What counts as riding alone?

[caitlinnf]

We will be in the world in five days!

We are a family of five with kids DD6 (who will be 7 in 2 weeks), DD4 and DS2.5. For the most part, we are pretty happy with our plans, but there are a couple of scenarios that might be a problem. I know that a child has to be 7 years old to ride an attraction alone: does this mean getting in line to ride alone, or even to be in the next ride vehicle? Here are the scenarios I am contemplating:

1) When riding TSMM and Buzz, all five of us can ride. But there are only two guns/blasters/whatever in each vehicle. That means that if we ride two and three, then one of us will just be along for the ride and not be able to play. But if DD6 could ride on her own, then we wouldn't have that problem. I'm also thinking about how TSMM has the two seats back to back. If I rode with DS, could she ride in our vehicle on the opposite side? Or would that be considered riding alone?

2) Barnstormer and Mine Train. DD4 is big enough for this ride, so the plan would be to have one parent ride with both girls while the other takes DS on Dumbo.. We have several Mine Train FPs and were hoping to utilize rider swap so the girls could ride more. Is it possible for one parent to take two children on these? Would it be okay in DD6 rode directly in front or behind or is that considered riding alone? When we were there last year, we had grandparents along to stay with DS, so this is new territory. DD4 loves Barnstormer, but I would hate to have to go through twice in order for each girl to ride.

What have been your experiences in this situation? Thanks!

 

[siskaren]

With regards to number 1, the 6 year old would not be able to ride in a ride vehicle alone. I'm not sure, but I think on TSMM that one person being on one side of the ride vehicle is considered riding alone.

 

[Skylarr29]

For the mine train the two children will sit in the row in front of you while you sit behind. Not sure on the others.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

I am interested in this kind of thing too--I'll be one adult with 2 kids and not sure how that will work.

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

So one parent with two kids is out of luck for TSMM?

 

[JimmyV]

I think that with TSMM, if you ride:

CAR #1
Parent #1 rides with DS2.5
DD6 rides with DD4

CAR #2
Parent #2 paired up (maybe) with a stranger
Stranger #1 and Stranger #2

Everything should be OK.

 

[Dis703]

On Barnstormer only one parent and child was allowed in one row and they would not let my 5 year old ride in front or in back of me. We had to use rider swap to all go on this ride last year. I've read that SDMT has had the same restrictions being a 2 seater. I was told age 7 was a minimum for him to be able to ride in a seat without us next to him. Being so close to that age if they asked I might just say he's 7 but with the magicbands I'm not sure if their age shows when they scan it (if using FP that is).

 

[caitlinnf]

Thanks for the replies. I guess we will just see what happens!

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

I think that with TSMM, if you ride:

CAR #1
Parent #1 rides with DS2.5
DD6 rides with DD4

CAR #2
Parent #2 paired up (maybe) with a stranger
Stranger #1 and Stranger #2

Everything should be OK.

I do not think Car#1 will work. We had 2 sets of parents - us with DD 15 and them with a daughter 6. The girls wanted to ride together. Both girls were questioned as to their age. They could ride together because DD is 15. Kids under 7 have to ride (in TSM anyway) with someone 14 or older in the same car and on the same side as them (as I understand it)

 

[JimmyV]

I do not think Car#1 will work. We had 2 sets of parents - us with DD 15 and them with a daughter 6. The girls wanted to ride together. Both girls were questioned as to their age. They could ride together because DD is 15. Kids under 7 have to ride (in TSM anyway) with someone 14 or older in the same car and on the same side as them (as I understand it)

Well...either

1. Car #1 has to work, or
2. A minor has to ride alone in Car #2, or
3. A family of 5 cannot ride.

#2 can't be right. So either #1 is, or the family can't ride. I've never seen a family denied boarding. Maybe it happens?

 

[baler31]

#2 can't be right. So either #1 is, or the family can't ride. I've never seen a family denied boarding. Maybe it happens?

I have seen groups denied on TSMM multiple times and recently saw 1 parent with two small children have to leave 7DMT as he did not want one of his children to ride with an adult stranger. The resulting confrontation held up the line but the CM's did no budge. I have also not seen anyone board after questioning the CM's on TSMM. It is the one thing I have to say that they seem to "tow the line" on.

 

[caitlinnf]

I know my DS rode between my husband and I on TSMM and Buzz last year. So hopefully even if DD6 can't ride alone we will all be able to go together if I have DD4 and DS with me and I just won't have a shooter.

I wonder if the child on 7dmt was under 7 and that's why they were trying to pair him with an adult stranger. My DD6 would have no problem riding with someone she didn't know as long as I was in front or behind her.

 

[JimmyV]

I think if they can pair your child up with an adult with your consent, it should all work out. We travel as a family of 3 (Disney adults). So lots of times (especially on coasters), we have an "odd man out". We will let the CM at the boarding area know that we are willing to let a child ride with us if they too are from an odd-numbered family, and get the OK from a parent. Between myself, my wife and my teenage daughter, we usually have someone who the parents will approve of!

 

[maxiesmom]

For the Mine Train one of your children will be placed next to another person. They do not let any seat go empty on that ride. So that could work in your favor.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Was going to say. I've done Mine Train about 7 times now. They won't leave seats empty. If you're the odd person out you will 9 times out of 10 be riding with someone else.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We will be in the world in five days!

We are a family of five with kids DD6 (who will be 7 in 2 weeks), DD4 and DS2.5. For the most part, we are pretty happy with our plans, but there are a couple of scenarios that might be a problem. I know that a child has to be 7 years old to ride an attraction alone: does this mean getting in line to ride alone, or even to be in the next ride vehicle? Here are the scenarios I am contemplating:

1) When riding TSMM and Buzz, all five of us can ride. But there are only two guns/blasters/whatever in each vehicle. That means that if we ride two and three, then one of us will just be along for the ride and not be able to play. But if DD6 could ride on her own, then we wouldn't have that problem. I'm also thinking about how TSMM has the two seats back to back. If I rode with DS, could she ride in our vehicle on the opposite side? Or would that be considered riding alone?

2) Barnstormer and Mine Train. DD4 is big enough for this ride, so the plan would be to have one parent ride with both girls while the other takes DS on Dumbo.. We have several Mine Train FPs and were hoping to utilize rider swap so the girls could ride more. Is it possible for one parent to take two children on these? Would it be okay in DD6 rode directly in front or behind or is that considered riding alone? When we were there last year, we had grandparents along to stay with DS, so this is new territory. DD4 loves Barnstormer, but I would hate to have to go through twice in order for each girl to ride.

What have been your experiences in this situation? Thanks!

Your children must ride with you on buzz. In that situation, each child gets the laser gun and I would sit in the middle and handle the joy stick that rotates the vehicle. There is only one row per vehicle.

One adult gets 2 kids and the other gets one kid.


2. Parent will only be able to take one child at a time unless you can ask another adult to assist. There are parties of 3 where this is possible. But without it, no go. (Adult or someone age 14 and older).

On both mine train and barnstormer, it is per row, so a child must have that older person sitting next to them.

And you did not ask, but for the speedway, an adult with 2 children who cannot ride alone will be permitted to go around twice with the children switching seating positions the first time you return to the loading area.

On you story, adult would sit in the middle while the 2 kids play on one side if the ride vehicle.

If your 6yo is 7 when he is at the park, then he will not be beholden to the ride with an adult rules. He would be permitted to sit in a different row or car as logistics dictate.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

So one parent with two kids is out of luck for TSMM?

No--sit in the middle and let them play the game. A parent and 2 kids will fit in the row.