I think a good gauge as to whether your young child will get scared by the preshow part, is to rent the movie. It has a couple of real scary parts & explains the storyline well. If they enjoy them movie, then they will like the preshow as the same characters are in both & they will recognize them. The only thing different is the dark. Maybe watch the movie a second time at night with the lights out and see how they do! My 5 year old rode ToT when he was 4, but didn't like it because "he floated". But after watching the movie, he wants to try it again on our next trip. It's our 11 year old we're having problems with! He doesn't like drops, but I told him he needs to try ToT this trip at least once and then if he doesn't like it, he doesn't have to go on again. If his wimpy mom finally got the courage to ride it this past Sept. after chickening out for years and then ended up loving it, I think he will too.