Space Mountain: Can a thin-ish 5 year old handle it?

[CarnotaurDad]

Quick question for those who have taken their kids on Space Mountain.

Our DD (5) might be tall enough for SM when we go in August. However, she is quite think for her age (tall legs, not stocky at all). She has been on BTMMR and loves it, but we always sit next to her so we can hold on to her and make sure she doesn't flair around too much.

We know that SM is one seat at a time, so she will have to sit by herself without us holding on to her. I've been on the ride, but didn't ride it thinking of my DD. How is this ride for kids by themselves?

TIA!

 

[alecam]

I just took my DS5 on it for the first time and he LOVED it, but I also knew he would. I told him it was a roller coaster in the dark,and he ran to it!!

Remember, however, that it is a single seat configuration. My son sat right in front of me, so I could see the top of his head at all times. It was great to hear him laughing through the whole ride!!

Edited:Oops you already knew that about the seats, but he and I had no problem with it at all!! Good luck!!

 

[Tammi67]

My 5yo rode it at 40lbs. Tall and skinny. He loved it.

 

[VSL]

I don't imagine her slimness being a problem.

 

[stacy6552]

When in doubt, ride it first without your child.

 

[Vijoge]

My 8 y/o granddaughter is quite small (she wears size five slim clothes) for her age and we're not taking her on it. I know she'd be petrified. If she could sit next to one or both of us she'd be fine, but not in a seat by herself.

 

[DisneyTeasers]

Does the bar that holds you in lock down tight? DS5 is tall and thin too (about 45#) and is anxious to ride SM too. but we worry about him not being secure enough....

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Thanks for the replies. If you sit behind your child, can you hold onto them at all?

 

[suz2]

Our 5 year son rode SM 2 weeks ago and loved it. He sat in the middle behind me and in front of his dad. He said he wasn't scared at all. He also enjoyed Tower of Terror. He wieighs 45lbs. Have fun!!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

My DD6 wanted to go on it and I was nervous...She LOVED it. No, you cannot really hold onto them, I guess depending on your arm length. I sat behind her and I could just barely touch her shoulders. I kept trying to ask her "Are you ok?" but I could not hear her answer. When we got off, her face was priceless, she truly loved it. She went on it again the next day with my DH and then with me again.
If they like roller coasters, go for it. The bar that holds you down seemed fine for her and she is only @45 lbs. Just make sure they know you won't sit next to them and make sure they stil want to go. My DD actually talked me into letting her go...I am so glad she did!!!!

 

[Brina]

I have two skinny 5 year olds. One loves it, one won't ride anything bigger than goofy's barnstormer, and even that only once a day. from a safety standpoint, I would not worry.

 

[Clover9990]

I'm so glad you posted this, OP- I have the same worries with my 6 year old son. He is skinny, too- 47 pounds or so- and is so excited to go on this ride! I get nervous, though, because I usually also hold on to him during rides like BTMRR and Splash, and know that's not possible on Space Mountain. I'm glad some others posted their skinny young daredevils rode this ride without any worries and loved it- I think my son will love it, too (although I will be sweating bullets until I see him safely step off the ride!)

 

[3mickeys&me]

We were just there last month and both my boys went on it for the first time and LOVED IT!! My youngest is 6yrs old and weighs 42lbs soaking wet. He had no problems at all. As soon as it stopped he shouted he wanted to do it again. So we did!!

 

[SleepingUgly]

OK, I've got the skinniest five-year-old out there, haha. During our May trip, she was one month shy of turning 6 and still weighed only 35-36 pounds and stood at about 46 inches. Somewhat tall and very skinny, with a VERY small frame. She handled all rides with no problem ... including the dreaded Mission: Space. She loved Splash Mountain so much she went on it three times. I think your child would have no problem with the ride at all!

Linda

 

[marcij]

My now six year old rode it last year. He was not even 40 pounds at the time and very small --just barely made the height requirement. He loved it. The bar was snug against him and was not a problem. I sat behind him and put my hand on his shoulder until we "blasted" off. If you child is scared of the dark, or things that jerk a lot, this would not be the right ride. I'd be more concerned about those two issues then the fit of the bar.

 

[melaniemiller2002]

When we went to DL two summers ago, my stepdaughter was 3, almost 4 (October birthday). She rode every ride in Disneyland with no problems. She's quite tall for her age (at least I think)...she will be 6 in October and is 48 inches tall and weighs 54lbs. But at 3, she was fine on all the rides...Space Mountain was actually closed for rehab, but she went on everything else. Matterhorn was her favorite and I thought for sure she would chicken out on that one!

Your little one should be just fine on Splash...as long as it's somewhat similar to the one at DL (I am not sure if the ride differs from park to park).

Melanie

 

[robmary]

Our just turned 4 year old rode it. She loved it. You have to sit behind one another. Individual seats. There are 3 seats to each cart. 2 carts are connected. So, you would want to sit in seats 1 and 2 or 4 and 5. She seats in 1 or 4 and you in 2 or 5. You should be able to hold her shirt collar. That's what I did. She loved the ride. She have also done splash mountain, thinder mountain, and tower of terror.

 

[Simba's Girl]

OK, I've got the skinniest five-year-old out there, haha. During our May trip, she was one month shy of turning 6 and still weighed only 35-36 pounds and stood at about 46 inches. Somewhat tall and very skinny, with a VERY small frame. She handled all rides with no problem ... including the dreaded Mission: Space. She loved Splash Mountain so much she went on it three times. I think your child would have no problem with the ride at all!

Linda

No you don't My DD is/ will be the same weight as yours is at that age. 'cept I don't think she's 46"-probably 44" or so.

To the OP no, I wouldn't let DD ride Space Mountain by herself (with me behind her)yet. Too bumpy and jerky for *my* DD who as you can see is quite petite.

Heather

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

IMHO if you as the parent have these kind of doubts, then just don't do it. She can enjoy herself on the other mountains with you. Since she's been on BTMRR already, I'm guessing this isn't a once-in-a-lifetime trip. SM isn't going anywhere. If you stress over it, it will effect the quality of your trip, and her trip more than a few minute ride.

 

[mimif1]

My 6 DD is 45" and about 37lbs, skinny as a stick! The bar was snug and she loved it. We did warn her about being in a seat by herself and the fact that it's dark beforehand, but with mom behind her, she was fine.