Splash Mountain with 4 year old

[MineeBaby]

My daughter is 4 and a half, a Disney World veteran, and we will be visiting Disneyland for the second time this February. She is THRILLED that she is finally tall enough to go on the 40 inch requirement rides (loved the Matterhorn and the smaller coasters) and is aching to go on Splash Mountain. I can see in the pictures that Splash Mountain in Disneyland does NOT sit two people across, but single file instead. Do they have seatbelts or anything to tie little 4 year olds down if they are sitting in their own seat? I can't imagine letting her sit in her own seat, without a seatbelt, going down that big ole hill.

Thanks!
Heidi

 

[disheadz]

I took my 4 year old on Splash Mountain a year ago. There are no seat belts for little ones but he did not have to sit in his own seat. He sat between my legs on the same seat as me. I think that meant that we took the back seat becasue it's a bit bigger...if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[FlameGirl]

Nope, no seatbelts, but she should be just fine. You sit so low in those logs that unless she tries to stand, it would be near impossible to fall out. And to echo the previous poster, the back seat sits two across, so you can request that seat. She'll be fine!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I don't think you can sit with them between your legs anymore... but you can sit side by side in the back seat. That is where dd sits when we ride, next to me... be prepared if she isn't very tall (my dd was just at the height minimum) that you probably won't be able to see her in the photo (or just the top of her head!)... so no photo souvie most likely!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I know the feeling. I hang onto my 4 year old sitting in the seat in front of me, just for my own piece of mind.

 

[sonnyjane]

As the others said, there are not seatbelts. You CAN however sit with her in between your legs in the very back seat. The reason I know this is because in my experiences using the Single Rider Line, I almost ALWAYS end up in that back seat having to straddle some poor soul lol!

 

[davidsprincess]

First time we went on with DD 4, DH sat in front of her and I sat behind her. We told her to hang on tight and I held on to her for the whole time, except down the last drop. Then it was every man for himself! I closed my eyes and SCREAMED. The next two times she went on she was fine with DH. she even raised her arms as she went down the last drop. and she sat right in front of DH. for all the good that would do as he raises his arms too when they go down

 

[bumbershoot]

Physics keeps you in. Don't worry about that! I've actually read long physics-filled essays about how physics would keep you in even on Screamin' in the loop...but of course we need the harness just in case the coaster stopped on that loop. Oh, and to prevent stupidity from taking hold of any guest.

Anyway, DS and I did sit in the very back seat, squished next to each other. He wanted to have my arm around him, and I wanted to have my arm around him, so that's what we did!

Just ask for the last seat with your little one.



FWIW, in any of the seats, it feels like you're straddling people...even though you have a seatback between you and the person in front.

 

[IBLarsen]

When we went in October my dd 4 went on Splash but the CM absolutely would not let her ride in the same seat, either beside or between my legs. They made it clear that it was ONE person per seat. I thought for sure she would have been able to go with me in the back....I'm not saying that CM was correct, just saying be prepared! We ended up putting DD4 in the seat in front of me and I just leaned forward and kept my arms on her, she was fine. I would prefer that she could sit with me however.

 

[sonnyjane]

FWIW, in any of the seats, it feels like you're straddling people...even though you have a seatback between you and the person in front.

Ha, I suppose that is true, but it really IS straddling in that back seat. My most memorable trip was in a log with a mom, dad, and their two kids. The two kids and mom filled up the front seats, and the CM directed dad to the back seat. Then the CM directed ME behind dad, a total stranger mind you, and he was a rather big gentlemen. I was basically spread eagle in a denim skirt (will never, EVER wear a skirt to DL again!) behind this poor guy and I know he felt uncomfortable - I felt like I was violating him in front of his poor wife!

 

[AZBeth]

I took my 4.5 year old on this ride in November, as we approched the ride the CM asked me if I wanted the backrow since that row sits 2 side by side and I said yes we did and that worked out fine since I did hold onto her as we were going down the hill. So if you don't mind maybe having to wait some to get the backrow that should work fine...

 

[MineeBaby]

This is all fabulous new (except the denim-skirt-straddling-large-married-man part, hahah!)!

It sounds like my little girl will get to ride after all, even if it means waiting for the back seat. 6 weeks and counting until our trip! Too bad the materhorn is going to be under rehab when we are there...bummer!

Thanks for all the great info!
Heidi

 

[disneylicious]

davidsprincess - Too funny - I did the exact same thing!

We went for my DD's 4th birthday in 2008 - she was about 40.5" - and I didn't realize there was a seat in the back that sat side by side, so I put her in the seat in front of me and held on from behind (quite the stretch) - until the drop came and I let go and held on for dear life myself! She loved it anyways and we rode it three times, although the second and third time, she sat in the back next to her Dad (side by side, not straddled). They got a lot more wet back there!

We're going back next month for her 6th bday - can't wait!

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Ha, I suppose that is true, but it really IS straddling in that back seat. My most memorable trip was in a log with a mom, dad, and their two kids. The two kids and mom filled up the front seats, and the CM directed dad to the back seat. Then the CM directed ME behind dad, a total stranger mind you, and he was a rather big gentlemen. I was basically spread eagle in a denim skirt (will never, EVER wear a skirt to DL again!) behind this poor guy and I know he felt uncomfortable - I felt like I was violating him in front of his poor wife!

OMG, sorry Sonnyjane but I LOL when I read this! Sorry!

 

[MagicalMomAZ]

This thread is getting pretty funny!!

Had to add my two cents quickly...
My DS was 3.5 when he went on it. DH sat in front of him, DS in middle, I was behind him w/ my arms around him. This is definately a good arrangement for the most part....but the pictures! We couldn't see his face! So we took a pic of the pic on the screen & kept that but all you can see is his hat! I learned later he had cried, I couldn't tell - I was behind him, but he got over it quickly & wanted to go again.