Roller coaster progression for a 4 year old?

[mkell1]

Hi everyone! My family is heading to WDW in October for the first time (well, it's the first time for my 4 year old - I was there when I was in second grade (what seems like a century ago) and my husband was last there when he was a teenager, also a really long time ago). My 4 year old has been on small kiddie roller coasters and has loved them, but I was hoping someone could provide some good ideas for roller coaster progression to start her out small and slowly build up to see what she can handle (I don't want to jump right into a huge roller coaster and scare her away from trying others). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[1000HappyWishes]

Barnstormer first, that's generally a really good kiddie coaster. However, depending on her height, she may not be able to ride many other rollercoasters (I don't know the average height of a four year old.) However, assuming height is no issue, this is what I would do:

Barnstormer:Nice and easy kiddie coaster.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: It's essentially a jacked up trainride and you can see a lot of it.

Space Mountain: Even though it's enclosed in complete darkness, it's only around 35 MPH and it doesn't have a ton of big drops.

Splash Mountain: The big drop at the end that is clearly visible can be quite daunting.

RnRC and EE: Both big coasters for big kids. I wouldn't even go on either of these.

 

[ali in wonderland]

The Barnstormer, Or the "Goofey Rollercoaster" as my four year old son calls it should be first. My son has been riding it since he was 3 and LOVES IT. After that I would do Splash Mountain. My son did it three times year. We also did Big Thunder Mountain. He liked it, but I was nervous with him on it. Not that I let that stop us. In EPCOT I would do Test Track and and Sorin' not that are roller coasters.

 

[mmdisneylover]

Hi everyone! My family is heading to WDW in October for the first time (well, it's the first time for my 4 year old - I was there when I was in second grade (what seems like a century ago) and my husband was last there when he was a teenager, also a really long time ago). My 4 year old has been on small kiddie roller coasters and has loved them, but I was hoping someone could provide some good ideas for roller coaster progression to start her out small and slowly build up to see what she can handle (I don't want to jump right into a huge roller coaster and scare her away from trying others). Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

Barnstormer them splash mountain then big thunder mountain. I wouldn't put a 4 year old on space mountain since its in the dark and they have to ride alone in there own seat, no way would I put my 4 year o,d on it. He was 6 our last trip and he still didn't ride it which I was glad. Expedition Everest is cool after he or she has rode the others first. Have fun.

 

[kmb584]

I'd go for Barnstormer first so you can get a sense if your 4-year-old is going to be a fan. My 4-year-old refused even BS last April but over Labor Day made me do 6 laps on the Trailblazer at Hersheypark (it's a coaster somewhere between BS and BTMRR). Now she can't wait for BS, BTMRR and Splash (I showed her numerous YouTube videos so she'd be prepared for the drop). At this stage, I wouldn't even consider SM or EE but that's just me!

 

[RedHeadedFairy]

Barnstormer first, that's generally a really good kiddie coaster. However, depending on her height, she may not be able to ride many other rollercoasters (I don't know the average height of a four year old.) However, assuming height is no issue, this is what I would do:

Barnstormer:Nice and easy kiddie coaster.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: It's essentially a jacked up trainride and you can see a lot of it.

Space Mountain: Even though it's enclosed in complete darkness, it's only around 35 MPH and it doesn't have a ton of big drops.

Splash Mountain: The big drop at the end that is clearly visible can be quite daunting.

RnRC and EE: Both big coasters for big kids. I wouldn't even go on either of these.

Agree with this except I'd switch Space & Splash - DD found Splash easier to handle because someone could sit next to her & hold her hand, and really the whole ride is simple & fun until that one last big drop; Space was more intimidating because she had to ride in a seat alone in the dark.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Agree with this except I'd switch Space & Splash

I agree with this. I guess it depends on whether the person is more comfortable with bigger drops or being in the dark.

 

[maplevale]

I am so excited DD just hit 44" and we go in February (she is almost 6). Our last trip she did Barnstormer and LOVED it! Last trip we didn't do BTMR or Splash.... but I think this iis a good order


Barnstormer

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Test Track

Splash Mountain

Space Mountain

RnRC and EE

I took DH on Space Mountain and EE and he freaked Told me he will not take DD on Space so if she wants to go I have to take her!

 

[gincz24]

Our last trip was for my twins 5th birthday. My son loved Ee, but my daughter was upset she wasn't tall enough. We leave Friday and she can't wait to ride space and ee. They will be 6 in December.

I do agree with this order. We did the same progression.

 

[mkell1]

Thanks so much for all of the feedback! I really appreciate it! My daughter is a bit tall for her age at 45 inches, so she shouldn't have an issue with the height for these. I'll have to talk to her about Space Mountain and see if she wants to ride alone in the dark. And I love the idea of showing YouTube videos of Splash Mountain to prepare for the big drop. She can be a little crazy so I think she'll probably love it! October 19th can't come quick enough!!

 

[msmama]

I basically agree with everyone else - Barnstormer first, no question.

I would put test track second because while it goes fast, it's short and a pretty smooth fast ride. My son (5 and a pretty big chicken) tolerated that, he didn't like Big Thunder Mountain.

It'll be awhile before either of us would be comfortable riding Space Mtn because of the individual seats.

If anticipation is a problem then Splash might be a problem. You are in that ride for a LONG time before the last drop. My feel like my son would be a disaster before we got halfway through.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I agree that Goofy should be first, then TM. I really do not consider Splash or TT roller coasters but TT is less intense than Splash for most kids. DS did not like Splash as a preschooler, but he did like BTMR. I choose not to let him ride Space Mountain at that age, and he choose not to try EE. I think R&R height requirement eliminates it for most preschoolers.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Like the others, I'd suggest starting off with the Barnstormer. If that goes well, I'd do Thunder Mtn and Splash Mtn. Splash isn't a roller-coaster, but does have the big drop. Test Track would be another good one. If she's not bothered by heights, Soarin' isn't a big deal. All those are 40" attractions.

Since you said your daughter is 45", then depending on how she does on the others, you can decide on whether to attempt the 44" attractions. My youngest was 44" on a trip just before his 5th birthday and did all of these and liked them. I'd probably try Space Mtn first, even though it's in the dark. It didn't bother my son at all to be sitting by himself (I reached up and touched his shoulder a couple of times during the ride and he took me to task about it when we got off!). He also did Mission Space green side, and we took him on Everest last. I think Everest is the most intense of the 44" rides because of the part that goes backward in the dark. (My son loved it, but he's fearless.)

Somewhere in there, you might want to try Tower of Terror (40") if you don't think the spookiness will bother her. My youngest rode it at 3 and loved it.

 

[amym2]

I am so excited DD just hit 44" and we go in February (she is almost 6). Our last trip she did Barnstormer and LOVED it! Last trip we didn't do BTMR or Splash.... but I think this iis a good order


Barnstormer

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Test Track

Splash Mountain

Space Mountain

RnRC and EE

I took DH on Space Mountain and EE and he freaked Told me he will not take DD on Space so if she wants to go I have to take her!

RNRC has a 48" min so she won't be able to ride. I wouldn't let our kids ride it until they were 8, but now it's their favorite (at 11 and 9).