test track/soarin?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2004
test track/soarin?
8
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 3:07pm

Hi all, I am usually a lurker here, but need advice in our planning stages. We are planning an early Thanksgiving week trip (probably the Saturday before to Tuesday or so.) We will probably just do 2 parks. We are definitely doing MK and I'd really love to do Epcot. I've only been once and it was about 12 years ago. I really don't remember anything about it. My kids will be just turned 4, and 20 months.

So I want to make the best of Epcot if we go. My question is, will my just turned 4 year old boy enjoy Test Track and/or Soarin. (Yes, he's tall enough.) He is not a wild thrills kinda kid, but he enjoys rides. To give you an idea, he tolerates Pirates (but just a little scared of the dark); he probably won't do Goofy Barnstormer; but he does love racecars, teacups, and all those sorts of rides. I think what scares him the most is the unexpected.

Anyway, I don't want to go to Epcot if we can't enjoy these rides. I know Animal Kingdom would be more up his speed, but we've been there once or twice and Busch Gardens lots of times. WDYT?

Thanks!

Erin

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-28-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 3:21pm

My 5 yr old DD has done both Soarin and Test Track, my 3 yr old DD has just done Test Track. They both love roller coasters and have a need for speed. Soarin would be fine for him I think. Test Track would may not be ok for him if he doesn't like to go fast. Inside the car goes through a bunch of test scenarios, brakes, bumpy road, up and down, but outside the car gets going really fast and banks a turn at about 60-70 mph, kind of scared my 3 yr old.

Hope this helps- Ashli

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2004
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 3:37pm

Thanks! I guess my main concern would that he would be crying through the ride. If its just fast, I think it would be ok. And even the turn would be fine. As long as there's not an extended amount of intensity to either ride. Does that make sense? Thanks!

Erin

Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 4:17pm

I'm thinking if Goofy Barnstormer is out, Soarin' and Test Track will be too much. Well, maybe Soarin' will be OK, but I'd definitely say Test Track will scare your 4 year old to pieces! It's pretty intense in spots.

However, there is SOOOO much at Epcot that preschoolers can enjoy, I would not discount that park entirely. If you can squeeze in some time before the front of the park closes (maybe a park hopper pass one day?), I think you'll like it. My kids pick Epcot over Animal Kingdom every time - and always have.

You can always use the kid swap option to enjoy the thrill rides. Single riders get through pretty quickly on Test Track, from what I've seen.

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:
Alex, 12.5 years old
Julianne and Leah, 11 years old
Audrey, 3.5 years old

Disneyworld trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
Upcoming Setember-October 2007 trip!!!




Edited 7/11/2007 4:19 pm ET by laurieh88

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 5:19pm

If your DS isn't into speed and can be leery of rides test track will probably be too much.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2007
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 8:40pm

Those 2 rides were my 5 yr old DS's favorite rides

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2005
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 8:44pm
My grandson is almost 9 and he really enjoyed himself at Knoebles in Pennsylvania. I was supprised at how much he enjoyed rides I wouldn't even go on.LOL I think he will love Disney! I am looking forward to Soarin. I think it will really amaze him.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Wed, 07-11-2007 - 11:03pm

We haven't been on Test track because the first time we went it was shut down (ugh) and after that my dd decided she wasn't really interested (but I think she'd like it, oh well.) HOWEVER, we absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Soarin' and we would go to Epcot just for that ride even if there was nothing else there! It is a nice easy ride, and I have TERRIBLE motion sickness and it doesn't bother me at all. It's not intense or anything, not scary, just very very cool.

But even without that, there is so much for a 4 year old - innoventions, The Seas with Nemo (be sure to do Turtle Talk - 4 year olds love it!), the ride with figment, Honey I Shrunk the Audience...we think Epcot ROCKS!

JoAnna in TX




Edited 7/11/2007 11:07 pm ET by joannab74

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-1998
Thu, 07-12-2007 - 9:26pm

We didn't do Test Track, but everyone loved Soarin'--that was the only ride other than Space Mountain that we wanted to do more than once. The great thing about it is that if you get scared, you just have to close your eyes, since most of the input is visual (it's an Omni screen type experience, although you are lifted off the ground as if you are hang gliding.)

My 10 yo DS and I are both wimps and had no trouble with this one at all.