Splash Mountain and small children

[tkseyf]

I concur

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Splash Mountain didn't have a lap bar for many, many years. The force of the drop keeps people in the seats. The lap bar is to prevent idiots from getting out of the log.

This. The lap bar is so that dummies don't self-evacuate if the ride breaks down instead of waiting for Cast Members to guide them, not for on-the-ride safety reasons. Don't let it be a cause for worry.

 

[siskaren]

This. The lap bar is so that dummies don't self-evacuate if the ride breaks down, not at all for safety reasons. Don't let it be a cause for worry.

Actually, it was my understanding that people were climbing out of the logs for fun or because they panicked during the climb to the big drop.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Actually, it was my understanding that people were climbing out of the logs for fun or because they panicked during the climb to the big drop.

That too. Same difference though. OP's little one will be just fine on the drop. Also, who are those people, anyway? Crazy.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

After hearing about the horrific waterslide accident, I was wondering about my just turned 4 year old granddaughter and going on this ride. She loves 7DMT, but shes a tall skinny lil thing and I am suddenly concerned about her and that little lapbar. I know I'm being silly, but still wondering about other people's experiences when riding with little ones.

My daughters were both fine on it as soon as they were tall enough

 

[Baklava]

My 5 year old is going to be tall enough this year. I'm more worried about the drop scaring her a lot. She'll either love it or not want to go on any other "big girl" ride the rest of the trip.

Every kid is different but my 5 year old loved Splash. She did NOT appreciate EE and flat out refused to try ToT but she wanted Splash again and again.

 

[aspen10]

My very tall son rode it before he turned 3 last year and loved it.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

My almost 4 yo did lift up in the seat a tiny bit (like 2-3 inches) during the big drop, but you can sit 2 or 3 across (bench seat) and I was holding her tightly and we had the lap bar- I wasn't worried at all and it was her favorite.

 

[Klayfish]

Thank you so much for your snarky reply. What I was asking for was other riders experiences. I know we will enjoy the ride in January.

You're welcome.

OK, in our experience, and we've ridden it at least 50-75 times in the past 10 years, is it's absolutely silly to worry about the childs' safety while riding it. It's a relatively small log flume. Thousands ride it daily, including countless small children. I'm not sure if I've ever heard of anyone sustaining injury on it.

 

[siestakey]

My almost 4 yo did lift up in the seat a tiny bit (like 2-3 inches) during the big drop, but you can sit 2 or 3 across (bench seat) and I was holding her tightly and we had the lap bar- I wasn't worried at all and it was her favorite.

This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you. Now if only I keep can keep her little arms down for the first ride. She raises them high for Mine Train.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you. Now if only I keep can keep her little arms down for the first ride. She raises them high for Mine Train.

Why do you want her arms down?

 

[DVCcurious]

The lap bar is to prevent idiots from getting out of the log.

Are you calling me an idiot?

Once I stood up to adjust...uh...myself and a voice came over a hidden speaker that said "remain seated!"

So they're like Roz.... watching, always watching....

 

[Dbktmc]

I took my very skinny 4 year old on the ride this June. He didn't like it but he was perfectly safe.

I'm sorry for the snark that you are receiving. It's things like that that just make me never want to post. That is why I have so few posts even though I have been reading the disboards for years.

 

[alicat8]

The lap bar isn't even necessary. I don't remember when they added it, but everyone was safe even before they had it. My tall skinny 4 year old was fine. She hated it, but she had no chance of falling out.

 

[alicat8]

I took my very skinny 4 year old on the ride this June. He didn't like it but he was perfectly safe.

I'm sorry for the snark that you are receiving. It's things like that that just make me never want to post. That is why I have so few posts even though I have been reading the disboards for years.

Ha! glad it wasn't just mine. I was like "HOW COULD YOU HATE SPLASH MOUNTAIN?!?!?!" She was so excited about it for months. So sad.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

I took my 5 yr old on it and I just put my arm around him for extra security...I also took him on it again when he was 7 and 8 and did the same thing lol...I'm a little over protective lol

 

[disnut8]

This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you. Now if only I keep can keep her little arms down for the first ride. She raises them high for Mine Train.

Lots of people raise their arms on the drop. And no one has fallen out or had any kind of injury to themselves or others. So, your granddaughter will be fine.

One thing to remember about Splash Mountain and a five year old, though. Will she understand the story? Song of the South hasn't been available for viewing for years so she might not the storyline. This happened when I took my niece (who was in college) and she had no idea of the story. I didn't go into specifics but related the interaction between Brer Fox, Brer Rabbit, and Brer Bear. I focused on that relationship so what happens on Splash Mountain could be understood without seeing the movie. Also, tell your granddaughter that it's not just going into the log, going up a hill and then coming back down. She should know that there is so much more to the actual "ride" portion. Oh - and make sure she goes tot he bathroom before you board because it is a longer ride than most anticipate.

 

[KrazeeK120]

This is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for. Thank you. Now if only I keep can keep her little arms down for the first ride. She raises them high for Mine Train.

Uh, why would you want to keep her arms down? For a lot of people, part of the fun of the ride is putting arms up.

 

[linzbear]

Uh, why would you want to keep her arms down? For a lot of people, part of the fun of the ride is putting arms up.

Because only wanted someone to agree with her that the ride is too dangerous for small children.

 

[famy27]

There are two flume rides at Six Flags Great America. The drops may be slightly smaller at Six Flags, but still pretty decent drops. There are no minimum height requirements as long as you ride with an adult and no bars or restraints of any kind. Both of my DDs have ridden the flumes since they were toddlers (1-2 years old), and they have loved them. Their hands are in the air every time. Splash Mountain is safe, and we will be riding it in 3 weeks, with my 4 year old's arms in the air. I won't be holding her down either. No worries! It's such a fun ride, and one that both my DDs love.