Tough to Be a Bug - how scary?

[Ann]

I'd really like to see ITTBAB with my kids (6 & 8), but the Unofficial Guide has scared me with warnings of crying, terrified children. Is this really that scary? Can't the kids just take the glasses off if it bothers them or are the other affects more scary? We did R.L. Stine's Lighthouse at Busch Gardens and the kids watched it, but didn't really enjoy it. But that whole storyline is about ghosts and death tho. Please let me know what your experience was like.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Your children are old enough to realize this is a movie, so I doubt they will be scared. Now if they seem to take movies and fantasy as reality, you might have a problem, if they are also afraid of bugs.

 

[poohtown]

well our family loved the show but dd8 did NOT! I was shocked at how upset she got. Keep in mind this is the kid who goes on the biggest rollercoasters she's allowed size wise. Basically the show starts out with Flik (character) talking about bugs. Then the Grasshopper comes out screaming (he really scared her). The show is 3-d/interactive. Like when the bug who shoots 'acid' suddenly squirts 'water' in your face and your 8 yr. old believes it's real acid. Basically, she believed everything she saw and felt was real. Not fun. After that she refused to go to any of the 3-d shows until MK philarmic. Maybe just explain to your kids first that's it's just a show and make believe.

 

[KimberAnn]

My DD 6 had the same reaction! In fact she hated it so much that she cried and freaked through Philharmagic and REFUSED to do the Muppets at MGM.

Without the glasses its very fuzzy and makes your eyes hurt. (I took my glasses off to see what my toddler saw).

 

[BonnieA]

Everytime I go to the show there are screaming, crying kids so there is truth to the statement. Personally I would wait until they are older. Or at least start them with Philharmagic, then Muppets, HISTA then if all goes well, maybe, It's Tough to be a Bug.

 

[mommystieg]

We tried this last year and probably made the quickest exit in history!! I don't think the attraction scared my youngest as much as the noise. The opening sequence involves some puffs of air or something and everyone was screaming and laughing which sent my DD3 into hysterics. On our first visit to the World we traumatized both our kids at HISTA so they are very hesitant about any 3D attractions. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will want to see Mickey's Philharmagic. It really depends on your kids but if you are ever in doubt, just get seats right next to the exit. That way if your kids get scared you can jump out and run out without disturbing the other guests.

 

[JESW]

Well, let me put it this way...the last time DD saw it she was 4 and she spent the last part of the show on the floor, covering her eyes and joining in the chorus with all the other screaming children - no lie! And this was from a kid who loves all things scarey!

The part that got her is near the end when hopper and the other grasshoppers come down from the ceiling and the lights start flashing. We couldn't even take her out of the show since she wouldn't move until it was over.

To this day she STILL won't go anywhere near that show.

All kids are different tho and we NEVER thought she would have a problem with it...

Jill

 

[sc9500]

Sorry to also bear bad news but my DD had to exit early last year too, but she promised that she would give it another try this year, your kids are older and all kids are different. Just dont make it your first stop - or it may ruin everything afterwards.

 

[PaulaMurf]

He sat on my lap, but kept his glasses on the whole time. When we entered the theatre I pointed out the holes where the spiders would drop from, and told him abou the water & wind that would come out of the seats. We also sat far to the exit side of the row so that when stuff happened we were not right in front of it.

Now, he is really tough to scare and loves bugs life at home. We also had already seen Philharmagic so he kinda knew what to expect.

I think if you prepare your kids first (and maybe do Philharmagic or Muppets before you go to ITTBAB) they will be fine.

Have Fun!

Paula

 

[MelessaG]

My son (4) and DD (6) both really want to see this on our next trip. I'm a little nervous to take them, because I think they will be scared. I personally don't care for the show myself b/c I'm not a big bug fan. But, I don't want them to miss something they may love because of me. So, I think we will try it, knowing we can leave if necessary.

 

[luvsTink]

I'll join in on this one....we told our dd-4 and dd-6 ALL about it, they were super prepared, we even held them on our laps to avoid a couple of the unexpected effects, but alas, within 2 minutes they were FREAKING out. They made it through, only to find that at the very end the effects weired them out again. My suggestion is that if you want them to enjoy Philharmagic or Muppets either do those first or do not to the Bugs. We couldn't even get them to go into Philharmagic and they were overly anxious during the muppets.

Yes, they can take their glasses off, but as with most Disney attractions, the theming and effects are so thorough that the 3d movie effects are just the beginning.

Anne
ps...I loved it myself

 

[ThwTwinsMom]

I spoke to a lot of people about it before our last trip. My boys were 4.5 yo. Based on what everyone said, I decided to skip it. If you do decide to go, I was given the following advice. Place your kids on your lap. That way they don't directly get the effects from the chair.

One other thing I'd suggest is to wait to try this until the very end if you aren't sure about it. My boys were doing great with everything. They even loved HM. I decided I'd let them try Dinosaur. (It was currently their favorite movie.) Everything was fine until the Carnator (sp?) part. After that, my guys wouldn't even go on anything remotely scary looking. The day before they were dying to go on Splash Mountain. The following day, they wouldn't get near it. They were timid for the rest of the trip. Moral: one good scare can really mess things up.

We are leaving in a few days to celebrate their 8th birthday at WDW. I honestly think that they still might be scared of ITTBAB. I decided to let them decide for themselves this time. I think that they will try it. I'll try and post our experiences when I get back.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I am scared of it, and yes, I'm the biggest wuss in the world. I take off my glasses and lean forward throughout the whole thing LOL.

I, personally, wouldn't take my children that age to it, and I have witnessed terrified children in it everytime I go. I don't think its worth the risk, personally, because so often they do get so scared they won't try it again, or won't attend another show, like the Muppets, which isn't scary at all.

Its not just the 3D, its the things coming at you, the darkness, smoke, loud sounds, and interactions on your chair.

Admittedly a VERY cool show, just not really for little children. JMO

 

[nhdisnut]

I would say that your kids reaction to the show will depend a great deal on the personality of your kids and the type of adventures they enjoy. My son (last trip he was 9) hates all 3-d movies whether they are scary or not (he hates being suprised by things coming at him) but my daughter (age 5 last trip) lists TTBAB as one of her favorite things to do at AK! You can never tell, though, because my son will do absolutely any other ride that the parks can throw at him and loves them...

 

[sm4987]

It's scary for younger children, but at the age of your children it should be fine. If at any time it becomes to much, then simply take off the glasses.

 

[luvmk]

Both of my kids love it. We do it multiple times every trip. They are 7 & 4. My 7yo first went to it when he was 4 and we did it twice in a row. I think it depends on the child. I think part of the problem is the screaming. Part of it is people laughing and having fun, the other part is scared children. I think it's easy for children to become scared when they hear others screaming and crying. Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about that. I guess the best thing would be to prepare them in advance for what they are going to see. If the worst happens and they don't like it, have them close their eyes or take their glasses off. Good Luck!

 

[dawgsgirl]

My 7 year old neice totally freaked out at this show last year. I think the noise scared her as much as anything. We were way on the other side from the exit, so we toughed it out. We left AK after that and took a rest break. Then we went to MK to try and let her get over her scare. She rode Splash Mtn over and over that evening. Go figure! But , she would not ride Pirates or HM. We could not do anything "scarey" the rest of the week. It just depends on the child, but you can never tell. I would skip it this time around. It's not like there's not anything else to do at WDW!!!

 

[jaross]

DH (42 yo ) is too scared to go on it again. He did it once and won't go back.

I admit, it's a really intense show. But, I really like it. My kids, 8 & 12 tolerate it. I agree with starting with Philharmagic and then muppets. If they make it through those, then try it's tough to be a bug.

Good luck,

Chris

 

[hockey mom]

This is my favorite and my kids have been enjoying it since they were 5. I think your kids are a good age for it and alot of the screaming heard isn't necessarily young, scared kids it is from some of the effects in the movie which have even the adults screaming. I also suggest sitting near the exit then if it is to much you can leave.

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Even if the movie isn't scary (and taking off the glasses really won't help because there are scents, sprays of water, and movement in the seats) your children may be upset by the reactions of the other children in the theater. We have seen ITTBAB over 10 times and every time there were screaming terrified children, which may start a chain reaction with your kids.

Prepare them ahead of time with Muppets 3-D @ MGM or Honey I shrunk... @ Epcot so they know what to expect.

It is a cute show, but the screaming kids can really set off anyone who is not to sure they want to be there!!