what to do while older ones rides Big Thunder?

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

On our next trip, my three kids will be 6, 4, and almost 3. The 6 and 4 year olds want to ride Big Thunder Railroad and Splash Mountain. The 6 year old is tall enough already, but the 4 year old has almost 2 inches to go -- and our trip is in December so i don't think she's going to make it. She *is* going to be disappointed and I'm trying to figure out what to do with her and my DS whild my MIL and DH take my oldest on Big Thunder and Splash Mtn.

I'm not sure the Splash Mtn playground will cut it -- sounds like it is kind of small. Is it fun for a 4 year old?

What else can I do with the two kids so that they have fun and don't feel like they are missing something? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[tjmw2727]

If you use fast pass or the line is short you can child swap. If you do this I would simply stay by BTMR and get the kids who are not riding an ice cream or another treat and watch the ride from the observation deck. It should not take long at all.

The bonus to this is that the parent who did not ride the first time can re-ride with child swap with the older child if they wish to re-ride. Ask the CM when entering with the first party how they like to do the child swap and this way you won't wait the line twice. This is offered for all the rides with a height restriction btw - for a better explanation you could ask about "child swap" on the theme park boards or even here.

If your not interested in riding I would take the younger kids to Tom Saywer Island or on another favorite ride and arrange a meeting place. This Oct will be our frist trip where everyone is tall enough and interested in riding everthing so I am used to finding alternatives.

TJ

 

[HopperFan]

Why not go up and get the Railroad....there is a station at Splash Mountain. Really is a nice ride around the park with views you don't get elsewhere.

 

[oogieboogie]

My 3 year old was very happy to have some popcorn and feed the ducks that were all around the exit of BTMRR. He had so much fun feeding them that my other son got to ride BTMRR 3 times in a row before we said ok, enough for today.

 

[disneygoof]

There's a little playground called "Lauging Place" right outside the entrance of Splash, left of Big Thunder, left of stairs to Railroad Platform. When my 4yo saw it, there was no more talk of Big Thunder; he's a huge train fan, and was going to try it, and first we started to balk, then thought, "We're in Disney and he wants to play and we're going to say no?".

It's just a little house with a slide, but he had fun playing and interacting with other children. Dad rode Splash while I took a few minutes rest.

 

[daisylove]

Also, if it is hot. All the way to the far right of BTMRR where the people exit the ride there is an observation spot for pictures that looks over Tom Sawyer island. They have mini geysers there that will splash you at its fullest. My DD5 loved looking and getting wet there.

 

[swilshire]

We always hit the bear show while the older kids ride Big Thunder Mtn and Splash Mountain. My 5yo loves it, but the rest of the family can't stand it.

I like the air conditioning.

Sheila

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Our oldest DD enjoyed the Laughing Place playground outside at age 3. My kids enjoy any kind of slide.

 

[vicb]

My DS (age 8) isn't much into big thrill rides, he did ride BTM with us one time but begged off the second round. So he and I went across the bridge to Frontier Land and watched the Bear Country Jamboree show. He really enjoyed it even though I thought it was geared younger than 8... go figure. Right next door is a candy shop where I let him fill a small cone with different colored m&ms from the bulk bins. So that would be my suggestion.

 

[soccercruiser87]

my aunt doesnt go on splash mountain but its the same area as big thunder so she looks around in the splash mountain gift store, they have a lot of different things in there. the playground is also a good idea too.

 

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Originally posted by vicb
...So he and I went across the bridge to Frontier Land and watched the Bear Country Jamboree show. He really enjoyed it even though I thought it was geared younger than 8... go figure. Right next door is a candy shop where I let him fill a small cone with different colored m&ms from the bulk bins. So that would be my suggestion.

Bingo!!!!!!!! Did you say candy? My DD who will be 4 on this trip LOVES candy. This will be a perfect substitute for the big kid rides my older DD wants to try this year. That and a train ride for my DS and we should be doing alright -- and maybe the play ground, too.

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone. I do feel better about the options and think I will be able to keep the two littler ones from feeling left out...especially with a candy store...that's a score! LOL

Thanks again all!