Is The Barnstormer Scary?
A Guide for Parents with Sensitive Kids
Planning your next Disney World trip and wondering, “Is Barnstormer scary?” As a parent of highly sensitive, sensory-sensitive, or anxious kids, understanding which attractions are a good fit can be key to avoiding overstimulation and managing meltdowns.
This ride is often a child’s first introduction to roller coasters at Disney World. Even though it’s shorter and less intense than the larger coasters in the park, it’s important to consider the potential sensory triggers for sensitive kids.
In this post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Barnstormer to help you decide if it’s the right ride for your family. We’ll break down the queue environment, and sensory triggers like noise, visuals, and speed.
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Is Barnstormer Scary for Sensitive or Anxious Kids?
Ride Info
The Barnstormer, located in Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom, is a smaller roller coaster designed for younger guests. It features Goofy as a wacky stunt pilot, with whimsical, lighthearted theming.
You can find it right next to Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station. This section of the park has a whimsical circus theme, with bright colors, fun carnival music, and interactive elements, making it a playful space for younger guests. The Fantasyland station for the Walt Disney World Railroad is located near here as well.
Barnstormer, also known as The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini, opened in its current form in 2012 as part of the new Fantasyland expansion. However, It originally debuted in 1996 as The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm and was part of Mickey’s Toontown Fair. The ride was later re-themed to fit the Storybook Circus area, incorporating Goofy as the star of a daring stunt show. Despite its relatively small size, Barnstormer offers plenty of thrills for young guests. It can definitely be a fun introduction to roller coasters.
Queue Environment
The queue for Barnstormer is relatively simple and mostly outdoors. It’s set against the backdrop of Storybook Circus, with plenty of Goofy-themed visuals for all the Goofy fans out there. However, like many outdoor queues, it can get hot during the day, and there’s limited shade. If your child is sensitive to heat or crowds, try to visit during morning or evening hours or bring items like a handheld fan or cooling towel to help keep them comfortable.
Ride Duration & Vehicle
The ride lasts approximately 1 minute, making it one of the shortest attractions in Magic Kingdom. You’ll board a small stunt plane-style vehicle that fits two passengers—perfect for sitting with your child.
Each vehicle has a shared lap bar, which is supposed to secure both riders. If a child is riding with a larger adult, it may be more difficult to have the lap bar down snugly on the child’s lap. I know my child has preferred coasters with individual lap bars for each person because she felt more secure that way. Examples: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or Slinky Dog Dash.
Height Requirement: Riders must be at least 35 inches (89 cm) tall to board The Barnstormer. Make sure to measure your child before you queue, as cast members do enforce this rule at the entrance and sometimes again further down the queue.
General Wait Times & Lightning Lane Usage
The Barnstormer often has short to moderate wait times, depending on the time of day and season. It’s also part of the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass system. This is a paid system that can help reduce your wait if you’re trying to avoid standing in long lines.
Try riding early in the morning or late in the evening for shorter wait times. If you are staying in a Disney resort, you can also try using Early Entry to hop on this with minimal waiting. Early Entry is a perk for Disney resort guests to enter the parks 30 minutes earlier. At Magic Kingdom, select attractions in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open during this time.
Sensory Factors: Is Barnstormer Scary?
Now, let’s dive into the sensory aspects of Barnstormer to help determine if it’s too scary for your sensitive or anxious child.
Sudden Noises: 1/5
The Barnstormer does include some typical roller coaster noises, like the clattering of the coaster on the track. You’ll also hear Goofy’s voiceover as you take off. While these noises aren’t too unexpected, they can be startling for kids who are sensitive to sudden sounds. Fortunately, the ride is short, so these noise-related discomforts shouldn’t last too long.
Noise Level: 3/5
I like to differentiate overall noise level, as it refers more to the volume vs. sudden or unexpected noises. The Barnstormer isn’t a quiet ride by any means. This is due to the continuous rollercoaster noises and sounds of riders screaming, yelling, or laughing while on the ride. But again, it is very quick ride. So any level of noise will be over very quickly.
Darkness: 0/5
This ride is entirely outdoors and takes place in the bright, open air. There are no dark or enclosed spaces. This makes it a good option for kids who are afraid of the dark or enclosed environments.
Bright & Flashing Lights: 0/5
There are no flashing lights or sudden changes in brightness on Barnstormer. The bright, cheerful circus atmosphere provides plenty of natural light and colorful visuals without being overwhelming.
Speed: 3/5
While Barnstormer is designed for younger guests, it’s still a roller coaster, which means it comes with speed and some quick turns. The ride reaches a top speed of about 25 mph, which may feel fast for a small child or a sensitive rider. The turns could also feel a little intense, especially for those not used to roller coasters. If your child is sensitive to fast movements, this ride may be a bit overwhelming.
Drops: 3/5
Although the Barnstormer doesn’t have any major drops, it does feature one moderate drop early in the ride. For children new to roller coasters, this drop might feel a bit scary, but it’s over quickly. It’s also quite a bit bumpy, and isn’t as smooth of a ride as other rollercoasters at Disney World like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Scary Visuals: 1/5
The ride’s theming is light and fun, centered around Goofy’s silly attempt to fly a stunt plane. There are no villains or frightening characters, making it an overall cheerful experience. The visuals are bright and whimsical, which may appeal to sensitive kids. However, the height of the coaster, combined with the speed, may cause nervousness for children with a fear of heights.
Proximity to Others: 2/5
The queue area can feel a bit crowded at times, especially during peak hours. On the ride itself, the vehicles are small, but they are spaced out, so you don’t feel close to riders on other ride vehicles. However, because the lap bar is shared between two passengers, you’ll be sitting right next to your ride partner, which is good to know if you have an odd number of riders and one of your family members needs to ride with someone else.
Strong Smells: 0/5
There are no strong or unusual smells on this ride, making it a safe option for kids who are sensitive to scents.
Wetness: 0/5
The Barnstormer is completely dry, with no water elements or splashing involved. It’s a roller coaster, so there’s no risk of getting wet unless it rains!
TOTAL Sensory Rating for the Barnstormer: 13/50
With a sensory rating of 13/50, Barnstormer is on the milder end of the spectrum for roller coasters but still offers some elements of speed and a small drop that might feel intense for highly sensitive or anxious kids. It’s a great introductory coaster for families looking to try a ride that’s a step up from the slower-moving attractions but still manageable for most kids.
So, Is Barnstormer Scary?
Overall, Barnstormer can be a bit scary for kids who are sensitive to speed, drops, or sudden movements. Its cheerful theming and short duration make it a good introductory coaster, but it still has enough thrills that it might not be suitable for all highly sensitive children. If your child is hesitant about trying roller coasters, I recommend trying some of the slower moving rides first like Peter Pan’s Flight or The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, before attempting the Barnstormer.
For kids who enjoy a little bit of speed and are ready for their first roller coaster, Barnstormer offers a fun and memorable experience without being overwhelming. Just be mindful of the speed, turns, and small drop, and prepare your child for what to expect.
Have you ridden Barnstormer with your kids? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how your highly sensitive child handled it!
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