First time at Disney with 5yo and ??'s

[dodukes]

Hey all, Its not my first time at disney but it wil be the first time with a child and it will be his first time. He is 5yo. I was wondering what you guys think of the bigger atractions. Do your kids go on them? I will not force him or anything but I am not sure if they are "safe" for a 5 yo, things like space mountain and splash (thnuder i know yes cuz i used to love it so i kno its ok if he wants) and what about rnrc and tot?? Do you guys allow your kids to go on those two?? To me it seems like they are a bit intence, I know he may not be tall enough i am not sure have to measure him, but he qualifies for almost al lthe rides. Anyway just some help in that dept would be great! thanks!

 

[Ariel8676]

I think most of the bigger rides the height is around 44 inches...could be different though...anyway....although my 5 yo dd is big enough to ride most of the bigger rides i dont even ask if she wants to. I know some people bring their young children on the bigger rides and what ever works for them is great..i personally think they are a bit intense for a 4,5 yo..IMHO. My 5 and almost 4 yo go on Goofy's barnstormer..thats about the extent of the "big" rides for them right now..lol.
My way of thinking is that if they are big enough but not mentally ready for a "big" ride then it may scare them in to not wanting to ride the bigger attraction when they get older. I'd rather wait until they ask to go on them, but thats just me..lol

 

[Minnie824]

DD was 4 last year when we went....she went on all the 40" rides except for TOT. This year, she'll be 5 and is planning on going on Space Mountain (44") and Expedition Everest. Height req for RNRC is more, so thats not an option. We won't be taking her on TOT yet, although, I don't think it would bother her. Last year, she did go on Big Thunder, Splash, Dinosaur, Test Track, and loved ALL of them. If he wants to go and is tall enough, I'd let him go. Have fun!

 

[Not so Dumbo]

my DS was 5 for his first trip to WDW. He wanted to go on everything. TOT was his favorite. He also went on Space mnt., Splash mnt., Soarin, test track. The only things he didn't ride were RNRC, and Mission Space. RNRC because he didn't meet the height requirement and Mission space because I wouldn't allow him.. Something about that one made me too nervous. Keep in mind each kid is different. Mine is obviously a thrill seeker.

 

[tkhkroberts]

We took our girls for the first time when they were 4 and 6 and they rode pretty much everything. The only rides they did not get on the first time was Rock n' Roller coaster and Tower of Terror. The 4 y/o absolutely loved Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Mission Space. They actually were willing to stand in line for 75 minutes to ride Big Thunder Mountain a second time. Leave it up to the 5 y/o, if he is interested in the faster rides let him on, if not start with smaller rides and work your way up. I would try Splash Mountain first because of the built in ride and the entire ride is not adventurous.

 

[dodukes]

Thanks everyone, I just wanted to get a perspective on what others do. Like someone said I will obviously not force him to do anything altho i wil try to persuade into test track and btmrr, but I didnt want to even bring them up if it didnt seem appropriate for that age group.. I am not sure what he will like or not so we will se when Feb. gets here. Im guessing i will try barnstomer and see how he likes that before i ask him abotu the rest and yes like the other he will definetely be too short for rnrc , ijust checked the height rest. Thanks all!

 

[rgmartin]

Last summer we took DS4 (cautious), DS5 (daredevil). Here is our recap.
Splash MTN -great for both
Big Thunder MTN - DS5 loved, DS4 asleep, did not ride
Test Track - both loved
Dinosaur - DS5 liked, DS4 SCARED
We didn't do Mission space because of that ride's history.