How strict are CMs with height restrictions

[jentifred]

In my experience, they've been quite accurate. My youngest had just hit 48" on our measuring wall at home and barely scraped the post at Disney for Rock-N-Roller Coaster. When he was 4 and right at 44", he was too short with his Crocs on but made it with his sneakers the next day. I had told him before we left it would be close and he'd have to stand up nice and tall, and he did.

Thank you! That is helpful.

He'll probably be wearing his sneakers, though I suppose his sport sandals could get some use, too.

Sounds like the measuring sticks at the park account for a normal shoe sole. I measure him barefoot at home (as does the pediatrician).

 

[scoutie]

My five year old was just under the height restriction at Epcot to ride Space Orange and they would not let her on.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thank you! That is helpful.

He'll probably be wearing his sneakers, though I suppose his sport sandals could get some use, too.

Sounds like the measuring sticks at the park account for a normal shoe sole. I measure him barefoot at home (as does the pediatrician).

Just be aware that if the shoes look like they are worn for the purpose of adding height, the CM have them be removed before they measure. It doesn't sound like you should have a problem, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

And to the poster who thinks there must be a better way, if there was one that wasn't easily cheated, and didn't cost them a bunch of money, I'm sure Disney would have found it by now. It can't be fun for the CMs either, having to tell a child they are too short and then having to deal with hostile parents.

I think maybe the parents need to take a bit of the ownership here too. If you know your child is very close and won't react well to not being allowed to ride, maybe you don't even try to ride. Far from ideal, I know. But the other choice is to risk an upset child, and only you know how upset your child will be. And if it is worth taking the chance or not.

 

[jenny76]

In our experience, they have been very strict about it. Three years ago, when we took my son for his 5th birthday, we got in line for Primeval Whirl. He was measured at the entrance and just met the 48 inch requirement. After waiting in the loooong line, he was measured again right before we got on and measured a smidge under 48 inches, and they wouldn't let him ride. Talk about a VERY disappointed child (not to mention a couple of irritated parents). But what can you do, since it's a safety thing? They were very apologetic, especially since the first CM said he was good to go and we stood in that line, and gave us anywhere FPs.

 

[jentifred]

Just be aware that if the shoes look like they are worn for the purpose of adding height, the CM have them be removed before they measure. It doesn't sound like you should have a problem, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

And to the poster who thinks there must be a better way, if there was one that wasn't easily cheated, and didn't cost them a bunch of money, I'm sure Disney would have found it by now. It can't be fun for the CMs either, having to tell a child they are too short and then having to deal with hostile parents.

I think maybe the parents need to take a bit of the ownership here too. If you know your child is very close and won't react well to not being allowed to ride, maybe you don't even try to ride. Far from ideal, I know. But the other choice is to risk an upset child, and only you know how upset your child will be. And if it is worth taking the chance or not.

He has regular sneakers, sport sandals, and crocs. He also has a pair of boots, but he is likely to love them to death before we leave and I wouldn't want it to look like we were trying to cheat anyway.

I'm going to cross my fingers that he grows and that we can find a ride with a short wait as our first check!

 

[AndyFL]

In our experience, they have been very strict about it. Three years ago, when we took my son for his 5th birthday, we got in line for Primeval Whirl. He was measured at the entrance and just met the 48 inch requirement. After waiting in the loooong line, he was measured again right before we got on and measured a smidge under 48 inches, and they wouldn't let him ride. Talk about a VERY disappointed child (not to mention a couple of irritated parents). But what can you do, since it's a safety thing? They were very apologetic, especially since the first CM said he was good to go and we stood in that line, and gave us anywhere FPs.

That was nice of them. I mean it stunk that he got turned down at boarding but at least the FPs made sure your time spent in line was redeemed.

 

[lillykat]

Just be aware that if the shoes look like they are worn for the purpose of adding height, the CM have them be removed before they measure. It doesn't sound like you should have a problem, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

And to the poster who thinks there must be a better way, if there was one that wasn't easily cheated, and didn't cost them a bunch of money, I'm sure Disney would have found it by now. It can't be fun for the CMs either, having to tell a child they are too short and then having to deal with hostile parents.

I think maybe the parents need to take a bit of the ownership here too. If you know your child is very close and won't react well to not being allowed to ride, maybe you don't even try to ride. Far from ideal, I know. But the other choice is to risk an upset child, and only you know how upset your child will be. And if it is worth taking the chance or not.

Yes but maybe there is a point to those asking if the stick is a true 40 or 44 inch stick. If you are not cheating and they measure at the entrance I can see in all fairness how someone could be angry/upset/whatever. If the sticks are accurate and the parent is not pulling a fast one nothing should change from start of line to about to board. If the stick is accurate then the child is either 40 or 44 or whatever or they are not. I have no problem saying measure without shoes to keep it honest. But if you are measured back of the line then you should be the same height a little later. If not the maybe their stick is incorrect and I can understand why they should/would be upset. I don't think the child should be penalized. I can understand how one could be okay in the morning but not late in the day if really close but I know several people who have had other experiences. And again. Mist are not on this board. I only saw recently that the measure 2-3 times. On our last trip the only height one DD made was barnstorner and she was only measured at the start of the line. I would say most parents would get their child excited about a ride once they clear the 1st check bc they would have no idea of further ones. I feel sorry for the CMs bc they are being set up to deal with asad chikd and maybe annoyed parent. Again I am not talking about those who cheat but the average parent who does what they are supposed to. So I do think it is a fair question to ask if the stick is a true 40 inches or slightly taller to accommodate for the average shoe boost. This way a parent can measure at home barefoot and if little jonny measures 40, 44, whatever they should assume they are fine. But that does not appear to always be the case. So I think it is a fair question.

 

[lillykat]

In our experience, they have been very strict about it. Three years ago, when we took my son for his 5th birthday, we got in line for Primeval Whirl. He was measured at the entrance and just met the 48 inch requirement. After waiting in the loooong line, he was measured again right before we got on and measured a smidge under 48 inches, and they wouldn't let him ride. Talk about a VERY disappointed child (not to mention a couple of irritated parents). But what can you do, since it's a safety thing? They were very apologetic, especially since the first CM said he was good to go and we stood in that line, and gave us anywhere FPs.

That is great that they gave you anywhere passes. Nice solution. I am curious did the try to remeasure with the original stick? This has happened to several people so I wonder if there are variations in the sticks. Except the families we knew were only offered baby swap and a sticker so the child who couldn't ride lost out completely. Just wondering if that happens can you Very politely (not demanding) request a remeasure with the original or different stick in case there is a variation.

 

[maxiesmom]

If a child is really close to the correct height, even a change in how they stand can make the difference between riding and not riding. I doubt they would run back and get the original stick, what would they do then at the start of the ride without it? Hold the line up?

I've heard many parents say their child would shy away from the bar they use to measure. Make sure you child knows the goal is to hit the bar, it won't hurt them.

 

[cuchu2005]

Just be aware that if the shoes look like they are worn for the purpose of adding height, the CM have them be removed before they measure. It doesn't sound like you should have a problem, but I just wanted to give you a heads-up.

And to the poster who thinks there must be a better way, if there was one that wasn't easily cheated, and didn't cost them a bunch of money, I'm sure Disney would have found it by now. It can't be fun for the CMs either, having to tell a child they are too short and then having to deal with hostile parents.

I think maybe the parents need to take a bit of the ownership here too. If you know your child is very close and won't react well to not being allowed to ride, maybe you don't even try to ride. Far from ideal, I know. But the other choice is to risk an upset child, and only you know how upset your child will be. And if it is worth taking the chance or not.

Maybe with the RFID bracelets, they can get rid off the measuring at the attraction's gate...

Mx

 

[fan1080]

Maybe with the RFID bracelets, they can get rid off the measuring at the attraction's gate...

Mx

I wouldn't count on that.

An easy cheat is just to simply remove the bracelet from a child who is tall enough, and give it to a child who isn't.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I agree that if someone is measured at the back of the line they should be the same at the time they get to the front of the line. However, as one parent has already stated, if the child uses some kind of height aid at the back of the line and then removes it before they get to the front then you have a variance of course. This could happen because parents didnt realize that there would be two people checking height at the ride.

 

[Missytara]

I wouldn't count on that.

An easy cheat is just to simply remove the bracelet from a child who is tall enough, and give it to a child who isn't.

Sadly, where there is some sort of solution, there is always people who will take advantage of it.

Can you imagine the parent who willingly does switch the RFID bracelet and then their child is seriously hurt because they slip out of the harness or restraint? I am sure a lot of people are totally unaware of the design of the attraction and the height restriction, but I am sure there are just as many who are aware of it and its need for safety.

Best to measure directly.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree that if someone is measured at the back of the line they should be the same at the time they get to the front of the line. However, as one parent has already stated, if the child uses some kind of height aid at the back of the line and then removes it before they get to the front then you have a variance of course. This could happen because parents didnt realize that there would be two people checking height at the ride.

A while ago there was a poster who reported seeing a child who had ice cream sandwiches stuffed in his shoes! Apparently the parents didn't take into account the little fact that ice cream melts.

 

[arcurioa]

Make sure to practice standing up straight. My DD was turned away from RNRC as too short, but we knew she was tall enough. So we walked away and had her practice, went back and she was fine. It sounds silly, but they tend to get a little timid when being standing with all to watch

 

[mattsdragon]

For the people that complain about the measuring twice, I have to relate an ancedote from my youth.

I grew up going to King's Dominion. At the entry to every height restricted line, there was a plywood cutout of a Hanna-Barbera character holding a yardstick and saying "you must be this tall to ride this ride". Parents would line their kids up and then they would head into the line.

The CM at the end of the line then had a stick that they would measure the kids with, and their response to the inevitable "but he was tall enough at Squiddly Diddly" was "the only official measurement is taken right here".

Same thing. The measurement taken as you enter the line doesn't actually count, it's the one at the ride that counts. Half the time, people scoot right by the measuring device at the entry. CM's get distracted, they are answereing questions (what time is the 4:30 parade?), so the only measurement that matters is at the ride.

Have your kids ready for that one.

 

[chartle]

Maybe with the RFID bracelets, they can get rid off the measuring at the attraction's gate...

Mx

Not sure how unless its semi permanently attached to the kid in a way that's its destroyed if removed.

Also what about every one with regular most likely RFID tickets?

There is nothing magical about RFID its just a quicker way to read an ID number.

 

[jrtoastyman]

You will hear plenty of anecdotal evidence of CM's letting kids on that weren't quite tall enough, but they are generally quite strict. Don't overpromise, and prepare to be disappointed if they aren't up to height.

 

[nuge67]

Stuff napkins in the heels of their sneakers and BINGO!

 

[alecshawn]

Stuff napkins in the heels of their sneakers and BINGO!

I really does work. Thankfully...all of our kids are tall enough for everything...well my daughter is still gonna be an inch short for Rock n roller....but im still brainstormin....of a way!!! lol