How strict are they..?

[JJIRmom]

Complete newbie to this site (so I hope im doing this right) but absolutely love it now. But here's my question how strict are they for height requirements? My 4 &1/2 year old is exactly 38" WITH his shoes on, he is a tiny little guy. He is in love with the new 7 dwarves mine train ride & 'has' to ride it. I have my fastpass selection coming up next week & not sure if I should waste a fastpass on it if he cant ride it.

 

[merina888]

Disney is extremely strict with their height requirements because it is an issue of safety. They can measure more than once. Once before getting in line and once before boarding. Kids need to pass both. If you are that close, you may want to prepare your son that he may not be able to ride it. Most people recommend riding in the morning because your spine compresses as the day goes on.

 

[JJIRmom]

Thanks for the response, if everything goes right I am planning on grabbing a fastpass for that before lunch. And yes I have been trying to explain to him that we might not get to ride it, but I know he will be completely bummed if he can't. But he does have 2 more months to grow before we go so I can always hope

 

[smitch425]

Also, make sure he knows that the goal is to hit his head on the bar. Many kids try to duck under it. He needs to touch it.

 

[JJIRmom]

Thanks for the tip I will definitely tell him to do so. I'm sure he would try to go right under it, as that is what he tries to do at the doctors office.

 

[smitch425]

BTW, to Disboards!

 

[Gracie09]

heels together and take a deep breathe. Helps them stand straight and tall

 

[gatormom2tots]

My daughter was JUST under 48 inches our last trip. At primevil whirl(first ride we tried for 48 inches), the literally measured her for 3-4 minutes, and even called in another cm. They are VERY strict! She ended up not getting on! But it is a safety issue and I am glad they took the time to get it right.

 

[lizard1]

Good idea to get a FP for before lunch....remember people shrink throughout the day so he will.be taller earlier than later in the day. Consequently, even if he measures fine at 9 in the morning, he could be denied at 9 in the evening.

 

[kcpinwdw]

Get him some nice thick soled sneakers. My twins are 37.75" right now bare footed. In their keens they are 38" no problems, but in their crocs and some other shoes it is pretty tight. They still have a few weeks to grow too

 

[han22735]

Make yourself a tester. Just a piece of 2x4 with a cross piece right at 38 so he can practice.

 

[mandis77]

Practice at home beforehand standing nice and straight. My youngest was exactly 38" on our last trip and she was able to do 7DMT.

 

[JJIRmom]

Thanks for all the responses. Good idea about having him practice at home standing straight with a tester, never would have thought of that I'm trying to avoid buying him some new thick soled shoes I have already bought so much for this trip...but maybe I could say they will be new school shoes & my hubby won't mind too much..

 

[tink9702]

they are pretty strict. Also keep in mind the measurement for one ride may not be exactly the same as another ride. Honestly there isn't anything saying that 7DMT is EXACTLY 38". My DD is also short and barely made it onto 7 Dwarfs. I'm pretty sure she was 38 1/2" tall and it was first thing in the morning. Ask to try it twice if he doesn't measure the first time.

 

[3Gsandme]

If the CM thinks your child is wearing thick soled shoes to circumvent the measuring process, they can and will ask your kiddo to take off his/her shoes. It's not a given, but it can happen.

 

[RooRach0906]

DD was just at 40" with shoes on last September. We told her we would try but a good chance she would not be able to ride those rides. She did not make it that trip. She stood up straight and tall but was just shy.

She went in January with her grandparents (special trip they do with all the grandkids around 5) and she was able to ride the 40' rides (except Splash it was closed for refurb).

 

[JJIRmom]

That's too bad that she wasn't allowed if you knew she hit the min. requirement. That's my concern too that the measurements there are incorrect. My son doesn't even have a millimeter to spare so hoping they are pretty exact. But my optimistic side is saying he will have a growth spurt before our trip. I just checked his growth chart & he's only grown 1/3 inch since January so he is definitely due for some growing soon, heres to hoping it will be within the next 60 days

 

[nat8199]

That's too bad that she wasn't allowed if you knew she hit the min. requirement. That's my concern too that the measurements there are incorrect. My son doesn't even have a millimeter to spare so hoping they are pretty exact. But my optimistic side is saying he will have a growth spurt before our trip. I just checked his growth chart & he's only grown 1/3 inch since January so he is definitely due for some growing soon, heres to hoping it will be within the next 60 days

I am in pretty much the exact same boat with my twins. They are almost exactly 40 inches barefoot and haven't grown in forever until two weeks ago. We have 57 days and I am really hope that this recent growth continues so that they can ride the rides they will want to ride!

 

[mcjaco]

All you can do is hope for the best, and a growth spurt.

Minimum height requirements are set by the manufacturer, and the State. Florida is known as being very strict with enforcement and fines for such things.

 

[GatorMama]

My 3 year old has about 3/4" before 38" and I don't think he'll make it. But I scheduled Fps for it anyway. I'd rather have them and have my big kid ride extra than not have enough.