height requirement question

[jl3614]

We are heading to WDW in 10 days. My 3y9m fearless DD wants to ride everything her big brother (6y0m) goes on. Our problem is that she is 39" tall, 39 1/2" with shoes.

My question to any of you with recent experience - how strictly are the height requirements enforced? I am talking in particualr about the 40" rides (BTRR, and SM, etc.).

I assume we will just try it a couple times - all they can say is "sorry she's too short". I was just curious as to how likely it will be that they will just let her go through, seeing that she is part of a family group?

I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who has had a recent similar situation. Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[QuickGold]

I think you'l egt lucky sometimes and other times not so lucky. Lucky for you, CM's change where they work pretty often so you wont have to wait that long for a new one.

You consider getting lifts for her or putting her hair up Good luck!

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by QuickGold
I think you'l egt lucky sometimes and other times not so lucky. Lucky for you, CM's change where they work pretty often so you wont have to wait that long for a new one.

You consider getting lifts for her or putting her hair up Good luck!

Let's remember that the height requirements are there for a reason -- a SAFETY reason. Getting her lifts and putting her hair up are things that every attractions CM is told to look for, and many will ask that the child take off the higher shoes, and they know to measure to the top of the head, not the top of the hair. (They're not stupid, you know ... )

To answer the OP's question ... they will not let her slide in simply because she's close to the right height and is with a family group who are all riding. Again ... it's a safety thing. I know that a half-inch doesn't seem like much, but the people who build, test and certify the rides have set the limits and Disney must follow them. Your daughter's well-being and safety, I'm sure you'll agree, are far more important than her getting to ride a roller coaster.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

My youngest DD at 4 was about 42" on our last visit and I remember them being pretty strict on BTMRR. They checked her every time because my exasperated DD 6 who didn't want to stop, would say "She's been on this a million times."

What was cute about it was DD 4 thought she had to fit UNDER the height stick (it looks like an hockey stick but is 90 degrees), so she would try to scrunch under it.

I don't remember them being as strict on Splash Mountain. Both my girls love those kinds of rides so I can sympathize.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I agree fully that height requirements are there for a reason. The height rides are pretty intense rides that although they may not seem like much to adults there is still a risk there-

I personally would not let my kids ride until they were over the requirement so there wasnt ANY issues if they were tall enough-( and yes we did Disney pretty often so it wasnt a whole one time thing) My son was 47 inches for the whole year I worked Coaster and no he never rode- He knew why I wouldnt let him and that when he was tall enough he would get to ride it as often as he wanted. Alot of the height check stations *are* callibrated to include shoes in the height (only a few centimeters usually)

Yes I know there is a good chance they will be just fine but I dont want to live with the consequences if something were to happen on a ride they shouldnt have been on- a child's shoes will not save them in case of an emergancy.

Be advised that even if you get through the greeter its the CMs' thats loading your family into the ride that has FINAL say as they are the ones totally responsiable for putting your child on. It has happened that you may get to ride once or twice and then a CM will decide thats its a no go- Just take it in stride because it really is a rough job for them- they dont like to turn you away but they dont want to see your child hurt under their watch.

And yes its a scientific fact that you are a bit taller in the morning as walking around all day smashes your spine a bit making you a bit shorter. Its not usually apparent but in kids that few centimeters can make a difference..

-em

 

[tjmw2727]

We have found the cm's to be strict on height - courteous but strict!

My dd was just over the 40" (probably about 41") one trip and she was measured each and every time - sometimes 2x on one ride. Often, even though she was measured at the entrance to the line they would re-measure just before boarding. So don't assume that if the first cm dosen't check that another CM further down the line won't. I have seen kids wait in a long line only to be turned away at boarding - some who weren't even close to the height requirement!

Make sure that you have your child stand flat footed and like another poster mentioned tell them they want to hit the stick. My dd also felt like she didn't want to touch it and slouched a bit until she understood. The cm will have you remove hats and will measure to the head so "big hair" won't help either. I think the measuring sticks adjusted for sneakers. I don't think the size of the riding party matters but you can do a child swap!

TJ

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I agree with the safety issue. I almost want to make sure that my DS4 doesn't wear sneakers that make him measure taller (I really can't put his hair up....LOL!) He is at least 42" (that's how tall he was at his physical in August) but he only weighs 42 lbs. I am afraid that even if he is the "right" height he might not be safe on the ride because of his weight. I guess I am just paranoid.....

 

[johnvree]

Is it 40" with shoes on?

My DD is just shy of 40" barefoot. She is over 40" with her sneakers. Is she safe?

 

[HaleyB]

Originally posted by johnvree
Is it 40" with shoes on?

My DD is just shy of 40" barefoot. She is over 40" with her sneakers. Is she safe?

I would say that if the measure her and she passes then she is safe. I assume Disney would error on the side of caution. Just an assumption, though.

I am luckey my shortest child is now 42 inches tall! She was just 40 last year and it was a problem because sometimes she was tall enough and other times not- kinda hard to understand if you are five. SO if your child is close to the min. I would not play it up with them, I learned fast to tell my DD that I wasn't sure if maybe she needed to be 42 and not just 40 for 'this' ride- that way if they didn't let her on she didn't stomp her foot and tell them her Doctor said she WAS 40 inches tall!

 

[maps]

my 5 yr old just made the height requirement this year.

she was 41 inches at home with sneakers but at the parks she just barely made the cutoff. at the end of the day, she did get just a tad under the bar and they let her in because they knew she had been on it earlier.

she only weighs about 30 lbs and this didn't seem to matter.

at ak kali river, they gave out arm bands which was great since my kids went on that over and over and we didn't have to keep getting remeasured.

 

[slo]

Maps - you have a petite child just like us.

Our #1DD will be 6yrs old when we go in Sept. and she is finally 40" and 32 lbs. Every year we have gone to WDW she has been devostated because she can't go on the big rides . We explain to her that it is for safety reasons, but she just wants to go, and I can't blame her. Other children younger than her go and it's so hard to explain that she is just to tiny.

Well, this year will hopefully be her big year. If she can't go on she will be broken hearted. I can fully understand the requirements - I don't want her being thrown from the ride obviously. I have already warned her that there's a possibility that she may not be able to go - I just hope she can

 

[ranthony]

Ok, here's one for ya! I have a VERY TALL 2 1/2 YO that will most likely meet the 40 in. requirement when we are there in June. He will be 2 Y 9M at that time. He is a complete and total daredevil and I have no doubts that he will not be intimidated by seeing these "big people" rides. It's been years since I've been so I need some advice. Would you let him ride SM and BTMRR if he met the requirement?

Rhonda

 

[slo]

Ranthony - I would absolutly let him go if you feel he will love it. Why not??? Let him have some fun w/ his blessing of height. But, I would try something mild 1st, and then if he loves that try Space Mountain, if he freaks, you know to wait until he's older. The Barnstormer in Toontown would be a good mild rollercoaster to test him on.

Hope you have fun!!!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

The only issue I would have with it is he mature enough to not try to get out or stick a foot out etc. A squirmy kid+ fast ride can equal trouble- and it only takes a second.

-em