What to do about height?

[skinsfan2878]

My DD is 5 yrs old and only 38 1/2 inches tall. She really wants to ride Splash Mountain, but the height requirement is 40 inches. I am hoping she can grow 1 1/2 inches by March, but she is gonna be a kind of on the short side. Does anyone have any ideas? She reaallyy wants to ride and I figured, last year she could grow 2 inches in a year, so I told her she could ride this year. But, boy, I am not feeling good about it.

 

[Wall-E1]

Have you tried illegal growth hormones or steroids? That might work.

 

[skinsfan2878]

You know I haven't!!! Anyone know how I can get ahold of Barry Bonds trainer? Wonder if I can get an oral type, because giving her a shot in the butt is not an option!!

 

[ireland_nicole]

honestly, there's nothing you can do except be honest with her and hope she grows. I would make sure you tell her that there is a height requirement, that it is to keep everybody safe, and that if she can't ride it this trip, well, it's a great reason to plan another trip someday.

Disney is extremely strict about height requirements.

 

[Hannathy]

It is really tough when you have short kids (or used to be a short kid!) I am so envious of people on here saying my 3 yr old can ride........
You have 6 months so 3/4 to an inch is possible. Has she had a growth spurt lately? If you can get her within 1/2 inch without shoes and have her wear most any tennis shoes or sandals and stand up straight you will probably make it. Avoid the platform shoes that make it obvious but with careful shopping you can find normal tennis shoes that supply a half inch. Especially since she is 5 and certainly old enough to ride. She is also old enough to understand the need to stand up very straight and keep her head up without looking like she is standing on tip toes or lifting her head. Also go first thing in the morning.
Good luck!

 

[Wall-E1]

You know, this could be a whole new market for these doctors that have been shut out of mlb for injecting ball players with steroids. They can instead offer their services to families with small children.

On a serious note, she will probably be so close that if you find a pair of sneakers with thick soles, that just might do the trick.

One word of earning. If she is only 39 1/2 inches, don't be surprised if she flies out of the log during the drop. That last 1/2 inch is key.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know someone who makes torture instruments for Renaissance Festivals. I will check to see if a Rack is available.

 

[Schmeck]

If you are positive you will be returning to WDW when she's older and a bit taller, and if they still offer them - some of the attractions have certificates the CMs can hand out for a 'fastpass' experience the next time you go. At leaat, I've read on this board that they exist. That could be a pacifier if your child isn't tall enough on your March trip.

 

[Wall-E1]

I don't want to get flamed, but years ago, I stuffed rolled up socks in my son's sneakers to help him along for Splash Mountain. I know. It's wrong. It worked though. It gave him that little extra height that he needed. I understand that the height requirement is a safety issue, but he is doing fine. Sure he lost his left leg, an eyeball; and numerous teeth on the ride. As to his internal injuries rom the ride, that second kidney is really not needed. But if you ask him, it was all worth it to ride Splash Mountain.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I don't want to get flamed, but years ago, I stuffed rolled up socks in my son's sneakers to help him along for Splash Mountain. I know. It's wrong. It worked though. It gave him that little extra height that he needed. I understand that the height requirement is a safety issue, but he is doing fine. Sure he lost his left leg, an eyeball; and numerous teeth on the ride. As to his internal injuries rom the ride, that second kidney is really not needed. But if you ask him, it was all worth it to ride Splash Mountain.

The knock on your door will be social services.

 

[mariepapa]

I don't want to get flamed, but years ago, I stuffed rolled up socks in my son's sneakers to help him along for Splash Mountain. I know. It's wrong. It worked though. It gave him that little extra height that he needed. I understand that the height requirement is a safety issue, but he is doing fine. Sure he lost his left leg, an eyeball; and numerous teeth on the ride. As to his internal injuries rom the ride, that second kidney is really not needed. But if you ask him, it was all worth it to ride Splash Mountain.

 

[Nina1]

Well...the way I look at it is this. Those height requirements exist for a reason. Clearly, if an attraction requires a guest to be 40 inches, 38 1/2 or 39 inches is not safe. And no, I would not look for shoes to make up the additional height. Why take a risk with your precious child? Certainly her being disappointed is an infinitely better outcome than her being injured.

FYI... our son is 38 inches and was during our trip the week before last. We used baby swap for the attractions he couldn't ride and made sure he did experience everything he could. As usual, we had a magical trip. When he asked about Splash Mountain, we told him we're hoping he'll be able to ride it next year and he needs to eat all his veggies and get lots of sleep so he'll grow. He was satisfied with that answer.

 

[bumbershoot]

I like the way this thread is going; hilarious responses!


1.5 inches is a lot to expect, especially since she's 5 and perhaps those growth spurts slow down a bit (actually I'm not sure, DS is 5 right now, so we're experiencing the same age). Lots of veggies, lots of GOOD protein...might want to look into the whole dairy thing (not really good for calcium) and change up the nutrients if she's dairy-heavy in her diet... If nothing else she'll be super healthy.

The nice thing about her being 5 is that she understands the reasons so much more, can surely notice the numbers, might be able to read the safety signs... So that's a bonus, if she doesn't make the 1.5 inches.

But I'll be pulling for her! While you're pulling on her.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Well...the way I look at it is this. Those height requirements exist for a reason. Clearly, if an attraction requires a guest to be 40 inches, 38 1/2 or 39 inches is not safe. And no, I would not look for shoes to make up the additional height. Why take a risk with your precious child? Certainly her being disappointed is an infinitely better outcome than her being injured.

Eventually Robo will be in here and disagree with me BUT height is an rough indication age. Yes, bar height ect. but I've got one small slight DD and one "big boned" DD. Life would be easier if the bigger girl was the older but God wouldn't have gotten his chuckles.

 

[claryche]

I have also read on here that you should try early in the day, because typically us humans stand up taller earlier in the day and not after a whole day of walking around Disney World. And have her practice at home standing up tall and just be honest with her and if she doesn't grow, find something new that she has never done before. And make that special for her.

With that said, I'm not trying to highjack your post, but does anyone know if when Disney says 40 inches is it really 40 inches, or is it maybe 40.5 inches so that they can take into count for tennis shoes. Or is it 40, so a 39.5 with shoes could pass. I think we will be fine with my DS this November, because with his crocs on he is measuring 41.5, but I wanted to kinda know if the 40 inches is 40 or if it's really more. Thanks. And here is tons of growing pixie dust for your DD

 

[amyj1024]

This post amuses me...because my TWO year old is 38 inches and I am hoping that he is 40 by the trip in February He's my little daredevil.

 

[duckybelle]

I have also read on here that you should try early in the day, because typically us humans stand up taller earlier in the day and not after a whole day of walking around Disney World. And have her practice at home standing up tall and just be honest with her and if she doesn't grow, find something new that she has never done before. And make that special for her.

With that said, I'm not trying to highjack your post, but does anyone know if when Disney says 40 inches is it really 40 inches, or is it maybe 40.5 inches so that they can take into count for tennis shoes. Or is it 40, so a 39.5 with shoes could pass. I think we will be fine with my DS this November, because with his crocs on he is measuring 41.5, but I wanted to kinda know if the 40 inches is 40 or if it's really more. Thanks. And here is tons of growing pixie dust for your DD

I have also heard the earlier in the day theory....so I would try that as well!! Just remember, Disney is VERY strict on this, for her safety. ALSO just wanted to say my bf is from Rock Hill (OP)...small world!

 

[MariDisney]

I have also heard the earlier in the day theory....so I would try that as well!! Just remember, Disney is VERY strict on this, for her safety. ALSO just wanted to say my bf is from Rock Hill (OP)...small world!

It has always been my experience that WDW was very strict on heights. But, I have to say, on our trip last week I witnessed at least 3 separate incidents of kids being clearly below the height and the CM passing them through with a wink and a nod to the parent. I could hardly believe it because on prior trips we've seen them practically put a piece of paper between the kid's head and the pole. In Soarin, for example, we saw the kid stand on the base of the pole, which would add at least 1-2 inches to his height and stick his head over on top of the horizontal piece. CM winked at the parent and waved them through. I'm sure he was at least 2 inches too short. Another time, the child was hiding behind the adult's back. The adult said, "walk past them fast", and they did. When we got to the 2nd measuring stick at the boarding platform (this was Test Track) the CM asked if the child had been measured and the parent said that had. In all our previous experiences we saw kids being measured a 2nd time to be sure.

 

[redrosesix]

We've had to deal with this issue throughout my DD's life because she is the gymnast type. She's now nearly 10 and just over 49 inches tall (finally). But that doesn't mean she hasn't had a great time at WDW -- IMO there are so many great rides that you can do when you're small that your child should never run out of things to do.

The height restrictions are there for a reason, and nothing is more important than her safety. Plus, when she did BTMRR last year she wasn't comfortable with the feeling that she might fall out of the seat.

I think it's always best not to make any promises to kids about what rides they can do next year, or at a certain age -- kids grow in spurts and the spurts just may not cooperate. Also, height restrictions can change over time (especially at smaller theme parks). IMO it's better to measure your child once in a while and tell them which rides they can do for sure on their next trip.

 

[kidsgobears]

My DD is 5 yrs old and only 38 1/2 inches tall.

Is that 38 1/2 inches tall with or without shoes?

Regular tennis shoes will add 1/2"-1". Disney expects kids to be wearing shoes and the height requirement takes that into account. So maybe she only needs to grow about 1/2" more. Good luck!!