Scaredy cat kids... Which rides?

[sahm2two]

So, we live near Atlanta and had season passes for 6 Flags last year. My kids would ONLY ride the kid rides. One time 2 of them tried a rollercoaster and they didn't like it (it was a real coaster with 2 loops, but on the tame side as far as extreme coasters and height restrictions go). After trying that and hating it.... They wouldn't try anything else. When we went to the fair in the fall, 2 of them went on a kiddie coaster (like a caterpillar that goes in a hilly circle ) and liked it, but 1 who was ruined by 6/Flags wouldn't even try that.

We go to wdw in October. We've showed them a couple ride videos (splash, 7dmt, thunder mt) and for the most part they say they don't want to do it. They're 6, 7 and 8 (or will be in October). What rides should we go on first to work our way up?

The most chicken kid said she didn't want to do Haunted Mansion! I told her she did it when she was 2 and loved it and she changed her mind lol.

I really don't want to miss out on all the good rides. I know there's ride swap options, but I think if they tried them they would like them! Disney rides are a lot different than 6 Flags...

 

[Pesky]

I had the same concerns at DLR with DS. While DD is a thrill-seeker, DS -- well, not so much. I talked him through HM and warned him about the lights turning out and people scream because they are just crazy and we laughed at them. I would have him search for non-threatening things like the dog, the different instruments, the bird cage, the opera singer, etc. I think I would warm to the rides like you suggest. Sounds like it is more of a movement thing than a dark thing. But maybe start with Peter Pan (little swooping movement in the dark), then PoTC (little drop). I'd probably sell them on 7DMT because even if they hate it, it's short and does have periods with audio animatronic activity. If they handle 7DMT okay, then I'd look to BTMRR. I don't know if I could convince mine to do splash simply because that last drop is huge. I'd probably play that by ear. Also, try the more kiddie ones like barnstormer and even dumbo and magic carpets and teacups. I'd point out (AFTER they rode them) that the motion with those is pretty close to the others. Also, do yourself a favor if you do get to BTMRR -- don't sit in the back. It's a fantastic extreme ride there but doesn't sound like your crew would appreciate that quite yet. Also consider bravery badges or some kind of reward or acknowledgment of their achievement in overcoming their fears.

 

[sahm2two]

Thanks! I know they'll all love the tame rides like dumbo and Peter pan. Even PotC is probably fine as the drop is pretty small. I believe they went on it fine at 3 and 2. Honestly I just don't think they understand the whole idea of how being scared can be fun. They just say its scary... the end. lol. I like the idea of working up to the bigger rides. Maybe do barnstormer a few times before FP time for 7dmm

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I know exactly what you're talking about. Have a 10 year old girl who STILL prefers the little kids rides. No roller coasters...ever. We do manage to get her to go on my husbands favorite ride, Splash Mountain, once and that's usually done with a bribe!

 

[skuttle]

My 3yo hated Barnstormer, but loved 7DMT. I think he moved around a lot more on Barnstormer because we sat together so the lap bar didn't go all the way down on him. Even though I had my arm around him, he still moved. Of course, your kids are older so they can probably hold themselves up better than my 3yo.

My 4yo rode everything he was tall enough for...Splash, BTMR, ToT, Test Track, etc. I was shocked!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My DS8 has been to WDW about 20 times since he was 1 and we've really had to work up to the scarier rides. PP and POTC were ok, we just had to give him a heads up on what to expect. In terms of roller coasters, we started with Barnstormer and worked up to BTMRR (this was pre-7DMT). These days, I would do Barnstormer to 7DMT to BTMRR. If that goes well, maybe Splash. Space Mountain may not happen!! My DS finally tried it at age 7 and now he loves it. He will not ride EE, RnRC or ToT. He loves Primeval Whirl though! I would say, start with Barnstormer and go from there. I knew DS would love BTMRR, I just needed to get him on it, so I bribed him! Now I let him take the lead. I actually don't want to ride ToT either, so that one's ok with me!

 

[MomsOfDisney]

I remember taking my DD on the Matterhorn when she was 6. As soon as she got on I knew it was a mistake! She was scared of the dark and the growling noises. Was too scared to go on anything with a dark tunnel for the rest of the trip! It probably also didn't help that we had to sit in single file, because she ended up loving POTC even though it was dark with some hills, because she could give me a big hug when she was scared

 

[krm222]

My four year old talked a big game going into Disney but once we arrived he was a little nervous. He was afraid of PotC and HM (he'd ridden both before). We just went slow and took it at his speed. Our BTRR FastPass+ wasn't until 11-12 (we arrived at rope drop). By the time we got there, he was excited and ready to go. He still asked for someone to hold him tight (of course we agreed!) but he ended up going on all the rides he'd been excited about: some only once but he did it.

Of course now that we are home he's mad that we took his 9 month old sister to the Enchanted Tiki Room while he was on Splash Mountain. If he'd come to the Tiki Room, he'd be mad that he missed out on Splash Mountain. You can't win with four year olds!!

 

[msmama]

My 7 year old loves 7D mine train. But that's the extent of coasters he will do. He's done BTMRR but refuses to ever do it again.

Here's the thing about skipping headliners - it makes touring parks so much easier!! We dont have to worry about the rides that everyone else is going for! While other people at rope dropping the big rides we can get a couple of lands finished completely with hardly no waiting.

The one he does like that surprises me is Dinosaur at AK. What is it that they are iffy about? Going upside down? Hills? Speed?

For my son I finally realized he doesn't like going too fast.

 

[sahm2two]

My 7 year old loves 7D mine train. But that's the extent of coasters he will do. He's done BTMRR but refuses to ever do it again.

Here's the thing about skipping headliners - it makes touring parks so much easier!! We dont have to worry about the rides that everyone else is going for! While other people at rope dropping the big rides we can get a couple of lands finished completely with hardly no waiting.

The one he does like that surprises me is Dinosaur at AK. What is it that they are iffy about? Going upside down? Hills? Speed?

For my son I finally realized he doesn't like going too fast.

Going upside down is a 100% no go. Which isn't hard to avoid at Disney lol. Speed is also an issue, but I think sitting by themselves would also play a factor. I don't have high hopes for space mt. I'm thinking barnstormer would be good to start with bc its short. And snow white bc it is on the short side and has a break.

 

[Pesky]

Thought of something else -- I always pointed out the exit line to DS. "See those people getting off? THEY.SURVIVED. It's safe. Disney couldn't afford it if it wasn't." I also always made him a deal that if he tried it and didn't like it, I wouldn't make him go on it again. And we've talked about being brave. Being brave doesn't mean you aren't afraid, it means not letting those fears dictate your experience. Maybe ask them to pretend they are Merida for a ride and see if that works. GL!

 

[squirrel]

I took my nieces on there own to WDW and I knew what each could handle. The oldest is a chicken, I knew even Snow White would be to much for her. She also didn't like Dumbo because you go up in the air. The younger niece I could get on Barnstormer, Soarin, Splash, etc. I also said they needed to try it once, if they didn't like it then we didn't have to ride again.

 

[sarahrdh]

All too familiar! My 6yr old my scaredy cat! The mine train scared her but now she says she will try it again. Stitch scared her, tough to be a bug TERRIFIED her, I didn't even attempt haunted mansion..... Lol

She was ok with dumbo, Peter Pan, small world, people mover, the speedway, tea cups, little mermaid, jungle cruise, I think the magic carpets she did ok on..... I took her on tower of terror (I'm so mean!) I didn't tell her what it was, I just kept saying I don't know what this one does! She was scared just standing in line but I said it's too late to turn back! She just kept her head buried into me & cried. Lol she was fine, and laughs about it now but says she's never riding it again!!! After we traumatized her on the mine train & stitch, we started just making her ride on the rider switch turn, so I could go first & test it out, and then know if it's something she would like. Dinosaur was a big fat NO. Lol she actually did ok with Soarin. She was nervous but liked it. My husband said she ducked at the golf ball & screamed. Lol

 

[piglet1979]

I have a son that at 7 went on Tower of Terror and loved it but my daughter wants nothing to do with scary rides. I do not like them them either. We live close to Ceder Point and I will only go on a few of the roller coasters their. If they are small, no big drop, and doesn't go upside down I am good. My daughter has played into this and thinks she is scared of them. I do not make her go on rides I would not go on and I have had to suck it up and go on a few things like Space Mountain and Expedition Everest. I did not like either. I would start small and work your way up. While on a ride that might be a little scary, point stuff out that might be interesting. I do this on Haunted Mansion with my daughter. It seems to help her. She is not a fan of the dark. She is 8 1/2 and still sleeps with a little light on at night.

 

[100AcreWood]

My advice is start with the smaller rides and work your way up. Be prepared to do the baby swap in lines.

 

[Bubblegum1286]

I think it depends on the kids. My son is 6 and getting braver but still some rides were a miss. I thought he would LOVE Radiator Springs Racers, and he cried. I think the sound in the car was too loud for him, and he didn't know if there was going to be an unexpected turn or stop. He didn't like that. He beeeeegggged to do Splash Mountain for the first time and hated it! (He sat in the front of the log and it made for a hilarious keepsake photo though).

But then he surprised me and loved Star Tours and rode it about 6 times. Go figure! Kids are weird. You never know what they'll latch onto and what will terrify them. He completely freaked out before we got onto Pirates, but loved it once we were on the boat (took some coaxing because I knew he would enjoy it).

Start small, as others have said, and slowly build up.