Tower of Terror - Too young to ride?

[mjkaferle5]

Oh my goodness. Mission Space didn't kill that 4 year old, his undetected heart condition did.

Update on the Boy

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the ride killed him. But the G-forces on his heart didn't help him at all. I am just saying that 3 G's are felt a little stronger by a 4 y.o. compared to someone who is even just 8 years old.

 

[Goofy Rulz]

A 4-year old should be fine; depending on the child of course. Our 4-year old son went on it last year (husband was hesitant about letting him go on at first). We are going back in June and our son can't stop talking about how he wants to go on it again. My 5-year old niece (smaller in size to my son) also rode and loved it. Advice: do a fast pass so there's no long waiting in line for anyone to change their mind.

 

[4greatboys]

I think 4 is fine if the girl likes those kind of rides. My now 5 yr old rode it for the first time at 3 (a late 3). He loves rollercoasters--BTMRR is his fav and he loves the thrill rides. If he did not though I wouldnt have taken him on there.
It just really depends on the kid.

 

[andromedaslove]

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the ride killed him. But the G-forces on his heart didn't help him at all. I am just saying that 3 G's are felt a little stronger by a 4 y.o. compared to someone who is even just 8 years old.

Actually, after the little boy died there was a doctor in an interview who stated that the pressure from the G's that a person feels are different depending on the weight of the person. Therefore, the pressure a 4 year old would feel is greatly less than what an adult or teen feels because they weigh so much less.

Dana

 

[AnaheimGirl]

I agree that it depends on the child. Even my 8yo was nervous getting on ToT, because she's still a little fearful of the dark. She ended up loving the ride, and going on it many times, but that first time waiting in line in the boiler room, I really expected we'd soon be heading out the chicken exit.

Her parents have to make the call when they're there. Let her try it if she wants to and don't make her if she doesn't. Be prepared to leave if she gets scared while waiting in line.

I answered the poll that age 4 is fine, because I don't think the age in and of itself is the issue.

 

[Minniedap]

If you know anything about the ride be honest about it with the kids and let them make the decision. I took my 4 year old on it while her 5 year old sister opted to sit that one out. (FYI, she didn't care to go on it again).

 

[bethbuchall]

As previous posters have said, it really depends on the child. My dd went on ToT for the first time when she was 4 and absolutely loved it. It's still her favorite ride now at 12-1/2. My ds was 6 on that first trip, and he told us there was no way he was getting on that ride. He said that same thing when he was 11. He tried it at 13 and said that it was ok, but once was enough. My other ds also tried it the year he turned 5 and said that he really hated the feeling and doesn't plan to ever ride that again. We'll see how the boys feel about it in August, but I don't plan to make any ride if they don't want to. The younger ds (will be 7 next time we go) is really hoping to be tall enough to give Rock 'N Rollercoaster a try!

Beth

 

[mjkaferle5]

Actually, after the little boy died there was a doctor in an interview who stated that the pressure from the G's that a person feels are different depending on the weight of the person. Therefore, the pressure a 4 year old would feel is greatly less than what an adult or teen feels because they weigh so much less.

Dana

Really? I would have never thought that. Thanks for the info.

 

[loopner67]

My youngest son is 5 and wants to ride ToT. He watches the Disney Planning DVD constantly and has somewhat been able to see what the ride is all about . We have mentioned how high it goes, etc... but he still says that he wants to go on it. My vote is that he can go since he wants to, but I also won't be shocked if, once we get there, he sees how tall the building is and backs out. I think age isn't the right factor - it's what the child is able to deal with.

 

[shafke]

The first time I took DS on ToT he was 4. I think he did not like the darness more than the actual ride. I asked after we got off the ride if he wanted to go on again and he said no. I then went on RnR and when I got off DW told me that DS wanted to ride ride ToT again. He went on a 2nd time without any problems. The 3rd time we rode the elevator stopped for a minute at the beginning of the ride and it was totally dark. DS did not want to go on again on this trip.

 

[mousiemom]

My 5yr daughter rode it for the 1st time this yr. and loved it. We bought the picture and we were on the front row. She loved it. she rode it 4 more times thru our trip. It is my favorite ride!! She said she didn't like the ghost family but I covered her eyes and she held tight to me and my dh.

 

[MommyPoppins]

When our DS was 4 he wanted to ride. I tried to talk him out of it, you know. "Look DS see the ride, the people fall in a elevator. That's really scary." But it didn't work and he went. I was worried he would be affraid, but he did fine and was SO proud of himself because everyone else was screaming and he wasn't. But then next year when we went back he didn't want to ride it...so I guess once was enough for him.

 

[icecrystahl]

In my opinion I think 4 years old is a bit too young considering if my younger sister who is 4 aswell went on ToT she would be terrified but if she's a pretty brave girl than maybe she'll be alright. When we went to WDW Feb. last year my younger brother was six at the time and rode ToT with me and my dad. It wasn't the free fall that scared him it was the introduction you have in the lobby, he almost made us take him back to my mom right before getting in the elevator. I can't imagine what my 4 yr old sister would have done!

 

[kbkids]

DD rode it at 4 - thought it was awesome - couldn't wait to go back on it, and it's still her favorite ride!!

DS - he's 4 now - wouldn't get anywhere near it!!

It really depends on the child.

 

[pedro2112]

Actually, after the little boy died there was a doctor in an interview who stated that the pressure from the G's that a person feels are different depending on the weight of the person. Therefore, the pressure a 4 year old would feel is greatly less than what an adult or teen feels because they weigh so much less.

Dana

Yes, I read that interview also. Children's bodies can handle G forces much better than teens or adults.

 

[Mickeysooner]

I have seen many, many 4-year-olds and around that age ride the ride, and absolutely love it. It all depends on the child


Just a side note: I have a 14-year-old that is absolutely obsessed with the ToT...except for the drops. I mean, she knows everything there is to know about the attraction, all of the history behind it, and even wants to work there, yet she will not ride it. That's how fearful she is of the drops. So like I said, it all depends on the child.

 

[Twinprincesses]

We took my little brother at about 4 years old and he loved it. I however would not take my 3 year old daughters. I think it would just terrify them.

 

[Spaceship Earthfan]

I agree with the previous posters who say that younger kids tend enjoy this ride a lot. Last time I rode there were kids ~ 4 yrs old and they absolutely loved it.

 

[eblack0409]

You will probably see this split 50-50, but I personally think 4 years old is too young for Tower of Terror...it all depends on the child and the parents.

 

[Msslaydbug]

Wow - that was really hard to say. I guess it depends on the child. My son went on it for the first time when he was 5. He is such a dare devil - nothing has ever scared him. The only problem we had was explaing to him that he wasn't tall enough to ride on all of the rides