At a Glance
Duration: 1 minute, 57 seconds
Look Out For: high speeds and a mid-ride launch as well as small twists, turns, and drops
Opening on June 30, 2018, Slinky Dog Dash is a lively family coaster that takes you on a whimsical ride through Andy’s backyard. But how scary is Slinky Dog Dash? Let’s take a look at the ratings:
1. Ride Length
Slinky Dog Dash has a ride duration of only 1 minute and 57 seconds.
2. Height Requirement and Warnings
Slinky Dog Dash has a height requirement of 38 inches. This makes it a great option for kids that weren’t tall enough for larger coasters like Space Mountain.
3. Ride Vehicles and Restraints
The Slinky Dog Dash ride vehicles consist of 5 cars, each with 2 rows seating 2 riders per row. Each passenger gets their own lap bar.
4. How does Slinky Dog Dash Work?
Slinky Dog Dash works like a standard roller coaster with various twists, turns, and drops. What makes this attraction unique is its mid-ride launch, allowing the trains to come to a full stop, back up, and launch forward at a high speed.
5. Is Slinky Dog Dash Scary?
Slinky Dog Dash not intentionally scary at all. It’s lack of any spooky theming makes for a playful, fun-filled ride for the whole family.
However, there is a launch around the halfway point of the ride that includes the coaster stopping, backing up, and its surroundings revving up for the launch. This only lasts about 15 seconds but the anticipation (especially for those who don’t like countdowns or sudden thrill elements) may not particularly appreciate this part.
The “revving up” – while fun and playful by nature – includes the rings above you lighting up, two flame signs on either side of you spinning, and a piped-in sound clip preparing you to launch. For a nice visual, be sure to check out the ride POV video below.
6. How High is Slinky Dog Dash?
Slinky Dog Dash does involve some heights. As an outdoor coaster, Slinky Dog Dash certainly feels higher off the ground than its cousins – the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain. With a 50 ft peak, there are times when the ground seems far below you, but it doesn’t last for long.
7. How Fast is Slinky Dog Dash?
Slinky Dog Dash does go fast. This coaster reaches a top speed of 40 miles per hour with its launch, making it technically faster than all of the coasters in Magic Kingdom. However, due to its whimsical track and decidedly family-friendly theming- I would rank it somewhere between Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain in intensity.
It should also be noted that like all coasters, your ride intensity could vary depending on whether you’re sitting at the front, middle, or back of the train. As a general rule, you’ll have a more thrilling ride in the back and a tamer one in the front – so keep that in mind!
8. Does Slinky Dog Dash Have Drops?
Slinky Dog Dash does have a few mild drops. While overall fairly tame, some of these drops are made more thrilling by being outside and pretty high off the ground. The good thing, however, is that most of the coaster is visible from outside the queue, so if you’re not liking what you see, you can always skip this ride.*
*Side Note: You can ALWAYS decide not to ride at the end of the queue – even if you’re about to board the ride vehicle. Just tell a cast member you’ve decided not to ride, and they will be more than happy to help you. Don’t hesitate to ask if you’re feeling uncomfortable.
9. Does Slinky Dog Dash Cause Motion Sickness?
Slinky Dog Dash should not cause motion sickness to most riders.
10. Is Slinky Dog Dash Claustrophobic?
Slinky Dog Dash should not be claustrophobic to most riders. While there is a lap bar, the entirely outdoor nature of this ride as well as the short ride duration make for a great attraction for the claustrophobic among us.
11. Are There Animatronics on Slinky Dog Dash?
There is a large but friendly animatronic of Wheezy on Slinky Dog Dash. He is located at the end of the ride and sings you out as the train in front of you unloads. This part of the ride is fun, well-themed, and definitely family-friendly.
Slinky Dog Dash Queue Walkthrough
The queue entrance is located outside in the Toy Story Land area and takes you winding through an outdoor section (with some cover from the sun). If you’re going at a hot time of year, this is a good ride to prioritize in the morning, as the queue can get extremely long and hot at mid-day.
As one of the few entirely outdoor queues, this may be a good one for those who find other lines claustrophobic. Upon reaching the loading platform, you’ll enter a large open-air building (think Thunder Mountain) where you’ll prepare to board the ride. The entire queue is exquisitely themed – so take a moment to take it all in!
Slinky Dog Dash Ride Walkthrough
Once boarding the ride vehicles, you’ll “spring into action” by setting off up your first (very quick) lift and down your first drop. You’ll soar through a few twists and turns before landing at the launch station – around mid-ride.
As mentioned before, the launch station consists of four colorful rings overhead and two spinning flame signs on either side of the coaster. The train will stop, back up, and start “revving up” for the launch (this part lasts around 15 seconds). A fun voiceover and sound effects will prepare you for this, and the coaster will zoom forward – going from 0 to 40 miles per hour in a few seconds.
You’ll fly up a pretty tall hill and down another drop before bouncing your way through the “slinky” part of the track. The entire ride is so extremely well-themed down to the track itself and is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. I highly recommend checking out this ride if you’re up for it!
With that, you’ll quickly find yourself back at the loading station being serenated by Wheezy and other toys. While Slinky Dog Dash is a short ride, every second is packed with SO much fun and you’ll likely be fighting the urge to hop right back in line to ride again.
That’s it! Remember, everyone’s riding experience is a little bit different and only you can decide whether to hop on that ride vehicle or not. I just hope this guide helps you be prepared and enjoy every second of your Disney experience!
So what do you think? How scary is Slinky Dog Dash? Leave a comment to help keep this guide up to date!
For a full visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW:
2 Comments
When I was little I rode this, and it may have been one of my first Disney coasters. I got so scared, and did not like the ride at all. Def a no for me, but adorable theme!
I totally get that! It’s really much more intense than Barnstormer or other kiddie coasters!