Is there a minimum age for the Barnstormer?

[Anjelica]

We are going in February 06 with our daughter who will be 32 months old. She LOVES "thrill" rides and I just know she would love the barnstomer. I know there is a height restriction but is there an age restriction? I have read that Disneyland has some minimum age restrictions but nothing about Disneyworld.

Also - has anyone else brought a toddler to Disneyworld and been able to bring their children on the rides? (like Buzzlight year, pirates of the carribean, speedway, etc.)?

Finally, has anyone done the child switch program where the adults can switch out and ride some of the adult only rides? (My husband and I both love the rockin' roller coaster so we definetly want to get a chance to ride that).

Thanks in advance!

 

[ChrisLei]

I asked my friend if her youngest DD rode the Barnstormer when she went in April, since I too have a under 3 year old that loves thrill rides and she said yes, she was able to ride it. (her daughter and my son are the same exact ag, a week apart)

Last time I went to Disney World my daughter was 3 and she was able to ride Pirates of the Carribean, Speedway, etc.

I have done the baby swap with my dad so I could ride the rockin Coaster, and it went great. One parent stays outside and waits for the ride to return, then that parent gets off and switch. Works like clockwork.

Have fun!

 

[saffymom]

When we went in May DS was 25 months old and rode Barnstormer twice with no problem.

Toddlers can go on any ride without a height restriction. On Buzz and POTC, he sat on our laps the entire ride.

We used the parent swap a lot on that trip too. It was great. For most rides, you tell the CM at the beginning that you want to parent swap and they will give you a fast pass ticket. then one parent waits in line while the other waits with the child. When the first parent exits, the second can then use the fast pass line and ride. It was very convienent, and great during DS's nap time. We got a lot done that way!

 

[shelby_36]

Be careful relying on babyswap ..We tried it in June and were turned away.

 

[Anjelica]

Shelby_36 - what do you mean you were turned away? Was it everywhere or only on a specific ride? Did they give you folks an explanation for that?

 

[SqueakyMouse]

There is a height but not an age restriction. A word of caution though: My 4 yo rode this with me for the first time in May. He slid all over the seat. I felt as if I had to hold on to him tigher on this ride than on BTM. THankfully, it is a very short ride.

 

[Hadley's Mom]

My DD rode it before she turned 2(she was 37"). It is her favorite ride. We have been twice(dec and may) and the roller coaster is still all she can talk about. She wants me to buy her a roller coaster for her birthday! I don't think so but we are taking her back right before her b-day for the last trip that she will be free!

 

[shelby_36]

It was at Haunted Mansion. Two Cm's told me they had no clue what I was talking about. i didn't try again after that..I thought I had got my info wrong.

 

[PA DISNEYLOVER]

Shelby- I was turned away in June also. I was turned away at Test Track and ToT. After that I gave up. i never did get on either.

 

[amyrenek]

It was at Haunted Mansion. Two Cm's told me they had no clue what I was talking about. i didn't try again after that..I thought I had got my info wrong.

Was it because The Haunted Mansion doesn't have a height requirment? I have no idea but it' the only reason I could think of. We went last june and used the baby swap with many of the bigger rides. My son loved it because he could ride everything twice.

 

[tjmw2727]

Shelby- I was turned away in June also. I was turned away at Test Track and ToT. After that I gave up. i never did get on either.

I can understand Haunted Mansion not using child swap as it is only available on rides with a height restriction. That said I have used it 3-2x a year for the past 10 years and it works great.

To the OP - yes, in the past Barnstormer had an age restriction but now it is just a height restriction of 36". In addition my girls rode every ride in WDW without a height restriction since they could sit alone, including Buzz, POTC and all the others!

Rider swap - or baby swap.

Ask the CM at the entrance to the line (FP or Standby). The child not meeting the height restriction must be present to get the pass or use the swap so approach the line and cm with the child. In most cases the CM will give the parent riding second a baby swap pass that works similar to a FP. Up to three people can use the baby swap pass via the FP line and ride any time that day.

The first parent waits the line or uses the FP and rides the attraction. The non-riding parent takes baby/toddler and can do another attraction, diaper change, ice cream etc while the first parent rides. Then, the parent who didn't ride can return anytime and ride the attraction while the other parent spends time with the baby/toddler.

A couple rides do require you all wait the line, then one parent rides while the other waits at the exit and then you switch. IIRC Star Tours is the only attraction that is still doing it this way. In this case we usually get FP's - in which case you really don't need a baby swap. Just have the first parent enter during the time frame, ride and then take baby while the other parent uses his/her FP.

Baby Swap is very self explanatory but it can differ from ride to ride and even from CM to CM on the same ride that day so always ask first. If you get a CM that dosen't help you, ask another - its worth it.

HTH
TJ