How strict are they about the height requirement for Soarin?

[WeLoveLilo05]

Hello all. My 3 year old is currently about 39 inches tall (either 38 1/2 or 39, have not measured her in a few months). Soarin is a 40 inch requirement. My question is, how particular are the CMs about this? With shoes on, she will likely be *just about* there - maybe 1/2 an inch off. I know she would like this ride and I am actually kind of surprised at the 40 inch requirement, given its tame nature.

What has your experience been?

I think its all based on the CM @ the entrance. In May Soarin was the first ride we went on in which DD had to be measured for and I asked the man to measure her and he just looked at her and said she was fine.

BUT when we had her measured for Splash Mt, I swear she was probably like 1/4 inch under the height, maybe even 1/8 ( I am NOT exaggerating) and they would not let her on. I hope she grows that 1/8 of an inch before our next trip in Aug 2010

I think it depends on who is there really.

 

[Will316]

The rules are 40 inches. Should we really be teaching children that the rules don't apply to them if they are close? Maybe you should let him drive when he's 15 or buy beer when he's 20.

 

[Bearybear]

Soarin was the only ride my 42 inch son got measured for. It might seem tame, but it does go pretty high up. If I recall, they even have 2 different ways to use the seatbelt, depending on whether you are 40-48 inches or over 48 inches.

 

[BabaGanoush]

Also, be aware that any height check done outside the ride facility is done purely for convenience and is not the official check. That is done at the ride vehicle by cast members responsible for the safety of the individuals they are loading. That is why the little guy may keep getting checked over and over.

 

[RMulieri]

OP- Disney is pretty strict and doesn't bend on height measurements.I would practice having her stand straight and tall, hit the ride early in the morning when you are at your tallest and prepare for the fact that despite your wishes and all she may not be able to ride.Whether you think the height requirement is neccessary or overly cautious is immaterial.Disney sets the rules.

 

[WDSearcher]

In my experience, they are VERY strict. Last Thanksgiving I took my DD4, we measured at home with the sneakers she would be wearing and she was EXACTLY 40 inches on the dot. They measured her once at the queue entrance, she passed and they sent her through. At the end of the FP queue they took her out of the line and another CM measured her again with another stick, and she passed. When we got inside the ride room, ANOTHER CM took her aside AGAIN (by this time she was crying from embarrassment) and measured her again, and let her go on. I asked the second and third times why it was necessary, and they said it was really important they make sure she's big enough to not slip out the bottom.

I'd like to say I was understanding, but by the third measurement she was, like I said, crying from embarrrassment and I was pretty ticked off. They gave her another FP to make up for it, and once the ride started, we were both fine. Especially since she really does think that we flew to California, and that Tink REALLY DID come up close to her.

I don't understand the "crying from embarrassment" part. If she was EXACTLY 40" at home, you must have had the "you might make it / you might not" talk with her and told her to expect all the measurements, right? Or was it just about being singled out and all of a sudden getting all this attention? (Because I know that some kids have a thing about being too noticed.) I guess maybe I can understand why she'd be uncomfortable with that, but I don't understand why you'd be ticked off. It's procedure, the CMs are doing their jobs, it's a safety thing ... why get mad?

 

[Disney Spaz]

We went in July wth our DD, 3, and she was 39" exactly. She was measured at Soarin' and not allowed to ride. So I would say they are pretty strict. We tried several 40" rides to see if she qualified for any of them but she was turned away each time. She was however tall enough to ride Kali River Rapids , 38" height requirement. Now we are gong back at Christmas and DD is working hard to grow that last inch. She eats all her fruits and veggies now without a fight.

 

[Cuchman]

I think it depends a lot on the cast members there.
My youngest DD is 44 or 45 inches, and they checked her on the last trip - it seemed like that cast member was checking lots of kids.
But, we rode a few more times that trip and she was not checked again.

Just be prepared for them to say "no" or wear thick shoes. In my inexpert opinion, Soarin' is one of the safer rides with a height requirement.

Have fun and good luck!

Cuchman

 

[girlpenguin]

Well, to those of you who nicely answered my question, I appreciate it. I will work with teaching her how to stand up straight and we will try first thing in the morning...but I will prepare her that she likely will not be able to ride.

However, I would like to comment on the few incredibly rude, obnoxious posts that implicated that I was insisting on jeopordizing my child's safety to get her on the ride, and that I would be the first to sue if she were hurt, etc.

This is extremely offensive, rude, and totally uncalled for. When we are talking about what may be a matter of 1/8 of an inch, depending on the thickness of the shoe, I think it is a legitimate question to ask. I would never jepordize the safety of my child and I find it insulting that you would say that about me - someone you've never met. I am also not trying to "teach my child that it is ok to break the rules" as another person said. She just happens to be at a height that is a bit of a gray area, and I simply wanted to gain an understanding before we left what the likelihood of her riding is going to be.

You are probably the same jerks who would have complained about my daughter crying if we unknowingly tried to take her on the ride and she was turned away. At least now I know what the realities of the situation are, and I can prepare her accordingly - no thanks to YOUR input.

 

[waltskids]

Well, to those of you who nicely answered my question, I appreciate it. I will work with teaching her how to stand up straight and we will try first thing in the morning...but I will prepare her that she likely will not be able to ride.

However, I would like to comment on the few incredibly rude, obnoxious posts that implicated that I was insisting on jeopordizing my child's safety to get her on the ride, and that I would be the first to sue if she were hurt, etc.

This is extremely offensive, rude, and totally uncalled for. When we are talking about what may be a matter of 1/8 of an inch, depending on the thickness of the shoe, I think it is a legitimate question to ask. I would never jepordize the safety of my child and I find it insulting that you would say that about me - someone you've never met. I am also not trying to "teach my child that it is ok to break the rules" as another person said. She just happens to be at a height that is a bit of a gray area, and I simply wanted to gain an understanding before we left what the likelihood of her riding is going to be.

You are probably the same jerks who would have complained about my daughter crying if we unknowingly tried to take her on the ride and she was turned away. At least now I know what the realities of the situation are, and I can prepare her accordingly - no thanks to YOUR input.

Well said OP! We also have a DS 2.5 who is 39 inches and we hope he will be 40'' for the next two trips in October and December. I like the suggestion about standing tall and visiting in the morning. We also didn't know that they measure children multiple times since DS is our first child. Thanks to all who gave great, valuable information.

 

[chuckml]

The rules are 40 inches. Should we really be teaching children that the rules don't apply to them if they are close? Maybe you should let him drive when he's 15 or buy beer when he's 20.

Well thats a tad harsh, don't you think? I don't recall OP saying anything about drinking and/or driving. You ever drive 56 miles per hour? Thats breaking the rules too. Let's try to keep these discussions civilized.

 

[etraible]

Doesn't Disney have an official measurer? At Cedar Point, if your child is questionable, you can go to guest services and get them measured. You then get a wristband (that tyvek material) that says "46" or "48" or whatever height you are (C.Point has multiple height requirements).

 

[chartle]

Doesn't Disney have an official measurer? At Cedar Point, if your child is questionable, you can go to guest services and get them measured. You then get a wristband (that tyvek material) that says "46" or "48" or whatever height you are (C.Point has multiple height requirements).

No, the story is they tried it a DL.

People were having their taller children measured and then cutting the wristband off and taping it back together on their too short child with scissors and tape brought in just for this purpose.

 

[ppony]

However, I would like to comment on the few incredibly rude, obnoxious posts that implicated that I was insisting on jeopordizing my child's safety to get her on the ride, and that I would be the first to sue if she were hurt, etc.

This is extremely offensive, rude, and totally uncalled for. When we are talking about what may be a matter of 1/8 of an inch, depending on the thickness of the shoe, I think it is a legitimate question to ask. I would never jepordize the safety of my child and I find it insulting that you would say that about me - someone you've never met.

Jeeze. Calm down. I wasn't saying anything about YOU. I was replying to the person that commented about parents that get huffy and berate CMs when their little princess doesn't get on.

I did answer your question nicely in my initial post. Try not to take everything personally aimed at you. I'm sorry it wasn't obvious to you that my quoting the poster I was replying to was who I was talking to. Not you.

 

[chartle]

Well, to those of you who nicely answered my question, I appreciate it. I will work with teaching her how to stand up straight and we will try first thing in the morning...but I will prepare her that she likely will not be able to ride.

However, I would like to comment on the few incredibly rude, obnoxious posts that implicated that I was insisting on jeopordizing my child's safety to get her on the ride, and that I would be the first to sue if she were hurt, etc.

This is extremely offensive, rude, and totally uncalled for. When we are talking about what may be a matter of 1/8 of an inch, depending on the thickness of the shoe, I think it is a legitimate question to ask. I would never jepordize the safety of my child and I find it insulting that you would say that about me - someone you've never met. I am also not trying to "teach my child that it is ok to break the rules" as another person said. She just happens to be at a height that is a bit of a gray area, and I simply wanted to gain an understanding before we left what the likelihood of her riding is going to be.

You are probably the same jerks who would have complained about my daughter crying if we unknowingly tried to take her on the ride and she was turned away. At least now I know what the realities of the situation are, and I can prepare her accordingly - no thanks to YOUR input.

If I would have seen this thread earlier I could have warned you about this topic.

IMHO this topic gets more heated discussion and threads with this topic get closed by moderators more than any other topic including reusing refillable mugs or pool hopping.

Sorry it had to happen to your thread.

BTW they usually get closed around page 4.

 

[ppony]

The OP just politely asked for information about others experiences with how kids are measured.:

To the OP's question, when DGS was just a little south of 40" we practiced standing up nice and straight and as tall as possible. That worked for us.

Nope, I wasn't even remotely thinking about the OP when I posted that. I was thinking about all the parents (we've all seen them) get angry when their kid can't get on because they're not meeting the requirement. THOSE people are the ones that would be the first to sue, NOT the OP.
And I answered that NICELY! earlier than this post your quoting. Taking it out of context from where it was located in reply to someone else.

 

[TLinden16]

I think it's time to close this thread now.