Parents Ignore Disney’s Safety Rules, Sneak Small Child Onto Thrill Ride

A viral TikTok video has recently ignited a discussion centered around safety and parental discretion at Disneyland Resort. Two parents, in an effort to allow their young son access to Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure Park, decided to take matters into their own hands when they discovered the boy was just a quarter of an inch short of the required height. Faced with the disappointment of being turned away from the attraction, the parents used socks to stuff their son’s shoes, effectively boosting his height to meet the 40-inch requirement.

The boy’s mother, TikTok user @milliechavarria, shared this video of the boy’s father stuffing his shoes with socks, accompanied by clips of the family on Radiator Springs Racers:

@milliechavarria

First time racing through Radiator Springs! The excitement was real – and so were the smiles! 🏎️✨ #disneydays #makingmemories #disneywithkids #disneyland #toddlertravel #happy #carsland

♬ Life is a Highway – Rascal Flatts

“Don’t come at me…,” she wrote. “It was just a quarter inch not an entire inch. Fully aware the requirements are for safety…His happiness was everything. He loved it.”

Despite the parents’ ingenuity, their choice has raised questions about compliance with the safety regulations established by Disneyland Resort and other Disney parks. While the boy experienced no issues on the Cars Land ride, the incident probes deeper into the long-standing discussions surrounding safety measures implemented in amusement parks.

Social Media Reactions and Support

The reactions on social media were notably polarized. Many Disney Parks fans praised the parents, celebrating their desire to make their child happy. Comments flooded in, with many viewers reminiscing about their experiences or advocating for parental choices that prioritize child enjoyment.

One user remarked, “Omg he was so excited!!! I would have done the same!!!”

“I have done it plenty of times,” said another. “We moms will do it over and over to see those smiles.”

However, alongside the applause, a stream of criticism, cautioning against the actions taken, emerged. Some commentators stressed the importance of adhering to safety requirements for reasons that extend beyond fun.

“Please remember height requirements are there for a reason,” one commenter wrote.

“Imagine thinking you know more compared to the engineers who created the ride and set the height requirements,” said another. “If 1/4 an inch less was safe they would’ve set it at that, they did not. They literally run tons of safety rides and tests to see what height is required to be deem safe. The ignorance and entitlement is crazy.”

Interestingly, this scenario is not isolated. Many parents shared similar tactics regarding height restrictions at amusement parks. From platform shoes to other creative enhancements, it has become somewhat common for families to bypass the rules to ensure their kids don’t miss out on attractions.

“I had a friend who would get dollar flip flops and cut them to the shoes the kid would wear and put them in them,” one commenter recalled.

“I did this for my nephew at Universal,” said another. “I looked up the height and he was practically a spec away so I took extra socks.”

Is it acceptable to sneak a child onto a Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort ride if they’re under an inch too short? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments.