Disneyland and California Adventure - tall 42" three year old

[Makayna]

I posted this in the Southern California area and got no replies, so I'll post here. We're going to Disneyland and California Adventure this summer.

While I grew up in Southern California, and grew up going to Disneyland all the time, I've been to Disneyland exactly once in the last 20 years. I've looked at height requirements, but they're useless to me, since I have a 42" three year old. I usually go off of age recommendations, but I didn't see any on the Disneyland website. At our theme park near our home, I know what she can and cannot do, but I'm not sure about Disneyland.

My daughter is tall enough to ride virtually everything (except California Screaming and Indiana Jones), but that doesn't mean everything else is appropriate. Some may jar her more than what I'm comfortable with, and others may be too scary. So, what rides would you NOT take a tall four year old on?

 

[hiroMYhero]

@Makayna, I know you posted on the Southern California board but there is a specific Disneyland board that can better address your concerns regarding rides at DL (Matterhorn, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, RSR).

Moving this to the DL board for you.

 

[Iceman93]

What you have asked is a very personal decision. What scares your daughter? What do you consider "jarring"? Everything my 40"-tall 2 year-old can ride she has enjoyed, even "scary" rides like the Tower of Terror. Maybe you can give us a little guidance based on what you do and don't do with her at your local theme park, which will help us gauge which attractions you might want to skip at DL/DCA.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I would start her off on the outdoor attractions, then move to the dark attractions. We made the mistake of taking my little cousin on Snow White's Scary Adventures (shortest line in Fantasyland), and she refused to go on any other dark attraction. If you are cautious about her, you may not want to take her on the Matterhorn because she will be in her own seat. Casey Jr is a great little "exciting" ride for the younger set (I like it, too), and on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad you can sit next to each other, so you can hold on to her, even though she will be secure in her seat. Goofy's Sky School is a mad mouse coaster, and you can sit next to her if you want to try that.

I can't think of anything else that would be jerky that you might not want to take her on. I'm sure others will have some good opinions.

 

[cmph]

My kids are super tall too. 10yo is 5'7", 7yo is 4'9". I had the same concern years ago. One of the many issues that arises when you have super tall kids, huh? "We only need adult menus here, correct?" "Um, no, he's 7." sigh

The older one is much more sensitive. She loves BTMR but would never go on Space Mountain even today. She thought the Matterhorn was too jarring last week. She thinks Indy is scary. Meanwhile, the 7yo loves everything - Indy, California Screamin', everything! My very tall 6yo niece goes on everything, her sister meanwhile - would be afraid of the movement on a carousel. The best advice would be to start slow and never ever push if you get to the front of the line and she seems worried.

My personal advice would be to avoid ToT, b/c the screaming you hear outside is enough to worry a child, and then of course the theming is purposefully scary. Matterhorn is extremely jarring, and I don't plan to go on it ever again and I doubt the 10yo will want to, so if that's a concern - avoid that. Space Mtn is pretty dark, so that will worry some young kids (fast, dark combo), so I'd probably wait a year or at least see if she's a thrill junky after going on BTMR. I also think Splash is jarring b/c you keep whacking into the walls; last week I told DH that I was glad the 7yo only wanted to go once b/c I didn't think my body would like a second trip. FYI the 10yo refused to go b/c she doesn't like the looks of the big drop, so that's an easy one to judge since you can watch it go down before getting in line and gauge her reaction.

BTMR was my son's fav when he was 3 and like I said, even the nervous older child loves is - so I think that's fine, personally. RSR is a lot of fun; some sudden turns, but nothing I would calling jarring like the Matterhorn, and is a great kid favorite.

If darkness is an issue - don't forget the sudden darkness in the stretching room of HM! Have your cell phone ready to be a little flashlight.

If you want an opinion on any ride I don't mention above, let me know.

 

[SMD]

Gadget's is a good first coaster. I'd try that one before BTMRR or GSS. GSS does whip you around plenty, though. Probably moreso than BTMRR, it's just a shorter ride. Screamin is a much smoother coaster, though with the taller height requirement. I don't find Matterhorn nearly as bumpy as most people, but I think it has gotten scarier with the new aduio effects, especially the opening tunnel with the yeti noises and images and then the first turn in the dark with the growls. The yeti moves more now, which is probably scarier to someone going for the first time. Really the only scary thing about Space is the dark, there aren't any drops. But it is very loud with the current overlay. I also think Splash is fairly mild. Even the find drop isn't very steep or especially fast. If she handles the drop on POTC then Splash should be fine for most 3 year olds as long as you keep your hands on her shoulders for reassurance and let her know the drop is coming.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I think a good "trial" ride might be Gadget's Go-Coaster in Toon Town. That's what we'll probably try first with our son.

You can probably find a lot of videos of the rides on youtube. That might help you decide too.

 

[starshine514]

I've thought about this, as my youngest is also on the tall side. Gadget's should be no problem (my daughter rode it last trip - she was one year old at the time). Big Thunder would be my next HR ride, followed by Star Tours (though it can be jarring). If you ride Splash, ask for the back seat so you can sit with her. Use your judgement on Space Mountain - it's dark - a little one can freak out easily. I don't know if I'd take a 3-yr-old on the Matterhorn;it's rough and they have to sit alone.

At DCA, RSR should be fine, as should Silly Symphony Swings, and Jumpin' Jelyfish. Grizzly River Run should also be ok, if she's ok getting wet. Goofy's jars you a lot; it wouldn't be my first choice. Soarin' is tame if she isn't scared of heights, but I'd hate to have a child freak out on it. The one I'd be most concerned about is TOT - it's dark and the theming is scary.

 

[avalon451]

Good suggestions above! Another source is the Unofficial Guide to Disney. They rate all the rides as far as being bumpy, dark, scary, fast, etc. and how many stars each age group tend to give it-- preschool, young kids, teens, etc.

Another good idea to help her decide if she wants to go on any ride is to watch YouTube videos of the rides with her. I'm pretty sure there are ride-through videos of every ride. That helped my kids, when they were younger, to get an idea of what they might or might not be comfortable with.

And yes, it's different for each kid. My oldest at 13 was the daredevil, rode everything and loved it. 10 year old opted out of Indy, Space, and anything else like that. Youngest would ride BTMRR, and loved GRR, but hated Splash because she was afraid of the drop at the end! Which is less extreme than GRR, go figure.

 

[cmph]

Youngest would ride BTMRR, and loved GRR, but hated Splash because she was afraid of the drop at the end! Which is less extreme than GRR, go figure.

That's my 10yo! She LOVES rapids-style water rides, but cannot deal with "big drops". She wasn't thrilled with Pirates, either, same reason. But she isn't afraid of heights, b/c she'll go rock climbing or do ropes courses. It's literally the drop that she can't handle.

So I guess the thing to figure out is if your child is a thrill junkie, or if there is something in particular that makes her nervous, whether it's the dark, or a big drop, anything too fast, etc. We did the youtube thing in advance too, that's always a good idea.

 

[DahliaRW]

My boys were tall younger too. We told them about each ride, and let them choose if they wanted to do it. You can also watch youtube videos. If they wanted to try it, great. If not, fine. We didn't push it. They pretty much did end up doing everything they could and loved it.