38" Requirement for 7DMT Question

[MickeyOCD]

I'm a rule stickler, and would never advocate going out & buying thicker shoes, however, don't let him wear thin soled shoes (flip flops or sandals or even converse) have him wear his regular tennis shoes. They will be more comfortable to walk in as well as adding a little extra height & not look like you went out & bought shoes solely for "heightening" purposes. When my daughter was at this stage we went to the park & she dresses as Minnie Mouse, complete with red & white polka-dot MaryJanes. Needless to say, those MaryJanes were thin-soled & she didn't make the height requirement. The next day, we had her wear her tennis shoes, she made the height requirement then

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

Be aware that on rare occasions CMs have asked children to take off their shoes to be measured. I have only seen this happen if the shoes looked very suspect, like they were intentionally trying to add height.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I measured my DS2 (he'll be 3 Jan 24th) over a month ago, using the "mark the wall and measure" method and he was about 39 inches, so I figured it was a no go for the 40 inch rides. Planned our Fps with that in mind.
Then I read a thread on here about people making their own measuring sticks, etc SO I got an old big box measured it to 40 inches (slightly over 40 actually) cut it and DS stands in in. Well, with his everyday tennis shoes and socks his head hits the top. (this was 2 weeks ago)
Our trip is Nov 30th, so I assume by then he will be good to go!

If you can, try to make a "stick", it gets them used to it, plus it is a bit more accurate than trying to measure them with a tape measure.

Good luck and enjoy your trip, it'll be fab regardless how tall your child is!!

 

[linzbear]

Put him in his shoes when you measure him, the worrying could be for nothing! What I did is put a mark on the wall where the height requirements are and put a little mickey next to it, you could put paper down first if you want, and then measure the kids with their shoes on against it and make another mark with their initials. They get excited when they see they've passed the mickey, but they also know if they're really close to the mickey then they probably won't be tall enough.

That said, my oldest hated when we put him on barnstormer and he was 40"! He said it was too fast for him. Yours may not even want to ride!

 

[Stasieki]

In October my DD4 who is 41 inches was asked to step out of our splash log to get re measured. I didn't mind. Just found it interesting.

 

[vratiana]

Try to go earlier in the day. We are taller in the morning because the spine compresses during the day. At least I think that's the reason, at any rate I did find that to be true. Also, when my DS was 2, it was always a gamble trying for rides he was borderline on. I think because at that age he never quite stood up straight consistently. We'd make it on a few and get rejected at others. Sometimes I'd try again a few minutes later and a different cast member would let him. I don't think this is a safety risk once they are this close, I would be willing to bet they factor in at least a half millimeter of user error in their requirements.

 

[Raenstoirm]

I have a FP+ for the afternoon one day. I think I'll just stop by in the morning and check his height and if he doesn't qualify then I'll change my FP+ to something else. Maybe it will add some magic to someone else's day if they've been unable to get a FP+ for 7DMT. I guess we'll see.

Try to go earlier in the day. We are taller in the morning because the spine compresses during the day.

That is what I was going to say. Just because he measures fine in the morning does not mean he will measure fine in the afternoon. Humans shrink as the day goes on.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

We were in the exact same position as you. Our DS measured exactly 38 at the pediatrician a few weeks before our trip, but Disney measurements aren't exact. We practiced daily standing up straight while taking a deep breath. We also got him slightly taller sneakers (like you, he needed them anyway) and he sailed through 7DMT. He cleared the bar with ease, was never measured a second time, and rode 3x without being measured at all. Odd note, he cleared that bar with ease, but barely made it past Barnstormer which is supposedly 35'

 

[grizzy77]

Remember height restrictions are for safety concerns. If someone is not tall enough then they are not tall enough. Don't try to scam the system. If he truly that close you could try going in the morning. People tend to be a little taller earlier in the day. But prepare him that he may not be able to ride. Also there are usually two height checkers. One at the entrance and one before boarding. Just making it past the first one doesn't guarantee that he will get on. It is up to the cast members. Don't give them a hard time if your DS doesn't measure up. They are just doing their job. It is nothing personal. If you have realistic expectations, nobody has to be disappointed. Good luck and have fun.

Agree, the height requirements are obviously for safety and you shouldn't give the CM's a hard time on their ruling.

BUT, I highly doubt Disney is walking the razor thin edge of the rides requirement. If they post 40" for a ride I'd bet the safe threshold is many inches shorter than that. I mean, they're not leaving safety up to some college kid trying to discern an 1/8th of an inch.

To the OP...did you measure with their shoes on?

 

[Boo Bear]

Yeah I measured with his shoes on and he wasn't holding still very well.

 

[Lorajo]

I agree with OP that it is tricky to plan fastpasses in advance when they are on the line for the height requirement.

My son was 3 in August, I've measured him twice and it's very close.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cakebaker]

Put him in his shoes when you measure him, the worrying could be for nothing! What I did is put a mark on the wall where the height requirements are and put a little mickey next to it, you could put paper down first if you want, and then measure the kids with their shoes on against it and make another mark with their initials. They get excited when they see they've passed the mickey, but they also know if they're really close to the mickey then they probably won't be tall enough.

That said, my oldest hated when we put him on barnstormer and he was 40"! He said it was too fast for him. Yours may not even want to ride!

We have the exact opposite problem with my 2.5 yr old grandson. He wants to ride it all- as long as it's fast and has dips and turns, he wants on it. Barnstormer was his introduction to coasters and while we worried 7dmt would be too much, he sailed thru it- even raised his hands over his head laughing and screaming. Funniest thing ever is after he got off 7dmt I took him by myself to ride IASW. He waited till we were at the boats ready to get on and started screaming at the top of his lungs... me scared, me no want to ride this!! What do you do, we exited the ride and went back to 7dmt! We never force him on any ride, no matter what it is.

Just proves there is no telling what they will or won't want to ride at that age.

 

[imnwkr]

We just returned from MK. Our 3 y/o was measured near the outside queue line. She missed it by just a hair. The CM gave her a certificate good for a FP(and entire party) on our next visit. She'll make it next year.