Which is "scarier" - SM or EE?

[martinp13]

Being a coaster nerd, I'll quote numbers for ya.

SM max speed is 27 mph, EE is 50 mph. So I'd give the edge to EE for speed scariness, though SM in the dark looks like more than 27!

The "big drop" everyone freaks out about on EE is all of 80 feet. On SM there aren't any big drops, but you can't see any of the little ones coming! Again the edge to EE for drop scariness (tho that's not much of a drop, really!).

General scariness? SM is in the dark, and as has been stated you sit single file. EE has the darkish backwards portion (no loop in that part, I promise), plus the fly-by of the world's most expensive rug (the non-moving Yeti), and you sit side-by-side. To me this part is a toss-up: both have pluses and minuses.

So I would consider Everest to be scarier, comparing the two. One thing I always remind adults and kids that are hesitant about either of these two rides: they're both "mine train"-type coasters. If you have ridden the Dahlonega Mine Train at Six Flags Over Georgia or other Six Flags park, or a mine train elsewhere, you've ridden the same type of coaster. SM and EE aren't some suspended looping devil-coasters: they're gimmicky mine trains.

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I usually don't like thrill rides but we rode most of the coasters at WDW in November. We didn't do Splash and RnR.

The idea of EE is really alot scarier than the actual ride. There are a few moments that really build the suspense. The initial climb that is very steep, the "broken track" where you sit for some time before you go backward and the wait when the Yeti comes. The actual ride isn't all that bad but it builds suspense. There is no really big drop on EE, it's more twists and turns. I hate that feeling of "coming out of your seat" during the drops and didn't feel it once on EE (I did feel it once on Big Thunder)

Space Mountain is the slowest of all the coasters at WDW. It is slower than Big Thunder, however it feels faster due to the darkness aspect. To be honest, I close my eyes when I ride Space because the visual makes me sick. With your eyes closed, you can feel that you're not really going that fast. It is quite jerky though. I have no back problems ect, we rode twice back to back and when we got out, my back was a little sore.

 

[Disneychick75]

Space Mountain is in the dark and a bit bumpy. To me, EE is scarier because when I rode it, I looked down. It's pretty far. I'm proud that I sucked it up and rode it once but I won't ride it again. Space Mountain I've ridden several times and I'm a scaredy cat.

 

[Networth]

SM is jerky and dark. EE is more intense but much smoother and light. They are so different it's really hard to compare. I would say EE is more "intense" though but than again I don't find coasters scary at all but am a big chicken of ToT so it's all subjective. What one person finds a blast others may feel like they are dying to quote my mother after riding Dueling Dragons lol.

 

[photo_chick]

Scary is relative to the person. My son freaks at bugs so It's Tough To Be a Bug terrified him at 8 but Space Mountain did not. You just never know how they'll react.

EE is more intense. Especially the dark section when you're going backwards.

 

[frozengurl]

I think because I've been riding SM since I was a kid it has kinda lost it's thrill to me... Though still one of my must do rides! I would have to say, for me, EE! I only ride it once and I can't wait to ride it again! I also must say the same for RnRC! I'm so pumped to get back on that ride!

 

[frozengurl]

My son is 7 years old. He has done BTMR and is ready to try a new coaster this year. It took a lot of nerve for him to try BTMR last year (he was very hesitant at first), so I don't want to freak him out and make him too nervous to trust me/try new rides in the future. With that information, which coaster should I suggest he try this year - Expedition Everest or Space Mountain?

Ok, I just read this OP, didn't realize you were talking about your 7 year old... Disregard my last post!
My DD 6 loves the roller coaster thrill rides. Our last trip she rode BTMR, EE, and TOT! I have been hesitant to put her on SM for 2 reasons, 1 bc it's pitch black and she has a bit of a "scared of the dark" thing still! And secondly, bc I can't sit right next to her. If she was scared I don't know if I could comfort her.
For example: she freaked out on TOT! However, I was able to completely wrap my arms around her and put my hands on her lap etc. Once we got off the ride she was ready to do it again though... Even though she was practically in tears during the ride she went right back on it with her daddy! (She's my thrill seeker)
She rode EE without any fear what's so ever... She loved it!
We have not done SM with her yet.... Like I said... I'm a bit nervous for her on that one and not quite sure if she's ready yet!

 

[Mousemommy1]

Scary is relative to the person. My son freaks at bugs so It's Tough To Be a Bug terrified him at 8 but Space Mountain did not. You just never know how they'll react.

EE is more intense. Especially the dark section when you're going backwards.

LOL! I had to laugh at this one.

My 7 and 9 year are terrified in It's Tough to be a Bug, but both LOVE Space Mountain and EE!!!

 

[bkmom]

My daughter is 9 and SM has been her favorite ride for the past 3 years. She didn't try EE until last October and was scared at first but now she likes it. She's not a fan of TOT and RNRC.

 

[Tazzik]

LOL! I had to laugh at this one.

My 7 and 9 year are terrified in It's Tough to be a Bug, but both LOVE Space Mountain and EE!!!

Yeah, my kids are scared of It's Tough to be a Bug as well, but both rode EE by age 4 and loved it. My youngest hasn't ridden SM yet, but he wants to ride it this year, "It might be my only chance to go to space," was his reasoning. As a dad, I found SM to be much scarier than EE, simply because I couldn't sit with my kid (or even really see him) and make sure he was ok. EE is just plain awesome. I can see how the yeti could scare some of the younger kids, but for my tastes, I'd rather start my kids there than SM.

Honestly, my 4 year old would much rather ride EE than BTMRR. As much as he loves trains, BTMRR was just too loud and rough for him.

 

[Crystal824]

I would say EE is the scarier of the two. SM is kind of jerky though and in the dark.

 

[magicbob]

As others have said, SM is dark and rough. But I'd say EE is "scarier" because of the height and "big drop."

Although SM wins hands-down if a snake falls in your lap!!!!!

 

[ellone]

SM is too jerky for me. I do find I do better on EE is I sit midpoint up. I sat in the back once and got sick. But now I request that I sit somewhere in the front half and I do much better.

 

[disney1990]

My DD rode SM when she was 5. As a matter of fact, the first time we went on, she was wearing her chunky tennis shoes and they let her on. We came back later in the week and she was wearing sandals and measured too short to ride. She cried cause she wanted to ride again.

 

[ucfknight]

I'm always afraid of Disco Yeti.

He is a reminder of the cutbacks in Imagineering that have led to and allowed the centerpiece of Animal Kingdom's most important ride to remain a stationary statue under strobe lights for half a decade.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

I love EE, and so does my non-thrill seeking 9 year old daughter.

I tried SM for the first time about two years ago in order to see if it would be ok for her, and it is the only ride (other than the tea cups) that I have gone on at Disney, where I spent the entire time saying to myself over and over again "I'm going to die now". Keep in mind that I'm a guy in his 40's...

 

[iheartbuffy]

I'm always afraid of Disco Yeti.

He is a reminder of the cutbacks in Imagineering that have led to and allowed the centerpiece of Animal Kingdom's most important ride to remain a stationary statue under strobe lights for half a decade.

For what it's worth, a week and a half ago there was no strobe, just regular light lol

 

[stindall]

I would probably say Everest if he isn't really afraid of the dark. It's pretty fast and changes directions quickly...and of course there's the yeti! Space Mountain is scary as you're in the dark BUT it's a lot smoother than it used to be. I find it terrifying in a very thrilling way.

 

[erineab]

Thanks for the great replies, everyone! I hadn't really considered the single file riding set-up of Space before.....which has me leaning towards doing EE first. My son is not a big 7 year old by any stretch, and I'm sure he will jostle about an awful lot if I can't put my arm around him (not to mention that I think he would be too afraid to ride if I'm not directly beside him!!). 35 more days!!

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

I think Expedition Everest is the scariest but Space Mountain is pretty scary too. If he can ride one than the other should not be a problem. You sit by yourself on Space Mountain....I would personally strap him in and show him exactly how to hold on tight.