Measuring for 40 inches

[ksc37]

Before I left for my trip to WDW last week, I was reading a few posts regarding the 40 inch limit on Splash Mtn and Big Thunder Mtn, and the accuracy with which they measure.

I thought I would let people know that they now have fixed measuring sticks in place on a level surface, so that measuring is consistent and fair (no more cast members with long wooden sticks).

My DS (3 years) was measuring just at 40 inches barefoot before we left, and close to 41 with his shoes on. I was worried that he wouldn't measure up when we got there, because I'd heard that the measuring sticks 'adjusted' for shoes... meaning they were really set at about 41 inches.

Well, I am pleased to report that he cleared them with about 3/4" to spare, and that nobody even questioned his height on these rides (I did see some slightly shorter children being measured).

 

[Butch50]

A couple of years ago, my DS was 5 and right at 48" tall. He and his older cousins wanted to ride RnR. There was a CM at the entrance to the line that used a stick and said he was tall enough. Then, another CM checked him with a stick as he was about to get into the car, and said he was too short. As you can imagine, DS got very upset, and I asked to speak to a supervisor.

The supervisor was polite, but said that he would have to miss RnR this time. To help matters, she gave him a certificate to move to the front of the line for when he met the height requirement and he wanted to ride. We still have the certificate and plan on using it in October.

Now, we will just have to see if his little sister will meet the 40" requirement for SM and TM. It's gonna be close.

 

[dlaushey]

I have two small DD's and we have worked around this rule by having them wear platform shoes/sandles. Although the shoes have been noticed many times by CM's only one time have we been turned away (Mission Space). The 1st CM said she was ok to ride, the 2nd/3rd asked her to take off her shoes. We knew she wouldn't make it so she just left and waited with me. She was allowed to ride other 44" rides during that trip with the shoes, just not MS. Maybe in November or December??? My older DD uses similar shoes for 48" rides. Also, if the shoes are uncomfortable to walk in we keep a comfortable pair in our backpack and then change before walking up to the ride.

 

[SandrainNC]

Since the required height restrictions are there for safety reasons, I do not personally feel that it is a good idea to wear taller shoes just to get on a ride. The restrictions are there so no one gets slung out, so safety bars work correctly, etc. This isn't meant to offend anyone, I just don't think it is a good idea.

Sandra

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by dlaushey
I have two small DD's and we have worked around this rule by having them wear platform shoes/sandles. Although the shoes have been noticed many times by CM's only one time have we been turned away (Mission Space). The 1st CM said she was ok to ride, the 2nd/3rd asked her to take off her shoes. We knew she wouldn't make it so she just left and waited with me. She was allowed to ride other 44" rides during that trip with the shoes, just not MS. Maybe in November or December??? My older DD uses similar shoes for 48" rides. Also, if the shoes are uncomfortable to walk in we keep a comfortable pair in our backpack and then change before walking up to the ride.

The new more permanent measuring stations are great!

I can report first hand that I have seen more CM's asking for
higher soled shoes to be removed. They have always asked that the child remove the hat and measure to the head, not the hair. On our past trip we saw children asked to remove high soled sneakers as well as "platform" sandles. Remeber the CM is doing a job and making sure that all riders meet safety guidelines.

My dd is just 48" so we will have to wait and see how she measures for RnRC as she really wants to ride. She already knows that if she is not up to the stick she will not ride. I personally would not risk the safety of my child for a 2 minute ride, YMMV.

TJ