So I am planning my trip to DL for Thanksgiving. I will be traveling with my 3 1/2yr old. I noticed that she is old enough to ride the Matterhorn! Yay!! The requirement is 35". But then I look over at DCA and notice that California Soarin' is 40". Does that seem weird to anyone else? How do they come up with these restrictions. Matterhorn tosses you around and I know I'll be holding onto her for dear life. But California soarin with a nice lift and no bumps or turns she can't ride? I find that odd. How do they come up with these restrictions?

So I am planning my trip to DL for Thanksgiving. I will be traveling with my 3 1/2yr old. I noticed that she is old enough to ride the Matterhorn! Yay!! The requirement is 35". But then I look over at DCA and notice that California Soarin' is 40". Does that seem weird to anyone else? How do they come up with these restrictions. Matterhorn tosses you around and I know I'll be holding onto her for dear life. But California soarin with a nice lift and no bumps or turns she can't ride? I find that odd. How do they come up with these restrictions?

Well, previously, the Matterhorn and Gadgets Go-Coaster actually had the restriction "3-years-old" or older, but that was difficult to prove, so they changed it to a height requirement.

It's based on developmental abilities and harness/seatbelt style and placement.

FWIW, I once went on California Soarin in charge of three "kids" (one was chronologically an adult, but was cognitively a child.) I hated it. The restraint on Soarin' is not very extensive - just a lap belt. And you're rather 'high" above the ground. If a child panicked on that ride, I don't know what I would do. I could not sit "with" every one of my charges and I spent the whole ride worried about what would happen if one of them lurched forward. :eek: I would expect that a small child might have an issue with the height involved, let alone the ability of the harness to keep the child "safe."

Adrienne

FWIW, I once went on California Soarin in charge of three "kids" (one was chronologically an adult, but was cognitively a child.) I hated it. The restraint on Soarin' is not very extensive - just a lap belt. And you're rather 'high" above the ground. If a child panicked on that ride, I don't know what I would do. I could not sit "with" every one of my charges and I spent the whole ride worried about what would happen if one of them lurched forward. :eek: I would expect that a small child might have an issue with the height involved, let alone the ability of the harness to keep the child "safe."



I guess I could understand the lap belt thing but Matterhorn only has lap belts too. I know you can physically hold them though. The California Screaming does have a strap for in between their legs for shorter riders. I'm not going to ride with three kids just one so I do see your point. I just hate that she can't see it, yet she can go see a crazy snow monster in Matterhorn.

I guess I could understand the lap belt thing but Matterhorn only has lap belts too.

Yeah, but on the Matterhorn, she's not being suspended high over a long drop ;)

Adrienne

I think the height limits for Soarin' and the Matterhorn are realistic. The Matterhorn may be bumpy, but there's no way you're going to fall out of that car, even without a seatbelt.

The height limit that makes no sense whatsoever is the bumper cars over in Bug's Land, at 36". A higher height limit than the Matterhorn? For the slowest bumper cars in the universe?!?!?!?

Didn't I hear something about the Matterhorn being upgraded in the near future and they were going to change the belt system. And then it would be 40". Sorry could be wrong.
Soarin really makes me nervous that they could lean too far forward. And didn't that used to be 42"? Again sorry, both my kids are over 54" so I don't pay as much attention to the height requirements anymore.
Personnally think they should raise TOT requirement, if no other reason as it's a really scary ride. Or maybe I'm just a big baby. Been on it 2 times, just to prove I could, if I never go again, fine by me!

The height limit that makes no sense whatsoever is the bumper cars over in Bug's Land, at 36". A higher height limit than the Matterhorn? For the slowest bumper cars in the universe?!?!?!?


And it used to be 42"!

When we were at DCA with our three-year-old, we decided to try Soarin' and he HARDLY made it in. He was right at 40 in with his tennis shoes and hat! He ended up going through three check points with various people checking. Two were fine with it, but one older man almost didn't let us in. BUT, we made it and he liked it. He said it was a little scary, but he couldn't even dangle his feet over the edge. Make sure that if they aren't wearing tie shoes that you remove them and put them under your seat so they don't slip off during flight. He was belted in tight and we sat on either side of him, holding his hands. If your little girl is right at the height restriction, I'd check with the CM's at the ride.