Height requirements??? Help!

[goodqueen]

I was just reading on another thread about how strict Disney is about the HR. We leave in 2 weeks and my 3 1/2 year old is 40" WITH shoes. He's been watching our Disney DVD and is fired up about TT, Dinosaur, Splash Mt, etc. I thought he'd be able to go! Any tips/ideas? I don't want to take him if it's not safe, but he's sooo close, and will be very disappointed not to ride those rides. I need to start preparing him now if he won't be able to!

Thanks for any input

 

[welovedis]

goodqueen-welcome to the DIS!

Unfortunately he may not be able to ride some of the rides that have a 40" heigh restriction. I think the measuring sticks take into account the normal elevation for footwear and will not include that in the measurement.

Sorry if this is not what you guys wanted to hear but forewarned is forearmed, IMO. It is probably the best time to tell him that he "might not" be able to ride before you go, then if he does "measure up" when you are there, that will be great! Also, concentrate on what you know he will be able to do--there is so much that he will enjoy even if he is not measuring the 40".

My DS was given a neat "certificate" when he really wanted to ride RnR at MGM (he was only 3 3/4 so no way was he even close). The CM at the ride entrance made him a cool certificate that he could bring back to go to the FP line ( I think) when he is tall enough. That is another thing you might want to do if he does not measure at 40" there.

Hoping for the best for you all!

For anyone who is interested in ride restrictions, here's a good list:
http://www.wdwig.com/rr.htm

 

[sm4987]

Welcome goodqueen. I'm not sure how disney does it. My daughter was short last year at 3 and I didn't even attempt to let her ride. This year she is 41 with her shoes on, so I don't have much to worry about. She was a little sad last year not being able to go on the bigger rides, but she got over it. She did get to ride Kali River Rapids, and it made her whole trip better. I still would go to disney and try the height measurement. I don't know if their measuring stick accounts for shoes.

 

[tjkraz]

I think you'd best prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Just remember that the CMs have guest safety in their minds first and foremost, so be kind if they do not let your son on specific rides.

Honestly you may even run into situations where he measures at 40" one day and not the next. If this happens, try to take it in stride. There's really no point in arguing with the CMs. They would much rather have one disappointed child to deal with rather than an injured child who was too small for the safety restraints. Most CMs deal with it very well, and you may even see one of the certificates that welovedis mentioned.

On a personal note, if your son does measure up to the 40", you might want to be a little cautious before jumping on Dinosaur with him. Even as a 32yo adult, I think that is one of the most physically abusive rides at WDW. It really jerks you around throughout the ride, and has the added elements of dark lighting and frightening dinos jumping out around each turn.

I'm with you on TOT and Splash Mountain, and even BTMR. But you might want to ride Dinosaur yourself once before you subject your son to it.

Best of luck.

 

[grinningghost]

If I were you, I'd start talking to him about this soon. The more he hears that he might not be able to ride everything, the easier it will be on the little guy if they won't let him on. My DD went through this at the age of 4 - she missed out on all the biggies, but it made her even more excited when she went back at 7 and got on everything. Good luck and you'll have a good time no matter what happens.

 

[BounceyOne]

DD was 40 inches with shoes for our december trip and she was able to ride all the 40inch rides. Make sure they get measured on level ground, some of the areas aren't so level.
We didn't do dinosaur, I thought it was a bit to intense for my almost 4yo.

Either way you will have a great time!

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My son is 40 inches without shoes. At Splash Mountain they did not even attempt to measure him. Of course, I still was nervous and told my husband to hold onto him! That was the only one he wanted to try with a 40 inch requirement.

 

[goodqueen]

Thank you so much! I am definitely going to prepare him--at least I know there's a chance he'll get to go on some of the biggies. Good info about Dinosaur! I had no idea.

I'm so excited I can hardly stand it--this is the first trip for us with kids. I grew up going to Disneyland, and have been to WDW twice. Love these forums!