Space Mountain with a almost 5 year old

[dlrhine]

Ok...I have to ask this because my daredevil DD (who will be 5 Jan. 22) wants to ride Space Mountain. We were at the Pedi yesterday for and ear infection and they did her height and weight and low and behold she was at 45 inches with her shoes off. So she turns around and asked me "Mommy does that mean I can ride Space Mountain also". Now as I said this child is a dare devil. She has been doing Splash and Big Thunder since she was 3 (yes she is very tall, her daddy is 6'3'') and at our local amusment park Hersheypark she does the Superdooperlooper (which goes upside down) and also does the comet, and loves them all. The thing I don't like with Space Mountain is that she'll be in a seat by herself and I can't keep an arm around her. All the other costers I or her Daddy sit next to her and keep our arm around her, not because she is scared as she says don't hold me but for my own piece of mind I keep my arms around her. Will she be ok on Space Mountain that young? I'm the one that is uncomfortable and worried but I know she is going to bug and say she is tall enough. Help?

 

[salmoneous]

Daughter will be fine. Mom will be a wreck. But, look at it this way, it'll start preparing you for all those other "first things without Mom there to protect her" events in her life.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Salmoneous got it exactly right!

My son loved Space Mt. I kept trying to put my hands on his shoulders and after every ride he'd tell me not to do that again. And then tell me the same thing the next time. And the next time.

My son will ride anything that he is big enough for and is counting the inches until he can ride Rock N Roller Coaster.

 

[Merriwind]

DD7 has been on Splash and BTMRR since just before her 3rd bday. Space, we waited on for the same reason you are hesitating. I never offered it and she started asking about it last year when she was 6. She rode it this last trip at age 7 and loved it--me, not so much! If your DD wants to go, I'm sure that she'll be fine.

Here's a tip. Sit behind her. This way, you can lean forward and put your hands on her shoulders or hold her hand if she holds it up by her shoulders. This pose killed my back, but I felt so much better being able to touch DD. I was still a wreck until it was over the first time. It was very hard not being able to see or hear her. I imagined she was terrified and crying. Of course, she had a great time and we went right back on it!

Enjoy!!

 

[BeckE Sue]

My 4 DD loved Space Mountain and she is not a thrill seeker. I think if she had been able to see the ride she would never have gotten on!

DH sat in the seat behind her so he could reach up and put his hands on her shoulders to help comfort her if necessary.

She felt pretty big getting off the ride-strutted her stuff and told people how much fun it was! She noticed there weren't any kids as small as her riding which made her feel even bigger!

You should both be fine!

 

[Frantasmic]

My (skinny) son wanted to ride it last week. He is tall for his age but skinny. When we got there and saw that he had to ride alone (we had forgotten the seating pattern when we told him he could ride it), we decided against it.

If you did decide to do this and hold them by the shoulders, be prepared for several gut punches from your own seat restraints and these are unexpected since Space Mountain is in the dark and you cannot see when a sudden turn will come.

 

[tink2]

My niece, who was 6 or 7 at the time, loved every minute of all 20 times she rode it her first trip. She is very short and skinny for her age and we were all nervous about it. Her dad rode with her the first kazillion times and then she wanted me to ride with her. I did what the others said, I rode behind her and held her sholders the whole time- as she rolled her cute little eyes. She was fine. Now, DD6 says she wants to ride when we go next Dec. That will really make me nervous. No way will I let her ride without me or her dad to hold her- and I'll probably be nervous with dad in fear he may not hold her tight enough (even though I know he will)
Good luck and I think many of us are right there with you!!!!

 

[gonemousin']

My DD had just turned 5 when she went on it for the first time this past May. She loved it...and went on 14 times. I was definitely nervous about not being able to sit next to her, but I reminded her to keep her head against the seat back and she did fine. It was the absolute highlight of her trip...and she was SOOOO proud of herself for being "big enough" to ride it.

I hope you have a wonderful trip - don't worry too much! It doesn't sound as if you'll be able to keep her off Space Mountain!

 

[MagicLovinMama]

Our DS was 4 (plus a few months) and 45 inches tall (and a bit of a daredevil) when we went back to the world this summer. We watched the little video preview on the official site about all of the rides and he begged to go on Space Mtn. We did it and he LOVED it!! We went back 3 more times over the course of our trip. I say, go for it!

 

[kedaniels]

My DD turns 5 just 4 days after yours does and she is 44" exactly. She is all over going on Space Mountain. I'm in the same boat as you. I've decided that is 44" is safe then she'll be fine. She can't wait!