Height requirements. Here at Disney now!

[mom2rtk]

Disney should find a way to do this, but instead of paper wristbands just add it to the information that's tied to the magic band. Get some more value out of that $1B.

DD5 was 41 inches without shoes when we booked our trip last fall. We've been telling her all along that she won't be able to ride Space, EE and RnR. I measured her yesterday morning, and she's right at 44 inches (no shoes). Tall enough for Space and EE, but not for RnR. So we started practicing her "measuring posture" and telling her when she gets measured to hit her head on the bar. We'll see how it works out in a few weeks.

A billion dollars just doesn't buy what it used to.

 

[ChasingLeslie]

And how do you keep parents from switching wrist bands among children? And don't forget some don't get or use wrist bands. What then?

They could do a stamp at guest services, instead of wristbands or tying it to MBs. Make it a special Disney stamp and change it periodically so people don't try to copy it (they can even change the ink color frequently)...or do those black light stamps like they have at Chuck E Cheese.

 

[maxiesmom]

They could do a stamp at guest services, instead of wristbands or tying it to MBs. Make it a special Disney stamp and change it periodically so people don't try to copy it (they can even change the ink color frequently)...or do those black light stamps like they have at Chuck E Cheese.

They used to have hand stamps. That had to quit using those too. They are easy enough to transfer. Unfortunately any device that takes it out of the CMs or Disney's hands for a while will be hacked by some parents.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

And how do you keep parents from switching wrist bands among children? And don't forget some don't get or use wrist bands. What then?

No band, you get measured like now. With a band, it shows that the kid was close enough to a height restriction to have to get measured and for what height "level." That precludes switching with a child that's so tall they wouldn't have to be measured. I'm sure there are all manner of odd scenarios that can be ginned up to show that it wouldn't be perfect, so the CM can double check if it seems suspicious. If that doesn't work, tattoo the measured kid's name to his/her forehead -- voluntarily, of course, to be able to participate in the "magically measured" program.

 

[maxiesmom]

No band, you get measured like now. With a band, it shows that the kid was close enough to a height restriction to have to get measured and for what height "level." That precludes switching with a child that's so tall they wouldn't have to be measured. I'm sure there are all manner of odd scenarios that can be ginned up to show that it wouldn't be perfect, so the CM can double check if it seems suspicious. If that doesn't work, tattoo the measured kid's name to his/her forehead -- voluntarily, of course, to be able to participate in the "magically measured" program.

It wouldn't preclude switching with a child that is just under the correct height. And now you are asking the CMs to check for band color AND eyeball their height, AND then measure.

No system is perfect. But the one that Disney can control the best is having CMs at each ride measure. That way you are not giving people a chance to mess with the system.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

It wouldn't preclude switching with a child that is just under the correct height. And now you are asking the CMs to check for band color AND eyeball their height, AND then measure.

No system is perfect. But the one that Disney can control the best is having CMs at each ride measure. That way you are not giving people a chance to mess with the system.

 

[maxiesmom]

Yeah, it is just that Disney has been there done that for quite a while now. It is too bad that so many people seem to try and get their kids onto rides via any means necessary. Heck back in the day one of the "Unofficial" guide books used to tell people how to get around the height restrictions. I'm not sure if they still do....

 

[MinnieMSue]

Cedar point has the bands for kids but also measures at the ride. This makes he bands kind of pointless but a ton of parents stuff shoes to make their kids taller. Even a used to be friend of mine!
My 12 year old still closes her eyes much of Dinosaur. This past trip was the first she almost opened them. In our ride photo she is not the only one hiding her head. It is very loud. Very jerky. Very dark. I didn't take her on until she was 8.

 

[MamaMaleficent2016]

Am I the only one who finds it disturbing that parents would try to defraud a system that is designed for their child's safety? I really don't understand people.

But to get back on topic, I would follow pp recommendation to have him stand tall. I would also echo that Dinosaur is a scary ride. Likely too scary for a 3yo. Good luck! I am jealous you are at the parks right now. Enjoy your trip!

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

Dinosaur was the only ride at WDW that scared my 5 year old niece.

 

[Sparkly]

I hated Dinosaur at nine!!! Found it terrifying and loud.

 

[Minnesota!]

My kids are not scared by Dinosaur...even back when they were gigantic toddlers.

Me, however, I have always been terrified of it. Got engaged because of it, though. Boyfriend wanted to go back on, I was terrified. He promised a ring if I would go back. A month later we got engaged

 

[ChloesDaddy]

It wouldn't preclude switching with a child that is just under the correct height. And now you are asking the CMs to check for band color AND eyeball their height, AND then measure.

No system is perfect. But the one that Disney can control the best is having CMs at each ride measure. That way you are not giving people a chance to mess with the system.

You're good at spotting the loopholes, so I'm going to try one more on you. Use the same biometric scan they use at park entry to match the guest to the ticket. The CM eyeballs kid height as they approach the line today. I doubt it takes any longer to scan the band/card and a fingerprint than it takes to measure them, probably less time. Then they only have to do it once in each line rather than twice, and it's consistent all day, all trip.

ETA - I recognize they would have to install the biometric scanners at each attraction with a height restriction. By my count there are 16 such attractions total across all four parks. They should be able to justify the cost from CM time savings alone (i.e., no double measuring in the line).

 

[ArielSRL]

Omg. Is it that scary?!?! I really had no idea it was "scary"

I asked advice here for my 4.5 yr old and ended up deciding against it. I'll try him on ToT and all the mountains but we will wait for a year or maybe more for Dinosaur.

 

[ArielSRL]

Disney should find a way to do this, but instead of paper wristbands just add it to the information that's tied to the magic band. Get some more value out of that $1B.

DD5 was 41 inches without shoes when we booked our trip last fall. We've been telling her all along that she won't be able to ride Space, EE and RnR. I measured her yesterday morning, and she's right at 44 inches (no shoes). Tall enough for Space and EE, but not for RnR. So we started practicing her "measuring posture" and telling her when she gets measured to hit her head on the bar. We'll see how it works out in a few weeks.

I measured my 4.5 yr old at 42.5 without shoes so in June I'll probably try him for the 44 inch rides just to see. I measured my youngest at around 32 but the doc measured him at 34 so I'm hoping I'm off on the 4.5 yr old. Also hoping I can get the youngest on Barnstormer but I'm prepared for not.

 

[maxiesmom]

You're good at spotting the loopholes, so I'm going to try one more on you. Use the same biometric scan they use at park entry to match the guest to the ticket. The CM eyeballs kid height as they approach the line today. I doubt it takes any longer to scan the band/card and a fingerprint than it takes to measure them, probably less time. Then they only have to do it once in each line rather than twice, and it's consistent all day, all trip.

ETA - I recognize they would have to install the biometric scanners at each attraction with a height restriction. By my count there are 16 such attractions total across all four parks. They should be able to justify the cost from CM time savings alone (i.e., no double measuring in the line).

And they don't take scans of the kid's fingers either. At least not currently.

 

[texasroni75]

DS(4) was just 40" for our last trip. Most of us are not trying to cheat the system and get a too-short kid on rides. The frustration comes when we know our child is tall enough but CM measurements are inconsistent and/or inaccurate. No perfect solution for us parents , due to an imperfect process in determining height! We just have pick something else to ride if the CM decides that our child is too short.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

And they don't take scans of the kid's fingers either. At least not currently.

That's as close as I've seen you come to saying, "yeah, that might work."

I'll take it.

 

[maxiesmom]

DS(4) was just 40" for our last trip. Most of us are not trying to cheat the system and get a too-short kid on rides. The frustration comes when we know our child is tall enough but CM measurements are inconsistent and/or inaccurate. No perfect solution for us parents , due to an imperfect process in determining height! We just have pick something else to ride if the CM decides that our child is too short.

Unfortunately no system is perfect. Disney can only do the best they can.

If a child is close hit any ride that is questionable first. We all shrink a bit as the day goes on. Make sure your child knows the goal is to hit the bar. Have them stand straight and tall.

 

[tarak]

And they don't take scans of the kid's fingers either. At least not currently.

They scanned my son's finger this past January. He's 8. I honestly believe Disney's protocol is based on the phases of the moon.