Siblings 6 and 9 riding together on rides

[surfmontana]

I looked at the height requirements on all the rides in DLR and DCA and thought this would be the perfect time for our first trip as my DD (6 yo) is 44'' and my DS (9 yo) is 56'' tall.

What I did not appreciate before I started booking this trip was that although they both may be tall enough to ride most rides, they cannot ride together because she is under 7 and he is under 14.

I plan on going on all the rides, but I was hoping my children could sit together and we would not always have ride one parent and one child on two seat rides.

Will they ask my DD her age? She will only be two months shy of 7 when we go, but I would never have her lie.

This is sort of bumming me out

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

They may ask her age. It'll depend on the ride if they'll let them ride together, but you could be okay since you are all riding at the same time. The ones that would be issues are things like Dumbo or Autopia where you aren't in the same ride vehicle, therefore you cannot supervise them. You'll probably be okay on things like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain since you are on the same train. You may or may not be okay on Buzz and Toy Story, depending on the CM at loading.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...

Will they ask my DD her age? She will only be two months shy of 7 when we go, but I would never have her lie.

This is sort of bumming me out

Don't let it bum you out. They may ask, they may not. It just depends upon whether they think she's under seven when she walks by. If they DO ask, you may not be able to have them ride together, but you will all be at Disneyland together, enjoying the magic --- and that's certainly nothing to get bummed out about.

Also, I just wanted to say, "Kudos" to you for not considering having her lie.

- Dreams

P.S. Welcome to DIS!

 

[surfmontana]

Thank you for the reply 3Minnies1Mickey!

you will all be at Disneyland together, enjoying the magic --- and that's certainly nothing to get bummed out about.

Also, I just wanted to say, "Kudos" to you for not considering having her lie.

- Dreams

P.S. Welcome to DIS!

Thank you for the perspective, assurance, and welcome Disney Dreams!

I AM super excited. I'm sure it will be fine. I just can't believe I missed such an important piece of info.

Had I known they could not ride together, I would have waited until she turned 7for our first major trip.

On the rides for the littlest ones, I won't ask her to lie, but if they don't ask, I won't tell

 

[DisneyMomma81]

For my kids at those ages that would've been 2009, the 3 of us visited DLR several times that year + WDW *gramma was with us then. Some rides the 3 of us fit, Big Thunder for sure; others my kids would ride together and I behind them, or DD and I side by side with DS in front of us.

 

[juliamollymama]

My DD's are 6 and 9 and go on rides together most of the time. They mostly ride together on FL stuff and have sat together on SM and BTMRR with me right behind them. They LOVE going on rides together and when the ride FL stuff I send them first, get in right behind and they wait at the exits for me. They feel like big kids and I feel pretty safe letting them do this at DL. We had friends visit last year who have 2 DS's, who are both one year older then my DD's repsectively, and they had a blast being "big kids" and getting on rides together! Have fun on your trip!

 

[surfmontana]

The policy change sometime last year at DLR and now reads:

'Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older'

The old policy only had a height restriction on the accompanying person, not the 14 years or older

I am completely comfortable with them riding together, and this is what I envisioned. Riding with them on some rides and letting them ride together on others. Now it looks like I will have to always ride with my DD who is just shy of 7

 

[surfmontana]

My DD's are 6 and 9 and go on rides together most of the time. They mostly ride together on FL stuff and have sat together on SM and BTMRR with me right behind them. They LOVE going on rides together and when the ride FL stuff I send them first, get in right behind and they wait at the exits for me. They feel like big kids and I feel pretty safe letting them do this at DL. We had friends visit last year who have 2 DS's, who are both one year older then my DD's repsectively, and they had a blast being "big kids" and getting on rides together! Have fun on your trip!

Have they done this recently??? I think the policy changed summer 2011

 

[Jkpark]

I have DD4 and DD6. They ride together on TSMM (and have for years). I just make sure DD4 knows to hold on as they move from game to game (I even have to hold on ). They ride together on Go Coaster (with adult behind them). DD4 still likes an adult near her on BTMRR, GSS and SM - but DD6 rode with a friend (8yo) with an adult behind them. Like you - when asked - we don't lie. If they tell us no, we honor it. Only thing I would be cautious of on BTMRR is they share the lap bar. So if DS9 is much bigger than DD6 - she may not be as secure as you would like. SM although faster is almost safer in that regard.

I love watching them ride together and I love that DH and I can ride together now, too!

 

[mouseymommy]

I thought that rule was for kids riding all by themselves. Like getting in line, riding, and exiting without an adult. My DS5 and DS10 have gone on Mr. Toad in the car ahead of DH and me. But they would not allow them to get in line for BTMRR and ride without Dh or I being in line, and riding the ride with them. DS10 can go alone though.

 

[Malcon10t]

I thought that rule was for kids riding all by themselves. Like getting in line, riding, and exiting without an adult. My DS5 and DS10 have gone on Mr. Toad in the car ahead of DH and me. But they would not allow them to get in line for BTMRR and ride without Dh or I being in line, and riding the ride with them. DS10 can go alone though.

Basically, the way I have seen the rule enforced is if the parent is in the vehicle, they can ride together. I have seen Mr. Toad's allow it, where the parent is in the next vehicle, but I have seen them NOT allow it on Dumbo.

But if the parent isn't riding, then the 6yo cannot ride with the under 14 at all.

 

[thewesterberg]

We asked on Peter Pan if DS and his friend could ride together when they were younger - the CM asked us if they would be okay if the ride had to stop suddenly and it was just the two of them in a pirate ship, suspended in mid air for who knows how long. (She didn't put it quite that way, but that was the general gist of it!)

When we asked, we weren't thinking about that - I was more thinking that it was a tame ride and I knew they wouldn't cause trouble and goof around. However, it was a good reminder that on some rides (even the calmest one) the long wait or evacuation process in a emergency stop could be more than what kids are able to handle calmly. It's one thing if it's Snow White where they can walk right out, but being suspended mid-air... Tinker Bell's pixie dust isn't going to help them fly out of there!

Now that he's a bit older and we're heading to DLR in a week and a half with another family, I'm thinking DS and his friend (both 9) will enjoy riding some of the rides together. And I know I'm looking forward to being able to sit with DH!

 

[DarthMole]

My DD's are 6 and 9 and go on rides together most of the time. They mostly ride together on FL stuff and have sat together on SM and BTMRR with me right behind them. They LOVE going on rides together and when the ride FL stuff I send them first, get in right behind and they wait at the exits for me. They feel like big kids and I feel pretty safe letting them do this at DL. We had friends visit last year who have 2 DS's, who are both one year older then my DD's repsectively, and they had a blast being "big kids" and getting on rides together! Have fun on your trip!

Same experience here with my 6 & 9 year old. I often rode the big rides right behind them and nobody ever asked their age or had an issue. We had no idea there was such a rule. I must say it was sweet to see the 9yo look after his little brother and make sure he got on the ride safely and the 6yo felt like such a big boy being able to do the ride alone with his brother. Those were some of the best moments of the trip... for me.

 

[disneymom0104]

My 7 year old was asked quite a few times on our last trip at DL how old she was.

We went to WDW when she was 6 (sister was 8.5) and we all went on teacups together. I went in one cup with my 6 month old and the girls wanted to ride together in a different cup. I didn't realize this wouldn't be allowed and felt really bad when my 6 year old was told she couldn't ride in a cup with her sister. Anyway- we were careful about that for the rest of the trip.

I would say just be prepared and some CM's might ask, and some might not care at all.

 

[Brady's Mom]

We've also never had a problem with our two younger sons. We frequently have 5 people and are split up a lot. Sometimes the littler kids ride with DH or me, sometimes together and sometimes with their older brother.

They are now old enough to ride some rides by themselves - like Goofy's Sky School. My DS 9 (then 7) was asked his age every single time he rode that ride single rider. The first couple of times I walked up with him and just crossed over the cars, after that I just waited at the exit for him since I could see him until he got on the ride. He thought he was pretty cool to be able to go up and get on the ride by himself. (I hate that ride and refuse to ride it - that's why he rode single rider)

Your kids will be able to ride together a lot of times - because they are with you and your DH in a party of 4 and most CMs will let you split up however it works best for you.

 

[surfmontana]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences.

I am sure it will be fine however it works out.

I am still hoping they can ride together on a few of the rides!!!!

 

[PigletSeeker]

My girls, 7 and 5, asked and were allowed to ride alone (with us in the next car) on Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story, and Little Mermaid. I assume they could have on Haunted Mansion too, but they wanted to be with one of us. They also sat together in their own seats on Pooh, Alice, and Pinocchio.

 

[Malcon10t]

I don't think they will have a problem letting them ride together with you on the ride, with the exception of Dumbo and Orbitors. I think those 2 will require an adult with the younger one in the same vehicle.