Rides for Chickens

[Mo-Yo]

It's been years (B.C. - before children--about 15 years)) since we've been to Universal, but this year we are taking kiddos, 12,10 and 8. Like me, none of them are daredevils. (I love all kinds of coasters and creative thrill rides, but I hate spinny stuff (variations on tea-cups) and haunted houses (Not like Disney's Haunted Mansion, but gory violent stuff or attractions where people jump out at you--creepy...).

My DD-8 is the worst--a self-described chicken. She likes certain thrills, but no sudden drops and no scary monsters.

I started looking at Universal Studios, and there seems to be plenty for all of us there.

But Islands of Adventure (besides Seuss) seems to have some really cool things I'd like to see, but overall very little for chicken girl and her slightly-less chicken family.

Can anyone suggest some must-sees and must-not-sees for us in each park?

Thanks.

 

[Metro West]

I think she would enjoy all of Seuss Landing, the water rides, Pteranodon Flyers and possibly Spiderman...although it does spin some. I would stay away from the coasters and Storm Force. Hope that helps!

 

[the Dark Marauder]

USF must sees (for chickens)

-Jimmy Neutron
-Disaster (some explosions)
-MIB (it has some spins and ugly aliens, but YOU SHOOT THE BAD GUYS WITH LASER GUNS!!!!)
-Simpsons Ride
-ET
-Woody's Coaster
-Fievel's Slide
-Shrek (just watch out for the spider sequence--it's short)
-Mummy (great coaster)
-T2:3D some loud gunshots and scary (fake!) robots, more movie than show.
-Blues Brothers Show

Avoid
Mummy (has scary, soul stealing mummies)
Jaws (shark trying to eat you)
Twister

IOA must-sees
-Spider-Man
-Popeye & Bluto's barges (very wet!!!)
-all of Seuss (Cat in the Hat has strong spins)
-Hulk & Dueling Dragons, if you can handle them. Each has several inversions and 100+ ft drops
-Camp Jurassic
-Discovery Center

Avoid
-Doom (straight shot/drop)
-Storm (MAJOR SPINNING)
-Jurassic Park River Adventure (dinosaurs trying to eat you and an 80+ ft drop)
-Ripsaw Falls (3 drops).

 

[Mo-Yo]

Thanks...that's a good guide. Hopefully we can develop a strategy to keep her happy, while we swap around a bit on some of the other rides.

 

[Kath2003]

Sometimes it helps if someone rides first and then sits with her and tells her what to expect e.g. "we're going to spin in a minute". It may not necessarily be the motion she's scared of, but the unknown.

 

[Tizzy_Meliss]

It may also help to Youtube the rides and show her the videos of the rides. My DD is a bit of a chicken, and it helped her.

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a ride chicken. I can't stand anything that spins or drops. Having said that I rode everything in Universal Studios (I did the stationary seats in Jimmy Neutron) and everything in IOA except the Hulk, Dr. Doom, Dueling Dragons and the ride right next to Hulk - I can't remember the name of it but its a version of the teacups. I also closed my eyes on the "down" part of Spiderman. Hope this helps.

 

[tttessa]

Hiya -

also a chicken family!! Really scaredy cats!!! Didn't do any big coasters at all...

I closed my eyes for lots of spiderman - it was scary!! It spins about, jerks and drops and has scary bits jumping out at you!!

Jimmy Neutron - take the motion seats , it's fun - just hold onto your chest during a well known song if you are more than a B cup!!!!

Jurassic park river adventure -mmmmmm covered the kids eyes for the scary T-rex bit (not too bad for me...), but the buzz you get from that drop is AMAZING.... not too scary - exciting!!

MIB - loved it, yes it spins occasionally, but you are so involved shooting cartoonish aliens (that are not too scary) you don't notice the movement.

Shrek + Poseidon's Fury - my kids did not like it and would not do it again.

T2 - not for little kids really, build up is scary for them and too much "destruction end of the world " stuff...

ET - scary at start - but lovely!!

Jaws and twister - the kids did once - I would have done again - they were not scared by the shark, they laughed at it at one point - it is a bit dated shall we say.....

Oh, and if you don't want to get wet - DO NOT GO ON THE POPEYE WATER RIDE!!! You do not just get a bit wet - you can get soaked through your underwear, totally drenched, head to foot, if I could have crawled into the dry possessions section I would have!!!

Dr Seuss stuff is great!!!

The counter service fast food seemed nicer than WDW too...

Tessa

 

[Mo-Yo]

Tessa (& all)...

Thanks for the thorough analysis. It will be really helpful planning our trip.