CMs asking kids to remove shoes for height check

[Tremaine Fans]

A couple years ago, my daughter was able to pass the height test outside of the rock n roller coaster to enter the line. When we finally got to the beginning of the ride about to board the coaster she was re-measured and not allowed to ride because they said she was not tall enough. Poor kid was heartbroken

 

[LaurenT]

A couple years ago, my daughter was able to pass the height test outside of the rock n roller coaster to enter the line. When we finally got to the beginning of the ride about to board the coaster she was re-measured and not allowed to ride because they said she was not tall enough. Poor kid was heartbroken

I've seen this happen at RnRC more than any other ride. I was lucky that my DD was too frightened to ride it until she was more than tall enough!

 

[pooh4evr]

He might have to take his shoes of, and if a piece of paper can pass between his head- not his hair- and the bar- its a no go. Usually normal tennis shoes are fine, there is a very current thread with peoeple recounting their experience with this.

 

[Jennasis]

I've seen this happen at RnRC more than any other ride. I was lucky that my DD was too frightened to ride it until she was more than tall enough!

Happened to a family right in front of us at RnR. They were CLEARLY trying to hide the kid from CM's. They instructed her to walk on her toes past the CM's, and they shuffled the adults around so that they kept her hidden behind them. They made it past the first check point but as we were boarding we could hear the dad ROARING at the inside CM's...as they politely showed them the door. The kids was hysterical. The Dad was beet red and SCREAMING like a lunatic. It was ugly.

 

[Ava]

A couple years ago, my daughter was able to pass the height test outside of the rock n roller coaster to enter the line. When we finally got to the beginning of the ride about to board the coaster she was re-measured and not allowed to ride because they said she was not tall enough. Poor kid was heartbroken

There has to be a better way to handle the two height checkpoints. I understand that people sneak too-small children past the first CM but if a child is tall enough at the entrance to the line, they should be tall enough at the front of it! The first CM could give a handstamp or something showing that the child was measured and passed; 2nd CM verifies child has a stamp and if they don't, they get measured at the front of the line.

I hope we don't have any problems on our trip. DD measured 44" at her last check up in May so she should be well over the requirement for those rides, but I guess you never know.

 

[Kalea]

Last year, my 3-yo daughter was 40" pretty much on the nose. She was occasionally measured at the line entrance (never at the 2nd station before boarding). She was never asked to remove her shoes. She was never paper tested.

Before we left, we did show her how she would be measured. We explained that her head was meant to touch the bar, so she shouldn't duck or bend over.

 

[godders]

I know it is heartbreaking sometimes when children can't get on some rides (I was sooo close to getting on quite a few when I was 4 but had to wait till my next visit) but ultimately it is for their own safety. Lap bars, padded headrests and the like are there for a reason and so is the height restriction. I've heard tales of kids getting bruises and the like when they've managed to get round the restrictions

 

[wdwrule]

Being his height is that close . . . shove a few napkins in his shoes under his feet.

 

[maxiesmom]

There has to be a better way to handle the two height checkpoints. I understand that people sneak too-small children past the first CM but if a child is tall enough at the entrance to the line, they should be tall enough at the front of it! The first CM could give a handstamp or something showing that the child was measured and passed; 2nd CM verifies child has a stamp and if they don't, they get measured at the front of the line.

I hope we don't have any problems on our trip. DD measured 44" at her last check up in May so she should be well over the requirement for those rides, but I guess you never know.

And how do you suggest they stop people from sneaking kids by the first checkpoint?

Also, hand stamps wouldn't work, as they are easy enough to transfer from one person to another.

If a child is so close in height that slouching a bit means they won't clear the second checkpoint, then maybe the parent should decide to skip the ride. Or at least not have a melt down once the child doesn't pass. I think the majority of the child's stress comes from the parents and their bad behavior. But as long as parents will try and cheat the system, there really is no better way to address that the to measure right at boarding.

 

[ttintagel]

I've seen kids asked to remove shoes before, but only obvious big ones like wedge clogs.

It might be a good idea to practice "standing up tall" at home with a measuring bar similar to the ones they use at the parks. I've read that a lot of kids tend to naturally slouch and either subconsciously or consciously try to avoid having the bar touch their heads when being measured because it's unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

 

[Samasquatch]

We went to another theme park (Carowinds maybe?) where kids were measured at the entrance to the park and given a colored wrist band. The height requirements on each ride were color coded to match the wrist bands. I loved it because it was super easy to know which rides they were tall enough for, plus they only had to be measured the one time.

 

[NileNellie]

Being his height is that close . . . shove a few napkins in his shoes under his feet.

I'm assuming you were just joking here, but I used to work at RNR and people would do this often. It really irks me. The height requirements are posted for a reason: your child's safety. Trust me, I hate seeing a kid's heart break just as much as the next person, but my #1 priority is making sure that kid can ride the ride safely.

 

[Sweets156]

Don't they have strict height requirements for a reason? Safety maybe? Making sure your kid is wearing shoes that make him taller to ride rides?! Sounds dangerous.

 

[maxiesmom]

We went to another theme park (Carowinds maybe?) where kids were measured at the entrance to the park and given a colored wrist band. The height requirements on each ride were color coded to match the wrist bands. I loved it because it was super easy to know which rides they were tall enough for, plus they only had to be measured the one time.

Disney tried something like that a while back. It didn't take too long for parents to figure out how to take a wrist band off of one child and put it on another.

 

[sierraWDW]

Just a tip - when you get near the second checkpoint, do not carry your child. Most of the time CMs have a sort of "visual estimation" that they follow by judging where the child is compared to a handrail, a point on the wall, etc. If you are carrying your child they will not be able to estimate and will be much more likely to measure your child. Also, make sure they take a deep breathe when they're being measured! Good luck!

 

[CAHarwell]

I have always advocated the system some other parks use - measurement at the front of the park and a colored band showing the employees at a glance what size range they fit in. The bands are snug enough they can't be slipped off to be given to another child, and they are tamper evident so if they are taken off, it is obvious. In that instance, the child has to be remeasured at a measuring station and reissued another band.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Here's the thread a PP referenced about this. Sounds like shoe removal is not too frequent as long as it isn't ridiculous like wedge sandals etc.

Good luck OP, I'm right there with ya. In the shoes I posted my little guy just barely hits 38. Hoping of we ride at RD, he'll be allowed on.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3314792

 

[maxiesmom]

I have always advocated the system some other parks use - measurement at the front of the park and a colored band showing the employees at a glance what size range they fit in. The bands are snug enough they can't be slipped off to be given to another child, and they are tamper evident so if they are taken off, it is obvious. In that instance, the child has to be remeasured at a measuring station and reissued another band.

It is very easy to get off a tamper resistant band if you really want to. I have one of the Halloween party ones on my dresser, intact. Some of the bars in my area tried using them for a while, and stopped. Anyone who says they can't be taken off has not really tried.

 

[cattywampus]

It might be a good idea to practice "standing up tall" at home with a measuring bar similar to the ones they use at the parks. I've read that a lot of kids tend to naturally slouch and either subconsciously or consciously try to avoid having the bar touch their heads when being measured because it's unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

THIS x 10.

6yo measured exactly 48" at doctor week before but in the heat of the moment at DL didn't stand quite right and was denied boarding to looping roller coaster. Not CMs fault (though he might have allowed more time but was nice). Kids naturally avoid hitting their heads on the bar.

Now, I don't think he was sure he wanted to ride, which might have been part of it. There is also no need to push anything, particularly since we go frequently, but we are definitely practicing for our trip in 2 weeks. He has grown to about 48.2" without shoes, but can still miss 48" mark, if feet aren't together or he slouches.

Practice with an arm type measuring stick. I borrowed a horse measuring stick that works perfectly but could easily make one!

I also told him he does not have to ride just because he is tall enough (though he keeps telling me he wants to and I think he will love it). I just want him to measure correctly. From there, he can decide if he wants to ride. I never push rides.

 

[Ava]

Does WDW have some sort of "measuring chart" near park entrance where you can check to see which rides they can ride?

Here's a list of all the ride restrictions/warnings: http://allears.net/tp/rr.htm

The best you can do is know ahead of time which rides your child may be tall enough for, so you won't waste time or cause hurt feelings by going up to attractions they definitely can't ride.