How young is too young for Splash Mountain?

[kermitman18]

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?

 

[MomofKatie]

Is he a daredevil? Does he get scared in the dark?- much of the ride is in the dark inside the "mountain". There is only the one big drop- maybe try the Barnstormer with him first to see how he does with drops. If he likes the Barnstormer, he will be A-OK on Splash (at least with the "thrill ride" aspect). IMO, Splash is less "thrilling" than Barnstormer, even though the height limit is lower for Barnstormer.

DD didn't do Splash until she was 6, but she was an incredibly cautious kid- fearful of any rides that looked scary. Most little ones seem to conquer Splash as soon as they are tall enough to ride- I haven't seen many that were scared.

 

[The Hendies]

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.

 

[cgates616]

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?

We went with our friends a few years ago. Their son was 1 month shy of turning 3 years old and exactly 40" tall. He loved Splash Mountain as well as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Soarin.

 

[Aliceacc]

Know that there are no restraints keeping him in his seat for the big drop; Take a look here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=48121733&highlight=splash#post48121733 posts 8 and 10.

My 14 year old son, who is 3 inches taller than I am, HATES that drop and won't go on Splash. His 10 year old sister adores it!

 

[kermitman18]

@momofkatie thank for the suggestion. He is definitely a daredevil.

Also pretty positive the barnstormer is still open. I also believe it was renamed once they redid the circus area.

 

[Fantasmic23]

My son first went to WDW when he was 4. He wanted nothing to do with Splash Mountain then. He stood outside with us and watched the log flume drop a few times and declared a big, firm, "NO!"

When we returned when he was 6, he was willing to give Splash Mountain a try. He loved the theming of the ride and was only fearful of the drop the first time (he rode SM a total of 4 times that trip!).

I think it all depends on your son's daredevil/ scare factor level.

Good luck and please update us!

 

[kpm76]

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...it was just rethemed

 

[kermitman18]

I forget where I read it, so take this with a grain of salt.

Someone wrote that they had taken a toddler on, and that there are no straps for the seats. (Honestly, I don't remember one way or the other.) When they got to that drop, the child was almost lifted out of his seat... fortunately the adult saw what was happening and caught him.

My 14 year old son, who is 3 inches taller than I am, HATES that drop and won't go on Splash.

That is a worry of mine, but an I nuts to think I can hold him through the whole drop? I really don't plan on letting him go.

 

[FortForever]

Since Barnstormer is not an option (closed a few years back)

I rode it last weekend.

IMO, two is too young for Splash Mountain. There are so many other rides that a two year old would enjoy, I wouldn't even bother with things that may be too intense.

 

[Aliceacc]

That is a worry of mine, but an I nuts to think I can hold him through the whole drop? I really don't plan on letting him go.

I just went back and edited my post; I think I found the place where I read it.

 

[grkmbee]

My DD will be 2 - almost 3 - when we go in August. Although she's in the 90-95% for her height, I'm doubting she'll make the 40" cut off, but if she does she would go on it. It def. depends on the child. DD is a born daredevil. Last year my DS4, who was barely 42" at the time, rode it and liked it. So as far as size goes, that's fairly similar. I didn't feel at any time he was not safe though looking back I did probably have a hand on him during the drop. I like the PPs' ideas of taking him on other rides that drop like Barnstormer (it's open and right next to Dumbo) to gauge his reaction.

 

[KPetty725]

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! ;-)

 

[kermitman18]

I love the feedback everyone and thank you. We will definitely try all the suggested tests first.

 

[serene56]

i dont think you will be able to hold him.. maybe keepmyour arms around him

honey had a death grip on our 4 year old gran daughter....

 

[goofy289]

There is a lap bar restraint on the ride now so you won't have to worry.

 

[JenCin78]

I think it all depends on the child. Last April my DD age 4 at the time wanted NOTHING to do with Splash Mountain our entire trip. We decided that it would be the last ride we rode on our last day there and wouldn't you know she decided that she wanted to ride. She wound up loving it and we rode it twice that night. Now as we approach our next trip all she can talk about is riding Splash Mountain. Only you know your child, if you think he would enjoy it I say take him on it if he's tall enough. If you know he's going to be scared then skip it, I still refuse to ride Space Mountain after being forced on it as a child.

 

[kermitman18]

There is a lap bar restraint on the ride now so you won't have to worry.

When did they install the lap bars?

 

[sonnyjane]

when did they install the lap bars?

2011.

 

[mfulk]

My son was 2 on our first trip to Disney and he was 40" and he loved Splash Mountain. Our youngest was 21 months on our trip last month and our 2nd week there we realized she was tall enough for barnstormer (or great goofini) and she loved it and rode it quite a few times. She would also have loved splash mountain but she's only 36".