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3-D Attractions with Toddlers?
- Thread starter noname70
- Start date
Nut4Disney
New Member
Our son will be 3 in Oct., but we took him to WDW at 12 months, 18months, 22 months, 27 months, and 32 months. We've tried the 3-D attractions each time with him. At 22 months he would not tolerate any of them. Since then though, he will almost sit through all of Muppets and all of Philharmagic. He just turns around and puts his head on my shoulder during the "scary parts" and the water. ITTBAB, he still refuses to sit through. We tried it again this past trip and he would not have any of it, so we left.
I worked at It's Tough to Be a Bug! and can tell you that MOST children under 4 do not care for it and end up leaving the theater in the middle. There are several signs and warnings throughout the queue that identify the attraction as one likely to scare younger guests. Many parents think their children will be okay, but end up leaving the theater with screaming kids. The show is intense--special effects off screen that happen in the theater startle and scare many kids(even adults, frankly), regardless of whether your eyes are closed or not. Tie that in with segments of complete darkness and a loud soundtrack and it's something I'd suggest most small children avoid. My nephew couldn't sit through it until he was 7, but on the other hand my neice started enjoying it at 3 so it really does depend on the kid.
In the event that you decide to brave the show with somebody you're fairly confident will handle it, please try and sit as far to your left as possible so that if you need to leave the theater you can do so easily as you have to exit the theater to the left.
If you're unsure about it, go see it without your kids first (it's only 8 and a half minutes--send the other parent with the kids to get icecream or something) so you can get an idea of what the show has and then you can make a better informed decision.
In the event that you decide to brave the show with somebody you're fairly confident will handle it, please try and sit as far to your left as possible so that if you need to leave the theater you can do so easily as you have to exit the theater to the left.
If you're unsure about it, go see it without your kids first (it's only 8 and a half minutes--send the other parent with the kids to get icecream or something) so you can get an idea of what the show has and then you can make a better informed decision.
shari71
New Member
Our oldest, soon to be 5, started right off at 11 months but didn't get it. At two she loved it and work the glasses and thought they were cool.
Our youngest, soon to be 2 1/2, started at 6 months, but slept through most of them. At 18 months she would mostly just sit on our laps and play with the glasses. She is into doing what her sister does so she will probably keep them on this time.
I haven't had any problem with either of them for ITTBAB. In fact, my oldest gets upset because my hubby hates it and doesn't want to go. We haven't done HISTA (another one he hates), but we always do Philharmagic and Muppets.
Our youngest, soon to be 2 1/2, started at 6 months, but slept through most of them. At 18 months she would mostly just sit on our laps and play with the glasses. She is into doing what her sister does so she will probably keep them on this time.
I haven't had any problem with either of them for ITTBAB. In fact, my oldest gets upset because my hubby hates it and doesn't want to go. We haven't done HISTA (another one he hates), but we always do Philharmagic and Muppets.
MSTINKHERBELL01
New Member
Please.....Please....Please...if you have a small child who fears the dark or scary and loud noices...PLEASE...don't see ITS TOUGH TO BE A BUG! It's not only a distraction to guests trying to enjoy the show, but it's also not fair to the child either. Alot of parents allow their child to scream and cry through the entire show.I do suggest sitting near the exit doors if youre unsure of how your child will react to the show so that you can exit easily.
GenerationX
Well-Known Member
The first time we went, my youngest son was 23 months. ITTBAB and HISTA would've scared the daylights out of him, so we avoided them. PhilharMagic did not exist yet. We did see MuppetVision 3D, and he quietly watched the movie. For the most part, he wore the glasses, but he did watch some of it without them. He wasn't frightened by it, nor was he all that entertained by it. The next year we went, he seemed to enjoy it more.
I have been to Disney with my kids at the following ages:
Abby - 12 months old - Did not wear glasses, just wanted to chew on them. Saw all the movies with her, she did not care either way. She sat there and was interested in the blurry screen and the noises. She was not scared.
Abby - 19 months old - Refused to wear glasses, actually broke a pair that we gave her. She sat through HISTA and was entertained and not scared. But - Mickey's Philharmagic O-M-G! As soon as Donald appeared on the screen she started laughing hysterically, and she continued to laugh so hard she almost could not breathe for the first 3 minutes of the movie. She absolutely loved it! And she didn't wear the glasses at all. She found the blurry screen to be hilarious for some reason. It was a total hoot!
Dylan - almost 3 years old - he was ok with all the 3-D movies except Tough to Be a Bug. That one terrified him to the point of tears because he hates bugs. We had to watch a few of the movies before he understood that he needed to wear the glasses.
Dylan - 3.5 years old -We only saw Philharmagic and HISTA on that trip. He wore the glasses throughout both movies just fine. He loved Philharmagic, but was a little scared at the snake and the lion in HISTA.
Abby - 12 months old - Did not wear glasses, just wanted to chew on them. Saw all the movies with her, she did not care either way. She sat there and was interested in the blurry screen and the noises. She was not scared.
Abby - 19 months old - Refused to wear glasses, actually broke a pair that we gave her. She sat through HISTA and was entertained and not scared. But - Mickey's Philharmagic O-M-G! As soon as Donald appeared on the screen she started laughing hysterically, and she continued to laugh so hard she almost could not breathe for the first 3 minutes of the movie. She absolutely loved it! And she didn't wear the glasses at all. She found the blurry screen to be hilarious for some reason. It was a total hoot!
Dylan - almost 3 years old - he was ok with all the 3-D movies except Tough to Be a Bug. That one terrified him to the point of tears because he hates bugs. We had to watch a few of the movies before he understood that he needed to wear the glasses.
Dylan - 3.5 years old -We only saw Philharmagic and HISTA on that trip. He wore the glasses throughout both movies just fine. He loved Philharmagic, but was a little scared at the snake and the lion in HISTA.
pwgs
New Member
At its a bugs life my 3.5 and 5.5 year old did not tolerate the show at all. About 1/4 way through they had to leave because they were louder that the show 
but that was 2.5 years ago and we are going to give it another try in october!:dazzle:
We have gone to some local 3d imax theaters to see some shows and they seem to like it now!
but that was 2.5 years ago and we are going to give it another try in october!:dazzle: We have gone to some local 3d imax theaters to see some shows and they seem to like it now!
Heatherbell
Active Member
Last year we took our then toddler age 2 to Bug's Life. She wore the glasses and liked the show but did not like the effects. I personally think that Bug's Life is too intense for kids after seeing her reaction. She loved Phillharmagic and Muppets (except for the water parts on both). We didn't even attempt HISTA after our experience with Bugs Life.
She was so cute, she kept putting her hand out to touch whatever she thought was in front of her.
She was so cute, she kept putting her hand out to touch whatever she thought was in front of her.
righttrack
Well-Known Member
My kids loved them all, but Philharmagic and Muppets 3D are the least scary, and most enjoyable for toddlers.
Nut4Disney
New Member
MSTINKHERBELL01 said:
We keep trying with him, as he asks to go to it, and there is only one way for him to get over his fear. This diminishes each time though. We always make sure we are the first ones into a row and go all the way to the end by the black curtain, and at the first sign of something we are quick to leave.
MissM
Well-Known Member
Sadly, I've been in Philharmagic on multiple occassions where small children got scared. And cried and screamed and the parents didn't leave. It's Tough to Be a Bug is the most frightening I think and there have been a lot of really unhappy kids there too.
It seems that young kids either love or hate Philharmagic. There doesn't seem any inbetween. The darkness, the loud sounds, the splash of water and puffs of air - some just freak out.
Muppets 3D seems to be universally loved though. I've never seen an unhappy kid there.
Just be sure to make a quick exit if need be.
-m
It seems that young kids either love or hate Philharmagic. There doesn't seem any inbetween. The darkness, the loud sounds, the splash of water and puffs of air - some just freak out.
Muppets 3D seems to be universally loved though. I've never seen an unhappy kid there.
Just be sure to make a quick exit if need be.
-m