Baby on the Safari ride?

[woodlandsparty]

I will be travelling with my 8 month old....will I be able to take him on the AK Safari??

 

[theflowerladee]

absolutely

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

I broought my 8 month old. I held on to him very tight as I was expecting a real bumpy ride but it was fine.

 

[luvwdw]

I took my 6 month old on in May and We were fine. It was a little bumpy and they said the baby had to be seated at all times on my lap. He couldn't stand or be held on my shoulder.

 

[amarberry]

My DD went on the safari at 4 months. We waited for a front row seat (less bumpy) and she was strapped into the Bjorn.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Yes. It was my five month old's first ride ever--and he slept the whole way! We went on all kinds of rides like that where you can hold the baby. It was lots of fun!

 

[HooKooDooKu]

We had a 4mo that spent most the time in an infant carrier (pumkin as many older adults seem to call them). This worked out great for several ride and I would consider a must for certain ones.

Buzz Lightyear - fits perfectly on the seat beside you with no worry that it could fall (not enough room once "door" is closed).

Pirates of the Carribean - easily fits on the seat rear facing but you want to hold on. I consider the carrier with rear facing a must because of the drop.

Train - No problem, but again, hold on.

Jungle Cruise - Plenty of room on the floor or center seats.

Small World - Fits very well with little to no concern for it falling.

Peter Pan's flight - Safely rests on the floor of your ship, but not enough room for a third.

Winne the Pooh - Easily sits on the seat beside you, but you'll have to hold on and again, not enough room for a third.

Indy Cars - I saw several people with an infant sitting in their laps. Because of the bump potential, I consider these people idiots - leave the baby on the side lines.

TTA - Easy to hold the carrier on the seat beside you.

Sorin - Did baby swap

New Finding Nemo Ride - about same as Pooh plenty of room either beside you holding on or on the floor of the ride.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

We had a 4mo that spent most the time in an infant carrier (pumkin as many older adults seem to call them). This worked out great for several ride and I would consider a must for certain ones.

Buzz Lightyear - fits perfectly on the seat beside you with no worry that it could fall (not enough room once "door" is closed).

Pirates of the Carribean - easily fits on the seat rear facing but you want to hold on. I consider the carrier with rear facing a must because of the drop.

Train - No problem, but again, hold on.

Jungle Cruise - Plenty of room on the floor or center seats.

Small World - Fits very well with little to no concern for it falling.

Peter Pan's flight - Safely rests on the floor of your ship, but not enough room for a third.

Winne the Pooh - Easily sits on the seat beside you, but you'll have to hold on and again, not enough room for a third.

Indy Cars - I saw several people with an infant sitting in their laps. Because of the bump potential, I consider these people idiots - leave the baby on the side lines.

TTA - Easy to hold the carrier on the seat beside you.

Sorin - Did baby swap

New Finding Nemo Ride - about same as Pooh plenty of room either beside you holding on or on the floor of the ride.

Are you saying that you put the baby in the carrier on the floor of these rides? Please tell me I misunderstood.

 

[NotUrsula]

Personally I cannot imagine the awkwardness of schlepping an infant carseat onto a ride, and I'm amazed that CM's even allowed it. In dozens of visits I've never seen anyone actually use a carseat on a ride.

I think that the easiest way to take an infant onto a ride is usually by using a sling or soft carrier (I prefer a sling because baby rides to the side a bit, which IMO is easier on rides that have lap bars.) This method leaves both of your hands free to hold on while climbing into and out of a ride vehicle, and gives you more security in situations where the ride gets bumpy (as the Safari does.) Count me among those who felt a little less leery about squirmy worm getting away from me when I was wearing a sling.

If you just hold the baby in your arms you won't feel as secure as if you use a carrier, and you won't have a free hand to use to brace yourself on a rocky bit (or a drop, as with POTC). Of course, this doesn't mean that babies are not held in arms on the rides with no height requirements -- that is usually how they ride.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

Are you saying that you put the baby in the carrier on the floor of these rides? Please tell me I misunderstood.

First, let me explain that we're talking about the Graco Travel System. For those that might not be famileir with these systems, it's a combination car-seat, stroller, carrier. The system comes with a base unit you install in the car. The carrier includes a 5-point harness and the carrier quickly locks into either the base or the stroller. The carrier also has a curved base so that when you place the carrier on a solid surface (floor or table) you can rock you baby.

So given that these carriers rock, when possible, it is safer to place them on the floor where they can't fall than on a table or seat where either the baby could make it rock and move and fall or someone bump the carrier and knock it off a table.

If your still not sure what I'm talking about, please Google "Graco Travel System".

So now that we know what we're talking about, YES when possible, we placed the carrier on the floor of the ride. But off the top of my head, about the only ride I recall there being enough room to do so was Peter Pan's flight (lots of leg room). Other rides we had to place the carrier on the seat. Sometimes we had to place the carrier so that is was rear facing like an infant carseat would be oriented in the car, other times the only way it would fit was turned sideways.

I remember Buzz Lightyear being one of the rides where we had to turn the carrier sideways (wasn't enough room to turn rear facing). However, once the "door" was closed, the carrier was the perfect fit that it couldn't fall. Other rides (and I now recall the Safari ride being one of them) we had to turn the carrier sideways, but the fit wasnt' as tight and we had to hold on to it to insure it didn't slide forward and partly fall of the seat. There wasn't enough room for the carrier to fall and hit the floor, but there was enough room for on "leg" to fall off and the carrier be sideways.

And I also just remembered about the MGM Backlot tour. It's basicly just a tram ride seeing movie stuff. However, there is one spot where you're stopped in a canyon and they simulate a flood where thousands of gallons of water come rushing at you. Normally the rock the tram pretending something like you're either in an earth-quake or your on a shaky bridge. Those no CM's specifically said anything to us, I notice that ours was the only tram car that remained still while the others were saking... i.e. they seemed to have noticed that we were carrying a baby and therefore specifically turned our car 'OFF' so that the baby wouldn't be saken.

I must also say that because the carrier has a 5 point harness, there were many times where we felt our child was much safer in the carrier than in one of the various slings and pouches that allow you to wear your baby. As a simple example, we liked having him harnessed in while on the bus with the arm of the carrier up (it folds down out of the way). That way, it was like the carrier was acting like a roll cage if the bus was in some sort of accident.

I also forgot to mention that the carrier fits very nicely in the rear-facing position on most "moive" attractions (like Muppets 3-D and Voyage of the Little Mermaid).

BTW, we also had one of those slings that allows you to wear your baby in front of you. We used it occationally to give the baby more of an opportunity to get out of the carrier. But the only ride I can specifically recall using it on was Jungle Cruise. Otherwise, we generally felt DS was safer in the carrier.

Like I mentioned before, because of the "crush" factor, I just couldn't believe the number of adults I saw riding the Indy Cars with their 5yo sitting beside them and their other smaller child in their lap... and they were driving!!! (i.e. almost no clearance between child and stearing wheel).

Let me know if that doesn't clear up what I was TRYING to say before.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that we understood what kind of carrier you were speaking of; what we had trouble believing was that you took it with you onto rides and into attractions and kept the baby in it throughout. It also seems odd to me to take a baby onto a ride but not actively show the baby the cool things there are to see (not an issue if the child is sleeping, I'll grant) -- the view of the ceiling or the back of a seat isn't all that great in most attractions.

When I bring a baby onto rides, I'm constantly pointing and turning the baby to see the pretty colors and shiny surfaces, and bouncing along with the music on things like IASW. Using a carseat for anything other than meals just doesn't seem as much fun.

Also, since the OP asked about an 8 mo, an infant carseat is probably not something they wil have along -- most 8 mo are too big for them.

 

[camdensmom]

My 8 month old fell asleep on the Safari Ride. We then slipped him into his stroller and had a very relaxing 2 hours walking around AK.

FWIW, we also took him on Small World, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, the Carousel, Imagination, Buzz Lightyear...that may be all.

He did fine. The only things that he truly was unhappy with were Philharmagic and Bug's Life. Both were too loud.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I know exactly what kind of carrier you were talking about as I have one myself. Also- the child will not be safer in it in the even of an acccident because it will act like a projectile. The handle bar in the up position in any moving vehicle is not safe nor will it act like a roll bar. It is supposed to be down when snapped into the carseat base for a reason. It will not withstand impact and will injure your child. Not trying to be rude- just giving you some info that could help your child. Logically you would think that they would be safer, but unless used properly they can cause injury rather than prevent it.
On another note- I agree with NotUrsula- that seems strange that you wouldn't show the baby all the great stuff. Who wants to look at the ceiling or your feet? Also- I would not want to be strapped in a carseat all day so I can't imagine that a baby would either.
For the OP- your baby should be fine! We took our baby on at 6 months old and he loved it!

 

[lil mermaid]

I agree with the others. I can't understand taking the baby on a ride in an infant carrier instead of letting them experience the ride. Especially if the baby is put on the floor!! It just sounds like way too much time in the infant carrier, especially if you use that on your stroller all the time.

Edited to add: these should NEVER be placed on tables.

In case anyone is interested, here is a link to an article about infant carseat carriers and overuse of them:

http://www.keepmedia.com/articles/1593199

 

[HooKooDooKu]

I think that we understood what kind of carrier you were speaking of; what we had trouble believing was that you took it with you onto rides and into attractions and kept the baby in it throughout. It also seems odd to me to take a baby onto a ride but not actively show the baby the cool things there are to see (not an issue if the child is sleeping, I'll grant) -- the view of the ceiling or the back of a seat isn't all that great in most attractions.

Remember, these seat hold the baby at about a 45 degree angle, so he wasn't stuck looking at the ceiling the whole time. DW would always make sure that we had the sun shade open as much as possible (but still protecting him from the sun... too young to use sun screen on) when ever he was awake so that he could look around. Granted he might have been able to see more if he was sitting up all the time, but we're talking about a 4mo that only recently started reaching out to touch things and still spends a great amout of time sleeping.

We also tried to stay aware of how much time he was spending in the carrier and would pull him out from time to time if for no other reason that to get him out of the carrier.

 

[NotUrsula]

... we're talking about a 4mo that only recently started reaching out to touch things and still spends a great amout of time sleeping.

Unlike kittens, humans are born with functional vision -- it's a little out of focus at first, but infants can see and enjoy things around them. That little brain is whirring away a mile a minute. They appreciate the colors and contrasts and the music, and not least, the fun of being held and spoken to by parents who are having fun.
(Re vision: http://www.ski.org/Vision/babyvision.html?id=10)

It really doesn't matter if baby doesn't know that PPF is flying over what is supposed to be London; he likes snuggling up under Mom's chin, and hearing her laughter and the music while all the pretty lights twinkle. Lying on the floor of the car he will hear the music, but probably not the laughter, and he won't see the twinking lights because they are not visible from that angle. He certainly won't get the snuggly-happy feeling of sharing a fun thing with Mommy. The experience just isn't all that it could be for him. The littlest kids "get" WDW only when you actively share it with them. Honestly, it's just more fun that way, because you get to see how they react to the environment.

 

[LaraK]

My son also slept on the Safari ride at 9mos.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PEOPLE, THE ONLY TIME DS WAS "ON THE FLOOR" WAS FOR THE COUPLE OF RIDES WHERE HE WOULD FIT AND BEING ON THE FLOOR WAS SAFER THAN IN THE SEAT

Why all the attacks about having an infant safely in an infant carrier? It's not like we just tossed him in a sensory deprivation chamber and left him there while the rest of the family enjoyed WDW.

Our child was sometimes in a carrier and sometimes out. We DID see how this 4mo enjoyed many of the sights. We could see the smile on his face when he saw the lights for things like Specta Magic Parade or the light of the fireworks (except for the loud noise). He enjoyed seeing all the bright colors all around while we were riding Buzz Lightyear.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PEOPLE, THE ONLY TIME DS WAS "ON THE FLOOR" WAS FOR THE COUPLE OF RIDES WHERE HE WOULD FIT AND BEING ON THE FLOOR WAS SAFER THAN IN THE SEAT

Are you kidding me?!!! There is not one ride where it is safer to be on the floor whether you are a child or adult. Your child is safest in your arms/sling etc. I have never seen anyone use the infant carseat on a ride and am surprised they even let you. I think the only reason some of us are horrifed- yes horrified is that you stuck your child strapped in a carseat on the floor of some ride and actually thought it was safe. I do however also agree wih NotUrsula that the best place is in Mommy or Daddy's arms. I also understnad that at 4 months old the sun is a concern. I don't however see how on earth you think it's safe to put a child in carseat on the floor. Are you riding EE with the baby? Also- being on the floor- aside form the safety issue- all that dirt is being kicked up into the child's face. How can that possibly be good? I don't mean to sound as if I am attacking you but you don't even respond to facts. Do what you want but I only hope nobody else follows your lead.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

...Also- being on the floor- aside form the safety issue- all that dirt is being kicked up into the child's face. How can that possibly be good? I don't mean to sound as if I am attacking you but you don't even respond to facts....

Dirt being kicked up into a child's face? If you are going to talk fact, where in the world is that coming from???

If you're going to try to argue facts, then lets stick to facts. Because there ain't no dirt getting kicked in to anyone's face. Were talking about I'm going to side down on a ride (Peter Pan's Flight to be specific). To avoid aruging the point, lets assume I'm already stuck with the child in the carrier. There is only enough room on the ship for me and the child carrier - DS and DW will get on the ship after me. Now I sit down and I can either place the carrier on the seat beside me where I have to hold on tight because a slip a few inches will mean the carrier will fall partially off the seat. Now my other choise is this large floor space where the seat could move a foot in any direction and there is no chance of it falling lower in the ship or even falling out of the ship, and that's even if I'm not holding on to the carrier at all. There's no one moving any feet, so the idea of getting dirt in the babies face is ludicris to put it mildly.

Now given that set of circumstances, you're going to tell me that it's safer to place the carrier on the seat of the ride rather than the floor? WT#???

And as for the statement of I do however also agree wih NotUrsula that the best place is in Mommy or Daddy's arms I'm afraid that is too much of a blanket statement. Would you say the same thing driving in a car? (Obviously and extream example). Just about any ride where there is a lap bar (such as Peter Pan's flight and Buzz Lightyear) I would argue that the WORST place to place an infant is in your arms. If something were to happen such that the ride came to an abrupt stop, you could fall forward and crush your baby between you and the bar (assuming you didn't drop him to the floor all together).

And since I don't think anyone had done any study on what is the safest way to take an infant on a Disney ride (especially since every ride would be different), I think it's pointless to argue which is safer, parents arms or child carrier?

Now for those out there that think they need to call HDR because I'm putting my child in danger... let's get real. It's not like I tried to take an infant on Space Mountain or anything. We're talking rides like Small World and Winnie the Pooh. We did not take him on ride like Splash Moutain or even Dumbo. The most dangerous ride was Pirates, and I only say that because of the drop. But given how car seats are designed, we felt quite safe with the way we positioned our child in even that ride. The only other ride I would have considered dangerous (had I fully known about it) was the MGM back-lot tour because of the shaking of the tram. Fortunately the CMs were on there toes and did NOT shack the tram car with an infant on board.