Single Rider and 8yo

[jaloopi]

My son will be almost 8 when we visit the park (he turns 8 one month after our trip). This is his second trip to DLR, so I think we might try single rider on some rides to cut down our wait time. However, I want to make sure that we don't get too separated. I know there are no guarantees, but do singles riders normally (if there is a "normal") get put in cars close together? I don't want to leave him standing there for a long time waiting for me. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking maybe I should just scratch the idea! DS is a good listener and is not a timid kid...it's me that's the worrier! TIA

 

[ashley0139]

My son will be almost 8 when we visit the park (he turns 8 one month after our trip). This is his second trip to DLR, so I think we might try single rider on some rides to cut down our wait time. However, I want to make sure that we don't get too separated. I know there are no guarantees, but do singles riders normally (if there is a "normal") get put in cars close together? I don't want to leave him standing there for a long time waiting for me. As I'm typing this, I'm thinking maybe I should just scratch the idea! DS is a good listener and is not a timid kid...it's me that's the worrier! TIA

Normally, yes you are put in cars close together. But you never know what could happen. If for some reason they are able to exactly fill up a bunch of cars in a row, one of you could wait for 10 minutes to get on (this has happened to me at Matterhorn). You also want to be sure that if something were to happen (like the ride stopping for a while with either of you on it) that he would be okay and not freak out.

 

[Niltiac]

If you're more comfortable having him wait in line alone than having him wait at the exit alone, you could ride first and wait for him at the exit. That way he's already where he needs to be so you don't have to worry about him getting lost or wandering off, and you know there will be a CM nearby the whole time. The only potential problem I see there is if he might get scared and not want to ride after you've left, so I wouldn't do this on a ride he's never been on.

 

[SMD]

On Matterhorn I've come back to unload and seen the other person I was with still waiting to ride. In November I was in a car that raced solo and my sister was in the pair ahead of me. The ride stopped after she had unloaded but before I had, so we were separated for awhile, but we had been sent to load within a few seconds of each other. There really is no way you can guess with SR.

 

[jaloopi]

Thank you. I think we will play it by ear.

 

[LisaT91403]

The VERY first time we let my son do single rider (at age 7) was on RSR. Note that we had had APs for about 4 years, so he was a very experienced rider. Wouldn't you know it, the ride broke down when we were inside one of the darker rooms. This was not a short break down...it was down for a while, then the lights came on, and eventually they walked us off the ride. This took time, as they work methodically to get everyone off.

DS was in the car in front of me. He couldn't see me, but he could hear me. He was fine, and thought it was about the coolest thing ever that we got to walk through the ride.

Just relaying the story, as kids might have different reactions to this type of situation.

 

[bumbershoot]

DS is a good listener and is not a timid kid...it's me that's the worrier! TIA

Let him do it. Help him (and you take baby steps towards it). Earlier today I wrote up our experiences and my thoughts on another sr thread (I think yours is the third from today lol).

My son has had such fun with that freedom and responsibility.

But make sure you have contingency plans for ride stops etc. meeting spots are a must. An extra cell phone is a nice option.

 

[lalasmama]

When we first started doing single rider with our DD, I went on first, DD went on second, and DH went third, so she would always know that one of us would be at the end. Now, we don't pay attention to who goes in what order. If she's on before us, she waits at the exit. If we're on before her, we wait at the exit. We've been doing this for 4 years now without an issue. She feels all "big kid" and we get practice letting her have a little more independence.

Now, as Super Anxious Mom (I need that on a cape with a bugler announcing my arrival), I made her prove to me, multiple times, on each ride with a Single Rider line, that should could manage the whole process without my assistance--so she had to show me that she could follow the CM's instructions without my prompting, could get into the ride vehicle, could secure herself appropriately without assistance, could ride safely, and could disembark appropriately. Once she proved she could do that on each ride, we would let her do Single Rider.

Now, at 13, she's an old pro at it, and rolls her eyes at me when I ask if she's comfortable doing single rider on her own if I'm not in the mood for a particular ride. DUH, "Mom, I can do it, I'm not a little kid!"

 

[Malcon10t]

All is great til there is a break down. Last summer my daughters lined up to ride Matterhorn single rider. Just as the first daughter was almost off, a family loading started arguing over who was going to sit where (the most common reason Matterhorn goes down) and the ride cascaded and everyone had to get taken off. My second daughter was over the area by Pixie Hollow. It took 40 mins before she was off.

Here's my thoughts. If he/she is used to the park and understands this could happen, try it. If it is their first time, ride together.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I've had good experiences with RSR. Indiana Jones was pretty good, too (getting in same car). Matterhorn single rider can take a very long time between single riders. Matterhorn will be having a fast pass soon, so you may want to do that instead. Goofy's Skyschool is okay and since it is outdoors, you can somewhat keep an eye out for each other. Not sure about that others.

 

[jaloopi]

Thank you everyone.