Rides intensity?

[ILIKEWDW]

Hi,

I don´t know if this is the right place to make this answer, if not please feel free to realocate it.

The question is that one of my daughters, and not one of the youngest (she is almost 11) have been afraid of rides since she meet the high that let her ride.

Since then, and seeing that even the young of my children (she was 4) is able to ride and she likes rides like splash mountain, or even the Mountain Railroad (sorry, cant remember the complete name) and my son who was 5 liked Expedition Everest, RNRC and others (once again, can´t remember names). So it was a little frustrating four us (the parents) to loose a ride to be with her b/c she was affraid. Or loosing time having to make a line to ride DH with the rest of the kids, ride the attraction (while I stayed with her) and then make the line once more for this time Mom and the kids take the ride while DH stayed with her.

So, on our past visit I almost forced her to try one "not so bad" ride: Splash Mountain, so we were on line and she was very nervous, she even tried to quit when the log arrive but CM said she can not quit, so, we finally make her to do it and surprise!!!.......... she liked a lot, and so much that she make us to ride it THREE times!!!

Well, as I told her there: that was her "Graduation" from toddlers rides.

We will go on September and I would like to introduce her to the rest of the rides, but gradually.

That is why I am asking for some advice on how to choose the following ride after SM, what should be the next? and the next? and the next?

I don´t know if there is any way to know wich ride follows wich, from the slowest , easiest to the fastest, heaviest.

TIA

 

[Cinderella94]

I would have started with Big Thunder Mountain and then gone to Splash, but reversing those two is fine. So I would now do Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Everest, and then RNR. (Some people will tell you to reverse the last two, but that's up to you.)

 

[StinkerbellsMom]

Yaaayyyyyy ILIKEWDW how wonderful for you (and dd)!!!! I must say though, I am thoroughly jealous! I have a similar situation. My youngest dd - almost 10 - is terrified of almost any and all coasters except for Space Mountain. I think we took her on Splash Mountain when she was too young because she thinks of it as some huge looming death trap! My other two girls, now ages 16 and 14 have loved rides since - well, forever! So we just went along and brought her with us (as we had done with the other two girls), but somewhere it backfired for us I keep trying to convince her to try the rides again but she insists she will "NEVER EVER EVER" do any of them. It makes me sad because someone is always sitting out with her. I wish she had the guts your 11 yo did! Maybe she can pass on some courage????? LOL

Oh, and btw, I think her next could be Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Rock N Roller Coaster and Everest (depends on if she likes the dark or not - that was a HUGE freak out factor for my youngest). Have fun with your new little daredevil

 

[ILIKEWDW]

Thanks for your answers.

And yes, Stinkerbellsmom, she had a little courage specially when the CM did not let her quit, but more than angry she was affraid and so nervous, but just while she was waiting to feel the "fall down" once the fall ended she said it was not so bad, and she liked (as much as she make us made the line three times).

About BTMR she did it the night before, I think she did not see it so scary as SM as it impact just sawing the big fall............

I am also happy to know I am not the only with an almost teenager who is affraid of coasters, and some more happy that she did last year the two first steps: SM and BTMR.......

So I could wait to go this year for more.............. and finally have all the family having fun!!!!! and a picture together

Thanks and I hope your daughter be graduated soon!!!

 

[luvthemouse71]

Not to be downer...but some people never get over being afraid of rides. My sister is like this(although she'll do Splash, and Test Track). I don't bother her or pressure her though because she was very sick when she was a baby and it weakened her heart slightly. I would feel awful if I pressured her onto a ride and something bad happened because she was so fearful.

But on a positive note, I used to be a huge ride chicken and now the only thrill ride I haven't done is RnRC(hopefully I'll take care of this in September). Your DD may end up conquering her fears but she may not.

 

[DWFan4Life]

But on a positive note, I used to be a huge ride chicken and now the only thrill ride I haven't done is RnRC(hopefully I'll take care of this in September). Your DD may end up conquering her fears but she may not.

Same here, but everytime we have a trip, I'll make sure to try new so that I could join others and really have fun. Hope you gonna try RnRC, it's really great.

 

[sockies31]

What do you mean the CM would not let her get off before getting on?

 

[willise]

What do you mean the CM would not let her get off before getting on?

Something similar happened with our 7 year old last year. He had already done ToT, and we went to do it one last time. We got in and the lap bar came down, and my son, who never speaks up, asked the CM if he could leave. The CM said no because the lap bars were down and then shut the door. He said that once the bars go down, they cannot be raised until the ride is over.

Back to the ride progression, my 11 year old was just like that - terrified of rides. I told him that he shouldn't go through life being afraid of thing he's never experienced - (I felt like such a terrible parent, but he's at the age where you can start to talk to him like an adult). I told him that he should do it once, and then if he didn't like it, he could tell me, factually, why. He did RnR and LOVED it - 6 times actually! LOL

One other method we used was the ride pins. My son collects pins when we go, and we told him that he could have a pin for each thrill ride that he did. Even if he only did it once, he got the pin. Some may say bribery - I call it payment for getting over a fear.

 

[loralie]

I have 2 boys ages 13 and 11. They are also afraid of rides and it is difficult because I know if they try it they will love it. They are afraid of the unknown.

The last time they were 9 and 7 - This is what they rode:

9 year old

BTMR
Splash MT.
Test Track


7 year old

Test Track
Soarin (9 year old would not ride this, afraid of heights)

This trip in May the boys will be 13 and 11 years old. This is what they SAY they will ride.

13 year old -

BTMR
Splash (undecided)
Test Track
Soarin
Mission Space (easy side) (undecided)
RNRC (undecided)

Even though the 13 year old rode Splash mt. 4 years ago...he says he is not sure he will ride it again. That last drop made him a little nervous.


11 year old -

Soarin
Test Track
BTMR
Mission Space (easy side) (undecided)
Summit Plumit at BB

My 11 year old is funny...he says he will not ride RNRC or Exp. Everest but he says he will definitely ride Summit Plumit. I know when he gets up the mountain he will change his mind but he insists he will ride it.

 

[MHSweb79]

I would say that Mission:Space, StarTours and Tower of Terror are probably the MOST intense, and maybe should be left until she conquers her fear of the regular rides (we loved Expedition Everest- what a blast), or even saved until a future trip.
Our 15 year old daughter bailed out just before boarding on Mission:Space and I really wished that I had gone with her- I had a pretty bad claustrophobic attack (which I do not suffer from normally) once the doors closed and the ride started, so I will never go on that one again. That said, it's my husband's favorite ride - we just wait for him in the gift shop.
My DD and I went on Tower of Terror and are glad we did it once, but we'll never book a room in that particular hotel again

 

[lrauers]

I agree about Mission Space. We are theme park junkies, have been many times and have ridden everything. But the moment we entered the "capsule" on Mission Space I knew it was a mistake. The claustrophia really hit me and I just had to bear it until the ride was over. This is the only one I will not do again. But, the rest of my family loves it...

 

[Greengirl137]

As embarassed as I am to admit this, I am 25 (turning 26 during our visit to WDW) and I am terrified of rides. Like, TERRIFIED. Crying and everything. It's bad.

This is my first trip to WDW and I am going to suck it up and try the rides, so I found this thread really helpful as to what rides to try. I have been on rides similar to Splash Mountain and they don't really bother me. I am nervous about Big Thunder Mountain, but I want to at least try, and then I think after that I will see about anything else. My parents did something very similar when I was in my early teens, making me at least try a smaller roller coaster, and I hated it. I don't know when or if I will ever get the chance to go back to Disney, so I want to say that I at least tried, and not leave regretting it.

Good luck to all those kids out there that are being brave and trying the rides...I may need some of their courage in a few short weeks!

 

[Glencora]

If you can get to the parks at rope drop, I'd try taking her on a ride like BTMRR or Space Mountain with as little time as possible spent in line (or get a FP). Half of the "fear factor" is the waiting, which is spent blowing up the ride to gigantic proportions. If you can get her to agree to try one these, try getting her on with as little wait as possible. That may help.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Here's my first tip...if you have a reluctant rider, it always helps to do the new or most thrilling ride AFTER going on more tame ones. The more motion you've already experienced, the more desensitized you'll be. If your DD is willing to go on something like the teacups - say, that's a good choice for getting the motion feeling. Even something tame like Pooh, has the bouncing part; Dumbo has some spin. Do her 'new' ride late in the trip.

Also, you do know about fastpass, right? You can also have dad take everyone on an easy ride or grab a snack while you do the second shift on a thrill ride via fastpass. not instant, but fater than waiting in line twice.

As for ride order tame to extreme- it really all depends on what your daughter's concerns are. Some folks can handle big rollercoasters, but not the teacups. Others love anything that spins or drops, but can't handle the theming of the Haunted Mansion. I've read of many folks who are truly scared of the Small World dolls! Also, say your daughter is a huge fan of Aerosmith, it will help her to overcome her fear. I once went to WDw with a child who was really scared of fireworks. She HATED Epcot's show! On the second night though, we were acidentally in Fantasyland in MK - right in the heart of where the fireworks are discharged - when Wishes started. We were stuck in the crowd and couldn't get out of the area. I thought it was going to be bad, but the child took it toally in-stride, since MK is her favorite park. It was truly an extreme experience. She was even smiled when the finale was going overhead!

Another tip that helps is to talk to the cm's at each ride. They know the exact figures of each ride - how big each drop is, and how long each ride lasts. Did you know that RnRC is only 90 seconds long?!?!? No matter how much you hate it, 90seconds is pretty short. Information is power, and hearing the information from an offical source as opposed to a family member that is trying to get her on the ride may be greatly reassuring.

The big drop on EE is only ten feet longer than the big drop on Splash. The ride is smoother also...though that doesn't account for the big hill up, the pause before the backwards part, or the backwards part in the dark.

To finally answer your question directly, in my mind, the three most intense rides at WDW are ToT, the non-tame side of Mission:SPACE, and Everest. Goofy looks far more intense than it really is. The mini-rollercoaster in Dinoland is exactly the same as other parks' ride called the "Mousetrap." Space mountain is kind of tame, but it is probably the one that is the least smooth - at least un til the renovation is completed.

One other thing that MAY be something to consider.....is a non-prescription motion sickness pill - the kind some folks take before they fly. Maybe try a half dose. I know some folks don't like the idea of medicating, and I don't either, but if doing it once helps, then maybe it's a worthwhile option to consider. (You could also try sugar pills!)

Oh - one last thing - this varies per ride - but often sitting in the back is the most intense part of the ride. Sometimes the very front has it's own issues. Like Splash - maybe the front gets more wet (maybe not if you get the secondary splash squirt) EE the front sees the Yeti, BTMRR the front is actually the most tame, Space Mtn if you are in the second car you can see the drops when the front car starts to drop - but you can also kind of see the track if you are actually sitting in the front car (At least until they renovate). For a first timer - I'd generally request a middle seat on most rides.

 

[ILIKEWDW]

Wow!!!

Thanks so much for all your tips and suggestions, mickeyluv'r mentioned an important fact: that depends on each one´s concerns.

And that is so true, I am surprised to read here there are ppl who ride all kind of coasters but hate Mission:Space, b/c I don´t like intense roller coasters but I found Mission Space not so bad, even when we made "the most intense" ride and even when I am claustrophobic, but I survived!!!

Well, thanks again to all, now I can have an idea on what will be the next...... as guess (as other said) the principal fear it to unknown, so once you have tried it you have an idea on if it likes you or not, that lets you decide if you would try again or not.

And don´t worry greengirl, I am a mother of six of more than 30 affraid of some rides, yes I am but I have done Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain (I can tell you it is not so bad, I found it better than Splash Mountain) Mission Space and TOT. I must follow and try (at least once) with Space Mountain, RNRC, EE.................. just be sure to do just one per day

Yeah! I must conquer the fear to ride those.......... still have time to menthalize it..................

 

[luvthemouse71]

Something similar happened with our 7 year old last year. He had already done ToT, and we went to do it one last time. We got in and the lap bar came down, and my son, who never speaks up, asked the CM if he could leave. The CM said no because the lap bars were down and then shut the door. He said that once the bars go down, they cannot be raised until the ride is over.

Back to the ride progression, my 11 year old was just like that - terrified of rides. I told him that he shouldn't go through life being afraid of thing he's never experienced - (I felt like such a terrible parent, but he's at the age where you can start to talk to him like an adult). I told him that he should do it once, and then if he didn't like it, he could tell me, factually, why. He did RnR and LOVED it - 6 times actually! LOL

One other method we used was the ride pins. My son collects pins when we go, and we told him that he could have a pin for each thrill ride that he did. Even if he only did it once, he got the pin. Some may say bribery - I call it payment for getting over a fear.

It's bribery, but that's OK...I bribe myself! I won't let myself get a souvenir from any given ride until I've done that ride...ended up with a nice sweatshirt from ToT that way..