Good Ole' Height Question

[Queen2PrincessG]

So as of right now, our 7-year-old is roughly 48 inches with shoes on (see pic of measuring tape) Our trip is the end ofAugust. I know that at Disney there is a bit of a fluctuation between ride height sticks. I know that Universal has the measuring stick for each ride up front. How accurate are they to real world measuring? Should I feel safe that our 48in is there 48in?

TIA

 

[schumigirl]

No idea how accurate they are.

We have seen many turned away from rides like the Hulk......some had their kids wear shoes with raised heels so they would fit........some just weren't tall enough.

So, although not sure of the accuracy of the height gauges, they are strict. But if your child is of height without help, they will be able to ride

 

[pcstang]

I would think by the end of august your kid will be good to go. Yes, like WDW they tend to not be accurate, from ride to ride, IMO.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

How accurate are they to real world measuring? Should I feel safe that our 48in is there 48in?

My daughter was right at the 48 inch mark during my 2013 Universal trip. There was a little bit of everything. Some places she wasn't measured at all and just got on the ride. Some places the took a very close look and others they just asked her to go over to the measuring stick/sign and eyeballed it from a few feet away.

After she'd ridden the mummy a bunch of times, one attendant measured her at one of the L shaped thingamabobs and said she wasn't tall enough because he could slide a card between here head and the bar (he had her stand under it....her head touched the bar, but he took this card out and slid it). I knew if we went back at another time we wouldn't have a problem...he didn't seem to get that if a 7 foot person squatted under that sign he'd still be able to slide a card between the person's head and the bar. so I didn't argue, and we went back later and she rode many 48 inch rides many more times that trip without any issues.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

Make sure she understands that she is not supposed to hunch under that L shaped measuring bar. It would be in her best interest if she didn't fit under it, even if its only by 1/10th of an inch.

My son was right at the 54 inch mark when we measured him with shoes and he was able to ride everything he wanted.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

No idea how accurate they are.

We have seen many turned away from rides like the Hulk......some had their kids wear shoes with raised heels so they would fit........some just weren't tall enough.

So, although not sure of the accuracy of the height gauges, they are strict. But if your child is of height without help, they will be able to ride

Yea, I'm not jeopardizing her safety that way. If she doesn't reach she doesn't reach. At home, she's measuring almost 48 and 1/2 as you can see in the pic. I was curious about the consistency. Guess we will hope she gains the rest of that half inch by Aug. so she is a full 48.5

 

[bumbershoot]

After she'd ridden the mummy a bunch of times, one attendant measured her at one of the L shaped thingamabobs and said she wasn't tall enough because he could slide a card between here head and the bar (he had her stand under it....her head touched the bar, but he took this card out and slid it). I knew if we went back at another time we wouldn't have a problem...he didn't seem to get that if a 7 foot person squatted under that sign he'd still be able to slide a card between the person's head and the bar. so I didn't argue, and we went back later and she rode many 48 inch rides many more times that trip without any issues.

That's the standard that both Disney and WDW can use. Kids who can stand like that, where something can be slide above their head, are officially too short. They are also generally tired and slouchy, and should be reminded to "stand straight and tall" or they aren't getting on that ride.

DS was an older 3 or younger 4 when this happened to him on Star Tours at DL, at the second measurement. He was tired and slouchy, and the CM put his hand firmly on his shoulder while he measured and did the card trick. DHdidn't think fast enough to 1. tell the CM to get his hand off, or 2. tell DS to stand straighter. And so DS didn't get to ride on that trip. He was legitimately tall enough, and if he'd stood properly it wouldn't have been a problem. As it was, it was a great "don't take things for granted" lesson that has reverberated through these last 8+ years! He's nearing 5'8" now and has finally started understanding that he probably doesn't need to get measured for rides anymore LOL.

And for borderline kids, it was very likely the previous rides that day that caused them to be slightly underheight. Have a rest, have some water, stretch out...you'll measure up again.

Make sure she understands that she is not supposed to hunch under that L shaped measuring bar. It would be in her best interest if she didn't fit under it, even if its only by 1/10th of an inch.

Yep!

 

[derekw]

My son measured close to 54" (within an 1/8) at home but was 1/8-1/4 short measuring at our recent visit a few weeks ago to Universal. What I did was prepare him that he might not be able to ride (coasters Hulk and DDragons) so he was prepared for that possibility and was a trooper though I know he was disappointed. I don't think I'd feel 'safe' unless the home measurement was 1/4" above the limit.

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

I agree @derekw. Let's hope she pulls another growth spurt this summer.