How strict are the height restrictions for California Soarin?

[jacs1234]

At the moment my dd is 1 inch too short. We go in about 2 months and maybe she'll grow a little by then but we'd love her to be able to go on it with us.

 

[Disney Dreams]

The strictness is the same for all height requirements in the Resort. Very strict. If the height is questionable, your child will be asked to stand by a measuring stick. If they are too short, they don't ride. Period. How short is too short? If the CM can slide a piece of paper between the top of the child's head and the marker, they will not ride.

- Dreams

 

[bumbershoot]

If the CM can slide a piece of paper between the top of the child's head and the marker, they will not ride.

From my son's exact experience with that, ayep, they're strict.

 

[tiggspring]

My daughter had bearly enough room to put a piece of paper through and the would not let her ride. Next day we took her in a differnt pair of shoes and on she went!

 

[jacs1234]

Thanks for letting me know guys. I either have to find heels for a three year old or flip a coin to see who sits out with her :lol:

 

[rangermom]

As others had said, they are very strict. But I have found that the one at Soarin in DL is particularly strict (at least when we went in 2007). DD was measured and was a little over the measuring stick, but the lady kept trying to fit her head under the stick. The CM had her head in both hands and was pushing her down and bending her knees to get her head under the stick. Finally she let DD ride the ride. She wasn't even wearing shoes that giving her height. She had on a pair of crocs.

I guess the CM didn't get the memo that the object was not to fit the kids under the measureing stick.

But in all fairness, she was doing her job. Don't push it if your kid is not tall enough. It is for their safety. I'm sure about DL Soarin, but the WDW on gave us a fast pass for our entire party for when my DS is tall enough to ride. Hopefully the next trip to WDW we will be able to use it.

 

[KPeveler]

If your DD is wearing heels, they will make her take them off. My suggestion is baby swap - one person rides while the other waits, then you swap - you don't have to wait in line twice that way!

 

[jason417]

I was pretty paranoid about this because my niece is 40" exactly and I had heard how strict they were. We were there for 4 days and they only measured her twice (both times on BTMRR). She rode Soarin' twice and both times they didn't even make her stand next to the stick; they just let her in with an eyeball measurement.

 

[tink929]

My DD was around 38.5" or so a few months before we went last year, but she managed to squeak in a growth spurt in those last few weeks - she was easily 40" by the time we went, so don't give up hope on that front! She was measured quite closely on every ride we went on except Soarin' though.

 

[disneychrista]

If you are trying to fudge less than 1/2 an inch I would find shoes with thick soles, not "heels."

Now that said remember that height requirments are for safety. If the child is too small the rides harness/belts/lap bars etc will not fit properly.

 

[disneymum58]

Also, the person who waits with the nonrider not only goes through the fast pass lane when it's their turn, but gets to take someone with them to ride with. So another child could ride twice! At least that's the way it worked when we did it.

 

[jacs1234]

My DD was around 38.5" or so a few months before we went last year, but she managed to squeak in a growth spurt in those last few weeks - she was easily 40" by the time we went, so don't give up hope on that front!

what did you feed her I wonder if extra carrots will help.

 

[CLR4321]

A height restriction is a height restriction. There is no flexibility at all. Either your child is tall enough or they aren't. The restrictions are there for the safety of the rider, to prevent injury or worse.

 

[MommiePrincess]

We will be there next week! At this time, DD (age 3) is 39 7/8 inches in most shoes and if I put her in her play shoes with a higher wedge (about 7/8 of an inch) she is 40 inches minus a hair (so, so close it is only a thickness of a paper). Soarin is the only ride I really want her to get on. I think we'll skip Splash and the other 40 inchers this year (definately skip Space M) as I am a paranoid Mom! Although DH wants to take her on Splash. But I am really intent on Soarnin as I feel confident that she is physically and mentally able to ride this safely. If a CM tries to push her head or shoulders down I will object and comment. I am really curious to see if she gets on or if the measuring sticks are "off" as many have said in favor of being taller then 40 inches. DH says he is going to carry a tape measure, so as I posted before we will probably be on YouTube due to DH's revolt and carried away by security if they don't let her on! It'll all depend on the measuring stick and the CM because I know how close DD is at home and it's by a hair!!

 

[Mugglemama]

good luck. we had an experience where the last CM to measure on Indy was literally pushing my daughter's shoulders down. she looked up at me, sounding kind of scared of the guy, and said, "mommy, he's pushing my shoulders down". she was EASILY tall enough to ride (she had to duck just to get under the measuring stick!), so i really don't know what is up with some of these commando CM's who seem to try their best not to let a kid on even when they clearly meet height requirements. annoying!!

thankfully, all of our kids are now well past the 40" mark. my youngest is hoping to hit 42" before our next trip to DLR next spring, and he's so close i'm sure he'll make it by then. he wants to ride Grizzly!

 

[tink929]

what did you feed her I wonder if extra carrots will help.

I have no idea! She's one of those kids that you never have any idea how she grows because she NEVER eats But yeah, she did the same thing this year - grew just about an inch since her 5-year appointment in early July, so she's easily 42" now. Apparently she just needs the right motivation for those growth spurts!

 

[disneychrista]

Just realize that they don't care what your measuring tape from home say. If they don't meet the stick test they will not let her ride.

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Just saw them measuring a child this past weekend.

It's their job. Insurance and safety issues. It's quite a drop.

 

[bumbershoot]

She's one of those kids that you never have any idea how she grows because she NEVER eats

I wonder what that would be like! We can always tell when DS is about to grow, b/c he starts eating us out of house and home. When he was still nursing for most of his nutrient needs, I would get gaunt and even more tired from all the extra milk... No matter how he gets his calories, he starts eating ALL day long, his cheeks get all beautifully chubby, his tummy gets bigger...and then one morning he wakes up taller, with a skinny face and sucked in tummy.

DS eats well to "get big for" whatever ride is next on the list. Right now it's Indy. Considering he was only just over 42" last December, and he's rapidly approaching Indy-time...something's working! Beans work really well for him (we're vegetarian and he normally doesn't like beans, so his discovery that they are "growing foods" has been most excellent); the protein is terrific. Lots of veggies, too.

I love Disneyland for so many reasons...and the good foods he'll eat to "get big for" a ride is one of the biggest ones.

Just realize that they don't care what your measuring tape from home say.

Yep!

 

[Disney Dreams]

We will be there next week! At this time, DD (age 3) is 39 7/8 inches in most shoes and if I put her in her play shoes with a higher wedge (about 7/8 of an inch) she is 40 inches minus a hair (so, so close it is only a thickness of a paper)....But I am really intent on Soarnin as I feel confident that she is physically and mentally able to ride this safely.

So what you are saying is that you are more knowledgeable in amusement park ride safety and the physics behind motion and restraints than the certified agency that regulates safety at theme parks?

If she is not 40" tall, she is not physically able to ride safely. Trying to make her appear to be taller than she is (even by a fraction of an inch) is putting her in danger. Why is okay to do this for Soarin', but not Splash?

I am really curious to see if she gets on or if the measuring sticks are "off" as many have said in favor of being taller then 40 inches. ...It'll all depend on the measuring stick and the CM because I know how close DD is at home and it's by a hair!!

But wait, you just said she ISN'T 40" tall. She's shy 1/8". You have said she is "close." That means she is NOT 40" tall. Why would you cause a commotion if they do not let her on when you know she is not tall enough. "Very close" is not the same as "tall enough."

I think you really need to start getting the idea in mind that there is a chance she won't ride (because she isn't tall enough). You have said she isn't 40". Parents who know their child IS 40" have reported Disney's measuring being different. You know she isn't and are hoping she'll be able to ride. I truly hope you wouldn't end up on YouTube over a CM properly measuring your DD and enforcing the rules they are paid to enforce for her safety.

- Dreams