rides for 3.5 year old

[crazy4disney01]

I know this may sound like a goofy question but here it goes...

We are going to WDW in Septmeber and this will be our 3rd time with our 3.5 year old DD who is now 40 inches tall. I noticed that according to the height restrictions she is going to be able to ride a lot more rides this year like Splash Mountain, Goofy's Barnstormer (I think), and others. Do I encourage her to ride? I really would love for her to experience some of these rides because they are just great rides but I don't want her to get on the rides and then freak out (since you can't just stop and get off) and she is sort of skiddish about the Haunted Mansion ("I don't want to go in that Spooky House") for example.
Another thing is that if we are standing in line for a ride she may not know exactly what the ride is and if I explain it to her she would probally just not even consider it.

I know it may sound like I am trying to plan or think about things too much but I would love for her to experience many of these great rides but not be scared and screaming her head off.

Thanks for your input!

 

[HappyMommy2]

Hi! We have two small kids and have faced those same questions.

The Barnstormer is a really good one to start with. The child can see the whole ride before getting on. The adult can sit right next to the child in the ride vehicle. And then once the ride starts it is over quick as a wink (really, like 30 seconds) so if the child does get on and then regrets it, it won't be too traumatic!
When our oldest was 3.5 on our first trip, we started out on Dumbo, then did Pirates of the Caribbean (drop at the beginning), then Barnstormer, and then he was ready for just about everything--did Splash 3 times, Thunder Mountain 3 times, etc.!

My youngest has hit 40" now, just in time for our upcoming trip, and we'll probably do the same with him. However he is much more timid in many ways than older DS so I don't know if he will get beyond Barnstormer (which he was tall enough for last year but didn't want to ride)--it really depends on the kid!

edited to add--at 3.5, my older son was telling me, "Mommy, PUHLEEZE don't scream!" all through the rollercoasters!

 

[becca011906]

My dd just turned 3 in june and we are going down in a few weeks and she is wavering at 40 inches. hits it for sure with her shoes on, but we'll see. I plan on letting her ride what ever she is tall enough for... At the canvial this summer she was so upset that i wouldn't let her ride the thing that spins and sticks you to the sides and turns up on it's sides... well sure enough i took her up on it and she LOVED it, all the rides she love, scramebler, ect. so i figure may as well let her ride all that she is big enough for!
Ds on the other had was 42 inches when we went last spring and dh only took him on dinasour, thunder mountain, rapids, and that was about it... this time however i'm not longer pregant and love thrill rides so i'll be taking him on everything that i take his little sisiter on.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

I have yet to take my ds to WDW, but he has been to DL twice. The first time at 18 months then last summer at 2.5 years old. Last year he loved, Peter Pans Ride, Toad Wild Ride, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Pooh, The Story Book Boat Ride, as well as Autotopia. I can't wait for our WDW trip next July now that he will be able to go on some bigger and better rides!!!