space mountain question

[hmacmahony]

My 7 year old wants to do space mountain (I will believe it when I see it, she is chicken).
I can't remember how the seating works? I know last time I rode with another grown up, she sat in front of me, I could not reach her. Can my daughter sit directly in front of me (in the same seat), that way I can hold her? I will not even think about the ride if she can't sit with me, in case she freaks?
Any one know?
thanks!

 

[magchavez]

You are right, it is two seats, one behind the other. I rode it last year with my 6 year old. All I could do was touch his shoulder. He didn't like it at all.

 

[purvislets]

No, she can not sit in the same seat as you. The cars are set up with one seat in front of the other with overhead restraints. You probably won't be able to reach her and if you can, you'll only be able to touch her shoulder as PP said.

I think if you prepped her about this ahead of time that she'd be able to decide if she wants to ride or not.

 

[brockash]

I went last month with my DS 6. He had been on SM at DL, but the seating is right next to each other there. I was really worried about the fact that I didn't think I'd be able to touch him and he was only 6 but he really wanted to go on it. It's 6 seats total 3 in a row, front to back, and then 3 more, so they're all essentially single riders. It ended up being fine, and actually I could touch him and if I leaned foward I could have my arms completely around him. He loved it, and we went on it many times. I think if your DD does want to go, it should be okay.

 

[brockash]

No, she can not sit in the same seat as you. The cars are set up with one seat in front of the other with overhead restraints. You probably won't be able to reach her and if you can, you'll only be able to touch her shoulder as PP said.

I think if you prepped her about this ahead of time that she'd be able to decide if she wants to ride or not.

Just so OP knows, the restraints are not overhead, they're lap bars- another thing I was worried about with DS 6, but they're completely tight and it was fine. Have a good trip.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

To the OP - I would ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority first - since it goes through the Space Mountain ride building, so your child can get a really good look at it, first. Then, if you guys are all okay with it - try it.

Just so OP knows, the restraints are not overhead, they're lap bars- another thing I was worried about with DS 6, but they're completely tight and it was fine. Have a good trip.

To brockash - Just as an FYI - the seating configuration at WDW is completely different. It's one behind the other - like Splash Mountain at DL, but with cars shaped like Matterhorn vehicles.

 

[toy]

I have to admit I had nightmares about that ride being over and dd7 not being in her seat. She is so little. Well, I let her go on it and she loved it so much she rode it over 8 times during our trip. She and her 6 year old cousin kept wanting to go over and over again. It is dark but doesn't go as fast as it seems. My 5 year old didn't want anything to do with that ride or any other ride that resembled a roller coaster. If your child is afraid of the dark and unsure of roller coasters this might not be the ride for her. As for your concerns mom, sometimes you have to let go and let them try. Sure I didn't breathe until it was over but blue isn't such a bad color.

 

[kimgof]

We just returned from WDW a couple of weeks ago. My DS(7) wanted to ride everything but had never ridden on any roller coasters before. So we did a progression test. First , we all did Splash mountain. Easy, we all loved it...DD(5) went also. Then we rode Big Thunder mountain, right next to Splash mountain. My kids loved it so much they did it 4 times. Then everyone was excited to ride space mountain. I was really nervous about my DD(5) since it is dark, she just makes the height requirement, and you can't sit next to her. But my DH said he would sit right behind her and keep one hand on her shoulder. So away we all went me, DH, DS(13), DS(7) and DD(5). After we get off, DS(13) says he liked it, DD(5) said she wanted to go again and DS(7) had an anxiety attack and refused to go on anyrides anymore!!! So, I would have thought he would be fine, he is acutally now 8 -his Bday was a few weeks after our return- he was so happy on the other rollercoaster and splash mountain. But something about space mountain freaked him out. The dark may have done since you can't really see where your going. My littlest one who I was nervous about went on again with her big brother and dad. So you never know how any ride will affect any child. My DD wanted to go on Expedition Everest with her big brother too, but I had to say no.... one anxiety attack per vacation.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I feel better hearing you guys, as I know I am in store for this in another year or two. Luckily, my oldest (not yet 3.5) is somewhat ride-timid. She finds Gadget's Go Coaster in DL to be scary. My youngest will be all over the thrill rides. I do most of the mountains (I don't care much for Splash - irrational fear of falling) and can do/like R&RC, but that's about it. Everest may be a bit too much for me.

Since I'm also a mom who tosses cookies on the teacups, I am a bit concerned! (She rides that with Daddy and loves it!)

How have you guys handled this - when your kids get more adventurous than you are?

 

[disneyfan2]

Then everyone was excited to ride space mountain. I was really nervous about my DD(5) since it is dark, she just makes the height requirement, and you can't sit next to her.
The dark may have done since you can't really see where your going. My littlest one who I was nervous about went on again with her big brother and dad. So you never know how any ride will affect any child. :

Oh that is good, my DD9&5 both want to go. I wasn't sure about DD5 as she is now tall enough. However, because it is only 3 of us, if we all don't go no one can, as DD9 won't stay by herself in line. My DD5 done Splash, BTM and loved those, now she wants Space and TOT

 

[all4fun]

I have to admit I had nightmares about that ride being over and dd7 not being in her seat. She is so little. Well, I let her go on it and she loved it so much she rode it over 8 times during our trip. She and her 6 year old cousin kept wanting to go over and over again. It is dark but doesn't go as fast as it seems. My 5 year old didn't want anything to do with that ride or any other ride that resembled a roller coaster. If your child is afraid of the dark and unsure of roller coasters this might not be the ride for her. As for your concerns mom, sometimes you have to let go and let them try. Sure I didn't breathe until it was over but blue isn't such a bad color.

I felt the same way! Even though my ds was technically tall enough last year, we still decided to wait a while. he was four and wasn't quite 40lbs yet (tall and slender). On our last trip, in April, he had hit the 40lb mark and was definitely tall enough. He really wanted to ride, so we decided to let him go on it. He loved it and the lap restraint actually did hold him in quite well. The seats are also bucket-shaped so they sort of wrap around you a little, which also helps to hold you more securely. It's funny I never really thought about this stuff until I started considering that my ds would want to ride it. Anyway, we'll definitely let him ride again on our next trip if he wants to.

hth!