Height rules and small-statured people...

[Buzz Litebeer]

I have worked in an amusement park and saw people who lost their legs and the use of their legs get onto rollercoasters that had height restrictions of 48/54 inches. I would like to know how Disney handles these circumstances.

Tricky situation, and it generally varies from attraction to attraction (as different attractions impact guests differently and have different safety restraints).

The "correct" answer is to direct specific concerns to WDW Guest Communications (PO Box 10040, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com).

Here's what I know:

If the guest doesn't have the use of their legs and is unable to stand, but would clearly make the height requirement, then yes, absolutely they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable; i.e. able to transfer from their wheelchair to the ride vehicle, etc).

If the Guest is missing one leg and is unable to stand, but would clearly make the height requirement, then they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable).

If the Guest is missing one leg and is able to stand, and makes the height requirement, then they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable).

If the guest doesn't have the use of their legs, is unable to stand, and the CM doesn't feel that they would meet the height requirement; or if the Guest is missing both legs; or if the Guest clearly doesn't meet other boarding requirements (i.e. unable to transfer from their wheelchair to a ride vehicle where necessary) then they may not be able to experience the attraction. In cases like this (which are, admittedly, fairly uncommon), a Guest Service Manager or Coordinator is typically summoned to assess the situation and assist the Guest if necessary.

 

[jiminyfan]

Tricky situation, and it generally varies from attraction to attraction (as different attractions impact guests differently and have different safety restraints).

The "correct" answer is to direct specific concerns to WDW Guest Communications (PO Box 10040, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040. wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com).

Here's what I know:

If the guest doesn't have the use of their legs and is unable to stand, but would clearly make the height requirement, then yes, absolutely they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable; i.e. able to transfer from their wheelchair to the ride vehicle, etc).

If the Guest is missing one leg and is unable to stand, but would clearly make the height requirement, then they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable).

If the Guest is missing one leg and is able to stand, and makes the height requirement, then they may ride provided they meet other boarding requirements (if applicable).

If the guest doesn't have the use of their legs, is unable to stand, and the CM doesn't feel that they would meet the height requirement; or if the Guest is missing both legs; or if the Guest clearly doesn't meet other boarding requirements (i.e. unable to transfer from their wheelchair to a ride vehicle where necessary) then they may not be able to experience the attraction. In cases like this (which are, admittedly, fairly uncommon), a Guest Service Manager or Coordinator is typically summoned to assess the situation and assist the Guest if necessary.

Thanks a lot

 

[SueM in MN]

My daughter is very tiny. About four to five inches shorter than other children her size. She was a preemie and has not caught up yet with the other kids. When we went last year she was 8 and could not ride the spinning roller coaster ride in AK. She was really mad when she saw five year olds getting on the ride because they were tall enough. We were told by a cast member it is a safety issue because of the placement of seat belt or safety bars. Lucky for her this year she is tall enough. She has been measuring herself every couple of weeks getting ready for our upcoming trip.

Even though it doesn't look really wild, it is a pretty wild ride and you can get banged around quite a lot.
My youngest DD is disabled and can't brace herself with her feet. She had a very hard time on that ride because she could not brace herself. Someone shorter would have the same trouble because their feet would not reach.

My older DD won't go it any more because she said all the bouncing and banging around was not worth it for her. She's 5 foot 7, so no where near the height cut off point.

Since, the individual in the wheelchair cannot stand up on their own how do you get an accurate measurement?

When our DD who can't stand was smaller, the CMs asked us how tall she was. We didn't actually take her on anything with a height requirement until she was about 6 inches over the required height. She must have looked tall enough to the CMs. It's not an issue now since she is just a bit over 5 feet tall.