43 inches tall - what rides can he, for sure, NOT ride?

[southern_redhead]

My youngest is 43 inches tall, at seven and a half he's a shorty LOL Actually, he was 43 inches in March, I measured him again the other evening and he was 43.5. He was barefoot both times. I'd rather go with 43 inches, though, as I'm sure it is easy to lose/gain a half inch at different measuring stations. In fact, would it be better to look at things 42 inches and under?

We will be visiting all four parks as well as both waterparks and DQ. I'm not too concerned about DQ because I think DH and the older boys will probably spend more time there than DD, YDS, and I. I thought they might get bored quickly and prefer to visit some shops and maybe get a snack while the others finish up. Still, I'd like an idea of things to steer him to and away from.

Also, to avoid taking up room with another thread - can you think of any rides that go backwards (like spinning, not like a roller coaster reversing or something) or upside down? Also, rides or shows that use strobe lights. I'd like to know of those ahead of time for him. He tends to get migraines and, if he has already felt one coming on and taken medicine for it I'd like to avoid that type of ride.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

He's just a tad taller than my son. Rides he can't ride are: Space Mountain, Speedway (to drive), Mission: SPACE, Sum of All Thrills, Primeval Whirl, Expedition Everest, and Rock N Rollercoaster. There would be others at the Waterparks and Disney Quest I'm sure. So really he can ride quite a bit. My son is most looking forward to Test Track and Soarin'.

 

[vicki_c]

At the 4 theme parks, only:

Tomorrowland Speedway at MK - must be 52" to ride alone, but can ride with someone else

48" height attractions:
Primeval Whirl @ AK (currently closed anyway)
Rock n Roller Coaster @ DHS

44" height attractions:
Space Mountain at MK
Expedition Everest at AK
Mission: Space at Epcot

I believe that's it for the 4 main parks - can't speak to the water parks or Disney Quest - there are some height restrictions in those as well.

 

[kidsgobears]

I bet with regular tennis shoes, he'd be able to ride space mountain (44 inches I think).

 

[southern_redhead]

Thanks. That helps me a bunch So he can't drive on the Speedway but he could ride with me or DH? I'm unsure whether they do 2 passenger or not...

I think of everything listed the only thing he might be disappointed in would be EE. And honestly, probably not that if we can find something cool for the other parent to do with him.

I thought of measuring him in his shoes but I don't want to count on that since it would put him potentially right *at* the height and a slight variance could mean he wouldn't ride. I'll measure him right before we leave, he's been growing like a weed this year (allergy shots REALLY helped him with eating) so we'll see then what it's shaping up to look like. Thanks for the replies.

Anybody have experience with waterparks? From what I remember reading, most things that sound like his type of thing are available to his size. I don't really feel comfortable letting him do a big drop or super fast slide alone anyway

 

[YodaGirl]

Thanks. That helps me a bunch So he can't drive on the Speedway but he could ride with me or DH? I'm unsure whether they do 2 passenger or not...

They do allow 2 passengers.

I remember driving when I was little. I think I had a much better time than my dad did.

 

[grandmadebby2]

In the blue bar at the top of the page under planning it list the heights for the rides. I put in 43" and this is what it gave me.

Blizzard Beach Summit Plummet 48"
Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl 48"
Blizzard Beach Downhill Double Dipper 48"
DisneyQuest Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam 48"
Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Indy Speedway 52"
Typhoon Lagoon Bay Slide 52"
DisneyQuest Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster 51"
DisneyQuest Cyberspace Mountain 51"
Magic Kingdom Space Mountain 44"
Typhoon Lagoon Humunga Kowabunga 48"
Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest 44"
Epcot Mission Space 44"
Hollywood Studios Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith 48"

hope this helps.

 

[southern_redhead]

In the blue bar at the top of the page under planning it list the heights for the rides. I put in 43" and this is what it gave me.

Blizzard Beach Summit Plummet 48"
Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl 48"
Blizzard Beach Downhill Double Dipper 48"
DisneyQuest Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam 48"
Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Indy Speedway 52"
Typhoon Lagoon Bay Slide 52"
DisneyQuest Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster 51"
DisneyQuest Cyberspace Mountain 51"
Magic Kingdom Space Mountain 44"
Typhoon Lagoon Humunga Kowabunga 48"
Animal Kingdom Expedition Everest 44"
Epcot Mission Space 44"
Hollywood Studios Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith 48"

hope this helps.

Thank you! That is a huge help. I'm not seeing anything I think he'll be upset about. In fact, most of those things are something that *possibly* the teen and tween boy might do but I don't even know that DD, DH, and I will go on them so.....he may not even notice

Where is the blue planning bar? On this site? I must be blind.

 

[grandmadebby2]

Thank you! That is a huge help. I'm not seeing anything I think he'll be upset about. In fact, most of those things are something that *possibly* the teen and tween boy might do but I don't even know that DD, DH, and I will go on them so.....he may not even notice

Where is the blue planning bar? On this site? I must be blind.

At the top of this page it says Disboards.com in big letters. The next line starts with Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, etc. Then the very next line says Theme Parks, Resorts, Dining, Photo, Planning, Tickets, Event, etc. If you put your cursor on the planning i will drop down Height Requirements, Closings, weather, Disiabilities and CountDown Clock. FYI the countdown clock is different then the Ticker it is down a couple more inhes next to the FAQ. Hope this helps, I was so excited a few months ago when I found it.

 

[TheGoofster]

One thing to consider, if he grows enough to make it on Expedition Everest, you might want to think about if you actually want him to go or not. You mentioned in your original post that he might get migranes from going backwards or upside down.

On Everest, you don't actually go upside down, but many people say that they really thought that they did. For many people EE gives them the sensation of going upside down, and I would hate for him to ride it (if he's able) and have him get a severe headache from it.
I don't know if you've ever been on it yourself, but if not, you might want to consider riding it first without him to see if you think it would be something that would bother him or not (again, assuming he is tall enough by your trip).

Also Everest does go backwards (all in the dark). I know you were asking more about other kinds of rides besides Roller coasters, but because it's in the dark, it does seem to disorient a lot of people. Again, just something for you to consider to hopefully help him avoid missing out on a wonderful time because of a severe headache.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[Que_Sarah_Sarah]

Make sure to measure him BEFORE you get in line and remember they will likely measure him again at the end of the line. Some parents make it past the front of the line without getting measured, wait a long time, and then end up with upset kids by the time they reach the ride cars. Whatever happens, don't get upset because children take cues on behaviour like that from their parents. I've seen plenty of kids getting upset about not riding a ride after their parents pitch a fit.

Just encourage your son to stand tall when he gets measured and you'll do fine

 

[Just2DisneyKids]

As a follow-on to this question, at what point is your child old enough for a ride once they meet the height requirement. I ask because I have a DS who will probably be over 40 inches before we go this fall and will have just turned 3 years old. Are there certain rides that I could start him on to see what his thrill level is like?

I would try Thunder Mountain. This was the first "thrill" ride my DD's mastered. They liked this long before Splash Mountain. Both are 40" requirements. And no, there aren't really age requirements, they leave that up to the parent.

 

[doccoc2002]

Thanks. That helps me a bunch So he can't drive on the Speedway but he could ride with me or DH?

He can drive you just have to ride with him!

 

[southern_redhead]

One thing to consider, if he grows enough to make it on Expedition Everest, you might want to think about if you actually want him to go or not. You mentioned in your original post that he might get migranes from going backwards or upside down.

On Everest, you don't actually go upside down, but many people say that they really thought that they did. For many people EE gives them the sensation of going upside down, and I would hate for him to ride it (if he's able) and have him get a severe headache from it.
I don't know if you've ever been on it yourself, but if not, you might want to consider riding it first without him to see if you think it would be something that would bother him or not (again, assuming he is tall enough by your trip).

Also Everest does go backwards (all in the dark). I know you were asking more about other kinds of rides besides Roller coasters, but because it's in the dark, it does seem to disorient a lot of people. Again, just something for you to consider to hopefully help him avoid missing out on a wonderful time because of a severe headache.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

That's a good point, and just the kind of information I'm looking for! I seriously can't see me letting him ride Everest. I just thought, out of the list, it was the only one he might be kind of "Aw. I want to do that." about. But only because it's the only ride on the list that I think all the rest of us will want to try. It isn't a big deal, maybe we can get FP for it and one parent can go through it on standby and then the other parent and whatever kids want to ride again can use FP. Then whoever is free could do something fun with the small fry He's a pretty good sport, especially if he's getting a special snack or treat that the other kids aren't getting (being the baby has to have some advantage, right? LOL) Another thing I noticed was the darkness on the youtube videos - it seemed to go in and out of daylight which appeared vaguely strobe like on the videos. I kind of worried about that as well.

Also, I appreciate the poster who mentioned that you might get past one check point and not the second. I'm trying to avoid that by going at least one inch shorter than what I've measured him to barefoot. I'd rather just breeze him by a ride that might be a close call then have him pass the first check point and be turned away for being a hair short on the second one. And, I'm not the type to have a meltdown over not measuing up - I wouldn't even question it. But I think he might take it a bit hard on his own.

 

[daaasmith]

As a follow-on to this question, at what point is your child old enough for a ride once they meet the height requirement. I ask because I have a DS who will probably be over 40 inches before we go this fall and will have just turned 3 years old. Are there certain rides that I could start him on to see what his thrill level is like?

We have a tall DS also. (He is 5 and over 45 inches for our upcoming trip). I agree with a previous poster, as Big thunder railroad would be a good starting point, as well as Splash Mountain which seems to be one of my kids faves. Neither are very aggressive and can give you some feelers to reactions. My children both turned out to be daredevils and like all the thrill rides, but every child is different. Have a wonderful time!

 

[rndmr2]

As far as the Speedway cars go, he can work the steering wheel, the adult basically has to work the gas pedal, that's where the height thing comes in, the smaller ones can't reach the gas pedal and still see to steer

 

[Tiresius]

As far as non-thrill rides with effects that might be problematic, this is by no means a complete list, but my GF has some motion/sensory issues and was bothered by the following things that are far from "thrilling" in the purely movement sense. We expected problems on rides that are supposed to move, so I am not including those, but these are the ones that surprised us:

Buzz Lightyear (MK): there is one section with a Planetarium-sized moving starfield that surrounds you. If you close your eyes though, its over quickly. BUT, the lights throughout this ride flash and can be disorienting.

Seas with Nemo Clam ride (Epcot): as with Buzz, there is one section with a surrounding moving bubble field. Its not strobbing, but it makes you feel like you are spinning even when you aren't. Again, 30 seconds of closing your eyes though and this is easily avoidable, since the rest of this ride was fine.

Any/all of the 360 or 3D movies. They don't strobe, but they are designed to give you a sense of motion, so can be queasy inducing. The 3D projections are also hard on the eyes in forcing a different type of focusing. I know that this isn't exactly what you asked about, but since odd things can trigger migraines, I figured it wouldn't hurt either to be prepared. The good thing about all the movies is that, since there is no actual motion, closing your eyes through them is easy. It takes away a lot of the fun, of course, so if, after the first one, you find that these aren't a big hit, it might be worth splitting up for others (or they could all be totally harmless for you guys).

Hope that helps somewhat. Good luck and have a great time!

 

[larryz]

I was going to suggest that a half an hour a day hanging upside down in gravity boots might help him stretch out to the 44" limit, but then you mentioned the migraines....


Of course, there's always the rack... (just kidding!).

 

[CarrieR]

I would say that 43.5" barefoot is very likely to hit the 44" height requirement in a sturdy pair of play shoes. I'm not talking about platform shoes or anything, but standard thick-soled tennis shoes (vs flip flops or Crocs.)

When I measure my nanny kids before a theme park trip, I routinely add an inch and figure on them being able to ride that. We talk about those rides that are borderline, but we generally get .75 to 1" extra out of shoes. (Park rules here state that the child is to be measured in a standard play shoe, although to be honest I'm not sure if Disney's verbiage indicates the same thing.)

 

[tzolkin]

I would say that 43.5" barefoot is very likely to hit the 44" height requirement in a sturdy pair of play shoes. I'm not talking about platform shoes or anything, but standard thick-soled tennis shoes (vs flip flops or Crocs.)

I was going to say the same thing.

We measured DS4 barefoot at home a month or so before our last trip and he was definitely under 43". I assumed he would not meet the requirement for the 44" rides, but the CMs at both Everest and Space Mtn felt that he was tall enough and he rode both many times throughout our trip. He didn't wear any shoes with a thick sole-- Crocs just about every day.