"chicken" exit

[thenewgirl]

I'm taking my kids, 13 and 7 to the world this week. DS (13) is very excited to ride some rides that DD (7) does not want to ride. DS has autism and will not ride them alone but really wants to try one or two rides he has been afraid to try before. So, can DD wait in line with us and then exit? Since I'm the only adult going, I don't want her to wait alone any longer than she has to. I may decide not to that kind of trade off at all, but I'd love any advice from the pros. TIA!

 

[Dan Murphy]

All rides have a so-called chicken exit. As for letting 7 year old out on her own, that's a parental judgement call. I personally would not leave a 7 year old out like that. Others may.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Yes - chicken exits are plentiful and are usually at the end of the ride. In many cases the cast member will escort the chicken to the exit which is located at the end of the ride. Or the chicken can wait at the exit area of the ride.

My favorite chicken exit is at Universal at the Hogwarts ride. It is at the loading area of the ride and is a little room where they not only have the HP movie playing but also a changing table for babes!! I was thrilled, since I have a little one! Best ever.

But yes, there are no worries about exits.

 

[abner1776]

The best "chicken" exit is at ToT...I know...I used it about 15 years ago as I do not like the big drops on roller coasters...so it was "exit, stage left" as my DW and DD's boarded the "elevator." Since then I have gone on ToT probably 30 times or more and it is my favorite ride at DHS...so much for the chicken exit.

 

[disnut8]

I've used the alternative exit (my personal phrase) many times due to a temporary drawback. I'm an adult though. I can tell you using that exit (available on any attraction) is very easy. You just get to the seater who asks "how many?" and you reply "two to ride, one to exit" and point to your daughter to say she is exiting. Your daughter will be shown out.

Now - here's the tricky part. Sometimes, when YOU and your son exit, it could be in a totally different place from where your daughter is located. My advice is to, before anyone boards, ask the welcoming Cast Member about the alternative exit location, then go there and discuss the best strategy for your family.

A PP mentioned Twilight Zone (which has a cool alternative exit) and that one is easy but your daughter needs to understand to wait on the benches. But you can access that area before you ALL board so everyone can see what is going on. Just ask the welcoming Cast Member and you'll be fine.

 

[conandrob240]

Yea, the rides have a yellow colored chicken door. But I agree with others here that 7 yrs old is way too young to send them out that chicken door alone. It will be a good 10-15 minutes before you are reunited depending on the ride and, like some said, you come out in a totally different place than a chicken door exit. I think your best plan is to get DS to try the rides alone.

 

[thenewgirl]

Thanks for the input, everyone! We were there today and I decided not to leave DD alone even for a few minutes. As much as I would love for DS to stretch a bit and try some new things, I would never want to risk any trouble for DD. It's just not worth it! So, DS will just have to wait a little longer (or until DH can go with us!). Oh well......it will give us a good reason to go back when DH has some time off!

 

[famy27]

No chance you could talk DD into trying the rides, too? Normally, I would say that she is old enough to wait by herself, but if she is too frightened to do rides, she might be too scared to wait alone.

My DD(8) rode alone on our September trip. It was just me and my DDs, and my other DD is 2, so older DD had to ride alone or not at all. She decided to ride alone and loved it. She did Soarin', TT, and Space by herself. So, I don't think the age is the issue as much as the temperament of the kid.

Maybe you could try a compromise and she could try one ride with you and DS. Have her pick the ride that she's most interested in and ask her to try it so that her brother can get to experience it. If she likes it, you might be able to talk her into trying even more.