Height rules and small-statured people...

[CathieArms]

Okay, please nobody flame me because this is a sincerely honest question and not intended to cause an uproar. I'm seriously interested.

How does the height requirement work for "little people"? By little people, I'm referring to those who are genetically never going to be taller than about 40 or 44 inches? I don't know the politically correct term for their condition, but you know what I'm talking about.

There's a little girl at our church with this condition. She's a year older than my son (she's 6.5) and she's 1/2 his size. He's around 44 inches and I'd be surprised if she was a full 25 inches. Besides her implications of her condition, her mother and father aren't very largely built people either, so she has the genetics of their smaller frames working against her, too. I don't think there's a chance in a million that she'll ever reach 44 inches.

Does Disney make exceptions for people of genetically smaller stature? If she never reaches 44 inches, does that mean she'll never be able to ride some of these rides? I've seen some little people who were slightly shorter than my (almost) 5 year old.

Anybody know?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

I am assuming that the rules must also apply to them due to safety reasons. The height requirements are in place because a person (child or otherwise) cannot safely ride the attraction unless they are so many inches tall. Just because they will never reach a certain height does not mean that they are excused from safety protocol.

 

[Ladysunflr]

She will never be able to ride the rides.

 

[CathieArms]

If y'all are right, that makes me very sad.

 

[Alesia]

The height requirement is set for safety reasons. If you are not tall enough to ride safely, then you don't get to ride.

 

[MomofKatie]

There are many people who will never get to ride certain Disney attractions, due to things like height, health conditions (bad back, heart condition, etc) or just phobias. My mom will never be able to experience Tower of Terror, Expedition:Everest, or other thrill rides because of her fear of heights and drops. There are plenty of other attractions she can experience, though.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Height requirements do apply. However, she might one day be able to ride Goofy's Barnstormer or Kali River Rapids.

Have you ever watched The Little Couple on TLC? On a preview for the series, it shows footage of them riding a rollercoaster - it doesn't look too intense, but they're 4' and 3'2" so there's some hope.

 

[bradk]

unfortunately, this is one area I strongly disagree with the policies on. Not that they should be able to ride as it is a matter of physical safety, not so much maturity, but that they be obligated to pay full price if they can't take full advantage of it.

if i'm not mistaken, Universal Studios goes by a height policy (at least USH does) as opposed to a rather arbitrary age system.

 

[CarolA]

I don't see how Disney could make an exception. The safety issue is what it is and our genetics can't change that.

I don't see Disney changing the admission policy since there are LOTS of people who could ride "thrill rides" and just don't (see my mother for example LOL!)

To the OP. I realize this makes you sad, but think how much sadder it would be if Disney DID make an exception because "she's an adult" and she was seriously injured or even worse.

 

[Alesia]

unfortunately, this is one area I strongly disagree with the policies on. Not that they should be able to ride as it is a matter of physical safety, not so much maturity, but that they be obligated to pay full price if they can't take full advantage of it.

if i'm not mistaken, Universal Studios goes by a height policy (at least USH does) as opposed to a rather arbitrary age system.

Holiday World in Indiana charges less for guests under 54".

 

[CathieArms]

I wonder, though...is it really a safety issue based upon size, or is it a safety issue based upon suspected "maturity" or projected age based upon height? I honestly don't know the answer to the question; just asking...

 

[Alesia]

I wonder, though...is it really a safety issue based upon size, or is it a safety issue based upon suspected "maturity" or projected age based upon height? I honestly don't know the answer to the question; just asking...

It is almost always size. The only exceptions I can think of are stitch and (possibly) Mission space.

 

[valeriemouse]

While I wholeheartedly agree that an adult that does not reach a height requirement should not be allowed to ride for safety reasons, I also wholeheartledly agree that that same adult should not have to pay full admission into the parks. IMO, admission price SHOULD be based on height requirements.

It is a different story when a person does not ride certain attractions because of fears or whatnot. Not to be flamed or anything, please, but any person could CLAIM they have certain fears and would not ride certain rides because of them just to get the discounted price. A person with dwarfism or some similar physical impairment clearly has a 100% viable reason with not a loophole in sight.

As a 25 year old, I barely make height requirements (I am fortunate that I do) but I feel for those who do not.

 

[bradk]

i would opt to use the word choice rather than fear. unless they go back to a ticket system which i wouldn't be in favor of, if a grown adult opts not to ride an attraction they otherwise physically could, it's a different scenario than someone who doesn't have that choice. i literally find it discriminatory on some level.

i can walk in the parks all day and not go on a single attraction and I don't have a problem with the price tag. and there's plenty going on in Disney parks that aren't rides to experience. but the point is i have a choice.

 

[PaulaSB12]

And at the bottom of the page was an advert for shoes to make you 4" taller!

 

[Buzz Litebeer]

Speaking as a CM who has worked attractions with height requirements:

Does Disney make exceptions for people of genetically smaller stature?

No. Sorry.

If she never reaches 44 inches, does that mean she'll never be able to ride some of these rides?

Yes. Again, sorry.

CMs are instructed that if an adult Guest doesn't meet the height requirement, they are to ask the Guest to step to one side and immediately notify a Guest Service Manager. The manager (and NOT the CM) will inform the Guest that they will not be allowed to experience the attraction.

And yes, I've seen this happen twice.

 

[jiminyfan]

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

It is a touchy subject for sure. I know that we had many a discussion on it and it seemed even management wasn't sure of the correct response as some said they could ride and others said know. It is hard to see a child who is 1/16 of an inch short be turned away and then someone get on who is not close to the ride limit. I am also sure that the last 1/16 of an inch would not provide a lot of extra safety, but I have seen kids turned away for it. I understand the need for laws and rules, but sometimes they do not make any sense when you are talking a very small fraction on an inch.

 

[DonaldTDuck]

I am not allowed to rent horses or take a seqway tour because I weigh more than 250 pounds. Just the way it is. It's a safety issue, more for the safety of the horse or equipment, but the reality of it is I'll likely never get to do either.

 

[seashoreCM]

If people less than X inches tall could ride safely then there would not be such a height restriction.

If someone could ride safely having an upper body of a certain length but having lost his legs so as to have an overall height less than a certain amount then rules can certainly be formulated to accommodate him. Situations like this would need to be researched and tested using crash dummies before alternative rules are published.

In the past some transit systems used height rather than age to determine who paid "adult" fare.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[rhpools]

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.