Castawa Cay Bike Rental, 3 year old

[Lmichele]

I selected bike rentals for Castaway Cay for all three of us (DH, me and DD). DD is 3 years old and can ride with training wheels. Do I need to request a bike with training wheels in advance? If so, how do I do that? If we choose to do the bike seat for her instead, will a 3 year old fit - she's about 34 lbs. and about 39 inches tall.

 

[dcassetta]

I selected bike rentals for Castaway Cay for all three of us (DH, me and DD). DD is 3 years old and can ride with training wheels. Do I need to request a bike with training wheels in advance? If so, how do I do that? If we choose to do the bike seat for her instead, will a 3 year old fit - she's about 34 lbs. and about 39 inches tall.

You do not need to reserve a bike with training wheels in advance, they have plenty.
This entry from Scott's blog has lots of bike pictures, including ones with child seats. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...t-bahamian-cruise-disney-wonder-castaway-cay/

 

[Weedy]

I would suggest the bike seat. It’s really hard for the little bikes to keep up with the big bikes.

 

[lorimay]

There are spots where there are a lot of bikers, my granddaughter at 5 had a hard time steering clear of others, she went into bushes a couple of times.

 

[Rob1872]

I've never had an issue with other bikers; the only time we've ever interacted with other bikers was at the observation tower. Having said that, I don't see many 3 year old kids having the energy to make it all the way down to the observation tower (unless you are planning on spending a lot of time doing it). There really isn't anywhere else to go except just along the runway.

 

[Lmichele]

Even though she still has training wheels she can bike about 2.5 miles on her own. She has done it often.

How far is the observation tower?

 

[hnthomps]

Last spring my 4 year old (who can ride a bike, no training wheels, without a problem) went in the bike seat behind me - the bikes they have available for little kids were a lot heavier than what she is used to, and she was nervous about the terrain (it's relatively smooth and flat, but not for a kid who usual rides a bike on chicago pavement!). She certainly fit in the kid seat - she was 41 inches and 35 lbs at the time. I had one awkward moment when the bike almost fell over when I got out (bc she wasn't sitting still and the balance was hard) but nothing actually happened. I hadn't biked with a kid in a seat since they were little, so it was an adjustment.

I think you should be prepared to do either -- if the bike works on her own, no problem. If it doesn't, easy enough to switch to a bike seat
here's a pretty good overview - https://www.themouseforless.com/blog_world/2016/07/disney-cruise-line-bike-rentals-castaway-cay/

as for distance, I think if you do the entire circuit it's about 2 miles.

 

[Dug720]

Last spring my 4 year old (who can ride a bike, no training wheels, without a problem) went in the bike seat behind me - the bikes they have available for little kids were a lot heavier than what she is used to, and she was nervous about the terrain (it's relatively smooth and flat, but not for a kid who usual rides a bike on chicago pavement!). She certainly fit in the kid seat - she was 41 inches and 35 lbs at the time. I had one awkward moment when the bike almost fell over when I got out (bc she wasn't sitting still and the balance was hard) but nothing actually happened. I hadn't biked with a kid in a seat since they were little, so it was an adjustment.

I think you should be prepared to do either -- if the bike works on her own, no problem. If it doesn't, easy enough to switch to a bike seat
here's a pretty good overview - https://www.themouseforless.com/blog_world/2016/07/disney-cruise-line-bike-rentals-castaway-cay/

as for distance, I think if you do the entire circuit it's about 2 miles.

But it is a pretty steady hill. So if she is used to flat, it could be a challenge.

 

[MichelleCanada]

There are spots where there are a lot of bikers, my granddaughter at 5 had a hard time steering clear of others, she went into bushes a couple of times.

It might depend on what time you go and what ship you are on as far as how many people on the paths. We went in the afternoon and were on the Wonder - there was barely anyone out riding with us. My son was 5 and wrote a bike with training wheels. It was in such disrepair that 3/4 of the way through the tire had a hole big enough that I could my finger in it .

 

[lorimay]

It might depend on what time you go and what ship you are on as far as how many people on the paths. We went in the afternoon and were on the Wonder - there was barely anyone out riding with us. My son was 5 and wrote a bike with training wheels. It was in such disrepair that 3/4 of the way through the tire had a hole big enough that I could my finger in it .

Yes, some of those bikes are in rough shape.
We went early, before it became too hot and unbearable.

 

[Lmichele]

Last spring my 4 year old (who can ride a bike, no training wheels, without a problem) went in the bike seat behind me - the bikes they have available for little kids were a lot heavier than what she is used to, and she was nervous about the terrain (it's relatively smooth and flat, but not for a kid who usual rides a bike on chicago pavement!). She certainly fit in the kid seat - she was 41 inches and 35 lbs at the time. I had one awkward moment when the bike almost fell over when I got out (bc she wasn't sitting still and the balance was hard) but nothing actually happened. I hadn't biked with a kid in a seat since they were little, so it was an adjustment.

I think you should be prepared to do either -- if the bike works on her own, no problem. If it doesn't, easy enough to switch to a bike seat
here's a pretty good overview - https://www.themouseforless.com/blog_world/2016/07/disney-cruise-line-bike-rentals-castaway-cay/

as for distance, I think if you do the entire circuit it's about 2 miles.

Thanks! I think this is our plan, see how she feels on a bike of her own but plan b is to get DH a bike with a seat.