Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [15]
Height Requirements
The Magic Kingdom
Barnstormer
35 inches
Big Thunder Mountain
40 inches
Splash Mountain
40 inches
Space Mountain
44 inches
Stitch’s Great Escape
40 inches
Tomorrowland Speedway
32 inches
Epcot
Mission: SPACE
44 inches
Soarin’
40 inches
Test Track
40 inches
Hollywood Studios
Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster
48 inches
Star Tours
40 inches
Tower of Terror
40 inches
The Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur
40 inches
Expedition Everest
44 inches
Kali River Rapids
38 inches
Primeval Whirl
48 inches
If you’re still unsure, employ these strategies:
Do a Baby Swap. (No, this does not mean you can trade your shrieking toddler for that angelic napping infant behind you!) If you have doubts about whether a ride is appropriate for your child, inform the attendant that you may need to do a Baby Swap. As you approach the attraction, one parent rides and returns with the verdict. If the first parent thinks the child will do okay, the second parent immediately boards and rides with the child. If the first parent thinks the ride is too wild, the second (yet-to-ride) parent passes the child through to the first parent and then rides him- or herself. It sounds confusing, but the attendants help you and it actually works smoothly.
Slowly increase ride intensity throughout the day. This advice runs counter to the touring tips you’ll find later in this book that recommend you ride the big-deal attractions first thing in the morning, but if you’re not sure your 7-year-old is up for a roller coaster, start her off slowly. Kids who begin with something relatively mild like Pirates of the Caribbean often build up their nerve throughout the day and close out the night on Space Mountain.
Avoid motion sickness. Obviously, steer clear of bumpy rides after eating. If you feel queasy on a motion-simulation ride like Star Tours, stare at something inside the cabin, like the seat in front of you, instead of the screen.
Don’t Leave Home Without …
Comfortable shoes. Forget about wearing sandals or slides in the parks—stick to sneakers. And this is no time to be breaking in new shoes.
Minimal clothing. Many hotels have laundry facilities and you can always wash out clothes in the sink. Most families over-pack, not figuring on all the souvenirs they’ll bring back. Disney T-shirts are not only great for touring but can serve as swimsuit cover-ups and pajamas as well. And unless you’re planning a special evening out at Victoria & Albert’s, casual clothing is acceptable everywhere.
Lightweight jackets. It rains in Orlando year-round, so jackets should be water-resistant.
Basic necessities. These include disposable diapers, baby formula, camera, memory cards or film, and blank camcorder tapes. All these are available within Disney World, but at premium prices.
Sunscreen. Keep a tube with you and reapply it often. Sunburn is the number-one complaint at the first-aid clinic in the Magic Kingdom. You need sun protection all through the year in Orlando, not just in summer.
A waist pack. Unlike a purse, a waist pack frees up your hands for boarding rides, pushing strollers, and holding on to your kids. A backpack is another option and good for carrying snacks and water, but even a light one can start to hurt your shoulders after a while. Plus, some rides don’t allow backpacks, so you may have to keep putting yours in a locker.
Resealable plastic bags. Disney serves such large dining portions, even on kiddie meals, that some parents report they save some of the fruit or chips for a later snack.
Sunglasses. The Florida sun is so blinding that more than once I’ve reached into my bag for my sunglasses only to realize I already had them on. Kids too young for sunglasses need wide-billed caps to cut down