How young is too young for Splash Mountain?

[letsgoreds]

We have a similar log ride (big drop), but no lap bars, so you can hold 'em tight. DH took our youngest on it at 2.5. He LOVED it. My oldest rode splash at 3.5. Loved it. If he wants to try it, I say go for it. The only time I limit a child riding a ride they are tall enough for is if it is too rough...wouldn't take DN4 for our last trip on Test Track and Space Mountain for this reason.

 

[girlb4amirror]

Definitely barnstormer first and I would try BTMRR before Splash Mtn. The one big drop is scarier to me than the roller coasters. My son did Splash at 3 1/2 and loved it!

 

[Cheert789]

Since Barnstormer is not an option (closed a few years back), take him to the bridge where you can watch the log drop. If he thinks its cool, go for it! Although the ride takes place inside the mountain, it is colorful, the music is whimsical, and it's just like a little boat ride.

Barnstormer is open down in circus area

 

[chipscinderelly]

Our son is almost 5 and has been riding splash since he was tall enough at 3. We let him decide and he talks about it all the time. He also loves barnstormer and big thunder.

 

[jazzyscoob]

DS was 3 and DD was 4 when they first rode Splash. We made the mistake of making it the first ride that trip. DD loves all types of rides but Splash bothered her a little. Not enough to ruin her time but she definitely wasn't a fan.

DS was terrified. He squealed the entire ride and after the big drop he finally calmed down but he then refused to get on any other ride in WDW for 2 days. He was even too scared to see any of the shows. It was a nightmare.

We are going back in Aug. He is 4 now and said he is ready to try it again. We will save it for the end of the trip this time.

 

[Yellosno]

I rode SM when I was 3 and loved it then. But my 13 year old cousin will not ride it to save her life. It all depends on what your child is comfortable with. And Now they definitely do have lap bars in WDW, Im not sure if its the same at DL I know there logs are set up differently.

 

[mom2rtk]

We took our son when he was 4 and it was a very long time before he would ride a thrill ride again. That could just be his nature, or it could be because we pushed him too young.

They do indeed have lap bars, but keep in mind those only go down as far as the larger of the 2 people in the boat. So don't rely on that really securing a 2year old. That said, I don't think those lap bars really do much but deter people from hopping out during the ride.

 

[amber.miller]

Splash was my sons first big thrill ride at DW, and he LOVED it. He had just turned 3 his first time, he's 5 now. We didn't force him on, but he was interested in riding and even though he got nervous we just calmly reassured him.
I feel like the lap bars are plenty safe, I just put my arm around go shoulders on the big drop.
I think Splash is a great intro to bigger thrill rides. My son is 5 now and his fave rides are Splash, Big Thunder, Space, Expedition Everest and ToT!
So I'd say if your child knows about the drop and wants to try it, go ahead!

 

[ninamouse]

Try Pirates of the Caribbean first. There is a little drop on that one and it is dark too. If he likes it and doesn't get scared after watching the SM log go down from the bridge, go for it!

I put my arms over DD during every ride but I'm also the mom who acts like a human seat belt anytime we have to slam on the brakes (and even though the kids are in the back and I technically can't even reach them!). Having worked Splash before, it's very safe. Gravity keeps you in. You would literally have to stand up and lean over the log to fall out, and you only have about 2 seconds to do it. It will be harder keeping him seated during the slow-moving parts than on the drop! ;-)

Great suggestion on doing Pirates first! I am taking my DS's who are 7 and 4 in October. Ds who is 7 will be fine - DS who is 4 is very cautious but I know he will love all the animation inside. I know he will probably cope with Pirates 0 but if he doesn't and surprises me, I know he won;t be good with Splash Mountain.

 

[arcurioa]

My first daughter loved it at three - my younger not so much. So it really does depend. OP don't count out Terror of Terror, it was my oldestDD's favorite ride on her first trip- she had just turned 3. We went on 5 times. Yet she was absolutely terrified of Muppets 3D

 

[PiperPizzaz]

My DS rode at 2 1/2 years old. He loved it!

 

[tracynwu]

how big is the drop

 

[bdklein]

I am taking my 2 year old DS in September to MK. He is huge for his age and will most likely be 40 inches at that point. While I wouldn't dream of taking him on something like Tower of Terror I am wondering if I'm still crazy to take him on something like Splash Mountain.

Sound off! Am I nuts?

I'd have you both watch the drop together live when you are there, in addition to watching Barnstormer (if there is viewing access) and Big Thunder. That might give some insight.

 

[drinkme]

My niece was 18 months when she first went on it. She loved it! Her parents bought the picture and she had the biggest smile...lol.

She's still a daredevil at the age of 14!!!

 

[kermitman18]

My niece was 18 months when she first went on it. She loved it! Her parents bought the picture and she had the biggest smile...lol.

She's still a daredevil at the age of 14!!!

Wow! 40 inches at 18 months? Does she have a future in the WNBA?

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I am taking my 2 year old DS in September to MK. He is huge for his age and will most likely be 40 inches at that point. While I wouldn't dream of taking him on something like Tower of Terror I am wondering if I'm still crazy to take him on something like Splash Mountain.

Sound off! Am I nuts?

Hard to say, as only you know your child's mind-and maybe not even then. Kids are wildly unpredictable in places like WDW. Splash Mountain is relatively tame to the adult mind, but some kids may see it as a dark, scary, water-filled nightmare. I think, as people have said, that the Goofy coaster is a good indication of how your kid will do with the drop.

 

[sunkissed4]

My son was 3 when he did splash, big thunder, and test track and he loves them all. I too didn't want to take him on tower of terror, but a few months ago he asked to do it and liked it too. I'll let him ride anything and if he doesn't like it, we'll just move on to something different. For some reason POC scares him, go figure so we skip it!