Question about Height Requirements

[cfrith5]

Our 4 yr old son is exactly 41 inches without his shoes on. How likely do you think it is he'll be able to go on the 42 inch rides?

 

[cfrith5]

Okay, I just looked it up and the only 2 he'd be close to missing at 42 inches are Goofy's Sky School and GRR. So not too much.

 

[ArchOwl]

Indiana Jones is 46 inches and California Screamin' is 48 inches to ride.

Additionally, you should be prepared that when you arrive, he may not measure as tall as he does at home.

 

[starshine514]

Those are two of our favorites! DD5 has been riding them since last summer, but for some reason only measured 40.5" at the doctor's office in January of this year. Have him wear tennis shoes (rather than flip-flops with a really thin sole) and tell him in advance that he might not be tall enough. Also, try early in the day (when he's a little taller). DD5 always gets measured at GRR, but only sometimes at GSS.

 

[cfrith5]

Those are two of our favorites! DD5 has been riding them since last summer, but for some reason only measured 40.5" at the doctor's office in January of this year. Have him wear tennis shoes (rather than flip-flops with a really thin sole) and tell him in advance that he might not be tall enough. Also, try early in the day (when he's a little taller). DD5 always gets measured at GRR, but only sometimes at GSS.

Well that's good to know! I'll tell him it's not for sure, but it sounds like he'll probably be fine! Thanks!

 

[MommaMouseketeer]

My son measures 42.5" at home with his shoes on.

He just barely made it in the 40" rides. If he didn't have his shoes on or didn't stand up perfectly straight, he didn't make it in the 40" rides. We got turned away from 40" rides twice because he wouldn't stand up straight. On both those rides, we went back later when he was more compliant and had no problem getting in.

I read that the measuring sticks are taller than reality at Disneyland, but I didn't believe it until I saw it myself.

 

[xsuki000]

Why do they do that?

 

[coaches24]

My daughter measures 40.5 in tall with her shoes on and she was able to ride all the 40" rides that we tried (Splash, BTMRR, ST, Soarin). Never had an issue. Her head just barely touched the measuring stick each time. looked to me like they were very consistent with the measuring. We rode ST several times and they measured every time. BTMRR twice, Soarin 3 or 4 times. Everytime her head hit exactly the same way on every measuring stick.

 

[cfrith5]

My son measures 42.5" at home with his shoes on.

He just barely made it in the 40" rides. If he didn't have his shoes on or didn't stand up perfectly straight, he didn't make it in the 40" rides. We got turned away from 40" rides twice because he wouldn't stand up straight. On both those rides, we went back later when he was more compliant and had no problem getting in.

I read that the measuring sticks are taller than reality at Disneyland, but I didn't believe it until I saw it myself.

Wow, that's strange.

 

[GrandBob]

Why do they do that?

To account for the thick soled shoes that everyone's always putting their kids into to try to beat the measuring sticks. It can turn into kind of an arms race, but with feet

-Bob

 

[cfrith5]

To account for the thick soled shoes that everyone's always putting their kids into to try to beat the measuring sticks. It can turn into kind of an arms race, but with feet

-Bob

 

[LisaT91403]

We were in the parks yesterday. DD4 (little guy) was only 38 1/2 at his doctor's appt 2 months ago. So I figured there was no way he would make the 40" rides this time around, even with his shoes on.

When on our way to Winnie the Pooh, we stopped and measured at Splash just for the heck of it. And he made it! We also measured at Silly Symphony Swings and Soarin', both of which were good. But the Jellyfish ride was a no-go. Funny, isn't it? The time of day was not a factor. It was also interesting that DS was only measured (at our request) before we actually got in line for Soarin'. The CM measured him carefully (a couple of times), and said he should just barely would make it...and gave us tips and hints for how to make sure DS was standing up tall once we got inside. However, once we were inside, the CM didn't even bother to measure.

 

[obias]

So what were the tips and hints they gave you? My 4 yr old measures 40.5 inches with shoes on...so I need to prepare both of us that she may not be able to ride some things

 

[LisaT91403]

So what were the tips and hints they gave you? My 4 yr old measures 40.5 inches with shoes on...so I need to prepare both of us that she may not be able to ride some things

He had DS turn with his back up against the measuring stick, heels all the way back. Then he had him raise his arms up, like reaching for the sky...it kind of made his whole torso move up a bit when he reached. He suggested we do that inside as well.

And please no flames...this wasn't our idea to "get around" the height requirement or anything. It was something the CM told our son to do. He was wearing completely normal socks and shoes, and we were not trying to get around the system

 

[starshine514]

My DD5 told me the other day that she takes a big breath and makes her back 'flat'. Basically, I think she stands up straight (which may be why she measured shorter at the doctor's office - she knew there wasn't a ride on the other side of that door!)

 

[coaches24]

DD loved getting measured and ran up to every measuring stick she saw to see how tall she was. She would run over turn her back to it and stand up tall and she never had an issue morning or night. She's 40.5 in with shoes. She made the jumpin jelly fish too.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why do they do that?

In our experience, they don't. For DS, the sticks have always been basically right (apart from Jumpin' Jellyfish if memory serves, though now that I think about it, I'm not sure if DS had an issue or if it's just that EVERYONE talks about it...we only went on it once and it was 3 years ago, so memory might be off). Only problem we've had was when the CM pushed down hard on DS's arm, making it possible for the CM to slip a piece of paper above DS's head. Grr.

As bad as that moment was (and I wasn't there to say "hey! hand's off!"...DH gets overwhelmed at those sorts of moments, sigh), it taught DS to *never* take a ride for granted. He can go on all Disney rides and all but two Universal Florida rides, and he still wants to be measured for everything.

He had DS turn with his back up against the measuring stick, heels all the way back. Then he had him raise his arms up, like reaching for the sky...it kind of made his whole torso move up a bit when he reached. He suggested we do that inside as well.

That's a lovely idea! Not cheating, just showing the height the child has in their body.