Star Tours for a 5yr old?

[Lone Star*]

My son will be 5 by the time we visit DL and he is determined to ride Star Tours. I know no one can say for sure how a child will react but I've heard it is pretty intense ride. Thoughts? Also he's never experienced 3-D before. Any tips to prepare kids for something like this? i don't want to scare him away from riding it if he really wants to but I also don't want to scare the pants off him either!

I should have said he is a Star Wars fan (he's only seen A New Hope). although, he mostly just likes it for the droids and space ships.

 

[Mysteryincorp]

Show him a YouTube video before your trip, I'm sure he will be fine though. My daughters been going on it since she was 3, I always explain the ride beforehand and let her know things might jump out at you but nothing wil touch you.

 

[bumbershoot]

We took DS on it when he was younger, but that was the old ST. I do not like 3D because it's just so gimmicky, but they didn't ask me before they changed it.

The one thing I can think of that's disturbing in 3D is if you get the Naboo storyline.

Spoiler: the disturbing part, at least for me!

the pointy end of a ship comes "through" the windshield right towards your face

Sigh...it's really too bad Muppets is gone, because it's such a great 3D "lite".


Ooh can you take him to see Zootopia or Finding Dory in 3D still? It'll give him an idea of what it's like.

 

[disneymom0104]

My 5 year old son LOVED it last year. He is highly unpredictable with rides (hated Space, didn't like Splash, didn't want to try BTMRR but loved it once he did try) Anyway- Star Tours was at the top of his list and he became a complete and total Star Wars fan because of that ride. We are headed to WDW next month and he can't wait to ride again!

 

[DisneylandDarling]

My cousin's little girl rode when she was about 4 (she just barely met the height requirement) and was completely fine. I was worried about her sliding around in her seat, so I used my arm as another "seatbelt" to hold her in. Other than that, she thought it was great and really liked it. She rode it twice.

You'll never know if you don't try, he might love it! If your little guy gets scared during the ride, you could have him take off the 3D glasses. I know my brother did that for the Tough to Be a Bug show in California Adventure when he was young because it was scary.

 

[Malcon10t]

I wouldn't take my granddaughter on it when she first made the height, however, my son took her the next day. She loved it. She was 2 1/2.

 

[STLstone]

My DD(now 6) doesn't like Pirates of the Caribbean because of "the drop." And that's only one example of silly (in my opinion) things she thinks are too intense.

She's ridden Star Tours 3 times (at ages 3, 4, and 6) and doesn't have any problem with it.

 

[IBLarsen]

I agree with pp about showing your child youtube videos of the ride. It helps for them to understand what to expect ahead of time. That was the best tip someone gave me for my kids!

 

[agamble]

I think the ride is not so intense compared to the rollercoasters. Our DD rode this before her third birthday. She did not find it scary. Space Mountain was scary, though she went again. Tower of Terror was scary, didn't want to go again that trip. If he enjoys Star Wars and is looking to do something "brave," it's probably a good ride to try out.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

Some 5 year olds love it. Mine did not. He liked it at first, but about half-way in he got really scared and I had to cover his eyes. I'd say if you have a kid who likes fast rides, it's great. If your kid is more into the dark rides and won't go on anything like a roller coaster, it may not be the best idea.

 

[Baklava]

My kids both liked it at 5. One is tough, one is timid.

 

[Turk February]

Yea, each kid is different. Our daughter rode it for the first time when she was 5, and she was a Star Wars fan. Halfway through she was DONE. I don't know what exactly it was, but she didn't like it (and she enjoys roller coasters). She went back on it last year at 6 yrs old and was totally fine.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

I think both of my girls had their first rides on it as 4 year olds (different trips)...and they both loved it. My older one is a bit more skittish and she was fine....Space Mountain, on the other hand. we're still trying to find the love.

 

[Niltiac]

If you think he'll be scared, I would suggest explaining how the ride works, that your chair is really just tilting around and the screen makes it feel like you're moving fast. Then tell him if he's scared he can just close his eyes and remember the ride isn't really moving that much. It does spoil the illusion a bit though.

I was scared of rides when I was little and the first "big kid" ride I could handle was a simulated coaster after my friend's older sister explained it to me.

 

[Lone Star*]

thank you for all the advice! I am not a fan of 3D my self, so we haven't been to any 3D movies. He seems to be mostly sound sensitive. I think this might be a last day of the park ride In case it scares him!

 

[Lone Star*]

Show him a YouTube video before your trip, I'm sure he will be fine though. My daughters been going on it since she was 3, I always explain the ride beforehand and let her know things might jump out at you but nothing wil touch you.

that's a good idea. I was trying not to spoil it for my self but I think it would help.

 

[Lone Star*]

We took DS on it when he was younger, but that was the old ST. I do not like 3D because it's just so gimmicky, but they didn't ask me before they changed it.

The one thing I can think of that's disturbing in 3D is if you get the Naboo storyline.

Spoiler: the disturbing part, at least for me!

the pointy end of a ship comes "through" the windshield right towards your face

Sigh...it's really too bad Muppets is gone, because it's such a great 3D "lite".


Ooh can you take him to see Zootopia or Finding Dory in 3D still? It'll give him an idea of what it's like.

i'm not a fan of 3D either. Hmm, regarding the disturbing part... yeah, he would NOT like that.

 

[McNs]

My girls both enjoy it, they were 5 & 8 when they first rode it. They don't like the 3D effect though so leave the glasses off...

 

[brooke789]

My daughter wasn't sure if she was going to ride it last trip. DS (her twin, so also 5) had ridden it a couple times. On the last opportunity she decided she'd ride. When the ride was over she started clapping her hands she liked it so much!

I think he'll be fine!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're worried about them sliding around, the fabulous tip I got from a mom was to have DS sit crisscross on the seat. It worked beautifully.

thank you for all the advice! I am not a fan of 3D my self, so we haven't been to any 3D movies. He seems to be mostly sound sensitive. I think this might be a last day of the park ride In case it scares him!

Earplugs!!!!! Earplugs at the ready all day every day. The subs can be ridiculously loud. The ambient noise of the parks can really start to wear on you.

i'm not a fan of 3D either. Hmm, regarding the disturbing part... yeah, he would NOT like that.

If you find yourself on Naboo, that's how it's going to end. You can both prepare. I am a full grown adult who knows what 3d is all about and I have to cover my eyes for it (closing eyes isn't enough).

You should find that part on YouTube to preview it for yourself so you know what's coming.