Soarin for a 3 1/2 year old?

[WLfan]

My daughter who is 3 1/2 will meet the 40 inch height requirement for Soarin when we go to WDW in August, but I'm nervous about the lap belt restraint. Has anyone ever brought their young child on Soarin? My husband thinks it's fine, but I'm feeling reluctant. What do you think?

 

[sshaw10060]

My daughter who is 3 1/2 will meet the 40 inch height requirement for Soarin when we go to WDW in August, but I'm nervous about the lap belt restraint. Has anyone ever brought their young child on Soarin? My husband thinks it's fine, but I'm feeling reluctant. What do you think?

Don't worry about the restraint. There is the tab which runs between the legs for children. Our 3.5 yo loved it.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

I took 3 year old twins on it. Ask to be on the lowest level if you think the height will frighten your daughter. My sons loved it all except for the loud firework at the end.

 

[WLfan]

I was afraid she might try to stand up and climb in my lap mid-ride.

 

[kaligal]

If you don't want to take her, then don't. But if you do want to take her, please be assured that there is no reason to worry.

Disney is not in the business of killing little kids.

If you ever waiver, just remember all the money Disney would have to spend and all the bad press they'd receive for killing someone. They don't want the press and they sure as heck don't want to pay. So, even if they didn't care a whit about your daughter's life, they won't put it at risk.

Soarin - contrary to how Disney markets it - is not a thrill ride. Loads of little ones ride Soarin and love it. My niece rode it at 3 1/2 and loved it...twice.

But I'm a firm believer in parents doing what works for them. If you don't want to do it, just don't.

 

[DrMomof3]

My daughter was almost 4 when I took her on Soarin'. She was quite scared on the ride, especially during the fireworks scene. I was surprised because it's one of my all-time favorites and I never thought it would be scary for her. She was afraid of falling (although she was perfectly safe with the extra little strap). She held my hand tight the whole time. There's no way she could have tried to crawl into my lap! My 6 year old loved Soarin' and can't wait to ride again. As an aside the kids are only 1/2 inch apart in height so it wasn't a size issue (my 4 year is very tall and my 6 year old quite little).
Thankfully she's willing to give it another try on our upcoming trip!

Amanda

 

[DrMomof3]

Just to add.... For comparison: She loved Splash Mountain. Hated Big Thunder Mountain. Was ok on Test Track except the super fast lap. We skipped Tower of Terror with her (my 6 year old insisted on going on ToT and then told me "Mommy, that ride tried to KILL me!!!" and will likely never go back! ). She wasn't tall enough for Space Mountain or Mission: Space.
Just wanted to give you an idea of what rides she did ok with and which ones were less good.
Hope that helps!

Amanda

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Soarin' is one of our favorites. My son was barely four when we first tried it at DL. We were staying at the Grand Californian, which has a direct entrance into CAP, where Soarin' is at DL (we could actually see it's roof from our room). Every morning we'd grab FPs to use right before heading back for the night (in addition to riding it at least once during the day!!!...it was really cool). My son was the one who reminded us to get the FPs. It is also the only theme park ride I have been on -ever- that people clap at the end -every time!!!

You should be able to hold hands or even put your arm behind or across your child. I don't know much about parent swap anymore, but could you use it so one of you could try it and the other could return with your child if the first thinks it's A-OK? (I think the returning parent can bring a child or 2??)

 

[FireDancer]

I was afraid she might try to stand up and climb in my lap mid-ride.

As long as you put the belt through the yellow strap she won't be able to slide out or get out of the belt. Once the seats rise the belt release is disabled so no matter how much you press the button it won't unbuckle.

 

[jdtopgun71]

Just got back and we had our 3yo nephew with us and he loved it and the restraint was no problem.

 

[rocio]

Just took my 3 1/2 yo twins when we went mid-May. My son was a bit apprehensive about going and afterward said he didn't like it but I think it was he didn't want to admit he did because later he kept talking about how much he liked it and later begged to go back on....so we did. My daughter loved it the whole way. Nobody tried to get on my lap and they tend to be pretty skittish and lap-centric.

 

[Alice2020]

my son was a very nervous 4 year old on his first Soarin' trip. I asked the CM who were lining us up before getting on the ride to put us in the row that was lowest. They were happy to do so and it helped my son be less nervous.

 

[katscradle]

We took our youngest on his first ride when he was 3 1/2 and he was nervous but went and sat in the seat between myself and my husband.
he held our hands, and loved the ride. It is now he favorite ride in epcot!
The only thing I can tell you is they have to try it to know if they will will like/love it. It is a safe ride for children that are younger.

 

[Sammie]

If you have never rode, I personally would suggest you ride first and determine if you think it will be ok.

I hate, hate this ride with a passion as it makes we want to climb out and hide.

Love roller coasters but something about this, just puts me over the edge and makes me very nauseous.

 

[WLfan]

Thanks for the great feedback! I have been on Soarin and loved it. From everything that was posted, I'm going to try it with her. My husband will be thrilled! Now about Splash Mountain ...

 

[shellynn24]

I love Soarin' but it scares me a little, especially the beginning. I took my 3 yo on it this year and she loved it. I was holding her back with my arm but that was because of my own fear not because she wasn't secure on the ride. I try not to let my fears rub off on my kids, I want them to form their own opinions and they all love this ride.

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

My son loves Soarin and has been getting on it since he was 2 1/2 he is very tall. The only ride he is really afraid of is Splash. lol. He is now 5 1/2 and gets on everything except Splash and Space Mtn.