How strict are the CM's with height restrictions?

[samily]

We will be at Epcot in a couple of weeks with our 3 kids, aged 4, 7, & 11. I measured my DS4 today and he measures 39.5" The kids have been looking forward to Soarin which I believe is ages 3+ and a 40" height requirement. If he is not going to be able to go on, we'll plan on doing the ride switch, but want to start talking to the kids about it now to prepare them.

Are they really strict with the height restrictions?

I'd appreciate hearing any personal experiences with this!

 

[Robo]

Are they really strict with the height restrictions?

Yes.

Without a doubt.

A child is measured twice.

Once at the entrance to the queue, and again at loading.

It is not unusual for the child to make it into and thru the queue, only to be
turned DOWN and unable to ride at the boarding area.

That can be very disappointing to the child and the parent.

 

[anonymousegirl]

The restrictions are there for your child's safety. The harness may not fit correctly and could injure your child, or may not prevent him from falling out. You can be sure the CMs are viligant about safety.

 

[acpalmer]

I agree, they are very strict and will measure more than once. A quick question, though, does he measure 39.5 with shoes on or without? They measure with shoes on and that will make a difference if you were measuring him barefoot or in his socks...

 

[edwardsfire]

Id say pretty strict.
When our son was literally less than 1/2 inch to go one Splash....
We found creative shoes that got him by, by less than 1/2 inch.
im all for saftey but when our child was close, we werent about to disappoint him.
I do know that the CM's WILL make sure the kids are tall enough, but i have never seen one care about ones shoes.
Note: im not talking about silly "lift shoes" im just talking about shoes you can buy anywhere that have thick soles.
If my son were WAY too short, then i would not chance his saftey. but he was too close to not get him on it.

 

[edwardsfire]

I agree, they are very strict and will measure more than once. A quick question, though, does he measure 39.5 with shoes on or without? They measure with shoes on and that will make a difference if you were measuring him barefoot or in his socks...

Ah, YES.....

 

[Joanna71985]

CMs are VERY strict about height restrictions.

 

[cjb71870]

I've seen alot of these, always make sure they stand up tall and straight when they do get measured. You'd be surprised at how, if you stand with great posture, tall you are.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Yep...pretty strict! DD's head had to bump/touch each stick.

Couldn't WDW find a way of making this easier for parents and CMs...like having a measuring station at the gates where they stamp the child with a 38"+, 40"+, 44"+, ect blacklight stamp?!? That way a child would just put his hand under the light and the CM would know if he is tall enough. This would help with any CM judgement on various rides (which could be a downer if your kid is right on the verge that 1 CM would allow and another wouldn't).

I was in line for RnR and the CM measured the child (who didn't measure up), the CM at the ride enterance had measured him as OK, the DM brought him back down and he was sent back up, then the DM, DS and CM had to go back down to measure by that stick...and he was allowed to ride.

 

[Disney grandma]

I guess it depends on the ride and the CM. Family friends carried their 2 1/2 year old on Test Track and were never stopped and she LOVED the ride. I do feel if there is a height restriction it should be followed though for safety reasons.

 

[Robo]

I guess it depends on the ride and the CM. Family friends carried their 2 1/2 year old on Test Track and were never stopped and she LOVED the ride. I do feel if there is a height restriction it should be followed though for safety reasons.

Did you SEE that, or were you just told that it happened?

 

[Mary976]

Be aware that he might be okay on some rides and then get bumped from others. I took my niece (then 5) to the local Six Flags when she was just exactly 42", which was the height requirement for a bunch of rides. We had her wear sneakers (they have thicker soles than sandals) and then gave her a poofy ponytail. She also practiced standing nice and straight. She got on about 80% of the time (height requirement was exactly the same for all the rides we tried).

Mary

 

[fairestoneofall]

DS was exactly 40" on our most recent trip (so maybe give him 1/2 inch more with shoes). And the only attractions where DS was measured were Dinosaur and BTMR (and only once--he rode several times). The CMs didn't even glance twice at him on Soarin', Test Track or Splash Mountain. I was honestly surprised.

 

[acpalmer]

I agree, they are very strict and will measure more than once. A quick question, though, does he measure 39.5 with shoes on or without? They measure with shoes on and that will make a difference if you were measuring him barefoot or in his socks...

Just to clarify, I'm not advocating putting lifts in his shoes or anything like that, I'm just saying, even normal shoes will bump up a kid's height.

 

[Disney grandma]

Did you SEE that, or were you just told that it happened?

We were told, but I'm sure the parents weren't making it up.

 

[Robo]

We were told, but I'm sure the parents weren't making it up.

Perhaps confused, however.

I can't imagine allowing someone to carry a child on that ride with the way the seat-belt /safety system works.

Maybe the child was tall enough to ride in his/her own seat?

TT restriction is 40"

 

[Sillyminny40]

Our ds7 (at time) was not tall enough for Aerosmith RC but they gave him a great certificate saying he could when he was bigger.
He was thrilled at the fuss they made over him!

 

[atksn]

My DS5 just went to the doctor yesterday, and we had them measure him, just to get an idea for our upcoming trip. Barefoot, he was 43.75 inches. I am soooooo hoping that sneakers or Crocs will get him safely over that 44 mark......

 

[samily]

Thanks everyone for your input! I was measuring him with shoes, but they had flat soles. I'll have to put his sneakers on and practice standing nice and tall and see where that puts him

Over the summer we had gone to an amusement park here in New England and my DS7 met the height requirement for the bumper cars at the beginning of the line, but missed it by a hair when the guy working the ride measured him and so he wouldn't let him on. The look of disappointment on my DS's face broke my heart - I could see him trying to be brave and not cry Luckily they had bumper cars in another area of the park for the younger kids so he was able to ride them many times there with his little brother.

If my DS is not 40" I don't think I want to chance being turned away like that, so hopefully his sneakers will put him at 40".

Here's hoping for a growth spurt!

 

[RMulieri]

very strict.My 4 yr old measured 40 at home and 39.5 at WDW.they would not let her ride.