measuring for rides

[nuzmom]

We went to WDW with DS#1 when he was 3yr 6 mnth, he was 39 1/2". We are now going with DS#2, at 3 yr 5 mnth, he is EXACTLY 40". Both measurements are with shoes on.

I think size at birth has nothing to do with it, both DSs where fairly large (9#9oz and 8#14oz). At age 3, DS#1 was in the 50% height range and DS#2 is slightly taller.

So my GUESS is that even an average 4 year old or a tall 3 1/2 yr old will make 40" (barely).

Having said all of that, we had a blast with our 39 1/2" DS#1 when we went. Splash mountain was the ONLY thing we would have even considered taking him on that he wasn't tall enough to ride. Being our 1st child, we just didn't do the tall rides and he didn't know any different. (DS#1 was slightly "timid")

DS#2 is a TOTALLY different case. He will be CRUSHED if he's not tall enough for the "big" rides. He has a very physical nature and thinks he should do whatever his big brother does (there's 5 years between them!!!!). We're trying to prepare him, but he just doesn't "get it". Right now, he WANTS to ride everything. Loud noises and scary things is what we'll watch out for with him. Splash mountain will be right up his alley.

Hope that helps a bit.

 

[etwinchester]

My DD is 4 1/2 and is about 41".

We just returned from Knoebels and she wanted to ride the roller coasters (with an adult). She wore her hiking boots since we were camping there. As we got measured, she just made it to the 42" mark (barely). She had the best time and rode them about 5 times.

Last year, age 3, she cried because she was too short. I don't think she is afraid of anything.

Can't wait till our next trip to Disney. She should be tall enough for everything then...

 

[aerin]

We just got back and my youngest (6) was two sheets of paper too short for Primeval Whirl, but made it on Rock n' Roller Coaster just fine.

I know she's at least 48.5" if not 49" in shoes (just regular tennies) and they were the same shoes both times so I'm not sure if she just didn't stand as tall as she could or if the measuring sticks are different.

After she didn't make Primeval though my mom told her the next time she had to stand under the measuring stick to take a deep breath and you know - she did stand up taller when she did that. So that might be something to try with kids on the cusp.

She loved Rock n' Roller coaster but it seemed like every corner we went around in line they'd pull her out and re-measure her!!