Minimum age for rides?

[momto2dkids]

We (DH, myself, DD-10, DS-6, our DD-just 2 and DM) will be taking a magical trip to the Disneyland Resort in September. My youngest DD will have just turned 2 (within a week) when we go and I have what is probably a silly question.

Is there a minimum age to ride the children's rides, like the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Alice in Wonderland? I know Disney's website lists these rides as good for families with toddlers, but what does Disney consider as a 'toddler'?

My youngest has just started (within the last month) riding some of the really small rides at our nearby amusement parks and absolutely LOVES them, so I want to be prepared if she won't be able to ride any rides at Disneyland when we go.

I know it is Disneyland and Disney is all about fun for kids of all ages, but I also realize and appreciate the need for different age, height and weight requirements to keep everyone safe.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Anything without a height requirement is fair game

BUT I would take caution on the scarier rides ie Snow White/Pirates/Mansion just for freight value...

-em

 

[ralfrick]

Pirates, HM, all dark rides, Storybookland, Mark Twain, Dumbo and Teacups were all ridden by my boy at age 2.

Cheers.

 

[crazymomof 4]

Child #3 turned 2 when we wrer there last year and he rode the Matterhorn and basically everything in Fantasyland, POTC, HM( prepare him for the scary beginning though), Pooh, I can't even remember how many to tell you the truth. Your child should be fine to do most of these things.

 

[momto2dkids]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. That is great news! We can't wait to see her face and all the magic that will be expressed there!!!

(Haunted Mansion shouldn't be an issue since I think it will be closed when we are there so they can get it ready for Halloween.)

God bless all the children and their ability to see the magic in everything !!

 

[LucyKate]

There are no age restrictions on any rides at Disneyland - just height restrictions (which sort of amount to the same thing).

But none apply to any of the rides you mention.

We actually found it better NOT to warn our chidlren. The one time we did the younger one got so scraed she kept her eyes shut the entire time on Snow White (which wasn't scary at all) so we had to ride it again and she loved it.

I doubt a child would have any problems with Snow White, Toad, Peter Pan, Pinocchio or Alice. The Mad Hatter (spinning tea cups) is also fine because it's up to you how much they spin, and Dumbo is a must do. Canal boats and Small World are also entirely risk free. Pooh is another they should have no problem with.

Our kids are very easily scared and can get nightmares from the most innocent stories, but they had no problems with Haunted Mansion or Pirates. However, the 3D rides proved a little too intense and I would not risk a 2yo in Bugs life (very scary spiders) or Honey I Shrunk the kids (very scary snake).

The height restrictions will stop the 2YO from doing Splash, Grizzly, Soarin, Indiana, Big Thunder etc even if you did want to attempt these.

 

[CalGal]

My DS was 20 months the first time I took him to DL. He was fearless and did just about everything except HM (although I think he would have been OK with that as well) and the big thrill rides that have restrictions. Matterhorn used to have a restriction of 3 years, now it is based on height like most of the other "thrill" rides.

 

[MateasMom]

My kids were always fine in the 'dark' rides, but I've seen kids FREAK I'd do some 'outdoor' rides (Dumbo, Casey, Story) and then try Small World to give a little preview of the 'indoor' rides. Also, the Flicks Fun Fair rides are great for little ones.....but don't let them see tuck and roll because they can't ride!

 

[thumbellina1]

There was that 4 yr. old who tragically died on Mission Space. Just because height requirements are met may not mean ride is appropriate for your precious one.

 

[raidermatt]

Thumbellina, your point is a good one, however, the OP was asking about Fantasyland dark rides, which do not subject the body to abnormal stresses.

My son was just turning two on his first trip to WDW. He did not freak out on any ride, however, he often would bury his head in our shoulders for the "dark rides". I think it was a combination of the relative darkness and the general noise level. Of the FL rides, he did react best to Pooh on that trip.

I would just be prepared for the possibility that your youngest daughter might not enjoy the rides as much as you hope. She might, but then again she might not.

Also, remember to keep an arm around her at all times. The restraints on those rides are not enough to prevent a little one from getting out of the vehicle if they chose to. Especially since most are lap bars and will be sitting higher because of the adult's bigger legs. Just keep an arm around her and that won't be a problem even if she gets a little spooked.

For what its worth, we went to DL when my son was a month short of 3 and he did fine on everything he rode. In fact, the Tea Cups were just about his favorite (with no supplemental spinning).

 

[momto2dkids]

Yes, I was asking about any of the rides Disney lists as ok for toddlers, whether indoor/dark or outside ones like Dumbo or the Teacups. I was thinking she would be allowed, but wanted to ask the experts here just in case I was wrong.

She has been on one 'dark' ride before (Cave Train Adventures in Santa Cruz) and loved it, however I realise that each ride is different so we will see. I think she will really LOVE the Pooh ride since her room is decorated in classic Pooh so she has been sleeping surrrounded by him all her life, but then again she might surprise me and not like it at all .

raidermatt-
My DH is super protective, so believe me, he will be holding her tight!! I will need to be there just to remind him to let her breathe every now and then .
When our oldest DD11 asked excitedly if she ride alone in some of the rides with her little sister (she really loves being the oldest), we had to emphatically explain that while she might be able to ride along with her sister on some rides, that one of us (Mom/Dad) would always be riding with DD2 for 1.safety and 2.comfort reasons. She was disappointed (she thought she was 'old enough' to handle her alone) but in light of the death this week at WDW she has realised that having Mom/Dad there is a must.

Thanks to all of you. I am getting more and more excited each day.

 

[Tink33]

Maybe DD11 could take DD2 into the water areas while you sit and watch. It will make her feel grown up and your won't have to get wet.

 

[momto2dkids]

Tink33-

That is a great idea! They would both love to have that 'sister' time together.

Holding her hand and showing her through Minnie's house would also make older DD feel like a special 'BIG SIS'.

 

[Zoemakes5]

We took our DS1 to WDW at 16 mo, DS2 to DL at 6 mo (and his brother was 2.5), and Zoe to WDW when she was 13 mo. They all loved it! I tell parents it's simply a different experience. Our DS1 didn't like to "hurry" to anything, but loved looking at the flowers (frankly it had been years since I even noticed them!) He slept through almost all of the indoor rides. The cool and dark and he was out! EXCEPT for small world-that was a huge hit. And the merry go round. There are quite a few rides the kids really enjoyed at those young ages. Almost anything in Fantasyland for sure. The rockets and people mover in tomorrowland. The 360 movies. Tom Sawyer's island. The trains. Jungle Book. Tiki Birds was a big hit with the little ones. Even the horse drawn carriage from Main Street was a thriller! (Some of these things may not be there any longer, but they enjoyed them at the time!) They also liked the parades. Mine didn't like the 3D stuff either at that age. Frankly, the older ones are just now showing an interest.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[raidermatt]

She has been on one 'dark' ride before (Cave Train Adventures in Santa Cruz) and loved it...

Hey, we've actually been on that.... twice.

Its fun in a cheezy kind of way, but it does make you appreciate rides like HM and Peter Pan even more!