Height restriction issues

[Boardwalk Gal]

Hello all...The last time we went to Disney, we brought our nephew with us and was a hair under 40 inches...like 39.9 inches...Depending on the CM, he was able to go on some rides with height of 40 inches and some he was denied. This year, we are bringing our niece, who conicidently is measure at 39.9 inches (sigh!!) and we probably are going through this again....some she may ride and others she may not...If she was able to go on most of rides and there are others, she may be denied, is there something we can do to convince to CM that she was on other 40 inches rides if it so? She is 6 years old and loves thrilling rides, so she not afraid at all, she just....short!

 

[mesaboy2]

Hello all...The last time we went to Disney, we brought our nephew with us and was a hair under 40 inches...like 39.9 inches...Depending on the CM, he was able to go on some rides with height of 40 inches and some he was denied. This year, we are bringing our niece, who conicidently is measure at 39.9 inches (sigh!!) and we probably are going through this again....some she may ride and others she may not...If she was able to go on most of rides and there are others, she may be denied, is there something we can do to convince to CM that she was on other 40 inches rides if it so? She is 6 years old and loves thrilling rides, so she not afraid at all, she just....short!

Nope, sorry.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Nope, you will find tales of a child being allowed on, finishing their ride, getting right back on line and being denied by the exact same CM. hope she has a mini spurt for you.

 

[LSUfan4444]

No, the height requirement isn't there to protect kids who might be scared from thrill rides, but rather as a safety concern due to the lap bars or shoulder restraints.

Thats why you can ride tower of terror and splash mountain before you can ride primeval whirl.

 

[Allison]

No, in fact I saw a child let through the line in Disneyland for Indiana Jones. but turned away by the second CM at boarding.

 

[wilkeliza]

Hello all...The last time we went to Disney, we brought our nephew with us and was a hair under 40 inches...like 39.9 inches...Depending on the CM, he was able to go on some rides with height of 40 inches and some he was denied. This year, we are bringing our niece, who conicidently is measure at 39.9 inches (sigh!!) and we probably are going through this again....some she may ride and others she may not...If she was able to go on most of rides and there are others, she may be denied, is there something we can do to convince to CM that she was on other 40 inches rides if it so? She is 6 years old and loves thrilling rides, so she not afraid at all, she just....short!

Unfortunately it is that specific CM's decision and no one elses. Also be prepared to be waved through at the front and then be denied boarding at the very front of the attraction. It is the load operators job on the line so many of them take height requirements very seriously. The technical rule is if a piece of paper can slip through between head and rail it is a no go.

Best thing to do is teach your DN to stand up tall. Most kids slouch because they are scared of hitting their head on the rail but they need to hit their head on the rail or they aren't allowed to ride.

 

[barbara ann]

May sound crazy but get gel inserts for her shoes. More comfortable for walking and may give her that .1 inch....

 

[Donnainnj]

When my oldest was right at 40 inches there were times she was allowed on a ride in the morning, and went back to the same ride later and was "too short". Since then I have read you shrink during the day, so you may want to try earlier in the AM if she is that close. If the trip you are talking about is the one 2 months out she may grow. Donna

 

[SillySallySews]

No, in fact I saw a child let through the line in Disneyland for Indiana Jones. but turned away by the second CM at boarding.

This happened to my daughter at SM a couple years ago. This year my other daughter was just a hair too short for SDMT. We avoid disappointment by preparing them beforehand that they might not be able to ride and remind them we will always be back soon. Good luck and here's hoping for a growth spurt!

 

[JennyAnne]

This is my nightmare. I've got twins that are 1/4" apart in height. I have a feeling that one is going to get constantly denied.

 

[shepd]

Take them on all the 40 inch rides in the morning for the best chances of success. 0.1 inches is absolutely within the realm of how much shorter someone gets over a day.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Sorry, she has to meet the height requirement. They can, will & have made kids take their shoes off or hair out of bun/ponytail if it appears they are close to the mark.

Also, they check twice. Even if she were to be let through the first check and into the line they will undoubtedly check again before getting on and they are VERY strict about meeting the requirement. So, if your child is that close to the mark they *may* allow her to ride, but the problem will be that it will be completely up to the CMs. Even if one says OK, another (sometimes even in the same line) will check and may say NO. You will have to then explain to the child what the issue is and possibly deal with disappointment.

Now, in regards to strategies for getting her on height restricted rides, I do not recommend adding anything to the shoes or hair as this is a dangerous practice and also can backfire by the CMs asking the child to remove them.

Instead, remember that people are tallest in the morning and shortest in the evening as the back compresses with all the day's standing, but relaxes back to a normal position after sleeping.

So, the best bet is to try for those height restricted rides in the morning if you child is close to the mark.

Also, you have to teach them how to stand perfectly up - straighten their backs and level their head. Sometimes they slouch because they don't understand how to stand perfectly upright. It can mean the difference of riding or not though. Practice at home before the trip

 

[ldymcbth]

It looks like you have maybe 2 months before your trip? That's plenty of time to hit a little growth spurt! Hopefully that will happen. Another option is to measure her at home in various footwear options. We found that crocs measured low, while basic tennis shoes gave her a little boost. When you are THAT close to the line, any boost helps. Please note I am not suggesting to buy platforms for her - but just to notice which of her everyday footwear choices might be best to wear. CMs can make her remove her shoes, just as an FYI - I have only ever seen them do this when it's obvious a child has on platform-type shoes (like stacked flipflops, those tennis shoes with the bumped heel in them, etc.)

The BEST thing you can do is prepare her that you know, she MIGHT not be able to get on all of the rides she thinks she can, and that it's for her safety. I feel your pain - my youngest was barely 40 inches last time and it was a struggle to have her measure fine at some places and not allowed at others.

While I understand WHY Disney doesn't have a centralized measuring station (like they do at say, Dollywood), it would certainly make life easier on the little kids if they absolutely knew what they were going to be allowed on and what they weren't. Dollywood gets around people taking off wristbands and swapping them to other kids by writing a description of the child and what they are wearing on the band itself.

 

[AndreaA]

Now, in regards to strategies for getting her on height restricted rides, I do not recommend adding anything to the shoes or hair as this is a dangerous practice and also can backfire by the CMs asking the child to remove them.

I have heard of this happening before but it seems absolutely bizarre that any CM would think that half the "close" kids coming through the line wouldn't fall under the line if they took off their 1/4-1/2in soled shoes. And that's with nothing in them. Basically ANY kid who just hits the mark is going to be UNDER it if they take their shoes off, so unless they make every kid take shoes off OR the measuring stick is actually set at half an inch above the required height and then they measure barefooted with an actual tape measure, it is patently unfair.

I agree that the child may very well grow between now and then.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

While I understand WHY Disney doesn't have a centralized measuring station (like they do at say, Dollywood), it would certainly make life easier on the little kids if they absolutely knew what they were going to be allowed on and what they weren't. Dollywood gets around people taking off wristbands and swapping them to other kids by writing a description of the child and what they are wearing on the band itself.

Can you explain it to me? You could do it outside the main gate and get measured pre-RD then avoid disappointment as possible confrontations with CMs. They have this at Hershey an it was a huge help, plus we didn't waste time standing on lengthy queues only to be turned down.

 

[Gracie09]

Can you explain it to me? You could do it outside the main gate and get measured pre-RD then avoid disappointment as possible confrontations with CMs. They have this at Hershey an it was a huge help, plus we didn't waste time standing on lengthy queues only to be turned down.

People were switching bands so their smaller child would have the band of a larger child.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

People were switching bands so their smaller child would have the band of a larger child.

How does that help, the shorter child is still short. Unless you mean so the older child could ride twice, in which case the younger one just got hosed out of a FP

 

[Gracie09]

How does that help, the shorter child is still short. Unless you mean so the older child could ride twice, in which case the younger one just got hosed out of a FP

Because then parent that switched then band argues with the cm who noticed that the child who should be too small to ride has on a band hat says he can. Then the line slows down as the parent insists that his child ride because he has the band. Managers are called. Child is remeasured and sure enough is too small. So the parent now yells that the person measuring up front said the child was the right height! And how could they do this to poor Johnny after sitting in line for an hour! Head will roll!

Or the worst case the cm doesn't notice Johnny is too small. Johnny goes on ride and is severely injured because he was too small for the harness. Now parent sues Disney for allowing the too small child to ride and the poor child is injured.


Oh the older, bigger child would have a band because after he takes it off to switch with his brother he goes back to get another. Easy.

Stamps also won't work because those are easy to transfer with a little wet paper towel or tongue to moisten and then re stamp it into the smaller child's hand. This method is popular in college towns where they stamp the hand of those over 21 at bars

 

[Gracie09]

How does that help, the shorter child is still short. Unless you mean so the older child could ride twice, in which case the younger one just got hosed out of a FP

First you get the larger child measured. Take his band off his hand. Put it on the hand of the younger child. (May need to use a little tape to get it to stay). Go back and get larger child measured again. Take both children to ride ride that only the older child should ride. If cm notices. Parent will likely blame person out front who is measuring. Cause a scene. Hold up line. Demand to see a manager. And when child is remeasured and is indeed under the required height yell and scream that the cm out front said he could ride. Look how disappointed he is (cue to cry kid) what is Disney going to do about this! If cm doesn't notice. Child could be injured on the ride because the harness doesn't fit properly. Parent then sues Disney for allowing child onto the ride even though he was under the required height.

Sorry about the double post. The app is acting up for me

 

[Boardwalk Gal]

Hey, thanks all for your tips and advice...Someone above mentioned it another 2 months yet before our trip and may grow .1 inch to 40!! But we just hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I agree that Disney should implemented something to have a pre-measurement beforehand upon entering to park, so that the child is guareeteed to go on the rides in the park if there a question of measurement very close like that and not leave to CM decision....It sure make the rest of guest party relieved of this!