How strict are CMs with height restrictions

[MrRomance]

In our experience they are super strict! Our daughter was refused several times even though she was JUST under. For Disney, it's an insurance and safety issue. If they let kids on and something happens, they're facing a lawsuit. I've seen people try to put their kids in thick soled shoes and all sorts of things but for the most part, CM's spot the tricks and say no anyway. I would be prepared for her to be refused and explain to your child before you even leave that if they are not tall enough, it's not safe for them to ride. We found this reduced the tantrums!

 

[lillykat]

Yep. This. 100%. Even if you passed at the beginning of the line, you may be turned away at the ride.

See this is the problem I have. I am ALL about safety and do not try to cheat the system. I want my child safe on rides. I would also understand if they measured barefoot or whatever BUT...as I see it is a child is close (my 3.5 yr old is boarderline. She is between 40 inches and 39 3/4 inches without shoes - she will probably wear keens or tevas in the parks) it is better to say right out no sorry.

I am all about the safety speech and preparing her not to ride but I guess for ME. I wish they made that determination BEFORE they get in line. She would understand if told at the enterance sorry sweetie you don't make it. But my DD#2 is dying to ride splash and has a difficult time in lines. She would be devestated however if told yes you make it, she stands in long line and is good only to be told sorry too bad. There must be a better way. If they trust their measuring system measuring when you enter should be enough right? I would rather take an extra second or two at the beginning and ensure she is the right height. What is the reasoning for 2-3 times once you enter? Do they fear the child changed sizes while in line?

 

[SarahJN]

I'm wondering how old these children are that are wanting to ride the hard core rides? My 3 year old grandson is right at 44" and the one that just turned 4 years old is 45.5". I wouldn't take either of them on the more intense rides. I wouldn't even take myself on the more intense rides.

I would also be afraid to try to "boost" a child's height since I'm sure the restrictions are for safety reasons. Maybe the restraint in the ride wouldn't hold them properly?

My girls will be 6 in April. One of them is almost 40 inches (no shoes) and the other 2 are just over 40 inches.

We've had mixed experiences with CMs and height restrictions. When we brought 2 of our 3 on BTMR in August, they were measured twice. 4 months later, we brought only 1 on and no one measured her at all. And she's just over 40 inches.

 

[disnut8]

What is the reasoning for 2-3 times once you enter? Do they fear the child changed sizes while in line?

No, they fear that only one Cast Member doing the checking missed something. At work, we use the "second pair of eyes" rule on just about everything. Or, another cliche - "it's better to measure twice and cut once".

And as pointed out before, parents do some stupid things just to get their kids on a ride. I wouldn't put it past some parent to do the lifts in the shoes, get past the one check point, stop and take out the lifts. Now you have a too small child getting on a ride where the restraints might not hold that child.

Sorry, but as a parent, it's up to you to explain to your child there are two points of measurement. We did that with both of our grandkids. And after they passed the second one (one time was a very close call), we did high fives. It actually became a little game we played.

 

[jentifred]

Related question--are the measurements at the ride 44 inches? Or are they a bit higher to allow for shoes? I'm measuring my son at home barefoot just to be a little more sure that he'll pass. He's 43.5 barefoot right now and we have 4.5 months before we head to Disney.

As a side note, I am TOTALLY using my leverage to get him to eat decently. He has ridden Space Mtn at Disneyland because it only has a 40 inch requirement there, so he will be totally crushed if he can't ride it at MK. All I have to do now is remind him that he needs "good growing food" and he's off to raid the fruit bowl and vegetable crisper!

 

[kim_o]

If they trust their measuring system measuring when you enter should be enough right? I would rather take an extra second or two at the beginning and ensure she is the right height. What is the reasoning for 2-3 times once you enter? Do they fear the child changed sizes while in line?

They do that because people will sneak their kids in. I've seen it where they will distract the cm in the front, to have another parent sneak the small child past when the CM is otherwise engaged.

 

[lillykat]

They do that because people will sneak their kids in. I've seen it where they will distract the cm in the front, to have another parent sneak the small child past when the CM is otherwise engaged.

See that I understand. What about having a second one say 15 or 20 feet in where the line narrows so one cannot sneak past rather than all the way at the ride start point when someone could be online for an hour or what not.

Yes to an above poster as a parent it IS my job to prepare her. But honestly...I see people on here complain how it ruined their trip etc bc they waited online and it broke down so they couldn't ride. These are adults who should be able to understand things happen. Yes it stinks, but the idea is to be safe and fair, if an adult would be disappointed I think it is fair to understand and feelsorry that a child who measured correctly without tricks might be disappointed if they wait 15, 30, 60 mins, might have had to prepare themselves for the ride whatever, only to be told "nope you just miss it sorry". I still think there has to be a way to double check with out that disappointment. I am all about safety and am not looking to cheat or miss use the system but I guess I am looking at creating a more fair system. Because if something doesn't work well...we shouldn't try to improve it? I understand there will always be people who try to go around the system...but I would think there must be a better alternative.

Someone said bracelets don't work or stamps but what about photo cards where you have an option to take your child and measure them if you wish and get a photo card for the trip. This way you can't transfer it bc the childs photos is on the card. Or a way to put it on a card and you child must show the photo card or/and be measured at the entrance but say if you have the card not get the 2nd measure check right before riding. It would be optional but save could save heartache on the trip for a child who randomly measures correctly, they either measures right or they don't. I know I would rather have my child measure correctly or not. Being able to ride sometimes not others is much harder on them especially when planning. Yes I know someone will try to cheat any system. I suspect people do now since many are talking about taller shoes, lifts, etc. But there must be a better way.

 

[maxiesmom]

Someone said bracelets don't work or stamps but what about photo cards where you have an option to take your child and measure them if you wish and get a photo card for the trip. This way you can't transfer it bc the childs photos is on the card. Or a way to put it on a card and you child must show the photo card or/and be measured at the entrance but say if you have the card not get the 2nd measure check right before riding. It would be optional but save could save heartache on the trip for a child who randomly measures correctly, they either measures right or they don't.

I can see a few problems with your photo solution. First off, many parents wouldn't be comfortable with it. Look at all the worry with the finger scan. Trusting WDW with a photo of your child (or trusting it would be deleted right away) is way beyond that. Second, some families do have kids that look a lot alike. I know even as adults my sister and I look so much alike that once an airline passed us back each other's drivers license. And I'm 3 inches taller than my sis!

Third, there would be a large cost to go along with having photo IDs. You would have to have a place set up for it, plus equipment and CMs trained to take the photos and make the IDs. And then you would still have to have some sort of system for those parents who don't want pictures taken of their child. Lots of expense for WDW with no tangible upside.

 

[SarahJN]

I can see a few problems with your photo solution. First off, many parents wouldn't be comfortable with it. Look at all the worry with the finger scan. Trusting WDW with a photo of your child (or trusting it would be deleted right away) is way beyond that. Second, some families do have kids that look a lot alike. I know even as adults my sister and I look so much alike that once an airline passed us back each other's drivers license. And I'm 3 inches taller than my sis!

Third, there would be a large cost to go along with having photo IDs. You would have to have a place set up for it, plus equipment and CMs trained to take the photos and make the IDs. And then you would still have to have some sort of system for those parents who don't want pictures taken of their child. Lots of expense for WDW with no tangible upside.

I have identical triplets. 2 of them were just over 40 inches this summer. The 3rd was not tall enough even with shoes on. She could have used one of her sister's photos. They all look very much alike and she was close enough in height that it most likely wouldn't have been questioned.

There's always a way to scam the system but I think the way Disney has it set up now, the scamming is at a minimum.

 

[lillykat]

I can see a few problems with your photo solution. First off, many parents wouldn't be comfortable with it. Look at all the worry with the finger scan. Trusting WDW with a photo of your child (or trusting it would be deleted right away) is way beyond that. Second, some families do have kids that look a lot alike. I know even as adults my sister and I look so much alike that once an airline passed us back each other's drivers license. And I'm 3 inches taller than my sis!

Third, there would be a large cost to go along with having photo IDs. You would have to have a place set up for it, plus equipment and CMs trained to take the photos and make the IDs. And then you would still have to have some sort of system for those parents who don't want pictures taken of their child. Lots of expense for WDW with no tangible upside.

I did say that it wasn't perfect but they pay people now to have 2-3 additional people to measure. They could offer the card for those only who want it they can still measure at the start of the line. I am sure some parents might like a card if it cuts down on disappointment/whatever. A family who gets in a longer line to ride but gets to the front and their kid is upset yes they can do swap,but if you go with one child or even a few and you know said child can't ride you could make other plans. I know I couldn't do sawp if I went with my child who thought she would ride then hey sorry.. I would leave with her. Just saying that there should be a better way. I still like a second check mabe 5 mins into the line rather than all the way at the front before getting on. The lines narrow. They could put a turnstile some lines have so they are forced to go by the cm and can't sneak by and measure there. Yes I know some lines are short but just seems cruel to let someone wait 30+ smetimes much longer then be told no. Most adults on here freak if they wait and a ridebreaks down. Harder for a child 3+ who thought bc they passed the 1st line they are okay. And remember most people do NOT know that the measure more than once. They would assume if they pass the 1st check they are okay. I only know bc I am on here. I never saw them remeasure kids on past trips. Dd#1 last trip only was measured once for barnstormer. So I don't think it is a stretch for someone to prep their kid then have them disappointment if they don't make it. I still think there must be a better way. Look I am all for safety but if my child measures properly (wearing normal shoes like keens) at the start of the line I would expect them to at the front of the line as well and can understand why there might be upset kids or upset adults. If you are in the line and measured I guess I don't buy the argument that you should tell your child just because you were tall enough to get in line you suddenly aren't tall enough to ride. To me that says (I am not referring to people who cheat the system) either their sticks are off or there is something unfair in their measurements. Yes, I do understand you can measure okay in the morning but not later in the day. I know several people IRL this happened to and it sounds from reading this board it happens on here too.

 

[crzy4mk]

Something no one has mentioned (and it really wouldn't help OP but might help others who have a child that is right at the measurement line) is that if there are height restricted rides that they really want to do, you should do them first thing in the morning. As the day progresses (especially walking around a theme park all day) your spine compresses just a bit and you are actually a little bit shorter at the end of the day than you are at the beginning. Just something to remember.

EDITED: Just saw that pp mentioned this as well...great minds think alike!

 

[UNCFanatik]

It amazes me that some people actually teach their kids to cheat. Then they wonder why these same kids grow up and dont think certain rules apply to them.

Why even ask a question, how strict the CMs are about height restrictions? This is a black and white issue. Bottom line, if your kid is too short, they cant ride. Accept that and stop trying to game the system.

Just like other problems in Disney, people think they are entitled to certain things and the rules shouldnt apply to them.

Its a shame that this is a 4 page long thread.

 

[jentifred]

It amazes me that some people actually teach their kids to cheat. Then they wonder why these same kids grow up and dont think certain rules apply to them.

Why even ask a question, how strict the CMs are about height restrictions? This is a black and white issue. Bottom line, if your kid is too short, they cant ride. Accept that and stop trying to game the system.

Just like other problems in Disney, people think they are entitled to certain things and the rules shouldnt apply to them.

Its a shame that this is a 4 page long thread.

My "gaming of the system" is limited to encouraging my shorty to eat his veggies so he can grow that last half inch in the next 4 months. And wondering if the measuring sticks are spot-on at 44 or they are at more like 45 to take into account normal footwear.

If he is told he's too short, then I have no plans to put lifts in his shoes or teach him to stand on his tippy toes or whatever.

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

I once was in line for test track and a lady and her daughter were about to board and had to be re-checked and the cast member at the entrance let the kid through but the one before boarding wouldn't.

 

[mommak1]

It amazes me that some people actually teach their kids to cheat. Then they wonder why these same kids grow up and dont think certain rules apply to them.

Why even ask a question, how strict the CMs are about height restrictions? This is a black and white issue. Bottom line, if your kid is too short, they cant ride. Accept that and stop trying to game the system.

Just like other problems in Disney, people think they are entitled to certain things and the rules shouldnt apply to them.

Its a shame that this is a 4 page long thread.

I (the OP) am certainly not trying to teach my kids to cheat the rules or that rules don't apply to them. I asked the question because there are some things that can influence exactly how tall a person measures - the shoes they wear, how early in the day it is, how accurate whatever device they are using to measure is, how well kids stand up straight, etc. So I asked the question so I'll know what to expect. I have been places that allow for some wiggle room for kids who are close because of these variables, and I've been places where there is no wiggle room. Having not been to Disney World since 1978, I asked for some clarification. If the rule is 42" with typical shoes on, my daughter meets that rule. If the rule is 42" barefoot, we'd know ahead of time that she doesn't meet the requirement. We aren't trying to cheat the rules, but she is that close that how the rule is implemented is going to make the difference...or it would have if there rides with a 42" limit. Thanks to all the helpful replies, I now know that we don't need to worry about it.

 

[SwimBikeRun]

I think it's a fair question.

We'll be down in 7 weeks and my youngest is right on the verge of hitting 54 inches for the thrill rides at Islands of Adventure. I thought he was way under but I just pulled out the measuring tape and he is "right there" in bare feet. He is a daredevil and will definitely want to ride those rides. I too am curious if the measuring is a little off to account for shoes, etc.

 

[UNCFanatik]

I (the OP) am certainly not trying to teach my kids to cheat the rules or that rules don't apply to them. I asked the question because there are some things that can influence exactly how tall a person measures - the shoes they wear, how early in the day it is, how accurate whatever device they are using to measure is, how well kids stand up straight, etc. So I asked the question so I'll know what to expect. I have been places that allow for some wiggle room for kids who are close because of these variables, and I've been places where there is no wiggle room. Having not been to Disney World since 1978, I asked for some clarification. If the rule is 42" with typical shoes on, my daughter meets that rule. If the rule is 42" barefoot, we'd know ahead of time that she doesn't meet the requirement. We aren't trying to cheat the rules, but she is that close that how the rule is implemented is going to make the difference...or it would have if there rides with a 42" limit. Thanks to all the helpful replies, I now know that we don't need to worry about it.

It is a clear rule. "x" number of inches to ride a certain ride. It doesnt matter how they enforce it. If your child is shorter and you know it, then dont try to ride that attraction. Why people just cant accept that is beyond me.

Children should be taught that rules should be followed and not be made part of some matter of deception.

 

[Laketravis]

I once put folded up paper towels in the bottom of my son's shoes so he was tall enough to ride Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags. It added that 1/4" deemed to be the difference between life and death.

That was a couple of years ago when he was 5, and I'm not sure what the statute of limitations is on my crime, so for legal reasons I'm posting this anonymously.

Flame on.

 

[jentifred]

It is a clear rule. "x" number of inches to ride a certain ride. It doesnt matter how they enforce it. If your child is shorter and you know it, then dont try to ride that attraction. Why people just cant accept that is beyond me.

Children should be taught that rules should be followed and not be made part of some matter of deception.

How is asking if it's a true 44 or a 44+ measurement a matter of deception?

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Related question--are the measurements at the ride 44 inches? Or are they a bit higher to allow for shoes? I'm measuring my son at home barefoot just to be a little more sure that he'll pass. He's 43.5 barefoot right now and we have 4.5 months before we head to Disney.

As a side note, I am TOTALLY using my leverage to get him to eat decently. He has ridden Space Mtn at Disneyland because it only has a 40 inch requirement there, so he will be totally crushed if he can't ride it at MK. All I have to do now is remind him that he needs "good growing food" and he's off to raid the fruit bowl and vegetable crisper!

In my experience, they've been quite accurate. My youngest had just hit 48" on our measuring wall at home and barely scraped the post at Disney for Rock-N-Roller Coaster. When he was 4 and right at 44", he was too short with his Crocs on but made it with his sneakers the next day. I had told him before we left it would be close and he'd have to stand up nice and tall, and he did.