suggestions for vertically challenged child?

[JenJen]

It does bother me that so many people here have slipped Maps, and shoe inserts into Children's Shoes to make them taller. I really believe the height requirements are their for a reason and that if they don't make it the don't make it. This entire thread makes me want to Cry :-(

But to each their own...
JenJen

 

[Albertan mom]

If the OP would have came on here and said her son was an inch too short, I would agree, the height restrictions are there for a reason, and it isn't safe. But she is talking one sixteenth of an inch!! (or less!) (or a millimetre as we Canadians say!)

For a boy that age, you could grow that in a month easily, just so happens she needs him to grow quicker!!

OP- glad you felt supported here!

 

[brenda1966]

I'm glad the OP felt supported here and sorry to hear she was roasted elsewhere. I guess people don't understand that those restrictions follow the 80/20 rule to account for when someone is a bit over or under. It's the same principle that applies to elevator capacities -- if it says it will only hold 1500 lbs, it's not going to break if it's carrying 1510 lbs.

I'll be heading to Target to buy some shoe inserts this weekend. My DD measures exactly 40 inches and I want to be ready in case the DL measurer isn't accurate.

 

[kmsandrbs]

So, I'm really mixed about this thread.

On one hand, thick soled shoes can make the difference for a child (not for the OP), and Disney doesn not make kids take off shoes, so it is not the child's natural height, but the child's adjusted hieight anyway. What difference does it make if the height is adjusted by the thickness of the shoes, or some inserts, or whatever. Shoot, even the time of day could make a difference (go early, when the child can stand stright and isn't tired ).

However, I'm with some of the others about the message that this sends to the kids. Stuffing something in the shoes definitely sends the message that you are doing something to get around the rules. With an older child, you might be able to have an effective conversation about the purpose behind the rules, but not (likely) with a 4yo.

I don't believe it is a defacto age thing. Many rides DO have an age restriction for riders riding alone (or even for infants riding with an adult). And there are tall young children, so it would be setting the 'age' at a very low level for most of those rides (and, as another poster pointed out, restriciting some adults).

The one thing with this that I would say (and the OP seems like she would follow this) is DON'T try to convince the CM. If the CM indicates that the child is not tall enough, whether at the beginning of the ride queue or right before getting on (because they WILL remeasure on many rides), go along without a fuss. And be prepared for this (what, if anything, are you going to do if the child is not tall enough). Whether you think it is safe or not, the CM is just doing her/his job as instructed, and is not allowed to make a safety judgement call.

 

[jlima]

Back in 1997, when DS11 was 3, I remember getting a hand stamp at Star Tours from the CM working the door with the height stick. All we had to do was show the hand stamp at all of the 40 inch rides; you didn't have to convince a different CM at every attraction that your kid was tall enough. Also, there used to be a cart near the hub and they would measure children and give a different colored wristband according to how tall you were. This was great for the same reason as the hand stamp; your child didn't have to be measured at every attraction and you didn't have to deal with different opinions with regard to how tall your child was. Why can't they still do this.

 

[Jabber_Jaws]

Back in 1997, when DS11 was 3, I remember getting a hand stamp at Star Tours from the CM working the door with the height stick. All we had to do was show the hand stamp at all of the 40 inch rides; you didn't have to convince a different CM at every attraction that your kid was tall enough. Also, there used to be a cart near the hub and they would measure children and give a different colored wristband according to how tall you were. This was great for the same reason as the hand stamp; your child didn't have to be measured at every attraction and you didn't have to deal with different opinions with regard to how tall your child was. Why can't they still do this.

They stopped it because people abused the system. Parents would switch the colored bands so it looked like the child was tall enough to ride. You know what they say a few bad apples............



Cheers:

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

At Cedar Point, they make the kids take their shoes off if they are not flip flops or regular tennies. they use the colored bands here also...and I can't see how anyone could change them...they put them on so tight that they practically cut off circulation

I hope your son grows a teeny bit!!! Personally, I wouldn't put anything in my kids shoes.

 

[JenJen]

If the child's shoes are have very thick heels Disney does take off there shoes to measure them. There is no such thing as a 80/20 at Disneyland maybe at other parks there is (I have no idea about other parks guidelines) but not Disney. It has been made very Clear to cast members to Make sure the child Covers or hits the height bar. They don't hit it they don't ride. Just keep in mind if the child is asked to take off there shoes and there is devices such as maps or what they called "lifts" you will be walked out of the park I have seen it happen. I am not trying to be the mean one just letting you know the Rules. Please be careful. If you all are using thick heeled shoes for God Sake please do not put lifts in the shoes. You are already giving your child two inches with the big shoes. Not worth their safety.
Take care,
Jennifer

 

[megandgarr]

Thanks everyone. His shoes have a sole of about 1/2 of an inch, which is about the thickest that a little boy's tennis shoe comes in. I think Skechers may have a thicker sole, but those start at size 10 1/2 and he barely wears a size 9. He is a small kid. His head is hovering on the 40 inch mark. If I were to put anything in his shoes, it would probably be those odor eater type of insoles that can be cut down to size. I dont think I would try the maps or toilet paper etc. Those were good ideas, but he doesnt want to go on the rides that bad. I think it was more for my peace of mind so that I would not have to wonder in anctipation each time we went to a 40 inch ride. I will let the CM make the decision. If he/she says no, I wont make a stink or push the issue. I have already spoken to my son and he is aware that he might not be tall enough, and if he isnt we will find something else to do.

I also agree that it would send the wrong message to him if I were to explain why the inserts were there. If I put them in, I would cut them down to size so they wouldnt appear obvious. He probably wouldnt even notice them in his shoes. If he did, I would simply say they help the shoes to feel softer or make them tighter, something like that.

Thanks all for not grilling me on this subject. If it were more than a fraction of an inch, I wouldnt push it because I do believe that amount would make a difference in safety, but because it is such a small amount (if at all), I thought I might help him along. Who knows, maybe he will grow that amount in the next 2 weeks.

 

[MsYumiBr]

If you are going on Space, whatever you do, sit with your kid. I took my 2 girls before Space closed for rehab when they were 8 and 5. The CM stuck me in the front and the kids behind me! I thought for sure my youngest would fly out of the cab and my oldest is so thin that I didn't know if she was secure either! But, after the ride was over and me stressing the whole 3.5 minutes, (or whatever length it is), I turned around and saw my youngest completely white, hair sticking up, and mouth agape. She was still gripping the bar as if her life depended on it. I called her name a few times. Then she realized the ride was over, the color came back to her cheeks and she gave us a big smile and wanted to go again! I laughed so hard. However, let me tell you, I never ever want to go through that again and would not want anyone else to go through the same thing. Never let the CM split you and two small kids on that ride. It is the only ride at Disneyland I was ever concerned about. The girls are big now so no problem anymore. It's when they are not big enough to fill the space under the lap bar I worry about. Even then if I were sitting next to them it would be totally different and no problem. Live and learn.

 

[JenJen]

They have to be 54 inches or 16 years of age to ride without a adult next to them now.
JenJen

 

[diznygirl]

I can totally sympathize with the OP. My son is just barely 41 inches tall, and gets measured and re-measured all the time. He got measured at the entrance to Virtual POC at DisneyQuest, and then re-measured again by another CM later who turned him away. Boy, did he cry! I really wanted to go back with a notorized letter from our doctor listing his exact height!!!

 

[megandgarr]

At this point I am pretty much accepting the fact that he most likely will not be at the 40 inch mark (with or without the Dr. Scholls, inserts, or whatever.) We leave in less than 2 weeks, so I doubt he will grow much in that amount of time. The top of his head just grazes the bottom of the 40 inch line (and that is based on my measurement on the closet door, it changes from ride to ride in the park).

And I totally agree.... Even if he is approved to ride all of them, the only 40 inch ride that I would allow him to ride would be splash mountain (only if I can hold onto him for dear life) and possibly Soarin Over Ca. I would not allow him to ride Space Mountain. That one would panick me way too much. Maybe in another year or two.