Grizzly River Run/ Soarin' Height Requirement Questions

[*Tink*]

I remember reading a few years ago that some of the "measuring sticks" used to check a child's height varied a bit and weren't too accurate.

Mine and my DS6's favorite ride is GRR and my DS3 is just BARELY 42" (if he isn't standing up straight, he wouldn't make the cut).

Does anyone know how accurate the measuring stick is on GRR, assuming the measuring stations still vary a bit?

Also, I have read several times that Soarin's height requirement is 42", but I just looked at Disneyland.com and it says 40". Can anyone confirm that for me? I just want to make sure that the requirement didn't change from 40" to 42" and dl.com just hasn't updated the info yet. If it is 40", that is one less ride we have to worry about DS3 not making it on!

Thanks in advance!

6 days until our 4th trip to DLR!!!

[candles71]

The map says 40" for Soarin'. IDK how accurate the stick at GRR is. Just ride first thing in AM and make sure he knows he has to touch the stick with his head.

[mousecanuck]

They don't seem to account for shoes much, either - we purchased my son the deepest-soled skate shoes we could find for our last trip and he met the sticks easily with his shoes on when we thought he may not.

[Malcon10t]

Soarin is 40". The only stick that I know is off is Jumpin Jelly Fish.

[Seashellmama]

My barely 42" tall DD easily made GRR two weeks ago, though we didn't ride, as well as Mulholland Madness which, alas, we did (and she loved) (but I didn't).

"Stand tall and try to touch the stick with your head, without tiptoes," said with an encouraging smile, has been the key for us (though not this time, as she was enough above on both 42" sticks that she stood next to them, not under them, though at home, barefoot, she just hits 42", maybe)

[*Tink*]

Great; thanks for the info everyone!!! I'm so glad to hear that Soarin' is 40". Now I'll just keep my fingers crossed for GRR!

I really like the "try to touch the stick with your head." I think that will help; give him a goal. When I tell him to "stand up straight" or "stand up nice and tall" he usually ends up on his tiptoes.

Seashellmama: Is your daughter barely 42" barefoot, or barely 42" with shoes?

Mousecanuk: DS3 was going to wear thin-soled sandals, but maybe I'll take his sneakers, just to give him a tiny boost.

[Seashellmama]

I'll have to measure her again, but she was right at 42", *maybe*, without shoes a week before we went, but she was enough above the stick with her regular shoes when we were at GRR that she'd have been clearly taller there barefoot, too.

[3Princesses1Prince]

DD #3 (age 4) is right at 40" right now (39.5" barefoot), is it too much to hope that she grows 2 inches in the next 4 months!!

[*Tink*]

Seashellmama: Thanks for the info! It sounds like the GRR "stick" just might be set a smidgeon under 42", so here's hoping DS3 stands up nice and tall and can ride with us!

3Princesses1Prince: LOL! It could happen... DS3 has grown 6" in about 12 months. But even if DD#3 doesn't make 42", the 40" marker already opens up all sorts of other rides! Last time we went (April 08), DS#2 was 2 and just barely 36 inches, so there were a bunch of things he couldn't ride. This time, even if he doesn't make the GRR mark, he still gets to go on Splash Mountain, Soarin', ToT and Space Mtn (if he doesn't chicken out on those 2- right now he says, "My no scared!" He's pretty fearless, but we'll see...), BTMR... Enjoy your next trip!!!

[HobbitFeet]

Just remember, with GRR you can get absolutely to the underwear SOAKED. Or maybe not. If you ride more than once, your odds change.

So if your 3 year old is sensitive to that, you might not want to ride, because while ponchos *help*, they don't protect your entire body.

My guy couldn't ride it until he was 4 (and he's always been tall for his age) and he was yearning to go on it, so he's always been fine with getting drenched...then again, I bring an entire change of clothes, down to unders, socks, and shoes, as well as a towel and a blanket now!

[*Tink*]

HobbitFeet: Thanks for the advice! As long as DS makes the height requirement, I think he'll love GRR (he'd probably dive right into the water on GRR if given the chance). But I think I'll follow your advice and bring a change of clothes (and shoes) for him, just in case he doesn't want to stay wet.

[fairestoneofall]

Just remember, with GRR you can get absolutely to the underwear SOAKED. Or maybe not. If you ride more than once, your odds change.

So if your 3 year old is sensitive to that, you might not want to ride, because while ponchos *help*, they don't protect your entire body.

My guy couldn't ride it until he was 4 (and he's always been tall for his age) and he was yearning to go on it, so he's always been fine with getting drenched...then again, I bring an entire change of clothes, down to unders, socks, and shoes, as well as a towel and a blanket now!

Funny....when we were at WDW in Jan we were pleasantly surprised to see that Kali River Rapids @ AK was only a 36" requirement. DS1 was so excited! We brought his board shorts, rash guard and put him im his crocs to ride, then changed him back to his regular jeans and long sleeve Tshirt. SO MUCH FUN!

[daveywest]

Not even every stick in the same ride is the same. My oldest son passed the measurement at the entrance to IJ, but was sent packing halfway down the line at a second stick that said he was a half-inch short.

[*Tink*]

Not even every stick in the same ride is the same. My oldest son passed the measurement at the entrance to IJ, but was sent packing halfway down the line at a second stick that said he was a half-inch short.

Really??? That's awful! I bet your poor son was SO disapointed! Not making it past the first measurement is bad enough, but to get a kid all excited thinking that they can ride, then turn around and tell them that they can't after all.

[MammaSilva]

The height issue aside, here's another vote for changing them into swim gear...trunks/rashguard/flipflops or crocks to ride then back into regular clothes after the ride. Being in 'swim' attire makes getting soaked 'OK' since it's normal to get wet when you wear swim gear. For my daughter...she has board shorts and a tank top that I use most times.