Tower of Terror for an almost 5 year old?

[DisneyAngie]

It's up to you whether one of you rides to check it out before you ride with your son. If you really don't want to ride, then I would watch a video of the ride (there are some on youtube, just make sure you're watching the WDW version of ToT). You should be able to tell based on that if you think he'll like it, not like it, or if you really need to ride to see.

Now, if you decide to let him ride, and he decides at some point that he doesn't want to, there is a way to not ride up until the point where you actually board an elevator. Just ask the CM when you get up to the loading station (or right after the pre-show, if he knows then he doesn't want to ride), and they'll show you the way.

In my opinion, the part that scares people (especially children) the most is the pre-show, not the ride itself (especially coupled with the elaborate and creepy lobby, and the CMs, if they're really in character). It's almost too-well themed....

 

[Millie12591]

One of you should... THEN decide for your child.

It is designed and themed to be make guests feel "scared."

I'll ditto what Robo said....we went when my daughter was 7 and stupid me put her on this ride as her first ride in the parks. Let's just say it set the tone for the rest of the trip. LOL She did however love the drop on Splash Mt., and yes I realize the two don't compare, but she wanted to ride that one over and over again without fail. She's not typically scared of much, so the fact that the dark stuff scared her made me realize that I needed to be honoring to her not wanting to go on any dark and scary rides.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

My DS6 has tried to ride TOT twice...but the pre-show and the waiting area (creepy dark basement) scare him too much and he won't get on the ride. We have left through the "chicken exit" twice (and we are never alone when we leave, I might add!) He wants to try it again this Dec.

My DD7 LOVES it.

 

[back4more OH]

My DS has been riding TOT ever since he made the height requirement at 3 years old. He loves loves loves this ride. He rode it so much one day that all the Cast members knew him by name. They were getting at kick out of this 3 yr old telling other people (much older than him) not to be scared.

 

[golden6911]

It depends on the kid. My 4.5 year old daughter rode it. She is looking forward to riding it again this year. My 5.5 year old son won't even go on the Barnstormer so I wouldn't even think about it for him.

 

[CheetoGuido]

I agree that one of the parents should ride first and then decide. I personally do not ride TOT because i do not enjoy it, but my husband rides it with no problem. We took our daughter last year and she had just turned 5 and is shy and not especially a thrill seeker and she absolutely loved it! I couldn't not believe my eyes, if they hadn't bought the picture i probably wouldn't still. She actually got to ride it twice back to back because the 1st picture she was blocked by another adult, that the cast member said that would just not do and took my daughter and husband up the employee elevator to the front of the line and front of the ride so she could come out in the picture!! She loved the special attention and the ride and to this day is one of her favorite memories, plus the fact that she is braver than me for riding TOT!!

 

[J&JAKV08]

I think it depends on the child. It sounds like from your comments that he might be OK. When my daughter was 4 and just barely 40 inches tall she went on the ride and loved it. Was not scared at all. She rode the Tower 3 or 4 times on that trip. My wife and I both rode the ride several times before we took her on so we knew what she was in for. She is 6 now and it is one of her favorite rides.

There are different stages of the ride before you get on the elevator so if he gets scared in the pre-show there are exits you can leave through prior to boarding the elevator.

 

[J&JAKV08]

I think it depends on the child. It sounds like from your comments that he might be OK. When my daughter was 4 and just barely 40 inches tall she went on the ride and loved it. Was not scared at all. She rode the Tower 3 or 4 times on that trip. My wife and I both rode the ride several times before we took her on so we knew what she was in for. She is 6 now and it is one of her favorite rides.

There are different stages of the ride before you get on the elevator so if he gets scared in the pre-show there are exits you can leave through prior to boarding the elevator.

 

[LilGMom]

It really depends on the child. My oldest DS, who was six at the time, absolutely hated it. My almost 5 yr. old niece went on it and laughed and giggled the entire time, she absolutely loved it.