strict height requirement for Splash Mtn?

[stonecreekboys]

My son really wants to ride Splash Mtn next month, however he is about two inches under the requirement. Does anyone know how strict they are on this ride? I know they wouldn't let my older son on Space Mtn last year even though he was only 1/4 inch off. I can't bear the tears if my little one cannot ride Splash, but I'm hoping they will just eye his height and not measure. Any suggestions?

 

[BrianD]

The height requirements are pretty much a black and white issue. If he doesn't measure up, then expect that he will not be allowed to ride. I'm sure that it is for insurance reasons & the safety of the guests that they set particular height requirements on some rides.

One thing that might help though, very thick soled shoes.

 

[jk1]

Height requirements are in place for the safety of guests. Safety is the #1 concern of Disney. If your son is 2" too short, he will not be able to ride. Not even thick-soled shoes can make up a 2" deficit. I would prepare him now for the disappointment. He will have something to look forward to on future trips.

 

[tjmw2727]

Very strict - and even if you somehow get into the line past the first CM they will double check and measure anyone who looks close before boarding. I have seen many a dissapointed kiddo who's parents thought they had snuck him/her throught only to be turned away after waiting the line.
TJ

 

[JUST4JENNA]

my daughter was about an inch too short. she made it past the first CM but was stopped once we got to the top. after waiting on the line for 45 minutes, she was devestated that she could not ride.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Very very strict. They can also spot thick soled shoes, teased hair, teased hair with big ribbons, mickey ears, etc. They are a lot of things, but, stupid is not one of them.

 

[undertheradar]

Our youngest daughter was measured before MVMCP and was tall enough. We then went to dinner at LTT and when we returned, she was shorter(gasp). The only excuse that Disney could provide was that the CMs each measured from different elevations. Needless to say, you could hear our daughter screaming the whole time her brother and sister waited to ride. Prepare your child that the next trip should be the one.

 

[ILuvTinkerbelle]

I agree that they are strict. My oldest who is 5.5 will want to ride everything but I am going to check all the heights and tell him no before we even get there. I would rather he be sad, and maybe pick something else special then have a meltdown at the ride. I also agree that there is a reason for the restriction and I for one am not willing to risk it.

It might help if you split up and let your other kids ride with someone else while you and he do something special like get some ice cream.

 

[Dopey'swife]

maybe the 2" thick soled shoes won't work, but you could put him on a strict regimen of Miracle Grow and heavy stretching?? You have a whole month, who knows?

We went in '98 with our not quite yet 4 year old daughter and she was able to ride Splash and Big Thunder Mountains. I wonder if they've recently (within a five years) upped the height?

What a bummer it would be to be turned away. Let's all hope for a 2" growth spurt!

Good luck!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

One thing I noticed outside of a few attractions on my trip in Sept. was fixed measuring devices. With this, and hopefully, it will become a fixture in all the parks, there can be no arguement on either side of height.

 

[JamesD]

I believe Splash Mountain still offers children that are too short to ride a nice certificate that states the next time you visit the World and you're tall enough, you can go to the head of the line to ride. Check it out.

 

[Geoff_M]

One thing I noticed outside of a few attractions on my trip in Sept. was fixed measuring devices. With this, and hopefully, it will become a fixture in all the parks, there can be no arguement on either side of height.

I was glad to see those installed. You aren't at the mercy of how the CM holds the stick. The worst ones were the wooden "L" sticks with the rubber tips on the bottom. The CM's could move the bar up or down an inch depending on how the stick was tilted. Two years ago our then 7 YO was deemed tall enough to ride R-n-R (we measured him at home and he was right at the limit in normal street shoes) and proceeded, but was intially rejected when he returned again as part of a baby swap and a different CM was doing the measuring. We appealed since he had passed once, and was allowed on.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I know it sounds trite, but height DOES make a difference.
2) Rides are designed with safety restraints.
3) The restraints are designed to confine parts of the body.
4) If the child is too small, the chest and neck area are at risk.
5) The restraint may not adequately protect these areas.
6) Better to cry a tad this year than spend may years in pain.

PS -
I design rides, so I do know the physics of bodies in motion.
The ONLY law you can't break is the Law of Physics.
Without proper devices, the body can get injured in a lot of ways.

 

[LoriZH]

The funny thing is, I just got back and we were surprised to see they weren't strict at all. One day on Star Tours this little boy was about 1 1/2" too short and they were trying everything in their power (mother and cm) to get the boy to reach the top of the measuring stick, but it just wasn't going to work so instead of holding up the line anymore, they just let the kid go through and on the ride.

It depends on the cm, I did see the 1/4-1/2" go through a lot but really surprised to see the last one. One kid was just under the stick probably about a 1/4" on Space Mountain and they still let him go on.

2" is kind of a lot, so I wouldn't count on it on Splash Mountain.

 

[crisi]

Yeah, one suggestion is to make sure your younger son doesn't even see Splash. My kids wanted to do all sort of things (including Splash). My daughter is just 40 inches and my son is 44 inches.

Well, the day before we left my daughter fell and got a concussion. No big rides said the doctor, at least not for a few days....

So we just avoided those parts of the parks. We didn't walk over by Dinosaur (which had facinated my son when he was too short) - and had plenty to do in AK.

Eventually we went on Body Wars and they had a good time. And our last day we had Fastpasses for Splash, but the time was still forty minutes away when the kids decided they'd rather go to the pool.

They were so busy, and so distracted, that they really only remembered a few things from their list (Tiki Birds, believe it or not) - and forgot the rest. When they came" home and said "oh we forgot to do xxxx" they finished it up with "but we will do xxxx next time."

Splash is pretty easy to avoid (unless you have a burning desire to eat at Peco's Bills). Take "Shorty" on a few more spins on the Teacups or the Barnstormer while Dad and the older brother do the bigger rides.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by LoriZH
The funny thing is, I just got back and we were surprised to see they weren't strict at all. One day on Star Tours this little boy was about 1 1/2" too short and they were trying everything in their power (mother and cm) to get the boy to reach the top of the measuring stick, but it just wasn't going to work so instead of holding up the line anymore, they just let the kid go through and on the ride.

It depends on the cm, I did see the 1/4-1/2" go through a lot but really surprised to see the last one. One kid was just under the stick probably about a 1/4" on Space Mountain and they still let him go on.

2" is kind of a lot, so I wouldn't count on it on Splash Mountain.

Don't tell my 6yo who WAS 44 inches for 5 of 6 days of our trip and for whatever reason was not allowed on Space Mt, Tuesday as she did not measure up. Same kid, same shoes - unhappy CM -unhappy dd and unhappy mom.

I am thrilled with the new stationary measuring sticks esp at Spl Mtn - the ground is so uneven. My girls are now tall enough for all the rides they like so its not an issue but I would love to see the wristbands come to WDW. It would make the lives of the kids, parents and CM's much easier.

Tj

 

[jiminyfan]

What about Adults who are shorter than the require heigth are they allowed to ride or not? When I worked in an amusement park as a teen this was a very touchy subject with different answers depending which supervisor was on duty.


Any CMs care to answer?

 

[stonecreekboys]

Thanks for all the suggestions, especially the suggestion to get a ride certificate for him. There's no way we can avoid the area because Frontierland and Adventureland are our family's favorite! He is actually two inches without shoes, so who knows, maybe he grew since we measured last month. I realize the requirements are for safety reasons, but Splash does seem to be harmless with a parent holding on tightly. We do that with our five year old. We'll have to do something just for the younger one. By the way, I Luv Tinkerbell, we will be at AS Sports December 2-7. It is our first time staying there.

 

[mrsltg]

It's funny you bring up the topic because my DD wants to go on some of the "big kid" rides. She's right on the borderline, so I planned thick soled sneakers and high pony-tails. My DH then pointed out to me that there is a reason for these restrictions and it's not to be mean. He's right. God forbid something not work right because your child is too small! Dierdre will have to wait for her next WDW trip to go on the thrill rides. Just another reason to go back!

Erin

 

[Kapp]

2 years ago, they were VERY strict at Splash Mt. Our youngest had already ridden Kali Rapids which had the same requirement without any problem (rode it twice in fact.). When we went to Splash Mt., the were very strict. They measured her height on an incline and when I pointed that out (level and she would have made it), the CM just blew us off.

We are going next week and she is DYING to ride it this time.

Kapp