Height requirement accuracy?

[keepswimming76]

DD had her annual pediatrician visit 3 weeks ago and measures 43 3/4 inches barefoot. We went to our local
amusement park (Kings Island) tonight and she measured at 44 wearing typical tennis shoes.

She's excited about the possibility of Everest and Space Mountain during our trip next week, both have 44 inch height requirements. How accurate is WDW with their measurements? I'd hate to get her hopes up.

 

[Ndusmama]

I have seen people bring an extra set of larger shoes and add extra socks, it can add anywhere from 1/2-1 inch.

 

[Thing 1]

They are strict and rightfully so. Both of those are pretty intense and that restraint needs to fit well. How long until your trip? How old is your child?

 

[keepswimming76]

We arrive Thursday. She is six. There is no way I would inflate her height. I'll just have to make sure she understands there's a chance she may not make the height requirement . I wish they would do the wrist-band thing but I understand why they don't. But here's a thought, wouldn't it be nice if they could measure kids up front and add the info to their magicbands? But I suppose there could also be the possibilty of one child using another child's band.

It is difficult situation when your kid's height is borderline.

 

[MommyBryn]

We had similar concerns last time with my almost 6 and 8 year old girls. They are both on the tinier side (which they hate). They both made the height requirements though (even just barely at the cutoff) in their regular tennis shoes, and Space Mountain is actually their new all time fav. ride.

 

[Ndusmama]

I personally wouldn't let my children on a ride they are even barely tall enough for. I have seen what it can do to a child when they aren't tall enough and the ride has to make an emergency stop. It's not pretty. But some people do go around it and think oh not my child, thus my earlier comment about shoes and extra socks. I once talked with a cast member about it and they said for safety issues the minimum height is actually larger than needed because of parents who sneak kids on. Really though just because a child is tall enough doesn't mean they are mature enough.,you have to decide as a parent what you feel is right for your kids.

 

[21stamps]

Just make sure she wears the same shoes at WDW! If she is fine on the 44" rides at an amusement park then I doubt that anything at Disney will frighten her.

Have a wonderful time

 

[scrapquitler]

DD had her annual pediatrician visit 3 weeks ago and measures 43 3/4 inches barefoot. We went to our local
amusement park (Kings Island) tonight and she measured at 44 wearing typical tennis shoes.

She's excited about the possibility of Everest and Space Mountain during our trip next week, both have 44 inch height requirements. How accurate is WDW with their measurements? I'd hate to get her hopes up.

Remind her to stand up straight and TRY to have her head touch the stick. Kids sometimes slouch to avoid touching it, so a reminder might help. And realize that she will be measured twice, both at the start and the end of the line.

 

[DisneyOma]

We arrive Thursday. She is six. There is no way I would inflate her height. I'll just have to make sure she understands there's a chance she may not make the height requirement . I wish they would do the wrist-band thing but I understand why they don't. But here's a thought, wouldn't it be nice if they could measure kids up front and add the info to their magicbands? But I suppose there could also be the possibilty of one child using another child's band.

It is difficult situation when your kid's height is borderline.

They don't do the wristbands because some parents take them off the tall kid and put them on the almost tall enough kid.

As stated above, make sure she knows she wants to hit her head on the measuring stick. Practice having her stand tall. Go in the morning when she hasn't compressed due to gravity. Have a backup plan (do something else special) if she's not tall enough.

 

[cjparker0110]

A few thoughts:

1. Go earlier in the day as you actually shrink a tiny bit during the day (I think your spine compresses or something from all the walking)
2. Have her stand tall as said above.
3. Prepare her for the possibility that she might not be able to ride those rides.
4. If a child is close, some parks and ride operators will make them take off their shoes. Also, even if she is approved at the main gate, it is possible she will get measured again inside as ride operators are trained to look just in case someone snuck by the entrance while that operator was measuring someone else (happens all the time at Busch Gardens in Virginia).
5. Remember that the height requirements are set by engineers and not be WDW park operators. They are designed to ensure the ride is safe for everyone on board. If your child is not tall enough then it is presumed that her body is not developed enough to handle to stress and pressure that the ride gives off. Remember that some roller coasters can exhibit G-forces 3-6 times greater than normal in addition to the whipping around the body gets going around corners at high speeds. You want her experiences to be good ones so she will enjoy them later on instead of being scared to death.
6. Whatever you decide, you are going to be at WDW! Have a great time!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I was borderline as a child and was 'allowed on' sneaked on by wearing thicker shoes and encouraged to tip toe. It did not end well and for many years I had a phobia of rides. I would ensure a person or child is well within the range. Plenty of time in the future! I was lucky. A staff member saw what happened and stopped the ride but it was terrifying for me and my sisters.

 

[Mousemommy1]

We arrive Thursday. She is six. There is no way I would inflate her height. I'll just have to make sure she understands there's a chance she may not make the height requirement . I wish they would do the wrist-band thing but I understand why they don't. But here's a thought, wouldn't it be nice if they could measure kids up front and add the info to their magicbands? But I suppose there could also be the possibilty of one child using another child's band.

It is difficult situation when your kid's height is borderline.

I am so glad to read this. I cringe when I see parents who are looking for a way to get around safety requirements for their children. Is it really worth it?

That being said, our middle child is a shorty. She is 9 and FINALLY tall enough to ride the 48 inch rides (she's like 48.75 inches). Well, we were there last month and the only one she would do is the Primeval Whirl at AK. She wouldn't do RNR (which is weird because she LOVES Everest and Space Mountain). Oh well, maybe next time...as we have gotten so used to saying with her!

 

[takingkidstodisney]

So do they measuring before every ride at the beginning & end of the line? We will be very close to 40" at the time of our trip and just wondering what to expect.

 

[bigbabyblues]

So do they measuring before every ride at the beginning & end of the line? We will be very close to 40" at the time of our trip and just wondering what to expect.

They measure at the beginning of the line and if the child looks close, they may measure again before boarding. It is possible to get through the beginning of the line and be turned away at the loading area.

 

[gatormom2tots]

They measure diligently...they spent 5 minutes on my daughter the first time they measured her for 48 inches. They also called over 2 other cast members. The rest of the trip she wore sneakers instead of flip flops and and made it every time. But they were not going to even risk a close call and took the time to get it right that first day.

 

[jormom1030]

But on every ride you are sitting down so I still don't buy the whole height thing since every person that measures 44" does not have the same torso height. A child that measures 43.5 inches could have a longer torso and shorter legs than a child who measures 44.5" in height with a short torso who gets to ride.

 

[AK_Christina]

I recommend practicing measuring before you go. I.e. hold a ruler at the correct height and have her practice standing tall while keeping both feet on the ground. Like someone mentioned before, sometimes kids tend to duck under the bar vs trying to touch it.

 

[DisneyOma]

But on every ride you are sitting down so I still don't buy the whole height thing since every person that measures 44" does not have the same torso height. A child that measures 43.5 inches could have a longer torso and shorter legs than a child who measures 44.5" in height with a short torso who gets to ride.

Which is why there is a little bit of that figured into the height requirement. I would hope parents would want to be safe more than sorry.

 

[J.Casto79]

We went in April and I don't think my son was ever measured on any ride. He will be 4 1/2 next month and is 47 inches tall so that may be why, they can tell he was tall enough just by looking at him. With that said, we rode more tamer rides since we didn't want to scare him off. He loved everything he rode, especially Goofy's Barnstormer.

 

[HarleenQ]

But on every ride you are sitting down so I still don't buy the whole height thing since every person that measures 44" does not have the same torso height. A child that measures 43.5 inches could have a longer torso and shorter legs than a child who measures 44.5" in height with a short torso who gets to ride.

I mean, I think I'd trust the professionals/engineers on issues I'm not trained to buy into