Big thunder, barnstormer, maelstrom

[mickeysgirl17]

My toddler is about 37 inches tall and the big thunder ride has a restriction to be 35 inches tall. Will they allow my child on? Also, how scary is the barnstormer and I once heard that children had to be 3 to get on maelstrom. Does anyone know if this is true? There is no height requirement for maelstrom. Thanks.

 

[cleo]

If your child makes height, why wouldn't they let him or her on?

Barnstormer isn't scary for most adults, but toddlers may find it either great fun or a big fright. Most seem to love it, but some come off crying. Depends on the child.

Minimum age on Maelstrom is 3.

 

[stacy6552]

If your child is physically big enough to ride the ride safely, age is not a consideration for CM's. However, just because your child is big enough to ride a ride doesn't mean he should. Our son was big enough for Alien Encounter in many trips, buit we never took him on because the ride was terrifying.

Try Barnstormer before Big Thunder. It is targeted for smaller kids as an introduction to rollercoasters. If he gets off pumped for more, then consider Big Thunder. Similarly if he rides the dark rides in Fantasyland without issue, then consider Maelstrom.

 

[maelstrom]

Where did you hear that the minimum age on Maelstrom is 3? I've never seen that anywhere.

 

[disneyfreak74]

Where did you hear that the minimum age on Maelstrom is 3? I've never seen that anywhere.

DD was 6 months at the time and slept during the ride.
both of mine LOVE barnstormer and last Sept was the first time DS wanted to ride thunder railroad.

 

[Caitsmama]

Uh, someone can correct me, but i believe thunder mt. railroad (big thunder ride as you put it?) has a minimum height of 40".

 

[BamaFan121s]

I think you're getting your rides a little confused:

Malestrom-there is no height or age resriction, a slight 'hill' if you even can call it that, far less than that on Pirates

Barnstormer has a 35" height requirement so your little one should be OK...it's a very short ride and very mild, your typical kiddie coaster

Big Thunder Mountain has a 40" height requirement and if your child lacks even a fraction of an inch, he/she WILL NOT be permitted on

 

[Becky_Boop]

Uh, someone can correct me, but i believe thunder mt. railroad (big thunder ride as you put it?) has a minimum height of 40".

Yep! Look at this for height requirements: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/height.htm

 

[flortlebap]

There's definitely a 40" height requirement for BTMRR!!

And what's this about an age restriction on Maelstrom? Why on earth would there be? It's one of the only things in Epcot I was planning on taking my toddler on... if she manages on POTC, that is

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

no age restriction on Maeltrom! DD was 9months old last yr and loved it!

 

[cleo]

They may have removed the age restriction on Maelstrom. Another reliable website still shows it, but I honestly can't remember if they stopped enforcing it or if it's still in effect. My son's about 10 years past worrying about it.

BTMRR is 40'. Serves me right for not paying attention. And the answer is then No, they won't let your 37' child on it. Don't even bother boofing his hair up or giving him platform shoes.

 

[dawnball]

Where did you hear that the minimum age on Maelstrom is 3? I've never seen that anywhere.

I saw it on TGM for the first time. I don't know if he still lists that as a minimum age or not, since I haven't subscribed in about a year.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

My DD7 was frightened of the troll on Maelstrom the first time she rode it. But at the end of the day she begged to try it again (and again and again). Good thing it was a slow day in January.

Previously, I had a DD10 who was freaked out by going backwards for awhile. She wanted to ride in the back so she could have longer to see what was coming up, and I totally forgot about the change of direction....

 

[xyzabc33]

When we went last Sept my DD was 2 1/2 at the time. I actually called EPCOT itself and asked about the age 3 thing. I was told it is there mainly because some parts of the ride may be frightening for little ones, but they do not restrict you if you feel your child is ready for it. Besides, they dont have time to ask for birth certifs from each person coming on. If your child is 37 inches, chances are they are either around age 3 already or just REALLY TALL for their age so I really wouldnt worry about it. I do have to warn you that some parts are a bit dark, but if you make it fun (as in WHEE WE are going down a hill, or HA HA look at the silly troll) most kids should be fine. Experience depends on the psyche of the child.

 

[Becky_Boop]

Anybody got a video of Maelstrom? I tried the video sites (google, yahoo, and youtube) but I couldn't find anything very good.

 

[flortlebap]

I'm having second thoughts about taking my 13 m/o on it now!!!

I don't think she's old enough to be scared by it - there's absolutely nothing that scares her, she just takes it all in her stride and things usually make her laugh.

I've been on it before and didn't find it particularly frightening, I wouldn't have thought twice about taking the kids (5,2,1) on it before this thread!!