Touring Plans Walking

[BlueGreen5]

At 6, one of my children was absolutely terrified of Haunted Mansion. It was another's favorite ride at 6. One of my children still refuses to go on Space Mountain. But, they'll go on Tron (???) without objection. Kids are irrational. Nothing at WDW is definitely "too scary," and nothing is too "babyish," for a 6-9 year old -- they are in the goldilocks era as far as WDW goes. But, my point is that every kid is going to have a unique and sometimes unpredictable reaction to every ride, and you just have to read them in the moment and not try to make too much sense of it.

One thing that helped my kids get over ride jitters was to let them watch youtube videos of rides as much as they want before we left for whatever park we were visiting (WDW or otherwise). Yes, doing so would spoil the ride for us adults, but, for them, it gives them a sense of security to know what's coming up. Most of kids' fears are really based in the fear of the unknown. A 6 year old who has virtually memorized the Haunted Mansion opening monologue is not likely to be very scared -- in fact, they're probably excited to ride it.

As far as walking speed, my kids at 6 and 9 were average speed walkers as far as TP goes. But, like others have mentioned, TP does not take into account the fact that 1) they REFUSE to walk in anything resembling a straight line, 2) they get VERY distracted by shiny objects, and 3) they just REALLLLY don't care that TP says the walk should only take 4 minutes if they have the most minor of needs that needs attention.

At 6 and 9, we thought the strollers were more of a nuisance than they would have been worth, but to each their own. There are some older kids who do really well in strollers. Heck, I probably would do great in one all day.

 

[Mle8308]

I am not a parent but will likely be going to WDW with my boyfriend and his two kids (6 boy & 9 girl) in late summer. I have been to WDW many times before but never with kids and about 6 years ago as my last trip. I usually use Touring Plans but I am wondering if anyone with kids of that age can tell me if the "average" walking works fine for little legs or if I need to bump it down to "relaxed?" We won't be using a stroller. Thanks!

I'd start out trying the relaxed pace, especially since you mention you are going at the end of the summer. It's hotter than the surface of the sun then and incredibly humid. You may need more A/C breaks and I know I don't move as quickly in the oppressive heat (we go at the end of August or early September, it's HOT). If you are from the deep south and are used to the heat and humidity, then maybe not??? You can always change the pace the next day if relaxed is too slow. You may be able to change it day of and re-optimize, I've never tried it! Have fun!

 

[Specter]

Now that she's 6, are there rides you aren't going to do anymore or rides you are adding on?

The only ride I can think of that we will probably skip is Barnstormer. But because she is on the petite side there are a lot of new rides that she can do this time that she is super excited for.

She is looking forward to Tiana's Bayou, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, Star Tours, Soarin, Guardians of the Galaxy. And because we think she is going to be able to be at the 44 inch mark (usually measures right at/just over but if she slouches she'll be under. Think tall kid!) she's also hoping for Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, and Flights of Passage. She's definitely a little thrillseeker.

 

[may1787]

Make sure to budget time for the after ride interactive activities--Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination are the ones that come to mind first, but I'm sure there are more. Also, don't discount the train as a way to get from one side of MK to the other. It will take longer but you will have to navigate the kids through less people. Be aware of how visually intimidating the rides are to kids--the track at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is built into the mountain, whereas Slinky Dog is out in the open and looks a lot higher.

Those are all great points! Thanks!

 

[may1787]

I think the last time we used a stroller was when our kids were 5 and 8. They took turns riding (my dd is tiny and was more like the size of a 6 year old at that time). I would go with “relaxed” and you should be fine. You can always rent a Disney stroller if necessary.

As far as rides go, we still do the “little kid” rides, even though they’re teen/tweens now. My 10 year old doesn’t do coasters or anything with a sizable drop, so we often split up so the teenager can do bigger rides.

One word of advice, don’t force them to ride something just because they’re tall enough. Some people think kids need to be pressured into bigger rides and then they’ll enjoy it, which is really mean, IMO. I have never been a roller coaster person and I hate when people try to pressure me into riding. I always encourage my kids to try rides, but the decision is ultimately their own.

Show them ride videos beforehand to get an idea of what they’re into. I personally hated Haunted Mansion as a kid, but my kids have loved it since they were little.

Oh, no pressure from me. I recognize that its their decision.

 

[may1787]

One thing that helped my kids get over ride jitters was to let them watch youtube videos of rides as much as they want before we left for whatever park we were visiting (WDW or otherwise). Yes, doing so would spoil the ride for us adults, but, for them, it gives them a sense of security to know what's coming up. Most of kids' fears are really based in the fear of the unknown. A 6 year old who has virtually memorized the Haunted Mansion opening monologue is not likely to be very scared -- in fact, they're probably excited to ride it.

You're probably right about this. It spoils the ride a bit for me (but not anymore since I've been on them), but it may give them confidence.

 

[may1787]

She is looking forward to Tiana's Bayou, Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, Dinosaur, Star Tours, Soarin, Guardians of the Galaxy. And because we think she is going to be able to be at the 44 inch mark (usually measures right at/just over but if she slouches she'll be under. Think tall kid!) she's also hoping for Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, and Flights of Passage. She's definitely a little thrillseeker.

Do you feel like AK is worth it at her age? I worried there wasn't much to do in that park that we couldn't do at the local zoos if they decide they don't want to go on coasters or sit for long shows.

 

[Specter]

Do you feel like AK is worth it at her age? I worried there wasn't much to do in that park that we couldn't do at the local zoos if they decide they don't want to go on coasters or sit for long shows.

AK is definitely worth it at her age, but as I already mentioned she is excited about the coasters. When she was younger/shorter and couldn't go on as many rides it was actually HS that we barely did. Before she was born DW and I loved HS because of the coasters/thrill rides but there was so little that DD could do, we only dedicated 1 park day to HS the last few trips and even then we were wrapping up early.

Not sure about your local zoo, ours is good (Houston), not anything amazing but solid, but the safari ride and the affection section and walking trails all feel like they hit a little different. Plus she was super entranced by the Navi River ride with all of the luminescent stuff. She is desperately hoping to be tall enough for Flights of Passage now.

 

[Rory607]

Oh, no pressure from me. I recognize that its their decision.

I wasn’t assuming you would, but I just throw it out there from other comments I’ve seen on these boards, especially when the kids have never been before I hope you all have a magical time!