How accurate are the height restriction signs at DLR?

[bumbershoot]

If the kid "scrunching down" causes different results then their measuring method is not accurate.

My son sure can change his measured height...

The thing about the different sticks is that YOU can't prove that the kid is wearing the same shoes from stick to stick. And at the end of it all, that's probably the assumption.

Of course I have occasionally wondered if the ground movement that happens in CA might be the cause of some of these problems...but I don't rage about it. I DO rage about people purposely using different shoes, I do rage (though not as much as hubby who saw it) about the itsy girl going past wearing heeled cowboy boots while my taller son was being remeasured on Star Tours. THAT is what I get angry about.

I know by watching DS that he can measure different based on exactly how he is standing. While I'm looking at the top of his head, his feet will move and down he goes. I'll get his feet situated and when he was a little younger I had to hold them (so I would know if he moved them) to get the measurement. CMs do not have all day to make sure nothing like that is happening, and they aren't all intelligent enough to know that kids want Disney to be happy, so if they are pushing down on a kid, the kid will likely move down a bit. And I know from chiropractic that we do change in height from start to end of the day.

I do wish that they would measuring with a *sitting* height not a standing. Because if the problem is in how the restraints fit, someone whose height is in their legs is less safe than someone whose height is in their torso (which is sort of me and definitely DS and DH). My stepmom is 5'10" and I'm 5'3", but if we're sitting, we're almost the same height, b/c she has legs that go to the ceiling and I just don't. If there were a ride I didn't quite make (and I'm only 3" above being able to sit in the very front seat on Splash!) and it was a restraint problem, that would be faulty IMO.

But really, if this is such a concern, why not call the agencies and politely tell them of your concern? Why wait to see if it affects your family? If it's an overall safety concern that you have for people, you really should call and see if they'll inspect it... I have a small problem with what seems to be a *want* to have Disneyland fined...after all, that's our money that might end up paying part of the fine...but if you are truly concerned, report it now, not just if it changes your family touring plans.

 

[Mugglemama]

we've had problems with the measuring at DLR, too. for instance, several years ago we were at DCA one day, and we rode GRR. immediately afterwards, we went to ride it again, and they tried to say my son was too short! we just laughed and told them, "you let him ride it just a little while ago, we just got off the ride -look, he's soaking wet because he JUST GOT OFF THIS RIDE". they let him back on it that time (i think the kid running the front remembered him), but we had problems earlier in the year when my son had just grown into that ride. we had AP's, and they'd let him ride one day, but then 3 days later, wouldn't. it wasn't his shoes, because he was wearing the same ones, lol.

i guess sometimes it just depends on the person/people running the line. i don't remember any of my kids being measured more than once for a ride, except for Indy. this last time we were there, there was a man towards the end of the line who was really making me mad because he was PUSHING my daughter's shoulders down! she's only 7, and it really ticked me off. she was like, "mommy, he's pushing me down". anyway, she was clearly tall enough for the ride (she had to duck just to put her head under the marker!), but it seems some of the CM's are really nutty about trying to "make" kids not tall enough. weird.

FWIW, last september before we left home, my youngest son measured 41.5" with Crocs on. when we got to DLR wearing the same Crocs, he (just barely) measured tall enough for all of the 40" requirement rides.

oh and btw, Mulholland Madness has a height requirement of 42", incase anyone is interested.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have no problems with the safety aspect, however if they state the measurements for rides, they should adhere to the measurements and they should be accurate. Many people plan trips to DL based upon what rides their children will be able to ride, it is false advertising and as much Disneyland tickets cost, the least the could do if have accurate and consistent measuring sticks. We waited to book our trip until our youngest was over 46", if we get there and at 47" she can't ride, I will be a little annoyed, I won't through a fit but I will be talking to guests services.

Over all the years we have watched the kids grow and sometimes they were unable to ride. I must admit that we did not pre-measure or try to beat the system. I honestly have never seen a Disney advertisement that stated height requirements?? The child at that time understood, it seems to me it is more of a parent expectation than the childs.
I think it would be great that every time a child missed the mark that the parent would complain on the spot to the ride "lead" or go to city hall and give them an opinion. Whether it will change the coarse of history or not...I always do politely.
Best of luck,

Jack

 

[noee01]

I can see (and appreciate) the reasons behind the restrictions, but I would be upset if we were told that my child couldn't ride after waiting in line (after passing the first height check). That would be pretty frustrating.

We'll prepare my 4 year old now - she measures 41" barefoot at home, so we'll see how that translates at Disney!

Noella

 

[alvernon90]

But really, if this is such a concern, why not call the agencies and politely tell them of your concern? Why wait to see if it affects your family? If it's an overall safety concern that you have for people, you really should call and see if they'll inspect it... I have a small problem with what seems to be a *want* to have Disneyland fined...after all, that's our money that might end up paying part of the fine...but if you are truly concerned, report it now, not just if it changes your family touring plans.

Well, two reasons, really. First, I can't call and file a complaint about something for which I have no real evidence; it has to happen to me before I have grounds for making a complaint. "I read that it happened to other people on the internet" isn't the basis for a complaint that would be taken seriously.

More importantly, I don't really want Disney to be fined so much as I want the threat of fines to force them to change their policies. They should be able to come up with a consistent measurement method that doesn't cause kids to be kicked out of a line.

 

[blackjackdelta]

First, I do not think there is a California code/law that is being broken. If something happens at DLR I do not agree with(that may be controllable by Disney) then I do complain at the time. For what you get at the parks the tickets are very cheap entertainment, the food and lodging is a whole different issue.

Jack

 

[mechurchlady]

I asked the greeter at Autopia

He does not know what department but they do check the height once in a while. The Autopia is new and from last October.

Last October the ride was upped to 32 inches to ride and 54 inches to drive. They left the minimum age at 1 though over 98% of kids are not that tall before age 1.

 

[blabbermouth]

I don't even have kids, but it would be nice if they could be measured once at the gate and have their height put on their ticket or stamped on their hand, or something. So that there is only one measurement dictating everything, or only one person. I guess it might be too hard to cheat with that though?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

man i hope ds is big enough for indy this time. I do think they should get it fixed

 

[mechurchlady]

Disney found out that using wristband costs lots of money, time, and people cheat. The parents would take bands off of one kid and put it on another. Not too tight or you hurt the darlings so the momma then switched the bands out. I knew a CM who was a super pin trader and she was hospitalized because of the germs she got from being around guests. Too much fuss.

If you really do believe the measurement is off then complain at City Hall and be ready to prove your case.

 

[Disney Dreams]

...If I spent a significant time in line after getting the go-ahead and then had to take my child out of line at the last minute, I would be right there at City Hall threatening to call in all kinds of regulatory agencies to come to the park and fine the company for having measuring sticks that make it possible that a too-short kid might skate through. In fact, I kind of hope it does happen, just so I can go make such a threat.

Safety first, right? Well, then Disney has an obligation to ensure that their safety measurement devices are accurate. If the same child yields two different results, then their devices are not accurate. If the kid "scrunching down" causes different results then their measuring method is not accurate. I'm sure a cash-strapped state agency would love to issue some fines to Disney for failing to take care of this problem.

Seriously? Are you going to go up to parents who pad their kids' shoes and report them to regulatory agencies? How about parents who change their kids shoes so they are wearing a higher heel?

Disney does their part, but if you have read these boards long enough, you know that parents try all sorts of things to get their "almost tall enough" child on ride X so s/he "won't be left out of the fun." It amazes me that people have posted here that a half inch really doesn't matter when it comes to their own child's safety, but it also amazes me that you would hope to find a reason to complain. I just don't get it.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Originally Posted by alvernon90
...If I spent a significant time in line after getting the go-ahead and then had to take my child out of line at the last minute, I would be right there at City Hall threatening to call in all kinds of regulatory agencies to come to the park and fine the company for having measuring sticks that make it possible that a too-short kid might skate through. In fact, I kind of hope it does happen, just so I can go make such a threat.

Trust me..making a "threat" of any kind of causing a disturbance will get you a visit by security and Anaheim police, plus as a grand prize you would probably be banned from the parks. Disney does not mind listening to peoples compalints but take it the wrong direction, you will be GONE.

Jack