What's too scary for 4- and 6-yo?

[GoofysPrincess]

Just curious what rides your younger children got scared on that you didn't expect them too. Do they find things like Pirates and Snow White really scary? I'm thinking ours are too young for Haunted Mansion and Tough to be a Bug -- but what about Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Little Mermaid?

Just curious what your experiences have been... Thanks!!

 

[BethanyF]

My son was 3 1/2 and loved Pirates, but was too afraid to even attempt Haunted Mansion. He also loved Its Tough To Be A Bug.
We didnt get on Snow White, so I cant tell you how he reated to that. And we passed on Honey I Shrunk based on advice from friends. He was a little scared in the Tiki Tiki Room.
It all boils down to knowing your child's fears. Some are scared of the most innocent of things, and others arent scared of anything.
Have fun

 

[crisi]

My 3 1/2 year old was too scared for HM (but other little kids are fine). Did ok with Pirates - but only sitting between Grandpa and Daddy. Snow White was no big deal to him. We didn't do Goofy's Barnstormer that trip, but by now (he just turned five) he is looking forward to it (as is the four year old - back then, my son didn't like roller coasters and my daughter we felt was too little - now at 4 and 5 they are little coaster fans.)

Nobody liked Little Mermaid, but not because it was scary. We didn't like it because it was "boring and stupid" (Having someone sitting right in front of us that the kids couldn't see over talking and videotaping the whole thing didn't help).

We didn't do Honey I Shrunk the Audience (our experience with Muppetvision showed they didn't really get the whole glasses 3D movie thing), and skipped ITTAB for the same reasons.

 

[jacksonsmom]

It depends on your child, only you know your child & what they can or can not handle.

Last June we took our 3.5 yr old on everything, including Dinosaur, ToT, Splash Mountain, etc. He wasn't scare on anything.

He LOVED Haunted Mansion & ended up going on it 3x in a row! BUT I will share a story with you and the HM. My son was really excited to go on HM, but when we got to the cars you jump into, he said he didn't want to go (I think the darkness & noises scared him) I reminded him that it is just pretend (like I did before all rides) & that I will be right next to him & he can hold my hand. I also told him we can wave to the ghost we see. He then said OK & we did just that, waved to all the ghost. He LOVED IT!

But I knew that he would if he would just go on it but I know my child's fears & what he can handle.
Before going on ANY ride I explained the ride to my son & told him what to expect (dark, loud, etc) so he was prepared which I think helped alot.

Also we went to all the 3D movies. My son liked HISTA the best out of all of them. The only part he didn't like was the "snake" and he just closed his eyes for that one & was fine.

Like I said, you know your children. I know my son's fear theshold so I know what rides he can handle & which he can't (I would not take him on Alien Encounter even if he wanted to go on it) If you decide to take one or both of your children on a certain ride, just research the ride so you can explain the ride to them & let them know if it will be dark, loud, scary, etc in advance.

Good Luck

 

[GoofysPrincess]

Thanks for sharing! What's making this tough for me is they aren't my kids! We're taking my niece and nephew with us, so I'm just going to try to steer clear of the scary stuff -- or at least start with things that are generally fine and see how they do.

I appreciate your help!!

 

[crisi]

Generally, they know. Follow their cues. Read up on the attractions. Get a copy of Birnbaums "Disney for Kids by Kids" and let them get an idea of what each ride is about. Talk to their parents before you leave about what their triggers are. My daughter enjoys fast, she enjoys drops - but I think Haunted Mansion may be tough for her - its story that gets her. My son handles story fine, but doesn't like drops (he doesn't mind spinning and can do teacups all day) - Tower of Terror is out for her because of the story - out for him because of the drops. The Birnbaum book rates rides as "Scary" "Wet" "Dark" "Loud" and "Rough" A kid may do fine on a loud, wet, rough ride, but hate anything dark. Another may just not want to get wet.

A lot of preschoolers are freaked by Its Tough to Be A Bug. Don't do this as your first 3D movie experience because its very interactive.

 

[Danemom]

I think you can test them once you're there to see what they can handle. Try Peter Pan - dark but not scary - if that's okay then move to Snow White - dark and a little scary - if that goes well then maybe Pirates, then HM, and so on.
My kids rode almost everything when they were 3 and 5, even though one of them is a nervous kind of kid. We talked a lot about what to expect and reminded them everything is pretend. They really enjoyed the HM but the intro story was the scariest part for them.