How Strict Are They ON Height Requirements?

[RMulieri]

I

This, to me, smacks of the "entitlement" attitude....I don't care about your rules, my kid is going to get on that ride no matter what you say. What are you teaching your kids when you act this way? I've seen the moms pitch fits when their kid (who was of course tall enough "last time" or "at home" or at "Ride X") can't ride. I think these parents are the same ones who are saving 10 seats at a show b/c their group as a whole doesn't need to be subjected to...gasp....*waiting*. And I'd bet that if their too-short child was God Forbid injured on the ride...they'd sue!

Exactly.What is so wrong with allowing your child to be *gasp* disappointed? Now I know someone will bring up how unfair that everyone in the family can ride but the little one can't.Well ....so everyone else gets to do something that the little one can't.Find something special for the little one to do.When we went to wdw when my niece was not quite 40 in, She was the tiniest of 4 children and 6 adults.Yes she was angry and disappointed, but Sil stood her ground and niece got over it after a relatively teeny tiny meltdown.She learned I may be tall enough some day, and the world does not bend to my whim because I want it to.

 

[redrosesix]

Exactly.What is so wrong with allowing your child to be *gasp* disappointed? Now I know someone will bring up how unfair that everyone in the family can ride but the little one can't.Well ....so everyone else gets to do something that the little one can't.Find something special for the little one to do.When we went to wdw when my niece was not quite 40 in, She was the tiniest of 4 children and 6 adults.Yes she was angry and disappointed, but Sil stood her ground and niece got over it after a relatively teeny tiny meltdown.She learned I may be tall enough some day, and the world does not bend to my whim because I want it to.

My DD is the gymnast type and will always be small for her age (at 9, she is just 48 inches). So we have dealt with this a lot. This is no different than using a booster seat in a car, or tying down the shoulder strap so it won't cut into her neck.

Doing a ride at WDW is not important enough for me to risk her safety, so as far as I'm concerned if she can't ride it, we don't go on it (easy for me since she's an only child). She also understands that it is not as if she will not keep growing. If a child has a tantrum about it, I would say that they are not old enough to do the ride either.

You don't have to do every single ride in the park -- you can do some of them more than once. If I had more than 1 kid (and we have gone through this when visiting fairs, etc. with friends and cousins), I would never make them miss out on a ride while the rest of us got to experience it -- one of the parents should take that child on a ride that they can do.

The parents are the ones who need to grow up here!

 

[RMulieri]

My DD is the gymnast type and will always be small for her age (at 9, she is just 48 inches). So we have dealt with this a lot. This is no different than using a booster seat in a car, or tying down the shoulder strap so it won't cut into her neck.

Doing a ride at WDW is not important enough for me to risk her safety, so as far as I'm concerned if she can't ride it, we don't go on it (easy for me since she's an only child). She also understands that it is not as if she will not keep growing. If a child has a tantrum about it, I would say that they are not old enough to do the ride either.

You don't have to do every single ride in the park -- you can do some of them more than once. If I had more than 1 kid (and we have gone through this when visiting fairs, etc. with friends and cousins), I would never make them miss out on a ride while the rest of us got to experience it -- one of the parents should take that child on a ride that they can do.

The parents are the ones who need to grow up here!

I took her off to get a snack while the others rode.

 

[teresajoy]

I took her off to get a snack while the others rode.

I think she was quoting you because she agreed with you. At least, that's how I read it.

When we were at Disney in May, a guy had got his kid on Thunder Mountain, and we heard a CM at one point in the line phoning the CM who was at the cars and told them to measure the kid again. I have a feeling he snuck this kid past the CM at the beginning of the line, there was NO way he was tall enough! When the CM at the cars tried measuring the kid, the Dad pitched a fit! This child was inches too short!! But, the Dad just walked past the CM and got on the ride anyway! I thought he should be kicked out of th park at that point, but they did eventually get him off the ride. I coulnd't believe what an idiot the guy was!

 

[RMulieri]

I think she was quoting you because she agreed with you. At least, that's how I read it.

When we were at Disney in May, a guy had got his kid on Thunder Mountain, and we heard a CM at one point in the line phoning the CM who was at the cars and told them to measure the kid again. I have a feeling he snuck this kid past the CM at the beginning of the line, there was NO way he was tall enough! When the CM at the cars tried measuring the kid, the Dad pitched a fit! This child was inches too short!! But, the Dad just walked past the CM and got on the ride anyway! I thought he should be kicked out of th park at that point, but they did eventually get him off the ride. I coulnd't believe what an idiot the guy was!

You mean he put his kid on the ride anyway?OMG! I don't understand sometimes how these cms do their job.I would be afraid I would get beat up.

 

[tiggger1]

I dont mind that the have height requirements. What bothers me is that each ride with the same height requirements, that there sticks are so off. Out last trip my dd5 was 44 inches. She liked to always check her height JIC but one of them she barely made it and the rest she was 3 inches above the stick. these were right after another and both 40 inch requirements...If they are so strict they need to have IDENTICAL measuring devices...

 

[rt2dz]

I have not read the responses. I will say they will NOT allow anyone under the height requirement on.

When DS#2 was 3, he was a perfect 40”. When height-restricted rides, they measured. They pushed, his hair down (it doesn’t stick up either), to make sure he was at that 40” line. He was never turned away because he was 40”, but they were big on any ride making sure he was, in fact, right on that 40” mark.

ETA: He was 40” at the Dr’s office barefoot, just the week prior. WDW measure sticks are a little off so there he was 40” perfect with shoes, but I knew IRL he was still 40”. He was warned that there was a chance he'd still be turned away, and we were prepared to walk away without a word. Life is not all sugary-wonderfully-sweet. The sooner kids learn that, the better.

When we were there in December, there was a family who tried to take a little girl on BTMRR who wasn’t quite 40”. The CM turned them away. The parents tried the “Close enough” card and “But it’s her birthday” and “We promised her; she’s been wanting to go on. She’s just small for her age. Cut her a break.” The CM stood firm. He told them that it was a safety requirement and she could get hurt. They didn’t give up until he asked them if they really wanted to put her safety in danger. He was very diplomatic and very nice. I’m amazed he was so good for so long—these people really fought to get her on—but he was not about to let her on for ¼”.

 

[teresajoy]

You mean he put his kid on the ride anyway?OMG! I don't understand sometimes how these cms do their job.I would be afraid I would get beat up.

YES!!! I was shocked!! I don't think any CM should have had to deal with that jerk! I was really wishing they would escort him right out of the park!

ETA: Congrats on your 4000th post!!!

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I actually think that most amusement parks are realizing that fraud goes on and are doing like Disney does -- measuring at each individual ride. I know that when my family went to a regional amusement park last summer, the height posts were at each ride. My youngest was right at 36", which was the limit for some of the rides and the attendants measured him against the post each time.

My youngest is now right on the cusp of 40" and I'm hoping he hits a little growth spurt between now and May. He was a bit upset last year when he had to sit out when his big brother got to go on things he didn't. Even so, we do take turns doing special things with him, but it's just not the same.

 

[redrosesix]

I took her off to get a snack while the others rode.

Yes, I was quoting you because I agreed with you.

 

[abarnold]

Our youngest was measured at AK for KRR he just barely made it and they gave him a bracelet showing that he had made the cutoff. Right after we got off the ride, the line was still empty so we went on it again. They still measured him just to verify what they had seen the last time. They are very thorough. My middle son was a little disappointed at USO when they wouldn't allow him on the Incredible Hulk ride because he was 1/2" too short. But when I explained to him why they had the rules- he was just fine with it and said well I will grow and ride it next time. dh tried to convince me to get him higher shoes, when I firmly stated why that wouldn't happen stating that I would rather have an emotionally hurt child then one that wasn't around- he dropped that idea immediately. NO ONE messes with mama bear

 

[kevw67]

I can't even fathom why there would be a meltdown. You simply say "sorry honey, you're not tall enough for these rides yet." and then you walk away.
It helps if you explain ahead that there are some rides for bigger kids and some rides for everyone. And because of safety she won't be able to ride.

if she's taking a fit over something that she's not even old enough to do you've got a lot more trouble coming when she's 15 and thinks she's "old enough" to drive or when she's 20 and thinks she's "old enough" to drink.

::cop:

Really, you cant understand how there can be meltdowns? Im sure your kids are the most mild mannered children or they will be when you have them or they were when you took them, but not all kids react the same way regardless of how well you prepare them. What works for one child may not work for another. My son was so upset at Primeval whirl twio years ago when he was just an inch short. He sat with my father-in-law and cried until we got off the ride with my older son and he HAD been prepared for the worse. Statements like this imply that parents aren't doing a good enough job preparing their children for tough life lessons. The fact of the matter is that children are not robots and will not act the same way. I do agree with the posts on this thread that is totally a safety issue and just because your kid doesn't make the cut, doesnt mean that cm's are out to get someone. But reactions will vary when receiving bad news. Sixteen years in a classroom has helped me realize this!

 

[redrosesix]

Really, you cant understand how there can be meltdowns? Im sure your kids are the most mild mannered children or they will be when you have them or they were when you took them, but not all kids react the same way regardless of how well you prepare them. What works for one child may not work for another. My son was so upset at Primeval whirl twio years ago when he was just an inch short. He sat with my father-in-law and cried until we got off the ride with my older son and he HAD been prepared for the worse. Statements like this imply that parents aren't doing a good enough job preparing their children for tough life lessons. The fact of the matter is that children are not robots and will not act the same way. I do agree with the posts on this thread that is totally a safety issue and just because your kid doesn't make the cut, doesnt mean that cm's are out to get someone. But reactions will vary when receiving bad news. Sixteen years in a classroom has helped me realize this!

This is exactly my point -- maybe your son would not have sat and cried had he been taken for a snack or taken on a different ride eg. you can't go on this one but you can go on your favourite ride again (and your brother can't). I'd be upset too if both of my parents were riding with a sibling and I had to sit and watch.

 

[SuperTink]

I don't think the point is that your child can't be upset. Some children who are disappointed will be inconsolable, no matter what the parent does. The fact remains that even these children need to learn that rules are rules. They will eventually recover from their disappointment, and that's a life lesson worth learning early.

 

[katymare]

we were there in December and they doubled checked my daughters height on all most all rides with a 40" height requirement. She is right at 40" and there were times we would ride it once then go again..the same CM would be there and they would check it again. I saw them turn away quite a few who were right under the requiement.


Rules are there for a reason...last time we were at Disney she should could not ride any of those rides she was upset but got over it quickly.

 

[RMulieri]

Children are allowed to be upset,sad, or even a little bit angry they can't ride.children handle bad news differently , and it is not neccessarily a reflection on parenting skills.It is when parents feed into the behavior and resort to bad behavior themselves to obtain their child whatever their heart desires that I have a HUGE problem with.My girlfriend at work always gives in and gets loud with whoever denied her precious child what they want..and now she wonders why the child has behavioral problems,issues with coping skills,and lack of respect for authority including parental authority.

 

[RMulieri]

YES!!! I was shocked!! I don't think any CM should have had to deal with that jerk! I was really wishing they would escort him right out of the park!

ETA: Congrats on your 4000th post!!!

Thank you

 

[kevw67]

Children are allowed to be upset,sad, or even a little bit angry they can't ride.children handle bad news differently , and it is not neccessarily a reflection on parenting skills.It is when parents feed into the behavior and resort to bad behavior themselves to obtain their child whatever their heart desires that I have a HUGE problem with.My girlfriend at work always gives in and gets loud with whoever denied her precious child what they want..and now she wonders why the child has behavioral problems,issues with coping skills,and lack of respect for authority including parental authority.

Amen to that! This is what Im talking about. Some kids will be upset and have meltdowns no matter what. You can prepare them all you want and they can indicate that they will be ok until the time comes that they are told no. They may have a meltdown and it shouldn't come as a surprise. The parents who argue for them and take them on anyways are the ones whose kids will continue to freak out. It is too bad if a youngster has to sit and watch his family, he is not big enough; period. It is a life lesson that all sometimes is not fair and that is that. But, to say that you cant fathom there being a meltdown implies that one parent has done a better job preparing their kids better than someone else. It's simply not true. My son sat there, had his ten minutes of disappointment and we got on with our day. We refused to try and manipulate his shoes or any of that just so he could ride because rules are rules and kids need to learn them. But they are also allowed to be disappointed and their may be an occasional meltdown along with the disappointment.

 

[Cdnmom2001]

This is what I have learnt from this thread

1) Your child may measure 40" at one ride with this height requirement but not the next?!?!? How does that work? If you are tall enough for one ride with the 40" min then they should be allowed all rides at 40". I agree that the height restrictions are in place for safety and only safety reasons and I would never go against the rules, but again my problem would be if my DS (who is 40" now barefoot) was allowed on Soarin but we went to test track and waited in line knowing he just measured 40" just less than 15 minutes ago at another ride and then get turned away after a wait in the next ride? ? I still dont' understand how it can differ from ride to ride. I can't avoid all 40" rides on the basis of which rulers etc the use?


2) Meltdowns and tantrums apparently only happen to a few children like mine and a few others. My children both know of disappointment and have experienced many a time, but it still doesn't matter at the moment of the next disappointment, the meltdowns do occur and we do turn focus to another thing to do(rides, show or something) or place to go (walk, picture taking etc)etc but there is still a meltdown. IMO


3) Bracelets can be done and should be done. It seems that it would keep the flow of the parks/rides going a wee bit smoother. I am sure not everyone was cutting and re-taping when switching. I feel that the CM at each line can use their own opinnion by eye and ask for a re-measure. Not everyone will attempt to cheat the system and I can only imagine how many really did in comparison to how many people visit the parks(daily/monthly/yearly).

 

[leenbean33]

1) Your child may measure 40" at one ride with this height requirement but not the next?!?!? How does that work? If you are tall enough for one ride with the 40" min then they should be allowed all rides at 40". I agree that the height restrictions are in place for safety and only safety reasons and I would never go against the rules, but again my problem would be if my DS (who is 40" now barefoot) was allowed on Soarin but we went to test track and waited in line knowing he just measured 40" just less than 15 minutes ago at another ride and then get turned away after a wait in the next ride? ? I still dont' understand how it can differ from ride to ride. I can't avoid all 40" rides on the basis of which rulers etc the use?


2) Meltdowns and tantrums apparently only happen to a few children like mine and a few others. My children both know of disappointment and have experienced many a time, but it still doesn't matter at the moment of the next disappointment, the meltdowns do occur and we do turn focus to another thing to do(rides, show or something) or place to go (walk, picture taking etc)etc but there is still a meltdown. IMO

QUOTE]

I think my 3 yr old had problems measuring 40" at Splash Mtn when he had passed at both Test Track and Soarin' multiple times because they measure kids on a wooden platform at Splash Mountain and it looked warped.

I agree about every kid being different and not always being able to prevent meltdowns. When my 3 yr old couldn't ride Splash Mtn, he was inconsolable despite many attempts to distract him with alternate rides, sights, candy, etc. Meltdowns happen......