I keep reading about how little ones would probably be really scared at Stitch's Great Escape. Why is this? Do you really think it's THAT scary? My son's first favorite character was Stitch (Titch, as he would say). He's been on POTC, Soarin', Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters and several of the "tame" dark rides. He didn't have a problem with any of them, but we haven't done any of the 3D shows. He's usually not that scared of things (except his current fear of weird noises in his room - ugh). He's three - he'll be four when we go to WDW. Do you think he'd do ok? If it's something like Villans coming out of the screen or blood and gore, then, NO - I don't want him going. That would scare him. But if it's blaster sounds and some fun effects, then he might be ok. Just need some opinions! Thanks! :)

Personally, I would NOT do it with someone as young as your son, without previewing it yourself, and then deciding based on his personality. If there are two adults going- have one do Stitch while the other takes your son on Buzz or something. But I would be hard pressed to advise anyone on the boards with anyone under about 8 or 9 to do that without previewing -and then only if they're kids that don't get spooked/startled/freaked out easily.

How does your son do with It's Tough to Be a Bug? I think it's about 50x scarier for a little one than that is. They did change it to make it so it's not pitch dark when Stitch is literally bouncing on your shoulders, burping chili dog in your face, breathing down your neck, and a couple other things like that - plus he 'explodes' out of a tube in the middle of the room. And this isn't Stitch, it's Experiment 626 (or whatever his number was) - BEFORE he gets all touchy-feely with Lilo. The AA is a very sophisticatd one, though.

Is he tall enough? I don't recall off the top of my head what the height requirement is, but I know there is one.

I'm not a parent, so I could be off on my age recommendations - but I FIRMLY stand behind my advice to preview it before taking any kid under 6 on the attraction.

That's a good idea - having someone check it out before he goes on it. We'll see if that can't be done. Yes, Stitch was 626 - you are right. We call our son Experiment 627 (since that's his birthday). :)

I wouldn't want to ruin his day. I've seen Tough to be a Bug (he hasn't), but he'd be good with it, I think. He's 42 inches tall - I think you have to 40 for SGE, so that's not the worry - more the emotional side of the ride.

Nothing really scary happens in the attraction. There is no blood and gore. However, I would think a lot of three year olds would be frightened by the ride. You are strapped into a chair. It gets completely pitch black. The attraction leads you to believe that there is something in the room loose. There are very loud crashing and screaming noises. The effects make it seem as if something is right in your chair with you.

Every child is different. My daughters at three would have been frightened to death by this attraction. Maybe even 5 or 6. They did not get on this until they were 9 & 12.

And this isn't Stitch, it's Experiment 626 (or whatever his number was) - BEFORE he gets all touchy-feely with Lilo.

While this is technically true, he does indeed refer to himself in the attraction as Stitch. So I figger if it's good enough for Disney, he's Stitch even before meeting Lilo (how that's possible I just don't know!).

My 7 yr daughter & 10 yr son did not find it to be scary at all. Just very annoying & pointless :(. It's one (maybe the only) Disney attraction that I never plan to visit again.

Rarely do I mark an attraction completely off my list, even if I don't have the desire to run around & ride it again immediately. But Stitch is OFF--I have no intention of ever wasting my time there again. But that's must my opinion, some folks enjoy it.

But in any event, no one in our party found it even the slightest bit scary (we were a 7 yr old, 2 10 yr olds & 4 adults).

Just very annoying & pointless :(. It's one (maybe the only) Disney attraction that I never plan to visit again.
Yep... from past discussions, the above is a very common comment.

To me, SGE is kinda like a Denny's restaurant at 2AM. You end up there because nothing else is available for something quick, yet it is not all that satisfying in the end.

GusMan, I'm right there with you on the Denny's analogy, except for the ending - I LOVE Denny's food, while Stitch leaves me wanting . . .

My son was 5 last time we visited and was scared of all most every thing in the Park, but thought Stich was great and we had to sit through it several times!

Enjoy,

Judith

We went for the first time in May. We went to the MK on our arrival day (Mother's Day), and wound up at Stitch's. Having no idea what it was, and having never been to Disney, we went in. Our then 7 year old loved it. Our 5 year old was scared out of his mind, and threw a fit for the rest of the week when we went on any "inside" ride out of fear that it was going to be like Stitch. The lesson here is that all kids are different, and you definitely need to preview the ride first.

I first rode this as Alien Encounter, maybe at age 14 or 15 and it scared the crap out of me! I have ridden it as Stitch, and I found it not nearly as scary, but I still don't like it. I really, really don't like the effects using hot air or air guns - I'm not a big fan of HISTA either. But I definitely agree with everyone that every child is different, and you have to make the call from first-hand experience, not from our experiences.

Chris

I first rode this as Alien Encounter, maybe at age 14 or 15 and it scared the crap out of me! I have ridden it as Stitch, and I found it not nearly as scary, but I still don't like it. I really, really don't like the effects using hot air or air guns - I'm not a big fan of HISTA either. But I definitely agree with everyone that every child is different, and you have to make the call from first-hand experience, not from our experiences.

Chris

When my girls were 3 & 6, I took them on HISTA. By the time they got to the rodent part, both girls were crying hysterically. I think the under the seat thing was the final straw. I had to leave the attraction, one child on each arm with them both howling. :| Needless to say we didn't even attempt Stitch that year.

Hello UsBurchs
I remember Alien Encounter and it was dark, vary dark and scary things would happen.
If the same attraction has been updated with the Stitch character, I would be afraid for my life ....what if 626 escapes?...
The seats are uncomfortable, you are constrained by an over head harness, and there is a really bad smell.
I will be enjoying this attraction with my 6yr old princess on our next vacation.

much mouse

I forgot to tell you that my 6yr old princess is somewhat like Stitch.
She is not blue.
but she moves fast and often.

My (then) 4 yo wanted to go on it. I explained some of the spoilers listed above....

He hated it. Really scared him, and he is NOT scared easily!

Thank you - all! I actually found a video of the "ride" on Youtube and had my son watch it with me. He thought Stitch looked funny, but when I asked him if he wanted to go on the ride, his exact words were "No. It looks too dark and scary. I like Stitch, but I don't want to go on that ride. We go on Buzz instead, ok?" Fine by me! :)

I guess that solves that problem. We ended up watching several rides online and even though it was a bit of a spoiler, it was very useful. He decided that Maelstrom in Norway MIGHT be ok. Splash Mountain looked fun, until the drop, then he changed his mind! They might ruin the suprise element of the rides, but those videos seemed to be pretty handy in this situation.