Which "First" Roller Coaster would you choose?

[princessnicchia]

My daughter went on Gadget's Go Coaster last year and loved it. She is 6, not adventurous at all, and wants to go on both BTMM and SM. Which would you take a 6 year old on for her first real roller coaster ride? I want her to really enjoy it, so she'll do more, because I LOVE roller coasters. (The Matterhorn is out because she is afraid of the yeti).

The thing is, I rode BTMM last year, but I haven't been on SM for years, so I can't really compare them. Which one is scariest? I want her to go on the LEAST scary roller coast in the park to start (she's afraid of the dark, which complicates things, but they are both dark, I think so we are going to have to live with it). She's seen You Tubes of them both.

 

[Diznygrl]

BTMRR is less scary, IMO. You're not zipping around in total darkness like SM, and it also has the two little "breaks" while you go up the lift hills, so it gives you a little time to catch your breath if you need it. It would definitely be my choice for first coaster.

 

[DiSNEY[MOMMA]]

I gotta agree. BTMRR would be the least of the scarriest between the 2. SM is dark && fast. I'd stick with BTMRR for a first time roller coaster. && cross your fingers adn hope she loves it, then you can move onto Sm

 

[DLR29]

Yep, BTMRR. My 3 year old cousin LOVED the "train roller coaster" after riding Gadget earlier that day.

 

[DiSNEY[MOMMA]]

Yep, BTMRR. My 3 year old cousin LOVED the "train roller coaster" after riding Gadget earlier that day.

Thanks for that tip. We are going in March with DS3 and I've been kinda iffy as far as the rollercoasters. Ill be sure to try that one

 

[luvsmickey1968]

It has to be without a doubt, BTMRR!
Both my children loved Big Thunder the first times they went on it but hated Space Mountain.
My son who just turned six still does not want to go on Space Mountain again but will go on Big Thunder again and again and again!

 

[Sherwin]

Nooo... even if she meets the height restriction, Space Mountain is still a fairly intimidating ride. Lots of twists and turns, scary plunges, and fear of hitting your head against a random metal bar (even though this won't be a problem with her :lol

BTMRR is great! It's tamer and even fun for the adults. I loved it.

 

[fairycat]

I am going with the majority on this BTMRR. Not being able to see what is coming ahead of you makes many people intimadated by SM. I think BTMRR has the theming and "control" of being able to see what is coming that will make her much more comfortable.

 

[princessnicchia]

Well, here I am thinking I'm all cool and knowing all the acronyms and all. I meant between Big Thunder and SPLASH Mountain (I actually don't even like Space Mountain, due to the aforementioned fear of hitting your head on the random metals bars).

Change anyone's mind? Or still Big Thunder over Splash.

 

[fairycat]

I would still go with BTMMR because that last drop can be really scary, where BTMMR is much more even over the whole ride, but that is me.

 

[Sherwin]

Well, here I am thinking I'm all cool and knowing all the acronyms and all. I meant between Big Thunder and SPLASH Mountain (I actually don't even like Space Mountain, due to the aforementioned fear of hitting your head on the random metals bars).

Change anyone's mind? Or still Big Thunder over Splash.

Haha! That's definitely a different comparison. Splash Mountain is much more themed, whereas BTMRR is just a roller coaster on a mountain. Like fairycat said, everything on Splash builds you up for the last drop, but most people ride it because of that drop.

 

[samkj]

Thanks for that tip. We are going in March with DS3 and I've been kinda iffy as far as the rollercoasters. Ill be sure to try that one

Just make sure to try Gadgets Go-Coaster first. It is the tamest and will give you an idea if you should try the others.

BTMRR, just make sure you hold your child tight. My son freaked out a bit at the amount of movement he had.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Correct me if I have this backwards, but I think you want to sit on the right of your child. We took our boys when they were 6 and they love BTMM but I had to hold on to the bar extra tight to keep from sliding over into my son and squishing him. I think I kept sliding to the right most of the time. Does that sound right?
Those same boys also loved Splash by the way. In fact, they still like it so much they went on it on a VERY cold day this Jan. There was no way I was walking around wet that day. I sat that one out!

 

[PHXscuba]

I think I might go with Splash Mountain first. I think kids feel safer in the front-to back configuration where they can lean on you vs. sliding all over on Thunder Mountain. But you might judge her reaction to seeing the outsides of the rides first -- that might tell you a lot.

Definitely NOT Space Mountain for a first big coaster. My sister accidentally did this early in the day with her 3 and 6 year old sons and they wouldn't ride anything dark the rest of the day!

PHXscuba

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

My daughter, Kelly, & I are in agreement that BTMR would be a better choice. There are no big drops, and it is a thrilling ride.

 

[Brady's Mom]

I have a very timid 6 year old. We took him on Gadget's when we went in Dec. and he loved it. We tried BTMRR and he Totally Loved it! He wanted to go over and over. It was really fun to see he and my dad riding with their hands in the air the whole ride.

He also loves Splash. There is a way to sit beside him on Splash. The very back seat can hold two people side by side. We did this with our 4 year old in Dec. and even he loved Splash. But, he is more adventurous than our 6 year old.

You could also try Mulholland Madness in DCA. Our DS 6 loves that ride, too.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Another "1st" rollercoaster for children is Casey Jr. -- it's not really a rollercoaster, but it has elements in it that seem like it's going fast. Fun ride

 

[princessnicchia]

Casey Jr. is a fun one! Both of my girls have done that. I'm trying to talk my 3 year old into Gadget's go coaster so she'll want to do the other ones next year (she is very small for her age and too short for the big roller coasters still).

Thanks for all the help!

 

[AmericanItGirl]

I'd say BTMRR before Splash because you can see the drops and whatnot before riding it, while with Splash the drops and the length of the drops are unknown, unless your kid was comfortable their first time on POTC (which has similar but less severe drops, minus the big drop at the end).

 

[Sherwin]

Actually, I wouldn't worry about it too much. When I was 7, my boyscout leader took me on a monster coaster (my first too!) in Taiwan. I lost my tooth too.