How strict are they?

[pkr1209]

Does anyone have an idea of how strict they are about height requirements? My son is 39 3/4" with shoes on. Do you think they'll give us a hard time about that? Does anyone have similar experience? Thanks!

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

If they think he's close then they'll measure him. If he isn't as tall as the line, even if it's close, then they will tell you no.

 

[disney111]

They are strict about it...even if he's a little under he won't get to ride.

 

[One Year Pin]

Here's my opinion on height and being close.

Is your child's safety really that unimportant that you would take a chance because of an inch or a half inch. (I don't mean you personally pkr1209. Just parents in general.) The height requirements are there for a reason. I would rather make my child wait a year (or 5) rather than take a chance on them slipping out of the lap bar on a ride, or screaming bloody murder and ruining everyone elses good time because they were too scared.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

If they think he's close then they'll measure him. If he isn't as tall as the line, even if it's close, then they will tell you no.

Yep...last year my ds Joey's head just fit under the measure stick - I mean you could maybe put a piece of paper in there and they would not let him on SM. So we rode TTA instead and I told them that this year they would be able to ride.

 

[staticgirl50]

Here's my opinion on height and being close.

Is your child's safety really that unimportant that you would take a chance because of an inch or a half inch. (I don't mean you personally pkr1209. Just parents in general.) The height requirements are there for a reason. I would rather make my child wait a year (or 5) rather than take a chance on them slipping out of the lap bar on a ride, or screaming bloody murder and ruining everyone elses good time because they were too scared.

I don't think parents are wanting to risk the safety of their children and though your comment may not be directed at the OP, I think it is pretty out of line for you to make that statement.

It is very hard for a 4 or 5 yr old to understand that they cannot go on a ride, and when they see tons of kids that are very close to their age and height, they don't want to hear that they can't go on it. And when the child is crying and freaking out because they can't get on the ride they want to go telling that it is for their own safety. Yeah, they don't want to hear that.

I also feel that the height requirements are all over the board at WDW. I cannot believe the requirement for ToT is 40" is the same as Dinosaur. ToT is a lot scarier and IMO does require a taller height requirement than Dinosaur. A child could easily sit between two Adults on Dinosaur and be safe.

 

[One Year Pin]

If you have seen as many parents try to circumvent the system with their kids so that they could ride Space Mountain you wouldn't think my statement was out of line. I have seen parents actually hold their kids up off the ground or on their tiptoes in order to get them on the ride. Even after the CM explains that the height requirement is there for the safety of the child, the parent will argue and threaten.

I'm a parent. I have had three boys and I know what its like to explain to them that they are not able to ride because they weren't tall enough.

As for the height requirement being all over the place, I don't know what criteria they use, but I'm sure that Disney is just being extra careful in this "sue-happy" society that we live in today.

When I first rode Space Mountain in 1975, I was 13 and my younger brother was 11. There was no lap bar. Just a seat belt that ran across your hips. At one point, my brother's seatbelt came unbuckled. If he hadn't been sitting directly between my knees and I was able to hold onto him, he would have flown out of the car during the ride. So I can completely understand why someone too small should not be allowed to ride. There can be real danger on some of the rides if the safety rules are not being followed. It just seems like some parents don't care about that. They just want their child to go on the ride. I just don't understand it and I see it EVERY day.

 

[christa112]

I can understand your nervousness but that happened in 1975.

Things have come a long way since then. I mean in 1975 people weren't required to wear seatbelts while driving, we didn't have airbags in our cars, everyone smoked every where in malls, offices it was even ok for women to drink and smoke while pregnant.

OP was not talking about picking her child up to make the height requirement he child was off my 1/4 inch.

 

[turnlisa]

I am one of the parents whose child has been turned away for being a little short. My youngest DS is small for his age so even at 6, a CM usually stops to measure him. Luckily, he is now tall enough to ride almost everything but prior to this year, we did have to explain to him that he was too small. I think if you prepare your child: "We'll check to see if you are tall enough. If you are, you will get to ride. If not, you and Mom will find something fun to do." everything seems to go a lot smoother.

I personally don't feel that Disney is being overboard on their requirements. I would much rather err on the side of caution then put my child in danger. I also feel sorry for the CMs when parents give them a hard time. I have seen many a parent tell the CM, "Come on...you can let him ride. He's not that far below the line." Drives me crazy since I know the CM is only doing his/her job. So for the OP, maybe try to stretch him before you go...although my youngest keeps saying this doesn't work. Either way you will have a wonderful time regardless if your DS doesn't get to go on the big rides. Have a great trip!

 

[LillersMom]

Last time we went my youngest DD's hair hit the sitck so the CM held down her ponytail to see exactly how tall she was and told us she was too short to ride. I thougth that was going a little far. But, yet on Test Track the CM said...ok your fine! Go figure!