He measures 45 inches here!

[timandlesley]

O.K., so I'm excited about our upcoming trip because my son will be 5 and should be able to ride some more rides this year. Right now in our kitchen with our tape measure and his sneakers on he is measuring 45 inches high. We still have several months before our June trip so he could still grow. I want him to be able to experience Space Mountain (He LOVED Thundermtn. railroad last summer) and Expedition Everest this year which have 44 inch height requirements. I have heard from parents though that Disney has the height checks a little high. So if he measures 45 inches here with regular sneakers on and he probably will grow a bit more should we have a problem? What does the discrepency seem to be?

 

[HANDYMOM]

Just to be on the safe side, get him some kid sized gel heel inserts. They'll make him more comfy and he'll definately measure up....

 

[RF536]

Both our sons barely measured the needed heights and we did not have any issues. DS2 was 40 1/2 inches with his shoes on, and DS4 was 44 3/4 inches with his on when we went earlier this month. After reading several post here about the measuring sticks being high I was worried that they wouldn't make it, but they did with no problem.

The only issue I had was being pulled out of line at different points along the way in Splash Mountain to be remeasured. Not a big deal, this time since it was slow, but if it was busy we could easily have lost 20-30 spaces in line each of the 3 times we were measured. I understand it is for safety that thay want to make sure, but I would think a place like Disney would have a way to offically measure kids. Even Sea World gave DS4 a wristband after measuring him one time with date and employee's initials on it.

 

[SuperGurl]

I'm excited for you. We are going in July and my daughter is 4 and currently measures 43 inches. I'm also hoping she grow a few more before we go.

 

[TN Traveler]

Lesley,
Almost 2 yrs ago (can't believe it's been that long!) we took our first trip to Disney. Our youngest daughter was 4 w/a birthday coming up in Sept. She measured 44-45" here at home. When we got to Disney, she had no problems riding rides that were restricted at 44". The only ride I can think of that she couldn't ride was Rock N Roller Coaster and Mission to Mars and I wouldn't let her ride those anyway. She even rode Space Mtn BY HERSELF which totally flipped me out. Of course I was behind her in the seat and DD13 was in front of her but I was a nervous wreck the whole time b/c I was worried about her in a seat by herself. Unless they have changed drastically in the last 2 yrs, I don't think you'll have any trouble at all getting on rides he wants to ride. I too think he'll grow at least another inch by June so you should be fine. IF something weird should happen and he isn't allowed to ride a particular ride due to height requirements, remember they are put there and enforced for his safety. The CMs that say no are doing it b/c they have his best interest at heart and are following the rules. I really think you'll be fine though so have fun. Enjoy your trip!!
Karen

 

[undertheradar]

Just to be on the safe side, get him some kid sized gel heel inserts. They'll make him more comfy and he'll definately measure up....

Just to be on the safe side, don't cheat the system. Those minimum heights are there to protect the riders! Many of the lap bars and seat sides are designed for those heights. Being a "little" small impacts the design of the safety equipment. He has 6 months to grow, so there probably are no worries!

 

[prestonsmomma]

We measured without shoes at home just to be safe. I didn't want to get my DS excited about getting to ride Stitch's Great Escape if he wouldn't be able to ride it when we got there.

 

[palmtreegirl]

You *might* have problems with Space Mountain. When we were in line this past October, there was a little girl in front of us who made it for the first time. She was measured and Ok'd outside twice, once by the FP entrance and again by the actual entrance. Then she was measured and Ok'd where the Fast passes were collected. Well she get to the head of the line and they measure her again and this CM said she didn't make it. They measured her 3 times before and she was clearly tall enough but then all the sudden she didn't make it at the final one. The dad was so upset, the little girl was crying, it was ridiculous.

 

[teacher31]

I'm sorry to be the voice of doom, BUT remember those numbers are there for safety issues. I'll never forget a parent in front of us on Big Thunder propping up his child's hat so that he was taller to 'pass.' Well the CM did her job and then was torn into by these people. Safety issue. Hope he grows, but if not, there is always next time.

 

[timandlesley]

Thanks everyone. He currently measures almost 45 inches with NO shoes and we have 6 months until our trip so we should be o.k. I am SO excited to take him on these new rides, he is going to have so much fun (and of course I will too!) Thanks again.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Thanks everyone. He currently measures almost 45 inches with NO shoes and we have 6 months until our trip so we should be o.k. I am SO excited to take him on these new rides, he is going to have so much fun (and of course I will too!) Thanks again.

Sounds like he should be fine!

 

[TSR6]

If a child is just barely at, or really close, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE for the sake of the Cast Members, Do not argue with the CM's, and PLEASE explain to your child 10 times that although you THINK that the child can ride (insert ride name) that the child still may not be able to ride.

 

[huskies90]

You *might* have problems with Space Mountain. When we were in line this past October, there was a little girl in front of us who made it for the first time. She was measured and Ok'd outside twice, once by the FP entrance and again by the actual entrance. Then she was measured and Ok'd where the Fast passes were collected. Well she get to the head of the line and they measure her again and this CM said she didn't make it. They measured her 3 times before and she was clearly tall enough but then all the sudden she didn't make it at the final one. The dad was so upset, the little girl was crying, it was ridiculous.

This happened to my six year old daughter at Primeval Whirl. She is about 47 1/2" with her shoes on and she really really really wanted to ride (48" min). I told her she wasn't tall enough but when she measured up at the entrance she got the green light. She must stood on her toes a little. You should have seen how excited she was as she entered the queue. After waiting 15 minutes in line she was measured again just before boarding and didn't make it. She was crushed. A manager came over and made sure I understood why she couldn't ride. I was cool with that but not that she was given the OK and then waited in line. There should be one strict check point. It is kinda cruel to pull the kid out just as he/she is about to board. The manager made up the lost time by giving us 3 any attraction "family" fastpasses which was pretty cool.

Anyway, the next day we were back at AK and this time I stuffed a bunch of napkins in the heel of her shoes and she made it on no problem. She had a great time...

 

[PrincessLindy]

We got DD sandals with a thicker heel last time we went. I agree with someone that liked the Sea World color coded wristband. That way they are measured once and then all the cast members have to do is glance at the colors.

It is cruel to tell a child they can go and then closer to the ride tell them they can't. I think I would be upset with that also. They should measure once at the start of the line, so that you don't have to wait all time for nothing. As far as safety I don't see how a fraction of an inch difference would make a difference. There could not be much difference in the measuring sticks.

Hersey Park in PA had signs all over that they stood next to that labeled their height and listed all the rides they could ride at that height. It was cute because they were labeled as different candy bars.

 

[allboyz]

Is there a site that lists the height requirements for various rides?

 

[TSR6]

As far as safety I don't see how a fraction of an inch difference would make a difference. There could not be much difference in the measuring sticks.

Because where do they draw the line?

Suzy got to go on and was only 1/4 to short, but little Bobby was busted being 1/2" to short. A different CM worked the line later, and Little Jeffrey was allowed to ride 3/4 of an inch to short.

Instead.. Go or No Go.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Have your son start practicing standing up VERY straight and as tall as possible with his heels on the floor. By June, he should do great!

 

[Jabber_Jaws]

Anyway, the next day we were back at AK and this time I stuffed a bunch of napkins in the heel of her shoes and she made it on no problem. She had a great time...

Way to teach your kid how to cheat the system. Rules are there for a reason.

 

[peter11435]

Just to be on the safe side, don't cheat the system. Those minimum heights are there to protect the riders! Many of the lap bars and seat sides are designed for those heights. Being a "little" small impacts the design of the safety equipment. He has 6 months to grow, so there probably are no worries!

Thank you so much. I wish everyone would understand this. The height requirements are not there to limit the amount of guests on the ride. They represent how tall a guest must be to safely ride the system. Cheating is not being on the safe side in this sitution. It is not up to the parents to decide if their child is "ready" for an attraction when it comes to this issue.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

You know, Disney Quest has a system in place where they measure you at the entrance and then you get a wristband. You think they would be able to impliment that at the other parks. They certainly already have the technology.

I agree that you son will be fine! Have fun.