Tower of Terror -- what age?

[Howdy Doodat]

i haven't been on the tower of terror since before i had kids. my wife seems to think it would be too intense for our almost 5 year old. i don't think the dropping, going up, dropping, etc. would bother him -- i actually think he'd think it was pretty awesome -- but she seems to remember it being kinda creepy scary. as in "this elevator plummetted and all the passengers DIED muhahahaha". is she right? too scary for a little guy?

 

[Berlioz70]

To be honest, most people do not remember the story after going on the ride. I only know the story because I've seen the movie (they don't die, they disappear). If he sees the tower, hears the screams, and still wants to go on it... then I'd let him!

 

[soupercb]

When my ds was 4 and barely tall enough for ToT, he loved the ride...in fact I think he rode it more than 30 times in 3 days. It got to the point where the CMs knew they didn't even need to measure him. However, I know that I have a 7 year old nephew who would hate it. I think if you kind of make the pre-show and the continued theme into the ride a silly and funny thing it helps.

 

[The Iron Giant]

My son rode it last year when he was 4 years old. I explained to him about the ride and left it up to him. I told him it would be really scary and he still choose to go on it - no suprise

He was scared during the ride but he was fine afterward and he wasn't traumatized which was all I was really worried about

He tells me he will go on it again this year... but we'll see what happens when we get there

 

[CJN]

Our little guy will turn 5 in April and was just on TOT last week. We made sure he'd worked his way up to it first, going on just about everything else he was tall enough for. He didn't cry but didn't come off happy either. Said he wouldn't do it again - same with Splash Mountain. But had a ball on everything else.

As PP said, the storyline was meaningless, it was the fall in the darkness that got to him. Truth be told I didn't want him to do it but he was all excited to try because he knew how much his older brothers loved it.

 

[Suellen]

My LO is 3.5 and she can't wait to go on. I think it really depends on your child. My LO is easily distractable and won't be scared by the surrondings. But not all LO's would be like that.

Only you know your kiddo!

 

[tigger813]

Our youngest was almost 4 when she rode it last October and couldn't wait to do it again. She was hoping to ride Space Mountain in April, but wouldn't you know, it's scheduled to be closed the day we arrive!

 

[mollygirl]

When we were there last week, a woman had her little girl right behind us and the poor little thing was almost hysterical by the end of the ride. She was sobbing and crying that she wanted to go home.

It is meant to be a scary ride with a scary premise. If your child can watch horror movies, he/she will have no trouble with it. I think it is too intense for most children.

 

[suemom2kay]

My daughter went on after begging us at 5 yo. At the time, she didn't like the dark. I personally hate rides that drop, but love roller coasters. Well... she is just like me.

She cried throughout the ride and then yelled after, "why would Disney make a ride like this!?!" She was very mad at Disney, but it didn't ruin our trip or our day. We just moved on.

BTW, she does NOT want to go on ToT in June. Neither do I. We'll watch Dad though if he wants to go!

 

[a1tinkfans]

i haven't been on the tower of terror since before i had kids. my wife seems to think it would be too intense for our almost 5 year old. i don't think the dropping, going up, dropping, etc. would bother him -- i actually think he'd think it was pretty awesome -- but she seems to remember it being kinda creepy scary. as in "this elevator plummetted and all the passengers DIED muhahahaha". is she right? too scary for a little guy?

First, let me say...I LOVE LOVE LOVE this ride!

This is a tough one.....my ds a teen did it this year and did not like the part when the doors open and you "see" outside,freaked him a bit, that being said he does not do any type roller coaster normally, then LOVED Space Mountain IN dark and the whole roller coaster thing, who can figure this teen stuff out????
Its kinda like a big "frogger" ride. Has your ds done that type ride? Is there any near you, like inside one of those party places he could try just for the motion part, THEN "see" if you can discuss the dark, scary parts. Not sure I would bring a little one like that, BUT is there a height issue anyway????
Good Luck and enjoy your trip!

 

[thunderbug548]

My 6yr old ds loves to ride ToT but only once a day unless I coerce him into going again. LOL It's one of my faves! He knows all the build up isn't real so it doesn't bother him but I've seen kids really scared at the beginning (library) when it goes dark and the tv comes on.

 

[CLR4321]

We are going in about 4 weeks (March 3-10) and will be taking my 4 and a half year old on T of T with us. I will just explain when we are in line what is going to happen, and that it is really fun! It really depends on what you think your child can handle. If you make it out to be fun rather than scary, he's more likely to enjoy himself. Be sure to explain air time to him (that you bounce off your seat a little, but the seat belt holds you in safe!). Have a great trip!

 

[homedad]

our son went at 4 and did not like it, the up and down was to much, he liked TT and BTMR

 

[JasonsPrincess]

I went on it for the first time when I was 7 and i have to admit I was terrified at first....but after that I loved it! I would have your little one try it one time, tell them it isn't that scary and make a deal that if they don't like it you wont' force them on it again. Some kids like rides like that, others don't, and theres no way to know for sure until they try it once.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I think it's a litle scary for some kids while others are fine. You know your child best.

IF your child is interested, I would take them up to through the preshow area. If they don't want to ride at that point, you can take the chicken exit. The only thing is..an adult has to walk the child out, so you might not want to blow a fastpass just to find out.

 

[Dee77]

OK great advice for figuring out when/how to get the young one's on TOT, but how do you figure out getting the "young at heart" one's on the scarier or more thrill type rides? I am going with my wonderful parents this year and let's just say they are in their 60's, and haven't been to an amusement park in at least 20 years. Any advice for TOT and some others that I may need to red flag? Thanks!!

 

[fan1080]

It has a somewhat devious story line, with CM's that like to play-up the roll, and a pre-show that can be very scary for someone who doesn't enjoy dark and spooky places.

Go to youtube and search tower of terror. You should be able to find some full ride videos to watch and you can judge for yourself.

 

[J3nn78]

My 3 year old LOVED it.

 

[MonicaInFlorida]

My DD rode it when she was 4 and loved it. I'd shown her YouTube videos of the ride beforehand, so she knew what to expect and wasn't scared at all.

 

[welovedisneyx4]

Our DD went on TOT when she was 4 years old. She went w/ DH and I while DIL's waited outside w/ DS(he was a baby) for a child swap. We had explained the ride and she was willing to go. When the ride ended, we had to pull her hands off of the bar in front of us. She didn't say much at all until we got back to DIL's and DS and DIL's asked if she wanted to ride again w/ them. She got a huge smile on her face and said YES!! She has been a rider ever since!!!