ToT for 4 yr old

[annameg]

To the OP, I am in the same situation. My DD4 talks of nothing but finally riding the "tire of terr." Her favorite ride is the Haunted Mansion. But I just don't know. I am terrified of TOT and have never been on the ride. My DH says to go for it, but he would let her run with scissors and pet stray dogs if I wasn't around. My DD7 has been really encouraging her, which doesn't help. I think when it comes down to stepping on the ride, I will chicken out and she will follow me. I have been watching the videos to try to prepare (both of us). When do you go? We are going at the end of October.

 

[DaveO]

15 deaths since 1994 ..... Do you know how many poeple ride amusement park rides in just one year!!!

The statistics of children riding a bike who where killed are about 600 per year or 7200 since 1994!!

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/success/bikes.html

Let's pass a national law preventing kids from ridding bikes and mandate they all be in a foam bubble with bubble wrap around them. But then we will find out that the foam causes cancer !!

Boy to I hate poeple who think they know best for other peoples children and question thier parenting with foolish statistics and scare websites. My kids jumping in the pool shakes thier head more than TOT ever would.

Sorry .... Back OT ... If you are a carefull parent and ride with your chidren any Disney ride (barring mechanical failure) will be safe if you follow the height restrictions. Nothing in life is 100% safe.

That being said my 3yo and 5yo both went on TOT. I knew they would not freak out. They didn't but both now do not like the 'up and down part' so they choose not to ride it for now ... and I do not push the matter.

Dave O.

 

[DVC Mary]

My DS watching the planning video & wanted to go 2 1/2 yrs old. We let him. This was in 1999. Yes--he's tall for his age. I wish we had bought the photo. He was smiling & his 15 yr old uncle was holding on for dear life w/ his eyes shut tight.

Know your own child & trust your instincts. My youngest DS won't go on many of the rides.

 

[southernbella]

My DD rode the first time when she was 4. I personally was petrified & didn't ride, but she came off with a huge grin on her face. After 2 more trips, I was guilted into going on with my Dh & loved it. Sbella

 

[poohluvr]

Boy to I hate poeple who think they know best for other peoples children and question thier parenting with foolish statistics and scare websites. My kid jumping in the pool shakes thier head more than TOT ever would.Dave O.

The original poster asked for people's opinions. Boy do I hate people who don't read before they post.

 

[poohluvr]

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.

Yeah but as adults we are capable of making that decision ourselves. Children aren't. I just find it strange how in some other parks those drop rides have height restrictions of 58"! The one I'm thinking of is relatively small too. Even the log flume has a height restriction of 42"!

 

[DaveO]

Yes I am questioning parenting skills when you take pre-schoolers on a ride that is clearly designed for older people. It is not a question of whether you think your child can handle it or not but rather what is physically happening with the ride. You are forced down at a speed faster than what gravity would cause you to fall, raised again, forced down again, etc. until the completion. Although your pre-schooler might make the height requirement to comply with the safety systems of the ride, their brain is much more susceptible to trauma - in particular a concussion that could be caused by the rapid change in direction. There was a time when we use to throw infants and toddlers in the air but we now realize the potential danger of this type of activity. The brain is being shaken by the ride and although your toddler/4 year old may not show ill effects it does not mean that it is not happening.

Pooh - did you not read the whole thread? ..... I think it is pretty clear someone WAS questioing folks parenting skills. I obviously was not referring to the OP.

 

[disneypookies]

Yes I am questioning parenting skills when you take pre-schoolers on a ride that is clearly designed for older people. It is not a question of whether you think your child can handle it or not but rather what is physically happening with the ride. You are forced down at a speed faster than what gravity would cause you to fall, raised again, forced down again, etc. until the completion. Although your pre-schooler might make the height requirement to comply with the safety systems of the ride, their brain is much more susceptible to trauma - in particular a concussion that could be caused by the rapid change in direction. There was a time when we use to throw infants and toddlers in the air but we now realize the potential danger of this type of activity. The brain is being shaken by the ride and although your toddler/4 year old may not show ill effects it does not mean that it is not happening.

and who would you be to question another parents skills, especially on their own kids? The op asked for opinions, NOT a lecture on "Parenting 101". In this case, they would know what to do with their kids - you are pushing it to the extreme with concussions and trauma to win your argument. I'm sure Disney did not spend the vasts amount of money that they did on their safety systems, so that children can sit around and worry about "SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME". Or parents to worry about the "Parent Police" anyway lol .. The good parent knows best for their kid... end of story

 

[Disneymucks]

I have sat back long onough and listened to people complain about parenting and given there so called expertise on the physics of this ride.....Now lets put this to rest....F=m*g and seeong as how gravity is 9.8 m/s and a child of 4 weighs approx 40 lbs the force on said child is much less then say a 220 lb adult. There for to you as a parent the ride is much more forceful then to said child. Now if you want to play monday morning quarterback and try to second guess an engineering team such as disneys go ahead but all the whining and made up facts you can come up with are falling on deaf ears. You ALL are over analyzing a situation that i pretty sure disney spent alot of time looking into! As for parenting skills debate goes that to is irrellevant because im pretty sure that
No one here would knowingly put there child in danger! So BAck off on the parenting crap because there are NO perfect super parents and everyone here does what they think is best for Their kids ! period!

 

[Disneymucks]

As for us being capable of making the desicion to ride and kids not that is the biggest bunch of crap i've ever heard.....

Ever try to make a kid eat anything?espically a 4 year old? If they didnt want to ride they wouldnt plain and simple. And if you dont beleive that just walk around wal mart long enough theres kids making there parents do stuff there all day long!!! HA Ha

 

[notnothin]

This thread is getting interesting.

 

[stschaefer]

DD was three last year when we took her on the ride (she just made the height cut off). She loved the ride so much we rode it like 5 times that trip. We have hopper passes this year and will be one of our favorites to ride on again. She is fearless on things. She loves roller coasters and rides of all types. Hope we can keep her on the "this is great and fun" way of thinking and she doesn't start wondering what is "scary"

 

[BamaFan121s]

and who would you be to question another parents skills, especially on their own kids? The op asked for opinions, NOT a lecture on "Parenting 101". In this case, they would know what to do with their kids - you are pushing it to the extreme with concussions and trauma to win your argument. I'm sure Disney did not spend the vasts amount of money that they did on their safety systems, so that children can sit around and worry about "SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME". Or parents to worry about the "Parent Police" anyway lol .. The good parent knows best for their kid... end of story

Exactly what I was thinking! IMO, these perks go to the one in who's womb the child resided for nine months first.
*Shhhhh* Sometimes I let my child eat cake for breakfast too. And just yesterday, DD rode her scooter IN the house!

 

[tmarquez]

I couldn't let DD (3.5) on it. I personally love that ride, but after going on it with some other people that had a young child with them (this kid was gung-ho all the way) but once the drops started...OMG...I felt so bad for that kid and his mom. He was terrified. It's hard to even put into words, because "terrified" doesn't cut it. He had ridden Splash and loved it. I was seriously worried for his health the way he was panicking. He was screaming and crying and clawing at the retraints and his mother, yelling to please stop...the mom was crying too when everyone got off. I don't even like to think about it.

Maybe it's selfish, but I just couldn't put myself through seeing DD like that. There is plenty of time ahead for her to experience these kinds of rides...no need to rush it just because the height requirement is met. IMHO!

 

[Luigi's Girl]

The OP came on here and asked for opinions. If someone has formed their own opinion based on things they have read or heard, that is their right. Frankly I think the people condemning the posters for their responses are being much more nastier and rude than those who were responding honestly with their own beliefs(no matter how they arrived at them).

 

[BamaFan121s]

The OP came on here and asked for opinions. If someone has formed their own opinion based on things they have read or heard, that is their right. Frankly I think the people condemning the posters for their responses are being much more nastier and rude than those who were responding honestly with their own beliefs(no matter how they arrived at them).

I'm sorry, but did you see this statement?:
"Yes I am questioning parenting skills when you take pre-schoolers on a ride that is clearly designed for older people."

And me defending MY parenting skills I use with MY child after they were "questioned" is the more rude of the two responses!?!? Unwarrented? Give me a break!

Anyway, I answered the OP's question...moving on now...

 

[AllyCatTapia]

I'm sorry, but did you see this statement?:
"Yes I am questioning parenting skills when you take pre-schoolers on a ride that is clearly designed for older people."

And me defending MY parenting skills I use with MY child after they were "questioned" is the more rude of the two responses!?!? Unwarrented? Give me a break!

Anyway, I answered the OP's question...moving on now...

Don't EVEN try to play all high and mighty miss misty. You have SEVERAL isntances of questioning peoples parenting skills, all a person needs to do is take a look at your other posts.

In my practice, I've found it's the parents who insist they are perfect who are trying to cover up some misplaced feelings of inadequacy. Since I haven't met you nor your family, I am not saying this is true of you, but it is a pattern I ahve noticed in years of practice.

 

[mousiemom]

Last yr, my dd rode it and she was 4 and loved it!! We told her about the ride before we got on. She doesn't like looking at the ghostly family but loves the drops. It's our favorite! She rode it 5 more times that trip.

 

[BamaFan121s]

Don't EVEN try to play all high and mighty miss misty. You have SEVERAL isntances of questioning peoples parenting skills, all a person needs to do is take a look at your other posts.

Oh, you mean when I questioned why parents let their kids chase the ducks and animals?
Furthermore, I never claimed or pretended to be perfect. But LIKE YOU, will defend myself when my choices are attacked.

 

[dzneprincess]

I have sat back long onough and listened to people complain about parenting and given there so called expertise on the physics of this ride.....Now lets put this to rest....F=m*g and seeong as how gravity is 9.8 m/s and a child of 4 weighs approx 40 lbs the force on said child is much less then say a 220 lb adult. There for to you as a parent the ride is much more forceful then to said child. Now if you want to play monday morning quarterback and try to second guess an engineering team such as disneys go ahead but all the whining and made up facts you can come up with are falling on deaf ears. You ALL are over analyzing a situation that i pretty sure disney spent alot of time looking into! As for parenting skills debate goes that to is irrellevant because im pretty sure that
No one here would knowingly put there child in danger! So BAck off on the parenting crap because there are NO perfect super parents and everyone here does what they think is best for Their kids ! period!

here here!