4-yr old on roller coasters

[LVdisneyChick]

I really want to take my son for another trip to disneyland. He keeps talking about going on the cup-teas (teacups). lol. i was amazed to see that the height requirement for most of the roller coasters is 40 in. Does anyone have any preschoolers that have been on space mnt or splash mnt?

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Hi, I don't have kids but have traveled to Disneyland with 3 to 8 year olds. Because we have so many kids in our family and travel with them often, when I ride the stronger rides I consider if it would be tolerable for our younger members.

If your son is very brave and outgoing, and has been on a few rollercoasters before then he'll probably do alright. But if he's a first timer, I probably would not recommend Space Mountain or Splash Mountain. Space Mt. has gotten a lot faster over the years, I say it's currently the fastest it's ever been! Splash Mt. is pretty and fun inside, but the drop is very intense, nothing like the Pirates ride drop - if your son doesn't really like the Pirates drop then he really wouldn't like the Splash Mt. drop .

There's a kids rollercoaster in Toontown you may want to start out with, then next step up I say would be Big Thunder Mountain. California Adventure has Mulholland Madness which is roller coaster-ish, I would try these first before riding Space or Splash. Oh, and the Matterhorn's not so bad, just very bumpy and jerky.

I went on Tower of Terror with a 5, 6, and 8 year old. The 5 year old swore off riding it again until he was 14, the 6 year old had a look of terror on his face the entire time, same with the 8 year old but he ended up ride the BIG rollercoaster at California Adventure.

 

[kylieh]

Miss 6 did all 5 mountains last year. Her favourite was Splash Mountain. I told her before we went the big drop was like a big slippery dip and you get wet at the end. She loved it.

The Matterhorn was fine, again a favourite. But I would suggest looking at You Tube first and seeing if the Yeti would cause an issue.

She really disiked Space Moutain - "never again" were her words. I would leave this one to last.

Big Thunder was a lot of fun, said she would go on it again.

The Coaster in Toon Town was easy and I think because of its theming it didn't seem scary at all. You could have a look at it before you ride in full as well. She did it quite a few times.

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

On our trip in 2008, my younger daughter had just turned 4. She absolutely LOVED Space Mtn, Splash Mtn, Matterhorn and BTMRR. She wasn't tall enough for Screamin' but would have tried that, too. For our family, the younger the better to try new rides. My older daughter was 6 (almost 7) on that trip and her favorite rides from the year before (all the roller coasters, mostly Screamin) were scaring her now. She wouldn't even get on Space Mtn, we had to duck out right before we got in a car.

Each child is unique. You will know what will be ok/interesting for your child and if it is a ride tried but not liked, you can comfort with "you never have to ride it again if you don't want to."

 

[IBLarsen]

Hi! Last year we took our two children DD3 and DD5 (at the time) for their first visit. DD3 is tall and was at the 40 in req. I honestly didn't intend on taking her on half of the things; however, she absolutely insisted on going on EVERYTHING! We explained to her what to expect and then let her decide. We would tell her it will be dark, or really bumpy/fast, might be scary for you. We weren't trying to freak her out, we just wanted her to understand and she still chose to go. Matterhorn was her Favorite, had to ride that several times. She did go on Splash and liked it a lot. She went on Space Mtn (which Mommy didn't want to do) and she was fine, but I don't think she really liked it, but wasn't going to admit it to us! Everything else she truly seemed to enjoy. She would ask to go on things again (everything except Space).
So I would say give your child a realistic expectation, so they are prepared. We of course would tell our DD3 that even though it may be a little scary, it's really fun and mommy/daddy will be with her. We wanted her to know that she was safe and it really is fun, but here's what to expect.

Try it and let him decide if he wants to go on any more of that scale! He may suprise you like our DD did!!

One thing I want to point out about Space with kids. DS6 was absolutely fine on everything, we weren't concerned about his reactions. Where as I had my arm wrapped around dd3 on space to keep her feeling safe. My DH and DS6 rode together and DS ended up hitting the back of his head really hard. He must have been leaning slightly forward?? or at least his head was and at one point the ride forced his head back and he had a good size knot on his head and he didn't want to do anything other than sit down for a while, holding his head. We honestly watched him for a concussion for a while!

 

[LavenderPeach]

DS3 (almost 4 in a few weeks) isn't tall enough for any of the mountain rides yet but I know he isn't ready for them anyway. We just recently took him on gadget's go coaster because he loves that falling feeling he gets from going up and down on dumbo, he likes going fast and he even likes the drops on pirates so we thought he was ready. Turns out he's not quite ready for the coaster yet. Actually, he had mixed feelings. He freaked out while we were on it but after we got off he wanted to go again. So we went again but he freaked out again. He still tells me he wants to "sit on little roller coaster" but I think we'll wait a little longer to try again.

My first trip to DL was when i was 5 and I loved the matterhorn, big thunder and especially space (splash wasn't built yet).

All that to say, that every kid is different so you'll just have to take it slow and see. I agree with PP that you should start with the one in toontown, then try matterhorn and big thunder mountain and work up from there.

 

[Kayla's Mom]

On DD's 4th birthday, we started her out of Gadget's Go Coaster, which she loved. She went on BTMR and Splash that trip as well. She was not sure of Splash at first, but decided she liked it! (Matterhorn was closed and I did not take her on Space, I didn't think she was ready for that yet)

 

[moredisneyplease]

i havent read the other posts but wanted to share my story:

My son (now 4) first rode Gadget coaster and Matterhorn at age 2. He LOVED Gadget but was a bit scared of the snowman on Matterhorn. We turned it in to a game the next time we were there so he wouldnt be scared. I told him the monster's name was Cheesy Toe Monster (made him giggle) and that we had to make guns out of our fingers (pointer and thumb) and shoot the monster every time we saw him. From that point on he LOVED this ride. Two coasters down!

Now, on a wall we marked the 40inch line and would measure him often and encourage him to eat his vegetables so he could go on the BIG rides. Well low and behold, about a year ago (he was 3 1/2) he hit the mark (with shoes on) so he and I had a special trip there just to ride the big rides. Before I tell you about those, let me back up a bit. I'm a HUGE Disney fan and for years I had been showing him the rides on youtube. we would sit on the couch, play a ride, and pretend we were on it by rocking side to side/going up and down/yelling as if we were on the ride. By the time he was really able to ride the ride (when he hit 40) he had already seen/"been on" the ride. HOWEVER, this didnt do much good when time came around.

He first picked splash mountain and started to get upset as we approached the loading area. I kept telling him that this was a fun and silly ride but the tears started. I promised him that he would never, ever have to ride the ride again if he didnt like it but that he needed to try it at least once. I think i might have also bribed him with a churro or something. Of course he LOVED it and proceeded to have us ride it 8 more times (no line). Next was Big Thunder........this one was NO problem! He likes roller coasters in general so he got on no problem.....I think we did it 4 times. Then we did Star Tours. Another crying episode. Again, I told him to try it once and he did. He said he didnt like it so i left it at that. We went over to Buzz and while on that he said he did like Star Tours and wanted to do it again, so we did. We left Space Mnt for another day

When he did do Space he was scared but tried it, loved it and now we're over the DL coaster hump!

Good luck!!!!

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

DD (4 and 1 month) loved Thunder Mt Railroad, Grizzly River Rapids, and Star Tours,
Matterhorn I got an OK from her (I think I could have gotten her to go again if we ever found a short line again)
Space Mt was a definate NO NO NO and never again.
Splash got something between a No and OK.

 

[disneynerd420]

I have to say that I wish my parents would have taken me on roller coaster when I was young. Due to the fact that I never had exposure to them, I developed a long time fear of thrill rides. I have recently gotten over that hurdle and can ride anything in the parks without a problem, but it took me about 17 years to do it. I say do it.

 

[mlenz]

When DS was 4 Dh took him on anything he was tall enough for, so he rode Tot ,space mt ,matterhorn, splash montain etc.... and he ws fine one of his fave ride now is splash montain.
However my children have been exposed to rides and adventure all their lives and do not have much fear of anything which can be pretty scary for me . I think it just depends on the child start them off easy and then see from there.

 

[Quilter007]

My kids loved the fast rides as soon as they were tall enough to ride them. They rode with DH the first several times -- he's 6' 3" 275 lbs. They spent a LOT of time at DL during their pre-school years. So it's a comfortable place for them -- they had been riding thing like the Matterhorn as soon as they could -- since they were 3-ish? Younger DS has always been very tall, he rode Matterhorn on his 3rd b-day.

You need to think about how comfortable your child is, especially with dark rides. Splash mountain gets pretty scary at the dark parts. It also has the wet component. Then ask your child if he or she wants to ride it. We've always told our sons that if they don't want to ride something, they don't have to. Younger DS hates Indy, frankly I don't like it either -- too bumpy. So DH & older DS use those fastpasses and I go w/ younger DS to Big Thunders, Buzz, Splash, Star Tours, Pirates or something else where we can be "stirred" & not "shaken". Oh, and just because your kids are tall enough doesn't mean you have to stop asking for the babysitter passes. They will still give them to you!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We took my ODD for her 4th bday in 2005 and her favorite ride was Splash Mt. and 2nd favorite was Space. But I'd definitely start out on Gadgets Go Coaster and BTMRR before hitting the other two. BTW she also HATED the Matterhorn because the snow monster startled her. Watch that one (and the others) on Youtube with your child before your trip.

 

[leslie_537]

We took my daughter for her first time at 3 1/2. My son was just 8 months. My daughter was 41" tall and able to ride most of the rides. She loved them. She rode Goofy's Go Coaster first, then the Matterhorn, Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain Railroad. She was really disappointed she wasn't tall enough to ride Screamin'. (She finally got to ride when she turned 5 and LOVES LOVES LOVES it)

My son who just turned 41" at 4 loves the rides just as much. He has only got to ride Goofy's Go coaster and the Matterhorn and LOVES them both. We are going again in October and I am so excited to take him on Space and BTMRR.

I think it is all in knowing what your kids are ready for. My sister's son is 18 days younger than my son but about 1 1/2 taller. He was able to ride SPace and BTMRR in May and hated them. Before taking him on the rides she said she didn't think he was going to like them. SO it is all in knowing your kids too.

 

[Mugglemama]

it just depends on your child's temperament. my kids have been going to DL their entire lives (many, many, many times), so they're not afraid of anything there. my youngest was 3 years and 10 months old on our last trip, and although he was tall enough for space at the time, my husband and i both felt like it was too intense of a ride. not for him, lol, but for us because when they are barely at the height requirement, the restraints on space can feel a little too spacious, and you may find yourself feeling like it's necessary to hold them in during the whole ride (i doubt they'd ever actually fall out, but i've read posts by other parents saying they felt the same way we did - like maybe there was the potential for them to fall out). my son would have ridden it in a heartbeat and likely would have loved every second, though. but he really loves splash and matterhorn and pirates and everything else he's been tall enough for at this point.

splash seems really "fun" to me, as opposed to "scary", and none of my kids have ever, ever been afraid on it (and my older two have been riding it since before they changed the height requirement, so they were really little when they started riding it). the way the seats are now, though, i'd either have your little guy ride side by side with you in the last seat of the log for his first time, or sit right behind him and wrap your arms around the back of the seat to hold him during the drops if you feel like he's feeling nervous during the ride.

i've never really had to do this much with my kids, because as i said, they're little thrill-seekers, lol. but on occasion i have explained to them that "there's nothing on this ride that can hurt you. it's really just meant to be fun". i think the only ride i ever had to say that on was haunted mansion.

 

[LVdisneyChick]

My son was 3 last year and he just made the height requirement for Matterhorn... he had a blast. I can't beleive he sprouted that much in a year.
I think he will probably do okay on all of them, i only have apprehensions about space mnt.

 

[JustAKid]

Am I nuts?

My DD is 5, and listening to all your stories makes me feel like I'm going to go number 2 in my shorts!!!!!

I NEVER would have even CONSIDERED putting her on a rollercoaster so young...until now. I'm trying to take all your advice and calculate whether or not I believe she'd like it. I gotta say, I'm boggled. I don't know if it is MY fear, or HER fear that I'm more afraid of.

Any care takers out there who DIDN'T or WOULDN'T put their kids on a coaster? Why'd you make THAT decision?

 

[endy]

My DS13 was just under 5 when we went to Universal & Knott's the first time. He rode every roller coaster he was tall enough for. By himself sometimes. He loves ToT & Screamin'.

 

[Mugglemama]

try to remember, too, that the rides only last for about a minute. they're over so fast. so if he hates it, he never has to ride it again, and it will be over really fast. (well splash is probably closer to 8-10 minutes, but a good portion of that is outside, and almost all of the inside portion is very happily themed - happy music and all. the drop at the end only lasts about 4 seconds and then it's over).

and despite MY fears of a small kid falling out of the seats on space mountain, obviously it doesn't happen, or we'd all know about it.

if your little one isn't a thrill seeker though (or doesn't seem to become one as your day at DL progresses) just skip space. and splash if you want to. it's no big deal. there's plenty to do besides those two rides. (splash really is a cool ride, though, and if he happens to enjoy POTC, then splash likely won't be a problem).

 

[mom2pirateNpooh]

I think, at least with our kids, their comfort level depended on how we approached riding rollercoasters. Our kids are both speed demons, but our attitude affected their reactions (no big surprise, really).

DS10 didn't go to DL until he was 5 - he gets overstimulated and we didn't think he could handle it, so we babied him. We started him gradually, with Gadget's Go-Coaster, them moved up to BTMRR and Matterhorn. When he was 6, he reluctantly rode Space, with me holding onto him and reassuring him the entire time. He was tall enough to ride just about everything, but terrified of many rides. We seriously considered not taking him to DL at 7, but went anyway, just to see if he'd be okay. Fortunately, peer pressure kicked in, and he begged to go on Screamin' with a 10-year-old friend. He loved it so much he came running out the gate, screaming happily, and slid across the pavement to me on his knees. He now loves the thrill rides, BUT he is still freaked out by some of the theming, particularly the Yeti.

DS2, on the other hand, has been going to DL since he was 3 months old. From then till this summer, he rode all the "tame" rides, first in a front pack and later graduating to sitting on the seat beside me. If he got scared on a ride, I would gently remind him that he'd ridden it many times before, and suggest that he give it another try. He always had the option of NOT going, but we encouraged him to ride. Every time, it worked like a charm and he had fun. Last month, at 38" tall, he rode the Matterhorn 3 times in one day, and begged for more.

That said, I still get scared for DS10 on Splash. Not because the ride is scary, but because there are no restraints and I don't like relying on his ability to hang on!