Height Requirements

[kimberlyp02]

How strict is Disney about height requirements? I feel so bad for my dd. She is very short for her age. She wants to ride a few of the rides that have 40" requirements. I don't want her riding anything I would consider scary or dangerous for her, just the ones I know she'd like. Like, dinosaur, splash mountain(maybe!) and test track. Probably only those 3. She will only be about 38" when we go, if she doesn't grow any, hopefully she'll have a spurt, but I'm not counting on it. :-( but she will be 4.5yrs old!

How strict are they? Can I do her hair up high and buy clunker shoes? Wasn't sure if they went for that or not. I have some thick sandals for her that make her 1.5" taller, so with her hair we should be able to meet it, or a baseball cap? Anyway, it's just frustrating, because my ds(big ol boy) I know will be that height by the time he's 2.5yrs, you know? It's not fair for her... Thanks for any advice or experiences you've had.....

 

[Sonno]

It depends on the CM with the measuring stick and how enthusiastic you and your young one are. Couple things you can do: heel lifts or raised platform shoes, put her hair up in a bun.

Here's a list of restricted rides and the hieghts required:
http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/rr.htm

 

[MsLeFever]

Based on what I've read on other similar threads - the ponytail and chunky shoes aren't going to fool anyone. Some CMs have had kids take off obviously big shoes.

I'm in the same boat - DD is 39 with shoes and I doubt she'll make 40 by August. I've told her that we'll go again when she's big enough and that the restrictions are to keep her safe.

This IS getting her to take her vitamins though!!!

 

[mattsdragon]

They're usually pretty strict. I saw some kid have a tantrum at the head of the line because he was so close. Two inches is a pretty big short coming. Remember the height requirements are there for safety reasons. Don't put your child at risk by skirting the rules.

 

[magicaldisney]

I think they are pretty strict. I would be surprised if you could find a CM that would blatantly ignore her height and let her through. There is a huge safety issue for WDW. I've seen them make children take off hats and then refuse them, so be prepared for that.

One year my son received a certificate for one of the rides he wasn't tall enough for. It was to be used as a fast pass type of thing for when he was tall enough.

 

[BamaFan121s]

From what we've experienced, they are really strict. When my dd was close to the mark, they would even flatten her hair to see if her head actually touched. Now I'm not going to say I ever bent the rules.. , so I'll just say I know of *some people* who put folded napkins in the heals of their child's shoes who was heart broken when told they couldn't ride the TOT. I also know *some people* who found out that they measure at the entrance and right before boarding so you have to hold your child the whole time in line to keep the napkins from getting squished down.

 

[Madi's Mom]

My DD6 has always been tall for her age. She ended up being about 1/2 inch to short for Space Mountain when she was 4. We explained that she couldn't ride that year for her safety but that she could ride it on the next trip. At 5 she was more than tall enough - and she rode (And Loved it - waiting actually seemed to make it more special for her). Just know that she was measured at least 5 times for the ride. At every point along the entryway a CM measured her and then double checked it - checked out her shoes, had her remove her hat... This year she is exactly 48 inches and is looking forward to RRC and I am prepared for the measuring stick to be out again I don't object though - the safety equipment is made for certain size people, putting her on when she doesn't meet the height requirements is unsafe. I would rather have her disappointed and safe!

 

[Marseeya]

I don't mean to be harsh, but why would you want to put your child's safety at risk by trying to beat the system? The rules are there for a reason. There's a thread going on the community board about a child who just died on a ferris wheel, and the general consensus has been that it is the parent's ultimate responsibility to keep a child safe.

If it's that important for you that she's able to ride those rides, then why not wait until she IS tall enough? Disney World will still be there.

 

[BamaFan121s]

I don't mean to be harsh, but why would you want to put your child's safety at risk by trying to beat the system? The rules are there for a reason. There's a thread going on the community board about a child who just died on a ferris wheel, and the general consensus has been that it is the parent's ultimate responsibility to keep a child safe.
If it's that important for you that she's able to ride those rides, then why not wait until she IS tall enough? Disney World will still be there.

You are right, it is the parents' job to keep the child safe. What is your job? Questioning what other parents do?
Did I 'beat the system' to get my teary eyed, heart broken child on a ride? Yes, I did. Did I put her on stilts to give her an extra 6 inches, no--more like she only lacked 1/2 inch, for a 40 inch ride they wouldn't let her on one day-but let her right on the next. A ride I've ridden countless times, where she's right next to me, belted in, with adults on either side of her with a hand on her at all times. Presently, she's more than tall enough to ride MS. Have I ever let her ride it? No, because I don't think it's safe, not scary, but safe. Have I ever put her on a Ferris Wheel? No, because I don't think they're safe, not scary, but safe. Tower of Terror? Yes, I think under the circumstances regarding our situation, it was safe...scary, but safe.
Maybe you don't agree with the choices some parents make, and you are definately more than entitled to your opinion. But I think maybe it's wise for you to not come to such quick conclusions about the choices other parents make and whether or not they are considering their child's safety.

 

[kimberlyp02]

Thanks Misty for that defense. And I understand what you mean. We are EXTREMELY protective and go to great lengths to ensure the safety of our children. My daughter was 1 and 1/2 YEARS old before we turned her carseat around to be Forward facing because of her weight, she will be who knows how tall before we will put her in a booster seat.

With that said, that is the reason that I would not take her on any ride that I did not feel would be safe for her. But you're telling me that a 2yr old that meets that height requirement is ok to ride just because of height? What about weight? What if that 40" person weighs 50lbs or 25lbs? Shouldn't that make a difference?

Can you sit a 40" tall child in a car and go 70mph with them without a carseat?...NO, so why do you feel as though that is safe for your child on TEST TRACK?? Or would you let your child go down a HUGE Hill at a high speed without any type of seat belt on in your car? Then why is it ok on Splash Mountain?

My point is that if you were in a normal situation, no matter height requirements you still wouldn't let your child do it. I am trying to make the point that I feel as though my child is mature enough for those rides and if she was of a normal growth rate, would've been this height at age 2-3yrs old and wasn't sure if they do "height" requirements just to be sure the child is of that maturity level, not that the actual height has anything to do with it. BECAUSE, if they were doing it only for safety, they would have height/weight requirements just like a carseat, right? You can't turn your child around unless they are 20lbs "AND" 1year old not "OR".

Anyway, thanks for your concern

 

[BamaFan121s]

I completely understand where you are coming from Kimberly02. I think the decision of whether or not to let a child ride should be left up to the parents and the situation does differ from child to child. (I am NOT saying do away with all requirements and let babies go on these rides, obviously.) Just like you pointed out, maturity plays a key role. My dd was tall enough to ride the 40" rides when she was 3. Yes, I let her ride TOT. I thought she was old enough emotionally and it would be physically safe for her. Dinosaur, we waited until the next trip. She loved it and it is one of her favorites. She's 5 now, was 4 the first time on it. And you know what, I've seen 10 and 12 year olds come off that ride in tears. So yes, I think it depends heavily on the child. I don't think she's ready for MS and therefor she hasn't been on it, despite being more than tall enough to ride it.

As far as the ride-car comparison, kinda hard to do if you ask me since these rides are more of a controlled scenario than a car would be.

 

[mrsltg]

With that said, that is the reason that I would not take her on any ride that I did not feel would be safe for her. But you're telling me that a 2yr old that meets that height requirement is ok to ride just because of height? What about weight? What if that 40" person weighs 50lbs or 25lbs? Shouldn't that make a difference?

Can you sit a 40" tall child in a car and go 70mph with them without a carseat?...NO, so why do you feel as though that is safe for your child on TEST TRACK?? Or would you let your child go down a HUGE Hill at a high speed without any type of seat belt on in your car? Then why is it ok on Splash Mountain?

My point is that if you were in a normal situation, no matter height requirements you still wouldn't let your child do it. I am trying to make the point that I feel as though my child is mature enough for those rides and if she was of a normal growth rate, would've been this height at age 2-3yrs old and wasn't sure if they do "height" requirements just to be sure the child is of that maturity level, not that the actual height has anything to do with it. BECAUSE, if they were doing it only for safety, they would have height/weight requirements just like a carseat, right? You can't turn your child around unless they are 20lbs "AND" 1year old not "OR".

Anyway, thanks for your concern

Ok, I'm not questioning your parenting skills, love for your child, etc etc. But I will tell you flat out that your examples don't make sense. Test Track, Splash Mountain, etc are controlled environements. They are safe because of this. Another car is not going to hit you on Test Track hence no reason for appropriate carseats for a child. However, there are restraints designed for people of a certain height. Spalsh Mountain, similarly, will not be hit by something else or flip over because of physics. The ride is designed at just a certain angle to prevent people from being hurt (provided they follow the instructions).

The fact that your child is not tall enough should be enough of a reason not to do it. The rides are designed with a certain height in mind. I understand your frustration as I dealt with a very teary child at RnR in January. She missed the mark by "just this much". However, she missed the mark. We told her she could ride on the next trip. I will say that the CM's are vigilant. They check, and I'm glad they do. I certainly sympathize with your situation though. Feel free to give it a shot. You may well encounter someone who makes your dd take off her shoes, hat, flatten her hair. Just don't get angry at the CM for doing their job.

Good luck!

 

[Marseeya]

You are right, it is the parents' job to keep the child safe. What is your job? Questioning what other parents do?
Did I 'beat the system' to get my teary eyed, heart broken child on a ride? Yes, I did. Did I put her on stilts to give her an extra 6 inches, no--more like she only lacked 1/2 inch, for a 40 inch ride they wouldn't let her on one day-but let her right on the next. A ride I've ridden countless times, where she's right next to me, belted in, with adults on either side of her with a hand on her at all times. Presently, she's more than tall enough to ride MS. Have I ever let her ride it? No, because I don't think it's safe, not scary, but safe. Have I ever put her on a Ferris Wheel? No, because I don't think they're safe, not scary, but safe. Tower of Terror? Yes, I think under the circumstances regarding our situation, it was safe...scary, but safe.
Maybe you don't agree with the choices some parents make, and you are definately more than entitled to your opinion. But I think maybe it's wise for you to not come to such quick conclusions about the choices other parents make and whether or not they are considering their child's safety.

My heart bleeds for a "teary eyed, heart broken child," but rules are rules. I don't care if it's 1/2" or 1/32".

If you don't want to hear other people's opinions on your decisions, perhaps it's best not to post them on one of the most popular Disney boards out there.

 

[cleo]

The OP's question has been answered. Disney enforce height requirements for the safety of your child. If they make height, they can ride. If they don't, they can't, and they are likely to be asked to remove big shoes.

Because this is becoming a debate about parenting, we'll give it a quick close and move on.