3 yr. old-- ready for...?

[ByTheHook]

We're planning a visit to DL but need to know more about the thrill rides like Indiana Jones, Star Tours, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Our 3 yr-old just makes 40" w/ shoes and seems pretty fearless now, so which of these will he be okay on, based upon your experiences w/ kids same age?

 

[jeni1072]

We took my DD for her 3rd birthday, and she rode everything. She's also riden upside down roller coasters though- so she is pretty fearless! Each child is different, and you won't know until he's standing right there at it saying "nooooooo!" or "lets go!"

 

[tacomaranch]

Our DS is a thrill junky! He skied at 18 months! He loves the 4 wheeler, the snowmachine, making the horse run, anything fast. That is our DS who also is just a hair away from 40 inches. We hope in the next 20 days he grows that little bit more.

He is going to love all the roller coaster and thrill rides. But that is our DS.

You will know and don't force your child on ride unless they really want to go. I hate to see little ones crying because the parents force the issue.

Have fun

 

[scouthawkk]

Took DS3 (nearly 4) last week. He is 41.5". He LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Star Tours! Went on it 3 times (two time in a row, as my friend and I did a baby swap with her little one). 40" is too short for space mountain, but is ok for big thunder mountain and splash mountain. Both of which my son also LOVED!!! We did BTM 2 times in a row (I held on to him for dear life because he insisted on riding both times with his hands in the air laughing the entire way). He got to ride splash mountain 3 times. Twice with me, and once with my friend (baby swap again). We also got to ride Goofy's coaster 6 times in a row...no getting off. There were no lines, and every time we came in to the station, they said we could remain seated if we wanted to go again. He just kept looking at me and saying..."mommy, remain seated..." It was the best. The CMs kept laughing, and even kept count. The only way I got him off was because I could see the rest of the people we were with looking for us and I didn't want them to worry that we had gotten lost! (Well, that and it was almost time for dinner...)

He also loved haunted mansion, pirates, buzz, pooh, dumbo, peter pan, snow white, iasw, the carosel, astro orbitor, the tea cups and "driving" the indy cars (did those twice in a row with no real wait...plus he went again the next day with my friend)! And he got mad at me because I went on two coasters without him (space mountain and rockin' roller coaster). But he survived...and maybe next year he'll be able to ride space with me (I don't think he'll be tall enough for rockin' by then).

Didn't get to Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Also didn't get to do too much at MGM. He threw a HUGE tantrum there. Still not sure what that was about. Tried to get him to do the tower with my friend, but he didn't like the idea if the drop in an elevator. For some reason, regular elevator rides make him feel like he has to pee (no really, it is very odd, and even DH can't figure out why...nor can his doc. Just a strange quirk I guess).

But over all, I was very pleased with the amount of things that he was not only able to ride, but also with how much he loved it all! Have a great trip!!!!!!

 

[KelsiesMommy]

Depends on how easily frightened she is. I have a 3 1/2 yr old who frequents DL all the time- she's short though, so she's just attempted the Matterhorn once- and told us she won't go on it again. The Yeti scared her as much as the ride itself. Indiana Jones is pretty scary, but you know your child best.

 

[lg3]

You are perfectly describing our 3 yr old daughter - Took her to DL early August. She BARELY made the 40" mark - have to admit we put a hat on her and tennis shoes. I think it did make a difference. She LOVED Big Thunder Mountain RR, and still talks about it every day. She doesn't like getting wet, so Splash Mountain was out. You had to be 46" for Indiana Jones, so that was out too. She rode on Haunted Mansion, but was pretty scared, and didn't like it much. We did POTC, and she liked it for a while, then got scared near the end. Matterhorn was a no-go. Maybe boys might be more adventurous. She liked rides that were outside and bright more than the darker inside ones.