"Kiddy" rides question

[LookingforMyPrince]

My 5YO has some anxiety issues and refuses to ride ANY rides (even the little kiddy rides at the carnival) unless me or my husband go with him. I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid and can't remember - can parents go on most of the little kid rides with their kids? There's no point in us taking him if he has to go alone... I know he won't do it.

 

[tiggersbombed2]

Parents can go on any ride in WDW with their children, or without even .

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I feel for the poor guy. Those kiddie rides at Carnivals give me anxiety.

Yes--you can ride ALL the "kiddie" rides at Disney with your child. In fact, adults traveling without children ride them all of the time. (well, maybe not Dumbo--but maybe they do? ).

If he has anxiety, I would be upfront and honest about what you know about rides. I.e. Splash mountain and what will happen. I would guess that he fears the unknown or anything sudden. So over on the theme parks board, you can get a run down of the rides and what to expect to help alleviate his anxiety and he can choose what he will and will not try with you.

I will say that my sister and I finally got my brother onto Splash Mountain when he was around 10-12. And we sent him into hyperventilation. We really thought he was just being wimpy. We soon discovered that he really does fear certain aspects about rides. He does ride it now as an adult just fine. But as a kid, he knew that if his mom would go on it, then the ride was safe for him. So he road Thunder Mountain all of the time. He wouldn't go on Splash Mountain b/c she wouldn't. I feel bad that my sister and I gave him such a hard time.

 

[ChrisFL]

My 5YO has some anxiety issues and refuses to ride ANY rides (even the little kiddy rides at the carnival) unless me or my husband go with him. I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid and can't remember - can parents go on most of the little kid rides with their kids? There's no point in us taking him if he has to go alone... I know he won't do it.

Yes, that's the reason why Disney World and Disneyland exist in the first place, so the children and adults can ride attractions together as a family

 

[tiggersbombed2]

Rode Dumbo for the first time last visit.

 

[minkydog]

My oldest was like this too, very anxious about riding any ries. I didn't push it--after all, it's not a requirement for life. I never pushed him to ride the big stuff. Heck, I don't like some of the bigger rides. In time, DS got brave and tried a few. He's 24 now and he goes on all the big coasters, the scarier the better. But when he was 5, no way, not even the baby stuff. We have a video of him and DH on Dumbo--riding in the down position the whole time. He was afraid to fly.

 

[laurie31]

I actually think it's required that a parent ride with a child under 7, but it's been awhile since mine were that young, so that rule could have changed (or not be well-enforced).

I do vividly remember BEGGING the CM to let me off the teacups after the 7th ride. (the girls are 5 and 7 in my siggy pic, and at that time the 7 year old could ride alone, but not the 5 year old). We were at MNSSHP quite late and there was no line at all for that ride. We rode it over and over without even having to get out of our teacup.

I think when she saw that A- that my kids had just done it 7 times in a row without problems and B - that an 8th trip on my part might mean a gross job on her part, she gladly let me get out!

So, anyway, not only will your DS not be expected to ride alone, I'm not sure it's even allowed. Y'all will have a great time riding with him.

Mine loved the Aladdin ride at that age, because I pretended to be really grossed out by the "camel spit" (although in reality it was hot and being sprayed with water was nice) but DD5 thought it was hilarious. I have a precious video of her laughing so hard (at me) on that ride.

 

[disneychrista]

At 5yo your daughter can not ride ANY of the rides at WDW by herself.

 

[LookingforMyPrince]

THANK YOU everyone! That makes me so much more excited about taking him. I think he'll have a blast as long as he can stay with us. Really appreciate the info. now I just have to convince my husband it's worth the money!