Which rides too scary?

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

Originally posted by TigerLilly's Mom
Like I said before, If my kids are tall enough to ride, I usually let them decide on their own. It breaks my heart to see kids who just don't want to be on a ride and their parents insist and tell them how fun it is!

My aunt did the exact opposite, but only meant it in a good way. She wanted her two sons(around 9 and 11) to go on a ride . The 11 year old I believe went on Dudley Do-right after his mom insisted. He ended up hating it and was mad at his mom.
She then tried to get both boys on Flying Unicorn, since it's a kiddie coaster. The 11-year old would NOT go on. He was still mad at his mom. So she took the 9 year old. When on it, she asked him to wave at his brother to show the ride was fun. The 9 year old refused because he didn't like the ride. She kept insisting that he at least made it look like fun so his brother would try it, but he refused.
When they got off, the 9 year old ran up to his brother and said "Don't go on that ride! No matter what Mom says! It's scary and she tried to make me lie to you!"
Needless to say, both boys were REALLY mad at their mom for the rest of the day.
Kinda felt bad for my aunt because she didn't realize what this insisting would do.

But, yeah, this proves that it's not a good idea to make kids ride something they don't want.

 

[theycallmewinnie]

Knowing that all kids are different, my 7 year old who loved ToT and Space Mountain at age 5 was a bit frightened at Twister. It was momentary, but his face showed real fear. I think it was the movement of the platform that we stood on and its roof that did it. Most of the USO/IOA attractions elicited a "is this real?" question by either my 7 or 9 year old. I think a reminder that what they are seeing is an act even when "something is wrong," messages start happening will help. On all the dark attractions I either held my 7 year old's hand or kept one at his back or armrest of the chair.

My 9 year old has a tendancy to sit away from us whenever we are on an uncrowded bench seat. I love it when he slides over when he gets frightened, so my response is to laugh and then he laughs too; its kind of a family joke with him and it helps him enjoy the experience of being a little bit frightened.

 

[TINK61]

One way my kids will agree to most rides, such as Jaws, Earthquake, etc. is not to sit on the end. If they sit in the middle - they are okay.

Also - if your child liked Star Tours, she will love Back to the Future.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

THanks to all the other Moms who answered my questions. It is great to hear from other Moms on what their kids disliked and liked - very helpful. I don't think I can make it - less than two weeks now, but I am getting so excited!