Actually, this is not a case of being afraid of a ride and has everything to do with my son's disability. Autism is a multi-faceted disability where one person on the spectrum may be non-verbal and need a rigid schedule, have sensory issues with foods and a well developed vestibular system...another may be extremely verbal, adapt to change with some support, be auditory sensitive, limited diet, and an underdeveloped vestibular system. They both are on the spectrum but are on it in very different spaces. My son is the latter. Most people don't even realize he is on the spectrum
The challenge with roller coasters and similar rides have to do w/ his underdeveloped vestibular system. Your vestibular system is how your body and brain work together to navigate the space around you. It is why you can put your hand into a glove and know where your fingers are even though you cannot see them, or why you can back down a ladder without having to look at each rung. For those that have faulty vestibular systems, their brains are unsure of where their bodies are in space. This makes it so anytime their feet aren't planted firmly on the ground, their brain kicks in w/ a message that there is a threat/danger.
So, basically when every other toddler was happily paddling around pools w/ floaties, my son was clinging to us for dear life because his brain was telling him he was going to die.
After 4 years of weekly occupational therapy that taught his brain how to read some of his body's signals, my son can now swing on a playground swing and float in a pool...but a roller coaster is waaaay outside basic body signals and his brain would going into overdrive sending danger signals.
Again, this isn't a choice or a case of being afraid but a DISABILITY issue.
So until my son is old enough to wait by himself while the entire rest of the family rides something (and no, 12yo is not old enough) I will try and figure out how Disney can work w/ us to accommodate his disability.