"not tall enough" advice

[nataliz]

Hi!

My youngest DD is six. She is a small girl- just now is over 40 inches tall, but not over 43 inches yet.

I am worried that she is not going to be very happy that her brother and sister will get to ride some rides that she can't (RRC, Everest). What are some things that my husband or I can do with her while we are waiting for the rest of the family to get back from those bigger rides?

Also, has anyone ever had the experience where their child who was 40 inches tall was measured at one of the rides (like Splash Mountain) and were told they were not tall enough?

Thanks in advance!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I have a "shorty" too (and am one myself ) My DD is 5 and just over the 40 inch mark (she road 40 inch rides with no problem at all last trip in Jan.)

For right now it isn't a big issue because I think the rides she can't ride would scare her anyway. I was very surpized the new spinning dino ride at AK (I forgt the name, it isn't that great) has a 44 inch limit. I don't think it is that bad. She wanted to ride it, but had no problem when they told her no. I think part of it is we own DVC and she knows there is always a "next time."

Just make sure she is over 40 inches in all the shoes you are taking with you.

 

[crisi]

How about if you try to schedule the "big kids" stuff during special times for her. My daughter and I went to a princess breakfast while Daddy and her taller brother rode Mission:Space. She may want Mommy time at the petting zoo while the sibs ride Everest, or greeting time at Camp Mickey Minnie. She may want to see the Beauty and the Beast show while RnR happens or collect more autographs (MGM is great for autographs under the hat). Make it about doing special stuff for her that her older siblings don't get to do, rather than making it about them getting to do stuff she doesn't get to do.

(And tell her older siblings that if they tease her NO ONE will be riding RnRC and EVERYONE will be getting autographs instead).

 

[nataliz]

Thank you for the advice. I will make sure that we do some things that are just for her instead of waiting around for older brother and sister. Getting autographs and meeting characters is a great idea.


Thanks again!

 

[lovethattink]

When my oldest one was too small to ride Rock N Roller, he was so bummed out. But a CM came to the rescue and gave him a certificate that had a pic of disney characters on the ride. It said something to the effect that I'm not tall enough to ride it, but when I am, I'll be brave enough.

 

[tjmw2727]

We did what the pp's posted including the no teasing rule!

She should be fine on the 40" rides if she is over 40, they are strict but fair.

We always found something close by to all the rides for me and younger dd to do or for her to do with dh. Just check the guide map for rides and or attractions close by that she is interested in - you can always take her for re-rides of favorites as well.

Off hand we would ride TTA and or a re-ride on buzz while others were riding space mountain. ToT and RnRC was easy as we would hit Beauty and the Beast or character meet & greets the others were not interested in. AK, for EE do one of the beautiful walking tours.

Honestly, I loved my "mom & me" time with my youngest at WDW while others were riding. We relaxed and talked and had a great time.

Use fast pass to minimize the waits and have cell phones to re-connect!

Enjoy
TJ

 

[goofy4tink]

Would she be interested in starting a pressed penny collection? You two could do that while the others ride...but no one else gets to do the pressed pennies.only her!!! They have the machines near the rides, in the gift shops, everywhere. My dd started her collection last year and loves adding to it.
Just keep in mind, it isn't the scariness of the ride that the height limit is there for...it's the safety issue. The lap bars/shoulder restraints are designed at a certain level, and those short kids could easily slip out!!! I know Primeval Whirl 'looks' innocuous, but it's a crazy, spinning, dropping, toss you around ride!! I've come off it with bruises!! So I can imagine a small child slipping under that bar. So please, parents, don't try to bypass that limit..it's for your childs safety.
And no, I am not saying anyone here was suggesting doing that....just wanted to put it out there for those who might be tempted to give it a shot.

 

[nickelsfamily]

WE JUST RETURNED FROM DISNEY. ALTHOUGH MY DS 5 IS 42 INCHES, THERE WERE SOME RIDES THAT HE WAS TALL ENOUGH FOR THAT I JUST DIDN'T FEEL HE SHOULD RIDE...LIKE THE ToT. (I DIDN'T WANT HIM TO BE AFFRAID OF THE ELEVATORS)
SO WHEN EVERYONE ELSE RODE THAT AND OTHER BIG KID RIDES, I TOOK HIM FOR AUTOGRAPHS/PICS AND HE LOVED GETTING PRESSED PENNIES! BUT, IF YOU TAKE PP ADVICE, MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE PLENTY OF PENNIES AND QUARTERS BEFORE YOU GO (I CHARGED EVERYTHING, SO THERE WAS NO CASH TO CHANGE IN!!), I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MANY MACHINES THERE WOULD BE AND ONE DAY I RAN OUT AND MY DS WAS SO DISSAPOINTED!! I JUST TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD TO SAVE ROOM FOR PENNIES FROM OTHER PARKS.
ALSO, ANOTHER THING THAT WORKS IS A AM ONLY 5FT TALL, SO I TELL HIM THAT I CAN'T RIDE THE RIDE UNTIL I GROW TALLER! IT WORKS!

 

[mama4]

[/QUOTE]Just keep in mind, it isn't the scariness of the ride that the height limit is there for...it's the safety issue. The lap bars/shoulder restraints are designed at a certain level, and those short kids could easily slip out!!! I know Primeval Whirl 'looks' innocuous, but it's a crazy, spinning, dropping, toss you around ride!! I've come off it with bruises!! So I can imagine a small child slipping under that bar. So please, parents, don't try to bypass that limit..it's for your childs safety.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this. I know a lot of folks (especially first timers) are just looking for info on rides ahead of time so their kids can ride as much as possible and have a great time. I have heard some parents say they try to get there kids on rides they are too small for though and they sometimes succeed. It would worry me too much to put my young children on any big "thrill" type ride. They are very tall boys (2 and 4 yo) and the 4 yo will probably be tall enough to ride some of them next year, but due to safety concerns and the fact that I don't want to scare the daylights out of him, we will pass on the big ones. We'll stick to Barnstormer! Oh, and the Primeval Whirl IS one crazy ride. My 14 yo ds and I went on it last year (expecting a mild roller coaster type ride) and I came off of it with a sore back- it really jerks you around. I imagine it would be very rough on a little one.