some attractions that he's never been on before. Even though he's tall enough, he's still only 6 (in the first grade), so I was wondering about opinions on if these rides would be too scarry for him.

1. Space Mountain (he does love Star Tours, but since SM was closed for soooooo long, he's never had a chance to ride it).
2. Indiana Jones (My favorite ride!)
3. Tower of Terror (I've never been on it either, so I don't know how scarry it is).
4. Mullholand Madness.

I was hoping that some of you with kids around the same age could tell me how your kids reacted to these rides.

 

[Az Pirates]

My DD LOVES both Mulholland Madness and Tower of Terror.

She tolerates Indiana Jones and will ride with us - but it's definitely NOT her favorite.

She was finally old enough for Screamin' last time and loved that... so I'm guessing Space Mtn. will be a hit as well... but you're right, it's been closed for so long, who knows?
We're heading that way soon and looking forward to giving it a try!

This was in June and she was six. She just started 1st grade this year too.
Hope this helps a bit - it's so hard to say as kids are all so different.

 

[LucyKate]

Indiana was way too scary for my 6YO - but the 9YO managed it
Tower of Terror - I couldn't get either of them on, but in my opinion it would be fine - it's just the name that's really scary.

 

[crazymama]

My 5 and 7 year olds loved Mulholland Madness, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. My 7 year old loved Tower of Terror but he is a pretty stoic little guy about that stuff. My 5 year old wouldn't go on the Tower of Terror because of the thunder etc. She loves fast rides but HATES loud noises. They were both too short for Indiana Jones (48 inches). I know my 7 year old could have handled it fine but it might have been too loud for my daughter. I LOVED all those rides... esp T of T and Indie! I can't wait to go back!!!!!

 

[Albertan mom]

My son was 6 when he went on Muhulland Madness, and he loved it. It was his favorite ride.

I was also wondering about taking my 7 year old on SpaceMountain, TOT, Indiana Jones.

My son was 6 when he went on POC. He was terrified!! He hated it! I told him it wasn't scary, and it was just dogs and a few pirates. He was so mad at me after! He doesn't like dark rides. He said the skeletons, skulls, and the dark were scary. I just asked him if he will go on it again when we go next month, and he said yes probably!!

 

[Dale-n-Chip]

The worst part is you just can't tell by age or height. I know three year-olds who would **LOVE** TOT, but my very timid 5 year-old DS was scared in Muppets 3-D! For him, it's as much a volume thing as anything else. Who decided a ride can't be fun if it's not as loud as a rock concert?!

We pack a pair of earplugs on a string in his fanny pack (and a couple spares just in case). That seemed to help with the fright factor a little. If he can close his eyes and it's not so loud. . . well, I guess he can pretend he's anywhere else.

The Unofficial Guide has a great "Small Child Fright-Potential Chart." Their suggestion is to gauge reactions to stuff like the Jungle Cruise in the morning and not try the "hard stuff" until later in the day. You don't want to have to spend 5 hours on Tom Sawyer Island and Dumbo trying to get their fears back under control!!

Speaking of those earplugs, I need to find another box for the upcoming trip in Dec. Off to eBay. . .

 

[kmsandrbs]

So our 6 YO liked everything (all you and others mentioned) except Indiana Jones (although she was willing to go on it later).

Our 4 YO liked everything he could get on, except Soarin' (he was worried about getting hit by fireworks at the end) and TOT (he was worried about disappearing forever into the Twilight Zone).

But every child is different. And while I think starting on the low-end rides and 'moving up' makes sense, you just never know what will freak out a child.

 

[karylrocks]

The height requirements are for safety. Just because a child is tall enough doesn't mean he is ready for a ride. It all depends on what scares your child; is it dark, or loud noise, or frightening characters, or height, or speed, or being startled? Usually by six, kids are better at understanding what is real and what is pretend; I think a lot of parents don't understand that little kids can't tell the difference even when you try to explain it to them. I have not read the Unofficial Guide for DL but the one for WDW was good at explaining what might be potentially frightening. I agree that you should start with some things that are more tame and see what kind of reaction you get. If he likes Star Tours he might do OK on Indy. POC is scary for a lot of kids. Space Mountain might be too much - is dark, fast, and loud. Try Big Thunder Mountain and Matterhorn first, maybe even Splash Mountain.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice.

He's already been on Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Matterhorn. He didn't really like the Matterhorn at the time (he was 4 years old the last time he rode it) because it was such a rough and herky-jerky ride, although he may like it better now. He has no problems with Splash or Thunder Mountain and enjoys both. For this trip I'm going to follow your advice and my gut instinct, both of which tells me that he'll probably really like Space Mountain and Mullholand Madness, but I think we'll wait on the TOT and Indiana Jones until he's older. (he's fine with the dark, it's the theming that may scare him, like snakes, spiders, mice, ghosts, etc...)

However, "I" may ride the TOT for the first time...or maybe I should wait until DS gets older and then we can both ride TOT for the first time together??? I just don't know...everytime we go to DL and DCA, that TOT keeps beckoning to me.LOL

Anyway, thanks again everyone!

 

[laura&fam]

Thanks for asking and thanks for all the tips. I have an almost 6 year old and wondered the same thing.

I think the ear plugs are a great idea as my daughter hates loud noises too!