Hi Christy!
Thanks for your question. It sounds like you are a family of 4, which is the same size of our family! When my son was younger, he didn't meet the height requirements for many thrill rides, so he was unable to get on the most daring "big drop" rides. However, after getting older (now meeting the height requirement for
all rides in the parks), there still was
severe trepidation for him when it came to rides such as
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain or
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. There were a few approaches we tried:
A. Disney's
Rider Switch program is available not simply for families with children who don't meet certain height requirements for the bigger rides, it also extends to those unable (or unwilling) to ride those "big drop" attractions. The 2 rides I mentioned earlier are some of the
select attractions at the theme parks that participate in the Rider Switch program. If both parents, say, want to experience the ride, but your daughter does not, look to use the
Rider Switch program. Here's how it works:
You would have to approach the Cast Member at the attraction with entire family in tow. Determine beforehand which parent will get on the attraction first, and which one will wait (with daughter) until the first party gets off. The Cast Member will issue the waiting party a Rider Switch entitlement, then, say, your husband and son can get on the thrill ride first. The Cast Member will direct you and daughter to a designated waiting area somewhere outside, but near that attraction's entrance or exit. When the husband and son finish the attraction, Mom can then use the entitlement to get back on the ride with you and son. That way you get to experience the thrill ride, and your son gets to experience the same ride 2 times in a row! Cool right?
B. The other option is the old "divide and conquer" method. We wanted our son to enjoy himself and not feel he was missing out on all the magic, or waiting forever with one parent as the rest of us thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. In that case, Mom and I would choose which were our "must-do" thrill attractions, and then while one experienced one "must-do" with my daughter, the other would go with our son on a ride he was less afraid of (i.e. Pirates of the Carribean at Magic Kingdom). It was a compromise, but one well worth it to bring smiles to both our children's faces. :-)
Hope you have a "thrill" of a time at
Disney World!
Terry