Although Walt Disney World is a great vacation spot for kids of all ages, it is important to be aware of some rides that could be scary.
In Magic Kingdom, there are a few experiences that some kids might find scary. These might be scary because of loud noise, the darker storyline, or another element.
We are going to break down some of these experiences so you know why they might be considered scary. This will hopefully help you decide if your little one will need to skip.
Haunted Mansion- Liberty Square
As you can imagine, there are a few aspects of this ride that might scare kids. The ominous feeling starts as you enter the queue. The scariest part of the whole experience happens before you even get on the ride. In the stretching room, there is a loud crack of thunder and the room goes completely black. The good part though is that if you talk to a Cast Member you are able to skip this section.
Throughout the rest of the ride, little ones might find the skulls and ghosts scary. For my kids, the graveyard scene was always scary because the ghost jump out from behind the headstones.
Overall, the Haunted Mansion isn’t designed to be super scary, just haunted. We noticed that when our kids were super little they didn’t mind the ride. As they became older and more aware of their surroundings, this is when they became a little more tentative on the ride.
A good tip is to keep them distracted throughout the ride by pointing out silly things. This not only talks over the spooky ghost host but helps take the scare factor away.
Pirates of the Caribbean- Adventureland
This is a ride that might surprise some in the scare factor. The ride starts out scary with the skeletons. As you drop in the dark, kids might be scared of not only the dark but also the drop even though it is small.
The first big scene can also be intense. It is extremely loud as the canons are being fired back and forth from the boats. The scene is well done making it super believable which could be too intense for some kids.
The rest of the ride isn’t too overwhelming. If you have kids that don’t like fire, you might want to be prepared for the burning scene. Once again, it is well done by Disney so it does look believable. It would be a good time to explain to kids some of the amazing skills Disney Imaginers have.
To make the ride less scary, keep little ones in the middle seats and avoid being in the front or the back of the boat. This will help keep those scary elements at more of a distance.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover- Tomorrowland
This looks like one of the easiest, most relaxing rides in all of Walt Disney World. You are high above Tomorrowland and are given amazing views of Magic Kingdom as you sit back and relax.
Don’t be surprised though when you move indoors and it is completely dark. When we say completely dark, we mean you can’t see your hand in front of your face dark. Even though it is a relaxing ride, if you have kids that don’t like the dark, then the relaxing PeopleMover might turn into a stressful situation.
Be prepared for this by letting your kids know that when you go inside some areas will be dark, but there isn’t anything scary. Nothing will jump out, no drops, no hidden surprises. If you have glow sticks, this might be a good ride to allow your kids to have one. Just a little bit of light can be a game changer.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room- Adventureland
This show isn’t super scary. Overall you can enjoy the amazing animatronics as they put on a great show. If you have kids that aren’t fans of thunderstorms, you might want to have a plan.
There is one scene where it gets darker and there is a simulated thunderstorm. Although it isn’t super scary (think the rainstorm at Rainforest Cafe) it might surprise some kids.
Once again, being prepared is half the battle. Let them know that there isn’t anything to be afraid of and it is all just part of the show. This might help keep them calm so they can enjoy the silly animatronics.
Space Mountain- Tomorrowland
Even with a height requirement of 44”, there still might be kids who are tall enough will find this ride terrifying.
This is an indoor coaster that is mostly in the dark. Even as a grown adult who has been on Space Mountain numerous times, I still find the dark a little unsettling.
If you have a kid who is slightly scared or unsure, this isn’t a coaster we should suggest pushing them on. The combination of darkness and sudden movements can make for an extremely scary ride.
Walt Disney World and specifically Magic Kingdom are known for being a great place for kids. Although Magic Kingdom does offer numerous rides, shows, and attractions that are perfect for little ones, there are some rides that might be too scary.
Don’t get fooled into thinking that all rides at Disney are meant for kids. Be aware that some of these rides might be scary for kids and make the best decision possible for your family. Magic Kingdom should be all about the fun not the scary.
