Aquaduck height requirement--close enough?

[chwtom]

We are going on the Disney Dream sunday. My son is 41" tall, maybe a little over that. Are the height requirements on the Aquaduck strictly enforced?
He would be going with me. I think I read you are supposed to be 42" to go with a parent.

 

[calismic]

They were not when I was on the Dream on the 14th. My daughter is only 2 year 9 months and we were walking around the pool deck and I figured I'd use the measuring stick just to see if she's grown lately. (She was 39" at her last doctors appointment). As I was standing there a lifeguard walked over and told me "close enough she can go!" She was right around 40". I was a little shocked and quickly responded, "No we're not riding I was just curious as to her height."

Personally I do not advocate riding under 42" even if they aren't being strict. Those restrictions are put there for a reason, in most cases chosen by the engineering team of the ride. You don't want your LO falling out of the raft. One inch can make a huge difference, especially when they're required to have their feet touch the other side before it takes off.

Edit: In the lifeguards defense, my daughter looks a LOT older than she is. Most people think shes at least 4.

 

[MouseMomx2]

The height requirements are very strictly enforced. It would be a good idea to prepare him for possible/probable disappointment now. Then, if he makes it on it will be a happy moment.

 

[MouseMomx2]

They were not when I was on the Dream on the 14th. My daughter is only 2 year 9 months and we were walking around the pool deck and I figured I'd use the measuring stick just to see if she's grown lately. (She was 39" at her last doctors appointment). As I was standing there a lifeguard walked over and told me "close enough she can go!" She was right around 40". I was a little shocked and quickly responded, "No we're not riding I was just curious as to her height."

Personally I do not advocate riding under 42" even if they aren't being strict. Those restrictions are put there for a reason, in most cases chosen by the engineering team of the ride. You don't want your LO falling out of the raft. One inch can make a huge difference, especially when they're required to have their feet touch the other side before it takes off.

That is interesting. On our cruises we have seen many children turned away and they were much closer than three inches off. I wonder if your DD would have actually been able to ride or if she would have been turned away by the loading CM. He/She has the final say.

 

[calismic]

Ya needless to say I was really surprised, we had no intentions of letting her on ANY waterslide, let alone the Aquaduck!

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

We are going on the Disney Dream sunday. My son is 41" tall, maybe a little over that. Are the height requirements on the Aquaduck strictly enforced?
He would be going with me. I think I read you are supposed to be 42" to go with a parent.

They were STRICTLY enforced when we were just on the Fantasy. My 4 year old literally missed it by MAYBE 1/4 inch if not less and they said no. She was not a happy camper needless to say

 

[peachygreen]

They were definately measuring when we were on the Fantasy last week. They had 2 different color arm bands. One for those that were allowed to ride with a parent and one for those that were just over the height limit who were allowed to ride on their own. If you weren't close to the line you didn't need a band.

 

[joelnkelly]

Last week on the Fantasy they would not let my youngest ride and she missed it by an inch. She got over it pretty quickly and moved on and rode the other waterslide.

 

[MikeAndNick]

Water shoes and spiked hair, it worked in Disneyland for my son when he was little,

 

[jrabbit]

...
Personally I do not advocate riding under 42" even if they aren't being strict. Those restrictions are put there for a reason, in most cases chosen by the engineering team of the ride.....

I actually think it's the lawyers that set the height requirements for any Disney ride.

 

[chrisrunty]

Very Strict! Much more so that DL or WDW. Last year our son was right a 42 inches when we measured at home. Once on the fantasy we went straight there when we boarded. The cast member had him take off his water shoes and said hmmmm... close but I need a second opinion. They brought out another cast member who said stand tall...hold still.... his hair was touching the line but his head depending on how he stood was either at or barely touching. (he had a hard time holding still... he was 3 and sooo excited) This took awhile the line behind us all the folks were saying "he's tall enough" "come on disney"... "let him through". To be honest at his doctor's office and at home he was exactly 42 inches... so after a few more hold still... they said he just made it by paper thin margin... If you child will be 42 inches probably ok 41 inches they will know, and you might want to let your kid know they might not get on.

 

[1Dizney]

Ya needless to say I was really surprised, we had no intentions of letting her on ANY waterslide, let alone the Aquaduck!

Why? It's not scary at all. I'm afraid of heights and I LOVED it!!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Lake_Mary]

Very strict on our Fantasy cruise. DD is about 42.5 inches and they really checked. Saw kids get turned away :/

 

[melaniejh1016]

They were STRICTLY enforced when we were just on the Fantasy. My 4 year old literally missed it by MAYBE 1/4 inch if not less and they said no. She was not a happy camper needless to say

Ditto this! Then we went on the Dream 2 months later and she had grown enough and they let her on but measured her a few different times.

 

[Weedy]

I actually think it's the lawyers that set the height requirements for any Disney ride.

How about that Disney is concerned about the safety of your child.

 

[DebbieOBX]

ARE you kidding me? Now i know why they make and strictly enforce the rules. Where is the pop corn icon when you need it?

We are going on the Disney Dream sunday. My son is 41" tall, maybe a little over that. Are the height requirements on the Aquaduck strictly enforced?
He would be going with me. I think I read you are supposed to be 42" to go with a parent.

 

[CanuckTraveller]

We were in the March 14 sailing of the Dream and the height rules were definitely enforced. We did notice the measuring device at the bottom of the slide was slightly lower than the one at the top.
FWIW our son measures 42.5" at home in bare feet, but just made the Aquaduck cut off.

 

[Snick]

My dd was EXACTLY 42 inches tall when measured at home just before our August 2012 Dream cruise. She got turned down flat at the measuring stick. I know she was 42 inches because I obsessively checked repeatedly at home, so I am wondering if they actually fudge the 42 in height. Maybe actually make it 42.5 or so, to ensure the kid is actually 42 inches or more!

We took the advice of a fellow 42 incher's mom and put water shoes on, waited for the shift change so we could try again.

No problem next time around.

If she hadn't hit the 42 inch mark, I wouldn't have put her on it. She had a ball and we went on it multiple times!!!
Best,

 

[Zeppelin]

That is interesting. On our cruises we have seen many children turned away and they were much closer than three inches off.

ditto here..they put the kids right up to the measuring board and if you don't make the line you don't get on the aqua duck...

 

[calismic]

We obviously did not walk the stairs so the CM upstairs could have easily remeasured. Certainly not trying to cause controversy!