Suggestions for 15 year old who can't do a ferris wheel

[johbillie]

We're on our way to Disneyland & California Adventures this weekend. I would love some suggestions for my son. He's 15 and can't do most rides (Phobia). I think he can do the gentle water cars and he can do the car rides (like car races where you control your speed). I would welcome any ideas of what there is that he can do this next week. We are a group of 4, from 52 down to the age of 5. I really want it to be memorable and enjoyable for him.

Fear of the rides

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My son's phobia seems to have more to do with a lack of control. He can do go carts & bumper cars. He's finally able to do water slides, this is his second year of being able to do those. Thanks for all the suggestions - keep them coming!!

 

[Reddy]

I would get on you tube with him & watch videos & see what he thinks he can handle

 

[DLR29]

There's so much to do at DLR other than rides. Parades, fireworks, Fantasmic, Aladdin musical, and World of Color are all not to be missed spectacular shows!

Also most of the rides at DLR are gentle. They really focus on the atmosphere and theming most of the time rather than the "thrills". Is it heights that he doesn't like? Fast speeds? Twists and turns? Drops? The dark?

I wouldn't want him to miss out on an amazing attraction that he might actually enjoy just because it's a "ride". Knowing the specific thing that prevents him from going on rides would help in suggesting specific fun attractions.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We're on our way to Disneyland & California Adventures this weekend. I would love some suggestions for my son. He's 15 and can't do most rides (Phobia). I think he can do the gentle water cars and he can do the car rides (like car races where you control your speed). I would welcome any ideas of what there is that he can do this next week. We are a group of 4, from 52 down to the age of 5. I really want it to be memorable and enjoyable for him.

Welcome to the boards...I would check youtube if you have time and like others have said there are many more things to do. You will have a wonderful time.

Jack

 

[Karenann*]

My kids all ages love the Innoventions building...walk through look at cool futuristic and techie stuff at you own place...also ac if it is hot out and not usually crowded.

Other suggestions for non ride fun in addition to above are Tiki room, Tom Sawyer Island, shooting gallery and DL Railway.
In CA, there is Disney Animation where my family can literally spend hours.

We could spend several days on shows and parades and all the entertainment in the parks.

Enjoy!!! There is something for everyone here and lots of other "non riders" in the parks!

 

[DSNY4ever]

Since I don't know if it is heights or spinning or darkness that bothers him, here are a few simple suggestions.

In California Adventure-

Aladdin Show- fun for the whole family!
Animations Building- do all the activities, don't miss Turtle talk with Crush
World of Color Show
It's tough to be a bug 3-D show (in the dark)
Muppets 3-D show (in the dark)
Pixar Play Parade
Toy Story Mania (great ride, but it does spin a tiny bit)

Disneyland-

Fireworks
Fantasmic!
The Train
Tom Sawyers Island
Mark Twain
Columbia
Ride the Canoes if they are running

I don't know if he will ride or like the kiddie rides, but I rode them at that age and still liked them. Since he is 15 I am assuming you might be comfortable letting him hang out and explore gift shops and stuff while you go on some other rides. The New Orleans Square area is nice for this and Main street. I have heard great things about the new gift shops in Cars land. Myabe let him pick out some restaurants that he thinks look cool too. I think he'll still have a great time as long as he isn't pressured to ride something he is not comfortable with. Have fun!

 

[Desert Dwellers]

My 15 year old son haaates the ferris wheel at DCA. He can handle California Screamin' and Tower of Terror. But the Sun Wheel makes him very uncomfortable. He won't ride it.

I think your son might like all the Disneyland classic rides: Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise. Maybe start with those and build from there.

 

[bzkds]

My 15y daughter won't go on anything roller coaster-y. She loves Pirates of the Caribbean, It's a Small World, Buzz Lightyear Blasters, Jungle Boat Cruise (she loves the corny jokes lol) and the Roger Rabbit ride in TuneTown. She'll do Haunted Mansion, although it's not her favorite. Over in DCA, she goes on Toy Story Midway Mania, Soaring Over California and Silly Symphony Swings (not afraid of heights so much I guess). She also likes the rides in Bug's Land, though they're more for little kids. We have never had a problem filling the time.

My oldest son won't really ride ANYTHING and hates Disneyland (don't know how I birthed one like that haha) so we've just stopped taking him when we go.

 

[TotalDreamer]

I can't do a ferris wheel either, but I can do everything else including ToT, California Screamin' etc. It's just something about being in a little "bucket" so many feet up in the air that puts me in the fetal position (not kidding I cried real tears on the Sun Wheel).

I agree with building up - there's plenty of tame rides. Maybe if he wants to step outside of his comfort zone try Indiana Jones, Pirates (has a drop), or the Cars racers first.

 

[limace]

Can you give us a bit more info about what specifically doesn't work for him? Heights? Dark? Being enclosed? That would help us give you better advice.

 

[johbillie]

My son's phobia seems to have more to do with a lack of control. He can do go carts & bumper cars. He's finally able to do water slides, this is his second year of being able to do those. Thanks for all the suggestions - keep them coming!!