Proof that the height measuring sticks aren't all the same

[ArcticWildMan]

On our recent trip, my youngest daughter was right at the 44" limit. She was checked 3 times on Test Track and she just barely touched the bar. Whn we went to MK and got in line for Space Mountain, she was measured before she entered and again she just BARELY touched the bar. Once we worked our way through the line, they checked her right before she was allowed on the ride and suddenly she was 2 inches short. Needless to say, my daughter (5) was heartbroken about not being allowed on the ride. I asked to speak with the head person that managed the CM's on Space Mountain to ask why there was such a difference in measurements and she took us to the other side and measured my daughter herself. Surprise, surprise, she suddenly grew another inch and was let on the ride.

Makes me wonder how many other poor kids have been turned away at the last moment because the measuring bar was 46" inches instead of 44".

Don't be afraid to ask for somebody else to measure your child if you are positive they are tall enough to ride an attraction. Not all measurement devices are accurate.

[CarnotaurDad]

I agree that everyone measures a little differently.....

Our DD had her heart set on riding the Dinosaur ride at AK but when we went to the attraction, the person at the front measured her and said she was too small. This was something we were prepared for, so no big deal.

Because our DD loves dinosaurs, we asked if there was anything she could see in the exhibit. The CM said she could see the pre-show and then turn off at the exit. So, we went in to the preshow and followed everyone down the ride to turnoff. As we went to turnoff, the CM at the turnoff measured our DD again and said "she's tall enough".

What a surprise! We asked our DD what she wanted to do and she said she wanted to ride it. The ride itself is a whole other story (the picture taken has me holding my hand over her eyes and trying to cover her ears!).

Needless to say, the measurements can be quite different.

[dmfuru]

I thought the height requirement at Test Track was 40 inches, and the requirement at Space Mountain was 44 inches.

[HappyMommy2]

Wow, have they upped the restriction for Test Track? My 40" DS rode it in July! He'll be disappointed if he can't ride next time we go!

That's too bad about the unfair measuring sticks. Seems like that's one thing that would be pretty simple to standardize.

[ear_poppin]

My DS is the same "just" 44 inches exactly. Knowing how he will react if he is promised a ride and then not let on I may well take a little fabric measure tape just in case!

[chirsty'smom]

There definitely needs to be a standardized measuring system for WDW. I would hate to disappoint any child, especially when they are told at the beginning that they can ride.
I measured our DS yesterday to see what if any of the rides he'll be able to enjoy & which ones we'll save for a later date. Hopefully my ruler measures like theirs.

With that aside...

What worries me is when parents, just as eager as their children try a variety of ways to "Fake" their child's height - certain shoes, wearing their hair up high, heel lifts etc...these requirements are for their safety. You wouldn't let your child ride a roller coaster that didn't have proper harnesses...so why let your child ride something that is not engineered to "fit" their small size. We all protect our children and want them OUT of harms way so don't let the excitement of WDW cloud important decisions!

Okay done preaching....

[JBurke]

We had this same problem in August with our son who is exactly 40 inches. Sometimes he measured just fine, sometimes they would say he is too short.
My husband said they should have a standard measurer when you enter the park and give wristbands or something for the child to wear that day proving he is whatever height the official measurer said. It sure would avoid time wasted in line with the CMs measuring and re-measuring your child.

[elemusing]

Originally posted by JBurke
My husband said they should have a standard measurer when you enter the park and give wristbands or something for the child to wear that day proving he is whatever height the official measurer said.

THAT is a GREAT idea!

[disrailfan]

DW and I were at MGM this last week on our annual Christmas Decorations trip to the world. It is funny that this topic came up. I saw this family have their daughter measured at the front of RNR and then after spending 35 minutes in the line they got to the front of the line where the cast member measured again and the CM could pass her fingers between the top of her head and the bottom of the measuring stick. I thought that this was kind of odd but the family did not push it other than being upset that they just spent 35 minutes in a line to ride a ride that their daughter could not ride when they could have been doing something else.

[slp87]

My husband said they should have a standard measurer when you enter the park and give wristbands or something for the child to wear that day proving he is whatever height the official measurer said.

Something like this was tried at Disneyland a while back, but for some reason was unsuccessful.

Here's the article when it was implemented, but I couldn't find the one that told about it being disconinued. I think it would be a great idea.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/akrock/ak011212.htm

[ear_poppin]

My DS got an armband in Californian Adv last year. His was blue...I think that was 44" and could go on all rides with the blue code on them. It worked out great and he understood perfectly which rides he should go on.

[TowerBellhop]

Originally posted by disrailfan
I saw this family have their daughter measured at the front of RNR and then after spending 35 minutes in the line they got to the front of the line where the cast member measured again and the CM could pass her fingers between the top of her head and the bottom of the measuring stick.

Did the parents do their own measuring of the child at the front of the line, or was there a CM involved? If they waited that long and were turned away without incident, it would seem like they knew she wasn't tall enough, and were just trying to "pull a fast one"...

This mostly just brings to mind all the times that a parent saying "Stand up *tall* honey" was interpreted by the child as "Stand on your toes honey". And the parents always thought that I was too stupid to get it. Please don't be those parents ;) Also, CM's are not allowed to count a parent's hand as part of the child's height - so don't use your hand as the top of the measurement. :)

I do agree that they need a standard. Wasn't there some kind of "Laser Height-Checker" being implemented, possibly along with the aforementioned wristbands. When I worked at Six Flags, we used to have various height hand stamps, but that is a whole different can of worms...

Take care,
Jay

[Geoff_M]

A lot of it depends on what type of measuring device they use. I've seen three different types used at WDW:
1) Wooden sticks with a rubber foot and a short cross arm at the top.
2) Plastic "L"
3) Rigid metal measuring stand.

The wooden sticks are the most inaccurate from what I've seen. The rubber foot makes it easy to knowingly or unknowingly tilt the stick forwards or backwards and alter the tip of the cross arm at the top by +/- an inch or two. We have a son that was first passed onto RnR and then initially rejected by a different CM with the same stick when we queued up after doing the baby swap.

The plastic "L" have a flat edge at the bottom, so they are more accurate... but still have some "fudge" room.

The metal stands appear to be the most accurate.

Which type(s) of devices did you have used in these cases?

[sha_lyn]

On our recent trip, my youngest daughter was right at the 44" limit. She was checked 3 times on Test Track and she just barely touched the bar.

The height restriction for TT is 40 inches, so I certainly see how she would not make the 44 inches for Space Mountain if she barely made it on TT.

[Vavasmon]

We take a family trip to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio every summer. Most other parks could learn a lot from them on the issue of height measurements. There are approx. 5 places in the park where children can be officially measured. A colored band (that matches the sign/stick) is the placed on the childs wrist. The CM then initials and dates the band across the end (to make it very difficult to alter). Anyone who is close to a height for a restricted ride is strongly encourage to get a band. If you don't have a band and fall into a marked zone on the height stick the child must be mesured with the "swinging metal bar" to elimate angels etc. Sr. management at the park takes this issue very seriously (and so therefore so does the staff). They also make kids take off any shoe with more than a standard heel and check shoes for risers. The staff at the official points is always more Sr. type staff.

With the band there is no question as to the skill of the person doing the measurement nor argurements when a child has waited almost an hour to be turned away. They have height checkers at the entrance to the lines (including their freeway (simialr to fastpass)).

My dd has been to parks since she was 3. She just turned 8 and is 54 inches tall). I have a lot of experience with a just tall enough child. We have a nice collection of 44, 48,and 52 bands. She just missed 54 in August (but made it in Oct at 2 other parks). We have the bands along with the pictures in a scrapbook.

[Efastpitch]

Originally posted by elemusing
THAT is a GREAT idea!


Another vote for that's a GREAT IDEA!

[beattyfamily]

My DD is just 48 inches. We were so worried about RnR measuring because she wanted to ride it so badly. She made it!!!!

Every ride we encountered that she needed to be measured on had the permenant wall mounted measuring stick. I think those are best.

I've noticed they don't check very well at the main entrance sometimes like at RnR so you could sneak you kid in and then find out later when they measure again that you kid doesn't actually make it. Maybe that is what happened to that family who waited 35 minutes.

I know I'd be VERY angry if we were measured at the entrance and got the OK and then were measured again right before getting on the ride and find out she doesn't make it! I'd certainly put up a stink!

[dejr_8]

I'm guilty of finding "tall" shoes so that my DS(5) could ride MS and Space Mountain. (Loved MS did not like Space Mountain because it was in the dark). Even with the tall shoes has was just at 44 inches.

The CMs at MS space were telling him to stand tall, don't lean, and take a depth breath to make sure he was tall enough. They wanted him to be able to ride (maybe that was just to have people on the ride so it looked busy).

[pjlla]

We just measured DS the other day, figuring he was tall enough for everything.... He came in at just 47"...... one inch too short for RNR!! Oh well.......he may have been too scared of it anyhow. And while it is tempting to somehow "fudge" his height (bring along his cowboy boots!), I fully understand why they have these requirements and intend to honor them. These parents who buy their children 3 inch platform shoes and put their hair in a beehive for the day are really doing their children (not to mention the parks) a disservice. THERE IS A REASON FOR THE RULES!! How would you feel if your child were injured (or worse) and the findings were that they weren't really tall enough to fit in the safety harness properly. Could you live with yourself? OVER A THEME PARK RIDE??? I fully understand a child's disappointment/anger over not being able to ride, but they have to be made to understand that it is a RULE (i.e. a LAW) to keep them safe.

And while my children tend to run tall (genes from my husband's side of the family), I certainly understand the flip side of the coin with kids small for their ages. My children are 8 1/2 and almost 6. They are almost the same height as my brother's children, who are almost 11 and 8 1/2. My nephews are very small for their ages and during their first trip to WDW were unable to go on a lot of rides other kids their ages (including my kids) were able to ride. I'm sure they were disappointed. But imagine their excitement this last time they went this earlier this year when they were finally tall enough for everything!!

ANYHOW.... I will step off my self-righteous soapbox now. Hope I didn't offend anyone!! ............P

[dejr_8]

It you want to get scientific about it an overall height requirement is an overly conservative metrix for determing the suitability for a ride.

On a ride that has an over the shoulder harness, the important measurement would be from the center of the hip to the center of the shoulder. How long a child's legs are doesn't matter. But this would be difficult to measure in practice so overall height is used for convenience.

From another point of view, does it really matter that the 44" inches is composed of bone and flesh or combination of bone, flesh and an extra thick shoe. The measurement from bottom of shoe to top of head is still 44 inches.

[momof2inPA]

My son had the exact same experience as the OP on Space Mountain-- measured by the CM out front and ok'd, but turned away inside, after waiting in line. Maybe there's a problem with the measuring sticks on Space Mountain.

[Mom2Ben02]

Height is not always the best way to test for maturity. My DS is 14mos old and is almost 40". My DH thinks that means he has the all clear for most rides twhen we go next month. I started another thread, to show him that I am not the only one who feels this way, and got a lot of great feedback from other DISers! (And got to show my DH that once again I am right!)

If a parent feels their shorter child is mature enough, then maybe a taller shoe is not such a crime? Just as there are NBA player 14mo olds, there are 43 1/2 inch 5 year olds who may be just fine on a ride...

Just my Humble Opinion...

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by dejr_8
It you want to get scientific about it an overall height requirement is an overly conservative metrix for determing the suitability for a ride.

On a ride that has an over the shoulder harness, the important measurement would be from the center of the hip to the center of the shoulder. How long a child's legs are doesn't matter. But this would be difficult to measure in practice so overall height is used for convenience.

From another point of view, does it really matter that the 44" inches is composed of bone and flesh or combination of bone, flesh and an extra thick shoe. The measurement from bottom of shoe to top of head is still 44 inches.

I agree 100%, I have always thought this way when it comes to the ride height debate.
Some kids are long legged and their height in regards to ride safety is no different then a kid an inch shorter who is wearing shoes with a thick heel. I really don't think the rides are unsafe for someone who is 1 inchtoo short, they can't have it be that specific, there must be some leeway due to where people have most of their height(long legs/long torso etc.)
That said, I have never, nor will I ever, put either of my kids in thicker soled shoes just to ride a ride, they ride when they are tall enough and that's it.

[Maridw]

We went to ride Dinosaur in November and there was a couple with a youngster in front of us. While we were waiting in line, the mother tried to have her hubby take a picture of their little boy in front of one of the T-Rex heads on the outside of the building. The boy kept grabbing at his mom and pulling away from the head. They continued in the line and just before getting to the room with the dino skeleton in it, the boy dropped to the floor and didn't want to go any further. They finally coaxed him into mom's arms, but they were determined he was going to go on the ride.

We didn't see anyone outside measuring kids for this ride and were surprised these parents wanted this little one (maybe 3 or 4) to go on this ride. We over heard mom talking about how he loves dinosaurs. When we finally got to where we were loading, a CM measured the boy and said he was too small. (Thankfully). So they did a baby swap. But I was amazed that they were determined this child was going to go on Dinosaur. It would have terrified him.

My daughter is 16 and has always had a thing about loud noises. We had to step out of a Nutcracker performance during the fight with the mouse king because it was too loud for her. We finally got her to try Dinosaur in May and she kept her hands over her ears the whole time. We never try and push her to do something she is adamant about not doing. If she does decide to try something and doesn't like it, then we don't push her to do it again.

She did go on the Jurassic Park ride at IOA, but went prepared with ear plugs. She wanted to try it and so knew that there might be something scary and loud.

Too bad the wrist bands didn't pan out. That would save alot of hassle.

[YangYang]

At Disney Quest, they have some kind of electronic (laser?) device to measure children. I didn't get the impression that a child HAD to be measured but rather they could. My nephew did get measured and I think they gave him a wristband but I'm not sure. He just turned 9 and is 46" tall so we have had several trips when he wasn't tall enough to ride while "big" 4 and 5 year olds could. However, he is far too precious to risk an injury because seat restraints didn't fit him properly. He understands and we measure frequently to see if he's tall enough to ride whatever is his goal. On our last trip, he rode Primeval Whirl, Mission:Space and Rock'n'Roller Coaster all for the first time. His only disappointment was CyberSpaceMountain and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster at DQ. We'll be measuring again prior to our next trip in April but not holding out much hope!

[Straitlover]

They have the wrist band system at Legoland in CA. It's not requred, but it gets you through the line faster. The have booths inside the entrance. You get measured there and are given a corresponding armband. The ride signs are color coded, so you know right away what the kid can ride.

[tjmw2727]

We had a simliar experience at Space Mountain with my 6yo riding 2x during the day and measuring taller than necessary. Returned later for MVMCP and she did not meet the stick. Same kid, same shoes, same day! I didn't give the CM a hard time but more stunned than anything I remarked "wow" she was fine earlier today. To which he gave me a sarcastic reply which made my dd cry. She was dissapointed she couldn't ride and the CM made it worse. We had a wonderful time at MVMCP and returned later in the trip to ride SpcMt again.

BTW - Test Track is only a 40" requirement so it would make sense for a child to meet the requirements for TT but not SpcMtn which has a 44" requirement.

I did notice that BTMR and SplMtn have installed more permanent measuring sticks. I hope that helps consistancy as the uneven ground there made measuiring difficult.

TJ

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another post)

The child should be measured before standing in line. If the child has to take off shoes to check for exploxxxxx heel risers, that too should be done outside. Getting an OK measurement out front and a Not OK measurement after waiting in line is totally unacceptable.

It is better to set the height requirements more stringent than necessaryat the outside measuring station to avoid turning away people at the boarding platform due to measurement errors.

I would suggest that the aggrieved parents go to guest relations and ask for an extra fastpass for each member of the family. (Such fastpasses would be good on the guest's choice of ride at any hour.)

About the instqnce with the rude cast member, ask for two extra fastpasses for each member of the family.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

[April76]

:Pinkbounc

Here's a suggestion when measuring with the permanent height sticks.....

Make sure that your child has their feet directly under them (many will lean backward toward the stick -- this can cause them to measure up to 2 inches shorter). I see this happen very often.

Please understand that it's not the CM's fault if your child is tired and won't/can't stand tall enough to meet the requirement.... CM's get no joy from turning a child away; but they do feel a huge responsibility for keeping the child safe (and this is not to imply that the parent's aren't safety conscience).

Hope this helps someone

::MickeyMo

[ArcticWildMan]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
The height restriction for TT is 40 inches, so I certainly see how she would not make the 44 inches for Space Mountain if she barely made it on TT.


:rolleyes: Geesh people. It was probably Big Thunder Mountain where she was measured the first time. I don't remember. I don't have all the rides and their height requirements memorized. I just ASSUMED that I could make a point without being nitpicked to death if I made a mistake about what ride she was measured at earlier. Guess I as wrong :rolleyes:

My point was that Space Mountain has a height measuring problem. The head CM that measured my daughter even said she would contact park maintenance to have them adjust the bar to the correct height as there was an obvious difference between the two sides.

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
:rolleyes: Geesh people. It was probably Big Thunder Mountain where she was measured the first time. I don't remember. I don't have all the rides and their height requirements memorized. I just ASSUMED that I could make a point without being nitpicked to death if I made a mistake about what ride she was measured at earlier. Guess I as wrong :rolleyes:

My point was that Space Mountain has a height measuring problem. The head CM that measured my daughter even said she would contact park maintenance to have them adjust the bar to the correct height as there was an obvious difference between the two sides.

Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, Dinasour and Test Track are all 40" restrictions. The only other ride at WDW with a 44 height restriction is Mission Space. I wasn't trying to be flip btw just helpful - to you as well as future readers of the thread looking for information and advice. Especially since I had a similar frustrating experiene at Space Mountain.

TJ

[ArcticWildMan]

Must have been MS then. I just remember her being measured several times at another ride and making it each and every time.

Anyway the entire point of the thread was that there is a problem with Space Mountains measuring. Just wanted to clarify that since so many people were getting sidetracked on tangents.

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
Must have been MS then. I just remember her being measured several times at another ride and making it each and every time.

Anyway the entire point of the thread was that there is a problem with Space Mountains measuring. Just wanted to clarify that since so many people were getting sidetracked on tangents.

Yes - gotcha and makes sense. The only reason I even mentioned it is that when newer readers read these threads they go by all the information posted. I just wanted to make sure someone with a 40-42 inch child was aware of the differences and didn't "assume" their child could ride Space Mountain.

Hopefully the measuring issue is getting better or is better at AK and MGM. We are now past the 44" restriction and don't you know it my 7yo is just about 47". We return in Feb and she really wants to ride primeval whirl and maybe try RnRc - both 48". At least I have a reason to push the veggies!!
TJ

[sha_lyn]

ArcticWildMan ... I think you need to chill out. You insinuated that TT and SpM had the same height requirements which they do not. It seemed as if you were confused as to what the height requirement was, so I was trying to be helpful. I can only read what you posted, I can not read your mind.

[BounceyOne]

On a similar note I have always wondered why the height restrictions are different in different states for the same ride. Different names of course but the same ride.

DD is tall enough at WDW but not at our local six flags.

weird.

[kbkids]

BounceyOne - I totally agree. We were going to Six Flags this past summer and thank goodness, checked the height requirements for the rides before we left. My DD would have come unglued if she had not been able to ride the rides that she's used to riding at WDW. We'll be saving that park for much later.

[gravymom]

We just got back from WDW. I was determined that DD (5) ride a couple of rides that she is afraid of - not to be mean but to help her overcome some of her fears. I "made" her ride Goofy's Barnstormer, which she decided that she liked.

So we went to Primeval Whirl and measured her. I was not sure if she was hitting the top of the bar or not and could not remember what she last measured at the pediatrician. I had a CM come over and measure her. Much to DD's horror, she was tall enough. She rode it and then decided she liked it also.

edited to add: even though she was tall enough for Dinosaur and Space Mountain, I would never force her to ride those. The two coasters she did ride are fairly tame and not dark or intimidating. She simply needed a little push to try something new.


The funny part was DS, who is a few inches too short, and did not understand the babyswap concept. We all waited in line and he was absolutely howling. He did not want to ride. And no matter how many times I told him he was not ALLOWED to ride, he kept screaming. I know that everyone around us thought I was the worst parent in the world, "forcing" him to ride when all we were doing was babyswap.

[kbkids]

My DS was a little under 2 years old when he made his first trip to Disney. His first ride was Dumbo, and he absolutely loved it, so much so that he kicked and screamed when it was time to get off of it. A lady passed me and said, "Oh please don't make him ride if he doesn't want to." I laughed and informed her that he was mad because he didn't want to get off. Once he figured out we were going to go on another ride, he was fine, but it took him 3 or 4 rides to understand.