48 inch 5 year old.... Big Enough for RRC, but should he ride?

[erstwo]

So, my 5 year old is currently 47 and 3/4 inches. Almost sure to be 48 inches in June when we next visit WDW. The only roller coaster he did not ride last time was the Rockin Roller Coaster at DHS.

This time he will be tall enough, but I worry that just barely making the height requirement isn't good enough. I feel like this ride is more "intense" than SM or BTMRR. Do you think I should make him wait if he asks to ride or let him go for it?

 

[WDWNooby]

So, my 5 year old is currently 47 and 3/4 inches. Almost sure to be 48 inches in June when we next visit WDW. The only roller coaster he did not ride last time was the Rockin Roller Coaster at DHS.

This time he will be tall enough, but I worry that just barely making the height requirement isn't good enough. I feel like this ride is more "intense" than SM or BTMRR. Do you think I should make him wait if he asks to ride or let him go for it?

My eight year old granddaughter is just 48 inches in height and we have opted NOT to let her ride this ride in June. I am of the opinion that it might be too intense for that age. After looking at videos, etc. of the ride, she has agreed with that decision (she says it looks "too intense" and this is a child that loves rides.

And, being a short person myself, I don't like having the feeling of "I'm going to fall out" of a ride of which I've had that happen on some rides.

Again, this is just my personal opinion.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

The decision is yours, and yours alone.

Rock'N'Roller Coaster IS intense (by Disneys standards) but there are far worse out there - just down the road at Universal for example.

I would measure its intensity alongside the "backwards" section on Expedition Everest. If your son can handle that without problems AND he's willing to be tipped upside down then he MAY well enjoy it.

 

[Jessie&Buzz]

My dd was 1/2 inch too short when she was 5 and cried and cried. We understood why she couldn't ride and explained it to her the best we could. We said there would be other trips. This child has no fear on roller coasters. She's been riding the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood since she was 3. (for those Pittsburghers on here you know what I'm talking about).

Now my son who is 6 is tall enough but I don't think he'll ride it. He's not as brave as his big sis.

I think it all depends on what your child can handle. Each one is different. I would try showing him anything you can find online about it. It is intense but so much fun if you like those kinds of rides.

 

[Disneylover1302]

I would say "No". Unless he can handle the backward part in Expedition and that darkness in Space Mountain then I would saw he could try.

But then you have to thing if he would be able to handle the G's. I do think it is a young age though.

 

[Monty]

My son was absolutely thrilled when he could finally ride RnRC. Safety isn't an issue, if he's tall enough he's OK. I would say if he asks to ride, let him know it's intense but he can if he wants. If he finds it too intense, he just won't want to go back [at least not right away]. I think if he asks and is tall enough and you say no, he'll be more upset with you. If it's his decision and he doesn't like it, he'll just not go again.

 

[erstwo]

He has ridden SM and EE, so I'm not afraid of him being afraid. I guess like others said, I'm afraid of him being "too small."

I know they wouldn't let him on the ride if they thought he would fall out, but I'm wondering if he won't be terribly jostled (thrown all the way up and down during the twists) in a harness designed to also fit a 300 lb. man? :shrug:

Thanks for your opinions everyone!! I'll taken any more that you have!

 

[happymom52003]

I won't let my kids ride it yet, even though one of them is tall enough.

Call me overprotective, but I do not want those types of forces put on their bodies until they are older. Just does not seem right to me.:shrug:

I'm not saying that others are wrong by letting their younger kids ride these types of rides. I know kids ride those types of rides all of the time and are fine, but it just does not sit well with me.

Please do not bash me for saying this. Besides, no one would be able to change my mind about it anyway! Call me overprotective, I do not care.

 

[DisneyGigi]

My DD was 8 when she rode it a kazillion times and everything else there is to ride. She loved it! I think it really depends on the child and how ready they are. As far as safety, the only thing that I would worry about is just make sure that you tell him to firmly place his head against the seat to be ready for takeoff an the slinging around in the loops.

~edit to add, I thought I read 8 year old not 5 but still as long as he is tall enough I would think it is safe, I have seen some really young looking kids on there before having a ball. Just make sure you push the harness down tightly. =)

 

[kitten2299]

Only you know your child well enough if you think he will like it. My DD 4ys was tall enough to go on tower of terror and wanted to go on it and I said NO!!! But I promised her that when we go back for her 6th B-day in Oct she can go. I would say show him clips of the rides and explain it to him and see if he still wants to go. That is what i did for my DD and she is still wanting to go on Tower of Terror but at least she understands what is going to happen. Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[Luige11]

I won't let my kids ride it yet, even though one of them is tall enough.

Call me overprotective, but I do not want those types of forces put on their bodies until they are older. Just does not seem right to me.:shrug:

I'm not saying that others are wrong by letting their younger kids ride these types of rides. I know kids ride those types of rides all of the time and are fine, but it just does not sit well with me.

Please do not bash me for saying this. Besides, no one would be able to change my mind about it anyway! Call me overprotective, I do not care.

See my mom said if you want to ride a ride go ahead I never had any problems with the ride's when I was old enough or tall enough I went on them. I don't really see a problem disney wouldn't want to hurt your kids.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

I know they wouldn't let him on the ride if they thought he would fall out, but I'm wondering if he won't be terribly jostled (thrown all the way up and down during the twists) in a harness designed to also fit a 300 lb. man? :shrug:

Liken the harness on R'N'R to a seatbelt in your car - it is designed to fit all sizes safely. As long as the rider meets the minimum size then there isn't a danger of them falling out or rattling around

 

[marcriss]

You really have to base it on your child's maturity level and YOUR comfort level. My son was able to ride rides much sooner than he was ready to ride them.

If you think he's ready then you have to decide if you're comfortable with him riding it. If you're not, don't be afraid to be the parent and say no. You can make a deal that he can go on when he's 6 or 7 or what ever you feel comfortable with. But you have to be ok with your decision, he'll get over it if you choose not to let him.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[Master Yoda]

I will echo what many others have said. If he is tall enough it is perfectly safe for him to ride. The decision is then his if he want to go on it or not.

My youngest is a thrill ride junkey and much to her chagrin not very tall one. She wanted to go on RnRC at 4 but did not measure up until she was almost 7. Had she measured up at 4 I would have let her ride.

 

[Mickey-Mommy]

I wouldn't let my young child ride RnRC. I don't care that he may be tall enough to ride. I'd be more worried about the G's he'd be pulling and about the horrible headache I always end up with after going on that ride.

 

[D23]

My wife and I have discussed this thread and our thoughts are just to take into consideration a few things.

1.) Think of age. They may be at the right height but are their bodies ready for it? Like a car seat. Just because my son was 20lbs and able to be turned around we waited until he reached the 1 yr old because physically his body wouldn't be ready for an accident facing forward.

2.) Also, test ride them on Everest, BTM, SM etc. If they handled those fine, it will be okay.

3.) and most important, you know your child and you know what's best and how they handle things. You are their parent and always know best.

 

[coltow]

I agree with everyone else. You need to make the decision that is best you and your child. We so wanted DS to go on ToT and he was afraid of the outside of the building and would not go any where near the line. He loves Splash, BTMRR, and Test Track, but was afraid so we didn't push it.

This year he's a little older and a little taller. He says he wants to ride EE, but only if I tell him when the Yeti is coming so he can close his eyes. He still wants nothing to do with ToT though. He still won't be tall enough for RnRc, but if he were and wanted to go I'd let him try.