Goofy Barnstormer - age, not height

[ladyv]

DS will be 21 months when we visit at the end of Sept. At the beginning of this month, he was 34" tall. What can I say - DH is 6'2" and I'm 6'. There was no way genetically to have a short kid.

So I know he'll be tall enough by the end of Sept to ride that barnstormer ride, but do you all think it will be too rough? I'm probably over protective about some things (like I refuse to turn his car seat around....probably until he's 2). I know he'd have fun. The kid is fearless (at least he is now, they change so quickly, I might have a different kid in 5 months).

Too rough of a ride? Or too overprotective?

 

[delmar411]

Too overprotective. (not about the carseat though!!)

I also have tall kiddos and my then 2yr old DS was riding Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain as well as Goofy's Barnstormer. They aren't overly smooth rides but the kids love them.

My youngest DS just turned 3 and is finally almost at 40". If he makes the cut he'll be on every ride he makes height for. We've spent months practicing standing tall. LOL

This is a really great age to get them on these rides. They don't have the irrational fears yet that older preschoolers can get and once they know they like a ride then the odds are in your favor that they won't develop a fear of them.

 

[disneybridetobe]

OMG I wash my DD, who'll be 22 mos, was 34". She'd have a blast. She's this little fiery redhead with no fear. LOL, I had to laugh at your tall comment... we're short, so there's no way we could have a tall kid. I'm 5'3", DH is 5'6"... lol. She's about 31.5" now... so she'll be able to go on it when shes like, 5!

It really depends on your DS... if he's fearless like you say, do it. I know my DD would have a blast.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I don't think I'd let mine go if he were under 2. I think certain things should be waited on! Granted, I'm having trouble understanding your logic... you don't think it's safe to turn the carseat around but you want to take the kiddo on a rollercoaster?

One thing to consider is the size difference between your toddler and whomever will be riding in the car with him. Those cars don't allow for a lot of extra room, especially if you're tall as the ride is built for the shorties of the world. The lap bar will not fit over DS's lap the same way it fits you, so you'll probably end up holding on to him to keep him from slipping out of his seat.

It's ultimately your decision, and only you know what is best, but IMHO, just because he's tall enough, doesn't mean he's ready for a fast ride (and yes, it's fast... I think the ride was over in 20 seconds...)

 

[wlwilliams9]

I took DD on last year at 22 months and she LOVED every second of it! We rode it 3 or 4 times that trip! She can't wait to go back on it again next month. We've been watching videos of it on youtube and the video DH took!

 

[Madzac]

I took my DS #1 on the similar kids coaster at Disneyland and the one at Legoland in CA when he had just turned two the week before. He LOVED them and we rode several times. I dont think I had ever seen him with a bigger grin!!! I would say if your child sees the ride and wants to ride, go for it!

BTW... I dont turn the carseat around until between 18-24 months either!!

 

[WantToGoNow]

Goofy's Barnstormer is not rough at all. You know the personality of your child - if you think he'll like it and he's big enough to go, then take him on it and have fun.

As for the carseat, leave it rear-facing as long as you wish - he's actually safer that way and more comfortable when he's sleeping (no head bobbing action going on).

 

[bumbershoot]

When he's 35" he'll be ready for the Matterhorn at Disneyland. From what I've read, the Barnstormer is nowhere near the level of that coaster, so I'm sure I would have taken DS at that age (though I don't think he was quite 34" then?).

And at the same time that DS was tall enough to go on the Matterhorn (we were delayed b/c on his 2.5 year old trip they were refurbing it) he was still rear-facing; we rear-faced until he reached the limits of his seat! Big difference between a car accident and a rollercoaster!!!!!

 

[ladyv]

I don't think I'd let mine go if he were under 2. I think certain things should be waited on! Granted, I'm having trouble understanding your logic... you don't think it's safe to turn the carseat around but you want to take the kiddo on a rollercoaster?

I can understand. It's not really me who wants him to go on. DH will want to take him if DS seems excited about it. When we were there last, I never went on or saw it, so I really have no idea what it looks like, how the turns or drops are. I was really wondering how and if this is going to jerk DS's neck around. If that's the case, then I probably don't want him to go on. I'd rather have this one pre-decided so we're not one of "those" families standing in the front of the ride having an argument about it.

There is a fine line between being way too overprotective and being too under protective and many times I need to check myself to make sure I'm firmly in the middle on the line of "just right" protectiveness.

 

[delmar411]

I can understand. It's not really me who wants him to go on. DH will want to take him if DS seems excited about it. When we were there last, I never went on or saw it, so I really have no idea what it looks like, how the turns or drops are. I was really wondering how and if this is going to jerk DS's neck around. If that's the case, then I probably don't want him to go on. I'd rather have this one pre-decided so we're not one of "those" families standing in the front of the ride having an argument about it.

There is a fine line between being way too overprotective and being too under protective and many times I need to check myself to make sure I'm firmly in the middle on the line of "just right" protectiveness.

it's a tiny little kids coaster. Not a real one. Here's a you tube video of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4w1IN3ksbo

you can see the child in front of the person videoing this and their head isnt bopping around.

eta! here's another one. You see the children behind Goofy are barely taller than the seat back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y6YqaVhr_4

 

[barnaby1]

My dd was just under 2.5 on the trip that she reached the height for the kiddie rollercoasters and she has loved them ever since. Let him try it, if he doesn't enjoy it (which I have to admit I have only ever seen 1 child not enjoy these rides-in my hours of riding around and around goofy and woody woodpecker at universal) then you won't do it again that trip. If he loves it (which I suspect he will) then he will have a great time.
Mind you, I am the person who is quite frankly astounded that you still have a nearly 2 year old in a rear facing car seat and that he is happy to still face that way at that age. I suspect this is just an "across the pond" difference in practice though so no flaming please!!

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I can understand. It's not really me who wants him to go on. DH will want to take him if DS seems excited about it. When we were there last, I never went on or saw it, so I really have no idea what it looks like, how the turns or drops are. I was really wondering how and if this is going to jerk DS's neck around. If that's the case, then I probably don't want him to go on. I'd rather have this one pre-decided so we're not one of "those" families standing in the front of the ride having an argument about it.

There is a fine line between being way too overprotective and being too under protective and many times I need to check myself to make sure I'm firmly in the middle on the line of "just right" protectiveness.

Fair enough. Only you know what is best. I still say the biggest problem with taking someone who is just tall enough is the space between the lap bar and the kiddo since, as an adult, you guys are WAY bigger. When I took DS a couple of weeks ago, I held on to him the whole time since there was a difference in my lap and his. Even though he wanted to do it again, I decided to hold off and try something else.

My dd was just under 2.5 on the trip that she reached the height for the kiddie rollercoasters and she has loved them ever since. Let him try it, if he doesn't enjoy it (which I have to admit I have only ever seen 1 child not enjoy these rides-in my hours of riding around and around goofy and woody woodpecker at universal) then you won't do it again that trip. If he loves it (which I suspect he will) then he will have a great time.
Mind you, I am the person who is quite frankly astounded that you still have a nearly 2 year old in a rear facing car seat and that he is happy to still face that way at that age. I suspect this is just an "across the pond" difference in practice though so no flaming please!!

No worries about your post... I struggled with that too. But my son was also very tall and didn't fit properly, rear-facing, even at 11 months. I couldn't have imagined what would have happend if we had been in a bad accident! His legs probably would have been severely broken. But again, to each his own, and only the parent knows what's best for theirs! Cheers

 

[weHEARTmickey]

My DS rode when he was 23 mos & it was his FAVORITE ride!! (Of course, there wasn't much else he could ride!) But he LOVED it. I say do it & he can brag that he rode a "big boy" rollercoaster, which is what our DS did.

 

[tmarquez]

DD(6) didn't ride it that young (she's a shorty) but it WAS her first roller coaster. That being said she wasn't familiar with the movements and initially (and also when they stop at the end) her head got banged around. She was over 3. Not sure I would feel good about a kid less than 2...are their necks as strong? I just don't know...I can't remember what she was like at that age.

 

[audrey444]

We took DS1 when he was 19 months. He was tall, but I was surprised he met the limit. He and DH were excited about it, and I was terrified. I worried the whole time we were in line. DH rode with him, and when we pulled in to the station, DS yelled "More Train! Yeah!"

DS2 will be a week shy of 2 when we go, but I doubt he'll be 34 inches. He's not as brave as our older son. He doesn't like being flipped upside down, he rough houses with DS1 on his own terms, etc.

I think it depends on the child.

That said, if he's tall enough, we may try it. I'll make DH ride with him. I don't want my anxiety to rub off on him, and DH is a very calming influence. If DS2 doesn't like it, we won't do it again.