Height requirements question

[ReneeA]

Does anyone know if the measuring sticks used to check for height requirements are EXACTLY correct, or do they increase it a bit to adjust for shoes?

I ask because I'm trying to plan for our August trip, and my almost 3 year old DD is 39 1/4 inches. Obviously, safety is my number one priority, and wouldn't take her on anything if she's not safe. I am betting she grows a bit and may very well end up 40" by then.

Last year, she was nowhere close, and we split up - DS went with DH, and I took DD so that we weren't waiting and switching. This year, I'd like to stick together as a family, so I'm trying to plan accordingly.

 

[Joanna71985]

I believe it is exactly correct.

 

[hannah's dad]

Our daughter who was almost 4 in March measured at about 43 inches at Disney. When she had her 4 year old check up in June, she measured about 41 inches at the MD office. I take from that that the Disney rulers are exact and don't make allowances for shoes. Which is logical since you wear your shoes on the rides.

 

[frndofpooh]

I believe they are exactly correct - I have seen CM's ask kids on the borderline to take off shoes and be measured in bare feet. It doesn't happen a lot, but I have seen it a time or two.

 

[ReneeA]

Thanks so much! She's got some very flat shoes, and some shoes with a bit of lift to them. She's been growing like a weed the past couple of months...I just hope she gets another inch before we leave, and we won't have to worry about it.

She's a daredevil, and already talking about riding "Tower To Terror"! Of course, her 4 year old brother did all the big rides last year and is filling her head, too.

 

[smdigh]

I have seen CM's ask kids on the borderline to take off shoes and be measured in bare feet.

This makes absolutely no sense at all. A kid that is borderline with shoes would automatically NOT measure up without shoes. Why would they make him/her take their shoes off? Just tell them they aren't tall enough

 

[bdb7607]

Because some parents might add a folded up brochure to add a 1/4 inch

 

[Vemnox]

Does anyone know if the measuring sticks used to check for height requirements are EXACTLY correct, or do they increase it a bit to adjust for shoes?

The measuring sticks are measured EVERY morning by a tape measurer to make sure it is exactly 40 inches.

 

[Caitsmama]

I'm sorry, but i disagree. I do NOT think that all the measuring sticks are equal. When we first brought dd in 2004, We had her measured up at the beginning of TMRR, and she was clearly fine, then another CM measured her at the end of the line, before you board the train, and she (my dd) looked like she JUST fit under the bar, after the rude CM kept FORCING her head under the bar- to the point where my dd kept saying "ow.. your hurting me"! And the CM wasn't going to let her ride -- I asked how my dd could have "shrunk" since being measured at the beginning of the line?
The CM finally bowed to everyone in line chanting "Let her on, Let her on".. and let my dd ride.. And she could probably tell i was VERY irritated as to the way she was handling my kid.

 

[Joanna71985]

This makes absolutely no sense at all. A kid that is borderline with shoes would automatically NOT measure up without shoes. Why would they make him/her take their shoes off? Just tell them they aren't tall enough

Actually, I think it makes sense. I've seen parents try everything to try to get their kids on whatever ride. So if they are borderline, the CM is going to want to be positive that the kid's height is not being assisted.

 

[MJMcBride]

They seem to be exactly correct judging this past trip with my just over 40 inch kid. As an aside, I have to believe your child will grow 3/4 of an inch in the next 9 months.

 

[traviesojmt]

I'm sorry, but i disagree. I do NOT think that all the measuring sticks are equal. When we first brought dd in 2004, We had her measured up at the beginning of TMRR, and she was clearly fine, then another CM measured her at the end of the line, before you board the train, and she (my dd) looked like she JUST fit under the bar, after the rude CM kept FORCING her head under the bar- to the point where my dd kept saying "ow.. your hurting me"! And the CM wasn't going to let her ride -- I asked how my dd could have "shrunk" since being measured at the beginning of the line?
The CM finally bowed to everyone in line chanting "Let her on, Let her on".. and let my dd ride.. And she could probably tell i was VERY irritated as to the way she was handling my kid.

This happened to us on Soarin. The first CM measured my DD3 at the entrance to the ride. She said that she was mine and sent her on through. At the top of the ride, my DS mentioned having to use the bathroom. A second CM overheard and let my DH and DS out a side door and directed us to move to the side and wait for them. While waiting, the CM started chatting with us. He decided to remeasure DD3. This CM said that she did not meet the height requirements and sent us back. This second CM was not rude at any point, but really did not believe that she met the height requirement. Out of my own curiousity, I took DD back to the measuring stick at the beginning of the ride. The first CM noticed me measuring her and said that was fine and could ride. I explained that the second CM at the top said that she could not ride. I truly had not expectly my DD to be tall enough to ride so I was not all that upset. The first CM was very mad though She escorted us to Soarin through the exit and put us on the ride herself. During our 10 days at Disney, this was the only problem we had. My DD3 rode Big Thunder Mountain, Test Track, Soarin, Splash Mountain all multiple times.

For the OP, my DD measured 39 1/2" at home in her bare feet. She was wearing regular tennis shoes during the trip. So, I know that the sticks do not take shoes into account. My DD was right at the 40" mark and was never asked to take off her shoes.

 

[dismom301930]

We just returned and my DD2.5 is 39.5 inches without shoes at the doctor's office. She JUST hit the 40 inch mark at Disney, in regular sneakers. Although she was carefully measured on every ride (sometimes twice) she went on Big Thunder Mt., Splash Mt., Test Track and Soarin.

 

[Schmeck]

The sticks might be all the same size, but the pavement at WDW isn't always level, so that could cause some deviation in height measuremnet.

I've seen CMs ask kids to remove hats, and measure the side of the head to avoid poufy ponytails, and ask kids to step out of thick-soled shoes and sandals. I've also seen them tell kids to stand up straight and tall...

If your child is close to the height measurement, take him/her to that ride first thing in the morning, as gravity tends to squash us all down a bit during the day.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

The sticks might be all the same size, but the pavement at WDW isn't always level, so that could cause some deviation in height measuremnet.

I've seen CMs ask kids to remove hats, and measure the side of the head to avoid poufy ponytails, and ask kids to step out of thick-soled shoes and sandals. I've also seen them tell kids to stand up straight and tall...

If your child is close to the height measurement, take him/her to that ride first thing in the morning, as gravity tends to squash us all down a bit during the day.

But you're a 1/4 inch taller at night.

 

[mtemm]

my 2 year old is exactly 35" (I think its 35 that you have to be to ride goofy's barnstormer. anyway, she was exact with it. it was pretty funny watching her get measured, though. she had no clue what the cm was trying to do and she kept ducking her head under it. it took several minutes for her to understand that she was supposed to stand up straight, and another minute or so until the cm was really satisfied.