ToT for 4 yr old

[syzslak]

I want some advice. ToT is listed as okay for those 40 inches and up. My son is 4 and 43". I'm concerned that it's too intense for him, but he really wants to do it. Anyone had someone so young do ToT?

 

[Disneymucks]

My son did it at 4 and loved it. Last trip he kept saying how it scared him but not so much that he didnt ride it seven times...Ha Ha

 

[syzslak]

My daughter is now 10 (turning 11 during the trip) and she loved ToT when she did it around 6 or 7. Then the last couple of yers she's been scared of it. I just didn't want to ruin his experience by sending him on too early.

So thank you, Disneymucks, I think I really wanted to make sure I didn't get replies saying I was totally crazy.

 

[bratus913]

My 4 yo dd really wanted to ride it when we went. I think she would have been ok with the ride itself (she is a daredevil), but the staging freaked her out so much she wanted to bail right after we got into the library. We had to finish the walk through, though before we could leave (they have regular elevators to take you down where the ride elevators are). Poor girl was convinced I was going to force her on the ride

 

[Deborah_Mary]

My dd now 7 1/2 went on with me when she was 5 1/2. She was nervous but wanted to go with me so she did. She was fine, but hasn't gone on it since... I'm hoping to get her to try it again this year (maybe with her dad...) and see if she likes it better since it's been 2 years now. If your ds WANTS to try it, I'd definitely say ok. I found ToT LESS "scary" then Dinosaur at AK, but that's just me.

Good luck!

Deb*

 

[poohluvr]

Personally I think a 4 year old is too young. Just because a four year old can ride, doesn't mean they should.

 

[calgarygary]

My girls when they were four also wanted cookies and cake for meals. TOT is not a ride designed for pre-schoolers, just because they want to do it doesn't mean a parent should allow it.

 

[nicdanh]

My 6 year old insisted on going on last November and she HATED it so much that she was scared to go on anything that was inside that she could not see. It ruined her entire trip.

 

[floridaminnie]

My DD went on when she was 5 (she's now 7) and she loves it where as I hate it.

 

[ReneeA]

My then 3 year old went on it last year. He's SUPER tall for his age, and a daredevil to boot. He loved it.

 

[ms.ojo]

My dd is almost 4 and can't wait to go on it. She's also not quite 40" but passes easily in sneakers or sandals. I have decided I am NOT going to let her do TOT this fall. I just think it is too much for that small a person.

If she wants to try Test track, Soarin, BTMRR some "tamer" 40" rides, I'll go along w/ that. But not TOT. I just don't want all her little parts being shaken around like that in the drop.

 

[paintnolish]

It depends on the child. I don't think the ride is that intense, but the theme of it is a little scary. DD was 4 and DS was 5 when we took them in Nov. They are about the same size and were just over the height restriction. DD liked the ride, but not the "spooky stuff". DS loved the ride. He and I ended up on it 8 times that day! He also loves the Haunted mansion, though!

 

[cosine4]

My daughter went on it when she was 3, then again when she was 4. The ride is designed for people over 40 inches tall. I wouldn't worry about it being too intense, I would be more concerned about whether or not he will get too scared. As to how he will handle it, you know your son better than anyone on here.

 

[disneypookies]

My daughter went on it when she was 3, then again when she was 4. The ride is designed for people over 40 inches tall. I wouldn't worry about it being too intense, I would be more concerned about whether or not he will get too scared. As to how he will handle it, you know your son better than anyone on here.

Very well said. Parenting skills should not be questioned here (someone emphasized parent), you know your child best and if you feel it might be scary for him then don't take him on it. Some kids take it better than others. Period.

 

[C U AT DISNEY]

I like to go on rides but the last time I went on ToT it scared me for some reason. For the ride not being to intense, I think that's and understatement. That ride pull you down faster than gravity. So if you were in a free fall it would be slower than how you fall now. I liked it when I was younger but I don't like it anymore.



James

 

[addicted2disney]

My daughter rode it just a few days shy of turning 5. It was our first trip to Disney. We all rode it ( my 6 1/2 year old too). My youngest DD LOVED it, my older one didnt like it much at all. To this day... 7 years and 13 trips later... my youngest DD STILL loves it. Its her favorite ride out of all 4 parks. I think the theming at TOT is just awesome.

 

[BamaFan121s]

My child went on it when she was about a month shy of turning 4 and LOVED it...it is still her favorite ride.

 

[Raevyn_Wolfe]

Like other's have said, YOU are the best judge for your child. Don't let some people make you feel bad because you aren't "parenting" if you let your daredevil child go on a ride he is deemed tall enough. But also, don't let a child you know probably will get freaked out go because there are those of us that have children that young that LOVED it.

My son is 4. After watching the planning DVD religiously before our trip in January he HAD to go on TOT (he also wanted to do RnR but NO WAY!) I was scared about him going, but I know his temperement, and after he did wonderful on BTMR, and Splash (I know they're not identical, but the height restrictions are the same), I figured I'd go ahead and grant him his wish . . . . being fully prepared to deal with any negative consinquences. HE LOVED IT! And went on it over and over and over. To the point where mommy started to sit them out and he and Daddy did it again and again and again. (Mind you there were breaks in between several sets)

When we went again in April it's all he talked about wanting to do and sure enough he went multiple times.

Now our september trip is coming up and we are going to MNSSHP and guess what he wants to be???? A TOT bellhop!!!!!

So, short answer is 4 too young? NO! Not if the child has the right temperement and meets the hieght restrictions.

I mean come on, there are some of us adults that well meet the height restrictions and can't handle the ride itself. lol.

 

[frayedend]

I was going into this thread with the thought "No way, 4 is too young and it is too intense" but after reading a bit, well maybe there are 4 year olds that can go. I don't know. I know my son would probably get freaked by the theming before the ride (honestly at 4 they think the Power Rangers are real, so why wouldn't the ToT freak them out? I don't know how he'd react to the ride. He did Thunder Mountain no problem, but that doesn't give you that feeling in your belly, ya know.

So any ride you question, I would say go on it yourself first, then decide if your child can go. Then see if your child really wants to go. Then check with your child again before you get on. Then go ahead and give it a shot.

All I know is that it was scary enough that a very nice looking young woman who was sitting next to me found it necessary to grasp my arm very tightly as we dropped. I was glad that my wife didn't look for the pictures when I got off the ride (she doesn't do rides like that).

 

[pooh4evr]

Dd 4 was all set to go in it during our trip last year- we had watched the planning video, read the planning books she was ready- until we got to the pre show part where the lights go out and a group of teenage girls started screaming - then she was done- of course like the PP we had to go all throught the line inside to go out throught the special elevator- maybe next time!