CMs asking kids to remove shoes for height check

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Just wondering because I've seen it discussed here that if it looks like a kid is being made to appear taller with certain shoes, the CMs will ask the child to remove them before measuring. Has anyone actually witnessed this? Curious because my DW just purchased these for our son (Not for height restrictions, they were on clearance) and I just realized wearing them he just barely hits 38 inches, aka Mine Train! Without them he does not.

 

[kmb584]

Just wondering because I've seen it discussed here that if it looks like a kid is being made to appear taller with certain shoes, the CMs will ask the child to remove them before measuring. Has anyone actually witnessed this? Curious because my DW just purchased these for our son (Not for height restrictions, they were on clearance) and I just realized wearing them he just barely hits 38 inches, aka Mine Train! Without them he does not.

I saw a CM ask once for Soarin', but the little girl in front of us was about 3 and wearing wedge sandals.

 

[bumbershoot]

I think it's a case where they CAN do it. They might or might not actually do it, though. For any kid on the border for a ride, talk to them about the height check and how they want to keep everyone safe. So if that happens, he's as OK as he can be with it (and, more importantly, the adults can be cool with it) and you guys can all move on.

 

[Disneylover99]

When my daughter was measured for Expedition Everest, she was exactly at the minimum height, then they looked down at her shoes. She was wearing crocs that probably boosted her up a half an inch or so. She wasn't asked to take off her shoes, but she was denied because they knew that she didn't quite reach the height requirement.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I think it's a case where they CAN do it. They might or might not actually do it, though. For any kid on the border for a ride, talk to them about the height check and how they want to keep everyone safe. So if that happens, he's as OK as he can be with it (and, more importantly, the adults can be cool with it) and you guys can all move on.

I think we're gonna be OK. He has seen the 7DMT commercial a million times and gets excited when he sees it, so when it looked like he was gonna fall at least an inch short we had a conversation with him that it would have to wait till he was a little older, and he seemed OK with it.

But now if I could surprise him and he can ride, it would blow his mind. He can absolutely make it with the shoes, just wondering if I'd get a "Seriously, dude" look from the CM as we approached.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

When my daughter was measured for Expedition Everest, she was exactly at the minimum height, then they looked down at her shoes. She was wearing crocs that probably boosted her up a half an inch or so. She wasn't asked to take off her shoes, but she was denied because they knew that she didn't quite reach the height requirement.

Bummer for her, but thanks. This is the kind of info I was looking for. Not worth trying IMO if he already thinks he's not riding it. No need to raise his hopes.

 

[leebee]

I think we're gonna be OK. He has seen the 7DMT commercial a million times and gets excited when he sees it, so when it looked like he was gonna fall at least an inch short we had a conversation with him that it would have to wait till he was a little older, and he seemed OK with it.

But now if I could surprise him and he can ride, it would blow his mind. He can absolutely make it with the shoes, just wondering if I'd get a "Seriously, dude" look from the CM as we approached.

It would be a GREAT surprise, but what's gonna happen if he clears the height check and then the CM says, "Sorry, try it without your shoes." How disappointing will it be, and do you want to chance this? If you think your kid could handle the "yes but no" scenario, then give it a try. Maybe warn him first- but the height restriction is a safety rule, not sure how comfortable you are with bypassing that.

 

[spewey]

I'm not sure what Disney policy is, but I can tell you manufacturer specs re: height requirements take normal footwear into account. That is, they know the riders wear shoes, and factor that in.

So - most CMs, at most parks, at most times will only take a closer look if the guest is right on the line, and it appears that they have footwear on that is "thicker" than normal (for whatever reason, whether it be fashion, or in an attempt to seem taller).

Again, not sure how this will apply. Those are normal (and very cool) shoes, and if it was me at the entrance (and I was a ride op for many years back in the day- not at Disney) I'd say go right on. Good luck.

 

[Robo]

Here is the very worrisome situation:

Kids a "near-height" are measured TWICE.

Once at the entrance to the queue (waiting line) and again just before boarding.

It is VERY possible that a "borderline height" child can be passed at the FIRST
check-point, spend in a long time waiting in a busy queue with the rest of the family,
and THEN be stopped and refused boarding by the second measurement.

This can be absolutely crushing to a child and her/his family.

Be very aware that if the child "just passes" at the first measurement
there might be some unpleasant news at the ride-boarding.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Here is the very worrisome situation:

Kids a "near-height" are measured TWICE.

Once at the entrance to the queue (waiting line) and again just before boarding.

It is VERY possible that a "borderline height" child can be passed at the FIRST
check-point, spend in a long time waiting in a busy queue with the rest of the family,
and THEN be stopped and refused boarding by the second measurement.

This can be absolutely crushing to a child and her/his family.

Be very aware that if the child "just passes" at the first measurement
there might be some unpleasant news at the ride-boarding.

We just witnessed this at Water Country USA today in Williamsburg... there was an hour wait for the new slide and the boy waited with his family and even got to the top only to be told by the girl at the top that he was too short. Still not 100% sure how they got him by the first guy because he was like 2 inches too short... Guess it stands to reason exactly why they measure twice!

Buzz - Make sure you take him to 7dmt in the MORNING, like.... first thing! because our spines condense throughout the day and he will be shorter in the afternoon. You have a very good chance at getting him on, those shoes don't look abnormal or boosting, so make sure to try it first thing.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Here is the very worrisome situation:

Kids a "near-height" are measured TWICE.

Once at the entrance to the queue (waiting line) and again just before boarding.

It is VERY possible that a "borderline height" child can be passed at the FIRST
check-point, spend in a long time waiting in a busy queue with the rest of the family,
and THEN be stopped and refused boarding by the second measurement.

This can be absolutely crushing to a child and her/his family.

Be very aware that if the child "just passes" at the first measurement
there might be some unpleasant news at the ride-boarding.

Odd, I just assumed both CMs would be using a measuring stick exactly 38 inches, is the discrepancy because some CMs are more strict about the level if contact between the child's head and the bar?

We just witnessed this at Water Country USA today in Williamsburg... there was an hour wait for the new slide and the boy waited with his family and even got to the top only to be told by the girl at the top that he was too short. Still not 100% sure how they got him by the first guy because he was like 2 inches too short... Guess it stands to reason exactly why they measure twice!

Buzz - Make sure you take him to 7dmt in the MORNING, like.... first thing! because our spines condense throughout the day and he will be shorter in the afternoon. You have a very good chance at getting him on, those shoes don't look abnormal or boosting, so make sure to try it first thing.

Good advice Kelly! Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[serene56]

At space mountain our soon to be 5 year old measured to the stick but a paper was passed through between her head and the stick and she was told sorry. But next time

 

[staceyrhood]

My son was asked to remove his shoes and baseball hat for soarin, he was about 1/4" off, he had to wait till the next time.

 

[SpringSprite]

I'm jealous that your kid has under armour kicks!! good luck!

 

[natatomic]

CMs should NOT be asking anyone to take off their shoes. That is against the policy. The rule is that if the shoes fit their feet appropriately (I.e, if they're not wearing big brother's shoes which are clearly 3 sizes too big), then it doesn't matter if they are three-inch platform sandals, CMs are required to allow them to ride. But bear on mind, your kid may look like he or she is touching, but if anything can pass between their head and the bar (a ticket, a flik card...anything no matter how thin), then they are not tall enough.

 

[*TheWigs*]

It never ceases to amaze me how many parents are so hung up on having their children ride that they compromise safety by having the child wear "taller" shoes or even stuffing napkins, cardboard, etc into the shoes to make the child appear taller. We had a disappointment at TMRR with our youngest one year...we measured before we left and she made the height (barely). When the CM measured her at the ride, he said "sorry, Princess"....she was a little too short according to their measurements that day. She cried, I felt bad, but I explained to her about safety. We did try again the next day first thing in the morning (with the same shoes) and she was clearly tall enough. Could be the "spine compression" phenomenon that people talk about? Anyway, the height requirements are there for SAFETY, people...If you love your children, keep them SAFE and don't try to cheat the height checks.

 

[bumbershoot]

It would be a GREAT surprise, but what's gonna happen if he clears the height check and then the CM says, "Sorry, try it without your shoes." How disappointing will it be, and do you want to chance this? If you think your kid could handle the "yes but no" scenario, then give it a try. Maybe warn him first- but the height restriction is a safety rule, not sure how comfortable you are with bypassing that.

Exactly. It's the second check that can get ya.

We just witnessed this at Water Country USA today in Williamsburg...

Water Country was apparently VERY busy today because two of my IRL friends were there, too.

Odd, I just assumed both CMs would be using a measuring stick exactly 38 inches, is the discrepancy because some CMs are more strict about the level if contact between the child's head and the bar?

There's a stick perpendicular to the ground and a bar going parallel to the ground. The bottom of the parallel bar is the height you need to be. The child needs to TOUCH that bar. This is scary and weird for a young child, that they actually want to hit that bar with the top of their head.

My son was 3 and righteously tall enough for Star Tours at Disneyland, but when the second height check came he was so excited he didn't realize. He was a bit hunchy and was afraid of hitting his head, and he kept ducking just enough. The CM had his hand on DS's shoulder (if I had been there this would have been kindly stopped) which DS tilted down away from, and did the piece of paper trick. While his hand was on DS's shoulder. So DS was turned away.

But ultimately it was good for us. DS learned that even if it means he literally hits it, he needs to stand straight and tall and be solidly in contact (or above) that bar. That's the really hard part for tall, but YOUNG, children.

 

[karenklo]

Twice I have seen shoes asked to be taken off. Both times the little girls had on wedge sandals that added height. And I have lost track of the times I have seen parents stuffing napkins into shoes.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

My son is right at 48" with shoes on. He got on every ride with a 48" requirement during our last trip in May, except for one...the water coaster at TL. Even tho he met the requirement with his shoes on and his dad was riding with him, the CM made him take his water shoes off and sent him away heartbroken.

 

[sierraWDW]

The CMs in the actual parks should not have the child take off their shoes, but their heads must be able to completely reach the bar. The water parks do have different rules though - they measure without shoes, so if a kid is borderline they will be asked to remove their shoes.