Rollercoasters suitable for an 8 yr old!

[nixieh]

Hi there,
Having now told my kids we were going to Orlando in a few weeks they are incredibly excited (you can still hear the echos of the screams a good few miles away!). My eldest DD has been watching all the planning DVDs and she has even started DIBBING!

The thing is she keeps talking about going on the big roller coasters. It is true she is pretty brave on rides but I don't think she has ever been on the kind or coasters she will encounter in Orlando, the most she has done before are the type you get in places like Legoland. Her Dad and I are complete cowards although I have agreed to give BTMR and Splash M a go with her this time, she seems to think they will be a bit tame. Can you recommend a few of the easier coasters to get her started?

Thanks

Nicola

ps She is about 52" so should be ok for most rides.

[PoohBears#1fan]

Hi Nicola,

The really big coasters, Duelling Dragons, The Hulk etc. have a height limit of 54", my DD is exceptionally tall for her age and couldn't ride them until she had just turned 9 - she is by far the tallest in her class though, out of the boys also.

I think you have the right idea of sticking with the mountains in WDW to be honest, Rock and Roller coaster may be another good one, I'm not sure of the height restriction off hand, but 'think' it's 48".

[TinkTatoo]

I would start with BTM and Splash and see how she goes, from there you could try Space Mountain which is an indoor one.

If she is fine on this you could try Rock and Roll in MGM before moving onto any of the Universal ones

[Sue]

Personally I think the bigger coasters are safer (totally strapped in), smoother and better than the little 'uns. If she wants to try and she's tall enough. let her go!!
I still won't do the little rattlers, they hurt my old bones!

[gala]

As long as shes the required height they should all be suitable.
As Jakki (Tink Tatoo) says, start her off on the gentler ones and see how it goes.
Its the 40 something year old in this house that is the big chicken. I come off with a head like jelly, shaking in my boots and swearing - never again. I first took my son on when he was seven and as far as he was concerned, the faster the better!

Margaret

[REH]

Have a look on the Disney site http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/experience/experienceLanding?id=BigKidsExperiencePage as they rate all the rides big kids, big thrills etc

[heatherB]

if you want to start gently goofies barnstormer (magic kingdom)and the flying unicorn at IOA. to be honest BTmr and splash mountain are the gentler coasters and she will be able to go on them. if she likes height one of you will be able to take her on the Pteradon flyers at IOA not a roller coaster but definatley high flying.

don't forget all the water rides too. and don't forget that when you're feeling really brave she can take you on ToT at MGM!

[ali-s]

have just asked my 8yr old son and he say's woody woodpeckers at universal or goofys barnstormer are the least scary ! like your daughter he was keen to do everything, even though the 'worst' he'd been on was jungle coaster at legoland. He was just over the 48'' height restriction and was really put out that he couldn't ride kraken or hulk ! (even after he'd seen them! ) he coped fine with rock n rollercoaster, spacemountain and the mummy at universal( though that dosn't really feel like a coaster, even the 6yr old went on that with the help of some 'platform' trainers !) have promised him that we'll go to busch gardens next time as I think they have more coasters there for his height.

[andrea5867]

My daughter went on all the big coasters at age 8
The first really bid one we tried was Montu at Busch Gardens due to the safety aspect of being strapped in fully - and I had my reservations about how it would affect her
I neededn't have worried - she ran off it and rejoined the queue straight away !!!!! - Though she didn't like Gwawi, the wooden coaster at all as she did not feel safe (and neither did I)
She now has a favourite new ride in Kraken at Seaworld which she rode 11 times in a row the last time we were there a couple of weeks ago
It all depends on your child, but I do feel much happier on the big coasters purely due to the harnesses being so much more secure
As a starter I would recommend Rock and Roller Coaster as it only has three inversions and a great "blast off"
I used this to guage how my daughter would adapt to the forces on the larger coasters
Hope this helps !!!!

[Disney_Daughter]

hiya

I went to WDW when i was 6 and went on everything I could!

BTMR,Splash M, space mountain .... you name it i was on it .lol

If your daughter is anything like me she will love them all.

lots of love Rebecca xxxxx:angel:

[simon9792]

my daughter loves roller coasters and is approx 52" hopefully will add 1-2" before october holiday do disney measure everytime we go on rides or do they stamp your ticket or something saving hassle of queing and getting turned away:jump: :jump: :jump:

[edie_w]

No they measure every time at Disney. At Sea World you get measured and then given a wrist band so you can get back on the ride all day. Top tip is to get measured early in the morning as you're tallest then!!