what to do when one child doesn't want to ride?

[Lovetherodent]

Our first few days in the parks will be "girls only" (me and the kids) as dh will be up the road at a conference. We're doing MK then as it's dh's least favorite park. Last year, we all went on Space Mountain, let's just say my now 11 year old found the experience literally sickening. She doesn't want to go again. I think she's too young to be left alone while the little one and I ride it. I know you can do child swap, but that assumes someone stays with the child, and since I'm the only adult in the group, that won't work. Do we just have to forego the attraction?

 

[Baloo]

Do we just have to forego the attraction?

I think yes you will.As a Mom of a 10 and 11 years old boys I agree 11 is too young to be left alone.
It's better to have everyone in your party feeling good than have someone get sick which could ruin it for everyone!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

What I would do is wait in line togeather then when you get to the boarding point have your child exit through the exits provided and wait at the exit or in the gift shop (Varies through the parks- each ride has their rules) Most rides are quite short so your child wouldnt be alone for more than 5 minutes- At 11 I would think your child would be mature enough to stand in the gift shop for that amount of time- My son has done that on several rides he didnt want to ride- Would I let him wait if itd be more than 5 minutes- dont think so

-em

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I agree with Emily. I have a 10yo son who I might bring to WDW in January (by then he'll be 11). I wouldn't hesitate to do this with him, but you know your own child best. Zachary would not wander from where he is supposed to be. The only ride that I can really imagine him not wanting to ride is Rock N Roller Coaster and would have him go through the chicken exit and wait by the ride photos. Actually, he did this a couple of years ago when he was 8yo, but at that time my DH and my youngest son were waiting by the photos since we figured he wouldn't go on the ride (this way he got to go through the preshow).

T&B

 

[aprilgail2]

I took my godson on splash mountain, his 8 year old sister didn't want to go so she sat on a bench by the ride exit until we came out. She knew not to go anywhere and was just fine. By 11 they were taking off in the park and goign on rides together while we went on other things and we all met up at a certain time.

 

[ladybugz11]

If your worried about leaving them alone, let them wait with the ride attendant at the beginning of the ride. Or at Space Mountain I believe you exit into an arcade. Walk your child to the arcade, there should be an attendant in there, let them know you are going to ride and ask them to just watch out that no one bothers them.

 

[DisneyMim]

I agree with Ladybugz. I have always been a very protective parent and I too think 11 is too young. That being said I know she can go through the line (I've done it) with the rest of you. I believe that you can let her stay with a CM at the exit of the ride (not the arcade). There are benches there and she can watch as you get off the ride. I remember doing this myself some years ago. The CMS are really good about this kind of stuff. Talk to them. I bet they'll help and you will be fine.

Have Fun!!

 

[BrerMama]

The only ride we did this on was the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. My 10 year old was just petrified for some reason, so we asked the attendant and she let him go through the line with us, then he walked straight to the exit. We were able to see him during our ride, however, and I'm not sure I would have done this if I couldn't see him.

I eventually found out that he thought putting our familly of 5 into 1 flying carpet would exceed the weight limit for the ride and he was scared to death we'd get up and come crashing down. He rode it several times after I explained to him that Disney wouldn't let all of us on the ride at once if it was going to be too heavy. Kids think of the strangest things.