Too Short to Ride

[KimK2006]

There have to be safety factors built in to the 40" requirement. A 1/4 " isn't gonna make or break any negligence on the part of any CM.

I disagree with closing the thread. If anything it will convince/educate parents not to try anything silly.

We aren't planning on anything other than a new pair of shoes. We always get the kids a new pair of shoes before our Disney trips. If it boils down to 2 pairs that he likes then you bet your butt we're buying the thicker soled ones for this trip..

I just hope the TSA lady isn't working

You are going to get many who think it is TERRIBLE to "help" your child become a little taller. MANY of us have done it. Hopefully he will grow and it won't be an issue. If not, search for the tall shoes and hope it is enough to get him to the mark. I know how heartbreaking it is for the little one when they can't ride the rides their siblings are!

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another post)

The young'un should not be waiting in line a long time for a ride s/he cannot go on.

Modify your park touring schedule, split up the family to do different things, or skip that ride if the line is long.

Occasionally you won't find out that your child is too short to ride until you get to the boarding area. In that case move on and do not use the other half of the child swap if more waiting is involved.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Disney is the strictest we've ever seen...and for good reason. We have experienced them:

Measuring our DD at the front of the line and again before getting on the ride itself and having her measure differently at both. Signs are not exact and they never measure what you or the doctors get at home.

Having them make children take off their shoes to make sure they are tall enough WITHOUT the shoes

Having them push down high ponytails, gel in boys hair, and BBB hairstyles

Seeing if they could slip a card or piece of paper between the child's head and the measuring stick. If it can fit...child is not riding. They do this at several rides...Kali and Space Mountain def. come to mind


DO NOT:

Buy new shoes with thick soles. Again, they can and will make your child take them off. Also, you need well broken in shoes for Disney anyway or your child is going to get blisters

Have your child have a high hairstyle or bows...they push them down.

DO:

Prep your child NOW that there are lots of rides that they MAY not get on. Let it be a pleasant surprise if they can. (Don't forget...rides often go under rehab- this is why we never promise ANY ride at Disney...you never know what is going to happen) We always had DD measured at a ride that she wasn't super excited about riding so that we knew how she was measuring at "Disney measuring standards" and if she was tall enough, we would proceed over to the ride she really wanted to ride. If not, we avoided that ride area so she wouldn't be disappointed. As a result, we've never had a ride about her not being tall enough for a ride.

 

[gilsan]

My DD who is turning 4 while we are there is below the 40 inch mark. Luckily I think most of the rides that she is too short for would also be a little to scary as well. I can't see her enjoying TOT

There are only a few, (Soaring, BTM, Star Tours) that it will be a little disappointing if she is too short to get on. Although I don't think I would enjoy the ride if I am worried about her falling out.

We have talked to her about the fact she may be too short for some of the rides and she seems alright with the idea. All I have to do is tell her it will be scary and she will not want to go on it

It is also a great excuse to go back in a year.

 

[KimK2006]

We leave in a month and I can't imagine him growing 1/2 an inch in 32 days.

Each night before bed, you take his feet, have your wife take his hands and try to stretch him. Surely you can "pull" him a 1/2 inch taller in a month!

 

[RMulieri]

There have to be safety factors built in to the 40" requirement. A 1/4 " isn't gonna make or break any negligence on the part of any CM.

I disagree with closing the thread. If anything it will convince/educate parents not to try anything silly.

We aren't planning on anything other than a new pair of shoes. We always get the kids a new pair of shoes before our Disney trips. If it boils down to 2 pairs that he likes then you bet your butt we're buying the thicker soled ones for this trip..

I just hope the TSA lady isn't working

And lets just say something WERE to happen, I am willing to bet that the parent that "fudged" the height on their child would point the finger at Disney.I understand the frustration.My daughter measured 40" at home and did not at Disney.We simply prepared her for the fact and went about the rest of our day.Disney places these restrictions in place, it is their park and they set the rules.

 

[mom2faith]

Kind of in the same boat - but it is for the 44".

I have a very tall 4 year old, she is growing like a weed. We thought she would be tall enough for EE this year (she loves this type of ride!!). But, last night we measured and with no shoes she is just 43 inches.

I have to say, I am OK with that.
#1 It gives us a reason to go back.
#2 I am terrified of all rides (LOL!!) and if there is a safety concern for kids under a certain height, then we will follow it.
#3 After experiencing Dinosaur with her last year, I learned that some rides are not for kids regardless of height (I was anticipating the same thing with EE, but at the same time she loves rollar coasters).

Hope that all makes sense

 

[Ktharee]

So there is hope!

What were they feeding him?? get me the diet plan!

How about sending my Jack-Jack some of that pixie dust!

Sending some Pixie Dust! I would just do what you can as far as shoes and hats but explain to him beforehand that some rides he may not be able to do, but you are going to try! Poor little guy.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

The height restrictions are in there for safety reasons. i don't see how it's worth risking the safety of your son just so he can ride with his siblings? or am i missing something? yes it sucks... i even vividly remember getting turned away at disney when i was that short so obviously it's traumatizing to kids but still. there's other fun things to do for the vertically challenged crossing my fingers for a growth spurt!!!

 

[disneygirlinnj]

Each night before bed, you take his feet, have your wife take his hands and try to stretch him. Surely you can "pull" him a 1/2 inch taller in a month!

hahahahahha i LOL'd just picturing it in my head! it sounds like a brilliant idea my dad would have

 

[YoMickey]

Even if he is 40+" I don't think I'd let him on Space Mountain. It's a rickety old carnival ride that jerks your neck around. We don't ride it anyways. Supposedly it's getting refurbed so I hope they smooth it out a bit.

Last April we all walked onto Star Tours. It's a harmless ride if you ask me. It was our first park, and first ride of the morning after grabbing fast passes for Toy Story. I didn't even know they had a height restriction for it until we all tried to ride it a second time. That's when he got bumped...no big deal, he ended up in the JEdi Training while the other kids went with mom.

Anyways, He's drinking milk and eating his veggies and I guarantee he will have a wonderful time regardless of his height for this trip.

Kim,
That's funny....I was gonna show him a Medieval pic of "the rack" and ask him "how bad do you want to ride Soar'n?" but I didn't....he's still prepared not to ride some of the big stuff...we were just there in April.....FREE dining this trip! I guess JackJack gets all of the snacks.

 

[YoMickey]

I repeat. We are prepared. He is prepared. We are cautious...

..and even if he does make the cut...he will not be riding.

Space Mountain
Tower of Terror
Kali River Rapids
Thunder Mountain
and probably splash Mountain


..what I feel is appropriate for 40" 3 year old:

Stitch
Soar'n
Star Tours
Dinosaur
..and maybe Test Track

 

[epcot.girl]

I know every child is different, but I would put BTMRR and Splash on the 'appropriate list' instead of Stitch and Dinosaur lol

 

[kmk1180]

My soon to be 4 year old son is 39 1/2 inches tall(with shoes). We leave in a month and I can't imagine him growing 1/2 an inch in 32 days.

40" seems to open up a whole new group of rides.

What can you suggest we do? He's been so patient the last few trips with his older siblings.... I just don't want him to have to wait at exits with me or his mom this trip.

He even started eating his vegetables so he could grow big!

wow you like to stir up the hornets don't you?
hear them buzzing??

Obviously you see there's two views on this..

So I'll throw my 2 cents in....dispite what some say it won't endanger you child life if they are 1/4 under height. I'm sure there's plenty of saftey built in.
BUT that said, if he isn't 40" he's not going to ride. Even 1/4" under.
And nor should he. That's the rules and they should stick with it.
(we were at that point last year)

Now shoes soles do vary in height.
I'm not saying put him in 6" heels or stuff his shoes with paper.
Just have him wear his normal sneakers which are probably thicker than say flip flips and if your son is ok with possible not riding, than take the chance and ask him to be measured before entering the line.
If he looks like he'll be crushed if he doens't ride, I'd avoid it if possible or tell him some reason why your skipping it.

(also note, it's possible even if he's measured and gets to ride one day, he might get remeasured another day and be told no.)

Also,
But be careful no to ask people how to break the rules and get around the height requirement, that is against the rules here.

 

[kymom99]

Hey all, I just wanted to give the other side of this topic. This doesn't pertain to Disney as none of their attractions have a maximum height (unless you are 7 feet tall that is), but at the amusement parks around here some kiddie rides do. My friend's daughter is a taller than average girl, and she was not allowed to ride some rides that were age appropriate for her. She was afraid of the bigger rides. So, being too tall has its disadvantages too.

Also, I took my grandson to a park. He is just over 36 inches so he was able to ride many of the kiddie rides. My son is just over 54 inches so he was not allowed to ride with him on some of them since they had a maximum of 54 inches. I was a little uneasy to let him ride alone so I had my son get measured at each one anyway. Some let him on and some did not. We joked that it seemed like the "dudes" were a little easier about it than the "chicks"!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I repeat. We are prepared. He is prepared. We are cautious...

..and even if he does make the cut...he will not be riding.

Space Mountain
Tower of Terror
Kali River Rapids
Thunder Mountain
and probably splash Mountain


..what I feel is appropriate for 40" 3 year old:

Stitch
Soar'n
Star Tours
Dinosaur
..and maybe Test Track

I have to agree with you on that one...why does Stitch have a height requirement? You just sit there? That being said...we avoid that attraction like the plague so that's the first I knew it had a height requirement!!

 

[DizBelle]

There have to be safety factors built in to the 40" requirement. A 1/4 " isn't gonna make or break any negligence on the part of any CM.

I disagree with closing the thread. If anything it will convince/educate parents not to try anything silly.

We aren't planning on anything other than a new pair of shoes. We always get the kids a new pair of shoes before our Disney trips. If it boils down to 2 pairs that he likes then you bet your butt we're buying the thicker soled ones for this trip..

I just hope the TSA lady isn't working

If 39 3/4 inches were "ok" then 39 3/4 inches would be the height requirement. It's 40 inches for a reason.

 

[YoMickey]

Bond...James Bond..I like my forums stirred not shaken.

Yea, this place gets a little stiff now and then and believe me..I don't ask this stuff with the intent of ruffling feathers....I'm just looking for fresh ideas on dealing with it.( and I got some..thanks) We were just there in April...we had to divert him a few times here and there with ice cream....The best thing I've heard is to divide up so we'll have to take a look at the maps and plan ahead...years ago he came in handy for baby swap but he's caught on to it now and wants to go with us.

....and to all the June Cleavers out there......I repeat...if he's 39 7/8" he will not ride! Repeat..if he is 39 7/8" tall he will not ride.............rules are rules and we understand that.

 

[maxiesmom]

I repeat. We are prepared. He is prepared. We are cautious...

..and even if he does make the cut...he will not be riding.

Space Mountain
Tower of Terror
Kali River Rapids
Thunder Mountain
and probably splash Mountain


..what I feel is appropriate for 40" 3 year old:

Stitch
Soar'n
Star Tours
Dinosaur
..and maybe Test Track

Ummm, you really my want to think about trading out Dinosaur for Kali and Splash. Dinosaur freaked out my then 7 year old niece who, by the way, loved Expedition Everest and the Tower of Terror. Dinosaur is dark and loud and extreeeeemly jerky.

Kali is pretty tame, no huge drops. And Splash Mountain is so wonderful inside that your child would love it, if you don't think the drop would freak him out.

 

[YoMickey]

We'll consider that. He's wanted to ride Dino and Stitch the last two times we've been there, trust me, I'm not a fan of either one...they may be a little scary but you don't know this kid. He is fearless....hence my interest in finding a magical 32 day diet to make him grow 1/2 and inch.

I agree on the cuteness of Splash but the only reason I would not consider that one is the fact that I think the ride height for that one is too low. The padding and the grab handle are not close enough for the little people. I'll have to double check that one before he rides.................................................
......and of course if and only if he is 40" tall.....