Is Slinky Dog Dash Scary? A Nervous Riders Perspective
Slinky Dog Dash is a race through Andy’s backyard on the back of one of his beloved toys, Slinky Dog.
If you’re here, you’re probably a nervous rider like me! As much as I love Disney World, I’m not a fan of big rides, and I like to do my research before I ride anything new.
So if you want to know if you can ride Slinky Dog, let’s dive into, is Slinky Dog Dash scary?
What kind of ride is Slinky Dog?
Slinky Dog Dash is an outdoor steel roller coaster.
The colourful coaster is designed to look like Andy set up the track in his backyard, complete with building blocks and string lights.
The launch coaster is family-friendly and perfect for younger visitors looking for a thrill ride. There are two launches, but they are mild and not at all intense!
Which park is Slinky Dog Dash in?
Slinky Dog Dash is located in Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios. You’ll find it among a range of other Toy Story themed rides and restaurants which bring the Disney movie to life.
The entrance is through Animation Courtyard, down the side of Walt Disney Presents. There’s also a pathway from Star Wars Galaxy Edge.
Slinky Dog Dash has a bright red track and takes up a large portion of Toy Story Land so it’s hard to miss!
Is Slinky Dog Dash Scary?
The simple answer to this question is no, Slinky Dog Dash is not scary, at least to most adults.
However, everyone has a different fear tolerance when it comes to rollercoasters.
The drops on Slinky Dog were my main concern when I rode for the first time. I avoid all rides with big dips, and from certain angles, they can look pretty sizeable! The good news is Slinky goes down these drops quite slowly, especially if you’re at the front. If you’re at the back, it’s a slightly different experience, but I cover this in more detail below.
Slinky Dog Dash is also surprisingly fast, with top speeds of up to 40 miles per hour. It’s a smooth ride though, and doesn’t throw you around like some other coasters can.
I like to watch videos so I know what to expect. I like this video in particular because it shows the rollercoaster going down the drop at the beginning. You can see how it slows down, and just how fast it goes.
Overall it’s a pretty tame roller coaster, and most adults should be fine. Parents know their kids best, but it was designed to be a family-friendly attraction and is largely geared towards children.
If you’re still not sure, let’s take a more in-depth look at all these scare factors and find out is Slinky Dog scary?
Is Slinky Dog a kid’s ride?
Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly coaster, so it’s a ride designed for both children and adults! The minimum height requirement is 38 inches (97cm), so as long as they are above this height, any age can ride! However, children under seven must be accompanied by someone fourteen or older.
The attraction is a roller coaster that travels at speed with several dips and could be scary for younger kids. It depends on the child, but Slinky Dog Dash was created with thrill-seeker kids in mind!
How fast is the Slinky Coaster?
Slinky Dog reaches speeds up to 40mph! This is faster than the top speeds of Thunder Mountain (35 mph) and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (34 mph). It makes it one of the fastest family rides at Disney World!
How long does the Slinky Dog ride last?
The attraction is just under two minutes of twists and turns around Andy’s backyard.
Slinky Dog Tip: Ride at night! Toy Story Land looks great at night with everything lit up, and you get a terrific view of the park. Slinky Dog Dash also lights up, including the track, which is pretty cool!
Does Slinky Dog Have Drops?
Yes, the roller coaster does have some drops and bumps.
There are two medium-sized drops. The largest is 50 feet high, but the ride slows towards the top. Because it goes down the drop much slower, it makes the dips feel less intense.
However, if you’re sensitive to drops, you will likely feel that dropping feeling in your stomach.
I avoid anything with large drops and have always been too scared to ride Splash Mountain or Expedition Everest. I did feel that ‘whoosh’ feeling in my stomach, but it was over quickly and I would ride again!
Slinky Dog Dash Tip: If you don’t like drops, try and get a seat towards the front. Avoid the back seats as they go down the drops faster.
Does Slinky Dog Dash go backwards?
The rollercoaster moves backwards very slowly as it gets into place for the launch. It’s only for a short moment and is the only time the ride moves backwards.
Does the ride go upside down?
No, this roller coaster does not go upside down or have any inversions.
Does Slinky Dog Dash cause motion sickness?
You don’t have to worry about motion sickness on Slinky Dog Dash! This attraction does not cause nausea.
Is the attraction claustrophobic?
You shouldn’t feel claustrophobic on Slinky Dog Dash as it’s an outdoor coaster. The queue area is also outdoors, meaning there are no enclosed spaces.
Is Slinky Dog Dash Scary tip: One of the benefits of an outdoor coaster is that you can see what you’re getting on! You can view the entire track, including all the dips, twists and turns. If you’re still unsure, take some time to watch the coaster before you ride. Watch how fast it goes, look at the drops and focus on anything that might make you nervous. If you’re anything like me, the more you know, the better you feel!
Is it better to be in the front or back of Slinky Dog?
The front and back of the coaster offer slightly different experiences.
If you’re more of a thrill seeker, the back seats are best, while the front seats are better for nervous riders. This is because as you go down the dips, the ride picks up speed, and the back goes down the drops faster.
I’m not a fan of drops, yet I found myself in the back seat of Slinky Dog Dash during one of my trips! It did give me that swooping feeling in my stomach, but it’s brief and overall a fun ride.
If you are sensitive to drops and still want to ride, I would still advise you to get seats closer to the front.
How intense is Slinky Dog Ride?
Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly ride, so it’s not an intense attraction. However, it is a roller coaster, so it’s pretty fast and does have a few drops, but it’s no Expedition Everest or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster!
If you can handle Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with the small dip at the start, you should be fine on Slinky Dog.
Slinky Dog Dash Queue
Slinky Dog Dash is one of the few rides at Walt Disney World with a fully outdoor queue. Some of the waiting area is covered, but a long wait time on a hot Florida afternoon can be unpleasant. If you’re sensitive to the heat (like me!), ride early morning or in the evening.
Slinky Dog Dash Queue Tip: If you’re going to brave the midday heat, take an electric fan!
Use Genie+ to Skip the Queue
Sometimes waiting in line can help build up anxiety, and the wait time for Slinky Dog Dash is always high.
You can avoid long wait times with Lightning Lane passes if you purchased Genie+. However, they can be hard to get, as Slinky Dog Dash is one of the most popular options.
You will need to be ready to grab your reservation at 7 am, and even then, you might still miss out. If you’d prefer to save your Lightening Lane pass for something else or aren’t using Genie+, I’d recommend planning to ride at rope drop or Early Entry.
Ride Vehicles & Restraints
Each Slinky Dog has five cars. The cars have two rows, seating two riders per row, so hold four people per car.
The back car is the exception, as it only has one row to seat two people. Each rider gets their own individual lap bar.
Is Slinky Dog Dash Scary FAQ
Slinky Dog Dash is kid-friendly and suitable for any age as long as they’re 97cm (38in) or taller. Considering average heights, it’s suited to children aged 3 to 4 and above, but it really depends on the thrill level of each individual child.
The ride is slightly faster than the other family rollercoasters in the park and has a couple of small drops. Kids under 7 years old must also ride with someone 14 or older.
Yes! Slinky Dog Dash is a fun ride for both adults and kids. We rode it as two adults.
Surprisingly yes, Slinky Dog Dash is faster than Space Mountain! Space Mountain reaches a top speed of 28 miles per hour, while Slinky Dog Dash reaches 40 miles per hour.
Personally, I would say yes, Slinky Dog Dash is just slightly scarier than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Slinky Dog Dash is a little faster than Mine Train and has more dips.
Yes, Slinky Dog Dash is definitely worth a ride, at least once! It often has long wait times, and the ride is pretty short, but it’s a fun little coaster. However, if you’re a thrill seeker, this probably isn’t the rollercoaster for you.
Yes. Slinky Dog Dash is a dual-launch coaster but the launches aren’t intense.
A 3-year-old can ride Slinky Dog Dash as long as they meet the height requirements and ride with someone age 14 or over. Riders must be at least 97cm (38in) tall.
Yes, you can use Rider Switch if you have young children who can’t ride.
The queue for Slinky Dog Dash is wheelchair-friendly, but riders must be able to get onto the ride themselves or with the help of their friends or family.
Lindsey is the creator and writer for Mouse Trip Magic. When she’s not walking down Main Street, she likes to bring the Disney magic home with Disney movies, fun recipes and cute Disney finds. Her love of storytelling and cinematography led her to pursue a degree in film and media, which means she loves to research and take a deep dive into all things Disney!
