I go on this often with my 4 year old, yes you need the kid, who usually rides in the front. The main reason for the kid requirement is how painfully slow loading this ride is. It's fairy short, but a fun little ride, the swinging left and right catches people off guard sometimes, though.
They will sometimes (very) temporarily lift the kid requirement if the park is absolutely dead (I.e. Bad weather days), or if you head there first thing after open.