Height requirements

[tinkerbelt]

Is it me, or are they way off across the board?

We went today, and DD was measured and went on Space Mountain. It was really early, so there were still no lines, so as soon as we got off, we went back around to go again. It was the same guy at the line entrance, and he waved her through because he remembered us, but she wanted to get measured again, and her head was taller than the top of the bar. We got down to the loading area and we were getting on the ride when the CM doing the loading (who had also let us on 5 or 10 minutes earlier) told me that she wanted to measure her. DD's head hit the bottom of the bar, but the CM said that she wasn't tall enough, and wouldn't let her go. I asked why she had let her on a few minutes before, and she said that she must not have noticed her before. DD started crying, and the CM told her that she would give her a fastpass for any other ride, but only if she stopped crying (which ticked me off, because I hate it when people tell little kids to stop crying - she was sad, and rightfully so!).

So then we walked over to NOS to see if we could find Remy and Emile, and ended up down by Splash Mountain. The CM there measured her and said that she was fine, and she rode twice. Then we walked over towards BTMRR, and DD's head didn't even come close to the bar on that one. Over at DCA, her head was touching the bar for Soarin', but the CM wouldn't let her on, because he said that he never lets kids on unless their head is taller than the bar -- even though we have always been told that the head has to touch the bar, not go over it.

So it makes me wonder - if they're going to do the height requirements, why can't they be consistent about it? I get the safety thing, but it's a major PITA when you have a kid who gets told one day that they can ride something, and then the next day that they can't. I asked about it when we were over in Guest Relations and was told that there was really nothing that they could do about it, because it was up to the leads and the supervisors for each attraction - gee, thanks. How about making a memo or having a meeting so that they can at least reach a consensus on the rules? And the things that they use to measure the kids really need to be checked, because the top of DD's head hits a different place on all of them.

It was a really frustrating day for us, I wish they'd find some kind of a fix for this problem.

And as an aside, we were told by one of the character's handlers today NOT to go to Guest Relations to ask what times the characters will be available. He said that they are not supposed to share that information and acted really put out that we had gone and asked.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Wow, sounds like the summer crowds and heat are starting to get to some of those CM's. I can see where that would be frustrating. Bad enough you've got to get measured at all the rides, every time. But to get a different answer each time? No way. They really should get together and make it "one rule" about the bar. That's a bit ridiculous.

 

[bumbershoot]

Wow, everything you just wrote sounds REALLY frustrating!

I might be crazy, but I would have sworn that they have things printed about where to find characters? Or I read it somewhere (or I'm just making things up, I suppose).

Something I've often wondered about...since the rides are all seated rides (none of those carnival stand up and get twirled around rides), why don't they measure while you are seated? Someone can have LONG legs but sit very short in a ride, b/c their torso is shorter, and perhaps not have restraints hit you right...I remember as a teen, my 5'10" (or 11"?) stepmom and I (5'2" at the time) were just about the same height while sitting, b/c her height was in her legs...



Anyway, that sounds maddening, especially the height difference between the start of the line and getting into the ride itself.

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm sorry you had such a difficult and frustrating day with CM's measuring (or mismeasuring, as it were).

I can totally relate though as we had a similar situation on my ds' 6th birhtday trip. I won't go into all the details but suffice it to say that we discovered that an extra pair of socks (mine) or some folded up baby changing pads (found in the restrooms) placed inside the shoes, can really do wonders to push their little heads up above that bar. No flames please -- I know it's all about safety, but having your kid measured and allowed on his favorite new ride once and then denied the second time he wants to go is just ridiculous!

BTW, there is an actual CM position entitled "character finder", and I have used their services for years. So that character handler was just wrong. Hope your next trip is a bit less frustrating.

 

[tinkerbelt]

I can totally relate though as we had a similar situation on my ds' 6th birhtday trip. I won't go into all the details but suffice it to say that we discovered that an extra pair of socks (mine) or some folded up baby changing pads (found in the restrooms) placed inside the shoes, can really do wonders to push their little heads up above that bar.

Perhaps I will keep an extra pair of socks in my purse next time.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

we haven't been to California for 5 years but when we were there last time they mesaured my dd's and gave them a color coded wristband that showed what rides they were tall enough for... did they stop doing that? I still have them one was Goofy one was Minnie one was orange one green... maybe they were at California Adventure though? Seems that would be easiest measure them once and know what they are allowed on

 

[DangerMouse]

we haven't been to California for 5 years but when we were there last time they mesaured my dd's and gave them a color coded wristband that showed what rides they were tall enough for... did they stop doing that? I still have them one was Goofy one was Minnie one was orange one green... maybe they were at California Adventure though? Seems that would be easiest measure them once and know what they are allowed on

Yeah, I understand that practice didn't last very long.

 

[Tink_Or_Belle]

Yeah, I understand that practice didn't last very long.

thats too bad it worked well for us ... I guess it won;t change anything this trip as both girls are tall enough to do anything they aren't still scared of and the little guy is pretty much a chicken anyway

 

[Blackunicorn]

I can't give you anything but sympathy, but I do know how you feel. Our first trip to Disneyland in 2002, our daughter had the same experience. It would have been fine if they had never allowed her on the rides, but she had been riding on Jumping Jellyfish all day and had picked it as the last ride of the day...only to have the CM say she was too short. And it was too late to even go find another ride for last ride of the day. How do you explain to a three year old that their privilege has just been capriciously taken away? It would have been better if they hadn't allowed her on in the first place. At least with the wristbands, we wouldn't have even tried to go on the rides.

So, you have my sympathy, for what it's worth.

 

[dizzyami]

I totally understand, and also found our last trip extremely frustrating. My DS (almost four) was right at 40 inches, and if he stood up 100% would clear any bar (especially with two pairs of socks on). Problem is DS is special needs, so it was a fight to get him to stand up straight, he just didn't get it until the last day. BTMRR they measured him three times to get on the ride, and did this three times in a row!!! It took a few minutes to get him to stand up right (but we weren't budging), and the same CM measured each time!!!

 

[joeysmommy]

hmmmm...maybe I'll bring my own tape measure and double check their height measurers.
My son is 52" at home and is so excited to drive by himself on Autopia this year, if we run into what you're describing...meltdown city!
I'll have to measure my 3 yr old with all of his different shoes on and see which one makes him taller.

 

[dizzyami]

hmmmm...maybe I'll bring my own tape measure and double check their height measurers.
My son is 52" at home and is so excited to drive by himself on Autopia this year, if we run into what you're describing...meltdown city!
I'll have to measure my 3 yr old with all of his different shoes on and see which one makes him taller.

I would definitely go with a plan B, tall shoes, extra socks....when my kids measure the right amount at home, it is not good enough for disney measurements.

 

[blackerbys17]

Hmmm, I was thinking the same thing, I'm going to bring my tape measure, lol! My little boy (3 years old) has never been able to go on the big rides, not even Soarin'. He's FINALLY 40" tall so I'm really excited (and so is he) to go on the big rides with him! I'm going to measure him tonight with all sorts of shoes, socks, and maybe even odor eater combinations, lol. Sucks that I have to worry about this, I KNOW he is 40" tall, even WITHOUT his shoes.

So, do you think it will be totally unreasonable to pull out the tape measure if they try to deny him boarding so I can prove to the CM he is 40" tall? I mean, according to his own Dr. without shoes, he's 40.5".

Oh great, one more thing to worry about.

 

[BraMax]

I really hope we don't come across this, this week. My younger son was so upset that he was 1/2 inch to short this past Feb to do GRR and MM. Well we measured him with his shoes on at home and he was 43 inches so hopefully he won't have any issues or like one of the above posters said "melt down city" and oh yeah we will be there tomorrow for a week 5 at DL/DCA .

 

[joeysmommy]

I don't think it's unreasonable at all to bring your own tape measure(I already put it on my packing list) esp. if CM's are all saying different heights are ok.
I know it's for their own safety etc. but to tell a kids it's ok this time but not the next ride isn't right.

When we all walked up to ride Soarin' my 3 yr old just barely hit the top of the ride requirement measurement line. He stretched his little neck up and gave the CM the most pathetic "please let me ride this" look. They let him ride but I was prepared to hang back with him.
He had to watch the big kids ride GRR just before that so he was determined to ride Soarin.

 

[joeysmommy]

good Luck Bramax!

I hope he gets to ride everything for his height req!!
bring that tape measure and extra socks.

 

[camouseketeer]

So, do you think it will be totally unreasonable to pull out the tape measure if they try to deny him boarding so I can prove to the CM he is 40" tall? I mean, according to his own Dr. without shoes, he's 40.5".

If your son is denied boarding, I don't think a tape measure will help. I've read stories here on the DIS of people doing exactly as you describe: using their own tape measure to assure the CM of the correct height. It didn't work. The CM had to go by the height stick at the ride.

The mom who posted said she measured several 40 inch height sticks and found them to be of differing heights!

Good luck!

 

[dizzyami]

Unfortunately I do not think a tape measure is going to help - it is the cast members discretion, and fighting is not going to do any good. They can also easily tell you that you have to be as tall as the sign, and whatever your tape measure says is not going to help. Seriously go with the tallest shoes you can find, and thick socks (two pairs) were enough to do the trick with DS. I would also suggest practicing with the younger ones to stand up with feet together and learn that they have to hit their head in order to ride.

DS numerous times wes almost denied riding a second time, after he had just gotten off the ride, and same CM's. A few that we encountered were extremely rude about it, but we always persisted, and helped stretched DS until he was allowed to board.

All measures also are not on level surfaces, so make sure you child moves to the lowest part of the bar. We had a fight EVERY time we tried to get DS on the rides our last trip, but got him on it every time. If you do get told no the first time - have some thick socks with you, pull your child aside, put them on and try again.

 

[blackerbys17]

Well, I just measured him at home with shoes and socks and according to my tape measure he is between 40.5" - 40.75". It SHOULD be enough but since you never know, I'm going to go get some thick odor eaters today, just in case.

 

[dletz]

Been there done that. We have APs and go often. They have actually changed some of the height signs in the last few years. Soarin' used to be well over the limit, but they have changed it some. It's no longer as tall as it used to be. The bands they used to have, weren't always accurate, and if they gave a child a band but the CM at the ride (who has the last say) says no, then they would not let you ride. Probably too many people like me complained that you shouldn't tell a kid they can ride all these rides, then have individual cms tell them no.

All I can tell you is go back again when there is a different CM as it is all up to the them. We were at WDW and had an issue with a CM who insisted our daughter wasn't tall enough. So we went on a different ride and came back. The CM remembered us (maybe because I screamed at him that he was full of it when our daughter was 42+ inches tall and he insisted she was less than 40, and that she had been riding 40+ rides at DL for well over 60 months), and saw us in line as he was walking the line. He followed us up the the final thing and insisted the CM there measure her. Should have seen the look on his face when she was over the top of the stick.

With the bars that come out, I've always reminded my daughter she needs to hit her head. She had a bad habit of walking up to it and shrinking down so she could walk under it. When she realized she really needed to hit it in order to go on, she would walk up taller. Some CMs will not let them on if they think they are stretching so remind them before you get in earshot of the CM.