Aquaduck height requirement--close enough?

[susiee]

I really think it just depends on who is measuring. My DD was 42 or 43" and was able to go, but one time she had to go with a parent, another time it was ok to go with her older sister.

And we were watching a mom really lay into the cm because her son got a band one day but not the next.

Have a terrific time!

 

[chwtom]

Just as followup, My son (who is about a half inch under 42") went on the March 24 sailing with me. I tried getting him measured with his water shoes on and they had him take them off. He was still over 42 with his hair, which has a natural colic that makes it stick up a little, but they smushed his hair down and wouldn't let him ride.

I took my daughter down, and didn't personally see any reason why a child who is 38 or 40 inches couldn't go down with a parent, but I respect that it is their ride and their right to make whatever rules they want. I just think it's helpful for those with kids to be able to set expectations for their kids who are close to the cutoff about whether they'll be able to ride.

I would say if your child isn't 42" barefoot you probably won't be able to ride, and if for some reason the rules aren't strictly enforced on your cruise (and you are ok with that) then you might be pleasantly surprised. But I doubt it.

 

[Lisavince3]

We measured our DD (5) for months leading up to the cruise, as she asked us every day if she was tall enough to ride the Aquaduck. Finally, she reached 42 inches a few weeks before the cruise. Sadly, I told her she was tall enough. Even though I wasn't really worried, I put a big ponytail on the top of her head just to make sure there wouldn't be any doubt. We went up to the CM who was measuring. He asked me to take out the ponytail, and put her under the stick. The top of the stick was touching the top of her head. He said if the child can fit under the stick, they can't ride. Someone behind us said we should come back with water shoes. The CM heard and said, "I'm sorry, but we have to measure barefoot, no exceptions. There are two cameras watching me and there is nothing I can do."

So yes, for us, they were very strict. I know she was over 42 inches at home (barely, but she was). So, if your child is close, don't make the mistake I did and tell your child they can go until they tell you for sure. She handled it better than I thought she would; I just told her we'd have to take another cruise and she could do it next time.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

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

I hope that's a joke.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[FabFivePA]

They were definitely carefully measuring all last week. They even really looked closely whenever they measured my daughter, who is nearly 45".

My other daughter who JUST makes 54" (the height to ride alone) was given a different answer every time she was measured. Sometimes they let her go on her own, other times she was given the wristband that said she couldn't. Just depended on who was there. She was barefoot, hair down each time.

As a previous poster said I would definitely not set him up to think he can go on. And actually if you know measuring him now that he's an inch shy I would probably even prepare him that he won't be going on, so there's no disappointed once you arrive, just a great surprise if he does happen to make it.

They were definitely not letting anyone under the height on that we saw on the several days we rode.

 

[goosedwn]

I really think it just depends on who is measuring. My DD was 42 or 43" and was able to go, but one time she had to go with a parent, another time it was ok to go with her older sister.

And we were watching a mom really lay into the cm because her son got a band one day but not the next.

Have a terrific time!

I agree with Susiee. My son was 42 inches last year when we sailed. The 1st time he got measure, he was tall enough and got a bracelet to indicate that he was measure (he was measure in the afternoon time) so he didn't have to measure again. We took the bracelet out to take picture, and when went on the ride again on pirate night (at about 10 pm or so), he wasn't tall enough any more! Now I don't know if he shrink a little at night time or it's the CM. However, my husband was able to tell the CM that he has ride before and he was tall enough before so the CM let him ride.

 

[kistner5]

On our cruise our daughter was allowed to go once because the guy checking said "close enough" she was about 1/4 inch shy of the height. The next time she tried to ride she was double checked and her wrist band was removed and she was in tears. She got over it pretty quickly and they gave her a Nemo stuffed animal to make up for it. I was disappointed in the cast member who allowed her to go in the first place.

 

[lbgraves]

They were definitely carefully measuring all last week. ...My other daughter who JUST makes 54" (the height to ride alone) was given a different answer every time she was measured. Sometimes they let her go on her own, other times she was given the wristband that said she couldn't. Just depended on who was there.

On the 3/23/13 cruise they didn't let anyone ride solo until the ship was in port on Tuesday due to the wind. Even DH wasn't allowed to go alone.

 

[FabFivePA]

On the 3/23/13 cruise they didn't let anyone ride solo until the ship was in port on Tuesday due to the wind. Even DH wasn't allowed to go alone.

Yeah, we had some crazy wind, we had fun going up on the 'Jim Cantore Weather Channel Deck' LOL!! (forward 13)

This wasn't those days, this was San Juan morning, and again Castaway early evening when people could ride alone. Depending on when they switched shifts, sometimes she needed a bracelet, sometimes she didn't. She had ridden herself a few times, and then a shift change happened and they put a bracelet on her. Happened both days. One of the guys is a particular stickler. LOL
It wasn't a biggie at all, I was just commenting that there could be inconsistencies.

 

[lbgraves]

Yeah, we had some crazy wind, we had fun going up on the 'Jim Cantore Weather Channel Deck' LOL!! (forward 13)

ROFL!!! Perfect description for it!!! Went up there twice while at sea and when DH suggested going there Tuesday I first thought OK, let's face the wind. Nice not to have to go through the workout when in port.

 

[Gilbertgirls]

So my 3 year old is of course not 42 inches but is she allowed in with a parent?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So my 3 year old is of course not 42 inches but is she allowed in with a parent?

Ummmm, no

From the DCL site:

Riders should note that:
•AquaDuck is designed for adults and children at least 42" or taller
•Single riders must be at least 54" or taller
•Children under 7 must ride with someone 14 years of age or older, provided the child is at least 42" tall

 

[Gilbertgirls]

Okay I won't push it since it is a make a wish trip. I will indulge in other opportunities. Thanks for the clarification

 

[Fjobe]

My DD was close but turned away. DS was tall enough and old enough to ride with another child 7 or older. Older DD was tall enough to ride but had to ride with an adult because she is only 6, and the youngest was not tall enough to ride at all.

This could have made it kind of complicated for our family since one adult had to stay at the pool with younger DD and both of the older kids had to ride with an adult (since we didn't have another child 7 or older). Thankfully, we cruised with other family members who were more than happy to join DH and the kids on the Aquaduck, so they were able to ride it more than if it had just been the 5 of us.

 

[ladeeesquire]

they were definitely measuring when we were on the fantasy in jan...dd was tall enough so we didn't have any issues but I did see a couple kids in tears who just barely missed the cutoff. Having ridden many times though with and without dd I can't for the life of me figure out why there is a 42" requirement. The ride is so gentle. I'd think they'd be more concerned with weight.