Soarin with Toddlers

[ToyStoryManiaMouse]

We are heading to Disney soon and my 3-year-old is EXACTLY 40 inches without shoes. Has anyone taken a 3-year-old on Soarin? He is definitely not scared of heights but a little wiggly so I want to be sure he won’t fall out!

 

[Disturbia]

We are heading to Disney soon and my 3-year-old is EXACTLY 40 inches without shoes. Has anyone taken a 3-year-old on Soarin? He is definitely not scared of heights but a little wiggly so I want to be sure he won’t fall out!

Yes and once he got off the ride he just fell down in the walkway and had a full melt down. I had to slowly take him out; sometimes carry him and letting go of him when he would roll inconsolably. It took me 20 mins to exit to the waiting area. He refused to go a second time. I had my hand over him the entire time and he seemed fine during the ride. Just be prepared with some treats/goodies just in case he does melt down. If he does melt down before the ride, know it’s not the end of the world and exit.

Now this kid is 8 and has been riding GOTG for the past 2 years and loves it. We don’t take our 4 year old on Tower of Terror for the same reason. It’s scary even though she meets height requirements.

 

[Anthony1971]

The ride has a loop to put the seatbelt through for smaller riders. They will measure first sometimes twice or 3 times. Entrance to line when get to the front and are told which theater line and at the theater itself. There should be no issue but I did notice some of the measuring sticks are slightly different heights. Maybe Pluto took a bite.

 

[OlliePop27]

I took a tall 3.5 year old on the ride at California Adventure when he was 41" tall. It's the exact same ride system as Epcot.

No concerns with falling out, as others have noted. They have a loop for smaller guests.

If the height looks close, they might check 2-3 times. Be prepared for that because it can be annoying for you or the kid! The height thing is actually a little weird sometimes for them to put their feet right in the proper spot. It's actually amazing how the CM's just know if the height is close from looking. Our next trip to a Disney park the same kid was 45" tall. They didn't even think about checking him on Soarin' or any similar height rides like Big Thunder.

As for the ride, he loved Soarin'. The jumping whales and animals were a big treat for him!

 

[CariadMartin]

I sympathise, such a difficult thing when you have tall pre-schoolers trying to figure out which rides they should actually do, or wait a while!

I just did Soarin in August with my three year old and he LOVED it, but he did have his older brother by his side who also loved it, which I think gave him confidence. I've so far not taken him on anything he didn't love! But when his older brother was 4 he went on Tower of Terror and the rethemed Rock n Rollercoaster in Paris and those scared the life out of him, and we haven't been able to get him on either since, which is a shame! So I guess it just depends on the kid.

I was nervous about the restraint too at first but the loop that goes in between their legs is there, and they sit really far back in the seat and it's easy to hold on to them if you really start to freak out! You can also request to go on the lowest row the first time.

 

[MarBee]

My 3 year old did it, and he was very nervous during the pre-flight when they sell you on the fact that you’re really flying around the world. When we got inside (there is an extra loop on the seatbelt for younger riders so they won’t fall out), he excitedly yelled “oh we’re not really flying, we are inside of a TV!”
He loved it and had gone on every trip since

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

My 4yo who hates all rollcosters and most thrill rides loved it