54" measurement....very accurate or do they pad it for shoes?

[mom2mikel]

I just want to be prepared when we go. My DS is 53.5" without shoes and up to 55.5" with shoes depending on the particular pair of shoes.

Are the 54" sticks measured to 54" so he would pass with shoes or do they add an inch or two to the measuring sticks for shoes?

TIA! (Sorry for so many questions lately!!)

 

[texasmousketeer]

As far as I know, there are no rides with a 54" height requirement. There are a few that have a 52" requirement, but that is the most.
You can check requirements here wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/height.cfm . (Sorry it won't let me have the link work yet, but you can cut and paste it into your browser.)

In general, most amusement parks it is hit and miss. It depends on the ride operator at the the time. I also have a child who is 53.5 inches and he has gotten on some rides (at Six Flags) walked back around and the next operator (not 5 minutes later) tells him that he is too short. Disney seemed to be the same way other times I was there.

 

[OrlandoUnited]

Height requirements are there for your safety, so I wouldn't try to cheat the system.

You can read all of the height requirements here: http://www.orlandowelcomecenter.com/disney-height-requirements.htm

 

[damo]

http://www.universalorlando.com/Resort_Information/ride_height_requirements.aspx

Dragon Challenge and Hulk are the only things with a 54" limit. I think as long as he is 54" with reasonable shoes, he will be fine.

 

[mom2mikel]

Thanks!!! I am not trying to cheat the system...just asking for clarification as to how they determine height. If he is deemed tall enough by their standards -- wonderful. If not that's okay too. I would not tamper to make him taller to sneak him on a ride. I just want to be prepared for his sake.

 

[mjohnson96]

DD is just at 48inches when we went this year, not once did they pull her aside on the Mummy or FJ to check her height which really surprised me. She did wear some wedge type sandels but to me that would only have made her stood out to be checked for height.

So in that case the measurements are not paded, when we went she came right up to the line for the Mummy when we did the height check outside. She had a blast and rode the Mummy 5 times, on the 3rd or 4th time she finally opened her eyes up and was very proud of herself for that.

 

[bubba's mom]

They use measuring sticks at DC.... there is a placard mounted on the wall at Hulk at the loading area if they need to measure anyone.

I like ^ this idea...mounting it to the wall gives NO leeway for error.

 

[coastermom]

The measurements are for a child in shoes . My son is just 52 inches in his shoes and 51.5 with out them . The only rides in IOA that are 54 are the Hulk and Dragons Challange . He missed both by alot . Doctor Dooms drop tower by the hulk is 52 inches BOTH times he was measured and had no issues going on . We did NOT pad his shoes he wore regular sneakers to the parks all three days. ... Your son will be fine in his regular shoes . It is like this at all amusement parks.. unless you are wearing really crazy wedge shoes or the kid looks funny walking are they going to stop you .

 

[ChuckGA]

I just want to be prepared when we go. My DS is 53.5" without shoes and up to 55.5" with shoes depending on the particular pair of shoes.

Are the 54" sticks measured to 54" so he would pass with shoes or do they add an inch or two to the measuring sticks for shoes?

TIA! (Sorry for so many questions lately!!)

We were there last November and my son was right on the margin of 54". He made it every time they measured him and I do not believe they pad the height check. It is a straight up 54" and they get to wear their shoes. We were pleased with the reliability and repeatability of the measuring at Universal compared to Disney where the measuring sticks are all different and you could pass the front check but fail the final check after waiting in line 30 minutes.

 

[4greatboys]

Last Oct we measured my son outside the front of the park at IOA where they have the measurement board. He was 54" according to the board. We went to Hulk and again he measured 54" and we had a TM double check to be sure. Yes 54".

We went to Dueling Dragons (DC) and we rode front row Ice. No question about his height then got in line for Fire. Once it was time for us to get on they took him to a measurement marker that was mounted on the wall. It showed him to be atleast 1 inch to short. So no all the measurement markers in the park are not the same and not all accurate.

Of course then we had to go through the safety spiel I have never tried to get my kids on a ride when they were to short. I value their safety above all. But when you ARE the proper height and the measurements are inconsistant it is very frustrating.

This June when we went there was no issue at any of the ride and he happily got to ride all the coasters he wanted to