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Parents Spark Debate After Boosting Child’s Height To Ride Disneyland Attraction

A family rides in colorful cars on a roller coaster, set against a backdrop of rocky mountains. A child on the ride is wearing sneakers, and an adult is tying their shoelace.
Credit: Inside the Magic

Two parents received widespread praise on social media after they showed themselves stuffing their young son’s shoe so he would reach the height requirement for Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland Resort. The positive response to the viral incident was unusual, as Disney Park guests typically garner overwhelming backlash for skirting ride safety requirements.

Radiator Springs Racers, similar to Chevrolet Test Track in EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort, is the premier attraction in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park. Guests race side-by-side in vehicles inspired by Pixar’s Cars (2006), speeding around turns and dodging obstacles on the path to victory.

A little girl rides her father's shoulders outside Radiator Springs Racers at Disneyland

Credit: Disney

TikToker @milliechavarria‘s son is a big fan of Cars and wanted to ride Radiator Springs Racers during the family’s Disneyland Resort vacation. However, he was turned away at the attraction’s entrance because he was a quarter of an inch short of its 40-inch height requirement. Instead of moving to another ride, the boy’s parents stuffed his shoes with socks and sneaked him onto the ride.

@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…,” the Disney Park guest wrote. “It was just a quarter inch not an entire inch. Fully aware the requirements are for safety.”

The young boy enjoyed Radiator Springs Racers without issues.

“He is the biggest Cars fan,” his mother added. “His happiness was everything. He loved it.”

radiator springs racers

Credit: Disney

The video amassed tens of thousands of likes and comments. Unlike in previous instances, many social media users commended the parents for doing what they could to make their son happy.

“Omg he was so excited!!!” read one of the top comments. “I would have done the same!!!”

“No judgment,” another social media user wrote. “I see a parent making their child happy and making memories. Hope you guys had a wonderful time.”

radiator springs racers cars land

Credit: Disney

“For all the $$ you probably spent on tickets and everything… DO IT!” said another. “I fully support this.”

Other commenters said they’d done similar things to get their children on Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort rides.

“The platform crocs way come in for the win lol they add about an inch,” one parent wrote.

Two green and red cars with eyes.

Credit: Disney

“My mom would make me wear platform shoes and they let me through,” said another.

Still, some Disney Parks fans slammed parents for skirting safety requirements.

“Shaking my head as a former Racers [cast member],” one social media user wrote. “Please don’t post these things if you do them. It encourages more people to do it and makes the cast members jobs that much harder.”

The desertic landscape at Radiator Springs Racers, one of Disney California Adventure's most popular rides, located in Disney California Adventure

Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the Magic

“Please remember height requirements are there for a reason,” another replied. “They aren’t meant to deter you from having fun but for safety.”

Inside the Magic doesn’t condone ignoring attraction safety rules. Disney Park rides are only guaranteed to be safe for guests who meet or exceed the listed requirements.

Should Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort enforce consequences for sneaking a child onto a ride, they’re too small for? Share your opinion with us in the comments. 

About Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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