Height Requirements

[bdtracey]

A couple years ago DS was just shy of 40" with shoes on at the start of the trip. Literally on the last day we checked him at Stitch not expecting him to be able to make it. Sure enough the CM let him through! Every other 40" ride we checked he was good for. Also, we found that Star Tours at DHS is a little more forgiving (outside anyways). If you look at the ground right where the pole attaches it slopes up slightly as there is a concrete curb right behind it.

Also, last year same DS was just barely 44" and the CM working at EE was taking their sweet time making sure he was tall enough. After a couple minutes (literally) of measuring one of the a manager or executive (the ones walking around with the garbage picking tool thingy) took one look at how close DS was and said "he's perfectly fine". And that was that.

I can also say that there is definitely a safety factor built into each ride so if your DS or DD is just barely too short they would more than likely be perfectly safe on the ride. The one thing that the official height indicator doesn't take into account is torso height vs. leg length. This is likely taken into consideration when applying the safety factor to the height indicator.

 

[dimndgal1]

When DD6 was 3, we went to DL. We knew she was just at 40" so we prepped her that some rides may not have a spot for a 40" rider and we`d have to try another ride or come back later when there was a spot. We wanted to avoid any `but I rode this morning` confusion (how do you explain to a 3 yr old???) and if she missed a bar, she`d just say "maybe I`ll have a spot later!"

Now that she`s older she understands safety restrictions and that human error can change things by miniscule amounts so she`s handled being 48" and hitting or missing well.

 

[disnut8]

Take a step back. Disney World is a private theme park. But they adhere to very public rules and very pubic outcome. And I believe Disney does more than what is "required" by the "law".

Yes, it's disconcerning when you have to explain to a child not quite at the right height that they and another person need to just sit this one out for this time. But, I'd rather do that than have another outcome.

As stated, Disney World measurements are as accurate as they can be. And let's take another step back. If Disney had one place where you could go in the morning to have your child measured and they were fine and they you rode something later that evening when your child was tired and didn't make the requirements, well, think about it.

 

[LilyWDW]

Just curious (ROBO -- would you know the answer?) --this won't impact us at all but my nephew, who is 8 is shorter than my son, who is 4. My son is about 41 inches. Would he still not be able to get on the rides? How does that work.

Again, this isn't the nephew who is coming with us so it doesn't impact me but I was just curious. I mean height restrictions are height restrictions but it seems so sad to say that to a kid.

Age has no impact. An adult who doesn't make the height requirement would not be allowed to ride. Period. It is 100% about safety (for the vast majority of rides).

 

[Betty Rohrer]

have a grandson who at 8.5 just made the 48 inches. he could ride by himself for over a year before he made the height to ride the 48 inch rides. age has nothing to do with riding

 

[dimndgal1]

We had trouble taking DD on ToT when she was 3 because she was nervous about the ambiance and buried into my hip during the preride video (understandably... she was 3) We had 4 CMs measure her throughout the queue and two ask her directly if she wanted to ride (mostly due to her body language and the fact she still had tons of baby fat I assumed they guessed she was young). She said yes and they were pretty reluctant but let her go. She loved it (she has loved freefalls forever!) But the times we rode after she still wouldn`t watch the video.
From my experience, as long as the kids meet height and aren`t spazzing out in fear before a ride, age is not an issue (with adult). I did see the CMs refuse a girl on SM one time because she was literally shaking and crying hystericaly on the loading platform. The parents were pushing but she was in obvious distress. A manager(?) came over and guided the family away so I`m not sure how it played out in the end.

 

[disnut8]

We had trouble taking DD on ToT when she was 3 because she was nervous about the ambiance and buried into my hip during the preride video (understandably... she was 3) We had 4 CMs measure her throughout the queue and two ask her directly if she wanted to ride (mostly due to her body language and the fact she still had tons of baby fat I assumed they guessed she was young). She said yes and they were pretty reluctant but let her go. She loved it (she has loved freefalls forever!) But the times we rode after she still wouldn`t watch the video.
From my experience, as long as the kids meet height and aren`t spazzing out in fear before a ride, age is not an issue (with adult). I did see the CMs refuse a girl on SM one time because she was literally shaking and crying hystericaly on the loading platform. The parents were pushing but she was in obvious distress. A manager(?) came over and guided the family away so I`m not sure how it played out in the end.

We we in the elevator with a family at Twilight Zone and while all the kids made the height requirement, one of the girls was a wreck. She cried while getting on the elevator and after being strapped down, cried even harder. We were delayed while the Cast Member asked the girl if she wanted to ride. She was crying but said yes. She was asked again. She said yes. Only then were we lifted up.

To point out, the adults with the girl were ready to exit with her if needed but I applauded Disney with how they handled it. They put the girl in charge, not anyone else. Just her.