tough to be a bug with a 4 y.o.

[cody's mom]

For parents with young kids, did they like It's tough to be a bug? I've read that it's really intense, but I'm not sure what people mean by 'intense'. Is it scary or just loud. DS is 4, and I'm afraid that once he's spooked, he'll be done for the day.

 

[lisabarr]

It's kind of dark and scary. Both of my children did it when DD was 5 and DS was almost4. My DD hated it while it was happening (shes a drama queen) but after liked it. My DS loved it.

**************SPOILER ALERT**********Dont read if you haven't been........

They have several different effects during the movie, water spray, smells, gust of air and a little pinch on your bottom towards the end. That may scare some kids. Hope this helps.

 

[rrsafety]

I would vote "no".

 

[Webbie]

You know your children the best. Read Lisabarr's discription and figure out how your children would react. I have see little ones laughing as they left and others in tears. All depends on the child.

 

[goofy's friends]

It's not scary as much as creepy! At different times inthe show, there are bugs that crawl and you can feel them. There are wings flapping and you feel the wind. There is a stink bug that you smell. There is a sting that gets you in the back of the seat (i had my kids sit up, because I knew that would freak them out). If he isn't afraid of real bugs, then he'll probably get a kick out of it. If he is easily spooked, then I would consider something else.
One idea, go to Philharmagic first to see how he reacts to 3D technology--it's a happy one and the best one IMO

 

[goofydad621]

All through it, mine was one of them. AndI mean she was not happy, we were stuck in the middle of the row and could not get out.

Our friends went last year and there 5 or 6 yr old melted during the show and was afraid of every dark Disney ride the rest of the trip.

I have seen lots of them come laughing and happy

SPOILER BELOW DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ON AND WANT TO BE SURPRISED









It is more then just loud, the 3D is very cool but it is intense and by rihts it is 4D, there is smells, spray, getting poked in the back simulating a sting, things running under your butt.

You need to be the judge for your own child, Great for some but not for all.

Hope this helps

Dave

 

[Cinderumbrella]

How does your child react to sudden things? Mine would never go for it, but others may. If you have never been on it yourself, reasd the previous post and decide.

Between you and me, it bothered me alittle but I have a phobia about bees...

 

[cara76]

Mine is scared of it, it almost ruined him on Dark Rides esp the shows, it took us 3 times of Philharmagic to get him to realize it was ok and not all shows are like the Bug one. He refuses to do it, the spider throwing things at you was enough for him.

 

[Trena]

Talk to your child. Tell him what to expect using honest, "matter of fact" neutral, descriptions. ( I know he might not fully understand.) Ask him what he thinks about it. Tell him you will leave at any time if he is too afraid. He might feel better if he has a little control over it. Ask the CM if you can sit on the end of the row incase you need a quick exit. (you might have to wait in line for the next show)

If you can, try it with out him and see what you think.

I told my kids what to expect and they were ok with it. I had them sit up so they didn't feel the poke in the back. In no way does it hurt, it just creeps me out. I think the bugs crawling under your bottom tickles. (is that too much personal info?) My point is, sitting in your lap reduces some of the effects.

 

[kelleigh1]

We were just there last week and there were some kids sitting near us who were extremely scared. I agree with the person who suggested Philharmagic first. There was one child who cried during this and they were able to leave easily. There were a lot more kids crying/screaming through Bug's Life and it was nearly impossible to leave.

Personally, I wouldn't take my children to this (if I had any). I'd been before and for some reason, this time, the effects just seemed more intense, but I may have been looking at it more from a child's standpoint since there was so much screaming around me.

 

[cody's mom]

Thanks for all the helpful responses. I'm leaning toward not doing it. I don't think he would be amused by the sensation of bugs crawling on him.

Would he be allowed to sit on my lap? I don't think he would mind so much if he couldn't feel the bugs. I'm pretty sure that whole stinging thing would freak him out.

 

[indigoxtreme]

We made the mistake of taking our 4 yr old dgd there the 1st day and for every show thereafter we had to let her know that it wasn't scary and there were a few things that we felt we couldn't do beacuse of this show. She is not normally scared of things either. I think if this had been one of the later shows after mermaid etc at the other parks it would have been ok. But even myself jumped several times with the noise and the smells etc. Some of the smells really stink.....

 

[waltdisneyworlddreamer]

I would definitely skip it! I had read the reviews such as the ones above and had planned not to but after regretfully did it anyway. DS, almost 3 and DS, 7 hated it. We sat on the front row (2nd mistake) and my little one screamed and cried and literally shook with fear. DH had him on his lap holding him, but he was still terrified. The special effects are just way too intense. This is the one ride that I would definitely heed the warnings and skip it!! I wish I had.

 

[Debbie Jean]

I would definitely skip it! I had read the reviews such as the ones above and had planned not to but after regretfully did it anyway. DS, almost 3 and DS, 7 hated it. We sat on the front row (2nd mistake) and my little one screamed and cried and literally shook with fear. DH had him on his lap holding him, but he was still terrified. The special effects are just way too intense. This is the one ride that I would definitely heed the warnings and skip it!! I wish I had.

DD who is 19 and I love this so it's one we never miss. It's a real hoot!

Having said that, I cannot tell you how many screaming, totally terrified children I have seen over the years... as in, gut wrenching, blood curdling, terrified screaming. Whenever I see parents bringing little ones in, I can't help but wonder whether they have any idea what they are in for. .. most are there for the first time and assume it will be like Muppets 3-D. NOT!!! One of the jokes is that after having humans try to get rid of them for centuries, the bugs are going to turn on humans and exterminate us. It may start with Flick, but by the time they get to the 6 ft animatronic bug telling you to "die, die, die" many little kids have dissolved into puddles!

Take the warnings of those folks who have said their kids found it upsetting and at the very least, see it yourself alone before you bring the little ones along. You'll be glad you did!

 

[MN Dis Fans]

We took a five year old in October. We did AK the first day and after that he refused to wear any 3D glasses in any park. He said of Tough to be a Bug - "That was CWEEPY Mommy!" We still quote him now on occasion.

 

[Magalex]

I am so glad I took advice this past April 2005. My DS was 4 at the time. Because of reviews of some attractions we skipped. We skipped Bugs Life and Stitch(he even loves Stitch). I knew about the tense reviews from the DIS. Also on the first day in line for Dumbo a family with small boys said stay away from these two attractions even tho children are welcomed at those two. At Philamagic he was kind of scared(first time with 3D). Be prepared. But he got use to the 3D and loved the Muppets. One of his favorites. Try out the Muppets for first timers.

 

[cleo]

I ignored the warnings when AK first opened and took my then-6-year-old son on Bug. BIG mistake. He's 13 now and STILL won't go see the show. Freaked him out big time, and that was with him sitting on my lap through the entire show.

It's too loud, it's too dark, it's too scary and some of the bugs are just too real and menacing. You might see how your son does at Honey I Shrunk the Audience. But even so, I'd skip Bug for a few years yet.

 

[tinkerbell60]

We made the mistake of doing Honey I Shrunk the Audience as our first 3-D - both kids hated it and it took a lot of coaxing to see Philharmagic. We tried It's Tough To Be a Bug on the second trip - DS8 wouldn't wear the glasses and sat on my lap - he did love the Muppets though. I would stick with Philharmagic and Muppets!!

 

[BAYSIDE MOM]

Another vote for NO! I took my 6 year old who handled the Haunted Mansion fine, she did'nt flip out to the point where we had to leave, but she was definitely not happy. I was'nt too happy with it either! Very creepy!

 

[lorli]

DD was 4 last year when we went and she tried it and I had to take her out long before the show ws over. She didn't like the effects, water spraying, bugs flying at you the smells. This was just not a good experience for her. It turned out she didn't like any of the 3-d shows and we tended to skip them. Hopefully a year later and a little braver she'll be able to do some this year, I love them myself, expecially Mickey's Philharmagic. Best advice would be know your child and let that determine your decision.