Rock 'n' Rollercoaster starring Aerosmith...Kid friendly?

The weeks leading up to our vacation, (That Stephen had NO clue about-it was a complete surprise) he always brought up Disney World and what he would be allowed to get on the next time we go.  I always told him everything, because we wouldn't be going until Jackson was 3.  He said "Next time we go, I will definitely get on Rock 'n' Roller coaster!"  Needless to say, he had no clue it would be just a couple weeks away...and I didn't know if I should hold him to it.  In my last post I stated how I hated when my parents forced me to get on rides that I wasn't comfortable with, so I felt like I couldn't force him if he backed out at the last minute.

Our first day, we hit Animal Kingdom and he was so excited to ride Expedition Everest.  After getting on it (another post, another day) he wasn't too sure about roller coasters anymore.  He enjoyed it but it was a little too intense for him.  A couple days later we arrived at Hollywood Studios and he knew it was decision time to go on R'n'R or not.  As Stephen, Jackson and I waited for Steve and my mother in law to get off of Tower of Terror... he started asking me questions.  I tried reassuring him that he would have fun and if he didn't like it he didn't have to ride it again.  So, after receiving our Parent Swap--an amazing invention, any questions about this..just ask--we head towards  the big guitar.  He held my hand the whole way.  As we start going up the ramp, he was starting to doubt if he wanted to go or not.  I talked up the ride and how exciting it was and explained the only thing that was scary was the take off but it was over in 2.8 seconds.  Hitting 72 mph that quick was a tad scary but after that...he would have a blast!  Right?

I myself was nervous--who isn't, this rides G-force on your body is WICKED!  As we were walking through the cue... I explained everything that would happen.  Come to find out there was a little girl in front of us who was 2 years older then Stephen and it was her first time as well.  She was soo scared.  I kept assuring her as well and told them that if they got through it and enjoyed it, we would get pictures of them together.

It was finally time to board the stretch limo..we got the last seats.  I crossed over the seats and Stephen sat down next to me, while Steve sat behind us--and an 11 year old girl got in next to him-this was her 14th time THAT DAY. So, before we could even blink-we are sitting at the stop light about to take off.   ºoº *Is it bad that while I am typing this, I am reliving it and actually getting nervous?* ºoº  Stephen says "OK, Mommy, I don't think I wanna do this anymore."  I told him it was too late but we would have fun.  I warned him every second what was about to happen.  They were going to start pumping music into the headrest and it would start counting down.  The second the light turned green, we would shoot off.  I'm soo nervous for him but I was soo proud that he was going to do this without a fight.  He grabbed my hand...and the lights started changing.  Steven Tyler starts screaming in my ear....

3...2...1---BOOOOMMM!  We take off and hit the first inversion.  I ask him if he is ok and if he is having fun.  He said "I didn't like that!"  I kept telling him to look at the lights and to look for the donut that we would go through.  The whole time, I'm trying to talk up the ride and say how fun it is.  He made a couple statements about the cool lights but after a couple cork crews he had enough and asked me if it was almost over.  Just at that moment--the brakes took over and we were done.  We come to a stop and the restraint pops open.

As we stand up, I ask him if he liked it...he just said "No".  No explanation. Just "No".  I kept telling him how proud I was of him!  I couldn't believe my little baby...only 6 years old...WANTED to attempt this ride..with NO hesitation, NO fighting, NOTHING.  He told me he wouldn't get on it again until he was older.  Which I told him I was just so proud of him for even trying it.  We get to the gift shop and looked at the picture.  I immediately go up and order a picture and get a pin to commemorate the occasion.

Stephen is up front-LOVE his expression... Think he was nervous?
Notice the little girl all excited and not at all scared?
It was her 14th time IN A ROW.



So after all of this, if someone were to ask me if this is a ride that is ok for a kid? I would have to say, if they are ok with doing it..yes.  If they are kind of hesitant.. I would explain what the ride is like and go from there.  If they try it and hate it..then you know that they don't try it again until the next trip.  NEVER force your kid to ride a ride that they are not comfortable with.  That is what Child Swap is for!

In my eyes, this is one of the better rides at Walt Disney World... up there in my top 5 favorites!!  What are your thoughts?  Should younger kids--as long as they meet height restrictions--be able to ride these kind of rides?  I say, LET THEM ENJOY THE RIDE!

Until next time...