How strict on height requirement?

[OliviasMommy10]

I'm assuming they're really strict on this. I measured my daughter last week and she was 39 inches tall... We go to Disney in a month. The height requirement for a few rides (big thunder mountain, splash mountain, etc.) is 40 inches. What are our chances?

 

[Kona65]

I'm assuming they're really strict on this. I measured my daughter last week and she was 39 inches tall... We go to Disney in a month. The height requirement for a few rides (big thunder mountain, splash mountain, etc.) is 40 inches. What are our chances?

To be very blunt, if she doesn't measure up, she won't be allowed to ride. In this cause, close does not count.

 

[Princesca]

If she doesn't make the requirement, I wouldn't be too upset. It's for her own safety, after all. They set those for a reason (insurance liability) but those height requirements are chosen because that's the safety standard for that particular ride.

 

[brios86]

When the child is very close, they usually measure twice. Once before you get in line and once again before you actually get on. You have to pass both.

 

[momtoejanda]

two words---big shoes


My daughter was dying to go on Primeval Whirl on our last trip but was just a little to short. We went back to AK later that week and I told her to wear different shoes. It worked, it was just enough to push her over the mark.

But I do agree, safety requirements are there for a purpose, I wouldnt have her sneak on or stand on her tip toes etc....Or even argue with the CM, I have seen that lots of times.

 

[alice99]

Get her some sneakers with a nice thick sole, that should push her up an inch!

 

[smitch425]

She will be measured in many cases by two different CMs. Once at line entry and one at ride loading (to avoid any sneaking into the line to try to avoid measurement). Get her some regular soled shoes (not paper thin sandals and not high heels) and have her practice standing up very straight. Also, people shrink as the day goes on, so your best chance will be early in the day. Prepare her for the chance that she might not make the cut. The restriction is there for SAFETY. Also, if she doesn't make it, you can ask the CM for a little card that they can keep for the next trip when they will be big enough. They are very cute...here's a post from a recent thread with pics of the cards...

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=41780249&postcount=19

Good luck and happy planning!

 

[Tara922c]

She may grow a little bit in a month, and with shoes on, she may hit the 40 inch mark. Being said, if she is too short, they will not let her ride. Some CM's are going to be more strict than others. Example, last vacation dd measured 35 inches at her 3 year check up. (she is tiny). I was excited because I knew she could ride Barnestormer! The CM measured her as we entered, and she was right at the line, and he let us through. The CM loading the ride stopped us, and measured her, and let us through. She loved it, and since there was no line, we went to ride it again. This time there was a new CM at the front, who stopped, us, measured DD, and said "no go". I was very irritated, because dd was right at the line, and we just rode it. I said, "but we just got on it, we were measured twice, she is tall enough!" He said, "not on my watch". (I think he was on a power trip, and was super rude about the whole thing).

I would tell your dd that she is too short to ride those rides before you go. Have her wear her sneakers with thick soles, and first thing in the morning, see if she is tall enough, but keep reminding her that more than likely she can't ride.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Very, it is for the kid's safety.

 

[Brian Noble]

There aren't many things that can get a Cast Member fired more or less on the spot, but letting an under-height guest on an attraction is one of them.

 

[ddavey4923]

Get her some sneakers with a nice thick sole, that should push her up an inch!

Like I was told 250 times when asking if passing a 3 year old as 2 was OK, riding a ride when you know your kid isn't tall enough is immoral and unethical. It is breaking the rules and if you know she isn't tall enough, she shouldn't ride.

 

[OliviasMommy10]

Thanks for the reply's everyone. I'm not trying to break any rules, and I understand the requirements are for safety. I was just basically asking if it was worth a shot, chances are she won't grow an inch in a month at 3 years old. Either way she is super excited to go

 

[kimmylaj]

dd measured 39 1/2 last year and we told her she probably wouldnt reach the stick. she knew ahead of time that she probably wouldnt make it and she was okay with it. i think if we hadnt warned her it would have been worse. bad news is she just turned 5 and is 40 and 1/4 inch according to pediatrician. i am still afraid she wont make it but this trip is a surprise so hopefully we will be ok

 

[alice99]

Like I was told 250 times when asking if passing a 3 year old as 2 was OK, riding a ride when you know your kid isn't tall enough is immoral and unethical. It is breaking the rules and if you know she isn't tall enough, she shouldn't ride.

Seriously? .... I guess if they make her take her shoes off to measure her, but aren't most kids measured with their shoes ON?

As far as passing off a 3 year old as a 2 year old, I never did that, and don't know what you are talking about.

 

[mesaboy2]

Seriously? .... I guess if they make her take her shoes off to measure her, but aren't most kids measured with their shoes ON?

Yes. But if the shoes are obviously designed to boost height and the CMs notice it, they may very well ask the shoes be removed.

 

[danceintherain]

Keep in mind that we're all taller in the mornings. Therefore, she might make the cut for the ride in the morning, and the same evening be rejected.

If I was in your position, I would plan the really important height restricted rides first thing in the morning.

If only you had Willy Wonka's taffy pulling machine!

 

[huffjoann]

there are only about 100 posts here to talk about this. there is a possibility she might hit a growth spurt and be good to go,, otherwise she will be measured 2x, to ensure. So to save everyone a big ole headache if she is barely scraping by I might avoid the ride. I would hate to wait, get all the way to the end and hit measure station #2 and be told sorry you cannot ride. I think that would be worse than finding out upon que entry.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

One piece of advice that someone posted on another thread was to tell your child to try to touch the measuring stick at the top instead of fit under it. Sometimes kids duck a little to not hit the stick - she needs to know to stand up tall and not shrink away from the measuring stick.

The CMs have been known to ask kids to remove hats and shoes and even squish down poufy ponytails. Put her in regular sturdy shoes (like tennis shoes), not platform shoes and not flip flops. If she is wearing regular shoes, she might be tall enough, because they do typically measure with shoes on.

Good luck, OP, and if she is a little too short, she will have new rides to look forward to next time! I agree with the PPs to prepare her in advance that she might not be able to ride.

 

[LaurenT]

She may not grow an inch, but with sneakers instead of sandals, sh may hit 40"....and it's really fine to do that. They account for sneakers - they don't make kids take sneakers off (unless they look like platform shoes I guess).
I thought Becky would be too short when she was approaching 40" and then again when she was approaching 48"...both times she hit the mark at Disney. The measuring device is right there at the entrance to the ride - so go ahead and check her - kjust make sure she knows she may not get to ride.

 

[kamik86]

Is she 39 now with or without shoes? If that is without shoes she has a good chance with normal shoes of being tall enough.

I would recommend that if you get to a ride you would like to try to see if she is tall enough but the line is long to fastpass it. I would imagine it wouldn't be quite as bad to be turned away after waiting 5 min as it would if you waited 30.