[rshelek]

In just about a month, I leave for a Land and Sea Disney vacation with my wife, 6 year old daughter, and 4 year old son. My 4-year old is tall (43 inches) and should be able to ride most rides. He's also probably more brave than he should be. So...... which attractions should I avoid taking him on, just to be cautious? Pardon my lack of lingo above, I am a newbie to the site.

[ddoll]

Welcome to DC.

Well, seeing as they haven't yet told us what caused the 4 yr old's death on Mission Space yet, I'd probably avoid that with one so young. Also, Rock N Roller Coaster, Dinosaur, Space Mountain and Tower of Terror might be a little much, if he's even tall enough to get on.

Many attractions frighten little ones because they're dark and/or noisy, not because they're thrill rides. So things like "It's Tough To Be A Bug" and the Stitch ride, while funny, may scare him.

Have you been to WDW before? You may want to try questionable rides out yourself before taking him on them.

[Tinkerbelle67]

Welcome to DC!!! As for the rides, kids are so different. My DD hates the Haunted Mansion but loves Rock n Roller coaster. You are just going to try to use your best judgement and if you are waiting in line and your son changes his mind you can always get out before going on a ride.
I always tell my kids to try the attraction, if they don't like it they never have to go on it again.
The only attraction I haven't asked them to try is Stitch's Great Escape, I know they would HATE it and from what I've read, they really aren't missing much.

[quakercub]

I think ddoll pretty much covered most of rides to avoid. I might add that if Expedition Everest is having soft openings while you're there, I might avoid that one. For your 4 year old I mean.

Other than that, welcome to DC! Have a great time here and on your trip

[rshelek]

Thanks all! I am an experienced Disney vacationer. However, my predicatment this time is slightly different. In the past, my kids were too small to ride anything that I was unsure of. OR, when my daughter was 4, she was pretty vocal about avoiding things like Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain and such. My boy is much different, and would ask to ride everything. However, from past experience, I know he will freak on some rides. Just wondered if anyone else has been in the same boat.

Also, I know this is the Park forum, but we have never been on the cruise. Anyone have any recent info about what we should or should not miss?

[Disney6]

I would add "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" to that list too and my 4 all were scared at one time even by Snow White.

[Disneyfever]

The only ride I would avoid for sure for a four year old is Mission Space. In my opinion, it is way too intense for a small child. For the rest of the rides, I just let my DS decide. Although he still gets a little scared in some parts of the dinosaur ride, he has always loved it. The only other ride that he was a little scared on was the Tower of Terror. He rode that when he was five. So, it depends a lot on your child. But as far as the physical movements of the rides, Mission Space, Tower of Terror and RNR are the most intense (IMO).

[queensmama]

We skipped these rides with my 4 yo this year.
Dinosaur, Mission Space, RnR, ToT, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Note that she would have rode everything but I was scared that she was just to skinny for the straps. 29lbs at 4.....I swear that girl is going to be a model as little/tall as she is.
We did do Stitch, I just reminded her that is was all pretend. She even took her daddy back on it then.

[jk8]

I believe at 43 inches he will be too short for the major ones to avoid - RnR, Mission, Space Mountain. I think you have to be 44 inches and I would not push it even if me makes it with shoes.

My son at 4 went on BTMRR, Splash Mountain and ToT. He went on but did not like HM (he just closed his eyes) with no long term damage.
He went on but did not wear the 3-D glasses much for the shows.

I would not really avoid anything he allowed to go on at 43 inches. If he is a daredevil and wants to try it I would let him.

The funniest thing about my ds is he went on the big rides I mentioned aboved but he would not ride Dumbo. He said "that's too high and scarey, Mom."

[Princessbaby]

My 4 y.o. is not one to go on a lot of rides (he hated POC). My 6 y.o. loves almost every ride, but the one that shook him up the most was TOT. He rode Space Mountain 4 times and Splash 1 time and he loved the Kali River Ride. One wasn't fast enough and 1 wasn't wet enough (now maybe if we could get a combo of the two...) We did not do Mission Space or Dinosaur, so I'm not sure how bad those rides are.

[MissDisney]

The only ride our little ones ever had trouble with was Honey I Shrunk The Audience -- and it was all because of the snake/lion creature that comes off the screen at you... of course, the mice on your legs didn't help, but it was that visual thing. Both kids refused to go back in there for many trips!!!

[bribert]

Having just returned with our 4 year-old, here's what we found:
Soarin'-She didn't like because of the loud fireworks being right in front of her.
Test Track-She thought it was ok, not really excited by it.
Her favorite ride was Splash Mountain!!! We rode it 4 times!!
Big thunder mountain seemed a little too rough & bumpy for her, & sh e didn't like the haunted house the first time we went.

[Dana]

Welcome to Disney Central!

I honestly would take him on anything that he met the height requirements for if he wanted to try it. Make sure he doesn't have ANY of the listed medical conditions etc before riding. Best advice I can give, when in doubt, try it yourself first and then decide if you want him to go on it.

[mickeymommy]

Welcome to DC! I just wanted to reiterate what everyone else has said. My DH and I both hate thrill rides, so we don't do those anyway, but my DS (2 yo) was only 36 inches and rode everything he could and loved it. He had big eyes on PoC, but didn't scream, cry or even cover his ears or eyes...but he HATES fireworks. So it really depends on the child. Like others have said, try it, but if he changes his mind in line, no big deal, just get out. I would avoid ones ddoll listed, just to be on the safe side. Have a great time!

[mrspooky]

Welcome, welcome.

43 inches will keep him off the Rock n Roller Coaster, Space Mountain (that is only 44 inches, depends on what shoes he is wearing)and the roller coaster in the AK in dino land, but he could get on just about anything else.

We first went when my daughter was 3, and she is tall for her age. She went on Star Tours, and the Tower of Terror(3 times!), and did all the 3D shows, and loved every minute of it. Last year we went and she was thrilled to be tall enough to go on Space Mountain. I think it is true that you know your own child best. People were actually telling my husband and I while in line for the Tower of Terror that we were horrible for taking a 3 year old on. Until the ride ended and the first person yelling "Do it AGAIN" was the 3 year old. We have never done Mission Space, though, and I think that is more my reservations than hers.