Splash Mountain for a 4yr old??

[bblljar02]

I have a somewhat small 4yr old who will meet the height requirement for Splash Mountain, and says he's definitely riding w/ daddy, but I am TERRIFIED! He's soo skinny I'm afraid he'll fly right out!! My son will probably change his mind when he sees it, but I'm just curious to hear anyone else's experience w/ this...I also have reservations about Big Thunder Mtn...

 

[EnchantedPrincess]

My dd rode space mountain during our last trip (she just turned 5) ..she met the height requirement, and she is about 37 lbs...so I don't think she is that big. I was really worried about letting her ride, but dh feels that she will be OK...so we did it, and she LOVES it and went on it twice. She also went on Big Thunder Mountain railroad and test track and loves them too! She can't stop talking about the "big kids" ride.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Hi there!

First of all, to the Dis!

Both my 6 and 4 y/o boys loved Big Thunder and Splash. It is quite safe, I must say in my own personal opinion, I think your son will be OK, no worries about "falling out" of the vehicle.

Also, it depends on your child's personality. Is he shy, timid, or is he outgoing and gung-ho? From what you have posted, it seems that he really wants to try it.

A lot of times, it's our parental anxiety that makes our children anxious too. I say, relax, and enjoy the moment.

 

[bblljar02]

My son is usually shy and timid, so I'm thinking he'll back out when he sees how big it is...and I hate to say it, but I hope he does!! I literally dreamed(maybe more like nightmared) about this a couple of weeks ago! Ridiculous, I know b/c tons of kids have ridden it...but since I am afraid to ride it, I'm terrified to think of him riding it...I won't hold him back, but I will be a nervous wreck until he gets off!!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Splash Mountain was DD's (4 at the time) favorite ride last year and the only one she requested to do twice. Honestly, the worst of it is what you can see from outside, the rest is a pretty mild, pleasant ride with nice scenery. The seats are very low and there's no need to worry about anyone falling out. Also, the seat is a bench, so if DH wanted to put his arm around DS, he could.

 

[imthatgirl]

i hear you!! i felt the same way when my 8yo was 4 and now when my 4 goes this year. i cringe and it porbably doesnt help that im not a ride person.
but, i let them go. i know even though im scared that its illogical because of a couple things called gravity and inertia... but i know theres no talking anyone down from that fear. because even though im writing this, ill still freak out a bit when billy goes on splash.

the one that im more nervous about is tower of terror. its been my 8yos favorite ride since she was 4 and now my son wants to ride it. but i really think he cant handle the freaky factor to it. i think one ride and he will done for the entire day.

 

[disneymamaof2]

My DS rode it in May and June, he is 3 yr old and weighs 36 lbs, DD also rode it she is 6 and 38 lbs, so she is a peanut. They both loved it, I am always nervous too of letting the kids do stuff, but I hate to put my fears on them. My husband is the risk taker and I am the over protective mother so I guess it balances out.

 

[pigletto]

I know what you mean. My ds (4) will meet the requirements.. but I keep thinking his skinny little body is going to go flying out of the car and across the park
However.. he is a daredevil and he just isn't afraid of that kind of stuff.
I figure the height and size requirements are in place for a reason and that if he wants to do it.. it is highly unlikely that anything will happen.
But gee.. it would be nice if they just wanted to meet the characters and stick to Dumbo

 

[brockash]

We went a few years ago, with my then 3 y/o son and 3 y/o nephew. They both rode it, and were fine. My son loved it, my nephew kept going back and forth, but ended up riding it a second time. As for, him flying out, he'll be sitting right next to your husband. Your husband can basically have arms around him the whole time.

 

[enchantingodin]

See if you can find a POV (point of view) video on youtube to show him.

I took my 4 year old last year and he loved it. But every kid IS different.

 

[NJMomma]

Our last trip to Magic Kingdom was last May, 3 months after my DD turned 4. She is average size for her age. She LOVED LOVED Splash Mountain. We went on several times, and she still talks about Splash Mountain being her very favorite ride. It's not really a scary ride at all. She was very upset she couldn't go on Space Mountain , she would if she could. She did Test Track at Epcot, I thought that was faster. She also did Tower of Terror (I had stay with the 10 year old who wouldn't go on Tower of Terror!). She was more bothered by that darned Snow White ride....

 

[Azree]

I was worried about my kids and the "thrill" rides, too - they turned 5 at the end of March - but they loved them.

By the end of the week, we had 6 trips on Splash Mountain (3 times in a row during the parade on our last night!), 4 on Big Thunder, Space Mountain twice, Tower of Terror 3 times...

The only ride that freaked out my little girl was Dinosaur. My son wouldn't admit it, but I think he was, too.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

My DS 3 and DD 5 rode it and both of them loved it. The trip before the "hill" is pretty cool for kids.

 

[Camno's Mama]

My four-year-old rode Splash for the first time in May. He hated it! It wasn't that the ride itself was too scary, but that he really hated getting so wet. Warning...you will probably not be dry! I didn't realize how bad it was...we literally got dumped on!

Other than that, the ride was fine from those other standpoints. He is pretty skinny as well. Take out the water, and he would have loved it!

 

[Colinsmom]

My oldest DS went on it right before his third birthday (yes, very tall, but very skinny). He loved it! Splash Mountain is a fun ride for all ages - I personally love the theming and story line! Why are you afraid to ride it? Perhaps if you were more familiar with the ride, you'd be more comfortable with your DS going on it.

If your DS wants to go on it with Daddy, I'd encourage you to let him go (if skinny kids were at risk of flying out, Disney would certainly have addressed that danger) and try not to transfer your fears of the ride to him.

 

[Miss LD]

I took DS, 4, and my 6 yo niece on Splash Mountain in July. I was terrified of this ride (I really hate water rides) but they were excited. I must have asked 5 times if they CM was sure the ride was safe. He assured me it was.
The kids had an amazing time.
I've never screamed louder in my life.
We ended up buying the picture because I look terrified and the kids look thrilled.
But really, they wouldn't let your child on if it wasn't safe enough.
We also did Thunder Mountain (much more my thing) and DS LOVED it!

 

[bblljar02]

I will NOT keep him from riding, and I'm actually trying to work up the courage to ride myself b/c I LOVE the Brer Rabbit/Bear/Fox stories and would love to see the inside...I think it should have a walk through path for the chickens!! I've done all other rides, except this one and Mission Space...I did not like ToT too much, and since I can actually see this drop off, I just can't bring myself to do it.....Thanks to everyone who replied!! I feel a little better about it...maybe I can be brave enough this time.....we'll see in 24 more days!!!

 

[delmar411]

I will NOT keep him from riding, and I'm actually trying to work up the courage to ride myself b/c I LOVE the Brer Rabbit/Bear/Fox stories and would love to see the inside...I think it should have a walk through path for the chickens!! I've done all other rides, except this one and Mission Space...I did not like ToT too much, and since I can actually see this drop off, I just can't bring myself to do it.....Thanks to everyone who replied!! I feel a little better about it...maybe I can be brave enough this time.....we'll see in 24 more days!!!

He'll be just fine and honestly you should try to go on it. I'm not sure what portion your fear is with but it is a calm ride up to the drop and that isn't even what I'd consider 'thrilling'. I hope you are able to enjoy the ride. My older DS went on it at age 2 and was just fine. He's pretty average weight and just made the height cut off. He also did BTMR and loves that one even more than Splash.

My younger DS is still too short at 2.5yrs. We're hoping he grows another 3" by Dec so he can ride Splash! LOL

 

[brekin67]

My son was 4 the first time he rode SM. That is our favorite, do not miss, ride at MK. We like to sit at Pecos Bill for the evening parade. When the parade is through we walk over the SM and we are able to get on and ride at least 3 times, usually without getting off the log, before park closing. Most people leave the park as the end of the parade passes them.
It is also dark outside and it is a beautiful view when coming down the water slope. I don't think you need to worry about your kids being thrown out. You are on a bench inside a log and he can sit with mommy.
Have a great time.

 

[mmmears]

At 4, my small DD loved this ride. I had my DH take her with him and told him that he'd better hold on tight to her. He did, and I felt better about it, knowing she had a human seat-belt of sorts. BTW, it instantly became her favorite ride!