GRR or Splash?

[mrswh]

Trying to decide which one to go on with 5 and 6 year old kiddos. They want to go but are kind of nervous . . . which one is more tame? What's the difference between the two? (Aside from one is a log ride and the other is a raft?) I am leaning towards GRR because of the seating configuration (on Splash the seats are single file, correct?), but would do whatever is overall the most tame for younger kids.

Thanks for any info/insight!

 

[FlameGirl]

Splash is one to a seat, unless you're in the very back.

I'm inclined to say that Splash is a little tamer, actually. Up until the big drop, it's themed better for little ones and GRR is bouncy and unpredictable. Depends on your kids, though.

 

[kiwitravel]

Will depend on your kids...

Splash has dark drops (not big) and the big drop at the end...

GRR is in the daylight so they can see everything coming, but they can get thrown around abit...

I would make sure they are ok on Mattahorn and BTMRR first, if they are ok on these then try GRR first....

 

[PirateFish989]

In my experience, you get wet on Splash but SOAKED on GRR, especially if you're sitting next to the opening. With Splash, you are always facing forward and you know you will only get wet on the drop(s). With GRR, the raft is constantly changing positions so you may be facing forward one moment but the next you will be going down a drop backwards and you have no clue where you will get wet. Personally, I prefer Splash.

 

[mrswh]

Thanks! They are OK on Matterhorn (one moreso than the other) and liked the dark drop on Pirates (which I recognize is much smaller), have not yet gone on BTMRR. The possibility of facing backwards on a drop freaks me out and I also get nauseous on rides that spin so maybe Splash is better for me. However; the lure of GRR is that (a) I am holding FPs in my hand; and (b) we are staying at GCH so can just pop back up to the room if we get soaked.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I personally think that it all depends on your kids. IMHO I like GRR better, as the drops are not as steep, but you will get alot more wet than Splash, especially if the raft goes down one of the big drops sideways. Both my kids love it just as much as when they were younger. Bear in mind that if you are prone to motion sickness (such as me) take some Gravol before going on GRR. After going on GRR 3 times back to back in Feb, I was feeling rather green at the end, as the rafts move alot more than the ones in Splash. If you do get wet on GRR, at least with the time of year you are going, you will dry off quickly in the heat, as is rather refreshing to go on a hot day.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I use long lasting Gravol for DL, as I take it in the morning, and am good for the remainder of the day. Even the Teacups are enough to make me feel sick for the remainder of the day, so it's a lifesaver for me when visiting the mouse.

 

[narsel]

For me, it's a question of how wet do I want to be??? It seems to me that in years past we could ride splash over and over again, day or night, and maybe get splashed a little. The past two years that we have gone on splash we have gotten completely drowned!!! IDK, did they add more water, did they change the angle of the drop??? I'm not sure. Anyone else notice a wetter ride on splash these days?? On GRR, we just plan on getting drowned, (especially if your unlucky enough to sit next to my DD13). She's a bit of a black cat when it comes to water rides, ALWAYS gets drowned. Myself, I think the big drop in Splash is way more scary than going backwards down anything on GRR.

 

[hambirg]

I guess it depends on your kids. Mine much preferred GRR at that age. The theming is great on Splash and they enjoyed that a lot, but the big drop was just too much for them. My youngest DD was crying and looking at us like kids do when you take them to the Dr for their shots. . ."How could you do that to me!? I trusted you!"

 

[rentayenta]

Unless they have expressed a desire not to try them, or rides similar, why question it? Have them try. You can always YouTube the rides so they can see first. I think a lot is in the presentation. If approached from a place of "it might be scary" or the like, the seed is planted that maybe it's not going to be fun.

 

[ND Disney Daddy]

For me, it's a question of how wet do I want to be??? It seems to me that in years past we could ride splash over and over again, day or night, and maybe get splashed a little. The past two years that we have gone on splash we have gotten completely drowned!!! IDK, did they add more water, did they change the angle of the drop??? I'm not sure. Anyone else notice a wetter ride on splash these days?? On GRR, we just plan on getting drowned, (especially if your unlucky enough to sit next to my DD13). She's a bit of a black cat when it comes to water rides, ALWAYS gets drowned. Myself, I think the big drop in Splash is way more scary than going backwards down anything on GRR.

Who you're riding with makes a big difference as to how wet you'll get on Splash. The more weight in the log, the bigger the splash at the bottom. When my gf and I rode first thing in the morning, we often had a log all to ourselves and hardly got wet at all. But ride with a logfull of adults and you're going to get soaked.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

The more weight in the log, the bigger the splash at the bottom.

Another reason for me to lose some weight before our big trip.

 

[GrandBob]

Bear in mind that if you are prone to motion sickness (such as me) take some Gravol before going on GRR.

OK, I looked it up, and apparently Gravol is the Canadian brand name for the drug we know as Dramamine in the states. Personally, I find Dramamine to be very sedating - makes me fall asleep. Of course, it has different effects on different people. I much prefer Bonine (meclizine). For me, and for many people, it's much less sedating than Dramamine.

I am very, very prone to motion sickness, but GRR causes me no problems at all. It's interesting that you need medication to go on it. It really is true that these things are very different for different people.

-Bob

 

[Disneylovers2000]

I get motion sickness as well and don't have any problems on GRR. We had this same debate on our recent trip to DLR. The kids were asked to pick one, either Splash or GRR and they chose to ride GRR several times over Splash. I personally love GRR -and am not a thrill seeker at all, I have to say, I don't really like Splash - that darn drop is just tooooo much for me! Although, I do like the rest of the ride...

 

[moonbill2002]

I have a 3 1/2 year old (he will be 4 in October) and we are planning on taking him on Splash Mountain. I was bummed to see the height requirement for GRR was 42" (he is just at 40"). We took him on a similar ride this past weekend up at Six Flags in northern California and he loved it. But he's also a daredevil of a little boy and not much scares him. We are just grateful that he's tall enough to ride most of the rides, as they have a 40" requirement!

 

[jlp879]

I have always got much wetter on GRR than Splash Mountain. For Splash Mountain, the theming makes it more of a Disney ride feel to me, and I think that might make it more appealing to younger kids. The scariest part is the drop, and you can watch that from the bridge before even deciding to get in line.

 

[bumbershoot]

In my experience, you get wet on Splash but SOAKED on GRR, especially if you're sitting next to the opening. With Splash, you are always facing forward and you know you will only get wet on the drop(s). With GRR, the raft is constantly changing positions so you may be facing forward one moment but the next you will be going down a drop backwards and you have no clue where you will get wet. Personally, I prefer Splash.

We've gotten wet away from the drops on Splash! Sometimes it'll hit a curve hard and the water comes sloshing over, LOL.

I have a 3 1/2 year old (he will be 4 in October) and we are planning on taking him on Splash Mountain. I was bummed to see the height requirement for GRR was 42" (he is just at 40"). We took him on a similar ride this past weekend up at Six Flags in northern California and he loved it. But he's also a daredevil of a little boy and not much scares him. We are just grateful that he's tall enough to ride most of the rides, as they have a 40" requirement!

GRR has only a lap belt, and there are long stretches of quiet. If a small/young child suddenly freaks out, there isn't much keeping that child from trying to bolt. I've been on the ride while they are yelling at people to stay in their seats, and I've been at the park during a ride shutdown b/c someone climbed out. I think the higher height is to try to get the kids a bit older before they ride, to lower the chances of freaked-out kids.

Of course, it doesn't stop the drunk adults from trying those moves.



OP I can see good and bad with both! If you have a long enough trip, let the kids get used to the rides slowly, and see what they want to do. You can see the "big" drop at the end of Grizzly from the viewing area (and the "big" part of it is that you're rotating around and don't nkow who will end up backwards/splashed at the bottom. I LOVE Grizzly and so does my son, from the moment he could ride. It took him much longer to agree to ride Splash.

 

[mrswh]

Update: went on GRR this morning and kids declared it the best. Ride. Ever. I didn't go as I was afraid of the spinning. Wish there was a non-spinning version!

Thanks for all the input!! You guys are the best!

 

[HappyHaunt]

Thanks! They are OK on Matterhorn (one moreso than the other) and liked the dark drop on Pirates (which I recognize is much smaller), have not yet gone on BTMRR. The possibility of facing backwards on a drop freaks me out and I also get nauseous on rides that spin so maybe Splash is better for me. However; the lure of GRR is that (a) I am holding FPs in my hand; and (b) we are staying at GCH so can just pop back up to the room if we get soaked.

I didn't realize we could be facing backwards until the people on the raft with us said it. lol I was not happy to say the least. But I really couldn't tell what way I was facing when we went down honestly. The drop was a bit much for me, but that's nothing new. lol So I wouldn't worry about that part though.

 

[mrswh]

I've decided that the backwards thing probably doesn't matter, but I'm still nervous about the spinning. The ride looks super fun but I've got vestibular issues and spinning is generally not a good idea for me. I tried to get the kids to go on Splash with me but (though they insisted they go on GRR again) they said "NO WAY!!"