Tiny 4 Year Old

[ktlm]

Hold on to them. DD hit 40 inches in her bare feet when she was 3, and she had a growth spurt where she grew an inch in just a couple of weeks, if that. I would measure him right before the trip and if he still isn't there, you might think of changing them then before you get to WDW. DD was right at 40 inches in her bare feet on our trip that year and it seemed like she was way over the measuring posts with shoes on.

 

[DSLRuser]

I'm curious why you would risk the life and safety of your child just to be able to get on a ride?

Because I took the risk assessment into account and made that choice. I was prepared to live with the outcome.

 

[mcjaco]

Seems logical......

 

[Lmans77]

Hang on to your Fast passes. You can change them to lower height rides much more easily.

As for being almost 40", you have a better chance if those fastpasses are for the morning. My middle child has a talent for our trips lining up when she's borderline. She does better in the morning making rides. Prepare your child for not being tall enough. We did the "let's measure you to see how much you need to grow for when we come back." Also, make sure the child is aware that it's possible to make it outside but not inside the ride. One day, my daughter make TT twice in a row and did it. This was before the update and they were having everyone skip the pre-show, so it was super fast. The third time in a row, she measured tall enough outside but not inside. The person who measured her had measured her probably no more than 15 minutes before that. But she wasn't able to do it.

I agree with this. Our son was 5 1/2 years old at our last trip. I knew he was around 44 inches but wasn't really sure, as the only 44" ride we were going to try was Mission Space. When we went, the CM measured him he was juuuuuust a hair short. In fact, she had another CM measure him just to be sure. But he was too short, which was OK by him and me. My point is that it literally could have gone the other way, it was that close. And those measuring sticks don't look THAT precise. They could be off just a touch either way. Plus he really could shoot up a 1/4 to 1/2 inch very quickly. You never know.

 

[jannalynn_11]

I don't have anything worthwhile to add to this post, but I did read the title as "Tiny Dancer" and keep chuckling to myself and singing it in my head

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP I am one of the ones who tells everyone with kids close to the height limit to practice having the kids hit the bar as we had one who would duck under the bar. didn't want to hit his head finally took a CM who knew grandson was tall enough but could not let him ride as he was going just under the bar. grandson kept saying it would hurt his head if he hit the bar. it takes all kinds of things to get kids to understand

 

[Gracie09]

At Busch Gardens last summer there was an official height measuring station. Any kid who was under 5' would get measured and received a bracelet of a particular color. Then that color corresponded to what category of rides he was allowed on.

At Disney they could even have these stations at the hotels. Seems to make a bit more sense than a kid making height at the from if the line but not making it ten minutes later. My son is VERY tall for his age (44.5" at 4) but I still held my breath a bit when he got measured for some of the bigger rides. I knew he was tall enough but was worried he'd get turned away midline. A bracelet would have eliminated that worry.

They tried that. Then parents would cut the bracelets off their taller kids. Put them on the shorter kid (with a bit of tape) and get a new one for the taller kid. People will find a way to get around any system. Stamps - easy to more to another person, wet it and the ink transfers. You may have to do it twice to avoid a mirror image.
I always find people who cheat the system also tend to be the people that when someone gets hurt because they did not follow the posted regulations, shout the loudest that its Disney's or whomever else's fault.

 

[krm222]

People are going to game any system (see post above regarding tissues in shoes). I certainly hope that Disney leaves some wiggle room in ride height minimums understanding that some people are going to cheat. And of course CM need to be diligent in still eyeballing a child if say a two year old has a bracelet that corresponds to riding Everest.

A bracelet would be useful for kids right on the border to know where they stand prior to 30 seconds before boarding the ride. As I said above, I knew my son was tall enough for Everest but it's not like I had his medical records to prove it. If he had been turned away he would have (understandably) been very upset. Having the option to be measured in advance would eliminate that worry for parents.

 

[Gracie09]

People are going to game any system (see post above regarding tissues in shoes). I certainly hope that Disney leaves some wiggle room in ride height minimums understanding that some people are going to cheat. And of course CM need to be diligent in still eyeballing a child if say a two year old has a bracelet that corresponds to riding Everest.

A bracelet would be useful for kids right on the border to know where they stand prior to 30 seconds before boarding the ride. As I said above, I knew my son was tall enough for Everest but it's not like I had his medical records to prove it. If he had been turned away he would have (understandably) been very upset. Having the option to be measured in advance would eliminate that worry for parents.

Unfortunately those that game the system ruin the system for everyone. If a child just under the approved height goes on a ride and gets hurt or killed, even if the parent switched the bracelet, Disney would be held liable. That's why children are often measured twice. They need to make sure the child is the right height. That's why hair is pressed down, hats taken off and even sometimes shoes removed.

 

[krm222]

Unfortunately those that game the system ruin the system for everyone. If a child just under the approved height goes on a ride and gets hurt or killed, even if the parent switched the bracelet, Disney would be held liable. That's why children are often measured twice. They need to make sure the child is the right height. That's why hair is pressed down, hats taken off and even sometimes shoes removed.

And again I'm not suggesting that Disney hand out bracelets and then let kids on rides blindfolded. Of course you double check but for kids that are on the line, let them have notice ahead of time what rides they're eligible to ride.

And as I said before, this idea is currently in practice at an amusement park with MUCH more wild rides than are at Disney. It seems to work for them without anyone dying or suing.

And again to my first point Disney is smart enough to have height requirements that aren't: 44 inches = safe to ride; 43.75 inches (or even 42 inches) = death.

 

[Lupeix]

We're going to Disney next month (35 days from now!!!) with my DS, who is our only kid. He's 4 years old, but he's currently 39 inches and change with shoes. When I made Fastpasses, I had assumed he'd be at 40 inches, but I'm not sure that we'll get there. So my question is, do I assume that we'll do Test Track, Star Tours, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (the only 40+ stuff I chose, but also that I have FPs for) or do I cancel these FPs and find something else?

I know I have time, but I don't want to avoid having something because I didn't book something "better" earlier on.

Thoughts?

I was in exactly the same boat on our last trip with out then 4yo DS. He didn't make the mark by one pinky and was not allowed. He was 40 inches at home.
If he is 39 with shoes now it is unlikely he will hit the mark in a month. The only thing I will consider if you don't already have it is 7DMT fastpass instead of BTMR at MK. It will give the same kind of thrill but requires 38 inches only.

If you keep the FP+, don't make the mistake I made and don't tell him. DS was heartbroken he couldn't ride BTMR. He loved 7DMT, he stills says it was his favorite ride (and we went last april)
I also suggest you measure him at the front of a ride you are not planning to ride. A good one will be soaring at epcot, because it is easy to measure without really going in.

 

[Gracie09]

And again I'm not suggesting that Disney hand out bracelets and then let kids on rides blindfolded. Of course you double check but for kids that are on the line, let them have notice ahead of time what rides they're eligible to ride.

And as I said before, this idea is currently in practice at an amusement park with MUCH more wild rides than are at Disney. It seems to work for them without anyone dying or suing.

And again to my first point Disney is smart enough to have height requirements that aren't: 44 inches = safe to ride; 43.75 inches (or even 42 inches) = death.

yes but those parks don't have the name recognition and deep pockets of Disney. Imagine the issues that would arise when (not if because we all know some parents will) bracelets are switched and a cm asks to measure a kid, hell will break loose. Already people yell at cm who are just doing there jobs. Why should Disney open themselves up to additional liability and their employees to additional abuse? The system they have works and keeps everyone safe.

 

[Cajun_country]

People are going to game any system (see post above regarding tissues in shoes). I certainly hope that Disney leaves some wiggle room in ride height minimums understanding that some people are going to cheat. And of course CM need to be diligent in still eyeballing a child if say a two year old has a bracelet that corresponds to riding Everest.

A bracelet would be useful for kids right on the border to know where they stand prior to 30 seconds before boarding the ride. As I said above, I knew my son was tall enough for Everest but it's not like I had his medical records to prove it. If he had been turned away he would have (understandably) been very upset. Having the option to be measured in advance would eliminate that worry for parents.

I wish there would be some sort of station (like Dollywood and other parks) Last year, I worried about this before our trip. I think with the technology of the Magic Band they could snap a photo of the child, and link it to band with their height, and maybe this could prevent them having to be measured multiple times, and avoid heartbreak if it's something they are waiting for and then are told they can't ride. My son has sensory issues, so I have to worry about if he will even stand up and cooperate with them to measure him. Luckily, it went pretty smooth last year.

 

[DisneyOma]

People are going to game any system (see post above regarding tissues in shoes). I certainly hope that Disney leaves some wiggle room in ride height minimums understanding that some people are going to cheat. And of course CM need to be diligent in still eyeballing a child if say a two year old has a bracelet that corresponds to riding Everest.

A bracelet would be useful for kids right on the border to know where they stand prior to 30 seconds before boarding the ride. As I said above, I knew my son was tall enough for Everest but it's not like I had his medical records to prove it. If he had been turned away he would have (understandably) been very upset. Having the option to be measured in advance would eliminate that worry for parents.

Medical records can be wrong - my height (and I'm an adult) has been up and down for years - as much as an inch and a half.

If a parent is worried that a child may become upset for being turned away, the parent should take the time before the trip to explain the procedure, have the kid practice, and talk about scenarios and appropriate reactions.

 

[krm222]

Medical records can be wrong - my height (and I'm an adult) has been up and down for years - as much as an inch and a half.

Sure medical records can be wrong but so can a teenager with a stick. Not sure I understand your point.

If a parent is worried that a child may become upset for being turned away, the parent should take the time before the trip to explain the procedure, have the kid practice, and talk about scenarios and appropriate reactions.

Have you ever met a child? When my son was at the required height, he was four and already equal parts nervous and excited to ride the big rides. So between reassuring him that he was going to have fun and explaining the seating/harness/duration situation for each ride I'm also supposed to role play scenarios where he might get turned away?

My point is that it would be great to know where your child stood before thirty seconds prior to boarding. Not sure why that appears so controversial. I guess some people enjoy it when their child freaks out upon being turned away. To each his own I guess.

 

[Cajun_country]

Medical records can be wrong - my height (and I'm an adult) has been up and down for years - as much as an inch and a half.

If a parent is worried that a child may become upset for being turned away, the parent should take the time before the trip to explain the procedure, have the kid practice, and talk about scenarios and appropriate reactions.

[/QUOTE]
Actually, last year because I was a worried parent we had a measuring stick (outside our home) on a column, and another poster inside the house (with Mickey), and we would practice measuring quite often. I would either kinda firmly press my hand to his head or use pencil to touch his head for his measurement because touching his head is a big deal. At that point, my child has what is called an IEP here, and he was receiving speech therapy and occupational therapy, two days a week for like 1.5 hours per session, and I told his instructors of the situation. His instructors would also "practice" measuring him as well. Before we did all of this, when we'd go to doctor's office he squirmed so much, so I wouldn't have really trusted really anything on his medical chart. He now really gives us no issues, but he kinda slouches, so still his height isn't accurate and it's kinda hard to explain to him at times to stand up straight- sometimes he cooperates and sometimes he doesn't. We worked up and talked about the Disney trip for quite a few months, but I was also worried he was also going to get upset about talking and not going, so we also had a countdown going on as well.

I do not like the word autism which is a whole another issue, but my son goes to pre-k with that diagnosis. This allows him to be in pre-k 4 this year, and he has came along way. He has little quirks, like haircuts, which is a nightmare, and we've tried to pretend play with haircuts but haven't really got a solution yet with haircuts. I know i'm not the only parent with a kid who has quirks, and even the average kid with no issues, will have a hard time understanding, if they've been standing in line, and then told to get out the line. If there was a way, in each park or even in one park (I'd go there first), that linked their height and would like make magic band give a certain ring if child is not right height, and if a photo was tied to the band, it could help. I know some kids look kinda alike, and would be a big issue I suppose I guess with twins and such.
My son watches you-tube video's, and looks at maps of Disney. He rode the 7 Dwarf Roller Coaster last year (his idea) and it scared him and he doesn't want to do roller coasters anymore. I was very surprised he wanted to do that. Now he's saying he wants to ride "Tower of Terror" which scares me (my husband just laughs on this ride). I think it will be too much for him, so I have been telling him he is too little but I think he is actually tall enough. I just feel like he might get just as scared and feel trapped on it. I also showed him video's of the rides from you-tube or undercover tourist to try to prepare him for a few rides and shows,
I definitely agree with practice, and we try to explain appropriate reactions but that doesn't go all over so well at times. And his fascination and heart just loves Mickey and the castle. I think he's old enough for parts of Disney, and don't think we are doing wrong by bringing him. I also think show like Doc McStuffins and the Bubble Guppies have helped both of my kids at kinda knowing what to expect when they go to the doctor and other things they encounter.
I know we can be a different height at different parts of the day, but it shouldn't be that much to drastically change how safe the ride is.

We're going to Disney next month (35 days from now!!!) with my DS, who is our only kid. He's 4 years old, but he's currently 39 inches and change with shoes. When I made Fastpasses, I had assumed he'd be at 40 inches, but I'm not sure that we'll get there. So my question is, do I assume that we'll do Test Track, Star Tours, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (the only 40+ stuff I chose, but also that I have FPs for) or do I cancel these FPs and find something else?

I know I have time, but I don't want to avoid having something because I didn't book something "better" earlier on.

Thoughts?

And I guess I never answered the original poster, but the height issue and measuring techniques really get to me. I probably would just keep some of the passes, and hope for a growth spurt. If you do have to change his, I wouldn't cancel everyone in the groups.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

My older daughter wasn't tall enough to ride the 40" rides until her 5th bday. We took her on the 40" rides on her 5th bday trip just because her allergist had measured her a few weeks before the trip and said she was 40". When she was measured by her pediatrician a week after the trip, she measured up at 39.75", so I guess the sandals she had on put her right at the 40" mark. Regardless, she was measured every single time, sometimes twice, and it was always close. My younger one was 43" for one of our trips and I guess we didn't realize Mission Space was a 44" ride (thought it was 40") and she was turned away.

If it were me, at the very least, I'd have a plan B since from our experiences...there's a good chance he will be turned away unless he goes through a growth spurt.

 

[DisneyOma]

Sure medical records can be wrong but so can a teenager with a stick. Not sure I understand your point.



Have you ever met a child? When my son was at the required height, he was four and already equal parts nervous and excited to ride the big rides. So between reassuring him that he was going to have fun and explaining the seating/harness/duration situation for each ride I'm also supposed to role play scenarios where he might get turned away?

My point is that it would be great to know where your child stood before thirty seconds prior to boarding. Not sure why that appears so controversial. I guess some people enjoy it when their child freaks out upon being turned away. To each his own I guess.

The point is - the teenager with a stick is the final word on getting on the ride, so you are responsible for your child, and should do what you can to prepare him for life, including not getting on a ride. Sometimes things aren't fair, and one has to learn how to deal with that. The talk about getting turned away from a ride should happen before you are actually at the ride. Why would you set a kid up (and you would be the one doing it, not the person measuring) for failure by waiting so long to talk about what could happen?

When we took our kids to WDW for the first time my husband and I spent time before the trip talking to them about what they could experience there. We talked about safety in large crowds, what to do if we got lost, about getting measured for rides, etc. If one of them didn't meet the height requirement, one of us went with her to go do something else fun while the others went on the ride. It was that simple. No tears, no anguish. It's WDW, there's so much stuff to do there that it was easy to keep them happy.

 

[Wills Mom]

Our eldest is very tall for his age so when we went on our August trip last year (he was almost 3 yrs 6 months) we made our FP+ choices for what we all wanted to ride despite the fact he was only 39 inches in his bare feet. He got an extra like half inch with his shoes on but I had read stories on here of CMs asking kids to remove their shoes if they were questioning their height. So we were ready to have to lose out on our FP+ choices and change them to something else on the day if he wasn't hitting the height requirement. Turned out that he hit another growth spurt just before our trip, like so was just a fraction over 40 inches in his bare feet, his footwear making him close to an inch higher than the requirement. We ended up being very happy we kept all our FP+. My point being keep the FP+ selections as is and hope for the best! You will have an absolute ball either way

 

[kamik86]

For those saying that you get a bracelet but still eyeball everyone to see if someone is cheating... How would that stop your worry? If your kid is borderline they could still be stopped if the CM judges them a bit to short and if they appear too short then will still be turned away.

I have definitely seen parents sneak children past the first height measuring stick. That is why they have two spots. Saw a family holding a kid that was WAY to short for soarin' wait until someone went to ask the CM a question and quickly rush through.

Now as a engineer that deals with tolerances and such I know that anyone who is close, 39 inches for a 40 inch ride is going to be fine for several reasons:
1) Disney puts all the height measurements in groups. Notice there are no 39 inch requirements or 41 inch requirements. They are most commonly 40 or 44 inches. So if a manufacturer says the ride is safe at 43 disney is going to make it 44.
2) The manufacturer built in a tolerance too, partially for liability but also because rarely is a strict standing height the thing that matters for being safe. sometimes its a weight (like the aquaduck on the cruise and why they had to change that one a few times), sometimes its the height when seated that matters, sometimes it is how long the child's legs are to ensure that the belt will hold them in properly on the seat. However all children aren't proportional. A 39 inch child may weigh more then a 41 inch child. They could also sit at about the same height. I am 4 inches taller then my mother. However if you saw us sitting next to each other at a table (so you can't see our legs) we appear about the same height.
3) the tolerance is built in because you are correct the stick may NOT be perfect and if the stick was not too short but too tall they want to ensure everyone is still safe.

But how much do you really want to risk it? At what point is it not close enough? You really don't know. Also do you really want to teach your child to go around safety rules? What if the next time they are faced with a decision on if they should obey a safety rule it is one that doesn't have quite so much tolerance built in.