Is there age limits on coasters or just height

[eric714]

My daughter is 9 an dwill just meet the height requirements for the coasters.

If its just height, out of the Hulk and the Larger one by Harry Potter which one is more tolerable...mainly for me! I guess we can include the Rip as well??

 

[Metro West]

As long as she's tall enough she can ride. There is no age limit.

 

[4greatboys]

Just height but I don't think all the measurement markers are the same. When my son was 9 and measured 54 inches at the front of the park and at the Hulk he was able to ride that. Then we went to Dragon Challenge (then Dueling Dragons) and we had no problem on the blue side but on the red side they measured him against the wall marker and it showed he was to short. Even though he had already measured 54 inches at 3 other places in the park (and at home before we left).

 

[zack123]

In high school I had to build a model roller coaster for a physics project, and then run a bunch of experiments on it. Our teacher said, "After this project you'll never look at roller coasters the same way again," and it's true. Other people see the coaster and think about their stomach dropping, how steep the drop is, if you get flipped upside-down, if they'll get sick; I think about acceleration through loops, the curvature of the turns, the design of the track and where it's most likely to break down.


I prefer smooth rides; if my head gets jostled too much, I get a headache. Of the three, Dueling Dragons had the smoothest ride. Hulk and RRR tossed my head around a bit more than I like, both were about the same. The music on RRR was fun. Overall I am more impressed with the coasters at Busch Gardens and Six Flags, but I knew US/IOA was not a roller coaster park. US/IOA have the others beat in theming and the other types of rides/attractions.

Also, don't forget about Revenge of the Mummy (indoor coaster). It is not as intense motion wise as the bigger outdoor coasters, but might be a little scary for younger children (the mummy is trying to kill you during the ride, and much of it is in the dark).

Flight of the Hippogriff is a very gentle kid-friendly coaster if you just want a small taste of roller coasters.

ETA: At RRR, we had to wait a few extra minutes to load because there was a child in the car returning that was crying (because the ride was too intense for him). I felt bad for him - he was crying so hard his family couldn't get him out of the seat. At Hulk there was a girl who waited until they got to the front of the line, then she saw the people coming back and decided she didn't want to ride. So you may want to do some less intense rides first and work up to the big coasters if your child has never been on a coaster before.

 

[eric714]

Zach,

Thanks for the details..My daughter is nine and has been on WDW's Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, and MT Everest... I know these others are a stretch intense wise and I'll haveto make that decision for her when I see them. She's pretty bent on going seeing she has friends who have been on. The one by HP being smoother is a good tip. She's pretty petite but is also determined. She might be satisfied going on the Tall thing that slings you up ( sorry I'm a new to US) what about that as an experience any input?

4greatboys
As far as music I'm more Allman Brothers

 

[2girlsmom]

I have to say, I always thought I loved coasters, and I do like them, love RnR at Disney, but I can't stand Dragons. To me it feels like I am hanging upside down for a ridiculous amount of time. I loved Hulk and Mummy, I didn't personally find them anywhere near as uncomfortable a ride, though I agree they are intense, I find Dragons much worse. OP, of the Disney coasters you listed, I don't see RnR listed. Both Hulk and Dragons do go upside down, and it sounds like the coasters your dd has been on in the past do not. This is a different experience, you'll want to discuss that the sensation of upside is completely different than the others. Personally I find that sensation easier to handle if VERY fast, I think that is why I prefer Hulk to Dragons (also LOVE manta at Sea World, my new FAVE coaster).

 

[zack123]

Oops, forgot about that - I LOVE loops, the more time upside-down the better. I also prefer the inverted coasters, I find they don't slam my head around as much, which is why I think I liked Dragons better. I never close my eyes or scream on roller coasters, even if you are going 70 mph and being dropped 200 feet.

Some of my favorite coasters ever are Batman and Superman at Six Flags Great America, and Sheikra (not inverted, but a very smooth and VERY fast ride) and Montu at Busch Gardens.

Generally, if it's inverted, or if it goes at least 50-60 mph, or if there's a giant drop, or if there are an insane number of loops, I'm in.

 

[bumbershoot]

She can even go on them alone.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Why don't you go onto youtube and check out the rides that way.. you can't really see how high they are but you can get somewhat of an idea on their loops, twists, turns and drops..



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsjdYQJc748
the Hulk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znXRrHHQgd8&feature=fvwrel
Dragon's Challenge

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnaO1VCwNrs&feature=related
Rip Ride n' Rocket

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbFlQer3OOw
The Mummy this one is in the dark.. and hard to see.. but this one your DD can do.. if she can do Disney's coasters...