Scary rides for a 4 year old

[shagster330]

I know that this is down to individual children but can you please share your experiences of the four disney parks with a 4 year old.

What got me thinking was reading 'The Unofficail Guide' and ther views that certain rides would really freak young kids out.

Last thing I want to do is ruin the holiday on the first day.

For info our order of disney parks is Epcot, MGM, MK and AK

Thanks

 

[trouble]

We took our daughter in Jan she was 2 1/2. We rode all of the rides tha we could with her. The only one she didn't like was the pirates of the carribean. I think it was the dark. Your 4 year old will have a blast. Our daughter has already been twice and has enjoyed it. We are going back in Nov and I don't know who is more excited her or me.

 

[Kae]

We took DS when he was 4. PotC was kinda of loud for him so we got him ear plugs worked like a charm. Goofy barnstormer there were some teens behind us screaming really loud-annoyly loud. Then came the Little Mermaid show DS ended up on my head the big Ursla scared him to death. And my other great parent monet was Tough to be bug OH MY when hopper came out of the wall-DS was on my head again.

when we took DD at 4 the only thing she did not like was the boat from WL to CR but that was just the first time we rode it then she was fine.

We do use earplugs on the rides & We have not taken them on SnowWhite, HIstA , ToT or Rock & RC.

Kae

 

[DebIreland]

The Unofficial Guide is the perfect gauge for each ride's scary factor in my opinion. Having been to WDW once, when I went back and read the UG's opinions again this year I was nodding my head in agreement on every single one. Of course, as you said yourself, it's very much an individual thing and that's so true. I know upfront that my 2 and a half year old daughter will go on very very little. We'll be lucky to get her on Pooh. Whereas my sons at her age would have loved almost all rides - I could easily picture my now 9 year old on Rock 'n Roller Coaster having a ball.

We were in a seaside fairground this summer and my 2 year old screamed her head off on a little toddler car ride which didn't elevate and went at approx a quick walking pace. Oh I'm mean to laugh but it is funny now that I look back. They had to stop the whole ride so I could get her off.

Start small I'd say, like Pooh, then Barnstormer, and gauge how he's doing on those and move up slowly from there but definitely I would agree with Kae about Tough To be a Bug - that's actually the only attraction that my 9 year old will *not* go back to. The whole insect thing freaked him out for life. Good luck!!!

 

[alisonbestford]

DD (now almost 8) hated 'It's a bugs life', at 4, and still does

She has 'done' 'Pirates of the Caribbean' with her eyes closed and the 'Jungle River Cruise' holding her breath

I think I can safely say that the worst rides she will comment on, in her opinion, are 'It's a Small World' and the Cat in the Hat ride

Basically she has always been afraid of rides that take place in the dark.

Give her an outdoor coaster and she'd be more than ready to ride it!
Unfortunately she's a small 'almost 8' year old so we get to go on few rides on our trip - saves on the queues I guess...................................

Ooh, just read Debs mail and would like to add that DD has, absolutely, definitely, refused to ride the Pooh ride again before she has children of her own.......................

 

[Dimplenose]

At 4 DD didn't like the dark rides either. She was particularly freaked by Snow White - where the Queen suddenly turns into the hag.

At 7 DS hated Honey I Shrunk the Audience and now at 15 still dislikes 3d shows.

Neither have had any fear of roller coasters (unlike their mother!)

Libby

 

[chocolate mouse]

My DS was almost 4 when we took him - he had to be taken out of the Fantasmic show after the first 5 minutes by DH! We had taken our seats well over an hour before the start of the show, but what can you do? Honey I Shrunk the Audience also freaked him out, which in turn then made him wary of doing any shows or rides that were not in broad daylight. My advice would be to start with something tame (e.g. Small World) and work your way up slowly!!! We have just booked to go back Sep 2007 and are hoping he will be a little braver, although we still had the best time ever!

 

[DebIreland]

Honey I Shrunk the Audience also freaked him out

I forgot about that one. That freaked *me* out and the boys too so none of us are interested in going back to it any time soon.

 

[fizz13]

Hard to give my gauge on the average 4 year old as all mine are thrill-seekers, however my 7 year old still doesn't like "Its a Bugs Life" and none of them like Dinosaur, now show them the Tower of terror and they laugh their heads off, my DS was 3 when he went on this despite my reservations and loved every second. To quote Simba:
"Danger? I laugh in the face of danger..."

 

[Sunrisedream]

My 5 year old still doesn't like dark rides either, He did try Everest at AK this year and wasn't too keen either, same with space mountain.

 

[jools]

We took our then 4 year DD on ToT and she loved it we had to go round again. Several years later did the same with her DB he came off screaming (other riders must have thought we were awfull parents ) and now several years on will not go anywhere near it.

However both of my children have happly gone on splash mountain and thunder railroad from about the age of 4 and truely loved it.

Neither are fans of It's a Bugs Life but there again neither am I.

Honey I shrunk the Audience they have enjoyed from being very little (but I did cover their eyes when the most intense bits of the film happened). I found the special effects didn't bother them because their feet!! weren't long enough (if you know what I mean). In fact they were quite puzzelled by everyone's reactions.

Every child is different, like someone has already mentioned I would build up to the more intense rides. And you can always ask a CM at the ride if you are unsure they are always willing to provide advice about the ride and you can always duck out at the last minute if your child suddenly changes their mind.