Warning! May be frightening for small children...

[bonybroad]

My 4 year old HATED Stitch. The CM told me we couldn't get out of the harness, which we did anyways - my son was hysterical. (It's not that hard, just slide out from under it, ha!)
My 4 yo and 6 yo were terrified at Honey I Shrunk the Audience. The lion freaked them out pretty badly - another one where we had to leave before the show was over.
Other than that, they liked everything you mentioned. They weren't big enough for a couple of them, though.

 

[Laurabearz]

Our next trip will be with a large group that includes children - ages 2, 4, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Is there anything about the following attractions that may make them too frightening for children?

Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tiki Room Loud Noises, Thunderstorm
Jungle Cruise Gun shots
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh semi rough bouncing thunderstorm
Mickey's Philharmagic Loud
Peter Pan's Flight darkPirates of the Caribbean Fire, darkSnow Whites Scary Adventures all witch no snowwhite see the title Scary
Splash Mountain vultures dark big drop
Stitch's Great Escape! loud dark scary big time

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride
Norway Maelstrom Big vikings drops

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience mice and things in the seats that buzz you
Universe of Energy dark, big dinosaurs

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour
Sounds Dangerous
The Great Movie Ride guns loud noises real life people shooting
Indiana Jones Stunt Show fire action
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show Real human on fire, explosions
Muppet Vision 3D Studios
Little Mermaid Ursula is huge, sit far back

Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug big bugs
Kali River Rapids

Hope that helps

 

[exwdwcm]

i say it is a child by child basis. My little niece was afraid of the spider scene on HM (it is now replaced by the stair scene). She was also afraid of the spiders and other things shown in the movie clips at the Sci Fi cafe. It is random things like that. She wasn't afraid of the scary skeletons or ghosts, just the spider. So you really never know.

a good tip is giving each child a small flashlight for the dark rides.

 

[princesswendy720]

When I was little I was afraid of these things:

Snow White- The witch scared me, but not enough to keep me off the ride.
Pirates - I was only ever afraid of the drop in the dark
Honey I Shrunk the Audience - I was terrified of this for awhile, mostly the mice part. After I did it once I would sit with my feet up whenever we did it to avoid the "mice."
Norway ride - This scared me a lot as a kid too. I think it was the riding backwards thing.

As a side note, I was never afraid of these things enough to not ride them. As a matter of fact I went on the Haunted Mansion with my dad every trip even though it scared me.

 

[haleofafamily]

Out of your list these are the attractions that scared some or all of my children:
Tiki Room - parts of it are dark and loud, but they want to see if every trip
Pirates - the surprising drop scares them otherwise they just look at everything very quietly
Snow White - scary
Stitch - scary
Maelstorm - trolls scared them
Honey I Shrunk - my DH and I saw this and decided it would terrify our kids
Great Movie Ride - parts of it scare them so I just cover their eyes and ears, they enjoy the rest
It's tough to be a bug - parts scary - PP gave good advice to see Mickey's Philharmagic and Muppets to gauge child's reaction to 3D

One attraction that I was surprised scared our kids was Little Mermaid show at DHS. They were terrified.

 

[MomofKatie]

Commenting from memory of our trip when DD was 3:

Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree a little wary of the deer and buffalo heads on the wall that talked, otherwise OK
Enchanted Tiki Room the storm effects and the goddess with the glowing eyes bothered her
Jungle Cruise not scary at all
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh not scary at all
Mickey's Philharmagic not scary, but DD didn't like wearing the 3D glasses
Peter Pan's Flight not scary at all
Pirates of the Caribbean not scary at all for DD- but there are some skeletons, etc
Snow Whites Scary Adventures not scary for DD, but MANY kids get scared on this ride because of the evil Queen/Witch and the darkness
Splash Mountain not scary at all- unless your little one doesn't like drops
Stitch's Great Escape! not scary, but dark and claustrophobic. Skip it- just not a good attraction overall.

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride not scary at all
Norway Maelstrom trolls, polar bears, and a small drop, but otherwise not scary at all

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience too intense for many preschoolers- snakes, a lion head, and other "jump out at you" things
Universe of Energy unless they are scared of dinosaurs, not at all scary. Might be boring for little ones

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour if scared by fire and flooding, might be scared. Otherwise, not scary.
Sounds Dangerous very dark
The Great Movie Ride Wicked Witch and Alien scenes can be very frightening for little kids.
Indiana Jones Stunt Show lots of action, not really scary.
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show car and motorcycle stunts- lots of explosions, fire, and noise.
Muppet Vision 3D Studios not scary, but DD doesn't like to wear the 3D glasses- too intense for her.


Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug DD at 10 is still frightened of this! She has a real spider phobia, and there are several large Black Widows that fall from the ceiling at one point. Freaked her and a few other kids right out!! Lots of other 4D effects that bother many, not just kids.
Kali River Rapids not scary, but very, very wet!!

 

[abc999]

Also, a lot depends on if the child is afraid of the dark. Last year, we went on Winnie the Pooh and DD (4.5 now) was afraid. We found out she was just afraid of the dark part, so we got her and DS (2.5) little flashlights, which they turned on whenever they were afraid. Turns out DD is not really that afraid of the dark anymore and DS got a lot more use out of the flashlights.. Some of the things that he didn't like were Spaceship Earth and the Little Mermaid.

 

[chelbell]

So I'm 16 now, but have been going to Disney since I was like 4 or 5. There are rides that I was scared of when I was younger and am still afraid of now. So here's my two sense (as my mom would say)...

Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree...loved it because of the bears. I liked singing animals when I was little...well I still do...
Enchanted Tiki Room...love it because of the birds, but the thunder and one other part scared me because it was loud and I hated thunder storms
Jungle Cruise...I was bored because I missed all the jokes because I was too young, now I enjoy it because I find it funny.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh...love it because I love Pooh. I don't remember much about the ride though...
Mickey's Philharmagic...It wasn't there when I was younger, but I love it still. It is the only 3D thing I'll do at Disney because its on the tamer side...
Peter Pan's Flight...I liked it because you glow in the dark but at the same time I didn't like the dark...
Pirates of the Caribbean...I liked it because I liked pirates, but it was sort of scary because it was dark and the drop
Snow Whites Scary Adventures...Flat out, the witch scared me. I honestly thought the rock was going to fall. Actually...I still kinda do...
Splash Mountain...I love it, but I was/am an adventurous kid
Stitch's Great Escape!...wasn't there when I was younger, but I went on in when I was 13 and was so scared I cried. But I don't like things popping up at me etc (basically what goes on in this ride)

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride...never done
Norway Maelstrom...never done

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience...I hate 3D shows that are Philharmonic so I still fear this show. This year I'm trading my mom, I'll do this if she goes on TOT
Universe of Energy...never been

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour...I love this. The Cannon part scared me, but I liked it at the same time
Sounds Dangerous...never done
The Great Movie Ride...I hate it. I don't know why but I get scared
Indiana Jones Stunt Show...It was a show so I was not scared, but I could see it could be scary since I was never sure if Indy was going to survive
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show...wasn't there when I was little, but I love it now. But it is really loud so I could see younger kids being scared.
Muppet Vision 3D Studios...once again...3D and me don't mix


Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug...3D...scared me so bad I still refuse to do. Plus I hate bugs so...yeah I hate this one.
Kali River Rapids...wasn't there when I was younger, but I love this ride alot because I like water rides.

hope this helps...

 

[Amyg]

Country Bear Jamboree: Sit near the back if child is scared of large figures.
Enchanted Tiki Room: My son (then 5) was scared of the "thunder & lightening" sounds, he literally jumped on my lap.
Jungle Cruise: Okay
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Cute
Mickey's Philharmagic: Fun
Peter Pan's Flight: Fun
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dark but fun, warn child about the dip or they may be startled when the "boat" goes downward.
Snow Whites Scary Adventures: My son (then 5) saw the witch in the window and didn't want to go inside.
Splash Mountain: Again, the rather large downward plunge could be scary for kids
Stitch's Great Escape! - Did not go

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride: Calm
Norway Maelstrom: Troll may scare some younger kids

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience: Cute
Universe of Energy: It has some dinosaurs but not scary IMO, this one is looonng so make sure everyone has gone to the potty before hand! (I thought it was boring, but a good place to rest/nap for 20 minutes, LOL)

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour: "flood and quake" could scare some
Sounds Dangerous: Did not do
The Great Movie Ride": Did not do
Indiana Jones Stunt Show: Far enough away to not be scary IMO but there are some explosions and fire where you can feel the heat.
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show: Did not go
Muppet Vision 3D Studios: Cute

 

[allyphoe]

DD did all of these between 3 and 4.

Country Bear Jamboree - boring
Enchanted Tiki Room - loves it, Tiki goddess is loud and a little scary, so she covers her eyes and ears.
Jungle Cruise - not scary
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - not scary, but not a favorite
Mickey's Philharmagic - not scary except for the champagne pop - I put a hand in front of her face
Peter Pan's Flight - not scary
Pirates of the Caribbean - anticipation is worse than reality
Snow Whites Scary Adventures - a little scary, but she rode it like 10 times in a row one day, so it can't be too bad. We play a game where we try to spot the witch and tell her to go away.
Splash Mountain - we have to count as we go down the big hill, because otherwise it's too much. But she rode 3 times in a row, and stopped there because she doesn't really like to be wet
Stitch's Great Escape! - I'd never take her, because she'd hate it

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride - not scary
Norway Maelstrom - not scary

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience - I dislike this, so don't go.
Universe of Energy - a tiny bit scary with the loud dinosaurs. Very loud.

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour - not scary
Sounds Dangerous - hasn't done it - she dislikes noises in the dark
The Great Movie Ride - the alien part is scary.
Indiana Jones Stunt Show - not scary
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show - not scary
Muppet Vision 3D Studios - not scary - her favorite 3D


Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug - it took two tries to get through the claustrophobia-inducing queue - the first time we had to leave before the doors opened. She sat on my lap, head buried in my shoulder, hands clamped over ears the whole time. I hate this one, too.
Kali River Rapids - not scary

FWIW, she loves BTMMR, rides ToT until I give up, and is disgruntled to be too short for SM, EE and PW. She did Dinosaur twice, and said that was enough.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

I haven't read through all the replys, but my answer to all your questions is YES.

It seems that there is always a little something scary (or sometimes more than a little) about every Disney ride. My kids are afraid of most rides- and they've been at least twice a year every year of their lives- they are 9 and 6! We pretty much have to drag them on to some rides or my husband and I ride singles without them.

Some high lights of the only ones they'll do- because they're not "scary" are Buzz (except my daughter who doesn't like it), Small World, TTA, Carosel of Progress, Jungle Cruise (with some reluctance), Peter Pan (at times covering the eyes), Mexico, Ellen's Energy Ride (itis scary with the dinasuars and loud noises, but they don't seem to notice), Living with the Land, Soarin (son, not daughter), Figment (daughter with her eyes shut half the ride), Great Movie Ride (with great protest and lots of heads in the parent's lap), Kilimanjaro Safari, and the Monorail!

All kids will react differently- I say make the trip fun for you- don't force anyone on a ride- take turns and do what you like- not what the kids demand.

 

[tdfam]

i remember when we took my son when he was two, he said one day when asked what his favorite ride was so far and he said "the parking lot cause it doesn't move"

 

[Interstellar Mickey]

Well, yes. LOL! It depends on the specific child, of course, but I think some kids might be squeemish about It's Tough to be a Bug. Kali River Rapids and Splash Mountain can be fun, but a bit scary when you go fast and get splashed. Pirates can be a bit spooky with Davy Jone's face, the skeletons, the drop in the dark. My DD didn't care for that when she was small. Honey I Shrunk the Audience -- a "don't see it" if you're afraid of mice or snakes, and even if you're not, this one can be quite startling if you're very small. I also wouldn't take very small kids on Sounds Dangerous because the whole thing takes place in the dark and you have to rely on your brain to interpret sounds and follow the plot line. Small kids won't realize what's going on anyway.

Given your specific kids, it's possible that they won't be afraid of anything, or that one or more will be afraid of one or more attractions. Best thing to do is look up the rides on YouTube or the Disney World web site, check them out, and let the parents decide if it's right for their little one. Have a magical time!

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

Off topic:

I demand you take off your signature!

Only kidding

I literally was inches away from pressing my screen before I realized that it wasn't real

 

[tytydane]

Magic Kingdom
Enchanted Tiki Room-dark
Jungle Cruise-dark
Mickey's Philharmagic-some loud noises
Pirates of the Caribbean-dark, 14 foot drop
Snow Whites Scary Adventures-dark, witch creepy-ish
Splash Mountain-big drop, smaller drops, dark-ish
Stitch's Great Escape!-dark, loud, you can move out of your seat if you want to leave

Epcot World Showcase
Norway Maelstrom- very small drop

Epcot Future World
Universe of Energy-very long, its like 30 min

Hollywood Studios
The Great Movie Ride-one dark scene

Animal Kingdom
Kali River Rapids-drop


this is whta i think could be scary and i put the reasons why

 

[missmun52]

My son who was almost 3 at the time did not like these rides. And because we let him go into its tough to be a bug, honey I shrunk, maelstorm and POCT he did not want to do anything else! He was afraid if anything went dark, I mean crying and shaking, we could not even do monsters ink, or little mermaid after that because he just did not trust us anymore when we told him it would be ok, he was just expecting something bad to happen and we would end up taking him out. Before that he was ok and he did see the little mermaid before and was ok but I guess after the scare that was it for him and everything. I did not want him to do these rides but my DH insisted he would be fine and I was treating him like a baby and took him in anyway. Cast members would tell us it was OK but sometimes you cant listen to them! For the older ones they may be ok. but for the little ones I would not let them go on.

Now some kids love costers, not my son! He loved goofys coster however when he was smaller (I think he has now developed a fear for all thing that move fast, but I think it our fault because we (My DH Really )just pushed him too hard sometimes, now he trusts nothing)

Magic Kingdom
Country Bear Jamboree
Enchanted Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's Philharmagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean yes
Snow Whites Scary Adventures a little
Splash Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape! - did not do this ride

Epcot World Showcase
Mexico boat ride
Norway Maelstromyes

Epcot Future World
Honey I Shrunk the Audience YES
Universe of Energy

Hollywood Studios
Backlot Tour
Sounds Dangerous
The Great Movie Ride
Indiana Jones Stunt Show
Lights, Motors, Action! Stunt Show
Muppet Vision 3D Studios


Animal Kingdom
It's Tough to be a Bug yes!!
Kali River Rapids

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

The Unoffical Guide has a great section on kids and scary stuff. I highly recommend it with as big of a group as you have going!

Have fun!

 

[Anonomom]

We took our 2.5yo to WDW a few weeks ago, and I was surprised at some of the rides that scared her. She's a pretty intrepid kid, and I'd never seen her scared of anything before, but we basically followed the UG's recommendations on scary rides.

There was one attraction that bothered her, (Muppets 3-d), another that made her cry (Maelstrom; specifically the trolls) and one that upset her so badly we had to take her out of the theater (Philharmagic).

The biggest shocker for me was that Philharmagic was so bad for DD. From the guidebooks I'd read, I'd expected a fun, light movie with lots of music and characters. So we were shocked when within 30 seconds, the orchestra that Donald was conducting came to life and started beating him up! DD SCREAMED and cried and tried to hide. She calmed down for a minute when Be Our Guest started up, but again here came the instruments to beat on Donald some more. And with that, we were done. It took an extra ride on the carousel to calm DD down.

Based on DD's reaction to Maelstrom and the movies, we decided to skip some of the rides we were iffy on. She didn't go on POC or Haunted Mansion, and we skipped the rest of the 3-d movies. We did take her on Winnie The Pooh, and she loved it.

 

[jblrn2b]

Are those all your Kids?!! You have to know the kids. My daredevil youngest doesn't like anything 3D - but he climbed our refridgerator at 18mths go figure. He will go through the ride or show but shuts his eyes and rests his head on me. Sometimes you just don't know what is going to scare - just be prepared to not enter a ride at the beginning.

 

[Salukfan]

Just throwing out another attraction that scares some children: "Festival of the Lion King." Sometimes "Be Prepared" gets to them. But, if they would get scared during that sequence, just know that they can't exit until after the fire twirler has finished performing.

It's a really small number of children that get scared enough to exit the show, but I thought I'd bring it up.

 

[DizBelle]

Are those all your Kids?!! You have to know the kids. My daredevil youngest doesn't like anything 3D - but he climbed our refridgerator at 18mths go figure. He will go through the ride or show but shuts his eyes and rests his head on me. Sometimes you just don't know what is going to scare - just be prepared to not enter a ride at the beginning.

Nope - none of these are mine. They are all children of my DH's siblings. I'm just trying to provide them with some information that they can use to determine if certain rides are or are not for their children. We don't have children so it's hard for me to view the attractions from a child's point of view and say whether or not it would scare kids. I would have never thought Country Bear Jamboree would scare anyone until we saw it once and there was a boy about 9 years old that was screaming bloody murder. I was surprised that anyone would be frightened. I was doubly surprised that it was a 9 year old boy. Then I thought about it and realized that these are giant bears and could be frightening. I also have no idea if this boy had special needs that altered his perception of things. That may have also affected his reaction.

So, I thought I'd put the queston to all my DIS friends who have kids with experience on what they are afraid of so I can make the parents aware so they can make the best decision and avoid any big issues with terrified kids.