Is 40" really 40" when measured in parks?

[kohlby]

I've seen that 40" doesn't seem to always be 40" in the Disney Parks. I've read the threads about kids being measured 40" at the start of the line but less than 40" when they hit the end. And that 40" in bare feet kids have even had problems being too short for 40" rides in sneakers in Disney.

I'm curious to know what your experiences were in IOA and Universal. Last time we went, our barely 40" child easily got through the Spiderman line easily. Six months later, he got through the 42" for Men in Black about ten times though I thought he was about a third of an inch below 42" in his shoes. So my experience was that there was no problems at all - but that was three years ago. My daughter is currently a smidge under 40" in sneakers - like less than a peice of paper width below. We're leaving in few weeks so I expect her to grow that smidge but not expecting much more. I'm not about to do anything special to get her taller other than to tell her stand up straight and do the 40" rides in the morning.

 

[Purseval]

It depends on the TM doing the checking, some will check anyone they feel is close and others don't go after the kids unless it's blatantly obvious they are too small. As long as you're willing to let your child get kicked off of a ride for being a hair too short you don't have to do anything special. When my son was borderline we put some paper in the heels of his sneakers, problem solved. After he left the ride, paper out until the next measurement, no sore feet.

 

[macraven]

i had a friend that had their child measured at guest services and given something to show the ride operators to prove their height was 40".

this took away the stress the parents had when the child was measured for each ride.
no disappointments for the family by having a TM state the child did not measure the required inches.

 

[kohlby]

"i had a friend that had their child measured at guest services and given something to show the ride operators to prove their height was 40"."
When was this? I wasn't aware that they did this.

 

[phamton]

i had a friend that had their child measured at guest services and given something to show the ride operators to prove their height was 40".

this took away the stress the parents had when the child was measured for each ride.
no disappointments for the family by having a TM state the child did not measure the required inches.

Even if the child is measured at Guest services it is always up to the ride operator to determine if the child is tall enough or not. The team member at ride load has the final say. They are the ones who are ultimately responsible for ride safety not Guest services.