DD measures 40 inches exactly (with sneakers)...

[zakatak]

How likely is it she will get turned down at BTMR? Splash?

I know the height requirement is 40 inches, but I've also heard that their sticks are slightly off (even from the end of the line to the front). I haven't said anything to her yet about riding Splash and Thunder because I don't want to get her hopes up if they don't let her ride.

Anyone have any experience with JUST 40 inchers?

Thanks!

Karen

 

[renessa]

Maybe pickup and break in a new and hip pair of platform tennies or sandals just to be sure!!! Ren

 

[mazzarafe]

When we went in October we had the same issue. My DD who had even just had her yearly checkup the month before had just reached the 40 inch mark. I was nervous about whether she would get turned away because she would have had a fit. She is quite the fearless one. We had gotten fast passes and after waiting 45 minutes to get to go on I held my breath as we walked thru the cue to the CM and they never even took out the stick. I was so surprised because she looks like a peanut and they never questioned her height. Might have been pure luck but I wasn't gonna argue with it.

Not to take a chance though I would try going using the fast pass. Maybe they are not as critical that way, but to be sure have her wear sneaks with a nice thick sole. I did tell my DD that we were going to try to see if she could go on and explained to her that she had to be a certain height to protect her from getting hurt. That being said she still would have gone nuts if she couldn't get on. I was fully prepared with an ice cream bribe.

 

[Donnainnj]

The first time we went on Splash with my now 6 year old she just made the mark, that was on the weekend, that Monday after she was measured at the fastpass entrance and was fine, well when we got to the front were they combine fp and standby, they measured her again and said she didn't make it. Huh? I think they are adding on for big sneakers because she was just 40" without sneakers at the time. Both visits she wore the same sneakers.
Make sure you let her know ahead of time that the stick rules. I think you may also be able to get measured ahead of time by the time board on main streeet, then she would get a wristband that determined what she could go on before you get to a ride.
Have fun, and Good Luck!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Make sure that when they measure your DD she is on level ground. If you can, have her stand straight up with her back against a flat surface (like a garbage can or something). When our DD was tall enough for the first time we made it past the first measurement. At the loading platform they measured her again and said no-go. I wouldn't accept that and had my DD stand against the garbage can. When they measured her again she was tall enough.

 

[twinmomto3boys]

When our twins were 40 inches with sneakers (at home they actually measured slightly over 40) we had a lot of trouble getting them on certain rides. It was weird - I think it has to do with the ground - whether its even or not. We had no problems at all on BTWR, but Splash measured them 3 times each!

They seem to be more strict at Test Track. One time a CM said one could go on but not the other (they are freakishly identical) so we couldn't understand this. Especially since they BOTH rode it the previous day. As we were standing there discussing this a little girl with huge platform shoes walked up and got to go on. She was clearly shorter than our boys. So we said fine we will be right back and stuffed napkins in their shoes and got on with no problem. The CM remembered us too.

The CMs at ToT and Dinosaur barely looked at them and those rides are scarier.

So if you are worried bring along a huge pair of platform shoes and have her change into them if there's a problem.

 

[jimmybop]

Originally posted by twinmomto3boys
The CMs at ToT and Dinosaur barely looked at them and those rides are scarier.

But its not the scaryness of the ride that counts for the most part.... its the height from the seat to the floor, type of lap bar, type of seatbelt, the movement of the ride, etc. that counts for the child's safty.

I'm sure the CMs arnt happy about not letting kids ride, even more so when the first few CMs in the ride said it was ok, but thats why there is multipual check points in the ride.

 

[LauraAngel]

Forgive me, but I have to play devil's advocate here...
It's not really about how scary the ride is. The point of the measuring is to make sure your child will be safe on the ride...believe me, if you took your slightly under-height child on the ride with platform shoes, stuff stuffed in their shoes, etc, to ensure they could ride, but then they ended up getting injured because in fact they were too small to ride safely yet, it would be a liability issue, among other problems. They're just looking out for your child's best interests, not trying to ruin your day or spite you. And as for Splash Mountain measuring more, that's also the ride with arguably the least restraints and so forth to keep anyone safe. It's also one of the rides that people have been seriously injured or killed on (albeit generally due to their own stupidity, not size). I don't know what to tell you about inconsistency on the measuring issue... some people are just more lax about checking such things, and as to whether that's good or bad, I guess that's up to you... But please, don't be mean to these CMs if they insist on checking again...they're just doing their job. How incredibly horrible would they feel if they just ignored the guidelines, only to end up with a child dying or having a serious injury as a result... Believe me, I can still remember being little and wanting so desparately to go on the "big kid" rides and it's hard dealing with a child throwing a tantrum...but I, along with many other children, have survived and looking back, I know that my parents were looking out for my safety. No matter what, you kids will have a good time. The best thing is just to not give them the expectation of riding in the first place. If it works out otherwise, then it's a bonus, not an expectation. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

 

[wdwobsessed]

For some reason this is a topic that seems to get people started as well.

I don't think anyone here was saying they were trying to take on kids that were UNDER 40" ... rather that even if your child IS JUST 40" you may STILL have a problem.

My almost 4 year old is 40" on the nose. I fully expect for him to be able to ride the rides with a 40" height restriction. It's 40" NOT 41". If you need to be 41" ... then they need to change the requirement to 41". I'm trusting that he can ride safetly being 40" tall if that is what the experts at Disney have said.

I heard on here once that a parent brought a small tape measure and whipped it out at one check point .. the stick in question measured considerably over 40"

Hmmmm. My son IS 40" tall and if they deny him going on Splash (which he is very much looking foward to) ... I will be upset because he DOES meet the height requirment. However, I would never try to sneak him on a ride that had a 42" or whatever limit.

Maybe I should bring a tape measure? LOL

wdwo

 

[punkin]

Just my 2 cents. My 39'' DD went on BMTRR, Star tours, body wars and Test Track (she adored this one-went on 5 times in a row) with huge 3" platform sponge bob sandals that we got at the Kissimee Wallmart for (I believe $4.99). She had her own shoes on until we went into the line, then we slipped on the sponge bob monstrosities. She loved it.
This year she'll be over 40" but we'll still use the sandals as a precaution just in case someone can't measure correctly!

 

[zakatak]

OK, OP here... before this thread gets nasty ...

1. I have NO intention of using platform shoes to make her taller.

2. She is measuring 40" IN sneakers. My question was whether or not she would be turned down to ride.

So... thanks for all who have posted. I will check for level ground and place her up against a garbage can or wall. We will also practice at home standing up VERY tall. We will not use platform shoes (her sneaks are regular Stride Rite sneakers).

We will also take it per ride. Our first attempt will be BTMR (after she rides Goofy's Barnstormer) and I'll be hanging on to her for dear life! Oye!

Thanks again!

Karen & Abby (just 3 and JUST 40")

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Lauraangel - I never once said I was rude or mean to a CM. We appreciate Disney trying to make the rides safe for our kids. Our kids safely measured 40 inches at home. We expect them to be able to ride the 40 inch rides. It's very confusing to a young child to be told they cannot ride a ride because they are too short even though they rode the same ride the previous day. I truly hope your were not implying that I would risk my child being hurt on a ride.

The reason I commented on Tot and Dinosaur being scarier is because I thought it was odd how they weren't even measured.

This is why I hesitate posting on these boards - people seem to want to fight. This is supposed to be a fun web site where people can share their ideas and experiences.

 

[LauraAngel]

I apologize if I came off as being nasty and attacking... I did not mean what I said in a vicious way, just a matter of fact way. I had no intention of starting a fight. I also never said anyone was nasty to the CMs...I was merely commenting for anyone who encountered some of those situations in the future to please have some patience and realize they're just doing their job, not trying to ruin your child's day. I just have read a number of posts on these boards about people doing all sorts of somewhat devious things to add that couple inches to get their children on rides. It's just very frustrating. If your child is legitimately 40 inches and that's the limit, then I say do what it takes...tapemeasures in the pocket, etc... I was just trying to remind everyone why those rules are there...it seems like people forget sometimes and think it's just about ruining their child's day, not about safety... too many unneccessary lawsuits happen when those sorts of rules aren't followed. Again, though, I apologize if my comments were taken badly... I did not mean them in a mean-spirited way. May everyone have a fabulous (and safe!) trip.

 

[WDWAurora]

Ok, I love everybody and I just wanted to add what seems like the best option. Go to (city hall I think?) and get your child measured, first thing when you get there (check the location to make sure that's right though) and then get the bracelet. That just seems like the best thing to me, that way there's no confusion and no dissapointment when the child gets through one CM, but not another. It's clear cut from the beginning.

 

[maci]

Anyone know for sure, that is where you get the wristband? We are in the same boat, just 40 inches, W/O shoes, but so looking forward to new things for him to try!
Thanks for the info. guys!

 

[jiminyfan]

Ok, how does Disney handle this situation?

The height limit is set at 40 inches a "smaller" person wants to ride. According to the SAFETY rules (s)he cannot ride.

I have worked on a rollercoaster at an amusement park for 4 years and we have had this situation quite a few times. It is a sticky situation.

So, what is the opinion with this. As for safety I am sure that a child 39 15/16 inches is in a lot more danger than a child who is 1/16 of an inch taller.

Rules are rules, but sometimes you have to wonder.

My poor son is in the 5-10% in height due to being a preemie and smaller parents. He is going to be 4 and it looks like BTMRR and Splash Mt will not be in his plans, but a BIG 2 year old can get on. Doesn't seem fair or safe to me. He is an experienced park goer, does roller coaster, flume rides just as bad as Splash Mt at a local amusement park and a Roller coaster built the same as BTMRR. Do you know how hard it is to explain to him why he cannot go?

Just 2 cents from a Height Challenged Parent

 

[erinch]

i'm one of those who carried -- 2 -- tape measures (to prove I hadn't jimmied) and successfully got my DD on a couple of rides by demonstrating that their measure was "off".

 

[BrerMom]

It's very confusing to a young child to be told they cannot ride a ride because they are too short even though they rode the same ride the previous day

My poor son is in the 5-10% in height due to being a preemie and smaller parents. He is going to be 4 and it looks like BTMRR and Splash Mt will not be in his plans, but a BIG 2 year old can get on.

I so agree with the first quote and so understand the second. DS4 takes after me and is still 39". Given his current growth rate, it's going to be awhile before he finally hits 40". The last time we did babyswap, I hadn't realized how hard it was going to be for him to watch DD and DS go on without him. Twice. We didn't even have him wait at the exit, but he was crushed. He's such a little dare-devil.

I understand the safety requirements, but my solution is to not take him back until he can ride at least Splash and BTMR, if not Space Mountain. Maybe it wouldn't matter to most kids, but the youngest seems to grow up quicker.