Tower of Terror for 4 1/2 year old girl...what do you think?

[musketeer]

Conflicting thoughts on taking 4 1/2 year olds on tower of terror. They've been on Barnstormer with no problem, the roller coaster at Sesame Place with no problem, and also the two kids roller coasters at cedar point. Next visit they'll both pass that magical 40" threshold.

My question to the board is, what are you thoughts on that?

 

[star77kc]

Hmmm...while they might be able to ride the "ride", the theming of it may be too scary. I think it just depends on if you think the kids will enjoy it and not get too scared. I don't think I would bring my kids, but to each their own! (Btw...TOT is one of my favs!!! Lol)

 

[Pooh Lover]

I don't know about all children but when my niece was exactly that age (and tall enough) she made a deal with my DH that if he would go on ToT (refused for years) that she would go as well. I have the BEST picture of the both of them having the time of their lives, my little niece with her arms straight up in the air. All I can say about her is NO FEAR!

 

[ToyStoryMiss]

I was 3 when I first went on it, it was weird. All I said afterwards was "My butt was completely off da seat!"
Now it's one of my favorite rides! And my butt stills goes off the seat.
(Well, doesn't everyones... )

 

[Mr_Incredible]

My son just went on it in April. We were there for his 5th birthday. He got off and went on again.

He's crazy though, rode space mountain when he was 4 1/2 four times in one day back in September. And EE twice lol. He's a thrill seeker.

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

You know your kid best. But all I will say is comparing TOT to Barnstormer, Grover's coaster, and other kiddie coasters is no where near accurate.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Does she like HM? Is she okay with Halloween creepy decorations and other "spooky" things?

 

[buseegal]

my grandson compares tower of terror to a frog hopper tower ride more than a coaster. at 4 years old loved it, rode many times. it is the only ride he talks about doing again. he did not like HM, not scared, just did not like.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Does she like HM? Is she okay with Halloween creepy decorations and other "spooky" things?

^^^^^This! My girls are very interested in trying ToT, but until they get over their Haunted Mansion fears....ToT will have to wait. Like a pp poster noted...it depends on the child and you know that child best. I can tell you my 4.5 yr old would likely fare much better than my nearly 7 year old, but even the 4.5 yr old hates the drop on Splash and gets a bit freaked out at the beginning of PotC still...so, my gut says she's not ready.

 

[luv]

Plenty of kids that age ride and have fun. Then I hear stories about ten year olds who can't take ITTBAB, lol. It just depends on the kid.

My son would never have been able to ride ToT when he was four. Baby coasters like Barnstormer - sure! But not ToT. But he was a big baby until he was about ten years old.

I think it's always best to start easy and work up to bigger thrills...always let the kid decide if they want to take that next step.

Good luck!

 

[RandomPrincess]

I think my 4 yo would LOVE TOT for the ride part. She love bouncing rides. It's the theme and story that might scare her. Some of those pres how areas are very ominous.

 

[bsiev1977]

Conflicting thoughts on taking 4 1/2 year olds on tower of terror. They've been on Barnstormer with no problem, the roller coaster at Sesame Place with no problem, and also the two kids roller coasters at cedar point. Next visit they'll both pass that magical 40" threshold.

My question to the board is, what are you thoughts on that?

You know your kids best of course.
I would say it's a big step up in intensity from your average kiddie coaster to ToT.
I agree with what others have said, I that the theming, effects, and story might scare your kids more than the physical drop of the ride itself.

 

[englanddg]

It will scare her, she'll likely try to chicken out in the queue, and she'll freak out and declare it the best ride ever after riding it...I suspect. Of course, you know your kids. So, it's your judgement.

 

[musketeer]

In addition to the kid roller coasters, they've ridden the kid versions of the drop rides at other parks and loved them. They also both rode Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Great Movie Ride (the alien part still scares even ME)...and liked all of them. They were a bit nervous about the Haunted Mansion, but thought it was more funny than scary. The worst reaction I saw was the shark part from the Nemo Ride.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

My daughter was three when we were in DCA last year, and she had no problems. I told my daughter to just scream if she got scared, so you could try that. When I tried to hold her hand during the dark parts, she shoo'ed me away! If you can walk down Sunset Blvd and point to the Tower and your kids can see the dropping and screaming, and then they get through that ominous queue, they'll be fine. If they make it that far, I think they'll probably enjoy the ride itself. Just don't be afraid to use the chicken exit.

 

[bubbles1812]

She can do it! I don't think it's that bad though I guess just use your own judgement. Every kid has a different personality and some can take thrills better than others. I was the type of kid who had no fear though I don't think Disney really has any intimidating rides IMO.

 

[Hot Lava]

I think you cannot judge ToT on the ride itself - although I do think a drop ride is a different thing from a coaster. But the theming of the ride is what you really have to consider. Could be very scary. Especially since kids nowadays don't have the reference of the tv show. Although, not sure that would help anyway.

You have to judge your kid, but I think the theming could be very scary.

 

[Jeff456]

My youngest sister loved it when she went on it when she was 5, then was scared when she was 7 but still went on it again after, it's a great ride and I would say probably worth a go, just depends if they hate would it ruin the rest of the day for them?

 

[real mad hatter]

Our first visit in 2004,my DS was 6 1/2.. He was scared of Nout..ToT..Space Mountain..You name it..In 2012 he will do Mission Space..No way will he do ToT..or Space Mountain...By the way..I do not do coasters or anything that may cause projectile vomiting..Goofy's Barnstormer is my limit..Went on Space Mountain in 2004..My finger prints are still embedded on the bar..

 

[Kbullz]

Try and find a video of it on YouTube. I have been showing some to my kids to get them excited for some rides that they are now tall enough to ride on our next trip.