I loved the movies as a kid, but I remember back in '97 being terrified with the shot showing the Wampa missing his arm. Had my parents tell me when it was over. I think I was more squeamish than anything, I don't recall being afraid of much else.
I also remember having a lot of lines/parts which didn't make any sense to me as a kid make complete sense after watching them a few years later. Sort of a revelation.