Height/Age restrictions???

[NorthernON_MOM]

Our family is going to Disney next month and I have been planning our itinerary and have a question. Both my children are tall enough to meet any height restrictions for any of the rides, but I've noticed in some of the guide books that I have that is also has an age restriction of 7 years for some of the rides. Is that an enforced, or recommended restriction. And if it is enforced how do they know how old your child is? thanks.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think the age restriction is more of a means to make sure that younger kids are not on the attraction alone without an adult. They are real strict about the height restrictions, though.

 

[Littleroo]

It seemed the heights were 40 inches and 44 inches mainly. The driving cars were 52 inches, but that's just to reach the gas pedal. So, parents had kids "drive" and push the pedal for them.

Definitely scare factor is a concern. MGM - Drew Carey show had total darkness for 7 minutes - no movement or ride, just scarey being in the dark. Didn't think my 5 yr DS would have a problem, but when the water sprinkled, he burst into tears. They warned us parents multiple times, but we were in denial since it wasn't a "ride". DS also wasn't fond of the 3D movies. He liked Big Thunder roller coaster though!

 

[tjmw2727]

If your child meets the height requirement they will be allowed to ride, regardless of age. IMHO - you should do a bit of research if you haven't already ridden the ride yourself - or ride it first to see if your child will enjoy it.

For example Dinasour and TOT are both 40" but at the time my oldest was first 40" there was NO WAY she would have enjoyed either. My youngest on the other hand rode both the minute she hit the height and loved them. My oldest did eventually come around and start enjoying faster scarier rides - finally loving RnRc this past trip.

Even some rides without restrictions can frighten some young children, Snow White and Haunted mansion come to mind. My youngest is a total daredevil and loves thrill rides. That said, other than Mickey's Phillharmagic she is very afraid at the 3d shows - even Muppets, which have no height restriction.

You know your child best and if they are ready for the ride and meet the height requirements its up to you if they can/should ride.

Tj

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Mostly the age requirements are for riding alone- so in case something happens like a down time there isnt parentless kids and the kids have a rough time that the CMs can focus on their job of getting the ride back up and people out or whatever is needed instead of playing parent to the solo kids causing more distractions...

The age thing is also a statement that "this ride is meant for older kids" in the fatc that its no small world and is potentially harming for littler kids with the G Forces and such-

-em

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Deb & Bill
I think the age restriction is more of a means to make sure that younger kids are not on the attraction alone without an adult. They are real strict about the height restrictions, though.

That could be it Deb and FTR they are also very strict about the age restricion. My youngest was 7 in Dec and is a peanut. She and big sister (9) wanted to ride barnstormer together with me in the car behind them. The CM was quite sure that there was no way she was 7 and gave us a bit of a test. I was ready to just go ahead and ride with dd 7 but she kindly and firmly (and politely) told him she turned 7 on December 14th. He relented - happliy.

In fact all this struck me as a bit odd because she could sit alone in Space Mountain but not with her older sister on barnstormer. Anyway sorry to go OT on the post.

Tj

 

[Baloo]

NorthernON_MOM...Do not worry about an age requirement...I've been to WDW dozens of times,been taking my son since he was 15 mths old(he's 10yrs old now) and have never heard of an AGE RESTRICTION. I think the books might suggest that a ride might be "too intense " for a child under 7 years old but Disney doesn NOT have an age requirement for rides...height only and here's the chart of all the attractions on property that require this.

Park Attraction Area Height Requirements:

Typhoon Lagoon Bay Slide wave pool 52"

Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Frontierland 40"

Epcot Body Wars Wonders of Life 40"

DisneyQuest Buzz Lightyear's AstroBlaster 51"

DisneyQuest Cyberspace Mountain Create Zone 51"

Animal Kingdom Dinosaur DinoLand U.S.A. 40"

Blizzard Beach Downhill Double Dipper Left hand side of the wave pool 48"

Typhoon Lagoon Humunga Kowabunga Top of Mountain 48"

DisneyQuest Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam Score Zone 48"

Animal Kingdom Primeval Whirl DinoLand U.S.A. 48"

MGM Studios Rock' n'oller Coaster Starring Aerosmith Sunset Boulevard 48"

Magic Kingdom Space Mountain Tomorrowland 44"

Magic Kingdom Splash Mountain Frontierland 40"

MGM Studios Star Tours 40"

Blizzard Beach Summit Plummet Top of Mountain 48"

Epcot Test Track Future World 40"

MGM Studios The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Sunset Blvd. 40"

Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Indy Speedway Tomorrowland 52"

Have a wonderful trip!!!

 

[NorthernON_MOM]

We will likely ride first those rides we are really unsure of. I just didn't want ds to get his heart set on something that he is tall enough for, only to find out he was too young for it. Thanks.

 

[Geoff_M]

The age limit is solely for children wishing to ride without an adult. With an adult, there's no age limit.