Child's height question...

[sherryrae]

We just got back on Saturday and yes, my 4 year old DD was measured twice for every ride she went on besides Kali, where she was given the wrist band and stamp. She measured 4o inches at the ped. office in May so I wasn't really thinking it would be a problem but they were very strict with her. In fact one day she had the up hairdo from BBB and they made sure the bun was out of the way to measure.

 

[imthatgirl]

Hang him from the monkey bars and pull on his legs?

you watched too much brady bunch as a kid

 

[bumbershoot]

That makes me think of a question...

Does every ride that measures have a second person at the end that could nix it even though the child passed the first one with flying colors?

I don't know about WDW, but DLR does. You don't always get measured, but the sticks are there to the side, just in case.

DS went on TOT during our last trip, and he was getting tired while we were in line and wanted to be held. I told him that if I held him, the CMs would notice him and he would be measured again, and he absolutely was. As soon as the CM saw me carrying a kid we were summoned for remeasuring.

Of course, there's nothing like being sent out of a ride b/c of that second measure to make a kid learn how to be measured big and tall, so he stood there with his feet against the back, straight and tall, and he was more than fine.

And I don't know if WDW does it, but at DLR if you are too small, they give the kid a cute card that's pretty much a "front of the line" pass for when kiddo IS big enough. It was fabulous for Star Tours, and we have a card for Grizzly for a future trip (which will not be taken until he is, actually, tall enough for Grizzly).

 

[maxiesmom]

But, some families may not get to go again! Yes, we are very lucky that we go almost every year, but across the country, that is the exception, not the norm (although it would seem to be the norm to people on the DIS... LOL) This will be DS's 3rd trip (4th if you count my going when I was pregnant with him...) and my 16th trip. We are blessed, in deed.

What about someone with dwarfism. S/he may be an adult and possibly not reach the height mark.

What about the child who has a terminal illness and this is the only chance for them to go?

Yes, I'm reaching for the extremes here, but it is part of reality. So a simple "there's always next year" comment can be very far from the truth for some.

It doesn't matter. You are either tall enough for a ride, or you are not. Disney can't just let certain people on to be nice. What would happen if they were then hurt? Disney would then be sued, and we would all be upset because of the sky-high cost of tickets. If Disney could even stay open.

It is a ride. I understand being disappointed if your child is not able to ride, but is a ride really worth risking your child's safety?

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

It is a ride. I understand being disappointed if your child is not able to ride, but is a ride really worth risking your child's safety?

IMHO, never! If the height restriction is set at a certain level, then that's that. I can understand that a child is "that close" but close only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades!

 

[princessmom29]

My dd is 41 1/2'' without shoes. Has anyone had a child this far over turned away?? i guess what I'm asking is how far off are the measuring sticks, and if she is 42" with shoes is there one I should be concerned about?

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

I have no problem with the height requirements but it is very difficult to explain to a 4 ear old why he measure 40 in on one stick but not on another.

THAT is for sure. I have NO problem with enforcing the rules fairly and equally. BUT when one measure is different it sure causes upset with the kids and they don't understand. And yes...it did happen to our grandson and I wish it didn't happen to any kids.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

My dd is 41 1/2'' without shoes. Has anyone had a child this far over turned away?? i guess what I'm asking is how far off are the measuring sticks, and if she is 42" with shoes is there one I should be concerned about?

The ones that are off seem to be off by a 1/4 to 1/2 inch at MOST. I think you are good for the 40 inch rides...I would warn her that she may not get on the 42 inch rides...or avoid them entirely to avoid the meltdown!!!

 

[TravelinGal]

But, some families may not get to go again! Yes, we are very lucky that we go almost every year, but across the country, that is the exception, not the norm (although it would seem to be the norm to people on the DIS... LOL) This will be DS's 3rd trip (4th if you count my going when I was pregnant with him...) and my 16th trip. We are blessed, in deed.

What about someone with dwarfism. S/he may be an adult and possibly not reach the height mark.

What about the child who has a terminal illness and this is the only chance for them to go?

Yes, I'm reaching for the extremes here, but it is part of reality. So a simple "there's always next year" comment can be very far from the truth for some.

Being an adult or terminally ill doesn't make any difference - it's all about safety, and if someone can't fit safely in the ride restraints, then they can't go on. It's not just the safety of that one person, not to gross anyone out, but you can be killed by the force of another human body.

It doesn't matter. You are either tall enough for a ride, or you are not. Disney can't just let certain people on to be nice. What would happen if they were then hurt? Disney would then be sued, and we would all be upset because of the sky-high cost of tickets. If Disney could even stay open.

It is a ride. I understand being disappointed if your child is not able to ride, but is a ride really worth risking your child's safety?

You both missed my point. It wasn't that there was not a valid reason for the height rules or that they should be waived for certain people. It was that people with circumstances like I listed might find the "there's always next year" response as very cold, uncaring and flippant. I'm not saying the rules should change for them. Just pointing out that there may never be a 'next year' for some.

Hang him from the monkey bars and pull on his legs?

 

[princessmom29]

The ones that are off seem to be off by a 1/4 to 1/2 inch at MOST. I think you are good for the 40 inch rides...I would warn her that she may not get on the 42 inch rides...or avoid them entirely to avoid the meltdown!!!

Thanks! I don't think she wanted to do anything that was 42 inches anyway. I was only worried about the 40 inch rides.

 

[bumbershoot]

You both missed my point. It wasn't that there was not a valid reason for the height rules or that they should be waived for certain people. It was that people with circumstances like I listed might find the "there's always next year" response as very cold, uncaring and flippant. I'm not saying the rules should change for them. Just pointing out that there may never be a 'next year' for some.

FWIW, I got what you were saying. But it was a post about a child's height, and no mention was made of a condition where the child wouldn't grow. If that were the subject, I imagine the answers would haven't have included "there's always next year" except for by those who weren't reading carefully.

 

[maxiesmom]

You both missed my point. It wasn't that there was not a valid reason for the height rules or that they should be waived for certain people. It was that people with circumstances like I listed might find the "there's always next year" response as very cold, uncaring and flippant. I'm not saying the rules should change for them. Just pointing out that there may never be a 'next year' for some.

And I'm just saying that even if your family only goes to Disney World one time, that does not mean that the rules are to be waved.

I'm sure the CMs don't like telling a child they are to small to ride. And I'm sure that they don't like parents pitching a fit about it. But the solution is not to just let a kid who is a little to short ride. Nor is it for the parents to try to find ways to add inches to their kids height.

It is the CMs job to decide if your child is tall enough or not. They are the ones in charge of your child's safety at that point. Not to mention the fact that they could be fired if they do let a child that is not tall enough to ride. I'm not saying I wouldn't be unhappy/hurt/angry if I had a child that was just on the brink of being tall enough, and they were not let on. But I would hope I would be aware that they CMS are doing what they are supposed to do, and that my child's safety trumps my/their desire to ride a ride.