Tall enough for Barnstormer?

[rachael95]

We are planning on going to Disney in October (I hope it doesn't get delayed again). Our son will be 2 years 8 months. He just had his 2 year checkup last week and was 33.75 inches tall in bare feet. Though I swear, I think the nurse squished his neck down the way his chin was practically touching his chest...

I know Barnstormer requires 35 inches. I'm just not sure how much to expect a little one to grow in 8 months at that age. Is the 35 inches including his tennis shoes? He's definitely over 34 inches right now when he wears his shoes.

Those of you who've recently had little ones, how tall were they when they were a little over 2 1/2 years? Should I even think about him on Barnstormer? Is it too rough for a not-quite 3 year old? It's been so many years since I visited Magic Kingdom, I don't even remember Barnstormer, we spent most of our time on Splash Mountain.

Thanks!

 

[capeseal]

I would guess that he will be fine, especially with shoes. I don't advocate doing anything to enhance height (like stuffing the shoes) but, if he makes the height with a regular pair of sneakers on, no one is going to question it. My little 2-year-old just cleared the height marker with his sneakers and had a blast on Barnstormer. (And DH recorded his face during the whole thing as it was his first thrill ride .) It was actually a really magical experience as the cast member checking his height was so charmed that she escorted us up the fast pass line and gave us an ice cream certificate to celebrate the moment. I hope your little boy loves it too.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I think he will be fine height-wise. Shoes will add at least a 1/2 inch and he still has more than 6 months to grow. Just keep encouraging him to eat his veggies.

As for the scariness factor, the Barnstormer is really tame. But each 2 year old is different. Is he going to be a daredevil? Or is he going to be a fraidy-cat? One 2 year old might be fine on it but the next one isn't.

 

[capeseal]

As for the scariness factor, the Barnstormer is really tame. But each 2 year old is different. Is he going to be a daredevil? Or is he going to be a fraidy-cat? One 2 year old might be fine on it but the next one isn't.

My five-year-old was terrified and will not ride again. 2-year-old brother grinned the entire way. You are so right that every kid is different when it comes to coasters.

 

[rachael95]

Thank you!

He loves airplanes and I know he'd love doing it. But I definitely don't want him doing something that would be too rough. Since my sister lives in Orlando, we'll definitely visit again at some point so if he misses it, that isn't the end of the world. But I'd love for him to experience it if he can. I'll keep an eye on his growth. I have a feeling he's due for a bit of a spirt soon. He's been pretty steady on height the last couple months and the doctor said he's gone every other visit from 50th percentile to 25th percentile and back again. Right now, he's at the 25th.

 

[Twin Dad]

Don't worry about the height. He's got plenty of time to grow an inch. Also practice standing tall just in case. Another tip I have is warm up to Barn Stormer. DS I could have put on any ride at that age. DD needed to get warmed before going on anything intense.

 

[MSSANDRA]

One thing we learned was to save any questionable rides for towards the end of the day. If they get spooked on a ride, it can be hard to convince them that even the mildest no thrill ride is not scary. I would get a FP for toward the end of your first day at MK. If he loves it you can do it again if you have a second day at MK. If it scares him, at least he will have overnight to recover and try something else.

 

[BubblyTrip]

My kid has loved coasters since his first kiddie coaster at age two. Some of his friends won't go near a kiddie train ride at age five. You know your child's temperament best.

I think watching it first is useful, and going at the end if the day is brilliant.

 

[MandiC]

My youngest just had his 2.5 yr check-up on Tuesday and he was 37 inches...he is a little tall for his age but I'd imagine your little one will grow at least an inch in that time frame

 

[Twin Dad]

One thing we learned was to save any questionable rides for towards the end of the day. If they get spooked on a ride, it can be hard to convince them that even the mildest no thrill ride is not scary. I would get a FP for toward the end of your first day at MK. If he loves it you can do it again if you have a second day at MK. If it scares him, at least he will have overnight to recover and try something else.

Excellent idea. There's a reason most theme parks have a carousel just behind the main gates. Great place for the younglings to warm up. DD has to start her day at the carousel because, at first, that was the only ride she would go on.

 

[RoosMama]

DD just went on this the day after her 2nd birthday. I think she is more like 34", but with shoes she was okay. They measured her for about 10 minutes! She loved it and begged to go on again and again. I think it is pretty bumpy. However, she also found it hilarious when I hit the bumper thing in the middle of Tomorrowland Speedway, so it was up her alley.

One thing that was cool is that we met Goofy right after we rode it and she got to tell him how she "flew his plane" three times in a row.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

We are planning on going to Disney in October (I hope it doesn't get delayed again). Our son will be 2 years 8 months. He just had his 2 year checkup last week and was 33.75 inches tall in bare feet. Though I swear, I think the nurse squished his neck down the way his chin was practically touching his chest...

I know Barnstormer requires 35 inches. I'm just not sure how much to expect a little one to grow in 8 months at that age. Is the 35 inches including his tennis shoes? He's definitely over 34 inches right now when he wears his shoes.

Those of you who've recently had little ones, how tall were they when they were a little over 2 1/2 years? Should I even think about him on Barnstormer? Is it too rough for a not-quite 3 year old? It's been so many years since I visited Magic Kingdom, I don't even remember Barnstormer, we spent most of our time on Splash Mountain.

Thanks!

I am going to say all children are different, however my children wanted nothing to do with barnstormer after their first ride. My boys love the mountains and my oldest loves rockin roller coaster and the like but says he will never go on Barnstormer again. And he didn't, last trip he waited with his grandma while the rest of us tried it. Ds4 rode it for the first time that trip and he will not ride it again.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Shleedogg]

Like a PP mentioned, all kids are different. My 5 year old DD is lukewarm about barnstormer (but loves thunder mountain, go figure!) and was scared of flight of the hippogriff (similar to barnstormer at universal) but my younger DD who was 2 and 7 months when we went in February loved them both. Couldn't get enough of barnstormer. They are measured with their shoes on. All you can do there is hope he grows enough in time

 

[FigmentFinder]

You're not going for 8 months. He has plenty of time to grow an inch. Most children grow 3 inches from 2 years to 3 years old. They measure with shoes on, so wear sneakers instead of sandals.

My DD went last September at 2 years 8 months. She loved the Barnstromer. It's pretty gentle.

 

[peggyo9]

We put marks on the wall for height requirements for rides. Our foster kids were pretty excited to reach Splash Mt. height. It is great incentive to encourage healthy eating, too. Eat tour veggies so you'll be tall enough for Splash Mt.

 

[rachael95]

One thing we learned was to save any questionable rides for towards the end of the day. If they get spooked on a ride, it can be hard to convince them that even the mildest no thrill ride is not scary. I would get a FP for toward the end of your first day at MK. If he loves it you can do it again if you have a second day at MK. If it scares him, at least he will have overnight to recover and try something else.

That's a really good idea. I like the idea another poster had for doing a growth chart. I feel awful, he's 2 and I still haven't done a growth chart at all!

He loves carousels, slides, and pretending he's driving. So I'm hoping he'll enjoy the rides there. We need to take a trip to Dollywood and introduce him to more rides.

Thanks all! I feel better about his options.