Any rollercoasters for young ones??

[ms.ojo]

OK, ds will be 5.5 at our next trip. He easily did Barnstormer Goofy when he was 4 and I know he wants to try some roller coasters this trip. He is 48" tall.

Thing is, I'm not sure which order to try them in so he doesn't get scared off. i know...each child is different, but I'd certainly love to hear from folks w/ experience. Here are some of my feelings:

1. BTM is very jerky but no big dips
2. Splash Mtn you get wet and the big dip looks SOOOO big!
3. Space Mtn in the dark (probably the tamest next step but I can't sit beside ds and I don't know how well that will go over. Can you reach the person in front of you to put you arms around them??
4. Primevil Whirl - heard this spins (you don't control it) and jerks to a stop. Too much?
5. Rockin Rollercoaster - no experience....sounds like more for teens
6. Test Track -- OK, not a coaster but fast. Can I sit next to ds?
7. Any I missed???

Looking forward to your replies!!!!

 

[wdwrich]

From experience with our kids (3 of them), I would recommend BTM first, followed by Test Track. Yes, you can sit next to DS in the Test Track vehicle.

 

[jlaspoq]

BTMRR was our daughter's first coaster. She's a real chicken, won't ride any coasters at our Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, but she'll ride BTMRR and Space Mountain. Not sure what it is about a Disney coaster that makes the difference! But she won't ride RNR which is our favorite.

 

[jkjjhuddle]

Our son was 4yo and about 43 inches. He was unable to ride Space Mountain, but I do not know that he could have done that. He does not like the dark.

He loves rides and was ready to ride everything WDW would let him on.

He love Tower of Terror. This was one of his favorites. He rode at least 8 times on our trip. He would tell everyone in line that they should not be scared that it was just a ride. He still tells everyone about riding the "Tower of Terier"

At MK he loved both Spash Mountain and Thunder Mountain. He liked them both. He still talks about these.

Test Track was another favorite of his. I think it was the only thing at Epcot he liked. He got to ride that twice because we did the child swap.

You need to know what your child can handle. We just cues from our DS. He was not tall enough to ride Rockin Roller Coster.

Have fun! I hope this helped.

Kristy

 

[rkmassa]

Sounds like you have done your research.

My DD is 7. She and her brother ride Goofy's Barnstormer together and love it. DS is only 5. They also likes BTRR. Neither have ridden Splash. The drop is too big for DD's taste. I think BTRR is the next best after GB. Both my kids are also planning on riding TT on our next trip in August. Space Mountain is not something my DD wants to do. She doesn't like the idea of sitting in front of me or behind me. She likes to hold my arm, sitting next to me. I can tell you the RR is very intense. I wouldn't recommend it for a 5.5 year old. I rode once, not again. The begining take off/excelleration is unbelievable. I felt like I left my insides back behind me.

I would suggest...
BTRR
Test Track

 

[lomillerin]

RnrC.

 

[java]

If he is a brave 5.5 he probably could do space mountain no problem. The darkness is really the only scary part- the ride itself is really tame just mostly going in circles. My DD did this at 5 and was fine with it. (DS now that's another story) My guys were more scared of BTMR but they both loved it once they did it. It is a real banging ride and depending on how tall you are he might be getting his head banged on the side of the car. Test track is a piece of cake. He would love that one.
My DD rode RNR when she was 6 and loved it. This one though is really intense and she is a rollercoaster kid. I think most 6 would not like it. She actually wanted to wear platform sneakers to make sure she would make the height requirement.(I didn't let her do that)
Primeval whirl I think has a taller height requirement because I remember DD was not tall enough last time. So check it is a funny ride though and not too scary more funny and bumpy.
Splash Mountain is a tricky one. Some kids love it but that last drop is a BIG one. I wouldn't start with that one.
Have fun and let him be your guide. If he wants to try let him.(as long as he is tall enough)

 

[JCTigger]

with BTM if you are worried about it being to jerky for you DS then ask the load person for a front seat its a little calmer then the back is... also you want to make sure that who ever is sitting with him that they are sitting on the right hand side of him other wise when you go around spiral butte then you could squish him....

 

[ms.ojo]

Thank you for some good insight!

We're starting in MGM so I figure Star Tours will be his first *adult* ride on this trip. Next day in MK we can try BTM and maybe, if he still seems interested, Space Mtn. (he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up LOL) But I think the not sitting next to each other will postpone this ride for another yr or two.

Looking forward to Test track in Epcot, and hopefully Soaring!!! That sounds fabulous.

 

[Ahrizel]

Starting with BTMRR is a good choice. If that is okay, try Space or Splash. Space if he's okay not sitting next to you, you can't hold him or anything with the seats. Splash if the drop outside doesn't unnerve him. Test Track will be fine is BTMMR is. RnR may be okay, my nephew rode it at 6 and loved it! Would have rode it earlier if he made the height sooner. If the smaller coasters freak him out, don't try it. If coasters make him happy, go for it! My neice rode everything at 5(very tall) and loves them all, came home from her trip at 5 telling me that TOT was her FAVORITE ride-she loved it.

 

[eeyore0062]

Goofy's Barnstormer would be first, followed by Test Track, Then Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and finally Rock n Rollercoaster.

DD actually did Big Thunder 1st. She LOVED it. It is loads of fun, and no big drops. Yes, it is curvy, but that adds to its charm. If you don't act like you are worried, she probably won't be either. My DD would pick up my husband's hesitant vibes, so I always took her the 1st time. I took her on the flume ride at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg when she was 2 1/2.. no fear!

 

[brermomof2]

Our DD, who is now 15, has been riding BTMRR since she was tall enough and always loved it. However, we had a BAD experience with our DS, who is 6 now, but was 5 at that time. He has this thing about leaning way over and he went under the bar . I freaked and by the time we got off my fingers were imbedded into him . But seriously, I did not want him to go this past time when he had just turned 6, although I'm probably being overprotective as I don't believe any children have ever been injured on it, but also don't want mine to be the first. He wasn't sure about SM, but tried it and loved it. That one bolts them in so well I feel safe about it. Test Track is one of his favorites!! The one that wins for our entire family hands down is Splash Mt.!!! We just love all the scenes before the drop. It's really ashame that ride couldn't have been designed to bypass the fall for those with little kids because it is the most charming experience. That fall goes so quickly, it's over before you have to be worried. As for RnR, I believe the height requirement is 54".

 

[java]

RNR I think has a 48 inch height requirement because my dd went on it and she was only 6. But I am not sure.

 

[brermomof2]

Yes, I just checked Deb's sight and it IS 48". I haven't been on that since before my DS was born and thought I had a couple more years to go. I'm getting chicken in my old age. Now I won't have an excuse if he wants to go because my DH and DD will pester me to death. I'm scared .