ages and height restrictions

justhat

<font color=teal>DC DISer<br><font color=red>pick
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Oct 22, 2002
Messages
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Does anyone know the approximate age kids are when they can ride the 40" restriction rides? What about RnRC or any other ride with a taller restriction? I know height and age vary greatly from one child to the next, but what were some of the ages your kids were when they were able to ride these rides? I'm taking some young relatives next May (they'll be almost 3, 6, 8, and almost 10) so I'm wondering what rides we'll have to swap on. I know the almost 3 year old probably won't be tall enough for pretty much anything with a height restriction (though she is very tall for her age, so maybe), so we're prepared to baby swap her, but what about the 6yo? The 8yo is also very tall, in fact taller than the 10yo (who's on the small side for his age), so I'm not too worried about him. Has anyone's 6yo been able to ride any of the height restriction rides?
 
My DD's (who are on the small side) were both able to ride the 40" rides (Thunder, Splash, ToT, Test Track) when they were about 5 years old. My oldest DD rode Space Mountain (44") when she was 6-7 years old and R-n-R (48") when she was 8. With the exception of the 3 year old, all of your young relatives should be able to ride most of these rides. The three year old can probably ride Goofy's Barnstormer, though.
 
Last trip to Disney on 2001 my DS was just turning 5 and he did Space Mountain (Loved it). This trip he will be 6 and is excited about riding Rock N Roller Coaster. He breezed through ridding the Lochness Monster at Bush Gardens in Williamsburg so I'm not anticipating any problems. I'm just happy to have someone to ride it with me as the DW doesn't do coasters anymore. Works out since I can't do the stuff that goes around in circles.
 
My DD who is 3 is 39 inches and she is about average for her age group. The 6 yo should be tall enough-I think my oldest DD was around 6 or 7 when she started riding the "big" rides at Six Flags. Have a great trip!!
 

My 3.5 year old rode (and loved) Big Thunder Mtn, Splash mtn, and tower of terror, but she has always been big for her age. She rode Space Mtn and I think maybe dinosaur when she was 5. I can't remember for sure about Dinosaur, they have changed the height and age requirements at least once. She rode Rock n roller coaster when she was 7 (but my 10 year old would NOT!) We also did Alien Encounter with them, which was Ok too. besides their height, their level of daring may vary.
 
my dd4 is 40 inches and she is petite, but she is my daredevil child and will be thrilled to ride anything she can get on. She would love to go on Space Mountain if she could. My dd6 is 48 inches but won't ride anything more thrilling than Dumbo. I'm hoping to convince her to try Goofy's Barnstormer, but she won't even try the dinky little kids coaster at our local amusement park...the one my 4 year old rode 3 times without getting off...

So you never know - just because they're tall enough doesn't mean they'll ride ;)

Also, it's hard to predict how tall they'll be next May. Maybe next March you could find out their heights and start planning what they can ride :)

Laurie
 
Thanks everyone! I know height doesn't mean willing to ride, as I am 64" and will not go on ToT or Splash! But all the kids coming, and luckily the other adults in our party, love these kind of rides so I'm hoping they'll be tall enough since they're already talking about riding them. I'm glad to hear that they should probably be able to ride everything (other than the 3yo, but I was expecting that already). Thanks!
 
Why not send out a quick e- mail and ask the heights of the children now, check them against the height restrictions and get a real idea of what you can plan for? I know my oldest didn't hit the 40" mark until 5 buy my youngest hit it before 4 so its really hard to tell by age. I think more than the height factor the "scare, loudness or darkness" factor could be an issue. Some 3 yo's (like mine) loved haunted mansion and snow white and others like my dear neice wouldn't ride them until age 7 or 8. This same neice was the first to ride RnRc when she was tall enough so go figure.

If your party is big enough you may want to split up in addition to using the baby swap. WE visit WDW every other year with two other families (dh's brothers). The ages and interests of the kids vary so much that we always do a lunch or dinner and a few other things together each day and then split by family or by interest for a while. Its nice to do the parades and shows and a character or other meal and still have everyone ride and experience the attractions that suit them.

Have fun.
TJ
 
tjmw2727, thanks for the advice. I did send out a letter to everone coming on the trip and among the info I asked for, current sizes was one of them. I know it's a bit obsessive, but since they're not my kids and their parents won't be coming (except for the 3yo), I'm a little nervous and want everything to go smoothly. Hopefully we will get to spilt up a little, but I'm also a little nervous about letting the kids go with the other women in the party if I'm not there. I'm sure they'd be fine, but again, not my kids so I don't want anything to happen to them. It's sort of a thanks for being in my wedding/bachelorette party for all of the women in my bridal party, from 2.5 to 29yo!
 
During May trip, DS (3 1/2) was 41"

I took him on:

Big Thunder Mtn RR
Splash Mtn
Barnstormer
Test Track

Even though he was tall enough, I did not think he was old enough for:

Dinosaur - in my mind should be at least 7/8
Body Wars - I want to try myself first
Tower of Tower - Thinking 7/8 here as well
Star Tours - at least 5 or 6

Thanks
Jason
 
Go here and enter your child's height and age in the areas below. The database will generate a list of attractions that have restrictions for your child, and will tell you what those restrictions are. This should help in planning your itinerary.. Disney's Height Requirements Calculator

however my DS is 38" and 3yr/old but the list didn't include rock n' rollercoaster and I know he is to small for that one?
 

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