Space Mountain and Preschoolers

[Smylie]

My 4 year old is dead set on riding SM when we get to MK. He has never seen a roller coaster, much less ridden on one. We (DH and I) have explained to him over and over how we wouldn't be able to sit next to him and that it's in the dark and if he got scared he couldn't get off the ride until it was over. He says that none of this bothers him and that it's the only ride he wants to ride! He has never been to WDW so I am sure that will change when he sees all the other rides, but I need some opinions about SM. He is tall for his age so he is the right size for the ride.
Thanks

 

[all4fun]

Why not take him to toon town first and let him ride the Barnstormer (it's over in like 30 seconds, and it's outdoors), then maybe do BTMRR before letting him try SM. That will give him more of a feel for what coasters are like before going on one in the dark. He can stand in line for SM and he'll see the ride before he has to get on it. He could always chicken out if he gets scared. I did that once when I was his age (at DL). We took our 7yr old nephew who was scared of everything and he couldn't get enough of SM so your ds might be just fine with it.

hth!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Definitely start with the Barnstormer and work your way up from there. After Barnstormer, try Big Thunder Mountain followed by Splash. In all of these, you can sit side-by-side. If all goes well, then try Space Mountain. My 5 yo is desperate to ride SM. He's a thrill ride junkie -- LOVES ToT and MS. However, I've been reluctant to put him on SM since he'd have to ride alone. I've promised to let him go in March. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

 

[Rapunsel]

my ds 4 was set on riding Tot and did it.. He said he won't do it again, till the next time. So I say work him up and you can tell him SM is like BTM but only in the dark. Very dark...

 

[stahshee]

I WOULD NOT. That is really FASt and is a two seater. You can not hold on to him. Maybe splash mountain but not space.

 

[kat3668]

I'm a splash mountain fanatic and Big thunder railroad ranks right up there with my favorite rides,,, This past trip Feb 4-11th I swore I would not be afraid and ride space mountain.. I have been to WDW twice before and was too chicken.. well I did it and guess what...... I was scared to death
I think it was too fast and hated the fact that all you could do was hear the clang clang.. I thought there would be more lights flashing etc..Oh well I'm a baby I guess...

 

[runner26.2]

We went through the same with our 4 year old. She was adament about wanting to ride Space Mountain. We started with Goofy's Barnstormer and then went to Thunder Mountain. While she was ok with Goofy's and mediocre with Thunder Mountain that was enough to dissuade her from Space Mountain until the next year.

Maybe she would have been fine on Space Mountain, but it was her choice and she was happy to wait after have been on thunder mountain (which she rode several times as a 4 year old as well as Splash mountain.) The next year she was fine on Space Mountain ... but we did the same thing. Started with Goofy and moved up just so she got a sense of what was coming.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

you guys have some pretty tall 4yo's. My DD is 5.5 and still has a couple of inches to go.

My daughter is scared of all the rides we go and and wants to do them again and again. I know we will not have problems when she finally is tall enough. But she's been riding teh big kid rides for well over a year now (we had seasonal passes).

 

[annie1995]

I would definately start on barnstormer then move up to big thunder. You can also take him on tomorrow land transit athority, it goes kind of through it for a few seconds, that way he can see a little bit of the inside of it. If he does fine with those, go for it! My neighbor's son who is scared of everything including his own shadow, loved this ride. He rode in the front, and would have stayed on it all day if they let him. He also loved Mission Space. Kids, go figure

 

[Smylie]

Y'all are awesome! Thanks for the input! We will definately start at the barnstormer and move to BTMR or Splash Mountain. If he can handle those, then maybe he can handle SM. I think BTMR will be a big determinant. I'm so excited for him!!

Thanks again!

 

[kimr210]

ok,

Am I just being over protective or what? My DD will be 5.5 and makes the height for the ride and I just picture her getting on and not being there to get off . I think I am going to tell her that she is not tall enough this year and wait until next time. So am I crazy?

 

[Nicolepa]

ok,

Am I just being over protective or what? My DD will be 5.5 and makes the height for the ride and I just picture her getting on and not being there to get off . I think I am going to tell her that she is not tall enough this year and wait until next time. So am I crazy?

Why wouldn't you be there? You sit right behind her. I will admit I was a bit freaked out to let my 5.5 year old ride it, but she is a thrill seeker (TOT is her favorite). She loves space mtn, it is her new favorite. We have always let our kids ride the ride (if the wanted to) when they hit the height limit. (This only goes for DW, but we don't go anywhere else so it a moot point .) The only exception is Mission to Mars.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

I really think I would say no. it is an very intense ride and the fact that your are not able to hold on to your child makes me really uneasy. If you are ok with it and feel comfortable then fine, but sometimes the parent has to make the decission and saying no is ok. I would not lie to her but simply tell her the truth. You are uncomfortable with her on this ride at four and as mom, you get to decide. Tell her that next trip you will look at the situation again and decide if she can ride then.

JOrdans' mom

 

[Cruz91]

OK... Our DD4 is very mature and also a bit of a thrill junkie. I told the DW that I'm taking the little terror on any ride for which she meets the height requirement and wants to try. Thanks so much for your recommendations of progression (start with barnstormer, then move gradually to SM - which she's about 3/4" too short for anyway). But where would ToT fall into that progression? How will I know if she's 'ready' for it - even if she says she is? She is not by any means a timid personality. One of our favorite family past times is hiding around corners and scaring one another....

Also - any advice you can give on how to get my wife to see thing my way would be appreciated . Her main point of contention was the one poor child who passed away because he was too small to ride one of the rides last year or the year before - anyone remember which ride that was???

thx....

 

[Jenn]

We eased our way into Space Mountain. My now 8 year old DD did Barnstormer at 4, then Splash at 5, BTMRR at 6 and finally Space Mountain at 7 - and loves them all. She still hasn't tried RNR or TOT. Oh, she also started doing Test Track at 6 and loved it!! Maybe next trip (she will be 9 by then).

 

[Kae]

Also take him on TTA you go thru SM so he can see how dark it is. If he still wants to ride after all the other stuff then go for it. Have a great trip.

Kae

 

[KTSMOM]

My DD was 4, just shy of 5, on our last trip to DW and she LOVED SM. She insisted on going on the ride. She had ridden BTM and loved that, but of course you can sit next to them on the ride. Not only did she laugh the entire way she insisted on riding again and up front. Go figure. Our friends DD didn't want to ride SM once she got up to the front and saw how dark it was. Her dad was able to exit with her with no problem, so your child can make a last minute call if need be.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

DS just turned 4 on our last trip, and he went on SPLASH, BTMRR and ToT. He was still too short for Space, although he wanted to ride. He LOVED Splash and BTMRR...but HATED ToT. He says he doesn't ever want to go on again. Is he really my kid??? That is my FAVORITE ride of all time! LOL....

 

[Nicolepa]

OK... Our DD4 is very mature and also a bit of a thrill junkie. I told the DW that I'm taking the little terror on any ride for which she meets the height requirement and wants to try. Thanks so much for your recommendations of progression (start with barnstormer, then move gradually to SM - which she's about 3/4" too short for anyway). But where would ToT fall into that progression? How will I know if she's 'ready' for it - even if she says she is? She is not by any means a timid personality. One of our favorite family past times is hiding around corners and scaring one another....

Also - any advice you can give on how to get my wife to see thing my way would be appreciated . Her main point of contention was the one poor child who passed away because he was too small to ride one of the rides last year or the year before - anyone remember which ride that was???

thx....

That was Mission to Mars. And it was determined that he had an undiagnosed heart condition (or something like that). But I will have to say that this is the one ride I will not let my kids ride. It is very, very intense.

As for TOT, my dd (who is a thrill ride junkie) started riding it at 4. She loved it. My son was 3 and it terrifies him, but he a much mellower child. Although he did ask to ride it again the next trip (a month later), and played TOT at home for months afterwards.

The line is pretty intense, if she doesn't get scared by the line then I'd probably let her ride, if she wants.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I haven't read the other replies yet - but here is my .02 cents....
My DS is 5 and wanted to go on SM this past January (he is 50 pounds and 45 inches) - I decided to ride it first since I knew he would be riding alone - There was NO WAY I would have put him on this ride. It is really jerky, the sides are low, and I would be afraid he would fall out. Maybe I am just paranoid, but I just wouldn't feel right letting him go on it at this stage.......
Ride it first yourself, and then judge if you would feel comfortable with letting your child ride it.

Jen