space mountain - first timers - question About This Page:

[Tonichelle]

I've been on Space Mountain, and I really pretty much hate it (though I tollerate it more at DLR than WDW) I just don't like feeling like I'm going to die the whole time. I really do feel like I'm going to fall for miles. I can tackle the other roller coasters disney throws at me (except California Screamin' I know that I would hate it lol), but SM wigs me out.

Anyway, my neice (just turned six) is a little daredevil. She's already let us know that while she wants to do the kid rides again, she wants to do more of the "BIG rides" like the Matterhorn and Grizzly River Run. Like those rides we let her watch from all angles before she committed to do anything. Honestly I thought she'd freak on the Matterhorn but she squealed with delight the whole time (I on the otherhand was holding onto her so I bounced all over that stupid car! LOL but it was worth it, I love that ride and I loved going on it with her). She wanted to do Griz. River so many times and we only got to go once. Splash Mt. wasn't open last time but I have a feeling that - should she be okay with watching the drop that others go on she'll love it.

So here's the question - there's no way for her to see what Space Mountain is like. We won't know how she'll react until she's on the ride. And I don't want her to be apprehensive of rides after it, should it freak her out. She liked the Indy ride until the giant snake and then every ride after that she wanted to know if it was the snake ride. She still went on other rides, but we had to promise her there were no snakes (yeah that meant Jungle Cruise was out lol she wouldn't believe us when we said it wasn't scary. Apparently the child is scared of snakes, who knew?! We live in AK so we don't have any snakes up here)

So, is this a bypass altogether, or do we talk it up? How do you introduce it to your kids?

[unewillow]

I always describe it as "BTMRR but in the dark".

[EddieCVS]

I hate Space Mountain too! My first time riding was my last time riding. Too bumpy and not a smooth ride at all. Now that I hurt my back I have another reason not to ride. My wife hated it too, we skip it every trip. If my daughter wants to ride it when she is old enough to ride by herself she can choose to ride it or not. Unless my wife wants to go with her!

[Dlandmom2]

My daughter rode it for the first time when she was 7 or 8, and she loved it! I'm not sure she would've loved it at 6, to be honest. It really depends on the child.

The only thing that "worries" me about Space Mountain is that there's really no time for a breather throughout the entire ride...once it starts speeding, it doesn't stop until the very end, so the child (or adult!) doesn't really have time to catch her breath.

My son loves BTMRR, but that ride isn't in the dark, and it does slow down here and there for you to catch your breath. He didn't ride Space Mountain until he a few months ago when he turned 8. On his first ride, he came off it a bit dazed but liked it. We've since been back on it twice, and he loved it both times (although I don't think he would've done back to back rides).

Just my opinion. You know your niece best!

[valegirl5292]

My DS went on Space Moutain for the first time when he was 7. Before we went we watched videos on youtube so he could see what it was like. I know that it's not the same as actually riding it but it got him excited. Once he rode it he loved it, me not so much, he is so skinny that when the bar came down there was a lot of space between it and him and with no other seat belts I was worried the whole time that he was gonna fall out. I was sitting in front and actually had my right arm behind me holding on to his foot, like that would really help, but in the end he loved it and wanted to ride it again but since all the adults were like no way, he will have to wait until he is old enough to ride it by himself.

[renbugs]

I also was going to suggest You tube... When we were taking my step son(who is 11) for his first time last August that is exactly what we did. He viewed all things Disney and was able to make a decision after viewing. Ended up riding everything and funny thing he says this year he doesn't want to go on Tower of Terror again..LOL...

[Tink and co.]

My daughter rode SM the first time at four and was fine. She was a huge daredevil young. I was a wreck worried about her on the ride, but she was sitting with Dad and just loved it. DS didn't ride for the first time until he was about 10. He was okay with fast, but not the dark part. So, I think it depends on the kid. I'd let her try it, as long as she understands she can't get off until it's over. I'd bet she's going to love it unless she's bothered by the darkness.