Height requirements/too young for rides

[saavyplanner]

We are taking our 4 & 6 yo to Disney for the first time in October. Our younger one likely just hits the 40in mark and I *think* our 6yo is 44 inches (haven't measured yet), that said there are certain rides (Space Mountain) that I'm not sure she would like (jury still out btwn DH and I on this)...So I have a couple of questions

1- How are the height requirements enforced--do they check once per visit or for each ride? with shoes/without? If a kid just misses it (say 1/4 inch) do they let it slide?

2- Besides the rider swap, what are some other ways to do top adult rides--if neither kid wants to go. So let's say my husband and I each wanted to ride, and neither kid was going with us, what is the best way to do this...Without the remaining parent just waiting with kids. FWIW, we have a few SM FastPass setup already (all 4 of us).

3-There might be some other rides that the younger one won't be able to do (the 44in+) and I have a feeling that the waiting in line, and then not going on the ride, will lead to understandable tears "it's not fair"--so how have you handled these situations?

Thanks!!

 

[Geoff_M]

They have a fixed metal measuring stand at the start of each queue that is manned by a CM. They will stop and measure any "iffy" rider. There's a crossbar at the appointed height and if the top of the child's head hits the bar then they're "in". There's another similar bar at the loading area that a CM might use to re-check a kid if they think they got by the CM at the start of the queue. Riders are checked at each ride and may be re-checked each time they try and enter the queue.

 

[HopperFan]

3 - If you are saying you would take the younger one through a ride line they are not tall enough for then not riding so upset ........... won't happen because if they are not tall enough, they will not be let in the ride at all.

2 - I am confused. Are you asking if there is way for you to ride together with the kids not riding, then no unless you would leave them alone outside the ride ... and given their ages that really isn't an option.

1 - PP covered this.

 

[DarkPaw]

1- They check when entering the ride and again just before boarding, repeat at each ride, and no, they will not let it slide, if they can slide a piece of paper between the child's head and the measuring "bar" it's no go. Usually kids can keep their shoes, but I've seen them ask to take them off when it's obvious they are using thick soles to try and cheat.

2- Rider swap for height restricted rides, go one at a time for the other rides they don't want to go on.

3- Prepare them that they might not be able to get on, even if they pass the first check, they might be denied at the second one.

Also, we all shrink a little during the day, so go first thing in the morning to get the best shot. Also let your child know that he/she has to hit the bar with their hear as most instinctively shy away from it.

 

[saavyplanner]

3 - If you are saying you would take the younger one through a ride line they are not tall enough for then not riding so upset ........... won't happen because if they are not tall enough, they will not be let in the ride at all.

I thought this was how the "switch" worked--that you all went through line together and then switched.

2 - I am confused. Are you asking if there is way for you to ride together with the kids not riding, then no unless you would leave them alone outside the ride ... and given their ages that really isn't an option.

No, certainly not asking this. I was wondering if there were specific ways to make it easy for one parent to hang with the kids while the other rode and then switch...without it being a lot of waiting/trying to time meeting up (let's say the non-riding parent took kids on another ride)

1 - PP covered this.

 

[Order66]

The rider swap pass does not have to be used immediately. You can go back at your convenience for the 2nd adult to ride. So the first waiting parent can certainly take the kids and do something else, then go back to that ride whenever they want. Now we've always used it on the same day, but I believe it's valid for several days. Someone can correct that info if I'm mistaken.

regards

 

[HopperFan]

I thought this was how the "switch" worked--that you all went through line together and then switched.

No. The short child can not enter the line at all. You approach the CMS with the full family. Tell them that you are going to do Child Switch with the shorter child (showing them the child). They will either give you a switch pass right then or they will give you a lanyard so that at the end of the line you trade that for the child swap (may mostly affect Standby). When parent #1 and child come out of the ride you they hand the pass and child to parent #2 who then enters the ride via the FP+ line. Child who is tall enough rides twice.

Non-riding parent and child can do what they want while waiting since they are not in the ride area. We do bathroom break, short line ride or just sit and rest, maybe with a snack. We are then just around the exit to the ride so the other parent can find us easily.

Correct you don't have to ride right away but I find it's easier to do so. Never fails when we put something off to later, stuff happens and we don't get back to it.

 

[tjmw2727]

I will respond to the above first - re: Rider Switch. A guest who doesn't meet the height requirement won't be able to enter the line at all! Instead the parent riding first will be issued a paper pass "rider swap" the pass is good for that ride anytime that day (sometimes longer) and up to 3 guests can ride via the FP line so the second parent won't have a double wait. Then the second parent can take the child(ren) that don't qualify to ride to do something else while the first party rides. The parent who didn't ride can then return later to ride with up to 2 others.

If your child doesn't measure to the height requirement they won't ride- they are very strict on this and will often measure a child who is close to the height more than once. They use and upside down L so prepare your children to try and hit the bar without using tippy toes - kids naturally want to crouch away from the bar.

 

[AngiTN]

Remember too, the height requirements are there for safety, not to be mean. If a child doesn't measure up that means based on their analysis of the ride they risk falling out of the vehicle. Do they err on the side of caution, yes, yes they do. But when it comes to guest safety on rides, they have to. So the way to prepare the child is to explain just that to them. If they aren't tall enough it's to keep them safe.

 

[scrapquitler]

We are taking our 4 & 6 yo to Disney for the first time in October. Our younger one likely just hits the 40in mark and I *think* our 6yo is 44 inches (haven't measured yet), that said there are certain rides (Space Mountain) that I'm not sure she would like (jury still out btwn DH and I on this)...So I have a couple of questions

1- How are the height requirements enforced--do they check once per visit or for each ride? with shoes/without? If a kid just misses it (say 1/4 inch) do they let it slide?
They actually checke TWICE on each ride. Once at the entrance to the line, and once right before boarding. They do not let it slide if the child is not quite tall enough.
2- Besides the rider swap, what are some other ways to do top adult rides--if neither kid wants to go. So let's say my husband and I each wanted to ride, and neither kid was going with us, what is the best way to do this...Without the remaining parent just waiting with kids. FWIW, we have a few SM FastPass setup already (all 4 of us).
Have the remaining parent ride a DIFFRENT ride with the two kids. So you want to ride Space Mountain, and while you do that, the other parent and kids can go ride Buzz Lightyear. You can make a FP for Space Mountain at the same time they have one for Buzz, or whatever combination of rides you choose.

3-There might be some other rides that the younger one won't be able to do (the 44in+) and I have a feeling that the waiting in line, and then not going on the ride, will lead to understandable tears "it's not fair"--so how have you handled these situations? When you do rider swap, the child not riding on the ride does not have to wait in line while the other parent/child ride the ride he is not tall enough for. That's the perfect time to ride something he is tall enough for, get a special snack, meet a character, etc. We never ever had our younger child just sitting or standing around waiting for those who were riding the ride he couldn't...we always made sure he had something fun to do while the other child and parent were on the out of reach ride.

Thanks!!

.

 

[bumbershoot]

do they check once per visit or for each ride? with shoes/without?

They will check at every ride where the child isn't obviously tall enough, and as everyone has mentioned, they can check more than once.

With shoes, though if it's very very obvious there are shenanigans happening they might have the right to check without shoes.

If a kid just misses it (say 1/4 inch) do they let it slide?

NO.

I have a feeling that the waiting in line, and then not going on the ride, will lead to understandable tears "it's not fair"

As others have said, that won't happen, because they won't go through the line.

and may be re-checked each time they try and enter the queue.

Yep!

3- Prepare them that they might not be able to get on, even if they pass the first check, they might be denied at the second one.

Yep.

Also let your child know that he/she has to hit the bar with their hear as most instinctively shy away from it.

Absolutely.

 

[ArielSRL]

Just FYI with the rider swap pass only one adult needs a FP. So say you would ride with older child, you would book the FP for you and older child for the thrill ride. The other adult can book a FP for something more kid friendly for themselves and the younger child. Do as everyone else has explained about getting the rider swap pass. Later on (pass is usually good until the end of the month) the other adult can ride on the rider swap pass along with the older child (again) if they wish.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are taking our 4 & 6 yo to Disney for the first time in October. Our younger one likely just hits the 40in mark and I *think* our 6yo is 44 inches (haven't measured yet), that said there are certain rides (Space Mountain) that I'm not sure she would like (jury still out btwn DH and I on this)...So I have a couple of questions

1- How are the height requirements enforced--do they check once per visit or for each ride? with shoes/without? If a kid just misses it (say 1/4 inch) do they let it slide?

2- Besides the rider swap, what are some other ways to do top adult rides--if neither kid wants to go. So let's say my husband and I each wanted to ride, and neither kid was going with us, what is the best way to do this...Without the remaining parent just waiting with kids. FWIW, we have a few SM FastPass setup already (all 4 of us).

3-There might be some other rides that the younger one won't be able to do (the 44in+) and I have a feeling that the waiting in line, and then not going on the ride, will lead to understandable tears "it's not fair"--so how have you handled these situations?

Thanks!!

#1. With shoes. However if the shoes look like they have an extra large heel or bottom they are within their rights to have the shoes removed before measuring.
#2. You can take turns using your FPs, or do the rider swap.
#3. If you are not tall enough for the ride you are not allowed into the line. Ever. I would find something fun for the too short child to ride while the tall enough child and a parent are on another ride.

 

[saavyplanner]

Thanks all! Great tips and also can now free up some FP slots I had for all of us

 

[picklethings]

We went in fully expecting our 4.5 yr old to be too short for Everest and SM (I had measured at home, without shoes, about 2 months before, and thought he'd be about 1/2 inch too short). On a whim, we had him measured as we went past SM on our first day, and he was *just* tall enough (he had a little growth spurt I hadn't noticed)! It was a pleasant surprise!

The reason I mention this is to check early on into your trip just in case, if you think they are close. We told him how to stand up tall, but prepared him for not being able to ride, since that's what we were expecting anyway. I saw a few people (adults!) pitching fits because their kid was too short. I'm a rule-follower - rules are rules.

One other thing, our son was checked several times on various rides (including some he was way tall enough for), but not always, probably because they are good at spotting who is close or not. When my husband was carrying him, he was asked to be measured EVERY time. When he walked in on his own, it was about half the time he was measured on the rides on which he was close (but just tall enough for).

 

[AngiTN]

Also let your child know that he/she has to hit the bar with their hear as most instinctively shy away from it.

So true! When DGD first hit the height requirement limit she kept trying to duck under the bar. Always had to remind her to stand up straight.

 

[bryanb]

Also, please be nice to the Cast Members if they tell you your child can't ride. Not directed to the OP, but to the internet in general.
There's really not much to argue about, though parents do try all the time. Like @AngiTN says, CMs aren't there to be mean!

This brings back so many memories.

Don't: bring your kids to the park in weird shoes with crazy heels.
My favorite encounter was with a dad who tried to sneak his obviously too-small son past me. The kid was walking uncomfortably, and it turns out he had awkward dress shoes with thick heels that were at least an inch tall. I'm not even sure where you can buy those shoes or why someone would ever want them. Maybe they were modified. Even then, the kid couldn't reach the line. The dad kept telling the kid, "stand up, up, up up on your tippie toes," and when I apologized that that didn't count, the dad launched into a most profane tirade that would make a sailor blush. The kid seemed to take it all in stride either way, but the dad threw him over his shoulder and stormed off in a fury.

Don't: think that you can ignore the first cast member and get on the ride.
There was a woman who completely disagreed with the rules. Her argument was that the imagineers obviously built in a margin of error. And she was incredulous that a quarter inch suddenly made the ride unsafe. (She was probably right, but you have to draw the line somewhere and stick to it.) I apologized that those were the rules, and her daughter could not enter the line, but she said, "I'll decide what's right for my family" and slid right past me. Of course, I radioed up to the loading area and they were prepared. Ultimately, she probably didn't realize that cast members rotate positions in the ride. And when she got up to the front, guess who happened to be assigned to that position.

 

[picklethings]

We saw 2 or 3 kids (each from separate groups) get turned away at the loading area of SM. They must have snuck past the measurement at the line entrance, because they were nowhere close to tall enough.