The pre-shows are fine, just your typical Disney pre-shows with nothing scary that I can recall. Then you go 'into the round' and take a seat. The harness comes down on you and the lights go out. You see Stitch in the center, he escapes. Darkness. You hear sounds all around you, smell a few nasty scents, you're supposed to feel Stitch walking or jumping on your harness. Lights come up. If you're a young child you're probably going to be scared to death. By 9...I don't know, some can probably take it fine, others who are of a more delicate constitution might be a little scared. Personally, though I love Stitch, I found the thing boring and incomplete. I thought the designers were incredibly lazy and I won't be riding again anytime soon.