Question about waiting for rides

[seagodess]

As has already been mentioned, if the 5 year old isn't tall enough, they won't be able to enter the line, even if she doesn't plan to ride.

I dont understand this. How are CM's even know she is in line until they get to the front of it where they are?

 

[Malcon10t]

I dont understand this. How are CM's even know she is in line until they get to the front of it where they are?

There are CMs positioned at the start point of the lines to answer questions and check the height of children entering the line. For example, if you walk to the entry point of the line for Space Mountain, there will be 2-3 CMs there pointing which way to go for FP, for FP distribution, and to the stand by line. If the child is not tall enough, they would be screened out at this point.

 

[Nonsuch]

...do those who regularly visit have any suggestions on what we can do to make sure Miss 12 gets to go on the rides she wants while still keeping Miss 5 supervised.

A couple options to consider:

If you are staying onsite, Pinocchio's Workshop is licensed daycare at the Grand Californian. DD5 (DIS board shorthand for Disney Daughter 5 years old) could stay in the Workshop for part of the day while you and DD12 do the thrill rides.

VIP tour guides are available, and although rather expensive your family will stay together all day. Your guide can stay with DD5 while you and DD12 ride.
This would be the optimal solution, if your budget allows.
MousePlanet article on VIP tours (prices are now higher than shown in the article)
Official Disneyland information on VIP tours

 

[thankudrivethru]

Hi, I have been planning a once in a lifetime trip to Disneyland, for myself and my 2 children. I was going to have a friend come with us, so when Miss 12 wanted to go on something that Miss 5 is too short for, Miss 12 would have someone with her in the line. However that person has pulled out.

Now I know I can do everything else myself but my one concern is can we (myself and Miss 5) line up with Miss 12 so she is not in line by herself get her on the ride and then pick her up at the end. I emailed Disney Guest services and they said she could get a single rider pass but that would mean she is still in the line by herself, in a different country where we don't know anyone.

Or do those who regularly visit have any suggestions on what we can do to make sure Miss 12 gets to go on the rides she wants while still keeping Miss 5 supervised.

thanks

of course, i don't see why not! As long as she is tall enough to ride the attraction!

 

[LisaT91403]

My son is vertically challenged as well, and he is 5 years old. The only ride at DL that he is too short for is Indy. The only ride he is too short for at DCA is Screamin'. So it might only be 2 rides in total that you would have an issue with, which doesn't seem bad to me.

What is your child's height? If we knew that, we could probably advise which ride(s) would be an issue, and make ride-specific suggestions.

 

[SingWithFlowers]

A couple options to consider:

If you are staying onsite, Pinocchio's Workshop is licensed daycare at the Grand Californian. DD5 (DIS board shorthand for Disney Daughter 5 years old) could stay in the Workshop for part of the day while you and DD12 do the thrill rides.

VIP tour guides are available, and although rather expensive your family will stay together all day. Your guide can stay with DD5 while you and DD12 ride.
This would be the optimal solution, if your budget allows.
MousePlanet article on VIP tours (prices are now higher than shown in the article)
Official Disneyland information on VIP tours

I would suggest Pinocchio's Workshop too. I actually went in there when I was a kid.

Other than that I think a 12 year old could handle being in line alone for the "thrill" rides. Just wait for her in the gift shop/ at the exit.

 

[Tamara NZ]

My son is vertically challenged as well, and he is 5 years old. The only ride at DL that he is too short for is Indy. The only ride he is too short for at DCA is Screamin'. So it might only be 2 rides in total that you would have an issue with, which doesn't seem bad to me.

What is your child's height? If we knew that, we could probably advise which ride(s) would be an issue, and make ride-specific suggestions.

my daughter is 102cm which works to be just over 40 inches. So she wont be allowed on Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones, and California Screaming.

The Grizzly River Run she wont want to do anyway because she doesnt like water in her face, and although it will be your winter, the temps are close to our summer so the cold water wont actually bother us.

 

[LisaT91403]

my daughter is 102cm which works to be just over 40 inches. So she wont be allowed on Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones, and California Screaming.

The Grizzly River Run she wont want to do anyway because she doesnt like water in her face, and although it will be your winter, the temps are close to our summer so the cold water wont actually bother us.

Is that with her shoes on? Regular shoes added about an inch to my son's height. If you add that, she might be close to 42" by the time you arrive...and then she could go on Goofy's Sky School. It's really fun for that age group!

 

[Malcon10t]

If you are staying onsite, Pinocchio's Workshop is licensed daycare at the Grand Californian. DD5 (DIS board shorthand for Disney Daughter 5 years old) could stay in the Workshop for part of the day while you and DD12 do the thrill rides.

Pinnochio's Workshop is open from 5pm to midnight.

 

[Susie63]

Our trips might be at the same time. My daughter would be happy to go through the lines with her. Once she has gone through once she might be comfortable on her own. We are there for 12 days so we have no schedule.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

my daughter is 102cm which works to be just over 40 inches. So she wont be allowed on Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones, and California Screaming.

The Grizzly River Run she wont want to do anyway because she doesnt like water in her face, and although it will be your winter, the temps are close to our summer so the cold water wont actually bother us.

So it's not too many rides. Goofy's Sky School shouldn't be a problem. If the single rider line is open, that is a relatively short wait. There's a special gate the person goes through to join the line. If single rider isn't open, then getting a fastpass will speed things up. It's also possible you will be there for the ride at a time when the line isn't long, and there's only a 10-15 minute wait. In any case, with Goofy's Sky School you can see the queue at all times when standing outside of it. You and your daughter can wave to each other when she's in line if that will make her and you more comfortable. My boys have gone on Goofy's Sky School together and separately for some time now, and they are 12 and 13.

The way to go with Screamin' is single rider. It will be the quickest way to do the ride. Screamin' is also an outdoor queue, but you can't see every part of the line easily from one vantage. If she does single rider, you can watch her enter the queue and get waved up the stairs. Then you can walk around to the side of the queue while your daughter is briefly out of sight. You will be able to see her come down the second set of steps on the final approach to the ride and board. So, yes, she will be out of sight some, and I would suggest waiting to do this one until Goofy's has been tried so that you and she can decide how comfortable you are feeling.

For GRR single rider is again the way to go. You will not see your daughter once she enters the queue. As a single rider though, she will bypass most of the line. I think on that one she gets the single rider pass from a CM then goes up the ride's exit stairs. She will most likely not wait all that long to board and ride.

I think the single rider for Indy is also through the exit. You and and your younger daughter can probably even accompany your older daughter through the exit part of the way so that you can see that she makes it to the appropriate CM and gets told where to go.

 

[Tamara NZ]

Our trips might be at the same time. My daughter would be happy to go through the lines with her. Once she has gone through once she might be comfortable on her own. We are there for 12 days so we have no schedule.

I am hoping to leave NZ on January 16th, and funnily enough arriving in LA on January 16th before we have even left NZ We will stay 2 weeks, and want to do Disneyland of course but also Knotts, Seaworld, San Diego Zoo and Universal.

This will be a huge trip for us, we were homebodies until last year when Miss 11 was granted a wish through Make a Wish and asked to go to the theme parks in Australia and that was our first overseas trip. Now I have the travel bug and Disneyland is our first choice of travel distinations.

I am currently waiting on the school start of year return dates, and to make sure I will haev saved enough $$$ and then we can start booking flights.

Will keep you in mind and let you know Susie63 then if your daughter is still willing to help that will be great. Thank you

 

[Tamara NZ]

wonderful information thanks