height requirement ?

[PTA09]

I'm reading all the Disney requirements. A lot of rides require kids to be 44". My almost-7yo sweetie is 43 5/8" without shoes. With shoes, he'll probably make the 44". Without, he won't. (And will be very disappointed to miss a bunch of rides!)

Anyone have experience in this department? Will they allow him or not?

Thinkin we need a growth spurt...

Thanks for your help!

 

[surfgirl]

If he is under the stick, they will not allow him.

My son is close to 44" and I figured with sneakers, he would be fine. Nope. Couldn't ride Space Mountain. He handled it very well. Honestly, I would love to take a tape measure to their stick because I can't believe he wasn't tall enough.

(btw, there are strategies for making sure he is tall enough....)

 

[cindyfan]

They are very strict on the height restrictions...
They have to be.... it's all about safety.
I know at 7 years old he is probably very responsible if you tell him to sit up straight, etc.
However....... they can't take the chance that he might be just a very big 5 year old that doesn't listen to the rules.

Hope for a growth spurt... and good luck.

 

[PTA09]

So do they measure them WITH shoes on?

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

This can be a hot topic. My DS was close to being 40" last trip and someone on here suggested buying him a pair of Nike Shox, since they have a pretty decent sole on them. It worked, but they did measure him almost every time.

Good luck and here's hoping to a growth spurt.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

So do they measure them WITH shoes on?

Yes, I, personally, have never seen them make anyone take their shoes off. But I did read that they asked a kid in the past to remove them. (I think this was a girl, with a platform type sandal, if I recall correctly.)

Oh, one more thing. They measure you at the entrance of the ride, but they can ALSO measure you again right before boarding. This can be awful for a child if they think they are able to ride but at the last minute are denied. I don't think they should do that.

 

[mhartel1]

Wow - my just turned 5 year old is almost 47" tall. No wonder people think he is big for his age. I just never realized it. The sticks in the parks always seem to be on the tall side in my opinion. Like they seem higher than 40", if you know what I mean.

 

[MasterChief]

There are height restrictions for a reason...so that you can be kept safe while on the ride. Skirting the issue by putting on shoes with extra large soles will only increase your childs chances of injury.

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes, they measure with shoes on, they will however ask for hats to be removed. Of course if a child is wearing very obviouly high shoes a CM can ask them to be removed. I have seen it a couple times, mostly with girls wearing very high platform sandels.

The CM will have an upside down L and he/she will move it over the childs head. Unless the head stops the L from moving over the child will be too short to ride. Make sure the child knows to stand up straight, some younger children naturally shrink away from the stick. He will be measured at the entrance and often again at boarding.

FWIW there are only 2 rides with a 44" requirement, Space Mountain and Expedition Everest. So even if he dosen't measure 44 he will be able to enjoy over 80% of the WDW attractions.

TJ

 

[crisi]

Also, Space Mountain can be a very scary ride for a six year old - some kids LOVE it at even younger ages (tall kids). But my daughter got off at eight in tears. Its in the dark and you sit single file (which was the big one for my kid - had she sat next to Mom she'd be fine - having to ride it 'alone' spooked her). At nine she says its one of her "favorite" rides - rides it once and refuses to get on when her brother does a return trip......

 

[brymolmom]

I would prepare him now so that he isn't majorly disappointed if he misses rides. When ds was JUST ABOUT 40 inches we made it on Splash Mtn once and got turned away another attempt. When dd was close, we just told her 'maybe' she'd be big enough to ride that ride or else we'd go get a yummy snack if not OR go on a ride of her choice (something 'fun' to take away the disappointment).

If you go into it NOT planning on him riding those rides (and figuring out if you're going to do child swap or other), then you can be pleasantly surpised if he does make it on.

 

[surfgirl]

FWIW there are only 2 rides with a 44" requirement, Space Mountain and Expedition Everest.

Mission Space also is a 44" requirement. We were frequently tested 3 times in a ride... at the entrance, at the person guiding us to which line, and the actual person that helps you load the ride.

 

[steelebug]

I just went through this with my son about 2 weeks ago. Not quite 40 inches. Thomas the Train shoes from walmart have a thick sole. Then cut out insoles slid them into the shoes and he was 40 inches. He was able to ride Big thunder mountain and everyone was happy!

 

[deva]

There are height restrictions for a reason...so that you can be kept safe while on the ride. Skirting the issue by putting on shoes with extra large soles will only increase your childs chances of injury.

I am glad to see someone shares my thoughts about safety. For years it has infuriated me that The Unofficial Guide lists "tips" for meeting the height requirements - platform shoes, sole inserts, bun or high-pony hairstyles, even recommending swapping into higher heels while in line. A child that doesn't meet the requirements is at risk (not properly secured, not fitting properly in seat, sliding/moving too much during ride etc.). If you are not tall enough you should not be on the ride.

 

[EmilyJ]

Are the height requirements teh same at DL as tehy are a WDW? My DD rode Space Mountain when she was 4 at Disney land. The only thing she was too short for was Indianna Jones. I know Space mountain will be closed, but she has every intention of riding everything she can.

As for the OP, with your 7 year old being so petiete, I feel for ya. My neighbors 9 year old gets my 5 year olds hand me downs.

 

[mjkacmom]

Also, Space Mountain can be a very scary ride for a six year old - some kids LOVE it at even younger ages (tall kids). But my daughter got off at eight in tears. Its in the dark and you sit single file (which was the big one for my kid - had she sat next to Mom she'd be fine - having to ride it 'alone' spooked her). At nine she says its one of her "favorite" rides - rides it once and refuses to get on when her brother does a return trip......

My very petite dd8 was 6, wanted to ride, and was in tears by the end.

 

[jessica52877]

I have had a CM let us in the front past the first stick measuring my son only to get inside the 2nd one say nope. It is so frustrating and now I'll ask several times at the first one. I have also had them slide a piece of paper between the stick and my son's head. This was for Indy though and if they could get that paper in he wasn't tall enough. They are extremely strict but I totally understand it. Just wish from the one stick to the next they were more consistant.

ETA: DS was tall enough for Space Mountain before he turned 5 and LOVED it. So just depends on the kid.

 

[cindyfan]

I am glad to see someone shares my thoughts about safety. For years it has infuriated me that The Unofficial Guide lists "tips" for meeting the height requirements - platform shoes, sole inserts, bun or high-pony hairstyles, even recommending swapping into higher heels while in line. A child that doesn't meet the requirements is at risk (not properly secured, not fitting properly in seat, sliding/moving too much during ride etc.). If you are not tall enough you should not be on the ride.

That makes at least 3 of us that do not condone the "tips" to making you taller.
I've seen kids (not at WDW) that somehow made it past the height requirement by using different shoes and then watched as they struggled to stay in the seat of a roller coaster..... it was scary to watch.

 

[Crisgw]

My 6 yo is 47" (just shy of making the 48" ride mark) and my 4 yo is a little over 43"....I'm hoping he'll be able to ride more rides in May but for SURE in September. We haven't done Mission Space with our oldest DS (heck, I haven't even done it) because it scares me!

I say pray for a growth spurt!

 

[WantToGoNow]

My son had a huge growth spurt just after his 7th birthday so hopefully your child will grow that last 3/8 inch and maybe a little extra - he will be 8 in May and is now 54 inches. My dd just turned 5 in December and is 46" tall (she was able to ride Goofy's Barnstormer (35") when she was 2). She probably won't make it to the 48" rides by late November though.