How strict are they on height?

[no capes darling]

I think they're strict about it. A couple trips back my child was measured at the beginning of the queue by a castmember at Primeval Whirl and was at least the height requirement. When we got closer to the loading zone, a cast member there re-measured her. Perhaps it was a fluke day, but she was definitely checked twice.

 

[kohlby]

Does she need any new sneakers before your trip? Though I wouldn't go out and buy shoes with a thick sole, I think that may be what helped our daughter. New sneakers weren't as compressed as the old ones and gave her that little extra. I did not look at the soles but they looked normal to me.

Not sure if I was the poster you're remarking about the 3 year old - I was referring to what happened on the 40" rides, not the 44" rides, with my middle child. She's on the 44" for our next trip, but she's 5.5 years old now. My oldest was very tall for his age and was not 44" at 3, though he was 42". If there's a very tall child making it, she's not going to know the age of the child.

I was very short growing up - I didn't hit 48" until middle school. I remember going a few places with my grandparents and cousin that had rides that I was too short for. He is a year younger than me but was much taller. My grandparents wouldn't let him ride since I was too short. I don't think that was fair - and I'm coming from the viewpoint of the short child. Instead, I would have preferred that they let him ride but let me pick the next attraction to do. At 7, she should be able to understand even if she doesn't like it. Another option is to grab fast passes for the taller height limit rides and wait to use the fastpasses until much later in the day and then split up.

My crew is all still pretty young, with the oldest only being 8, though he's tall at 54". My daughter at 3 years old understood she was too short for some rides at Disney though my oldest could do them. My 2 year old understood the same was true when we went to Six Flags this summer. We've been looking at pictures of Disney attractions and he knows he's too short for some but tall enough for others. Your daughter will be okay if she can't do all the rides the older ones can. We just make sure that we don't do two rides with height requirements in a row. We also grab fastpasses for the higher height rides so we can go back on them later and split up without taking too much time.

*The other 44" ride is Mission Space.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do not put Mickey Bars in the shoes. They will freeze the feet and become extremely messy!

And I hear frozen flesh contracts, so I think that would actually make someone shorter.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

My oldest DD has always been vertically challenged, not to mention a lightweight forever, so you won't find me among the holier than thou sanctimonius crowd.

My 12 year old is right down the middle of the growth chart but has 2 inches and 30 lbs on her 14 yr old sister.

I don't think DD14 will appreciate being mistaken for the younger sister until sometime in her 30's.

 

[Laketravis]

I'll tell you how weird the whole height thing is - last year at Six Flags Arlington, my 5 year old was barely 42". The first day, they'd consistently pull us off rides after we had already waited in line and boarded so they could measure him, and every single time they said he couldn't ride.

So (safety experts stop reading here) I took a couple of napkins, folded them up, and stuck them in the bottom of his Woody boots.

Wouldn't you know - the next three days he was able to ride every single one of those rides. What's interesting/amazing/weird is that not a single park attendant even asked to measure him. They must have laser sights for eyeballs.

And I'm glad to report that he survived without any trauma or physical harm.

 

[tigerdragon]

My 3 year old is right now 39.5 inches tall. We're really hoping for an extra half inch so she can ride Soarin'! Please, please, please, please...

We are in the exact same situation with DD. She is 3 1/2 and I just measured her a couple days ago and she is 39.5 inches tall. And of course we will be there in only 2 weeks. I was hoping for some amazing growth spurt over the last couple months but it looks like it's not going to happen. I'm still hoping that she is able to make it on to the bigger rides but if not, oh well, it gives us all something to look forward to on the next trip.

As far as being strict, yes they are quite strict. We were at Disneyland over the summer and there was a girl who wanted to get on the Indiana Jones ride. She must have just been 1/16" or so too short. To me it looked like her head was touching the bar but the CM actually put her hands on top of the girl's head and flattened her hair down (with the parent's permission) and she just didn't make it. The girl's hair wasn't puffy either.

 

[Forensicmom]

Luckily, she does understand that there's a chance she might not be able to ride those 3 rides. She completely understands about not riding Rock N Roller Coaster, which I think was the only other ride she is not tall enough for. It's not even close, so there's no debating it.

We'll just have to wait and see if she's able to ride. I absolutely would NOT skip them without trying first.

 

[lan3]

I have to say they were not strict at all when I went. My kids are triplets. My boys were 40 inches and they were never measured once. My daughter was maybe 39 and a half inches in shoes and she rode Splash mountain & Test track several times each. We were only stopped twice. We were stopped at Soaring and we left. She was stopped at Splash Mountain getting on the boat. I complained because I said she rode several times already and they shouldn't have made us go through the line and stop her on the boat. The CM let her on after I said that without hesitation. I am shocked at how strict it was for other people but that was not our experience.

 

[anonymouscactus]

Does Disney not have a wristband system for those that are "close to the mark", to prevent re-checking all day?

 

[deegack]

It's funny you say that. After being stuck at a height stick station for a day or two you pretty much know by sight who is tall enough for your ride, give or take about an 1/8" -- if they don't look 1/2" over by sight... check 'em. But even when checking them, you pretty much know the result ahead of time

Does Disney not have a wristband system for those that are "close to the mark", to prevent re-checking all day?

nope parents were switching the wristbands of the kids that were tall enough and giving them to the too short kids to get them on.

 

[maxiesmom]

I'll tell you how weird the whole height thing is - last year at Six Flags Arlington, my 5 year old was barely 42". The first day, they'd consistently pull us off rides after we had already waited in line and boarded so they could measure him, and every single time they said he couldn't ride.

So (safety experts stop reading here) I took a couple of napkins, folded them up, and stuck them in the bottom of his Woody boots.

Wouldn't you know - the next three days he was able to ride every single one of those rides. What's interesting/amazing/weird is that not a single park attendant even asked to measure him. They must have laser sights for eyeballs.

And I'm glad to report that he survived without any trauma or physical harm.

And won't you be happy when in a few years he starts breaking rules that you think are important, because he does not? "But mom, I will never get in a car crash. I don't really need my seatbelt!".

I don't think a fraction of an inch makes a safety difference, but the lesson you teach your children when you as the parent break a safety rule, is a horrible one. And not something I would want to have bite me in the butt further down the road.

 

[RMulieri]

They are very strict.If they allow too short children to ride ,it is their JOB on the line.I understand the frustration ( I have a short short kid)especially when everyone else can ride, but prepare her now that she may not be able to ride.As for "helping" my short kid,I tell her that she is too short and can ride maybe next time,helping her handle disappointment is a pretty good life lesson

 

[verdi73]

We always measure our child before we go and then tell him what rides he can't ride yet, and then talk about ALL the rides he can ride. We also tell him to be patient and that we will go again and eventually he will be able to ride everything.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My youngest DD is very short for her age (7). She is currently 43 1/2 to 43 3/4" tall. We're hoping she can grow the last 1/4 to 1/2" to be able to ride a few more rides.

If it's really really close, will they let her go? Or are they extremely strict about this?

What does everyone else do to "help" their kids?

They are very strict.

I "help" my kids by explaining that the are close but likely cannot ride and cannot ride until they are tall enough. Then they have fun playing on the playground or doing an alternate activity while we wait for the rest of the group. I "help" their awareness by marking the growth chart with ride heights so they know how close they are or are not. I also "help" them understand that Disney has the official final say on the matter.

 

[Laketravis]

And won't you be happy when in a few years he starts breaking rules that you think are important, because he does not? "But mom, I will never get in a car crash. I don't really need my seatbelt!".

I don't think a fraction of an inch makes a safety difference, but the lesson you teach your children when you as the parent break a safety rule, is a horrible one. And not something I would want to have bite me in the butt further down the road.

I was wondering when the flamers were going to surface. First of all, he better never call me "mom" because I'm his dad. And apparently a "horrible" one at that - shame on me for not realizing that a fraction of an inch in regards to an amusement is comparable to breaking seat belt laws.

But if that were really the case, none of us would have any butts left because of all the bites taken out of them.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I was wondering when the flamers were going to surface. First of all, he better never call me "mom" because I'm his dad. And apparently a "horrible" one at that - shame on me for not realizing that a fraction of an inch in regards to an amusement is comparable to breaking seat belt laws.

But if that were really the case, none of us would have any butts left because of all the bites taken out of them.

What, you aren't perfect? Shame on you!

 

[Laketravis]

What, you aren't perfect? Shame on you!

 

[BBandDisney]

 

[Akwafunk]

We always measure our child before we go and then tell him what rides he can't ride yet, and then talk about ALL the rides he can ride. We also tell him to be patient and that we will go again and eventually he will be able to ride everything.

Exactly. Also, it's the CM saying no, not you, which seems to be easier to handle for most kids. Still. I am not looking forward to the little peanut learning he can't do the Star Wars ride.

 

[tjmw2727]

Exactly. Also, it's the CM saying no, not you, which seems to be easier to handle for most kids. Still. I am not looking forward to the little peanut learning he can't do the Star Wars ride.

FWIW the old star tours ride offerd a non moving version for kids under the height minimum. Not sure they still offer this since the re-hab but it never hurts to ask right?