Originally Posted By markedward In one week, we'll be at Disneyland, for the first time with our seven, four, and two year olds. (They're fost-adopt and have been with us less than a year.) The four year old is a bit timid, and "too loud" is one of the two year old's most common complaints. So how would you rank Disneyland attractions from mildest to scariest? We are expecting to do Casey Jr. and It's a Small World early on because they seem so harmless. Anyone want to evaluate the scariness of the rides, the Fantasyland rides especially? If It's a Small World is the least scary kid's dark ride, and Snow White is the scariest, where would you place the others in between, and why? Can anyone speak to the scare factor of the new Monsters Inc. ride? Buzz Lightyear? Is Gadget's Go Coaster a safe choice (or at least a reasonable risk) for a four year old's first coaster? Do preschoolers like the Tiki Room or find it too loud/dark/chaotic? I think Star Tours isn't scary for a four year old. Please correct me if I'm missing something. How would you rank the intensity of the coasters for a seven year old who has only been on kiddie coasters (plus Quicksilver Express at Bonfante Gardens near San Jose - which he loved)? I'm guessing yes on Matterhorn and Big Thunder, no on Space Mountain and California Screamin'. It will be up to him of course, but when he's looking for guidance, I'd appreciate hearing what others have experienced. Of course, we'll watch and listen to their reactions, and follow their interests and desires. FYI: the Easter Bunny made an appearance at a company party last week, and was great practice for Disneyland characters: the four year old loved it and sat on his lap twice, the two year old stared in facination while being held about eight feet away, but "Hold bunny" quickly turned to "Scared bunny" whenever he got within five feet of him. The seven year old seemed to think he was too old for the Easter bunny but was happy to hang out eating Easter treats. Two pieces of wisdom I've heard that I'll pass on: Snow White's Scary Adventure scares a lot of little kids way beyond fun. And characters with masks are a lot more intimidating to small children than characters with exposed human faces.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ My son was the opposite with the characters. Face characters scared the bejeesus out of him. Those like Pooh, Buzz, Mickey, etc. were fine. Pinnochio is another scary fantasyland ride. Definitely go with Storybook, Alice and Peter Pan!
Originally Posted By SunshineOR Wow! A lot to cover here. I'd say start them slowly. Disneyland the first time for young kids is a total sensory overload. Gradually, kids can handle more and more as they get used to the noise and excessive stimulation. First of all, tell them the truth about what will happen and remind them it's all fake. We always fill our kids in on exactly what will happen on a ride, and they've never had a problem. We'll say, "it's scary, but it's pretend and fun!" They go and have a great time. My 4 yo last trip loved Tower of Terror and Space Mountain best of all! 3-D shows were the only thing that really scared them the first time, because it's so "real". I'd recommend only Muppets unless your 7 yo likes scary stuff. The other 3-Ds are really intense and scary. Snow White has the word "scary" in the title, but really is not scary at all. If they can handle the other dark rides, there's no reason why they couldn't do Snow White. There's a very fake-looking witch at one point, but it's really nothing. The title and entrance are the only scary things about it--the ride is very tame. However, start them on some happy, light dark rides like Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland and see how they're doing before doing Snow White. Some of the dark rides might be a little loud, but I can't think of one my kids have had a problem riding. Gadget's Go Coaster is more than the usual little kiddie coasters at most amusement parks, but very tame and probably fine for a first coaster. Matterhorn and Big Thunder are pretty intense for young kids with little coaster exposure. I'd say do Matterhorn first because kids sit between your legs and feel safer that way, but be warned it starts in an uphill climb in complete darkness, followed right away by a very fake-looking monster. Warn your child, but my kids have always enjoyed Matterhorn. My 3 yo rode it and loved it. If Matterhorn is successful, then go Big Thunder. Space Mountain only if you're finding your child to be fearless and not afraid of dark areas on rides. I'd advise against CA Screamin. It's just so long that if they're freaked out, it will be a long wait for it to end. Splash Mountain looks totally scary because kids see people screaming on the big drop, but it's such a great kid attraction inside. A few dark areas and little drops, but lots of fun AA critters and the big drop is really short and they love seeing their picture afterward. If they're doing okay with all the other rides, I'd recommend it! It was my kids' favorite ride their first trip when they were 3 & 5. Mine were bored to tears on Small World and my 3 yo asked if it would ever end! My kids totally enjoyed Star Tours--very fun and not scary. Like driving in a fast, bumpy car! Tiki Room is completely mild. There's one simulated thunderstorm at the end that possibly could startle young kids, but I confess both my kids fell asleep during their first Tiki Room visit and didn't even wake up during the storm; it's very light and relaxing overall. What else? Buzz Lightyear has some big things in it, but in my opinon it's not scary because it's not really dark and everything is obviously fake and kids have so much fun playing with the guns. Haven't been on Monsters, Inc. Hope that helps and have a great trip!
Originally Posted By SweetieangelM14 I think that most of the rides in fantasyland are okay for the 4yo. When my brother was 4, my parents took him on all the rides in fantasyland. He even went on indiana jones, and loved it. Gadgets go coaster is a good first roller coaster. It's only abot 30seconds long, that way if the 4 yo gets scared, it will be over quickly. I hope you guys have fun.
Originally Posted By Jenny512 My daughter was 4 on our first DL trip, and our first ride was Alice. It was super loud to her and that combined with the darkness freaked her out. If I had it to do over again, I'd do the outdoor rides first (Dumbo, Casey, Storybook), mixing in a little small world and getting her used to the stimulation. Every kid is different, etc., but I think that would have helped her.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I can't add much to what's already been suggested, but regarding StorybookLand Canal Boats... Have your kids take a peek at Monstro BEFORE you get in line to board. Some little ones have no problem with the whale, but I've seen others shriek in terror when they go sailing toward that scary, gaping mouth.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Oh... And kids are pretty much more mature these days, but I've always remembered the first time my four-year-old little brother rode Mr. Toad... He was scared to death and screaming - thinking we were really going to be hit by the train. I don't mean to put unnecessary fears out there for you... Just going from experience.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Snow White has the word "scary" in the title, but really is not scary at all. >> Kids are different. When we took our daughter to WDW for the first time she was seven and Snow White scared the heck out of her. The DL version may be different from the WDW version, but at WDW the witch DEFINITELY shows here ugly face more than once. If memory serves me properly it is at least 5-6 times, including one where she shows up rather unexpectedly. Everything we went on for the rest of the day we had to promise our daughter that there were no witches.
Originally Posted By Chumpson I remember my "go getter" 4yo getting freaked at "Honey I Shrunk The Kids". He didn't want to go indoors for anything after that. If he couldn't see it from the outside he wouldn't want to do it. Luckily we talked him into going on Soaring and he loved it, we went right back on. After that he came back around and tried stuff. Needless to say we didn't do Bugs Life movie on that trip. We will be heading back with our 4yo daughter in January and will use our experience with our boy to help make better choices.
Originally Posted By wendebird My little one had the same experience as SuzieQ's son. She loved the masked characters (Pooh, Tigger, Mickey, etc) hated the face characters (Cinderella, Jasmine, etc.) I put in ( ) what my kids were afraid of in each ride. My youngest started going to Disney parks at the age of 1 & the only rides she's ever been afraid of are the Matterhorn, (Yeti, fast) HISTA, (Loud, snake, lion) ITTBAB, (intense loud show, spiders) Splash (the big drop) & TOT. (she thought she was going to disappear) She's 7 now & Loves Indy, Screamin', Big Thunder, etc. but is still afraid of those 5. Now my oldest is more timid & when she was little here's what scared her. Not enough to keep her off the ride, but would close her eyes & hug me at the scary parts. Pinocchio, (Monstro) Snow White, (Scary forest & trees with glowing eyes, bats) Mr Toad, (Hell & the scary devil/demons) Matterhorn, (The Yeti) HISTA, (Snake, lion, loud) Indy, (loud, skeletons, snakes, etc) Big Thunder, (fast) ITTBAB. (Intense, loud, spiders) Also, I agree with Jenny512. Try the outdoor rides first, then try the dark rides. Sometimes just the dark + not knowing is enough to scare them enough to not want to go on Small World. Also, Small World would be my pick for a first dark ride. My kids have always liked the Tiki Room, even as pre-schoolers. However, it does get loud, so be prepared for that.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd My son has been going since 1 1/2. The scare factor for him was the character size. Mickey and the chipmunks were fine, but he didn't want anything to do with Goofy or Baloo. When he was little he was a little scared of Haunted Mansion (the noise) and the only thing that really scared him about Pirates was the drops. ITTBAB scared the you know what out of him so we skipped HISTA. He's about to turn eight and the only rides that scare him now are ToT (he has informed me that he will NEVER ride it again) and he doesn't want to ride California Screamin because it goes upsidedown. Just be alert to their reactions. Theres a big difference between them enjoying the ride and just surviving it because they know you want to ride it. Whenever my son would ride something new, after the ride we would ask him "Do you want to ride it again?" If his answer was "Yes, right now!" Then we knew he enjoyed it. If his answer was "Maybe later." Then we knew that he was just surviving it, but didn't want to admit that it scared him.
Originally Posted By markedward My partner has picked up ear plugs for everyone. Everyone else just has two little foam things, but our two year old has a cool set that look kind of like headphones or the top half of a stethoscope - easier for him to put on himself and harder to lose (we'll attach it to a lanyard). He has been encouraged to play with it around the house to get used to it. Yesterday, he wore them while he played his toy drums. I've never used ear plugs at a theme park attraction, but my partner sometimes does, and for anyone who finds the noise level a problem, it really helps.
