Space Mountain/kids

[LeslieG]

My boys are 5 and 7. We're going to MK next week. Last year they didn't meet the height requirement for Space Mountain, but this year they will. It's been so many years since I rode it, I can't remember how scary it is. They've never been on a roller coaster except for Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain, which they loved. Should I take a chance they won't be scared since it's in the dark? How intense is it?

 

[ryanally]

As always this depends on your kids. My son just turned 6 and has not ridden SM yet. On our last trip in January I tried to see it through "his eyes". I thought it was pretty fast and jerky and since its in the dark and my son doesn't do dark well, we passed on it for him. Also the seats are single rider only and that would not allow me to comfort him if he got upset. He has ridden both Splash and BTMRR and loves both. Sorry I couldn't help more.

 

[Belle1111]

My kids (11,8,6) loved Space Mountain- I rode it once, but sat our the next time cause it's so jerky and uncomfortable to me.

One idea is to have them ride the TTA first- it goes through Space Mountain so they can see how dark it is! If that doesn't bother them and they like roller coasters I would try it at least once.

Hope that helps!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm sort of a whimp when it comes to coasters. It's one of the things I love about WDW - unnlike so many other parks, it SO much more than coasters!

BTMRR was always a ride I liked, but I was kind of iffy about Splash. Now that I'm older, I tolerate it better.

I finally went on Space Mountain five years ago. I really enjoy it! It doesn't have any huge drops. You can tell when the drops are about to happen, but at the same time, you aren't staring at the drops while you're in line. That helps me. I think if your kids are fine on Splash, they'll enjoy Space Mtn. I'm okay with Splash now, but it's still harder for me to go on Splash than Space Mtn. It can be hard on older people though, since you kind of get banged around in the seat. If you have back problems say, you might want to avoid it. On the other hand, we once saw a senior-aged couple on the ride that had special Space Mountain jackets - complete with LED lights. They were great!

Interestingly enough, the new Yeti ride LOOKS a lot worse than Space/Splash Mountain, but the ride is SOOOO smooth that it's only a bit more forceful than Space Mtn. It is more intense, but not by much. You also don't get banged around. The yeti might be a little scary to see, but you only see him for a second.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Last time we were at WDW my son was just a tad too short to ride this.
We went to DisneyLAND last summer and he was tall enough to rdie Space Mountain. He LOVED it!!

Now I know DL's SM and WDW's SM are somewhat different but we are going back to WDW in October and he is looking forward to riding Space Mountain.
Btw--he is 6 yrs old

 

[LeslieG]

Thanks for pointing out only one person to a car. I didn't remember that. That makes me a little nervous with smaller kids. Maybe we'll pass on it this trip. I'm wondering if they got scared if they could squirm out of the seat or try to stand up.

 

[kellymouse]

As a kid I loved this ride and would go on it over and over again. I went on it a few times in the past few years and I was scared to death! I love all of the other roller coasters in the park, but this one scares me now. It looks so fun so I try it once in a while and after I get off I always say, never again and have to sit down for a while.

A lot of the reasons I think I get so nervous is the beginning where you are just waiting in line. Usually it's a pretty long wait in the dark, and I just get really anxious and almost have a panic attack .

It's worth it to take them on it once just to see if they like it and if they don't, they at least know they won't want to go on it again. Try and explain it to them the best you can or possibly go on it first to try it before them. Make sure they don't close their eyes because that will make them sick afterwards...trust me, I've tried it . I am a big baby and I know this is one of DW most popular rides so they probably would love it.

Have fun!

 

[Hobbes]

make sure you point out thet Space mountain actually goes slower than BTM, Splash or even-gasp-Goofys barnstormer! The wost thing about Space is the seating configuration-if one of them gets scared, they're sat alone and can't cuddle the person next to them...

 

[wdwlvr629]

Unless your kids are easily scared by the dark, I say let 'em go for it! My son went on it when he was 4 1/2 and LOVED it! It is one of the rides he has to go on every time we go to WDW (he's now 13 and still loves it!). It is pretty mild as far as coasters are concerned!

 

[DisneyaholicRaquel]

My DS8 rode it for the first time last July. He was actually tall enough at age 6 but, I didn't feel comfortable with him riding. So, at 7 he begged until I caved in. The ride itself is not bad I just didn't care for him not being next to me. The entire ride I was sitting forward with my hands across his chest (super uncomfortable). He kept saying let me go I'm a "BIG BOY". So, this year he is all set and told me I have to be in front ;-)

FYI - the entire ride is not dark

 

[scoolover]

I would use thunder mountain as the starting point. They liked that so the next step would be splash mountain. They liked that so go for space mountain! My DS3, last year, liked TM and SplM but was too short for SpaM. He still talks about the ride he was not big enough for, a year later.

 

[druiser]

I would say "go for it" too - if they're cool with the dark.

My DS rode it last year at age 4, and 2x this year at age 5 and LOVED IT! Then, I kinda tricked him into riding Rock n Roller Coaster at MGM by telling him it was like a faster SM. He barely made height there, but loved it, too (even though he went upside down).

Oh, and one plus about the seating is this ... you can sit directly behind one of your kids, and reach his shoulders. I sat behind and held his shoulders to put DS at ease the first ride, and he was fine by himself the second ride.

I'm sure they'll love it.

 

[katgarbars]

My DD (8 at the time) was very scared on Space Mountain. She didn't like that fact that it was in the dark and that I couldn't sit next to her to comfort her. I tried to help by putting my hand on her shoulder during the ride but it wasn't enough for her. Every child is different, I'm hoping she'll change her mind and try it again next time.

 

[catherines_mama]

My DD is 5 and terrified of the dark. So we wont be riding it. If it was how it used to be where 2 riders sat front to back, we might try it. But if I cannot even touch or talk to her, no.. not gonna try it.

 

[tolookaa5]

Disneyaholicraquel: I agree leaning forward is very uncomfortable. I did the same thing with my DS two years ago. He was fine, it was me who was scared to death he would fall out!! Guess the overprotective mom comes out in situations like that!! It just can't be helped.