For those of you who have young kids - how accurate are the measuring sticks/signs? We are going to be there Oct 22-27. I just measured my 4yo DS, he is exactly 40 inches barefoot. Do you think we will have any trouble getting him on the rides that have a 40 in min?

For safety reasons, I'm not willing to do anything to make him "taller" other than him wearing his regular shoes. We've prepared him for the possibility that he may not get on those rides (and honestly he might not be comfortable going on them anyway), but I'm curious what others' experiences have been.

Thanks

They are very accurate. If your son is 40" barefoot he'll have no problem getting on any 40" rides with shoes. They will probably measure him every time you ride the ride. They may even measure him multiple times in the same line, i.e. the CM at the start of the line will measure him and the CM loading the cars will measure him.

Have fun!

i believe there might be some that require a little taller.
In any case, just have him wear tennis shoes or similar.
If it looks like he's wearing "elevator shoes" they will ask to have them removed.

I believe there is one ride in DCA (maybe jumpin' jellyfish?) that is not accurate. They actually need to be taller then the sign says. There have been a few compliants about it. But, that might be 42" ride, in which case it wouldnt matter to you anyway! LOL

For most of the rides, the cast members have a "T" to measure the child with. They hold it up to the child and have them stand under it. If their head touchs, they are tall enough. My poor daughter hit her head every time they would check her at Indy. I dont know why she didnt learn to stand up straight a little slower!

I believe there is one ride in DCA (maybe jumpin' jellyfish?) that is not accurate. They actually need to be taller then the sign says. There have been a few compliants about it. But, that might be 42" ride, in which case it wouldnt matter to you anyway! LOL

Yep! Jumpin' Jellyfish has the notorious stick. I personally know a child (she's betrothed to my eldest) who was allowed to ride several 40" rides at the resort but rejected at JJ. It was her mother (mkraemer on our boards here) who measured the stick with the tape measure she had in her purse. (There have since then been other posters who reported similar experiences being rejected at JJ after being approved at other rides.)

With regular shoes on, I would expect your son to be able to pass most of the stick tests at Disneyland. My 4-y/o is just barely over 39" without shoes and he's about a fingers width away.

Adrienne

They will probably measure him every time you ride the ride. They may even measure him multiple times in the same line, i.e. the CM at the start of the line will measure him and the CM loading the cars will measure him.

Amen to that - my daughter was a hair (literally, I kid you not) under the 40" mark at home last year, barefoot, and we were measured frequently at every ride with a height requirement. The Splash Mountain CM (3rd one to check her in the line) actually had us exit the log to measure once more...

You are doing absolutely the smartest thing by telling him now what to expect. My daughter was prepared to be turned down each time, so it was a greater joy actually getting to ride finally! ;)

You are doing absolutely the smartest thing by telling him now what to expect. My daughter was prepared to be turned down each time, so it was a greater joy actually getting to ride finally! ;)

What a great way to look at things! I'm so glad she had such a great attitude.

I believe there is one ride in DCA (maybe jumpin' jellyfish?) that is not accurate. They actually need to be taller then the sign says. There have been a few compliants about it. But, that might be 42" ride, in which case it wouldnt matter to you anyway! LOL

For most of the rides, the cast members have a "T" to measure the child with. They hold it up to the child and have them stand under it. If their head touchs, they are tall enough. My poor daughter hit her head every time they would check her at Indy. I dont know why she didnt learn to stand up straight a little slower!

Funny you say that. When my now 4yo just hit the 40" mark, JJ was his first "big kid" ride. He loves it!!
We have found all the sticks to be accurate and yes, be prepared to have him measured numerous times before he actually boards the ride.