Originally Posted By dlgirler I will be visiting DS on a Tuesday with my boys, ages 7 & 9. I’m wondering which attractions to hit 1st? My oldest won’t ride TOT or RRC. I think they’ll love both Motor Action and Indiana shows – and could camp out all day at Jedi Trng - which don’t begin until ~11am. So what should I prioritize for the 1st 2 hrs? They’ll also like the “Honey†play area, but I can’t imagine doing that 1st. I was thinking of heading to the back of the park for the morning, starting with ST, Muppets, and Backlot. I put Mermaid and GMR last on the list – not sure if they’ll hold the boys interest? Thanks in advance for your help!!
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun Both my boys - ages 6 and 10- love GMR! They also enjoy Star Tours and lunch at Pizza Planet. Both also love TOT, maybe your youngest will like it. We could go without seeing Motor Action again, but we were there in July and of course it was HOT, so we were pretty much done for the day before we even sat down. Have a great Time!!!!
Originally Posted By dlgirler My 7 yr old wants to do TOT and RRC (me too!!!!) but we have to wait til we go back on Fri with DH (for Star Wars wkend) so we can do switch. Did your boys like Mermaid?
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun They did - much to my surprise. I like how it's done in a black lite type formet! They also did like Indy, but we only did it on our first trip 3 years ago, haven't gone back and they don't seem to care. If you'll be there at night, they also loved fantasmic. They didn't even mind waiting for it to start-as long as we had snack
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun ^^not one of our favorites, but most kids do enjoy it. dlgirler, let us know how your day was.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire my little brother (11) likes the Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and definitely Lights! Motors! Action! Also be sure to see Fantasmic!
Originally Posted By dlgirler Hi guys! My trip is in 30 d, 15h, 37m ... I guess I was really wondering if I should rush to the back of the park to Muppets and Backlot Tour. But perhaps we should hit GMR and Mermaid 1st while the lines are still forming? I'm thinking we don't need to spend the whole day there, so am planning to take a break at the hotel, and return for Fantasmic. I'm having a harder time planning this park because of all the shows (and their schedules) rather than rides. Thanks for all your help!
Originally Posted By sun-n-fun The hardest thing i've found at MGM is the timing of shows. On our trip in July we were there 2 partial days because when we saw one thing we were missing another. Muppets take so many guests at once, I wouldn't rush to make it. We've never waited ling to get in, even if the line is outside. Can't help you too much with backlot, it was lightening when we were there so we never got to it. I'd hit GMR and LM first.
Originally Posted By schoolsinger If you and the younger kid really wants to ride TOT, just drag the older kid on. Don't let him spoil the fun for the rest of you. There is even the chance that the older kid may end up liking it after he gives it a try.
Originally Posted By Labuda Bad idea, schoolsinger. Forcing a kid to go on a thrill ride when they don't want to means you may ruin the entire trip and upset the kid.
Originally Posted By dlgirler Thanks S-N-F … great advice… I will follow it! I appreciate your help!!
Originally Posted By NikkiLOVESMickey I agree with Labuda - I would never drag a kid on a thrill ride if he didn't want to go. It's one thing to make someone sit through GMR, but another completely force someone onto a potentially frightening ride. It's pretty cruel, actually. We took my 6 year old nephew to WDW last month for the first time, and there was very little he didn't like. He loved GMR, Muppets, Lights Motors Action!, the Animation tour and the Backlot Tour. We didn't even venture to bring him on ToT or RnR because I didn't think he could handle it.
Originally Posted By dlgirler I can't relate to my son's fear of Disney rides at all ... until I consider my fear of flying (which ironically he LOVES). Then I understand REAL quick. Even though the rides are pretend, fear is real!
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney Fear doesn't have to be rational to scar a child or an adult. Forcing someone to ride something they don't want to is irrational, unhealthy and just not very nice.
Originally Posted By schoolsinger My little sister had a fear of any coaster that went upside down. One time at Magic Mountain, I pressured her to go on a roller coaster with a loop even though she really did not want to, because she was scared. After she rode the ride, she loved it! Now she likes extreme roller coasters. If I did not pressure her to ride, she would have missed out on a lot of potential fun.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd My son tried to be brave and go on ToT even though he was scared. He didn't love it. It scared him to death. To this day he is terrified of the ride, but now also of trying new rides that he is not familiar with. Do not force children to go on rides they are not ready for.
Originally Posted By dlgirler I had the same experience ... at Magic Mountain I was scared to go on Goldminer (?). My mom forced me...I loved it and it became my favorite ride. I think during childhood a fear can be "outgrown" but you don't know it until you try it. I do know, however, that there is no way I can drag my son on TOT. He seriuosly would be scarred for life. He needs to start with milder rides ... I'm trying to convince him that Haunted Mansion is ok!
Originally Posted By schoolsinger Part of the reason I thought he could handle TOT was his age. If your scared kid was 5, I would not make the suggestion to force him on. Out of curiosity, what was to most extreme ride your 9 year old has been on?
