Questions about Riding with a 4 year old.

[MattIL]

My son who will just have turned 4 when we visit WDW in late March/April is 41 inches tall at this time. Because of this he is tall enough to meet the height limits for many of the rides in the parks. He does enjoy Roller Coasters (Mickey's Barnstormer and other children's coasters) and fast rides.

I was wondering about people's experiences with rides such as Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain,Test Track, and Star Tours since he meets their requirments. I think he might enjoy them but I am looking for advice from people who have ridden these with comparable sized and age children.

Thanks for the help in advance.

 

[BlindTyldak]

My daughter was four when we went, and while she didn't do the big coasters, she went on and LOVED Star Tours (and the Barnstormer, but you mentioned you've passed that test). I do suggest making sure that he is familiar with Star Wars: A New Hope before going, as being familiar with what you're seeing is definitely a HUGE help. My daughter is a SW fanatic and was yelling how cool it was "to do the trench run in an X-Wing" like a pro.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

My VERY tall DD was tall enough at age 3 to ride Splash Mountain and she loved it! Her face on the drop was hysterical...we had to buy the picture. She also loved Soarin' at Epcot...when we got off she thought we had really been over the ocean! She loved Barnstormer, but we did not do Star Tours or Big Thunder. Good luck & have a great time!

 

[Honeybehr1]

My son was turned 4 in Oct and we went in Jan and he hated BTMRR. Kind of spoiled the rest of the day.

 

[Soprano]

I will be seeing what DS 3.5 and DD 4.5 want to try out. DD is convinced she wants to try ToT, but I think she will chicken out once she's inside the building. Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain,Test Track, and Star Tours are on the try it list, but there won't be any pressure from us. Either me or DW can ride the attraction alone if thats the case. Not as much fun, but making a child go on a ride you think they will like is a grey area and could have a negative effect on their/your day

Big Thunder Mountain seems a good place to start. If they don't like that, I will not try any more in MK. Star Tours should be okay, and will pick Soarin' as the first EPCOT ride.

I agree with poster who said let them watch the movie first. We're going through our Back to the Future dvds again so they'll get more out of them at Universal. Will stick Indiana Jones, Star Wars, ET, among others before we arrive next week.

 

[Merriwind]

DD8 hit the 40" mark at not quite 3. That trip we tried Splash Mountain. It was fine, but not a huge hit. At three, she rode--and loved--BTMRR and Splash. BTMRR was her favorite until last year at age 7 when I took her on Space. Now, she is a Space Mountain junkie. I waited so long for Space because everyone sits by themselves in Space and it is several minutes long and very dark. If she was scared, I worried that sitting by herself would really terrorize her. I probably waited longer than most for Space, but it worked for us. Star Tours I think she first rode at age 5. She has loved it from minute one. It's not really that dark or intense or scary--at least in our experience. Test Track she has ridden since age 3 or 4 and loves it--she is a speed demon. I did spoil the "crash test" for her because I thought that thinking we were about to slam into a wall would scare her. She loves the outside part the best.

I really think that the Barnstormer is the most coaster in MK. If he can ride that, I would think that he could ride BTMRR and Splash. Splash can be very intimidating-looking however, since you can see the big drop from outside. Our motto is not to push. Hope you all have a great time!

 

[Mickey Fliers]

My youngest DS was 40 inches on our trip in December and he had just turned 3. We tried Splash, TT, Soarin, and Star Tours. He was fine with everything, but absolutely LOVED TT. He kept saying he wanted to go on the "car ride" again. We will try BTMRR in 36 days .

 

[RF536]

We took DS4 and DS barely 3 in Dec. and they both loved all of the rides they could go on. DS3 was just 40 inches and rode Splash Mountain, BTMRR, Star Tours, TOT, TT, Soaring and Dinosaur. Before each ride we explained to them what it was and what would happen, then we let the boys decide if they wanted to ride that ride. One thing to note, hold on to your son on BTMRR, even DS4 slid around quite a bit in the seat.

Since you know your son loves roller costers, he should be ok on the rides you are questioning. The only one that might be iffy is Star Tours, since that is a different type of ride than your typical roller coaster and can be quite loud.

 

[MareQ]

DD was 4 and oldest DS was 7 on our last trip. They are 40" and 43" (IE - VERY SMALL - lol DS also has sensitivity issues) They rode on TOT, Splash Mountain, BTMRR, Soarin, Barnstormer and Kali River Rapids(and all the otther famiily rides too)

DD was the one that did TOT we didn't allow DS to ride, she did well but there's no way she would have gone for a 2nd ride. They LOVED BTMRR, Barnstormer and especially loved Soarin - they liked Splash Mountain but didn't like getting wet and for that reason they HATED Kali River Rapids

 

[lauritagoddess]

I'm wondering about this too. My DS has never been that adventurous with rides. Last year at a couple of different parks, not Disney, he didn't want to try the kiddie coasters. But he's seen DVDs of the WDW and he can't wait to ride most of the rides. He's insisting he wants to ride Space Mountain and ToT. I doubt we'll try those, but I figure we'll do the Fantasyland rides first, then try Goofy's Barnstormer and if he's okay with that we'll try some of the bigger rides. But if he changes his mind that's fine.

 

[turnlisa]

Just got back from WDW and am still asking, "Who is this child?" My youngest is 4 and was finally tall enough this year to ride the scary rides. I hate roller coasters so loved the fact that I had a reason not to get on. His favorite rides this time were Splash Mountain, BTMRR, -- and ToT! If he had been tall enough for EE, he would have been on it. Kids always surprise me. My oldest doesn't like the faster rides but proclaimed EE the best this time! Oh well, my excuse is now gone and I was forced to ride them too. We did show my DS the drops, etc. explained that things went fast. I think telling your kids what to expect definitely helps.

 

[Punkin's Mom]

My 43" tall 4 year old loved Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. We rode them over and over again. She also loved Soarin' (as did I). I tried to keep away from rides that were spooky like Tower of Terror or Haunted Mansion because I was pretty sure she wouldn't like that.

 

[Amyality]

My son who will just have turned 4 when we visit WDW in late March/April is 41 inches tall at this time. Because of this he is tall enough to meet the height limits for many of the rides in the parks. He does enjoy Roller Coasters (Mickey's Barnstormer and other children's coasters) and fast rides.

I was wondering about people's experiences with rides such as Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain,Test Track, and Star Tours since he meets their requirments. I think he might enjoy them but I am looking for advice from people who have ridden these with comparable sized and age children.

Thanks for the help in advance.

My son went the month before his 4th birthday and he loved all the rides you mentioned. I should tell you he is a rough, tough, rumbly-tmbly extroverted wild child. If your guy likes Goofy's Barnstormer and fast rides he'll love Disneys faster rides. They are still pretty tame~ Have a wonderful trip. Be sure to make some priority seatings if you have not already. This is IMPORTANT!

 

[ImaDizneyNut]

my son loves rides
as soon as he met the height requirments he went on goofys barnstormers, soarin, test track, splash mountain, BTMRR, dinosaur and tower of terror. my son is 4 and LOVES rides he will try anything

the rides I will not let him on are stars tours and mission space since I nor hubby will ride them we get sick. yet we ride tot about 10 times each trip. very weird lol

 

[THEDISFANS]

Let him try we took our goddaughter last oct, she had just turned 5 she loved everything she rode except Haunted Mansion. But BTMR and Splash Mountain a million times.

 

[MattIL]

Thank you for the great feedback. I really appreciate the stories that all of you have shared about your own trips. The suggestions about using the movies (when possible) to help prepare him will be used. As someone who loves these types of rides I'm looking forward to enjoying them with my son and just didn't want to force the issue.

Thank you again for the help.

 

[lorli]

DD loved Splash Mountain first time she could ride but didn't like it so well the next time. She tried BTMRR and said loved it but would not go back on. Let your son decide but let him feel safe enough to back out. We did that for ToT and DD backed out just before the elevator and all was good.

 

[LaLa]

Went with DD4 in October and she was able to ride lots. Her faves are def Thunder Mtn and Test Track. Also loved Barnstormer and Soarin.