Too scary for 18 month old??

[kellya22]

Hi everyone,
I am taking my 18 month old (and 10 year old) to WDW next week for the first time. I have carefully looked at guidebooks regarding the fright potential for my toddler. I have pretty much decided what attractions are appropriate and which ones are not. However, the guidebooks are wishy-washy on a few and I would like your opinion of them. They are: Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear at MK and Spaceship Earth and Universe of Energy at Epcot. Any input would be appreciated!
Kelly

 

[DisneyPhD]

Hi we are taking a 17 month old to WDW in Jan. I don't really think to much about what will scare her since things don't tend to bug her at all, but do her big sister!

When her big sister was 9 months old she cried in HM, the problem was not the ride at all, it didn't bug her. We got stuck in the dark for a long time and she had just woken up from nap. I think she thought we wanted her to go to sleep again and she didn't want to. The fact that those rides can be long and potential for getting stuck (spaceship earth it happens too.) is something to consider. Take something light up with you, a spinner toy, small flash light, there are a lot of options. This can keep them busy and not so scared. Also we always bring a light blanket with us in atractions (the one she is attacthed too.) If it is cold you can cover her, or comfort her. If you child uses a passiefer go ahead and bring it too. WDW is not a good place to give it up, or any comforting thing for that mater (like breast feeding or bottles.)

All in all it really depends on your child and their mood at the time. Don't start off on any of those rides and see how she deals with others.

A word about Buzz. We took my friends 3 year old son on it for his 1st ride. It freaked him out (he tends to be either timid or a daredevil depending on his mood.) It didn't stop him from enjoying anything else, but we should of started off more slow. It isn't scary, but there is a ton of stimulation and it can be overwellming. (it was his choice to go on it 1st.)

We always start every MK trip out on Dumbo, the lines get long so we hit it 1st and it is rather safe. Same with winne the pooh and the carosel.

Kids over 2 to 3 years old can get more freaked out because they actually understand what is going on more. My DD hasn't been on HM since that time because when we sugest it she declines. She MIGHT this next trip (she will be almost 5 years old.)

 

[wwaleye]

First I will say, all children are different. Here is my opinion. Buzz Lightyear-not scary. Haunted Mansion- preshow scarier than the ride, would do it w/o child first. Then decide what I thought for my child and do the kid switch (assuming that is an option) Spaceship earth-not scary. Universe of energy-don't know

 

[Cbarr]

Ds was almost 2 the first time we took him to WDW and he was fine on all of the rides you mentioned. DD was 3.5 the first time she went and was scared on Universe of Energy, Spaceship Earth (the narrators voice was deep and loud and she did not like that), and she would have nothing to do with Haunted Mansion (we didn't even try because she knew there were ghosts on it). But she loved Buzz Lightyear! We rode that over and over.

So I guess it depends on each child

 

[jenjersnap]

In my experience - our younger DS was 17 months old last December - toddlers that age are stimulated by the images and don't relate to them as being "scary", kwim, that connection just hasn't been made yet. That starts about a year later (just when we are going this time! ).

I think all of those were fine, with HM being the only one that is iffy. My DS loved HM ... as a napping spot. We rode it three times and he fell asleep each time.

 

[Tink215]

I will be at WDW in 26 days and I am taking my DD's 20 months old and 4 1/2 years old. We went last year when she was 7 months old and she went on the Haunted mansion and fell asleep, I dont plan on going with her now just because she is so much more aware of things. But Buzz Light year I think will be fun!!! Have fun!!!

 

[disneyfreak74]

DD has never (knock on wood) had an episode on any of those rides!! We always used Spaceship Earth for her to nurse. Long cool ride in the dark. It was always our break. She is 2 now, the only fuss in Sept was that she wanted her OWN head rest. She loved Buzz and HM. She would ask "you scarreed momma?" I'd say no. she'd say. amie not scared!! Depends on what you prepare them for I think.

 

[cara76]

Like everyone else said it depends on the child. When DS was 2 he rode all the rides with no problem at all, wasn't scared of anything. This year he was a little more afraid but it's more of a fear of the unknown and not the rides themselves. Last time we went he went on a few rides he was scared of before and actually enjoyed them, I even had him convinced to try HM but it was closed.

 

[Perdygirl]

My 5 yr old was a bit scared in Haunted Mansion, he denied it later, but the finger marks on my arm were proof! He asked me on several rides "Is this going to be real Mom?". The theming of this ride is good from the entrance on in, so he spooked himself before he went in. Buzz did not seem scary, but it could be over stimulating there is a lot of neon. Spaceship Earth is very tame, except it feels weird when your car turns around and goes backwards down the hill. Universe of Energy was one of our favorites, but it does have darkness with fairly realistic looking dinosaurs.

Have a great time on Dumbo!! Over and Over and Over.

 

[daannzzz]

Be aware that the Univers eof Energy is extrmely loud in some portions of the film.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

When my dd was 19 months, she rode HM and PotC at DL and loved them. As was said, at that age, they don't realize the images are supposed to be scary. She just started finding those kinds of things scary at about age 2.5.

 

[Syrreal]

also, if you think that the HM preshow will be too scary but not the ride itself you can always explain this to a CM and they might bypass the preshow and put you into the inner queue.

 

[Belle5]

I did not read any of the responses so someone may have already mentioned this. One of my all-time worst experiences at WDW (been 19 times with 6 kids) was on Ellen's Energy Adventure. My then toddler had a melt-down (never had one before) on that ride. We were STUCK and could not get out to take care of him. He was screaming and no one around us could hear the show. There was nothing I could do. It was like we were trapped in that car. I have once since seen another mom on these boards reporting the same thing happening to her. So, if your toddler freaks out from the dinosaurs you are stuck for a LONG time!

 

[GillieRose]

When we went in May my 2 year old son was scared of Haunted Manison. We had to exit before getting on the ride. He was scared with just the opening section of the ride. He also was scared of Ellen's Energy adventure. He begged to get off but like the other poster we where stuck. But he did good on everything else.

 

[Frantasmic]

Haunted Mansion

Not scary, just dark. My 18 month old son just looked at everything quizically when we took him.


Buzz Lightyear

Lots of action and bright lights with some noise. Nothing scary here (probably will enjoy it the most)

Spaceship Earth

A lot of dark stuff. Very noisy with the narrator plus the sounds from the exhibits


Universe of Energy

Not recommended. Dinosaurs are just too loud and the rest of the show is on TV. Attention span just won't be there.

 

[The Sweetness]

If the baby is afraid of loud noises, or the dark, you may be in trouble with much of WDW, as if I remember right, a lot of the rides are pretty dark