Exactly 38 inches

[maxiesmom]

I didn't see it as the OP looking for ways to beat the system. I read it as them asking how accurate the measurement is.

I didn't quote the OP. It was in reference to a different post. The one I quoted in post 14. I agree with you, the OP wasn't looking for ways to beat the system. Other posters brought it up.

 

[mom2rtk]

I didn't quote the OP. It was in reference to a different post. The one I quoted in post 14. I agree with you, the OP wasn't looking for ways to beat the system. Other posters brought it up.

Sorry, apparently I missed part of the thread!

 

[DisneyOma]

Standing up straight like a soldier will do it and if all else fails then it's built-up shoes and spiky hair

CMs don't fall for that - as has been stated. The emoji you chose really doesn't make it a joke, BTW. You picked the "Shhh, keep it quiet, it's our little secret" emoji.

I have NEVER had them ask to remove my child's shoes and they both have been at the "barely" 38", 40", etc. If it is that close, just buy some tennis shoes that make them a little taller just to be sure. Your child is 38", so no cheating or safety issue involved. It will make you and your child a bit more relaxed.

Depending on the measuring stick, the ground under it (sloped, bumpy), or the time of day, a child who measures 38" at home may not measure up at WDW.

Also, we've been waved around a CM dealing with a child in platform shoes/ponytail on top of head/baseball cap (with tissues in it!) - so that's 3 times I've seen CMs really check.

Maxiesmom, the inference you are making here is uncalled for, and a sure fire way to discourage new posters. MKNJ is clearly not posting a way to get around any rule.

MKNJ, please don't be upset by this thoughtless comment. When I first joined this board, I started a thread in which I posed a legitimate question. I was accused of "trying to scam Disney", and of trying to find "a way around the system". I was accused of bring a troll, and while no one accused me directly of violating board rules, a moderator felt it necessary to post "It is against board guidelines to discuss ways to circumvent Disney policy", and the inference was clear, just as it is here. While I took the time to clearly explain why these claims were unfounded (except for the Troll comment, since the thread was closed immediately after it was made), it still felt terrible to be treated so poorly.

Despite this, I decided to remain a contributing member of this community. I hate to see new posters treated the way you were, as I know how it feels, and I hope you will not be discouraged by one unfair comment.

I find it hard to believe that a "legitimate question" caused that reaction. Is the post still available?

T

Bottom line, if bending a rule a bit allows a 4 year old on a ride, then bend away.

Seriously? I hope karma doesn't bite you later - when that 4 year old gets older and decides your rules are worth bending. Or other safety rules are worth bending, like don't text and drive, etc. I'd never bend a safety rule just so my 4 year old gets to ride something.

 

[JohnneeO]

I didn't quote the OP. It was in reference to a different post. The one I quoted in post 14. I agree with you, the OP wasn't looking for ways to beat the system. Other posters brought it up.

The post you quoted was merely stating the has wisely WDW built in a certain extra margin of error in their height restrictions, in case a slightly under height rider slips through, which is almost certain to happen, given the system used to measure riders. Like the OP, that post was not suggesting ways to "beat the system" either.

 

[maxiesmom]

The post you quoted was merely stating the has wisely WDW built in a certain extra margin of error in their height restrictions, in case a slightly under height rider slips through, which is almost certain to happen, given the system used to measure riders. Like the OP, that post was not suggesting ways to "beat the system" either.

Yup. And as I stated later it was meant to be a heads up and not an insult. But in that post there was some doubt that such things really mattered or were really checked. And yes the CMs really do carefully check and are on to the things parents do to "grow" their children.

 

[JohnneeO]

I find it hard to believe that a "legitimate question" caused that reaction. Is the post still available?

It is avaialble. And it was legitimate.

Yup. And as I stated later it was meant to be a heads up and not an insult. But in that post there was some doubt that such things really mattered or were really checked. And yes the CMs really do carefully check and are on to the things parents do to "grow" their children.

There was no doubt in that post. The poster was very clear that, in their opinion, just missing the height measurement and still riding (for any reason) didn't matter with regard to risk from riding despite falling just below the height restriction. (I concur, as I have previously stated.)

The post did not address if "such things really mattered or were really checked."

 

[skuttle]

When my oldest was barely 40 inches, I remember noticing that he was higher for some measurements, then barely made it for others. Maybe it was the time of day, or the measuring stick itself, I'm not sure. We were just at WDW for Thanksgiving week. My 4 yo is just over 40 inches. He was only measure on Star Tours. No one measured him on ToT, Splash, BTMRR, Test Track or Soarin. I was really surprised.

 

[bumbershoot]

Like ***, dude. Its fine to say no, but there was no need to basically make my kid cry by saying she could have got on with someone else working.

I agree 100% with you. That was seriously obnoxious that he said that. Follow the rules, go for it. But say that? Nope.

One tip; a cast member had her stretch her arms outward in triumph, and when she did that, she immediately measured at 40".

That's awesome!

Bottom line, if bending a rule a bit allows a 4 year old on a ride, then bend away.

Oh gosh do I disagree.

Said 4 year old doesn't need to ride a ride. It's not a life or death situation.

When my legitimately tall enough but TIRED and slouchy nearly 3 year old was unlegitimately kept off of DL's Star Tours (he slouched by the second measurement and then the CM put his hand down on DS's shoulder, pushing him down more), while it was incredibly frustrating (for me especially since I wasn't in line to ask the CM to take his hand off of DS), it turned out to be an *incredible* learning lesson for my son. He doesn't always get exactly what he wants, rules are important, CMs should be listened to (but CMs shouldn't touch him unless literally saving his life), and *there's always next time*.

He's 12 now, really tall, and only gave up "just in case" measurements a year or two ago. He totally respects height requirements and I'm glad for it.

But then, I have also seen parents distract a CM while one slipped by with another child.

DS was the accidental distraction at Star Tours while a totally NOT TALL ENOUGH girl got by with cowboy boots and a high ponytail. GRR.

The emoji you chose really doesn't make it a joke, BTW. You picked the "Shhh, keep it quiet, it's our little secret" emoji.

Exactly.



OP, hit the important ride at the beginning of the day! Hydrate the child and make sure he sleeps enough before the important day. Those will help make SURE he's tall enough in his normal park-day shoes with his normal park-day hair.

Just know that re-rides might not be possible with a borderline kid, because the forces of that initial ride can squish their intervertebral discs down just enough to keep the re-ride from happening. Gravity is rotten sometimes.

 

[Gracie09]

Thanks JohnneeO. I appreciate your jumping in here. I took that response as simply coming from someone with too much time on their hands. No harm done. Besides, for what it's worth, I wasn't even the first one to mention hair and shoes so maybe the comment wasn't directed at me . Maybe I'm going too far now, but, I don't really consider this so much of a "rule". There are no financial implications to the corporation. The only possible effect on others is that one car on a ride is filled that may not have been otherwise. More importantly, spiky hair and thick soles is not exactly a complex plan.

Bottom line, if bending a rule a bit allows a 4 year old on a ride, then bend away.

Thanks again for the support though.

Of course there are financial implications if an unheight child gets in a ride and is hurt or killed. Do you really think the family is going to say well we stuffed his shoes and spiked his hair so it's not really disneys fault. I'm glad they are strict with height requirements. For one it gives my four year olds a definitive measure- you don't hit it Mickey says it's not safe to ride. Period. And as a parent I am confident that my kid will be safe on that ride.
Btw dd2 has big hair, almost an afro. They push it down every time they measure.

 

[LilyWDW]

Yup. And as I stated later it was meant to be a heads up and not an insult. But in that post there was some doubt that such things really mattered or were really checked. And yes the CMs really do carefully check and are on to the things parents do to "grow" their children.

I knew what you were trying to do and say and I agree with you. There is never anything wrong with informing others of the rules of the boards and of Disney. Especially when done politely like you did Maxiesmom.

 

[JohnneeO]

I knew what you were trying to do and say and I agree with you. There is never anything wrong with informing others of the rules of the boards and of Disney. Especially when done politely like you did Maxiesmom.

So why the heads up in a direct reply to another comment? As I said earlier, there is a clear inference that the original comment being quoted was running afoul of a board rule or Disney rule, which was clearly not the case. If the "heads up" is meant to be a stand alone comment, that could be more clearly communicated by making it in a separate post, or adding a qualifier like "By the way, not saying you are doing this but..."

 

[perditax]

It's getting extremely meta in here.

 

[MKNJ]

Of course there are financial implications if an unheight child gets in a ride and is hurt or killed. Do you really think the family is going to say well we stuffed his shoes and spiked his hair so it's not really disneys fault. I'm glad they are strict with height requirements. For one it gives my four year olds a definitive measure- you don't hit it Mickey says it's not safe to ride. Period. And as a parent I am confident that my kid will be safe on that ride.
Btw dd2 has big hair, almost an afro. They push it down every time they measure.

When I mentioned financial implications I was referring to situations where people skirt the rules on tickets, meals, merchandise etc. I should have been clearer. However, there are zero financial implications for a kid who is slightly shorter than a requirement for Disney. It would be sheer lunacy for Disney, or any company with safety concerns, to not leave room for error. Who knows there are probably regulations which say that minimum heights must be 10% higher than the ride's actual limitations. I also don't know the legal implications of this, but, if a ride height requirement is 36" and you bring your 32" kid on the ride you, all would agree you really took on the risk If your kid is 351/2 inches, that's a pretty reasonable margin of error and the risk is non-existent.

One other thing, for those who say that rules can't be bent. I assume you've never gone even one mile an hour over the speed limit? Never left a stop sign before coming to a complete stop? Never said you were a little more generous to charity when doing your taxes than you actually were? Never refilled your soda at a fast food place and took it to the car with you even thought the sign says you can't? There are rules and there are rules. Texting/drinking while driving is inherently and unquestionably dangerous. Driving a few mph over the speed limit in safe conditions is not.

Don't get all high and mighty about strictly adhering to height restrictions at an amusement park when we all bend them in other situations.

 

[maxiesmom]

When I mentioned financial implications I was referring to situations where people skirt the rules on tickets, meals, merchandise etc. I should have been clearer. However, there are zero financial implications for a kid who is slightly shorter than a requirement for Disney. It would be sheer lunacy for Disney, or any company with safety concerns, to not leave room for error. Who knows there are probably regulations which say that minimum heights must be 10% higher than the ride's actual limitations. I also don't know the legal implications of this, but, if a ride height requirement is 36" and you bring your 32" kid on the ride you, all would agree you really took on the risk If your kid is 351/2 inches, that's a pretty reasonable margin of error and the risk is non-existent.

One other thing, for those who say that rules can't be bent. I assume you've never gone even one mile an hour over the speed limit? Never left a stop sign before coming to a complete stop? Never said you were a little more generous to charity when doing your taxes than you actually were? Never refilled your soda at a fast food place and took it to the car with you even thought the sign says you can't? There are rules and there are rules. Texting/drinking while driving is inherently and unquestionably dangerous. Driving a few mph over the speed limit in safe conditions is not.

Don't get all high and mighty about strictly adhering to height restrictions at an amusement park when we all bend them in other situations.

Ah yes. The old We all Speed So Breaking Any Rule Is Fine argument. Justifies nothing.

 

[tlmadden73]

My son was exactly 3 years old and near 38 inches (at home) when we went on the Mine Train (it was his birthday). We got to the park he just hit the bar when measured, but I wasn't "planning" on it. We set expectations in case he measured low. He was very excited to go on his first coaster. Since he turned 3 at the park he was free and didn't have fast passes so if he couldn't go on it .. it is not like we would have wasted a Fast Pass on the ride.

That being said .. it was a rough ride for the little guy. My wife had to secure him back with her arm since little kids aren't the strongest keeping their heads and bodies up. He was rocked around a bit even though we adults consider the ride tame.
The height restriction is there for a reason I feel.

We also went on the Barnstormer (which has less of a height requirement) that night and it was even more rough than Mine Train. He didn't like that one.

 

[MKNJ]

Ah yes. The old We all Speed So Breaking Any Rule Is Fine argument. Justifies nothing.

You are 100% correct, that argument justifies nothing. However, it is not up to you, or anyone, to determine what "bendable" rules need to be observed or not. If you observe all rules at all times...wonderful. You are a better person than most. If you do occasionally break "bendable" rules, don't pass judgment on those who bend rules which you may not.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Like most things, I'm sure there is a buffer built in.
That said, who wants to intentionally use the buffer? The buffer is built in for unforeseen things. If you intentionally use the buffer, then something unforeseen comes up... no more buffer to CYA.

MG

 

[hiroMYhero]

Because the OP received helpful replies back on page 1, closing.