suggestions for vertically challenged child?

[megandgarr]

I almost hate to post this because I have seen how controversial this subject can be. My 4 year old very petite son is a smidge under the 40 inch mark, and I mean a smidge. You can probably fit a toothpick between the top of his head and the 40 inch mark (with his shoes on). Anyhow, it is so close that I am afraid one of the CM's may not allow him to ride. And my little guy has been preparing for months (by eating all of his veggies) to be able to go on Splash Mountain. I already bought shoes for him with the thickest sole possible. And before anyone wonders, I certainly wouldnt put him at risk by allowing him to ride anything that I didnt feel was safe. I am just talking about Splash Mountain and a difference of a toothpick (lol). Does anyone know if such thing exists? I am looking for inserts, or something that would slide into a size 9 child shoe that will give him just enough of a lift to put him at the 40 inch mark. Any suggestions, please? I can add a hat to make up the difference, but if a CM requests that he take it off for measuring, I am afraid he wont be allowed on. We leave in about 2 weeks, so eating more veggies isnt going to make a difference at this point. Thanks!!!!

 

[Horizons16]

put toothpicks in his shoes???

 

[megandgarr]

Never thought of that. What an idea!!!!!

 

[WickedWench]

I don't think you're endangering your child for that slim of a difference in height. But I do think that it sends a dangerous message, by teaching your child to bend safety rules. We may have enough experience to know when a safety rule can be bent, but you child likely won't. If the difference is so slight, let the CM's make the call. He will probably get on some rides, and not on others.

 

[megandgarr]

I totally agree with that. If I were to find something to slip in his shoes, I would want it to be totally transparent to him (or at least I wouldnt tell him why it is there). That is not an example I would want to set for him. And he will most likely get on the 40 inch min rides, however this is more for the peace of mind to be sure that he wont be denied a ride and have to face disappointment. But honestly, if I felt that this very small variance would put him in danger, I would not even consider allowing him to ride Splash Mountain. I dont think a centimeter is going to make a difference to his safety if I am holding on to him for dear life. Even if he meets the height requirement (per the CM's discretion) I would not allow him to ride on Space Mountain.

 

[brenda1966]

Megandgarr, I'm in the same boat as you... bought my DD some thick soled shoes and am hopeful we'll be able to get on Soaring and Splash Mountain. I can tell you first hand how awful it is to have the child in line and have the ride attendant tell them they can't ride. This happened to us at Six Flags and I told DD that she wasn't tall enough but she wanted to stand in line. I was on the ride and could hear her screaming and crying. An hour later, every time she'd see the ride she couldn't go on she'd start crying again. Not a fun thing.

I'm hoping it's possible to tell before we stand in line if she's going to pass the measurement.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Looking at it from another angle... I'd hate to set your child up for disappointment, just in case he can't get on the ride. If he gets on - then great, but if not, maybe you can talk to him about Disney rules, and if he can't get on that ride, what does he want to go on, and make that special for him - or do another treat that would be special to him. If he doesn't make it this year, then that would be something to look forward to for your next visit.

 

[noryglory]

Surely they post the height requirement measuring thingy at the front of the ride BEFORE you get in line?!? Most theme parks do that as courtesy. I wouldn't make a big deal out of his height when you get to the boats and just try to jump on and play dumb if they stop you and measure him.

I know you're not trying to bend the rules from a safety standpoint but I do agree with the others esp. Mary Jo--use it as a learning experience if you have to, and find something else special to do. Heck, he's at Disneyland! How disappointed can he be for very long? AND, it can definitely be something to look forward to next time.

Our family is blessed with very tall people, so I really can't relate--we have the opposite problem of a son with ample height but a young age, hence a fear of some rides that he CAN physically go on but mentally won't! But if I were you I would certainly prepare him for not getting on the ride so he understands that it might not happen.

 

[ralfrick]

When my son was closing in on 46", I took a tape measure to the store to make sure his new shoes would have him at that height. Sole thickness varies, and I'm not just talking about those Gene Simmons Monster thick heels you bought on ebay. A kid that's tall enough in tennis shoes may not be with thin soled sandals, and what shoes you wear in that case will not suddenly take you from comfort and joy to mortal peril.

Well, there is a cobra measuring device before the Indy Queue, and the CM was just able to wiggle a postcard between the cobra and the boy's head, so we were turned away. Later we came back with a folded map in his shoes, and I have absolutely zero regrets.

Cheers.

PS: Heelies

 

[Glynis]

Looking at it from another angle... I'd hate to set your child up for disappointment, just in case he can't get on the ride. If he gets on - then great, but if not, maybe you can talk to him about Disney rules, and if he can't get on that ride, what does he want to go on, and make that special for him - or do another treat that would be special to him. If he doesn't make it this year, then that would be something to look forward to for your next visit.

We were in the same position 2 years ago when we were planning a trip with our family. My son was then a smidge short of the 40 inch line, too. We told him that we would let him try to get on any ride he wanted, but if the CM's told him no, that was the end of it. He was fine with this until we hit Soarin'. At this point, we found out that his best friend/cousin was being allowed on the ride, but Jacob was too small. That was such a hard thing for Jacob to deal with. I took him aside and told him we were going to have some alone time. While everyone else went on Soarin' I took him to Flik's Fun Fair and we just did what he wanted to until the rest of the group met up with us. Jacob was disappointed at not going on the ride, but felt really special with some one on one time with mom.

As long as you explain there's the possibility of his not going on the 40 inch rides, it should be ok. Just make other things as special as the rides.

Good luck!

 

[Albertan mom]

If you get to the ride, and they turn him away, memorize what the CM looks like, and try again when it is another CM. They are all different in 'giving a little'. Splash Mountain is great, but I wouldn't let my small child on Space Mountain, I heard it is so jerky and rough, I would wait on it (it was getting fixed when we were there, maybe it is better now. ) Hopefully he can get on! Have a great time!
The hair spiking idea-good!!

On a side note-
My daughter-9 was tall enough to go on California Screaming, and she liked it, but she said her head got slammed all over the place. So just because they are tall enough for some, doesn't nessecarily (sp?) mean they are strong enough, or ready!

 

[RADOPT]

I think I saw some of those cushioned inserts at a children's shoes store. if the differents is that small they shoule help. you can also go to nordstrons and get the inserts that keep your heel from slipping in high heal shoes but they are pretty thin so you would need a few.

 

[megandgarr]

Thanks for the encouragement. If he doesnt get on Splash Mountain, I think he will be ok. We have definitely warned him that there is a possibility that he may not, and he understands. If he cant make it on this trip, I am hoping he has a growth spurt between mid October and December (we are going again in December), so I should be able to pacify him with that. I bought some adult inserts that I will cut down to size and see if that helps. If it doesnt, then what will be will be and I will leave it up to the CM. But I will surely make sure that we measure him before we get in line.

I really like the folded up map idea. That gave me a laugh. Thanks!

 

[tinkerbell13]

I just stuffed TP in the bottom of my DS's shoes, I know this is "wrong" but I did it.
These type of posts always remind me of a patient(14) we had at the hospital who had a form of dwarfism and wanted to go on Indiana Jones so bad, he went to walmart and bought some Mary Kate and Ashley huge heeled things, and he was still too short. I will forever feel bad that he never got to ride it, He died last year.

 

[jlima]

Later we came back with a folded map in his shoes, and I have absolutely zero regrets.

You rock!! What a great idea!!

 

[Albertan mom]

I just stuffed TP in the bottom of my DS's shoes, I know this is "wrong" but I did it.
These type of posts always remind me of a patient(14) we had at the hospital who had a form of dwarfism and wanted to go on Indiana Jones so bad, he went to walmart and bought some Mary Kate and Ashley huge heeled things, and he was still too short. I will forever feel bad that he never got to ride it, He died last year.

That is too sad. You think they would make special considerations for people like that. So you have a child who is tall, and really skinny, and can't handle being thrown around because she is fragile, weak. Then you have a person who is short, but stronger, solid. And they can't go on, even though physically they can handle it better.
Not fair.

As a mother, I would never do anything to put my child in harms way. But for a few millimeters, darn rights I would be stuffing their shoes, and trying with every different cast member that was working!!

 

[hookem59]

We once used a couple of paper towels folded up--did the trick quite nicely. If your child is that close, maybe just thick socks or an extra pair will do the trick.

 

[MateasMom]

Oh, we have Disneyland shoes for sure. The only ride with height restrictions my DD even wants to go on really is Soarin (which is a weenie ride IMO LOL and not a concern at all). She was able to go one when she was wearing her Skechers so we thought she was finally tall enough and the next trip we didn't think twice about her choice of shoes. Well, she wasn't tall enough So, now Disneyland is a flip flop and Converse free zone for her

Do they make those things for kids that adults put in their shoes. I think they're so they don't smell as bad or maybe for cushion. I have no idea Those Dr Scholls things. Or maybe you could cut up and adult one and put it in his shoes. Maybe it would make his feet more comfortable or smell better too. Two birds with one stone Oh, and he must be petite...size 9 shoes My 4YO must be a bigfoot. She wears an 11.

 

[megandgarr]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the ideas and to know that others have experienced this same thing. I posted this same question on another site and I about got burned at the stake for thinking such a thing. I bought some of the odor eater type insoles and will cut them down to size.

Funny thing is that my son is 4 1/2 and his size 9 shoes that we just bought him (because they are a bit higher sole than most boy tennis shoes) and they are even too big. So I really need the inserts to help them fit a little tighter as well. He is a very petite boy. Still wearing a size 3T in pants/shorts.

Again, thanks for making me not feel like a criminal or the most unethical, cheating person in the world.

 

[LucyKate]

The height restrictions are there for a reason - but I can't see what difference a fraction of an inch will make to safety (and, IMHO, in most cases the height restrictions actually seem to be a de facto age restriction).

As the parent it's entirely your call as to what you think your child is capable of (I know, for example, that no matter how tall, my 10 YO would not handle Screamin!).

Best tip I've seen for this was in the Unofficial Guide which was to put those cushioned inserts into the shoes (maps etc should do fine) but ONLY for the ride and measurement.

Walking around with those things in all day will cause the wearer to walk in a funny way and will likely hurt their feet and legs, so remember to take them out.