Help my 39" tall son grow an inch

[maxiesmom]

Last Sept. .

And here folks is why Disney pads their height measurments. For people who think they know better than the people who designed the rides.

OP--FYI the Cms are pretty hip to many of the tricks that people use to grow their children. They may be asked to take their shoes off if it is obvious that you are using them to make your child taller. CMs measure to the top of your child's head, not their hair. Also, the measuring sticks are shaped like Ls, and your child's head must stop the bar from moving, not just touch it, to be allowed on the ride. And the CM at the ride has the final say. Not the one at the enterance of the ride. The first CM may say fine, and the second say no way. Be prepared for it.

I have read that everyone is taller at the start of the day, that we all begin to shrink as the day goes on. So you might want to hit any rides you may have a problem with first thing.

 

[Vemnox]

I will also warn you that Soarin's measuring device does not seem to measure 40" the way the other 40" rides do. My DD is 42 1/2" in her sneakers that she wore to the park. She was never measured for BTMRR, measured and clearly made it the one time she was measured at SM, TT and Dinosaur, but at Soarin they were VERY scrupulous about measuring her at both the entrance to the line AND again before she got on the ride. She was clearly over the height requirement at all the other rides, but at Soarin it seemed like she just barely made it, and I have seen other people post that on DIS as well. So I would be prepared in case he doesn't measure up for Soarin.

The measuring sticks are measured EVERY morning to verify the height. If it, for some reason, doesn't reach exactly 40", a substitute mobile stick can be used.

 

[DawnM]

A friend of ours gave us some girl sandals that her daughter didn't like. My son loved them! They were actually pretty generic in that they were brown leather sandals but they had a 1/2 inch sole.

Some friends have cut foam in a wedge and put it in their kids' tennis shoes at the heal.

We haven't used these to get on rides, but they do work for height.

dawn

 

[susykt4]

BTMRR and Splash shouldn't be an issue- when DS was 39 inches he rode both and BTMRR over a dozen times. He got on Soarin' once first thing in the morning when the crowds were streaming into the line but when we went back with our FPs he was rejected. He was 42 inches without shoes our last trip and Soarin' measured him multiple times both times we rode. They're nuts!

 

[jagruti6]

I can sympathize, My DS3 was measured at the doctors office today at 39.75 inches in his crocs. Oh soooo close.

 

[brymolmom]

I disagree with the pp's who said that they are generous with the measurements...last month when we went dd was measuring 39 inches on our chart at home (without shoes) and so with her sneakers she was around 39 and a half to 39 and 3/4...well - we tried twice for SM, but were denied both times. The CM one of the times took a thin card (like a piece of paper) and slid it (easily) in between her head and the stick and that was her tool - if she could slide it in - not tall enough. And it was a PIECE OF PAPER!!!

So - do NOT get your childs hopes up...I personally have not had any luck until they are at LEAST the full height requirement.

 

[U2_rocks!]

My poor DD is gonna have to wait til next trip,though....

Mine too - she's about the same as yours at 4 years old! When I planned this trip I really thought she would have been taller!

 

[jennifer293]

I am not trying to be mean and I know rules are sometimes meant to be broken, but when it comes to your child's safety that is not a chance you need to take. They put those height requirements on those rides for a reason...FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILDREN..not because they are trying to be mean or ripping you off. My DH has the same thoughts on trying to make DD a little taller each time we go, but that is one rule this momma will not break.

Just like I tell those who I see with their kids not buckled up..."you think it is fine for you to do it now, but when an accident happens and your child is injured..don't go screaming LAWSUIT!!!!"

Just my opinion!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I hate to put a damper on things but on our last trip they measured my dd for Soarin and wouldn't let her on. She was 39 inches barefoot and she had on sneakers and a ponytail. They squooshed her hair down. I wasn't trying to pull anything, I wasn't sure of the height requirement. She was not allowed to ride.

 

[Merriwind]

Last .

 

[Mickey527]

Oh come on guys, even though it was his first post you have to give Saminmerton a hand for giving us a good laugh. I can imagine the kid walking around with those super shoes on.
I am going shopping tomorrow for a size 4 shoe for my grandson. He is only 19 months and 32 inches but if I put in 3 pair of flip flops he should meet the 42 inch requirement and be able to go on Mission space with me. Otherwise I would have to leave him in his stroller our front and he gets burned so easy.

Of course I hope you all know I am joking... I can't wait to ride Small World and Peter Pan 300 times next week.

 

[JeanfromBNA]

Just an FYI, the measuring posts at the MK were very definitely shorter than at other parks! My daughter clearly met the 40 inches at the MK, but then at EPcot she was a hair shy of it. I told the CM that she met the 40 inches at the MK and rode everything all day long there. He let her pass, but he did say the "40 inches" is shorter at the MK, and the other parks are more stringent. According to my measurements at home she was definitely 40 inches, so go figure. Disney even has their own system of measuring!

Less gravity at the MK?

 

[2poohbears]

Just wanted to chime in with what happened to us -

if your child is right at the line for the height, know that he may get on one day and not the next. This happened to us in JAN...we have twins...one is 1/2 inch shorter than the other. He was measured by 3 people going into SM at MK the 1st day and all 3 said he was tall enough to ride---he LOVED it! The next day we tried to ride again, but somehow he was shorter and didn't make it to the height line. We didn't try to put anything in his shoes, etc...don't really know how he suddenly was "shorter". My son was devastated that he couldn't ride it. So, be prepared for this scenario so you have something to distract your child with that will make him happy again just in case...

 

[RachaelRol]

I never understand this. On DS's first trip he was 39 inches tall a 2yrs and 10 months. He couldn't do the big rides, but there was so much he could do.

It honestly never occurred to be to "make" him taller so that he can try the big ones. His safety was my primary concern and I would not risk it.

To parents who do this, even the engineers, how would you feel if God forbid something happened and your child is hurt, killed or maimed(sp)? I myself would not risk even the slightest chance of this happening. Nor could I live with the guilt if something did.

DH and I did the baby swap for the big rides so we didn't miss out either. It wasn't until DS's 3rd trip that he was tall enough for SM. We did it together and it was great!! Disney will always be there and just think about how much fun the next time will be when he can do the big rides?

I hope my post does not offend anyone, just my opinion.

 

[RF536]

When DS5 was just shy of the 48 inch mark at Cedar Point this summer, we found that Heely's gave him just enough lift to make the mark. Cedar Point allows your shoes to give 1-1 1/2 inch lift, so without the wheels in we were just within the 1 1/2 inch lift.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I never understand this. On DS's first trip he was 39 inches tall a 2yrs and 10 months. He couldn't do the big rides, but there was so much he could do.

It honestly never occurred to be to "make" him taller so that he can try the big ones. His safety was my primary concern and I would not risk it.

To parents who do this, even the engineers, how would you feel if God forbid something happened and your child is hurt, killed or maimed(sp)? I myself would not risk even the slightest chance of this happening. Nor could I live with the guilt if something did.

DH and I did the baby swap for the big rides so we didn't miss out either. It wasn't until DS's 3rd trip that he was tall enough for SM. We did it together and it was great!! Disney will always be there and just think about how much fun the next time will be when he can do the big rides?

I hope my post does not offend anyone, just my opinion.

Not that I'm planning on trying to make my DD taller or anything, but I certainly understand the desire to. Disney is always going to be there, but for those of us who come from very far away, we might not get back to Disney again while our kids are young! So for us it's not "always going to be there"! And, our too-short DD is 4 years old and is used to doing what her older sister (who is 5) does - it's going to be very hard for her to miss the rides that her 42 inch sis can go on that she can't! We do have various plans to occupy her and help her not feel sad, but *I* still feel sad for her. We planned this trip a long time ago, and I was sure she was going to be 40" by the time she was 4 - but she's fallen just short, and I can't put off the trip just for that.

So yes, while you are technically correct in what you say, try to find a little compassion somewhere for those people who are very disappointed in what their child will miss, and are just trying to problem-solve.

 

[RachaelRol]

U2 Rocks,

I understand the desire parents like you who will feel bad for their too short little ones, especially when they have a sibling who is tall enough. It stinks to see your child miss out on something he or she would absolutely love.

My son has asthma pretty severely and has missed out on several big things like Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving with family when he is sick. We could have trekked him across three states, to enjoy Christmas and Thanksgiving, but instead we stayed home just the DH,DS and me. Yes we were lonely, a little sad, but we made the best of it and had fun anyway.

I also know that we are very fortunate to have been able to take our 5 year old son to Disney four times already. We are not close, we live in New Jersey, but it is the only vacation we take and we limit all other things through out the year to make this happen. I know for many families, once a year isn't possible and that sometimes once in a lifetime is all they get.

My post wasn't wasn't about being right. I was stating that for me I would not risk my son's safety for anyone or any reason.

Before the flames come, I am not stating or inferring that I love my child more, or that someone else is a bad parent, or that those who chose to do this are risking thier child's life over a ride.

My parenting choice is to follow the safety rules everywhere we go.

Rachael

 

[U2_rocks!]

My son has asthma pretty severely and has missed out on several big things like Halloween, Christmas and Thanksgiving with family when he is sick. We could have trekked him across three states, to enjoy Christmas and Thanksgiving, but instead we stayed home just the DH,DS and me. Yes we were lonely, a little sad, but we made the best of it and had fun anyway.

Rachael

That must have been hard.

I'm not as safety conscious as some, but I do tend to be a rule follower, and I know Disney's height restrictions are there for good reasons related to safety (mostly to do with the ride restraint system in place on the ride). I will not put a CM's job at risk by trying to get around the rules, even if I don't personally believe that the 1/2" my DD is under will put her at significant risk on the ride. It's not my call in this instance.

I appreciate your clarifying your position a little - at first glance it did look like you were condemning people for even thinking about it. I see now that you do understand the desire many of us have, you just don't agree with taking any action to circumvent the rules. Nothing wrong with that at all.

 

[RachaelRol]

That must have been hard.

I'm not as safety conscious as some, but I do tend to be a rule follower, and I know Disney's height restrictions are there for good reasons related to safety (mostly to do with the ride restraint system in place on the ride). I will not put a CM's job at risk by trying to get around the rules, even if I don't personally believe that the 1/2" my DD is under will put her at significant risk on the ride. It's not my call in this instance.

I appreciate your clarifying your position a little - at first glance it did look like you were condemning people for even thinking about it. I see now that you do understand the desire many of us have, you just don't agree with taking any action to circumvent the rules. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Thank you for your reply. You never really know how a post comes across even if you read it over a few times. I'm glad I reposted and you understand. It was never my intent to condemn anyone.

I completely understand how you feel. It's so frustrating when you want your child to have everything and experience everything and you just can't make it happen for them for whatever reason...

 

[maxiesmom]

Not that I'm planning on trying to make my DD taller or anything, but I certainly understand the desire to. Disney is always going to be there, but for those of us who come from very far away, we might not get back to Disney again while our kids are young! So for us it's not "always going to be there"! And, our too-short DD is 4 years old and is used to doing what her older sister (who is 5) does - it's going to be very hard for her to miss the rides that her 42 inch sis can go on that she can't! We do have various plans to occupy her and help her not feel sad, but *I* still feel sad for her. We planned this trip a long time ago, and I was sure she was going to be 40" by the time she was 4 - but she's fallen just short, and I can't put off the trip just for that.

So yes, while you are technically correct in what you say, try to find a little compassion somewhere for those people who are very disappointed in what their child will miss, and are just trying to problem-solve.

See, to me this is not a problem that needs to be solved. You are either big enough for the rides, or you are not. How can a parent say to themselves "I know little Timmy is too short to be on this ride. But he will be really sad if he isn't able to ride. So how do I get around this rule that is in place for his safety so that he is happy?"

I do understand how hard it is when you have a little one who wants to go on a ride, but can't. But that is why you are the parent. To guide them, love them, and keep them safe. No one said it was easy. But sometimes when you are a parent you have to make decisions that, frankly, suck.