DD rode a roller coaster *UPDATE, a year later, page #4.. WARNING, sensitive content* - Page 4

[SparklingGemini]

Originally Posted by WindyCityMom

At what age do you find it appropriate for a child to ride a roller coaster? What about other amusement-park type rides?

My DD rode a roller coaster before her second birthday. She has loved rides since she was a teeny baby and had been begging us to take her on a roller coaster. I willingly obliged as soon as she was tall enough.

I really believe that as long as the LOs meet the post height requirements, that its reasonably safe.

Now if there were posted height regulations and they weren't followed or my DD's height wasn't checked, then I would be worried.

But otherwise? No way. Totally awesome!!!

And seriously, my DD is counting years until she's tall enough to go on the bigger roller coasters. I'm so proud of my little adrenaline junkie.

[leighi123]

Ds loves rides, and I let him go on anything he is tall enough for (he is really short, so it isnt much).

I have fudged his height for a few things by having him wear shoes w/inserts), but NOT any ride that would be a safety issue (the ones we did this for were a merry-go-round, where I sat behind him on the horse, and a slide where you ride in a sack, and he was on my lap).

He REALLY wants to go on the roller-coaster at disney but is an inch too short. Rides like that where there is a safety bar, then they have a height limit for a reason, so he will have to wait, even though there were kids a year younger than him that were able to ride when he couldnt!

[Kidzaplenty]

It's hard for me to imagine the OP's situation and subsequent anger (not that it is not warrented, just that I have "dare-devil" children). My children LOVE roller coasters, big or small.

Mine have been riding them since they were two or three and always begging to go on the bigger ones. My four year old was so upset last year when he could not ride the racers at King's Island, and my eight year old was "finally" tall enough to ride not only the biggest coasters but also delirum (sp?) and the other "extreem thrill" rides.

I guess, as long as they followed proper procedures, I would not have a problem with my children going on such rides, alone or with someone, so long as they were safe and having fun.

It sounds like OP's DD had fun. Sorry it bothered Momma, though.

[nerdymom]

My advice? Breathe. It sounds like those rides are made for little kids. The one you DC went on alone? I'm pretty sure I know what kind it is, and "broken" just means the lifting mechanism isn't working - it's still perfectly safe. Those things don't go fast, and they are built for little kids, it wouldn't be safe for your SiL to be on it with her. I would not worry about this situation, and definitely don't be mad about it! If you upsets you that much, just don't go back. Ok, maybe you made an error in judgment, or maybe you overreacted. Either way, no one was harmed. Lesson learned.

[WindyCityMom]

UPDATE.  I know this was posted a lonnng time ago, but today I read that a little boy died on that roller coaster :( He was 3.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chibrknews-boy-3-dies-after-fall-from-norridge-rollercoaster-20110402,0,1456582.story

[AbbieB]

OMG! The same ride you originally posted about? I just read this article an hour ago and felt so sick. That poor family.

Be gentle to yourself Mama. Hug your baby and know that she is OK.

[StoriesInTheSoil]

How awful for that family!  I didn't see or respond to this last year but honestly, I would have had an issue with what you described.  There is a very clean, family friendly, well-maintained theme park near us that we frequent and I'm okay with the rides at but the place you described sounded creepy and I hate places that feel creepy to me.

[Magali]

So sad.

[beenmum]

 My son broke his leg in three places on a kiddie ride ( the Zeddy Ride if your Canadian) b/c they had the wrong type of buckle on the ride and he fell 4 feet to the ground at 16 months old.

The ride looked safe. He had used it many times. But when he leaned forward it became apparent that they put on a cpmoression buckle (you push both prongs to unlatch it, instead of pressing the button in the middle).

The Emergency stop button was located on the top of the ride housing ....6 feet off the ground. (The ride only went 4 feet).

Kids rides can be dangerou si f not maintained correctly, manufactored correctly or ridden correctly...even if they look safe.

Thats my rant.

[contactmaya]

 I wouldn't even let a 3yo ride alone. It was a ride where these little airplane cars (shaped like bananas) are all attatched to long arms and spin around a tall pole while going up and down (think merry-go-round). Anyways- THEY LET HER RIDE ALONE. I was pretty angry at them for this and their defense was that "oh, she was on the broken one anyways, so it didn't carry her into the air, just stayed at ground level". Ugh. So she was on a broken on top of it.

 

[contactmaya]

This is in reference to the above quote.

I am completely with you on this one. I would never let a child your childs age alone on a ride, and  not a 3 yo either. I would have been furious at those people.

In answer to your question, perhaps 4 or 5.

[New_Natural_Mom]

Was that the same ride?  I saw this story this morning too (we are in Chicago burbs, though I have never heard of this place) and was so sad.  My DS turns 3 on Saturday and I can't imagine what that family is going through.  That being said, I grew up not really being allowed to go on rides like that or carnival rides because my dad always thought they were shoddy and could break down easily.  I have to agree with that.  Also, most places like this have pretty young teenagers working there, texting on their cell phones instead of paying attention to the safety of the ride.  I won't let DS go on those kinds of things.  And frankly, since he *hated* the one merry-go-round we took him on I don't think he will be heart-broken. 

[WindyCityMom]

Originally Posted by New_Natural_Mom 

Was that the same ride?  I saw this story this morning too (we are in Chicago burbs, though I have never heard of this place) and was so sad.  My DS turns 3 on Saturday and I can't imagine what that family is going through.  That being said, I grew up not really being allowed to go on rides like that or carnival rides because my dad always thought they were shoddy and could break down easily.  I have to agree with that.  Also, most places like this have pretty young teenagers working there, texting on their cell phones instead of paying attention to the safety of the ride.  I won't let DS go on those kinds of things.  And frankly, since he *hated* the one merry-go-round we took him on I don't think he will be heart-broken. 

Yes, the little roller coaster at Go Bananas.  :( So so sad.  My heart is just breaking for that family.  The operators are teenagers.  I'm just so angry over all of this.  DD really wanted her next birthday party to be at that place (in December, haha) but I'm not sure I want that to happen.  We'll probably go bowling 
 

[lilmom]

Ugh, how terrible! I did not reply to this post last year but I recently was discussing with my DH the fact that I feel DS is much to young to go on a roller coaster ride, even one made for little kids. He is 3 and a half. He is also very tall for his age...but there is just no way. Too little, too much risk. Sorry, but he is my only child. I know that the chances are that nothing would happen, but if it did, I would never, ever forgive myself. I feel so terrible for that family.

[mattemma04]

My dd almost died on a ride that did not lock properly. It was a  carnival that comes in the summer to our city. My dd and the other girl held on for dear life. They company/attendant denied faulty locks,and said the girls were locked in place. Whatever! We no longer go to those city carnivals.Not worth the risk. I will take them to places that actually check the rides.

That could have been your dd that died,but I am sure family does not see it that way.Poor little boy.

[Phoenix~Mama]

Wow!  I guess we should really trust our Mama instincts.  That poor family!  I can't even imagine.  :-( 

[JudiAU]

I just thought I would add something that most parents aren't aware of. In most states, perhaps all states, there is no regulatory body at all responsible for inspection and maintence. There are no standards. There are no inspections. There is no testing. There is no real training of employees. There is no oversight. Height/weight are guesstimated by the companies.

Even in my state, CA, you know with Disneyland, there is very little oversight. Yes, responsible companies try and be responsible. They want to avoid injuries and avoid liability. But there is little to no oversight.

[JudiAU]

I just thought I would add something that most parents aren't aware of. In most states, perhaps all states, there is no regulatory body at all responsible for inspection and maintence. There are no standards. There are no inspections. There is no testing. There is no real training of employees. There is no oversight. Height/weight are guesstimated by the companies.

Even in my state, CA, you know with Disneyland, there is very little oversight. Yes, responsible companies try and be responsible. They want to avoid injuries and avoid liability. But there is little to no oversight.