single rider with a 9 year old

[dlawallace]

I was wondering if anyone has done single rider with a child around 9. I don't see why it would be a problem if someone can go before and after him...and from my experience you often get in the same vehicle anyway. Are there any single rider lines that have more than one way to exit?

 

[SMD]

I was wondering if anyone has done single rider with a child around 9. I don't see why it would be a problem if someone can go before and after him...and from my experience you often get in the same vehicle anyway. Are there any single rider lines that have more than one way to exit?

Indy and RSR. You could be sent to different sides on Matterhorn or Soarin. Also, it's possible for someone to still be waiting to ride when the other has already exited. You should have a meeting spot set.

 

[Butterfly123]

My only concern with single rider line is if the child is able to handle a situation like a ride breakdown, where they may be stuck for a while, or even have to walk off. It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen on occasion.

 

[AcuraTL]

My daughter has been doing it since she was 9, no issues at all.

 

[jaymesmom617]

I have done this before with my kids. Here are my suggestions:

1. Make sure you ride once with them first. On this trip. Even if they have done the ride before on another trip. Make sure they are happy and love it. I would hate it if they ruined someone's ride because they were scared.
2. Talk to them about: what happens when they get off the ride. Where do you go? Where are you meeting me? How long should I wait until you get here?
3. What safety precautions do they need to be aware of: securing their seatbelt, what to do if the ride breaks down, etc.

I think most kids do well with riding single rider as long as they are prepared.

 

[Geemo]

We have done SR many times.
The only time it was a problem was on RSR.
My DGD-11 was added to a car with 5 high school boys. She wasn't comfortable and decided not to ride.

It's good to have a meeting place. When a group of us are going SR, I place the youngest in the middle of our group. That way the youngest ones are in more of a controlled situation.

SR is a nice option to get afew rides in fast!

Geemo

 

[ktlm]

DD is 9 and we have done single rider for RSR since DD was 8. One day on our trip this summer we did it over and over and over. I bet we rode RSR at least 5 or 6 times that day because it is her favorite. We have not had any issues. She knows that if she gets off first, then she is to stay in the photo area until DH or I get there. She knows that there is a chance the ride could have issues and that if we are off first we wait, and if she is off first, she stays put. We typically have me in line first, her second, and DH after her, but depending on where they place you when they pull you out, that does not guarantee that I will get off ahead of her. She could get pulled for a spot for a ride cycle ahead of where they put me to wait. The only time I ever had any concern is when she was 8 and my car was diverted to the disabled boarding area for exit in a line of cars to pick up some groups waiting. That time she was ahead of me and I saw her car go to the regular unboarding area, while mine was diverted and I had to wait in the line while at least one car ahead of me boarded something that with difficulties that took a while to get loaded. I knew DH had not made our ride cycle. At the disabled entrance the CM was directing me to exit a different direction which would not take me to the photo area (basically out the disabled entrance I think). When I explained that my young DD would be waiting in the photo area, she re-directed and sent me that direction. It was fine- she knew to stay put and was not remotely worried. She knew one of us would show up. She loves it, especially if there are kids in the row where she gets placed. I would not have any issue sending a 9 year old, you just need to explain what to do for delays and where to wait for you and not to move from that spot.

 

[Malcon10t]

I was wondering if anyone has done single rider with a child around 9. I don't see why it would be a problem if someone can go before and after him...and from my experience you often get in the same vehicle anyway. Are there any single rider lines that have more than one way to exit?

I've done it with kids who were familiar with the park as young as 8.

Here is an issue many don't think about. On RSR, it is possible for the child to enter the ride from the regular line, and because the HA line is backed up, they could pull the car into the HA area. So, the two adults may exit at the regular exit and the child be in the HA area.

If the child understands and is comfortable with the situation, great. But I have seen an instance where the child came off Matterhorn, then the adult got stuck for 40 mins on the back side of the hill. Or Screamin', parent went first, child got stuck going up the big hill (they were walked off) and they were separated for almost an hour (parent freaked more than child.) If the child will panic or be upset with separation, not worth it. If they are like my crew and will chill for a while, then go for it. Plan for the worst, and it won't happen.

 

[taniahappy]

I dont think there is a problem if, like others have mentioned, you have a spot will you meet at.

A little girl once did RSR with my hubbie and I and when we got off she was scared, looking for her mom everywhere!... My husband and I stood with her until we saw the car that had her mom on it, she waived, we waived and waited for the lady to get off. Please dont let this be your kid, not because it bothered us but because they get stressed and its not fair for them.

 

[bellazachmom]

I take our "big" kids down for long weekends while hubby opts to stay home with the 2 year old.

My kids are 7, 10 and 11. I explained the option of Single Rider to each of them and how it would help us maximize rides and limit our wait time. Everyone agreed that it was a good fit for us.

We have been utilizing the single rider line since January and have only ever had one issue, and that was on Indy. This was because you can exit the ride on 2 different sides and, you guessed it, 3 of us got off one side and the 7 year old got off the other. We had mistakenly set up a meeting spot that he bypassed exiting the opposite side

It all turned out ok and we haven't had issues since, but it's something to be aware of. There is a rock "bench" along the exit path that is after both sides exit and that is now our meeting point.

After this instance I noticed the possibility of the same problem at RSR if any of the cars were diverted to the handicap loading area and have prepared the kids for that possibility.

I agree with the recommendation of riding each ride together at least once and making sure that the child really enjoys the ride. Favorites from last year can suddenly become scary for reasons only known to the child. Also it provides the perfect time to pick a meeting spot for when you do separate. Talk about the possibility of the ride breaking down and what to do in that case.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Chrisfilm]

Skip the single rider line. Sure, you may save some line waiting time, but isn't the point of Disneyland to create the memories? Looking over to see their face on these rides? Talking about how awesome it was as you exit the ride together? Maybe I'm over-analyzing this, but I'd just use FP to the best of your ability and wait in line when necessary to be together on the rides.

 

[bellazachmom]

I absolutely see your point about riding together, and it's a good one.

I guess it depends on how often you go.

We are fortunate enough to be stationed in Northern California and have been making trips down every few months. I make sure that we always ride everything as a group once or twice, but if single rider lines can get everyone on their favorites multiple times, it's a good solution for us. Especially with RSR ~ we often end up in the same car anyway, one in the front row and one in the back and then get the chance to actually race someone else in my group! This is great for bragging rights

 

[LisaT91403]

We have been using SR since DS turned 7. Having said that, we have had annual passes for many years, and DS is so familiar with the parks that you could dress him in plaid and have him give you a tour

The very first time we used SR, it was on RSR. DH went first, then DS, then me. I told DS that if the ride should break down (which would never happen), not to panic. And of course, the ride broke down. The good thing is that we were in the same car...he was in the front row and I was in the back. DS thought being walked off RSR was the greatest thing that ever happened. I'm not sure if he would have been quite as happy if he'd been alone, but it turned out okay.

I told DS that I'm not letting him go single rider on Screamin'. If he gets stuck at the top of a hill and I'm not there, I will panic for sure...and I think he would too.

As others have said, make sure that your child is ready. If you think they might panic if the ride breaks down and they are separated from you for a while, then don't do it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Skip the single rider line. Sure, you may save some line waiting time, but isn't the point of Disneyland to create the memories? Looking over to see their face on these rides? Talking about how awesome it was as you exit the ride together?

Nope.

When I'm on a ride, I'm experiencing the ride. I'm not a big "experience the parks through others" person; my son has his own experience, I have mine. Plus, on many of the rides if you look over at someone and the ride zigs, you've got a hurt neck to deal with.

And most people here are saying "ride all together first, THEN check out SR", so you've got the stuff you're into down already. We are a small family and we get plenty of family time...we LOVE meeting other people in line, and taking SR means you get to meet even more people even if you're only interacting while putting on seatbelts.

I told DS that I'm not letting him go single rider on Screamin'. If he gets stuck at the top of a hill and I'm not there, I will panic for sure...and I think he would too.

Yeah, my poor son is 11 and I still won't let him on Screamin' alone. Same at the big Universal rides; not because of him, but because of me. I couldn't handle it if he was stuck on a big huge coaster. So I harm my own mental health by going on rides that scare the pants offa me...Ugh. And it's funny because my brother and I grew up going to what-was-then Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, going on all sorts of coasters all by ourselves...never once thought "what if". Then again, we went together. Different than being one kid.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

Skip the single rider line. Sure, you may save some line waiting time, but isn't the point of Disneyland to create the memories? Looking over to see their face on these rides? Talking about how awesome it was as you exit the ride together?

I completely agree! I take my granddaughter to Disneyland to see the joy on her face. Granted she is only 7 now, and maybe things will change when she's *much* older, but for now no SR line for us. Now if my daughter is with us, she'll use SR on Screamin' if my DGD doesn't want to go, or else they go together. I rarely ride that coaster. It's fun, but I pay for it with an instant headache afterwards.

 

[ktlm]

Skip the single rider line. Sure, you may save some line waiting time, but isn't the point of Disneyland to create the memories? Looking over to see their face on these rides? Talking about how awesome it was as you exit the ride together? Maybe I'm over-analyzing this, but I'd just use FP to the best of your ability and wait in line when necessary to be together on the rides.

Actually, one of the most fun times we had on RSR was when we did single rider and that by sheer luck DD was in the car that "raced" mine at the end. She LOVED that. She had the whole car yelling at our car and cheering to beat her Mom!

I would agree with you for a child's first ride on a certain ride. Single rider works great for a kid where you FP RSR once and then they decide it is their favorite ride of all and want to ride it over and over. We talk plenty about how fun it was after we both get off the ride as we race around to get in line again!

 

[GatorChris]

Another vote for skipping Single Rider. To me, this is just for those college age kids who have an AP. For me, the whole point of going to DL is to have fun WITH my family. If we're going single rider, I just don't see the fun and joy in that. I spent long enough with kids under 40 inches doing the baby swap and riding by myself. I look back on those times sadly. We went to DL, but missed out on a lot of together time because of size. Now that everyone is tall enough for just about every ride, we never do single rider. I don't want to ride separate from my family anymore.

 

[mom2elal]

We have an 8 year old and we have done single rider line on RSR. The last time we went to DL, we were in the park for 13-14 hrs/day AND slept together in a small hotel room. I don't see how 5 minutes of being seated separately on a ride diminishes our family vacation time. We probably spend more time apart going to the restroom throughout the day, since my kids are boys.

 

[Tyggress]

And it's funny because my brother and I grew up going to what-was-then Marriott's Great America in Santa Clara, going on all sorts of coasters all by ourselves...never once thought "what if". Then again, we went together. Different than being one kid.

Ahhhh....the good old days of Marriott's Great America! Before it was Paramount, and LONG before it was Six Flags! That park was my stompin' grounds in the Summer...there every day with my friends. I remember when The Demon was the craziest coaster ever with the corkscrew! LMAO

"C-Ya!"

 

[RedAngie]

Ahhhh....the good old days of Marriott's Great America! Before it was Paramount, and LONG before it was Six Flags! That park was my stompin' grounds in the Summer...there every day with my friends. I remember when The Demon was the craziest coaster ever with the corkscrew! LMAO

"C-Ya!"

I believe there's some confusion about Marriott's Great America parks. The one in Santa Clara is not part of Six Flags, and never was. The G.A. north of Chicago IS a SF park.

I'm kind of surprised the Demon is still there. Yeah, I also remember when it was a big deal.