Which is "scarier" - SM or EE?

[FamilyGuy]

My 6 year old rode EE over and over with several different ride partners in our group. . . She loved it!

I would definitely say that EE is more serious of a ride than SM. The only exception would be if one was afraid of the dark.

SM is a "wild mouse" ride set in the dark. Very tame coaster if you turned the lights on. I must admit it is one of my absolute favorite rides at WDW though!

 

[want2bamommy]

I still find SM to be the scariest of all of the rides. I think because it is so dark and I can't see what is coming next that makes it so hard for me.

 

[ucfknight]

SM is a "wild mouse" ride set in the dark. Very tame coaster if you turned the lights on.

What do you mean? There is one point Space Mountain hits a mind-numbing 25 MPH. That's about the same speed as the Barnstormer.
Absolutely terrifying, I tell you.

 

[Rebekkap]

Everyone who's saying SM is too jerky, I find it really jerky if I'm not right at the front. Try asking the CM at the front of the line if you can wait for the front seat

On another note, I'm thrilled to hear RnRC doesn't have any big drops - I'm going to ride it in May (was too scared last time!)

 

[Vidia2]

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?

I find SM scarier because I'm afraid of being hit in the face by a rogue flying object. Since a 7 year old probably wouldn't be worried about that, EE might be scarier because the height and going backwards.

Rockiin' Roller Coaster is more fun than SM like other people have mentioned. Smoother, fun music and black lights! We love that ride! For some reason I don't have the fear of being hit in the face on that ride.

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

My kids always liked SM more than EE, or even BTMR for tht matter. My oldest said it was because you couldn't see where you were going, lol. She was ok with RnR, and really wasn't crazy about the other big roller coasters found in other local theme parks, because you could see (and hear!!!) the riders. They all agreed they weren't too fond of EE at first because of the drop, and I've got one who still refuses to ride splash because she hates drops, but loves RnR. Go figure

 

[DVCcurious]

Just remind him that the viscous YETI he sees at the end isn't real.

 

[Mousemommy1]

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!!

FWIW, on our last trip, our youngest daughter was 6, and all of 44" and 37 lbs....She had patiently waited 3 trips to finally ride SM like us and her big sister. She rode SM like there was no tomorrow, many, many times, and with her tiny, petite frame, she managed to stay in the seat.

 

[Mazzy]

SM is dark and gives you neck injuries afterwards lol EE has the Yeti which can be creepy. The backwards part is what does me in. It's too much pressure, I can't ride it more than once...which sucks because I love the rest of the ride.

I am exactly the same with EE, absolutely loved this ride, I have no fear of heights and loved the amazing views, but that backwards bit did weird things to my head, so didn't ride it again last trip. I am trying to decide whether to give it another go in May......


To the OP, apart from the backwards bit, I find Space a scarier ride as you can't see what's coming, so apart from the backwards bit, for me, EE is better. And yes, I am an adult, but with coaster I am about child level, lol, BTMRR is wild to me, and I did Rock 'n' Roller coaster once and got an instant migraine, so yep, a bit of a wuss, lol

 

[FireDancer]

Space Mountain is basically a small coaster that is intensified because it is in the dark. If you look at the track it is probably along the lines of a kid's coaster at Cedar Point or King's Island.

If you had to chose between the two OP I'd go with Space Mountain. Neither are really a big coaster but EE is more of a traditional coaster then SM. I think anyone able to do Thunder Mountain can do Space Mountain without a problem.

 

[DisneyDetective]

I would suggest that Space Mountain is the best for children of that age because of the dark which disguises how high you are.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

It depends. Is he afraid of snakes?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

EE is hands down scarier. It has the yeti, and is more intense.

Space Mtn is in the dark, but that actually makes the ride less scary in a way. I find a ride like Hulk- where I can SEE everything more intimidating.

Adults tend to complain about Space more. It is an older style coaster, so it is less smooth. Adults with chronic pains (like a bad hip, bad shoulder) tend to complain that SM 'beats them up' more.

EE is longer.

Space is about 3,200 feet. to[p height 90feet (but no BIG drop, just four small ones). Top speed 27mph. Duration 2min 35seconds.

EE is 4,424 feet. Top height 112 feet, big drop 80 feet (but very smooth, so it doesn't feel all that bad, if that makes sense.). top speed 50mph. Duration 2min 50 seconds. EE also has section where the ride goes backwards in the dark. EE also has a slightly more intense lap restraint. You only see the yeti very short. blink and you miss. You also get a short view of his shadow. the shadow is probably scarier, because the actual Yeti at end is so quick If you blink or don't look directly at him, you'll miss him. I've ben with several folks who did not see him the first time they rode.

Folks always talk about how you can't sit side by side on Space Mtn. I guess some kids react to that, but I've only ever seen parents freaking out! Every time I've seen a kid ride for the first time, parents maybe freaking out because they can't sit side by side, but the kid just shrugs. Instead, mom or dad sit right in front or right behind the child. That has never remotely bothered anyone in our family.

Just FYI- RnRC is only 90 seconds long! It is also in the dark and has no backwards section. The launch is very fast (5 G's of force), but after that very smooth and very short. It is also in the dark. Lots of curved track, and two corkscrew type inversions, but no straight loops, no big drops.

 

[frozengurl]

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!!

I honestly think this is a good choice! Hope you guys have a blast!!!

 

[frozengurl]

FWIW, on our last trip, our youngest daughter was 6, and all of 44" and 37 lbs....She had patiently waited 3 trips to finally ride SM like us and her big sister. She rode SM like there was no tomorrow, many, many times, and with her tiny, petite frame, she managed to stay in the seat.

This was encouraging to read! My DD is 6, 44" and 37 lbs too! Lol that's crazy! She's very skinny and petite and I have been so hesitant to put her on SM bc I can't sit with her! I think I'm more afraid for her than she is!

 

[Mousemommy1]

This was encouraging to read! My DD is 6, 44" and 37 lbs too! Lol that's crazy! She's very skinny and petite and I have been so hesitant to put her on SM bc I can't sit with her! I think I'm more afraid for her than she is!

Oh, I had visions of her flying out of that thing but she wanted to go soooo bad. And honestly, she was probably a little under 44" but with shoes she hit the 44" mark. She did just fine.

She turned 7 in November and I'm happy to say that she is 44.75 without shoes now, and 39 pounds....soooo tiny, but legit over 44 now, lol!

 

[krislati]

My dd hated EE until last year, she thought it was scary. But she always liked SM.