child that is too small...waiting for others question

[WendyLovesPeter]

I am getting mixed up with WDW and universal orlando/IOA.... I will be there with all kids. 2 tall enough to ride and 1 too short for a couple attractions. Can I wait in the line with the older kids and then exit at the top? They are tall enough but I am not comfortable having them wait alone without an adult.

 

[ghtx]

A child who does not meet the height requirement may not enter the ride queue.

Are the older kids at least 7? Then they can ride by themselves while you wait outside the queue with the little kid.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

A child who does not meet the height requirement may not enter the ride queue.

Are the older kids at least 7? Then they can ride by themselves while you wait outside the queue with the little kid.

both older than 7 but I don't know if I can do this...

 

[ghtx]

both older than 7 but I don't know if I can do this...

Do you mean that you are worried about letting your two older-than-7-year-olds wait by themselves in a queue while you stay behind with your shorter child? You don't need to worry. WDW is very safe, and they are old enough to be in a queue and a ride by themselves for a few minutes.

 

[maxiesmom]

both older than 7 but I don't know if I can do this...

Why not? Will they misbehave if left alone in line? If not, then you truly have no reason to worry. We are all on camera all of the time while we are at WDW. Nothing will happen to your kids in line.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Do you mean that you are worried about letting your two older-than-7-year-olds wait by themselves in a queue while you stay behind with your shorter child? You don't need to worry. WDW is very safe, and they are old enough to be in a queue and a ride by themselves for a few minutes.

It doesn't matter how "safe" WDW is. You are naive to rationalize it that way. Things happen anywhere and miscommunications can happen too between parent and child where to meet etc. I like to have eye on esp in a crowded setting - what if they would get split from each other as the crowd leaves the ride?! The younger child would panic. And, sometimes in line, a child starts to doubt they should ride the ride and fear sets in.

 

[maxiesmom]

It doesn't matter how "safe" WDW is. You are naive to rationalize it that way. Things happen anywhere and miscommunications can happen too between parent and child where to meet etc. I like to have eye on esp in a crowded setting - what if they would get split from each other as the crowd leaves the ride?! The younger child would panic. And, sometimes in line, a child starts to doubt they should ride the ride and fear sets in.

If you don't think your kids are mature enough to wait in line without having second thoughts about riding, and maybe panicking, that is one thing. I wouldn't let them ride then. But if you are just worried about their safety, that someone may do something to them while in line,that is another. And not one that should let you keep them from riding.

You won't be able to wait in line with them with a child that is too short for that ride. So you will need to figure this out ahead of time. You either trust them to wait in line alone, or you need to research what rides you are going to have to skip this trip.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Why not? Will they misbehave if left alone in line? If not, then you truly have no reason to worry. We are all on camera all of the time while we are at WDW. Nothing will happen to your kids in line.

haha wow. No, they don't misbehave. I am just realistic to know things happen anywhere/everywhere even at "safe" WDW

Its great we are all on camera, but if something happens or if one child gets split from the other, I prefer not to experience even that brief stress of getting everyone back together

 

[ghtx]

OP, sounds like you are not comfortable with your kids waiting in queue without you. That is fine. But, it means that they will not be able to ride any rides that the youngest kid is not tall enough for.

 

[maxiesmom]

haha wow. No, they don't misbehave. I am just realistic to know things happen anywhere/everywhere even at "safe" WDW

Its great we are all on camera, but if something happens or if one child gets split from the other, I prefer not to experience even that brief stress of getting everyone back together

Do you think they are not mature enough to get that they have to stick together? It is really hard to get separated when you are leaving a ride. They would have to work at it to do it, most rides funnel you into a small space once the ride is over. If they would mess around and not stay together, then no, I wouldn't let them ride.

Also, are you aware that many rides let out someplace different from where you get on?

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

If you don't think your kids are mature enough to wait in line without having second thoughts about riding, and maybe panicking, that is one thing. I wouldn't let them ride then. But if you are just worried about their safety, that someone may do something to them while in line,that is another. And not one that should let you keep them from riding.

You won't be able to wait in line with them with a child that is too short for that ride. So you will need to figure this out ahead of time. You either trust them to wait in line alone, or you need to research what rides you are going to have to skip this trip.

Its not if the kids are mature.... or if I trust them! Been to WDW 10+ times always with my spouse - not a newbie but a new situation. Simple question - seeking simple solution. Don't need your implications. Leaving thread.

 

[damo]

I am getting mixed up with WDW and universal orlando/IOA.... I will be there with all kids. 2 tall enough to ride and 1 too short for a couple attractions. Can I wait in the line with the older kids and then exit at the top? They are tall enough but I am not comfortable having them wait alone without an adult.

It is at Universal where you all go through the line together and then whoever is not riding waits in the family room at the loading station and then they get directly on the ride when the other members of the family finish.

 

[maxiesmom]

Its not if the kids are mature.... or if I trust them! Been to WDW 10+ times always with my spouse - not a newbie but a new situation. Simple question - seeking simple solution. Don't need your implications. Leaving thread.

I'm not implying anything. I'm honestly trying to help. You asked a question, and I am trying to answer it.

No you can't wait in line with your too short child. You need to figure out what you are comfortable with doing. They either wait in line without you or they don't ride. Though if it is your fears holding them back, then I believe you need to think long and hard about letting your fears hold back 2 kids you think are mature enough to handle waiting in line alone. A parent shouldn't let their fears hold back their kids when those kids are mature, and competent enough to handle the situation.

 

[Maus]

I understand op's concerns and feel the same. I have seen many times rude adults in line and children that could not defend themselves , just as an example. I would let teenagers go by themselves but would prefer to watch and be with my children before that age. I would do the rides all of you can do together or find an adult that guides them through the ride.

 

[jennibug]

What about letting them borrow a cell phone so you can be in constant contact? Or using an iPod touch? That's my plan.

I have four girls and out of the six of us 2-3 want to ride ToT. Both adults aren't going to ride. They are all saving up for iPod touches and will be able to text and web FaceTime on them because if Disney's wifi. Having the older one text right before they get on. Plus we will be waiting at the exit for them.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I understand op's concerns and feel the same. I have seen many times rude adults in line and children that could not defend themselves , just as an example. I would let teenagers go by themselves but would prefer to watch and be with my children before that age. I would do the rides all of you can do together or find an adult that guides them through the ride.

I agree - no doubt I'm an overprotective mom to some.....on one trip when a friendly stranger gave us one FP for TSM - DD wanted to ride - she was 12 but I didn't want her to have to wait in line alone. She's a smart child who would have been fine in terms of behaving and Disney always feels like a safe place but I wasn't comfortable with her waiting alone. The CMs at the FP line understood completely - I told them point blank I knew I couldn't ride (only had one FP) but I wanted to wait with her - they let me

OP I would ask at Guest Relations if there is any way for you and the smaller child to wait with the bigger ones. I don't know - never been in that situation but I don't think it would hurt to ask.

I would also ask the people letting you into the line - although I suspect they've probably seen a lot of parents trying to 'pull a fast one' and 'slip' a smaller child onto a ride (which I know you're not trying to do - just saying they may be somewhat jaded) if you could stand in the line. Generally (I believe) there's a 2nd measuring spot just before the actual ride you could leave the line at that point easily having waited for most of the line. I know at Kali River Rapids when you get to the 2nd measuring spot you can see the actual ride vehicles so you could leave the line (with the shorter child) and feel good that the other 2 were going to be OK with the short distance they still have to go (in fact at Kali if it's not too busy you could stand just off to the side and see them load)

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

What about letting them borrow a cell phone so you can be in constant contact? Or using an iPod touch? That's my plan.

I have four girls and out of the six of us 2-3 want to ride ToT. Both adults aren't going to ride. They are all saving up for iPod touches and will be able to text and web FaceTime on them because if Disney's wifi. Having the older one text right before they get on. Plus we will be waiting at the exit for them.

Don't count on Disney's wifi! There were many rides where our phones and tablet would not work AT ALL while waiting in line. One that I can remember was Splash. Once my DH & DS entered the building part of the Splash line, there was no calls, texts or wifi.

 

[Gracie09]

I agree - no doubt I'm an overprotective mom to some.....on one trip when a friendly stranger gave us one FP for TSM - DD wanted to ride - she was 12 but I didn't want her to have to wait in line alone. She's a smart child who would have been fine in terms of behaving and Disney always feels like a safe place but I wasn't comfortable with her waiting alone. The CMs at the FP line understood completely - I told them point blank I knew I couldn't ride (only had one FP) but I wanted to wait with her - they let me

OP I would ask at Guest Relations if there is any way for you and the smaller child to wait with the bigger ones. I don't know - never been in that situation but I don't think it would hurt to ask.

I would also ask the people letting you into the line - although I suspect they've probably seen a lot of parents trying to 'pull a fast one' and 'slip' a smaller child onto a ride (which I know you're not trying to do - just saying they may be somewhat jaded) if you could stand in the line. Generally (I believe) there's a 2nd measuring spot just before the actual ride you could leave the line at that point easily having waited for most of the line. I know at Kali River Rapids when you get to the 2nd measuring spot you can see the actual ride vehicles so you could leave the line (with the shorter child) and feel good that the other 2 were going to be OK with the short distance they still have to go (in fact at Kali if it's not too busy you could stand just off to the side and see them load)

It's a safety rule and getting gr to overrule a safety rule is just not going to happen. Either the older kids go alone or no one goes. I personally would send the older kids alone. Seriously nothing will happen. Why they are on a line in a park that is covered with video camera. The line is crowded and filles with families who if a kid yelled or otherwise indicated he needed help 90+% would help (I would even if it was just letting him stand and ride with us or getting a cm.) there are sometimes cast members next to te ride and under cover security around the park. There has been no cases of kidnapping at wdw. There a a few cases of molestation but every one involved a relative of the victim or was unsubstantiated and they did not occur in the theme parks but at hotels or water parks.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

It's a safety rule and getting gr to overrule a safety rule is just not going to happen. Either the older kids go alone or no one goes. I personally would send the older kids alone. Seriously nothing will happen. Why they are on a line in a park that is covered with video camera. The line is crowded and filles with families who if a kid yelled or otherwise indicated he needed help 90+% would help (I would even if it was just letting him stand and ride with us or getting a cm.) there are sometimes cast members next to te ride and under cover security around the park. There has been no cases of kidnapping at wdw. There a a few cases of molestation but every one involved a relative of the victim or was unsubstantiated and they did not occur in the theme parks but at hotels or water parks.

I completely agree it's a safety rule and I'm not suggesting Guest Relations over rule it. I'm suggesting she ASK at GR - maybe there is a system in place that I don't know about (having not encountered this problem myself) that they could use.

 

[Hauntedmansion13]

Just ask for a fastpass swap.