ROTM and 8 year old

[sushilover]

Is ROTM too intense for an 8 year old? My son likes some thrill rides but does not care for others - he likes Rock-n- Roller Coaster but hates the Dinousaur ride in Animal Kingdom, does not like Tower of Terror but likes Test Track - go figure.

How are the rides configured? Will I be able to hold his hand during the ride? Is there a shoulder harness? I read somewhere that your legs are strapped in - is this true?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[rangebob]

I would think he should be fine. ROTM is a combination of dark ride and rollercoaster. In the beginning there are a couple of things that jump out at you but that is about it. I've seen other kids on that ride and they didn't have a problem.

 

[Margie J]

I'd say if he doesn't like Dinosaur or ToT he won't like ROTM. ROTM is very fast with many coaster dips in the dark. There are flashes of light and smoke during those secions too. Think of the part in Dinosaur when the vehicle is trying to get out and jerking back and forth in the dark.

ROTM has other slower sections with great visuals. However, anyone who doesn't like quick coasters or darkness will have a problem. Things pop out at you.

The vehicles have a bar to hold you into your seat. You could try to hold your son's hand but during certain sections it may be difficult.

 

[damo]

The restraints are not over the shoulder. They come down around your hips and there is a part that makes sure your feet are secure. They are not strapped in, you can move them around but you cannot raise your knees up to bang yourself. I would think that if your son likes RNR he will enjoy Mummy. My kids hated Dinosaur too but love coasters.

 

[Figment22]

Originally posted by sushilover
Is ROTM too intense for an 8 year old? My son likes some thrill rides but does not care for others - he likes Rock-n- Roller Coaster but hates the Dinousaur ride in Animal Kingdom, does not like Tower of Terror but likes Test Track - go figure.

How are the rides configured? Will I be able to hold his hand during the ride? Is there a shoulder harness? I read somewhere that your legs are strapped in - is this true?

Thanks in advance for your help.

It sounds to me like he's not afraid of the thrill but of the scary parts in the dark. My son is like this too. He has already ridden ROTM perhaps 20 times over our last two visits and although he LOVES the coaster part; he's still anxious during the intense parts. The ride is designed to be creepy, no doubt about that. Has he watched either of the Mummy movies? That might be a pretty good barometer of how he will handle the mummy animatronic figures, the undead and the scarab beetles. If he has a problem with the film(s), he will most likely have the same problems with the attraction.

You will be seated right next to him during the ride. Rows are four across so he can sit in one of the middle seats and not be right next to the "surprises" on the ride. The animatronic mummy figures (2) are on the left side of the ride so getting him to the right might be a bit better. You will be able to hold his hand although during the coaster section you may want him to hold his lap bar instead. The restraint itself is perhaps the most comfortable I've ever seen.

The best way to know for sure would be to ride it yourself as a single rider (quicker than regular line) and judge how intense it may be for your son. You're really the only one who can judge for sure. This may sound silly, but buy him a Med-Jai symbol necklace in the ROTM gift shop ($5.99) BEFORE you go on the ride. My son reacted better while he was wearing his protective bling-bling (as he called it ) Then while you're in the queue and hear the story of the Med-Jai, you can tell him he's already got the "protection."
Just a thought.

Have fun!

 

[Cebhfhionn]

My son is 8 and LOVES HHN but hated ROTM! We just rode it this past Sunday and he says "Never again!" I, however, loved it!
I think the part he hates is that you don't know when the roller coaster part is going to happen.