Son Might be Under 40" - Would You Go?

[reeny4]

Hi, all! We are currently planning our 1st trip to WDW in February (hopefully). We have a dd who will be 8 and a ds who will be 4 when we go. Off the top of my head, I can't remember how tall my son is right now. I'm guessing he's about 38-39". My question is this:

If this was your first trip and maybe your only trip (at least for another 5 years) - would you still go if one child couldn't (but would want to) ride a lot of the same rides that your other child could (and would)?

It's so much money to take a vacation at Disney. I don't want my son to be upset, but I don't want to punish my daughter for being taller either.

 

[Ariel8676]

Yes i would go..there is so much to do other than the "Big" rides.
I personally wouldn't let my 4 yo ride most of the bigger rides anyway, even if she wanted to(my 4 yo and 3 yo are big enough to ride most, but they still have st least another year or 2 until i feel comfortable enough on them)
I say let your 8 yo go on what she wants with you or your DH(or whomever you are travelling with) and tell your son next time he will be able to go on everything.
You said you didn't want to upset your son, but if you can't go back for another 5 years your 8 yo will be 13 and may not be as "into" WDW then..i think they will both have a GREAT time if you go in Feb.

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I definitely think you should go. There are so many awesome rides and shows and fun things to do that skipping a handful of them shouldn't be a factor. They are at an age where they will enjoy the fantasy and theme of it so much.

Personally, I agree with the other poster who said that she wouldn't take a four year old on most of those attractions anyway, even if he did meet the height requirement.

Some rides have a 38" requirement, some have 40", some even 48", so it's not always the same. Here are the requirements- hope it helps you choose what to do and what not to do, but I definitely think you should go!

Magic Kingdom Park


Goofy's Barnstormer - Must be at least 35" height requirement

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning.. For safety and comfort, you should be in good health and free from heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Space Mountain - Must be at least 44 inches tall to ride. Children under 7 years old must be accompanied by an adult & ride in their own seat (no longer seats two people together). Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Splash Mountain - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Tomorrowland Speedway - Must be at least 52 inches to ride alone. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Toontown Playground - Maximum height 40"


Epcot

Soarin: Must be at least 40" minimum to ride. Warning! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Guests in wheelchairs must transfer from their wheelchairs to experience this attraction.

Mission Space: Must be at least 44" minimum to ride. Warning! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Body Wars (Wonders of Life) - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Maelstrom (Norway) - Minimum age 3 to ride. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Test Track - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning.. For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Disney-MGM Studios



Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon) - Minimum age 3 to ride. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

Great Movie Ride - Special effects may be too intense for children and some adults

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith - Must be 48 tall. High Speed (3 inverts) Coaster. Warning! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Star Tours© Disney/Lucasfilm, Inc. - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning.. Guests with health restrictions and mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride.

The Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorTM - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning...Cannot suffer from any neck, back, or heart problems. Cannot suffer from motion sickness or claustrophobia! Wheelchair guests must be able to transfer to ride vehicle. Pregnant women may not ride.


Animal Kingdom Theme Park


DINOSAUR - Height minimum is now 40 inches. Warning! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride. May be too Scary for younger children

Its Tough to be a Bug! - May be Scary for younger children

Kali River Rapids - Must be at least 38 inches tall to ride

Primeval Whirl - Must Be 48 Inches Tall


DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park


Buzz Lightyear’s AstroBlasters - Must be at least 51" tall to ride

CyberSpace Mountain - Must be at least 51" tall to ride


Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

Note: For the safety of all guests, especially our children There are rules for the Water Parks they are as common sense as our back yard pool rules.


Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park


Crush 'n' Gusher: Must be at least 48" tall to ride.

Castaway Creek (continuous river raft ride) - Adult supervision is required

Humunga Kowabunga (speed slide) - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

Ketchakiddee Creek (children’s area) - Must be under 48" tall to experience

Mayday Falls (raft ride) - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

Shark Reef (saltwater reef environment) - Children under age 10 must be accompanied by an adult. Mothers to be may wish to bypass the ride and those with neck or back problems are strongly discouraged from experiencing any water slide attraction.

Typhoon Lagoon (wave pool) - Adult supervision is required

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park


Blizzard Beach Chair Lift - Must be at least 32 inches tall to ride. No infants or lap-riding

Cross Country Creek (continuous river raft ride) - Adult supervision is required

Downhill Double Dipper (mat slide) - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

Slush Gusher (speed slide) - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

Summit Plummet (speed slide) - Must be at least 48" tall to ride

T-Bar (in Ski Patrol Training Camp) - Must be under 48" tall to ride

Tike’s Peak (childrens area) - Must be under 48" tall to experience

 

[nicolemomof4cuties]

We took our 4 children last year and my youngest daughter and son were too small to ride anything. Some of the rides my oldest daughter was too small to ride also. My oldest son could ride almost everything. Noone was disappointed. There is simply too much to do for the children to be disappointed about not getting to do what their big sister is going. While my DH took the 2 older children on BTR the 2 younger children and I watched the ducks and cranes. I got some awesome pictures of the 2 of them and they didn't even notice the others were gone. When DH got off we did the childswap and I got to go on with the older 2 children.

Nicole
Wife to Reuben
Mom to
Keitaaron 7.5
Xeyana 5.5
Chloe 4.5
Colin 2.5

 

[brat5063]

I would go. My son is 37 inches and we are leaving in 39 days. There is so much for them to do.

I have a question though, Do CM's ask you about your childs age on these two rides: Maelstrom and Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon). I was surprised to see an age restriction on them. What is dangerous about them for a kid under 3??

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

I would go. My son is 37 inches and we are leaving in 39 days. There is so much for them to do.

I have a question though, Do CM's ask you about your childs age on these two rides: Maelstrom and Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon). I was surprised to see an age restriction on them. What is dangerous about them for a kid under 3??

The only thing I can think of is that there are no seat belts or child restraints and they're moving vehicles. If a child is still in that wiggly, toddler stage they might try to get out, esp. if they see something scary- the flames on the Catastrophe Canyon or the trolls or little dips and waves in Maelstrom. Maybe the figure at age three, most kids will be able to sit and listen to safety instructions.

Also, it might be a way to deter "lap sitting". We rode IASW, etc. with my 6 month old nephew on our laps,but that was a smooth ride. I am sure they don't want infants on laps on those 2 rides because of the little dips (Maelstrom) or tilts (CC) maybe a lap infant could slip from grip. (just my guess)

 

[brat5063]

That makes sense. Thanks. Never really thought about those rides as rides my son wouldn't be able to ride, but now he won't be.

 

[bahsdad]

you have to take them. Its a wonderfull experience for everyone 1 to 100

 

[deedeetoo]

You can have lots of funs without going on the height restricted rides. Both my kids are on the short side and went to WDW when they were old enough to need a ticket but not tall enough to go on the 40 inch rides. Though I was bothered by this before the trips, it really wasn't much of an issue once we were there. Just prepare your son ahead of time that he won't be able to go on some of the rides so that you don't face a melt down at the ride.

Even our last trip, my ds was 5.5 and 43 inches and he still choose to sit out most of those 40" rides even though he was tall enough. We were fortunate to have my mom with us so he and Mom waited while DH and I went on with DD8.

 

[finz2left]

Go, Go, Go! My kiddos are 7, 5, and 3. The 5 year old is a petite child and the 3 is a good sized kid, but likely to be on the 40" cusp. We've already talked about DS7 riding some rides they cannot--- they could care less! Too much fun stuff to worry about the small things.

 

[gbrogers]

My DDs were 42" and 35" when we went, and they both got to ride every ride that they wanted. They loved the rides, but the memories that they talk about the most after nearly 3 years are the different shows and the different character meals that we went to.

We're going back in December and our 2 1/2 year old DS is just over 35" now.

 

[taximomfor4]

I would still go. Everything is so magical, it's not about the big rides! My family just skipped those completely, since half the family was too short still. We went last year. When the free dining promotion came out this year, we jumped in and booked another trip. My 4 yr old is nowhere close to 40". We know we'll have a blast.

Look around at the rides/attractions your 4 yr old can do, and you will see how busy you'll be. In 5 yrs when you go back, your kids will only be 9 and 13...THAT is when the few thrill rides will be great!

 

[reeny4]

Thanks to everyone for responding so far! When we go places as a family, our son really, really wants to do everything that his older sister gets to do. If he doesn't get to, he can sometimes throw big tantrums. Realizing that going to WDW is going to through both kids out of whack possibly with their behavior - I think it's best to just skip the rides he can't do all together (she probably wouldn't even notice) or make sure he is doing something else fun with one parent while our daughter and one of us go on the ride. If he's just waiting for her to get done, he'll be upset. I think we'll definitely still go. Now - if they would just post the 2007 packages!!!!!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

I would go. My son is 37 inches and we are leaving in 39 days. There is so much for them to do.

I have a question though, Do CM's ask you about your childs age on these two rides: Maelstrom and Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon). I was surprised to see an age restriction on them. What is dangerous about them for a kid under 3??

I don't know, but our 12 month old ds rode Maelstrom several times back in November/December. No one ever told us he couldn't, nor had we ever heard of any restrictions based on age or height for this ride. He was fine on it.

 

[my4kids]

Thanks to everyone for responding so far! When we go places as a family, our son really, really wants to do everything that his older sister gets to do. If he doesn't get to, he can sometimes throw big tantrums. Realizing that going to WDW is going to through both kids out of whack possibly with their behavior - I think it's best to just skip the rides he can't do all together (she probably wouldn't even notice) or make sure he is doing something else fun with one parent while our daughter and one of us go on the ride. If he's just waiting for her to get done, he'll be upset. I think we'll definitely still go. Now - if they would just post the 2007 packages!!!!!

I have this problem all the time especially with 6 year old that wants to do everything the 10 yr old is doing. (and it started when DS was 4 and other one was 8). But I always explain to DS6 that is goes both ways. For example I only read to DS 6 at night because DS 10 can read to himself. And that DS 10 isn't small enough to ride in the truck carts at the grocery store (not that he would want to - but DS6 doesn't know that) And I am constantly explaining that when DS10 was 6- he was not allowed to do it either - so it is fair. And if I keep DS10 from doing something he is old enough for - than to be fair, DS6 won't be allowed to do it when he is 10. I understand you would want to avoid it if your daughter won't notice. I wouldn't contantly be going on big rides and rubbing it in his face. But I would at least let her do some 'big' things with her dad maybe while you do something different with him. I just think it is a good life lesson, that we all don't get the same things at the same times and that siblings should be happy for each other regardless. Sometimes the best lessons to learn are the hardest to learn (and to teach).

 

[susykt4]

If your DS is 39" without shoes, he'll make it onto most of the 40" rides. My DS3 was 39" when we went in January. He easily met the height limit outside of BTMRR and went on it at least 10 times. He only made it onto Soarin' once and our second attempt he was called slightly too short. He also passed onto Splash Mtn once with Grandpa (DH and I are too wimpy for that drop.) The only other 40" ride I can think of is Dinosaur and we figured that would scare the "pooh" out of both kids so we skipped that one. Oh, Test Track was closed when we went so that wasn't an issue.

Anyway, your kiddo has 6 months to grow. He'll probably make the 40" mark legitimately! Go and have fun!!!

 

[Honeybehr1]

our 2 1/2 yr old was 39 inches (very tall for his age) and we found other things to do while daddy and older DS were riding the big rides. I had talked to him that there were rides just for his height and some for his brothers. HE was ok with it even though at home he always wants to do what his brother does. I had bought him disposable camera to take pictures while we waited.
He loved it

 

[powellrj]

my kids are all spread out age wise (23, 15,10) so how we always dealt with it was that I would take the older kids with me and dh would take the younger kids with him in the morning. We would met for lunch and then spend the afternoon together as a family.

Even now that everyone can ride everything we still split up and dh will take one kid and I will take the other for the morning and then meet at lunch and spend the rest of the day together. I guess old habits die hard!

 

[SueM in MN]

Quote:
Originally Posted by brat5063
I would go. My son is 37 inches and we are leaving in 39 days. There is so much for them to do.

I have a question though, Do CM's ask you about your childs age on these two rides: Maelstrom and Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon). I was surprised to see an age restriction on them. What is dangerous about them for a kid under 3??[/]
Posted by TinkerbellMama
I don't know, but our 12 month old ds rode Maelstrom several times back in November/December. No one ever told us he couldn't, nor had we ever heard of any restrictions based on age or height for this ride. He was fine on it.

The official WDW site doesn't have an age limit or height limit listed on the park maps for Backstage Tour (which contains Catastrophe Canyon) or according to their webpage about it. We have brought a 3 yr old on it and no one questioned how old she was. It may not be the best attraction for some 3 yr olds because it is long and the canyon part can be scary.

Maelstrom also does not have an age or height restriction listed on the park maps or official Disney webpage. Again, it may not be one that is especially good for 3 year olds, (because of the trolls and going 'over the falls') but they can go on if you want them to.

The Twilight Zone Tower of TerrorTM - Must be at least 40 inches tall to ride. Warning...Cannot suffer from any neck, back, or heart problems. Cannot suffer from motion sickness or claustrophobia! Wheelchair guests must be able to walk in unassisted and possess full upper-body control. Pregnant women may not ride.

I just wanted to correct this. My DD is not able to walk unassisted and has ridden TOT. You can bring a wheelchair close to the ride car and transfer.
Here is what it says on the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities webpage for TOT:
""The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ "

Brave the creepy facade of a once-glorious hotel for a jolt back in time. Board a phantom elevator, shoot up 13 stories and brace yourself for a thrilling plummet... but beware! The experience just got scarier. You rocket back up, only to plummet down yet again. You dare to ride once more, but wait! That's not what happened before. That's right, now the Tower is in control, so it's never the same fear twice!

Location: Sunset Boulevard

Height Requirement: 40" minimum

Guests must transfer from motorized scooter or ECV to an available wheelchair, then from the wheelchair to the attraction/ride vehicle.

For safety, Guests should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.

Guest-activated captioning is available on selected video monitors at this location. Please visit Guest Relations to obtain an activator.

Due to the nature of the experience, service animals are not permitted on this attraction. "

 

[emma'smom]

I would go. My son is 37 inches and we are leaving in 39 days. There is so much for them to do.

I have a question though, Do CM's ask you about your childs age on these two rides: Maelstrom and Backlot Tour (Catastrophe Canyon). I was surprised to see an age restriction on them. What is dangerous about them for a kid under 3??

We took my dd1 on both of these rides with no problems. She sat on the inside between dad and sister. It was perfectly safe..the big drop in Maelstrom is NOT a big drop. It's more a like a small "dip". I wouldn't hesitate to take her on either of these again for safety reasons.