Just because my son will be 40" at 3.5years, I'm not so sure about taking him on all the attractions he'll be tall enough for. He does already love fair roller coasters. He liked Gadget's at 2.5yrs. I know I still have time. But, thoughts? Did you have a plan for testing up, like starting small and building? Like if BTMR is okay, try Star Tours? If POTC dark is okay, Space is? I know I have to be flexible as a parent, and not push. But I was a total chicken as a kid (waited forever to do Splash) and my kid is a daredevil!
Well, Maile was tall enough for Matterhorn at 2.5. She loved it! One of those things where you really have to trust your own judgement.
Interesting topic! I don't think we ever really planned ahead like that. We knew each of our kid's personalities, how they responded to previous rides, and we just kind of took it one ride at a time. It always seemed that the height requirements were an "ok" indicator. My kids weren't daredevils and my wife doesn't like rollercoasters, so maybe it all progressed slowly. There were still moments of course when the kids would freak out a little. Funny and priceless memories though when they get older! We have one hilarious photo of my youngest son on a rollercoaster at LEGOLAND. You know the automatic on-ride photos that are taken at the scary moments? Oh, I'll just post the photo!!! Anyway, we knew when the picture would be taken so we tried to look bored at that moment. Yet, my youngest had the most genuinely terrified look on his face! (I have to tell ya, he was laughing by the time we got off the ride.) Best part, he lived to tell the tale. This was about 6 years ago, so he would have been 8. To this day, when I see that photo, it makes me laugh and cry at the same time. Great memories! It's all good....
Oh, that was in 2001, before they changed the cars. The height limit was 36" back then. Maile is 18 now and only 5'.
We plan everything in detail, and then we adapt. I wish we lived closer so that we could go more often. But with such rare trips I want to avoid ruining a couple hours by suggesting something traumatizing. I think he'll surprise me, and I will try to increase incrementally if possible. I love the picture and the memories!
[QUOTE="WDWdreamin, post: 1715755, member: 34044"] We plan everything in detail, and then we adapt. I wish we lived closer so that we could go more often. But with such rare trips I want to avoid ruining a couple hours by suggesting something traumatizing. I think he'll surprise me, and I will try to increase incrementally if possible. I love the picture and the memories![/QUOTE] Thanks! I certainly understand what you're saying. It's hard to get inside a kid's mind, sometimes. And, we all react differently. Some attractions may even be more psychologically frightening to young kids. Regarding the time issue, we feel very fortunate when we finally have a chance to go to DL--or anywhere, for that matter. In fact, I've had relatives want to plan trips with us, and I'm always leery of doing that. Our travel opportunities are so few and precious that I really struggle with dividing our time. Besides, it's been my experience that people travel differently and have their idiosyncrasies. So, I have to decide, hmmm...Do I want to risk it, or just plan our own way?
William was about 31/2 on Splash. He was not scared at all. Maile was 5 by this time and a little freaked out.
I know what you mean about traveling with other people. My cousins have annual passes and a couple years ago they joined me on my son's first trip, and it made the trip so off from my plans. But this June I was in charge of a trip for my sister's and brother's families, and they joined in and went with my plans. It was really enjoyable for us all (I think. They said they had never had so efficient a morning so it might have been a bit much for them.) I think I will not be telling anyone our dates for the trip next year. Unless Nana/Grandma wants to come one day...
