Test Track for a 4 yr old?

[Jakesmom504]

Ok, DH and I were talking about this the other night...do you think Test Track is ok for a 4 yr old? Any experiences? I think DS is still a little short but I'm hoping maybe he'll grow a little before our trip in August. He is just under 40in so it may not even be an option. My DH thinks he'll love it, I'm not sure. Although, we did take him to a small local amusement park and he insisted on riding a roller coaster with his friend who is 6 instead of me. Reluctantly I let him and the whole time he looked terrified! To the point that people in line were commenting. His friend had to put his arm around DS and held onto him. I thought "oh well, that's it, he's done," but when he got off the ride he came running up and said "I was really, really scared but Evan held onto me and now I'm ok!" I said "well did you like it?" Right away he said, "YEAH, that was fun!" So now I don't know. He is the type of kid that remembers being terrified and once traumatized will not go anywhere near the fear again! We aren't planning to do EP until our 3rd day there so maybe by then he'll be used to some of the bigger, louder attractions and won't be so intimidated.

Anyone else let their 4 year old ride this?

 

[Manda]

It's my four year old's favorite ride. The only part he doesn't like is when it looks like you're about to run head-on into a semi-truck. That part startles him and he doesn't like to be startled. Although, even at four, he's already asked, "Why is Test Track broken so much?" Good question, dear.

 

[LynnTH]

The last time we were at Disney ( a few years ago) my DD was 4. She loves rides. She went on Test Track for the 1st time (as did I). She loved it. She was laughing the entire time. She couldn't wait to go again. I am a big baby on rides and I even liked it. She also did Tower of Terror and any other ride she was big enough for. I think it all depends on the kid - but I didn't think Test Track was that bad as far as the scariness factor.

 

[dismom9761]

My DD rode it numerous times last October.She was three at the time and loved it.She is a bit of a daredevil.

These were taken during the outside part of the ride.

 

[nhpgator]

my DD age 4 loves it - she loves the "fast part"

 

[crisi]

You know your kid - it goes fast, its a little bumpy during the road test, there is a sudden stop, and the oncoming truck. It is a little dark and slightly loud (but not too bad). PLENTY of four year olds love this - but plenty of four year olds love Space Mountain and I took a crying eight year old off that last year. (My kids do like Test Track - but were probably six the first time they rode it).

 

[MiniGirl]

My 6 year old loves it. It is her favorite ride and has been for a couple of years now. My 8yo absolutely refuses to ride it. She rode it once and won't get on it again. That same girl loves RnRC though, so go figure. Each child is different.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

My DS was 3 when he rode it. He loved it. He is a little daredevil! Everyday, he asks when we are going back so he can drive his car again.

 

[WDWorBUST]

DD LOVES it and she rode it the first time when she wasn't quite 4.

 

[tomboy_m]

My DD 4 hated it. When the brakes were suddenly engaged her torso went flying foreward. She is a small 4 both short and skinny.. barely made the 40 inch. She said that it hurt when it stopped so fast.

She loved splash mountain, big thunder mountain, goofy's barn stormer. Somewhat disliked Tower of terror.

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

My son 4 LOVED Test Track, he says it was his favorite ride. My nephew who is 3 1/2 also loved it. i was shocked when my sil let him go on and even more shocked that he CM let him on because he is 39 inches tall. Needless to say, he had a total blast and still talks about it.

have a magical trip

 

[kohlby]

My son liked it at 3.5. He didn't go on it when he was barely 40" which was at 3. He actually wasn't a daredevil but liked that he could see what some of the ride was about before he went on. (He wouldn't go on super-calm rides if he couldn't see any of them before he got on). We just played it by ear.

 

[Padstack]

Kind of funny that you brought this up. My DD3 saw this ride on the "Behind the Scenes" show last night and is begging us to go on it when we go to WDW. I told her it might be scary and she said "No Daddy, it is a fun ride." She is 39 1/4" without shoes so hopefully she will be tall enough in September.

 

[cuppycake]

My oldest DD 5 has absolutely LOVED this ride since the first time she went on it when she was 3.5! If you ask her to pick only one ride at Disney to go on, TT is what she would pick.

She actually tends to be a chicken when it comes to dark and loud, but loves roller coasters and fast things. She did fine with the "darkness" of the ride because she was facinated that we were "testing the cars".

Our youngest DD turned 3 in April and should be tall enough in Sept to ride...she reallly can't wait!

 

[Jakesmom504]

Thanks so much for all your input!!! I think if he is tall enough I'm going to let him ride it. Earlier tonight I was telling DH and DM that I posted this and when DS heard me he said "yeah, that's Test Track, the driving car ride, I want to go on that!" Well I now feel better after reading all of your posts! Especially those that put 3 year olds on. DS is a small 4 year old, like I said I'm still hoping that he'll hit that 40" mark by Aug 30! I'm taking him for his check up soon so I'll find out an accurate height then. Thanks everyone!

 

[Mrs.Toad]

Going along with the crowd here. Both my dd's rode it at age 4 and both loved it. The older one was a little afraid of the "hot room", but that part doesn't last long.

 

[HelenePA]

Last year my middle child was 4 and she went on it 3 times! I wish my son who was 1 last year would have tall enough to go on I know he would have loved it too. He was only 38"

 

[Jakesmom504]

Last year my middle child was 4 and she went on it 3 times! I wish my son who was 1 last year would have tall enough to go on I know he would have loved it too. He was only 38"

WAIT...did I read this right? Your son at 1 was 38"??? DS turned 4 in May and we think he is about that now!

 

[HelenePA]

Uh yeah he's huge.. he'll be 3 next week and is the same size (if not taller) than my friends 5.5 yr old son... He's a big boy... My 5 yr old daughter is almost the same size as my friends 8 yr old son... You'd think I was 6' or something.. I'm 5'3 My 8 yr old daughter will be as tall as I am by the time she's 12. Its crazy.

 

[buckler]

Sometimes I show my kids videos of rides on Youtube before our trips to help them decide if they want to try something or not. There are lots of them out there for Test Track. I just recommend previewing videos before you show them to your child in case there is some bad language. You can't always predict what people will blurt out when they are on a thrill ride .