Need advice for Epcot. My kid's scared of the dark

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Mirrasi's picture
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Need advice for Epcot. My kid's scared of the dark

Okay so I am going to Epcot this weekend and I'm not super familiar with the park. My 5 year old likes fast things (like Thundermountain), but he really hates anything dark or too wet.

I made the mistake of bringing him on a raft ride once and it terrified him. He's also afraid of anything that gets dark and loud (and that's most rides sad ). For example, he doesnt even like ET at Universal. I don't quite get how he can love Thundermountain and not ET, lol. At MK he really likes Small World but won't go near Pirates.

We did Epcot earlier in the year just for a morning and we only did a few things. He loved Nemo, that plant-boat ride in the Land, and the Innovations places, but the darkness in the big ball completely terrified him. We didn't get to do anything else or see any countries.

I have no idea what the countries have or if the rides are too scary there. And Test Track.... I know he'd love the speed factor, but does it get really dark? What else would be good there?

I'd also love tips for AK and HS if ya'll have any kiddos afraid of the dark.

Mase's picture
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Test Track is safe. Its well lit and the only time it goes dark is when your eyes adjust to going from inside to outside. In the countries... stay away from the ride in Norway. Maelstrom. It is a little water ride. You don't really get wet... but it does get dark.

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DVC Mom's picture
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I agree with Mase that Test Track should be ok. The rides in Mexico and Norway are pretty dark. I think Energy and Mission Space are right out. Stick with the Seas and the Land. Imagination gets dark for part of it, and Sorin' is dark because it's a movie.

Try a Kim Possible adventure in World Showcase, my kids love that, but they've always been pretty tech savy. You get a Kimmunicator (cell phone) that sends you video messages and send you on a sort of hide and seek adventure through a country. You have to hit different cues that make things happen in the environment to advance in the game. It's a lot of fun, he's still little though so will need your help.

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Mirrasi's picture
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You guys are awesome.

He's tech savvy for a 5 year old so I think the Kim Possible would be cool. Good to know about the others.

Mirrasi's picture
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What's Soarin like?

Lizzy_B's picture
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If he likes Small World, he'll probably be ok on Mexico. It features a boat ride, but there are animated bits of Donald Duck and the Three Caballeros throughout. Not scary or super dark at all.

Re: Soarin, it's a ride simulator. You are pulled up in a seat that feels sort of like a hang glider, and the huge screen features a film with all of these cool scenes from California. In true Disney fashion, there are also a bunch of effects that make the experience more immersive. I've only ridden it once (due to long lines) but it's great. Anyone who's logged more Soarin' journeys want to contribute to the description?

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This is a pretty good video of Soarin': http://youtu.be/4HWRLwag9AY

Here's Picture of the seat structure here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ableman/145523834/
Also Here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bretmanphotos/4476562167/

You can see in the beginning of the video the "hang-glider" structure of the seats that you're loaded into. The room goes dark and those seats raise up in the air, they tilt and swing back and forth some, your feet are dangling below you. You are strapped in, when my kids were smaller they would sit "Indian Style" and it made them feel a little safer. It is dark because it's a movie, but the seats raise up in the air and the screen sort of surrounds your field of vision. As you see in the video it simulates you flying over different parts of California. Disney pluses the ride with breezes and scents that make you feel like you're really there.

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Mirrasi's picture
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Reminds me of Harry Potter, lol. How much does it tip you? Harry Potter really tosses you about!

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If you want to see what the rides are like there are plenty of ride throughs on You Tube. My mum and I are pretty wimpy when it comes to rides so I normally have a look on there first.

Journey into Imagination should be ok, as with the 360 degree cinemas in Canada and China. Although the best thing about Epcot is that there are tons of things to look at without going on the rides.

If in doubt, always as the cast member at the queue how dark the ride is. They are very informative, and will even tell you whether there are any hidden Mickeys to look out for.

DVC Mom's picture
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Mirrasi wrote:
Reminds me of Harry Potter, lol. How much does it tip you? Harry Potter really tosses you about!

Not much at all, I always feel like I'm going to fall forward, but the motion is super gentle.

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