Tell me about Dinosaur & your kids

[tmarquez]

The last time we went to AK was before DD (4) was born. I know we rode Dinosaur, but I don't remember it at all. I've heard that it can be very frightening for kids. What is scary about it?

DD loves scary things and as hard as I try to keep them from her, she tries just as hard to experience anything scary.

On the other hand, she hates rollercoasters. Absolutely terrified. Is it rollercoaster-ish at all?

 

[dizkids]

Hi~Took my 4 year old DS on this in August. He wouldnt want to do it again. VERY VERY LOUD. Not a roller coaster but a dark dark ride where dinosaurs can pop up and be very loud and lifelike and very close (the t-rex). I tried to shield him the entire time...wont be doing that one again. If you can manage to ride it without him first...you can see for your self. Have fun

 

[Mcbruns]

Last summer my youngest (5 at the time) rode it with us and did not like it.

This year she wanted to give it a try. Our 7 year old (who does not like anything fast or dark) went to. They both loved it this time. Go figure. It is dark and bumpy (kinda like Star Tours x10). I agree with the previous poster, if you can ride it first to judge it, that will help.

 

[sha_lyn]

DD rode both it and TOT at 4 1/2. She didn't "hate" dinosaur, but it was a bit too intesne for her (she had been riding Spiderman at IOA for over a yr, so she was used to the thype of ride). TOT she loved.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Dinosaur is one of the few WDW attractions I won't ride anymore. It's rough and loud. DS, however, has been riding it since he was 4 or 5 and loves it. As always, it really depends on the individual.

 

[mom23boys]

Last time we went and rode Dinasour my DS was 7 he screamed the whole time and hated it. It was to loud and dark for him.

He will ride EE at Animal Kingdom, BTTM, and Space Mountain though.

Sharon

 

[8 Ears]

I have rode Dinosaur but not Star Tours. How do they compare? Which is jerkier? I am a little concerned about motion sickness on ST.

 

[sha_lyn]

I would say dinosaur is jerkier, but the motion sickness factor is greater on ST

 

[3littleHalls]

Dinosaur is much jerkier IMO. Our 7 and 4 yr olds rode in last fall. They went on twice(parent swap) but both had their eyes covered both times. Not like a roller coaster, more like a bike ride on large rocks feeling. It is very loud and kind of confusing feeling since you aren't sure which way you are going and things are popping out. The 7yr old doesn't want to ride it again but the 4yr old wants to and he said he would open his eyes more

 

[rt2dz]

DS6 has been riding Dinosaur (& Star Tours) since he was 3. He LOVES both. With Dinosaur he does freak out a little in line & keeps his eyes covered through most of the ride, but he's generally wanting to back on it shortly after. Star Tours is an immediate, "lets go again!"

Dinosaur is jerkier, by far, but Star Tours will make you sickier.

 

[CampbellScot]

Dinosaur scared the bejeezus out of ME! My step kids are 7 and 4 and I'm thinking we will avoid this ride. My SD7 especially is a little timid...the haunted mansion will hard enough! I don't want them to be in therapy years later blaming their step mother for their pervasive fear of the dark and monsters popping up in their face!

Seriously though, I found this ride to be extremely intense...the 6 year old next to me loved every second of it!

 

[lovemyguys]

We took our then 5 1/2 yr old on it. We took it him on it for 2 reasons. 1. He LOVES dinosaurs. 2. We did not know anything about the ride. I spent the whole ride whispering in his ear things like "oooooh look at that silly dino, wow this is pretty cool, we are almost done......." I actually did not see much of the ride b/c I was soooo focused on him. He spent the entire ride SILENT and looking from one dino to another. When the ride ended I said "ok pal we are all done." He looked at me for a split second and then opened his mouth and started SCREAMING AND CRYING "that was so scary!!!" He cried for a full 5 minutes. It was like once he saw the light of day all the fear caught up with him. He says he wants to go back on when we go in April. Go figure. It was sad at the time but now it is kind of funny when I picture him sitting so quiet through out the ride and then looking at me with those big brown eyes at the end and screaming.

 

[kribit]

Dh and I were both scared on Dinosaur so we skipped it with dd4 and ds4.

 

[CampbellScot]

We took our then 5 1/2 yr old on it. We took it him on it for 2 reasons. 1. He LOVES dinosaurs. 2. We did not know anything about the ride. I spent the whole ride whispering in his ear things like "oooooh look at that silly dino, wow this is pretty cool, we are almost done......." I actually did not see much of the ride b/c I was soooo focused on him. He spent the entire ride SILENT and looking from one dino to another. When the ride ended I said "ok pal we are all done." He looked at me for a split second and then opened his mouth and started SCREAMING AND CRYING "that was so scary!!!" He cried for a full 5 minutes. It was like once he saw the light of day all the fear caught up with him. He says he wants to go back on when we go in April. Go figure. It was sad at the time but now it is kind of funny when I picture him sitting so quiet through out the ride and then looking at me with those big brown eyes at the end and screaming.

Poor little guy! That is the WORST!! I had a simaler situation with my little niece a couple of years ago. She was 9 and INSISTING we go on a HUGE roller coaster at six flags...corkscrews,loops and massive speed...we got in, were locked in and suddenly she wants off NOW...the guy controlling the ride just shrugged his shoulders and said "Sorry...you're locked in...gotta go..." She was terrified and totally silent the whole ride. She kept her eyes shut tight and I kept saying "We're almost done, you're doing great". We got off, she's still silent but as soon as she sees her dad, she collapses into tears. REally wailing and sobbing. I felt SO badly...two years later she is the biggest roller coaster fiend. She goes on that roller coaster now all the time and says it's for "little kids"... I think they must remember things differently once the adrenalin has subsided and they see that they survived.

That being said, there is NO WAY I am taking my step kids on this ride. Maybe when they're...like...20...and even then I'll be unsure about it!

 

[Benducci]

No offense but I would not take a 4 year old on it. It is very dark, very intense & very loud. I know kids like to push the envelope sometimes but sometimes we need to realize that they are kids & they don't know any better.

 

[Lisa0503]

No offense but I would not take a 4 year old on it. It is very dark, very intense & very loud. I know kids like to push the envelope sometimes but sometimes we need to realize that they are kids & they don't know any better.

I agree... I loved the ride but will not be taking DD on it (she will be 4 when we next go...) Maybe when she is older.... She will be tall enough for Soarin, Test Track and Splash Mtn for our upcomming trip so I am looking forward to bringing her on those rides...

 

[nyyankeegirl]

Ya know how they take your photo during the ride, and display them to purchase after the ride? Well, both me & my DS5 had our heads down during the picture (twice!) Yes he made me go on it twice, but we kept our heads down both times - mainly at the really big dinosaur towards the end. It was very jerky-my back ached a little afterwards. Definately not my favorite disney ride.

 

[chipndales]

My nine year old was scared. She covered her ears and crouched down low and vowed as she lives and breathes never to ride on it again. She loved rides like Space Mountain, but when it came to the loudness and the way things lurched at her, she wasn't into it at all. I think it definitely does depend on the child, though. Some of my friend's children loved it and rode it several times.