Space Mountain and Dinosaur for Five-almost-Six Year Old?

[Katems]

My DD will be six in November and we are headed to Disney the last week of August. She LOVES thrill rides and roller coasters but I'm unsure of these two rides. Space Mountain would be fine for her out in broad daylight and if I could sit NEXT to her. I'm unsure about the dark and her being strapped in her very own seat with no way of touching or reassuring her. Any been there done thats with your little ones?

She, for whatever reason, wants Dinosaur. Again I'm concerned about the dark and the intensity of this ride. I've never been on this ride myself, but the Unofficial Guide book says it's a no go for little kids. Is the bucking and roughness too much for child brains? I picture shaken baby syndrome here! No, we've never been on Star Tours or Body Wars, so a comparison to those won't work. Is the story and realism too much? Is the physical ride too much?

Also, she's fine on normal dark rides....Snow White, Haunted Mansion, Soarin'....loves Test Track and Tower of Terror..... Hey for that matter, is Tiki Birds too scary with the angry gods and storms?

So what do you think? Thanks!

 

[Madi's Mom]

Rides are different for each kid. My DD6 rode Space Mountain at 4 (she was tall) and loved it - it is her absolute favorite ride. I sat in the seat behind her and was able to touch her shoulder to reassure her.

Dinosaur was another issue - we rode that when she was 4 as well. She liked the ride but it is pretty scary - and the Dinos are quite realistic. She didn't ride it a second time on that trip - which was pretty telling. She did it again at age 5 and was fine though.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Is she tall enough? My DD-9 is tall for her age and was able to ride this stuff earlier than most and loves it all! However, my DH's DD-7 was scared on Dinosaur when we went this spring.

 

[hawkeyesparks]

I would doubt she would have a problem with the Tiki. My DS(then 18 months) loved the Tiki room.

As for Space mountain, if she loves thrill rides she really should enjoy this coaster. It's not an intense coaster. Truthfully it's rather tame, but that is not to say it's not enjoyable. It's actually a very cool ride, with the stars and such all around. And while it's true you cannot sit side by side you can sit behind her, and you are still within reach.

She should enjoy it.

Dinosaur is another story. This is a very intense ride, and extremly rough. My first thought is there's no way a six year old could handle that kind of ride, It would be wise to probably ride it first and then deem for yourself if it's ok.

I know your family will have a great time at WDW!

 

[Gillian]

My 5 1/2 year old was ok with dinosaur but he didn't really LIKE it. It's just not that great of a ride. Cool concept, but they could have done so much more with it! I wouldn't have a problem skipping it or suggesting anyone else skip it. It is jerky and a bit scary.

 

[jeannief]

My five year old loved Dinosaur this year, hated it last year. Then again he loved EE and hated Tower of Terror. We rode SM without the kids and decided against it for them. It was just way too dark and they like to be able to sit next to us. I didn't thing I could reach the next car easily but it appears I was wrong since other people have done it.
I think Dinsosaur is fine if you put it into context for them before you ride. That helped ours this year by understanding that it was not "real". Like other posted above said, it's different for each child.

 

[WDWNicole]

My DS (just turned 5 in April) rode SM 2 weeks ago and he didn't like it. We did not let him go on dinosaur - heck, I didn't even like it.

 

[my3boys]

Our kids all started riding SM when they were tall enough and have always loved it - a favorite for them. However, it was terrifying for me on the first rides because they sat in front of me, and I didn't know how they were doing on the ride until it was over. I think I must have checked their safety bar 10 times before we actually took off.

Dinosaur gets a mixed reaction from my sons - I would let your daughter see the movie first and fill her in that the carnatour will be part of the ride and a scary part and let her decide what she would like to do.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I think it depends on the child. My daughter is 5 1/2 and just rode SM for the 1st time and LOVED it!
She rode ToT, Spash, Thunder Mt, and Dinosaur for the 1st time at 3 y.o. when she was a month shy of turning 4. And didn't have ANY problems on any of them. She thought Dinosaur was funny because we told her all about what was going to happen on it.
She was so set on riding ToT...had been for a few trips. (Her 3rd word was "tower"....in WDW, pointing at the ride and giggling.) It remains her favorite attraction...I'll have to see if I can find her 1st pic on them...

 

[SWVA BGSU Fan]

My youngest DS was 2 months away from turning 6 our last trip. He would not ride SM, but loved Dinosaur. Older DS9 prepared him for Dinosaur and we told him the ride would bounce him around and would be dark.

Older DS has ridden SM since he met the height requirements and loves it, so I have to agree that it all depends on the child. DS6 loves Test Track and Mission Space, but will not go anywhere near Splash Mountain.

Have a great trip!

 

[Hope73]

My DD 5 Son 7 both hated Dionsur it was so joud and dark I didn't even like it. I agree they could tame it down a bit. Mission space is the same thing I wish the seats were double I have hesitated taking my kids on the rides because they will be alone.

Another gripe is the great rollercoaster in the kids part of AK. I love it the timekeeper I think. That has the tallest height requirement and is so tame. I think it should be 44. My daughter who was 5 was so upset she couldne't ride it.

 

[nalabell]

My four year old last year loved Splash, Big Thunder Mountain, Dinasour, Kali and was to small for space. She however hated Tower of Terror. I think her quote was "never, never, never will I ride that again"

 

[momof3littlelilos]

My daughter, 5, really likes Dinosaur. She went on it for the first time when she was 4. The dinosaurs are scary, but she was fine with it as long as she was sitting between 2 people and had us there with her.
She doesn't want to go on Space Mountain, primarily for the reasons you've mentioned - the dark, and having to sit alone. So we've skipped SM.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

My son went on Dinosaur when he was 3 1/2 and he loved it!! I thought that he would be scared, but nope! I think I was more scared than him!! LOL

 

[MsLeFever]

Wow - clearly a mixed bag here! My son rode both at 6 (2 years ago) and is very excited to ride them again. He rode ToT too and did NOT want to ride it again at that point but is going to give it a try again this summer.

You might be able to find a "ride through" video of the 2 rides (although they are both pretty dark). If your kiddo can see what is going to happen that may clarify.

DS sat behind me in SM and I could somehow reach behind me to hold his leg. After the first go-round he didn't need that.

 

[AStamm]

My DS was 5 the first time he went on Dinosaur and loved it. It's definitely one of his favorites at AK. He wasn't tall enough to ride SM until he was 6. He is not one for rollercoasters and I personally felt really uncomfortable not having him in the seat next to me. He sat between DH and I and we each tried to keep a hand on him, but it wasn't fun.

 

[byoung]

My nephew son just made EE height, he loved every minute of the ride.

 

[Cupmom]

My family is going the end of Aug. and my DS will be 6 Dec.1st. I too have some ride concerns. SM- so cant sit next to them. That I do'nt like. Dinosaur I don't see a problem with if fact we were watching an AK special on the Travel Channel the other day and he said "Mommy, why are the people screaming don't they know the dinosaurs are robots?" MS may the milder version,TOT I think too afraid.

Last time we went he was 2 1/2. This year he'll have a blast on the rides. I hope.

 

[4lilpoohs]

My five year old like both Dinosaur and SM. I was really nervous about letting him ride SM because I wouldn't be able to hold him. I was able to hold onto his shoulder. He wanted to ride both rides again

 

[Mitla96]

My 12 yr old DD and I both thought Dinosaur was EXTREMELY rough and scary. Of course you know intellectually that the dinosaurs are robots, but in the dark, as the vehicles careen around and the dinos jump out of the dark at you-ARRGH! Your limbic system says, Danger! Dinosaurs! My daughter said never again and she loved TOT, EE and RnRC. (I liked it, though).

When we came out of Dinosaur, there was a couple sitting with a hysterically crying 5 yr old. I would never take a young child on this ride. This isn't looking at dinos in the distance grazing-this is meteors falling and frantic dinos jumping at the cars.

So, if possible, preview it while the little ones ride the more carnival-like rides in Dinoland.

Our favorite attraction in AK besides EE-Flights of Wonder.

Janet in Mi