Skip Test Track?

[MalkaR]

For a first trip for my boys, ages 4, 5 and 7, do you think it's a good idea not to have their very first ride be Test Track? I'm afraid they'll get scared of something (I could see just the atmosphere making them nervous) and be hesitant about other rides. Do you think Spaceship Earth is a good intro? The only thing is that riding it first thing in the morning really helps my touring plan, but I don't think it's worth freaking out my kids. Has anyone had any experience with it with kids who are new to rides?

 

[jaceraden]

Test Track is a favourite ride here. My kids have been on it from as soon as they were tall enough. There's really only 2 intense parts - in my opinion anyway - and my kids loved it. I have a mix of timid and wild kids.

The intense parts being the outdoor fast section - which you can sort of watch and know it's coming. And the part where there's the lit up truck you almost hit.

 

[mlktwins]

My boys were fairly new to rides our first trip (they were 6.5). Test Track was (and STILL IS) a favorite. Top 3 rides for both of them.

ETA: One of my boys won't do big roller coasters at all. Timid in this way. He does love the smaller roller coasters like Big Thunder Mountain.

 

[Klayfish]

I would take them on Test Track first, without question. But that's because I know my kids would enjoy it (and they do). The only really fast part is the end.

There's nothing wrong with doing Spaceship Earth first, that's about as "tame" as a ride gets (though it's still a favorite of mine).

 

[vicb]

Are you going to Epcot as your first park? If possible I would recommend MK as your first park but if not possible in your plans then I think TT is fine. I guess you could do Figment first? Spaceship E has dark parts if you are worried about darkness.

 

[EdmondD]

When my son was 4 and 5, even having been to WDW a number of times, it always took him a few rides to get really "warmed up." If the theming of a ride was too dark/loud/intimidating, it would really bother him on that first day, or least until he got a few rides under his belt. So while your kids may ultimately end up liking TT, based on my experience, making it the very first ride might be a little too much. As @vicb said, maybe start with something lighter?

As always with these answers: depends on the kid.

 

[cmarsh31]

My son went on TT when he was 6 (he's 11 now and we've been back to WDW and went to US last month). He still talks about how terrifying/miserable etc TT was and how could I have ever thought he would enjoy it... so...in my experience, no, definitely not a first ride. If they want to ride it (we watch ALL ride videos now) then go for it, but if they're not used to rides, I wouldn't start there. When we go in Feb, he has already announced that he will not ride it but my 8 yr old DD can't wait. Totally depends on the kid.

 

[vicb]

^ exactly why I think MK is a better first day park. You can go on outdoor rides which aren't dark and have more child friendly themes. The kids can see the ride before they go on it too. And if one isn't into rides there is a lot of kid friendly atmosphere to soak up in MK.

 

[rwdavis2]

Go rent a convertible, take them on a ride, and see how they like it. That's all it is anyway. But more like a ride with a 16 year old new driver.

 

[scrapquitler]

drive down I4 on the way to the park and you'll know if they'll like test track.

 

[gregdep]

You know your kids the best, but I feel they will love it! It is alot of fun! The only thing I can think of that may get them a little nervous is the semi-truck part.

 

[MalkaR]

Hmm. Good points. Strangely, I never considered changing the order of my days since I made a plan based on projections almost a year ago. My original plan was to arrive Sunday, we're staying offsite. So renting a car, going grocery shopping and picking my mom up from the airport will take up the rest of the first day. I had planned Epcot the first day, since we don't have to leave the town home quite as early as we would on an MK day. I planned an early start for MK for Tuesday, with a stay at FW campground that night, doing the campfire/sing-along. Wednesday HS, Thursday MK again and AK on Friday. But maybe doing MK on Monday would be a good idea.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

On our last trip my youngest DS (4 years old at the time) was more terrified by the Winnie the Pooh ride at MK than Test Track . I think your boys will love it.

 

[Merx]

We just came back for our very first trip with my 4 year old son, and Test Track was the 1st ride on our first full day at the parks. Like you I was afraid that my 4 year old would be scared.

What I did was to get through the entire queue, gave my son every opportunity to say yes or no. And at the end right before we board the vehicle, he said no and my son and I went through to the "chicken exit". But what was surprising was that he loved the queue area where you create the cars, and the exit area where you can play the mini-games. So all in all, my son really loved Test Track without going onto the ride.

Hopefully all will work out for you, whatever path you choose.

 

[Cinderella94]

On our first trip, I was 8 or 9 and my brother was 5. We both LOVED Test Track and still do!

 

[wench]

For a first trip for my boys, ages 4, 5 and 7, do you think it's a good idea not to have their very first ride be Test Track? I'm afraid they'll get scared of something (I could see just the atmosphere making them nervous) and be hesitant about other rides. Do you think Spaceship Earth is a good intro? The only thing is that riding it first thing in the morning really helps my touring plan, but I don't think it's worth freaking out my kids. Has anyone had any experience with it with kids who are new to rides?

You could try letting them watch a video of TT & see what they think?

 

[DLgal]

Whatever you do, don't ride Figment first (or at all, really). That ride terrified my 4 year old and he wouldn't go on anymore dark rides the rest of the trip.

 

[senadler]

I wouldn't hesitate to do TT as a first ride. My son, who is now 11 and doesn't really like most of the roller coasters, loved it when he was 5.

 

[Klayfish]

Whatever you do, don't ride Figment first (or at all, really). That ride terrified my 4 year old and he wouldn't go on anymore dark rides the rest of the trip.

I think this is a perfect illustration of how each situation is different and depends on the individual child. I'm not in any way, shape or form saying that it's crazy for your 4 year old to be frightened by the dark part of Figment. But it could have been any number of factors, as a lot of rides at WDW have darkness at some point (think Stitch). Figment was one of the "non-scary" rides we did when our kids were 4, as they weren't scared of it. But through the eyes of a 4 year old there could be any number of things that they see/hear before a ride goes dark, that when in combination with the onset of dark, could be scary for them. Again, not saying it's better or worse than your situation, just every kid is different.

Same will hold true for TT.

I also think parenting style has a lot to do with it too. Again, not any judgments, just recognizing the fact that every parent handles these things with their kids differently. Some parents will avoid rides their kids say they are scared of. Others will push them to go on. I tend to push them to go on a ride. I'm of the mindset that they won't actually know if they like it or not until they try it. I'm not worried that they'll get hurt, and the worst that will happen is they don't like it. I can't tell you how many rides I've dragged my daughter onto crying and grasping at my arm in fear, only to have her get off the ride giggling...SM, RnR, ToT, etc... In fact, SM and RnR are probably 2 of her favorite rides. For RnR, even after the first time she rode it, the next few she insisted on sitting next to me. She still had a few tears in her eyes and held my hand. Now, she couldn't care less if she's next to me or one of her brothers. That's just my own thoughts, not everyone treats it the same, and it doesn't mean the way I do it is right for everyone, nor do I think it is. But our own feelings about it will also dictate how we handle these situations.

 

[MalkaR]

We've watched a video of Figment and that one they actually want to go on, they thought it was hilarious. I'll show them a video of TT, that's a good idea. For my kids, I know that actually crying in line would mean he was really scared and I'd skip it. We may have to play it by ear. We'll have three adults and three kids, so we can split up if needed.