My kids enjoyed most of the thrill rides at Disneyland with the exception of the Matterhorn (it was closed until June 15 for repairs), Indiana Jones Adventure (Bode didn’t meet the 46-inch height requirement) and the California Screamin’ roller-coaster (they wouldn’t go near anything with an upside-down loop-de-loop).
However, there were a few surprising “I’m gonna die moments!”
Splash Mountain
For Hadley, it occurred during Splash Mountain and the prospect of kareening down the waterfall. She kept obsessively chanting, “I’m FREAKING OUT!” and when I pointed out we hadn’t even gone down it yet, she switched her lament to “I’m FREAKING OUT FOR THE FUTURE!
What a great planner she is.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel
Doesn’t Mickey just look so happy and welcoming on that Ferris wheel?
Do not be deceived.
This time, it was Bode who was traumatized. You can ride one of the traditional gondolas mounted to the outer rim -or- board one of the 16-inch “free-mounted” gondolas that slip and slide back and forth along the inside spokes.
We, of course, chose the most adventurous free-sliding gondolas and oh, the look on Bode’s face when that thing started rocking.
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| Holy Crap! |
When that didn’t work to calm his fears, he tried another coping method:
.And there he stayed for the duration of the ride.
Golden Zephyr
Hadley is a complicated little thing. Though she thrived on Space Mountain (which absolutely terrorizes me in the dark), she also freaked out about riding the Golden Zephyr in California Adventure Park. She hates swinging things but really? This tame spaceship that is geared to preschoolers?
I made her go on it, just so she could save face.
“What is the worst that could happen?” I queried.
“I could fall out and die,” she countered.
Note to self: don’t ask that question at an amusement park.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 