Originally Posted By starlily I have a daughter who is almost three. She REALLY wants to go on Splash Mountain. Is that too young? I think she is tall enough with shoes on. She's 38 inches barefoot...any thoughts? I've only been on it once before she was born. I don't really remember how severe the drop is. Any advice would be appreciated!
Originally Posted By belle42 As a mother of a 3+ year old, I'd say to wait. My daughter is tall enough to go on Matterhorn and she wants to go on it, but I won't let her because of the roughness of the ride. She's almost tall enough for the 40 inch rides, but there are a few of those I won't let her go on because of the 'scariness factor'. I'd say let her try Gadget's Go Coaster first to see if she can handle drops, then ease her into the scarier rides as she gets older.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL You're crazy to even consider it. She can not sit in your lap as before, in the original logs. And at her age she is far too young to be sitting alone.
Originally Posted By starlily Thanks so much!! I'm so grateful to know this before we go. This way she will already know she can't go on this ride.
Originally Posted By scottie I think if your child is tall enough with shoes there is no reason I would think you are crazy if you decide she is ready for it. My mom thought I was crazy for bringing my 3 year old niece at all to Disneyland this summer. She's a firm believer of the minimum 5 year old rule. She may have good reason but I'm glad I went anyway. I had the best time I've ever had at Disneyland. You know your daughter enough to know if she'll be able to handle it. And what is the worse thing that could happen? From a safety standpoint she'll be fine as long as she meets the requirement. If your daughter is daring enough to go on a ride that doesn't hide the fact that it spills screaming guests down the front of the mountain every 20 seconds, more power to her. Ultimately it's your decision. You can change your mind on the spot if you want to. Grab a fast pass just in case. Feel it out when you get there and see how the day is going. If you're feeling good about it and your daughter says she's ready I say, "Go for it!"
Originally Posted By sandman First, would you take your child on the Pirates Of The Caribbean. If so I dont see the problem with Splash Mountain. My daughter and son were both 3 years old when they went on splash and I didn't have any problems with them or the ride( my son's first time on splash was this last august). My daughter and son also went on Space Mountain during the same visit. My daughter(4) didn't like it but my son(3) wanted to ride again. Have a good time.
Originally Posted By starlily My daughter went on Pirates on our last trip when she wasn't quite two. She loved it! I would feel a lot better about it if she could sit in my lap. We have a Disneyland video that she loves to watch. It shows Splash Mountain. She loves the music and the characters. I wish we could just jump out of the log before the big drop! ;-) She is so brave! I don't want to scare that out of her. She has a big sister and wants to do everything big sister does.
Originally Posted By belle42 You have the Disneyland Fun video too? My daughter wants to go on the 'polar bear' ride because of it (Matterhorn for those who haven't seen the video)!
Originally Posted By imadisneygal "From a safety standpoint she'll be fine as long as she meets the requirement." I just wanted to point out that by Starlily's own admission her daughter doesn't meet the height requirement on her own and most 3 year-olds don't own two inch shoes. While it's possible that her shoes might get her to the height requirement it's not just the height but the overall body strength that is a factor in the development of height requirements. It sounds like she'll make up her mind when she gets there. I wouldn't say that just because she's gone on Pirates and liked it that she'll necessarily be comfortable with Splash. I guess she'll just have to see for herself! Luckily the last drop is visible and she can watch Guests go down the drop before getting in the queue.
Originally Posted By belle42 Scary thing for me is I try to date the video by the hairstyles and parade (pretty sure it's Party Gras parade, so it's early 90s). When we go on Haunted Mansion she keeps looking for Donald Duck dressed up as a ghost. I love that video so much!
Originally Posted By starlily I don't think I will take her on Splash Mountain. I would rather be safe than sorry. I really appreciate all the opinions expressed. I had doubts to begin with which is why I posted. There are so many rides she can go on. We'll just focus on those! Thanks again!
Originally Posted By cheesybaby Original logs - I'd say go for it. With the old logs you could hold someone Matterhorn-style. New logs - wait. If she gets nervous and squirmy on the ride, or on the intimidating lift hill, you are separated by the individual seat-backs and you'll have NO WAY to hold her or sit with her, or even force her to sit down if she starts trying to move toward you. I have 2 small kids (one taller than 40", one shorter), and I'd strongly suggest you wait.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL ^^^Exactly my point cheesybaby. I would have said no problem if it were the old logs. But the new ones leave out this very demographic. No longer can a timid child who meets the height requirement brave the ride while in the safty of a parents arms. And to compare the 2 drops in Pirates to the 3 major drops in Splash is just plain silly.
Originally Posted By TMICHAEL Hi starlily, I also wanted to say that I didn't mean to come off as rude buy saying you're crazy to consider it back in post 3. Just a bad figure of speech on my part. No offence ment by it. Tony
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess I know you already decided against it, so I'm going to tell you one more reason why that was the best decision. At almost 4, my daughter was sure she wanted to ride it, so I let her. Why not? She can sit with me (I THOUGHT! - I hadn't been on it since they changed the logs to where you could on longer sit together), and I will protect her if she gets scared. Well, she had to sit up in front of me, with no seatbelt (there are none), and only bars to hang onto. After the first drop inside, she was HYSTERICAL, bawling and begging me to get her off of the ride NOW! She said it was the most horrible ride EVER and she was scared to death. I felt so helpless - and horrible for letting her ride it!! All I could tell her (KNOWING what was still ahead) was to "hold on tight, sweetie, and close your eyes!" She's 6 now, still won't ride it again, and swears she has never been so scared in her life. You're wise to wait. I still regret my decision to this day.
Originally Posted By mj9401 My youngest son who has just turned four and meets the height requirement really wants to ride Splash but I have said no for the exact same reasons that you have said cheesybaby. I just know he would freak out at the drop so we will be giving it a miss this time.
Originally Posted By starlily Thanks everyone! I really appreciate all the feedback. I have talked with my daughter and she understands that she's just not quite old enough yet. We focus on all the super fun rides she can go on. You all helped me make the right decision.
Originally Posted By sandman "And to compare the 2 drops in Pirates to the 3 major drops in Splash is just plain silly." Not silly at all. The first drop on splash I dont think you could even consider major, the second comparable to the first drop on P.O.T.C. With a bit of roller coaster action. Third, yes a major drop. With that in mind. If you take your child on P.O.T.C. Watch the reaction, does the child want to hold the parent or do they want to hold the rail, or even hold thier hands up in the air. When we get fastpass for Splash Mountain, P.O.T.C. Is the ride just before Splash Mountain just to watch my son and daughters reactions.
