How strict are the height restrictions?

[alvernon90]

And for anyone who missed the mentions, I'm going to third (or is it 2.5 b/c I'm the one that mentioned it first, LOL) the following:

If they do, they literally take a piece of paper and attempt to slide it between the top of the child's head and the measuring marker. If it fits, they don't ride.

I thought I had read somewhere that they have some kind of one-time laser measuring system and then the child is given a color-coded wristband so the CMs don't have to measure multiple times each day. Is that not the case? Did I dream that?

 

[bumbershoot]

I thought I had read somewhere that they have some kind of one-time laser measuring system and then the child is given a color-coded wristband so the CMs don't have to measure multiple times each day. Is that not the case? Did I dream that?

Alas, Disneyland does not have that.

 

[marsrunner]

Yeah, those measuring sticks are not accurate at all. My daughter was measured at the doctor's office by coincidince two days before we went to DL. We knew she wouldn't make the 48" for California Screamin', but at the doctor's office she was 46 1/2" tall without shoes, tall enough to ride Indiana Jones. She's five and the Indiana Jones movies are her favorites. She even got to ride Dinosaur at WDW which is the same ride system, but must have different restraints or something because the height limit was lower there. Anyway, WITH shoes on she was a good 1/2" too short to ride Indiana Jones. Very sad, but we didn't make a big deal out of it because it would have just upset her more, but I was pretty irritated. It was the first ride of the day, too, so she hadn't shrunk any and she stood as tall as she could. If the height limit was really 47", they should just say so. I don't want her to ride something that isn't safe because of her height, but if it says 46" and she's 46 1/2" she should be able to ride the darn thing.

 

[minty]

I thought I had read somewhere that they have some kind of one-time laser measuring system and then the child is given a color-coded wristband so the CMs don't have to measure multiple times each day. Is that not the case? Did I dream that?

You did remember correctly- this was temporarily offered as a trial program. I don't remember when it started, but they stopped offering this in the summer of 2003.

 

[leslie_537]

Well my daughter has been tall enough to ride almost everything since she was 3. Space Mountain, BTMRR, Mulholland Madness, GRR, etc....

She was so working for California Sceramin' And finally got to ride it when she was 5. She was 1/4 inch to short on their measuring stick, but not one CM measured her! I personally do not think 1/4 inch would compromise my daughter's safety. I guarantee that Disney put much larger height requirements on things than needed all to cover their rears and keep people safe.

I agree with all the requirements but I can also say not all their measuring sticks are the right height! I am called the Helicopter by other parents because I am constantly hoovering over my kids I wouldn't send my child on a ride if I felt a 1/4 would make a difference, especially since I went by their height measure stick.

But on another note my son isn't quite as tall as my daughter and so badly wants to ride BTMRR. So we do use that as encouragement to eat healthier, grow foods!

Good Luck!

 

[Disney Dreams]

...I guarantee that Disney put much larger height requirements on things than needed all to cover their rears and keep people safe....

And if (knock on wood) anything were to happen to a child and it went to court for millions of dollars, we all know the very first question would go to the cast member working that day as to whether or not the child was measured.

CM: "Yes."
Lawyer: "Then how do you explain that said child is NOT that height, but indeed 1/2 shorter than required height?"
CM: "I don't know. I measured myself."

And the parent would be the one who knows the answer - higher shoes so the child can "join in the fun."

Yes, in all likelihood the requirements are padded, but why? Because they KNOW parents are going to try to help their kids trick the system. The very same parents that would sue the heck out of Disney for allowing their too-short-to-ride child on a ride which lead to a horrible fate (again, knock on wood).

We have to wait until we are 16 to drive, 18 to vote, and 21 to drink. And we have to wait until we are a certain height to ride various rides. Why? Because it's the rules. Can / do people use a fake id? Sure. It's still not right.

There are reasons for safety restrictions at amusement parks.

 

[TiredX2]

In our experience the measuring sticks are definitely not accurate or all the same. For instance - our DS 4 wanted to ride GRR and Mulholland Madness in DCA which have the same height requirement (42). He measured just fine for GRR and was so excited to be able to ride it. We went over to MM right after and he was fully 1/2 inch too short for it. The CM could pass their hand right over the top of his head.

Interesting because DS was told he was too short to ride that specific ride as well. He was 4.75 years old at the time and definately over the minimum height. It really sucked because when the person measured him they pushed down on his head--- DS does not like strangers touching him so he kept ducking down a little too. We went back later and told him to stand up really straight at the beginning so they hopefully wouldn't try to measure him and he coasted right by).