My 4 and 7 year old boys are really excited about Splash Mountain, but I am concerned with the new seating arrangement. If anybody has been on with their little kids I would really appreciate any tips or feedback. Can an adult adequately hold on to a small child who becomes frightened and tries to get off? I hate to keep them off of a great ride, but if it is now not safe for them I will.
Thanks,
Julie

Hi Julie!

I took my pint-sized 4 year old on Splash this fall and she had an absolute blast. I was nervous about the new seating arrangement, but she was safe and secure and we had no difficulties at all. I wasn't sure she would like it, doesn't like to get splashed, and I thought she'd be nervous with the drops, but she loved it soooo much! We went on it again and again!!!

Before the newest seating, I had ridden many times with my older daughter and each time, for some reason, she hit her face on the front of the boat and once she bruised her nose pretty good. I like the new seating much better, although I didn't think I would.

Have a great trip! From one Oregonian, to another. When are you going? We're going for Easter and the week after. :)

Hey Stinkerbell,
We are thinking about Spring Break this year. Things look good now, but who knows what will change by then.

Thanks for the advice. My oldest can be a bit excitable and I am a little worried he may panic and try to bail out on me. Could you reach around and hold onto your little one?

I don't know if you could reach around and grab. That was my first concern when I found out I couldn't hold on to her.....but it turned out just fine. :) Actually, it turned out great.

Have a great time!!!!

downingfamily1


This is a suggestion that has been found to be a great help, have your little one wear a backpack reversed so that the pack is on their chest with the straps over their shoulders, you can reach up and hold on to the straps snugging them up against their seat back without coming out/off your seat ...but I have to say that while I was concerned about the new seating I've not had any problems taking any of the troops or Brandy on the ride with the new arrangement..... good luck and have fun!

Can't give you any advice, because I'm terrified of the ride ;)

I really liked the new seats. I actually feel a lot more secure, and so does The Boy.

Mammasilva's idea with the reversed bp is excellent (that is why she gets paid the big mod bucks ;) ).

LOL Mousey_girl, but I can't take credit for the idea.. just passing it along, someone else posted it in another thread some time ago and I'm too lazy to go look for it but it's still a great suggestion :)

Thank you all for the reassuring words! Mammasilva I think I will try the advice about the backpack. I feel much better now and I will try to just relax.
Thanks again,
Julie

Oregonians unite. Born and raised in Eugene. Go Ducks!

My 4 year old loves the ride. :) Oddly enough - he also does not like to be splashed - but on this ride it doesn't seem to bother him.

IMO, if you are concerned that your child may try to "get out" of the ride once it is in motion then that child should not ride.

My four year old loved splash, but did hit the front seat and split her lip a little. Did not bother her but I felt bad looking at it. I love the suggestion of the backward backpack. We will try that next time

I have heard that some of you may not have to worry about making this decision, as the height restriction may be raised in the near future(As early as the re-openning after the 3 week refurb starting next Monday the 24th), for the same concerns that many of you have. I only heard this from a Splash source, and was not given any info on what the new setting might be.

My just turned 4 year old had no troubles at all. I could even reach around and hold him, but it wasnt needed!
Heck that week we rode Splash 34 times, he counted!

If they raise the height limit, this little boy may be crushed!

Originally posted by Mitchwebb
My four year old loved splash, but did hit the front seat and split her lip a little.
SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE SUE :D :D :D :D :D :D

as a WDW first timer.. and someone who is obese.. could you exoplain the "new" seating on splash? all my guides say i should have no problem fitting on splash.. but what are the changes?

mom2princesses, the Splash at WDW hasn't had any changes, it's always had the two seats, side by side configuration, what everyone is discussing is Disneylands version of Splash, originally it was more 'open seating, it had three sections, the front held two people then a 'back' the middle would hold 2/3 then another back, then the back end of the log held 2 and of course the back of the log, since the lawyers decided to go 'safety' overboard they reconfigured the logs to hold 5 folks each with their own seat back, big difference in 'seating' as in the old way you could snug your little one up against you during the ride, now they are in their own 'section'. I have never been to WDW so I can't speak to the size of the logs there but my advice is to go to the WDW forum and start a thread, the folks here at MP are wonderful about sharing information :) I hope that helps.

My husband was able to reach in front of him to hold on to the boy, but we found it totally unneeded. I even felt comfortable riding it with him, I could have reached forward to grab him if it had become nessesary, and I am only 4'9", so I wouldn't be too concerned about it.

Thank you all again for your replies. I feel a lot better now. I just needed reassurance that if I needed to I could be there for my kids and keep them safe. I'm a little overprotective sometimes.:)
-Julie