Scare factor on rides

[decker96]

Traveling down to the World in Oct. with me, DH, DD8, DS5 and DD2. I want some honest opinions on a couple rides and the scare factor.

First a little background. DD8 is sort of a chicken, but mostly about loud noises and when she doesn't know what to expect. If I could tell her what would happen, she would probably be okay. DS5 is really not scared of much, maybe the dark a little bit, but as long as DH is there he is okay. DD2, doesn't seem scared of too much, she's only been to Sea World, so no rides there and Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America. She liked all the kiddie rides she went on there with the exception of the carousel.

First ride is The Great Movie Ride in MGM. I've never been on this one, so I don't know what happens or anything. Anything jump out at you or anything like that? I think my girls would be scared of stuff like that.

Second, Pirates of the Caribbean. I've been on this ride, but it's been 12 years, LOL! I know there is the small drop in the dark, is that at the beginning or the end, I can't remember. But I seem to remember the theming is pretty benign, nothing real scary. DS LOVES pirates, so I think he would really like this one.

Advice please!! TIA!!

 

[donaldsgal]

The Great Movie Ride -
DSis and I do not recall anything jumping out at you. You travel in a large moving ride vehicle that holds about 50-100 ppl (I know that's a big gap). The guy at the front ends up being part of the show - the first scene is an old western. The ride stops and the driver gets out, a gangster gets on. The next scene you stop in Munchkinland. The witch shows up and vanishes in a puff of bright, sudden smoke (if you look close, you can see her go down into the set). You drive through a 20s or 30s slum where people are shooting at each other but you hear pops, no one comes out. The last scene is from the move Alien with Siguorney Weaver. This could be creepy, as aliens are in the walls that you pass by but don't jump out. There are hisses and cracks of electricity to simulate a broken-down spaceship. You don't stop here. You eventually get your original driver back, but I can't recall where.

Pirates of the Caribbean -
The small drop is toward the beginning as you come into the big cannonball fight between the ships. Nothing jumps out at you (although at times I wonder if something will!) The figures move a little but never close to the boat. You do go through a scene where it's cold, you hear wind in the caves, and a voice says "Dead men tell no tales." YOu pass some skeletons but they don't do anything. It's not scary at all - I've never seen a child freak out on this ride.

HTH.

 

[qman]

I've always thought the Unofficial Guide has done a great job outlining the scary stuff.

 

[Tinkbellfan]

Remember, you can always do a child swap and have one parent ride first to see if it is appropriate for the kids. Personally, I think the great movie ride would be too scary for my DD5. She has gone on POTC and was informed about the dark drop in the beginning and was fine.

I have also found that building up to some of the more daring rides works well. Start slow: Pooh, Peter Pan, etc and see how they do, then increase intensity. Have a great time!

 

[decker96]

Thanks for the advice! I'm thinking we will skip the GMR this time around. Most likely we'll do POTC, I don't think it will bother them too much, especially if they are warned about the drop beforehand.

 

[SueM in MN]

Your DD might enjoy a book called WDW for Kids, by Kids. It includes descriptions of rides written by kids. It also includes a "Scare Factor" with a rating and information about why the kids thought it was scary/what was scary about it. If you don't want to buy the book, you might be able to find it in the library.

 

[eeyore0062]

Another good book is the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World by Bob Sehlinger. They have a great rating system for the rides and attractions for "scariness".

 

[decker96]

Thanks for the book suggestions, we actually have both!! I totally forgot we had the Disney for Kids one though, I will definitely get it back out and have her look at it again. Love the Unofficial Guide also, just wanted some first hand opinions as well! Thanks everyone!!

 

[jann1033]

unless they changed it since 04 the alien in tgmr does drop down but you might not notice it unless you were in one of the front rows...it kind comes at you from the lft side I think

potc only has loud cannon type noises and splashs and a small dark hill you go down( we forgot about it till last time)

 

[huskies90]

Every kid is different and afraid of different things. My 5 year old went on everything, the mountains, MS, TOT, Even Dinosaur many times but for some reason, the Alien in the GMR scared her. I have no idea why because it was not scary at all and the alien itself was barely even visible but she did not want to go back on it. PotC is not scary.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

One ride I would suggest you avoid is the Honey I shrunk the audience. My nephew hates loud noises, and he rode nearly everythig else before he could tolerate that one. It isn't really very scary, but it is loud. Another seemingly innocuous ride that scares many kids is It's Tough to Be a Bug - but it is one of my favorites! I won't spoil it for you, but it might not be a good one to start with. If he tolerates the Muppets well, then you should be able to prep him for It's Tough to Be a Bug.

I've found over the years that CM's are pretty good about answering questions - I try not to ask them spoiler questions, or more than I need to ask. I start by asking how long the ride is, and that seems to be a question they like to answer. (I find this one bit of into really helps me cope) Next, I ask about drops - are there any, and how big. If I'm still not clear, I may ask them what other rides it is comparable with.
As long as you don't get annoying, most CM's are happy to help you enjoy your visit - they want your kids to have a magical visit.

 

[poshspice94]

My husband and I are very excited about going to the couple of new rides this year at DisneyWorld. I'm concerned about the new "Stitch's Great Escape" ride, espeically with my 4 year old. I myself freaked out years ago when it was Alien Encounter. Has anyone seen it, and will toddlers scream and freak out in the dark with this?? Let me know my husband insists it will be no big deal!

1990- Polynesian Beach Resort (High School Graduation)
1997- Carribean Beach Resort (Honeymoon)
1998- Port Orleans Resort (1 year Anniversary)
2001- Corronado Springs Resort (Dads 60th B-Day)
2002- All-Star Sports (Daughters Birthday)
2004- Pop Century
2005- All-Star Movies

9 DAYS TILL DISNEY!!! YAY!!!

 

[Master Gracie]

Poshspice94 -

My wife and I sat through the Stich version of the ride in Feb. 04. It is much the same as it was when it was Alien except the creature on the loose is Stitch.

We sat beside a boy who appeared to be about 6 or so and his father. The child was fine until the lights went out and then he absolutely freaked. His father tried to calm him by opening his cell phone to shed a little light, and then digging in his backpack to find a small flashlight, but nothing helped. I can honestly say, I have never heard (couldn't see him cause it was dark) a child more afraid in my life.

My wife and I don't have children ourselves, but I know that there is a different kind of cry depending on what is wrong at the time. This young boy was shrieking in terror.

I'm not saying you shouldn't take your 4 yr old, but just because it's Stitch, don't think it's going to be all warm and fuzzy.

We are going in a couple of weeks, sorry got carried away there, with my nephews 7, 5, and 3. I would in no way advise my sister-in-law to allow the 5 or 3 yr olds to go in, and even if the 7 yr old wanted to, I'd caution her against it.

If they miss the ride, they might be a bit upset for a while, but there is plenty more in WDW to catch their attention. I'm afraid the little boy that sat beside us probably didn't ride anything else all trip...or at least that day.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[MNmom]

The Great Movie Ride-

When the tourguide gets held up there is some shooting back and forth with guns. This freaked out my kids a bit but they were fine a little later.

The scariest ride we went on with my kids was Dinosaur at AK. My DS(5) and DD(8) just kept their eyes closed the whole time.....I did too

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Personally, I think It's a Small World is pretty scary ... I mean ... what if the ride stops for some reason? That song ... eek!

 

[poshspice94]

Thank you very much Master Gracie for your Stitch advice. We will not be taking my daughter on the ride, she wouldnt be able to handle it, nor would I want her. My husband gets excited about things, and doesnt understand that some children get scared, and not everything they will like just because its Disney. She cried hysterically last year through of all things Mickey's PhilharMagic because theres a second where it goes dark. We had to leave the theater. Anyway, I thought they would have changed it for children and I see not. Thank you again for letting me know and possibly sparing some heartache!

1990- Polynesian Beach Resort (High School Graduation)
1997- Carribean Beach Resort (Honeymoon)
1998- Port Orleans Resort (1 year Anniversary)
2001- Corronado Springs Resort (Dads 60th B-Day)
2002- All-Star Sports (Daughters Birthday)
2004- Pop Century
2005- All-Star Movies

9 DAYS TILL DISNEY!!! YAY!!!