Question on a few rides for small children

[Minnie824]

I was just wondering whether my DDs could/should go on a few rides. They will be 4 and 1.5 yrs when we go.
1) Spaceship Earth - I love this ride. One of my favorites, but I'm wondering if it will be too dark for DDs, and if it is, the ride is pretty long that we'd be stuck.
2) Living with the Land - another one that I like, but wondering if they'd be bored on it?
3) Soarin - will DD4 be able to ride? She is 40" tall already
4) Maelstrom - for either of them? Not sure if polar bear area, and going backwards is scary for them
5) Kali River Rapids - can DD4 go on this?
6) Kilimanjaro Safaris - can DD1.5 go on this?

Thanks!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I can only help with a few of the rides you listed, but when we went last year my DD was 2.5, she rode Spaceship Earth (I distracted her with glow in the dark bracelets and she was fine), Maelstrom she was fine on (we told her when the drop was coming and laughed a lot to show her we were having fun), and she went on Kilimanjaro Safari and was fine on that.

I know every child is different, but mine has always been very shy and timid. Hope that helps a little.

 

[bartleby1]

Well, of course all kids are different and they all go through stages. I'll tell you my experiences with my two.

Spaceship Earth - My kids did fine on this one because we talked about all the things they were seeing. DD went on at 18 mths, 3-1/2 yr, and 4-1/2 yr. She was a bit afraid of the dark on the 3-1/2 yr visit but seemed to be ok on it - not thrilled, but ok. She liked the part where they are making paper for some reason. DS went on at 14 mths and 2 yr and was fine both times. I would take them on some other dark rides first to see how they do (like peter pan, which is tame but still dark)

The Land - My kids both liked on all visits except for my DD on the 3-1/2 yr visit. She was afraid of the lightening scene. I didn't even think about or remember there being a lightening scene, but there is. Otherwise, they were very interested in the different plants.

Soarin - we haven't been on yet but I'm hoping DS makes the height requirement in August. He is 1/4 inch too short right now without shoes. He is 3 years old so I see no reason why your 4 year old can't go on it.

Maelstom - We took DD on at 18 months because I didn't remember what the ride was like. She made it through but wasn't too happy about it. We haven't taken her on it since. Up until this year, she scared easily. The trolls were too much for her.

Kali River Rapids - DD liked this one. We're hoping DS makes the height requirement.

Kilimanjaro Safaris - My two both liked this one on all of our trips and even my 8 month old will be going on in August.

HTH! The best thing to do with the little ones is to start off with the tamest rides and work your way up. Last year, DS was terrified of the 3-D movies (he was 2 yrs old). DD was afraid of her own shadow on her 3-1/2 yr trip. We even had to leave the clyde and seymor show at seaworld because the animal trainer was dressed like a pirate and she was afraid. She was also terrified of anything with fake smoke. She loved roller coasters though. You never know what is going to get to them!

 

[Dizneydaz]

My DD is almost 6. (We'll be celebrating her b-day this year at WDW) She is small for her age. She's now almost 42" and about 36 lbs. She has only recently decided she likes the more active rides. Last January (She was 5.33 yrs) she rode Test Track and loved it! She started to get a little nervous while waiting but I kept reminding her that she could decide not to go, at any time, as long as the ride hadn't started. We looked at all the things in the line. I also told her what to expect-especially when it looks like you're going to run head on into a semi. We rode TT several times that trip-it's one of her favs.

Also a fav is Soaring. She's ridden it many times now at DLand. She rode it as soon as she meet the height limit (5-4-2004, my screen saver pix). Once again I explained the ride to hear ahead of time. We ride it every time we go now. Don't miss soaring even if you do the baby switch thing.

Kali River Rapids-she rode last Sept.(5 yrs) for first time. She was tall enough (about 40") with the special attachment they have on the ride. She also loves this ride! She loves getting wet! She rode it 3 times in a row (no lines). She rode first 2 times with poncho on, the last time, no poncho! She had a blast!

Safari Ride-(first ride 2 3/4 yrs.)This is one of my favs and since me daughter loves animals, especially lions, I never worried that she would be scared on it. She's not, she likes it alot. Just let your young ones know that the ride can be jerky and rough and that Little Red will be fine.

Malestorm-s(first ride 3 1/2)he likes this now. I didn't let ker go until she was about 3 1/2. She likes the backwards part and the gnomes. It is dark, however, so it depends on how your kids handle it.

Spaceship Earth-For some reason she has always liked this ride.

Living with the Land-She enjoys the boat ride but is bored by the plants. She liked the fish tanks.

I've learned (the hard way) that the best way for her to enjoy a new ride is for me to explain, in great detail, what happens on the ride. Last Jan. she finally decided to ride Tower of Terror. While she said she enjoyed the ride, her first comment was "you didn't tell me my butt would lift off the seat!" I'm not sure when she'll ride again, but at least she didn't cry when she got off. Once at Univeral on the Back to the Future ride (she was 4 1/2) I had to console during the entire ride while she kept saying "I want to get off!" She was fine after, however, I still feel guilty for that one.

Over the years, we have exited many rides at the last possible moment. Matterhorn (DL), ToT, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and assorted roller coasters. I've never forced her to ride and if she decides not to I don't make her feel bad about it. She now enjoys all the above rides (well, maybe not ToT, at least not yet)

This next trip, now that she's, as she puts it, "A roller coaster girl" I'm going to see if she'll ride the mountains (assuming she's tall enough). Space, Thunder, and Splash, here we come.

Ultimately, you are the best judge of what your kids can handle. But, even if you do make a mistake and they hate a ride, don't beat yourself up. They recover faster than we do! Have a great time.

58 days and counting