Afraid of 3 Yr Old falling out?

[cuucuu4karaoke]

silly question....family is going in sept, my 3 yo DS (he'll be 4 in Oct) first trip. He's 42" tall so height is no problem when it comes to the rides. I'm afraid of him falling out though like on Splash Mountain or BTM. does he have to sit with just one of us in the ride or can we smoosh him between 2 of us to make sure he doesn't go anywhere? or am i just being paranoid? I forget...does BTM have an individual lap bar for each person in the seat?

 

[laughinplace199]

When we rode Splash and BTMRR withour smallish DS4 (40.5 in. and 32 lbs.), we were able to put him in the middle of two of us. I believe BTMRR has one lap bar that goes across the whole seat.

However, there were times when only 1 adult was going on the ride with him, so he rode with 1 adult and was fine. Although I will admit that I held on to him the entire time during both of these rides.

 

[indigoxtreme]

Also at the Soarin ride there is an extra strap that comes up between the legs for the small children, so he will not fall from this ride either

 

[all4fun]

Exactly what I worry about too, so you're not alone. My 3-yr old isn't quite as tall as yours yet, though. He's currently 39" w/out shoes but I wouldn't be surprised if he'll be 40" with shoes by the time we take our next trip. DH wants him to go on everything he's tall enough for but I'm not so sure, lol. Actually, he always does just fine on POTC and other rides like Dumbo that are less thrilling but just as dangerous if a child fell out. Maybe I'm just a worry wart, lol. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to hang on to them throughout the ride just so they don't try and exit it early. yikes.

 

[ParrotBill]

On rides like Big Thunder, Pirates, Small World... I always wrapped my arm around my daughter's shoulder to keep her seated.

 

[Minnie824]

My DD was 4 last year and over the 40" mark. She went on everything she could w/a 40" height requirement (except TOT and Soarin). She loved everything. I put my arm in front of her on Test Track to hold on and she pushed me away. Did the same to DH when he took her on Dinosaur. I did have my arm around her and hold on, on Splash (not sure if DH did, they went the 2nd time) . Now, shes 43" and we're going in 4 mos. All I hear is that she wants to go on Space Mountain!! That one scares me for her still cuz she'd have to sit alone and its new, and she's only 35 lbs! I think we'll skip that, but if she is 44", I'll take her on Expedition Everest. I think your DS will be fine...if you're more comfortable, hold onto him if he lets you.

 

[pixiewytch]

My 4 yr old loves the thrill rides! He went on Splash and thunder mountain for the first time in Feb. He is about 42inches tall. I was a bit worried for sure but my husband and I wedged him in the middle of us, told him over and over to hold on to the bar, and then held onto him for dear life, lol. Splash doesn't have a lap bar like thunder so they have to hold on.

I might feel a bit more skeptical if he was riding alone or with only one adult but with both of us around him we felt pretty secure.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Yep, as others have said, I just wrap one arm around my little one if I feel the restraint is just roomy enough that he could fly out on a sharp turn or a steep hill.

 

[kaysmommie]

My DD was 4 last year and over the 40" mark. She went on everything she could w/a 40" height requirement (except TOT and Soarin). She loved everything. I put my arm in front of her on Test Track to hold on and she pushed me away. Did the same to DH when he took her on Dinosaur. I did have my arm around her and hold on, on Splash (not sure if DH did, they went the 2nd time) . Now, shes 43" and we're going in 4 mos. All I hear is that she wants to go on Space Mountain!! That one scares me for her still cuz she'd have to sit alone and its new, and she's only 35 lbs! I think we'll skip that, but if she is 44", I'll take her on Expedition Everest. I think your DS will be fine...if you're more comfortable, hold onto him if he lets you.

You think Everest is alright for a small Child? My DD was 3 last trip so she didn't get tp go on any coasters but Barnstormer. she wants to ride Everest so badly (kid in school told her how awesome it was.) She weighs 39 lbs. and is almost exactly 44 inches depending on shoes. I'm a little worried about it being safe.

 

[Minnie824]

You think Everest is alright for a small Child? My DD was 3 last trip so she didn't get tp go on any coasters but Barnstormer. she wants to ride Everest so badly (kid in school told her how awesome it was.) She weighs 39 lbs. and is almost exactly 44 inches depending on shoes. I'm a little worried about it being safe.

I personally have not been on it yet...DH or I plan to try it on our own first, then the 2nd one of us will either ride alone or w/DD. From all the reviews I've read, I don't think it would be much worse than the other rides my DD has been on. And, if she meets the height requirement, I'll still be sitting right there next to her to hold on to her. Assuming she's 44", I'm pretty sure she'll ride it.

 

[TruBlu]

My DS4 refuses to let me put an arm around him, and (thanks to Dad) holds his arms up on the big hills (even Splash)....
So I hold on to his leg just above the knee. That way, he doesn't realize I'm holding on to him. Honestly, he only weighs 42 lbs. and he didn't come up out of the seat on Splash at all - even not holding on.

 

[TruBlu]

One more thing...
DS is exactly 44" - one hair less and he wouldn't make the cut!

He "forced" me on Everest (I didn't want to ride it), and we both loved it! The Yeti was a little scary to him, but he still loved the ride. He was in there very good. I didn't worry about him at all.

 

[2002Disneybride]

My DS is going to be 2 on Saturday-and he is already 37" without shoes and 35 lbs. It won't be long before he hits that 40" mark--I worry about him understanding safety etc--at that age, how can they really understand that! ((You have some older ones who don't seem to get it too...) Anyway, for me--I know he is a daredevil and will love the rides, but I want to make sure that he is going to be safe too of course...I felt like when we went on to Barnstormer like I was holding on to him for dear life--and when DH took him on I was holding my breath--DH is much bigger than DS width wise of course so when the lap bar went down--there was space in between!Yikes! So I don't know what I will do when big rides become an option and he is still 'little'

 

[Naisy68]

Great thread and very helpful information. I started a similar one like this yesterday. Anyway, I don't think the question about Soarin has been answered yet. Is there a strap or belt that comes up through the legs on the little ones? I'm afraid mine might try to wiggle out if she gets scared at all. I doubt it, but a mom tends to worry about these things.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't think the question about Soarin has been answered yet. Is there a strap or belt that comes up through the legs on the little ones?

Yes, there is. It's on every seat. There is a line on the chairback, and if a child's head does not reach the line, you are instructed to use the crotch strap when you buckle them in.

Another thing that can be used to help keep little ones in their seats on rides where they can ride next to an adult: a walking harness. If the adult sits on the strap, it's very difficult for the squirmer to get loose, even if he kicks.

Most rides allow a child to sit next to an adult; most of the ones that do not are things you would have to baby-swap anyway with a 40" incher.