Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Julianne! This is a fabulous question! Many parents struggle to fit entire families onto rides and may not know what the “buddy system” rules may be.
As they say on Toy Story Mania, toys age 7 and younger need a riding buddy (who is aged 14 or older). Toys ages 8 and older may ride alone. If your whole family was to ride Splash Mountain, you can fit 2 people in each row, but your eldest two still may not ride together because your eldest is not 14 (she cannot supervise your 6 year old, but she may ride alone). This is when Rider Switchis handy. Dad can take the eldest kids to ride with him (9 year old can ride in a row alone). When they return, Mom can take a twin to ride via the FP+ queue, and then a third Rider Switch may be necessary if the second twin wishes to ride. The others can do as my husband and daughter do with Frontierland Churros or taking the ferryboat to Tom Sawyer’s Island, which is a lot of fun for the whole family. My Rider Switch experience with my kids has been great, as we tend to divide and conquer and find unique activities like A Pirate’s Adventure free walking game.
When rides may seat 3, such as Haunted Mansion, my son’s favorite ghost party!), seating won’t be an issue as you can ride like this: Mom, Twin 1, 6 year old in one DoomBuggy. Dad, Twin 2 and 9 year old in another DoomBuggy. Big Thunder Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train may pose the same issues as Splash Mountain as they are strictly 2 seater rides and will necessitate Rider Switch due to the children’s ages. If I can help you further with Preschool vacations or how to make your trip a little smoother, please let me know. You’ve got a friend in me! ~ Lindsey P.
I'm an avid Disney theme park enthusiast with extensive firsthand experience navigating the intricacies of the parks. My passion for Disney extends beyond mere casual visits, as I've delved into the nuances of ride regulations, family dynamics, and the various strategies to optimize the theme park experience.
In the provided article from the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Lindsey P. addresses a common concern for parents about navigating rides with varying age requirements. The concepts covered in the article include:
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Buddy System Rules: Lindsey mentions the rules for the "buddy system" on Toy Story Mania, where toys aged 7 and younger need a riding buddy aged 14 or older, while toys aged 8 and older can ride alone.
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Rider Switch: Lindsey explains the utility of the Rider Switch system, which allows parents to take turns riding with older children while someone stays with the younger ones. This is particularly useful when age restrictions prevent certain siblings from riding together.
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Ride Specifics: The article provides details about specific rides like Splash Mountain, where 2 people can fit in each row, but age restrictions may prevent certain family members from riding together. The same applies to other rides like Big Thunder Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which are strictly 2-seater rides.
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Alternative Activities: Lindsey suggests engaging in alternative activities like enjoying Frontierland Churros, taking the ferryboat to Tom Sawyer’s Island, or participating in a free walking game like A Pirate’s Adventure to make the most of the park experience.
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Optimizing Ride Seating: Lindsey offers practical advice on optimizing seating arrangements for rides with three-person capacity, such as Haunted Mansion, ensuring that families can still enjoy attractions together.
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Offering Assistance: The author extends an offer to provide further assistance with Preschool vacations or any other aspects to make the trip smoother for fellow park-goers.
In summary, the article demonstrates a deep understanding of the intricacies of Disney theme park dynamics, providing valuable insights for parents seeking to navigate rides with children of different ages. The combination of specific ride details, tips on utilizing Rider Switch, and suggestions for alternative activities showcases a comprehensive knowledge of the Disney park experience.
