Am I just being a crazy, paranoid mama?

[goofy4tink]

My dd is now 22. She's been going to WDW since she was 5. Now, she was tall enough at 5 to ride just about everything...and it wasn't a close thing. She was very tall for her age. I think she started going on Space Mt when she was 8. She was a real rude wuss. She has since outgrown that, in a very big way.
Anyway...every single time I would ride this with her, I choose the seat behind her. I always had a hand on her. One time I had her pony tail in my hand! Silly, I know. What was I going to do....hold her by her ponytail if the restraints failed?? But, I felt better. Not sure why, but I did.
Yes, I trust Disney. To a fault probably. It's an irrational thing...I get it. But, I still did it. And I'll never make fun of a parent that does it. I see it happen, and I smile to myself, remembering back to those days when I did the same thing.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

This reminds me so much of my mom when I went on my first trip when I was 4! I was especially tiny for my age and not tall enough for Space Mtn when I was four OR six but I did do ToT at four and my mom was scared to death the whole time on that and Thunder Mountain. It's definitely safe and there's nothing to worry about! This will be one of those moments she remembers for the rest of her life- let her go! : D I'll never forget being four and strapping myself in at Tower of Terror. I felt like such a grown up. It is one of the earliest memories of my life and a moment with my Dad I will treasure always- especially now that he has passed away. Have fun- put her in the middle if you're worried. Have a WONDERFUL time!!!!

 

[MKNJ]

Our 4 year old daughter was just under 44" when we went. We bought her a pair of sneakers with super thick soles and she had no problem meeting the height requirement. Never feared for that 1/2 inch or so, the engineers must leave plenty of wiggle room for safety. We were, however, a bit concerned about her riding alone. Those fears were erased when the sound of her laughing and squealing were louder than my cries of pain from the rough ride.

 

[Lisa F]

You're not crazy. My kiddo was a few inches above the 44 inch requirement when I took him in 2014 at 6 so that wasn't a problem, but I sat the whole damn time with my hand on his shoulder (even the picture showed that). White knuckled holding onto my own restraint, white knuckled holding on to him. It's so hard. I think it is hormonal

 

[lubob]

My daughter is six and she was 44 inches when we were there in Jan. She rode space mountain for the first time. She loved it ! By the end of our trip she went on it a total of three times. She will be happy you took her on it. And what a great memory you will have her first roller coaster will be space mountain in disney !!

 

[Spoiledraf]

I read somewhere recently that Space Mtn is actually one of the slowest thrill rides in the park only hitting like 27 mph compared to RRC hitting 60. It's the total darkness that makes it so much more exciting. Might not be a dangerous as you think.

http://knowdw.com/theme-parks/magic-kingdom/11-fastest-rides-disney-world/

 

[JZCubed]

My middle daughter just turned 5 a few weeks ago. I just measured her today and she's right at 44 inches--just barely. We've got another month before our trip, so I'm assuming she'll grow a little before we leave. But...I can't even imagine her on Space Mountain. I can't imagine her not sitting right next to me. I'm not that worried about her being scared because she's a dare devil. But, I AM scared that she won't be safe. Am I being crazy? Our youngest is too short to ride, so I can do a rider swap without an issue. I'm just wondering if 5 and barely tall enough really is too short or I'm being a worry wart for nothing.

Height requirement is a precaution.

And you likely measured your child without shoes.

So yes, you are being somewhat paranoid.

But that also makes you a great parent.

Let her go on the ride.

 

[Klayfish]

Can I ask, I don't have kids, but why is sitting next to them so different than sitting right behind them? Supposing something did go awry, what


That's what I've been wondering? What is it that parents really think they can do in the event of something happening? I'm not a parent, but I guess if I didn't trust Disney and the restraints on the ride, I wouldn't be riding at all.

Sitting next to them is really more of a comfort thing...often as much for the parent than the kid, sometimes more.

When you're a parent, there is just a natural instinct to want to protect your kids. Everyone handles it differently. I'm very, very protective of my kids. But at the same time, I try to encourage them to experience life and challenge themselves. As someone else said, I trust Disney. Space Mountain has been open for nearly 45 years now. I'm not aware of any history of injury/death/catastrophe on the ride, so I have little to no concern for their safety on it. Same with any other ride in the parks. My two boys are pretty daring, my daughter is a bit more cautious at first. So I've joined her on several rides...not to protect her but actually to force her to ride it and see there's nothing to be scared of. There have been several rides, including RnR, where she has been in tears as we get on the ride and shaking with fear, but when we get off she is giggling non-stop. Heck, now her and her twin brother are creating roller coasters that do 9 flips on Virtual Space Mountain in DQ.