How Strict Are They ON Height Requirements?

[Buzz Litebeer]

Buzz,
I hope that you pointed out that guy at BTMRR to all the people waiting in the station so they all knew who was holding up the ride.

Didn't have to. They knew.

 

[SomedayI'llBe]

As a short (we're talking not quite 5'!) 18 year old, here's my side of the story.

It was not that long ago that I wasn't able to ride all these rides, because I am just that short. But now, even when I am tall enough, I still get a bit nervous. Because of my build, my shoulders never touch the top of the restraint on rides like RnRC. Usually, there's at least one to two inches between the top of the restraint and my shoulders. I can't imagine putting someone too short for these rides in them.

I will tell a quick story about my youngest sister and EE though. When we were last in the World (summer of '06), she was just tall enough to go onto EE. Because that girl is not afraid of ANYTHING, she joined the rest of the family on the ride. She was measured at the entrance, as we expected. After the CM confirmed she made the height, he gave her a Yeti stamp on her hand. As we reached the loading area, the CM nearly remeasured her- until he saw the Yeti stamp. He then waved us through. She was so proud of that stamp! I don't know if they're still doing this, but it was really great for us.

Maybe Disney could put in a system of stamps, kind of like the ones you can only see under blacklight. They don't wash off easily, and they'd truly be nontransferable.

 

[ClarkusR]

Sounds like they are pretty tight on height. My daughter will be close on several rides (fingers crossed).

 

[Interpol]

Putting lifts in kids shoes and giving them big hair is not the solution.

HGH injections, started 6 months to a year before visiting WDW, is the way to go.

Just kidding.

 

[Schmeck]

Maybe Disney could put in a system of stamps, kind of like the ones you can only see under blacklight. They don't wash off easily, and they'd truly be nontransferable.

They're transferable too - um, not that I tried anything like that to get into bars when I was a bit underage (OK, I tried it once, and then I chickened out because I was petrified I'd get caught and they'd call my parents ) but it's pretty simple to do if you have the right ingredients on hand...

 

[RMulieri]

They're transferable too - um, not that I tried anything like that to get into bars when I was a bit underage (OK, I tried it once, and then I chickened out because I was petrified I'd get caught and they'd call my parents ) but it's pretty simple to do if you have the right ingredients on hand...

Yes they are.I worked at six flags one summer and we used the black light stamps for re entry.We had very crafty people who would enter the park, walk around to the exit and get stamped, go out into the parking lot and transfer said stamp to waiting friends ( who did not have a ticket) and re enter the park...after awhile we got rid of the stamp.

 

[nicoleakr]

As has been stated, the CMs are very strict. When we were there a couple weeks ago, my 3 yr old made the 40 in requirement at Test Track & for Soarin' but then was told no for Splash Mtn which also has a 40 inch requirement. He had a meltdown of epic proportions. My husband thought the difference was that they measure on a wooden platform at Splash and that can warp or give a little as opposed to measuring with a child's feet on concrete or another more solid surface. Measurements definitely can vary from ride to ride so have you child prepared.

The exact same thing happened to us when my son was 3.I would rather be safe then sorry there is a reason for the height restriction. I find that kids will be upset for a couple minutes and then be okay. Good luck!!! Maybe she will get a grow spurt

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

Nope. And I worked there.

LATimes: Theme Parks' Latest Injury: Same Red Flag - Los Angeles Times (10/2/2000)
Kathy Fackler whose son lost of his foot due to an injury on Big Thunder Mountain writes an October 2nd article for the Los Angeles Times discussing child safety concerns.

(I just grabbed this from laughingplace.)

I couldn't find the whole article. I was living out there,and a friend was working in the park as security.

 

[blues2411]

I find this thread is a very interesting commentary on US society. We are always wanting to go faster, do more, achieve more, have our kids do EVERYTHING, find ways around the rules, etc. Let your kids be kids. If they are too small, then they are too small. Don't wish them to grow faster because one day you'll want that time back. As adults and parents our jobs are to teach children rules are in place for a reason and trying to get around them is wrong. Of course kids will be disappointed if they can't ride EVERY single ride but there is PLENTY for them to do and that can be a great reason to go back in a few years. I think as Americans we think that we are "missing" something or "entitled" as someone else said but come on if you let the fact your child can't ride 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 10 rides at WDW ruin your trip then you have bigger issues to deal with. Take the time to explain to your child that the rules are there so they won't get hurt, just like seat belts in the car, or riding your bike with a helmet.....we may not like them but we have to abide by them. Kids are smarter than people give them credit for.

People RELAX it's VACATION. Slow down....here's a thought if you know your smallest child can't ride the rides....then split up with the family (if you can) have a mom/son or dad/daughter day.

 

[ShannonMB]

Putting lifts in kids shoes and giving them big hair is not the solution.

HGH injections, started 6 months to a year before visiting WDW, is the way to go.

Totally! hehehe

I wish I had the problem lots of you seem to have -- your kids are dying to try the rides and they're just a little too small. Next trip, they'll (you'll) get to ride everything!

My problem is that DD was tall enough for almost everything last trip, but she was too chicken to ride! This year she will be tall enough for everything, and there is nooo way I'll get her on EE, Space Mtn, ToT, Splash, or even Test Track. Luckily, she will ride Soarin! My mom is going with us this time (a ride chicken also), so I'll just go on some of them by myself. But I'm really hoping to do just a mommy-DD trip next time, so I just hope she gets a little braver by then! She'll be 9 or 10 by then, and I'm hoping we won't be riding Dumbo 25 times!!! I mean, come on! Maybe if I could find out what that bracelet was the one mom placated her daughter with, I could bribe her! (hehe, kidding, sort of) Well, at least she'll go on Haunted Mansion and PotC (begrudgingly). Ugh!

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

I find this thread is a very interesting commentary on US society. We are always wanting to go faster, do more, achieve more, have our kids do EVERYTHING, find ways around the rules, etc. Let your kids be kids. If they are too small, then they are too small. Don't wish them to grow faster because one day you'll want that time back. As adults and parents our jobs are to teach children rules are in place for a reason and trying to get around them is wrong. Of course kids will be disappointed if they can't ride EVERY single ride but there is PLENTY for them to do and that can be a great reason to go back in a few years. I think as Americans we think that we are "missing" something or "entitled" as someone else said but come on if you let the fact your child can't ride 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 10 rides at WDW ruin your trip then you have bigger issues to deal with. Take the time to explain to your child that the rules are there so they won't get hurt, just like seat belts in the car, or riding your bike with a helmet.....we may not like them but we have to abide by them. Kids are smarter than people give them credit for.

People RELAX it's VACATION. Slow down....here's a thought if you know your smallest child can't ride the rides....then split up with the family (if you can) have a mom/son or dad/daughter day.

A hearty AMEN! Nice post!

 

[summermac]

HGH injections. Why didn't I think of that. *smacking head*

 

[RMulieri]

HGH injections. Why didn't I think of that. *smacking head*

Yeah, I will get my kid on plenty of rides but probably end up giving her an early puberty at 5 yrs old or Cancer later in life

 

[teresajoy]

Back In The Day, I worked at BTMR... and I had more than one manager instruct me to do exactly that.

1.)The worst offender I've heard about was a B-list celebrity (who shall remain nameless -- but at the time, was appearing in an ABC sitcom) who went so far as to pull out his cellphone and call the park's president to complain about his child being turned away from an attraction due to height.

2.)When I worked at BTMR I had a similar incident happen. When I asked the Guest to exit the attraction, he defiantly pulled down the lapbar and snarled, "I'm his father, and I say he's riding!" I smiled and replied, "I'm the ride operator and I say he doesn't. Please exit to your right."

3.)actually had candidates for Parent-of-the-Year who have asked for such a document. Swear to God.

1.)Can you just tell us wich sitcom??
2.)For all the other guests that were standing there worried sick about that child, can I just say "Thank you!"
3.)SERIOUSLY???

 

[summermac]

Yeah, I will get my kid on plenty of rides but probably end up giving her an early puberty at 5 yrs old or Cancer later in life

I'm not concerned about cancer - he'll be an adult later in life. My son MUST ride RnR!

 

[WDSearcher]

LATimes: Theme Parks' Latest Injury: Same Red Flag - Los Angeles Times (10/2/2000)
Kathy Fackler whose son lost of his foot due to an injury on Big Thunder Mountain writes an October 2nd article for the Los Angeles Times discussing child safety concerns.

(I just grabbed this from laughingplace.)

I couldn't find the whole article. I was living out there,and a friend was working in the park as security.

I believe this was DisneyLAND, not WORLD, which is why the PP may not have heard about it. It was also several years ago.

 

[stinkerbelle7531]

I'm sure you are right. I just tucked in the reference to verify my statement.

 

[RMulieri]

I'm not concerned about cancer - he'll be an adult later in life. My son MUST ride RnR!

True, I mean a fatal disease means nothing to me if DD can ride Tower of Terror.Because I paid alot of money for this vacation dang it, and I will get my moneys worth!

 

[WDSearcher]

When I worked at BTMR I had a similar incident happen. When I asked the Guest to exit the attraction, he defiantly pulled down the lapbar and snarled, "I'm his father, and I say he's riding!" I smiled and replied, "I'm the ride operator and I say he doesn't. Please exit to your right."

I really love this! I mean, what did the father think you were going to do? Be so cowed and awed by his presence that you'd start up the ride? Did he think he was going to win in that scenario? Maybe he thought that once all the lap bars are down, the ride starts automatically. Gotta love people.

I had a similar situation like that once at Guest Relations. Someone was requesting their money back because it rained and they were unable to "have fun." Never mind that no ride was closed and no show or parade cancelled (it was one of those "on again / off again" shower days). Never mind that the temps were in the 80s, which made the rain more "refresing" than it was "miserable." He and his family didn't have fun. They couldn't get the perfect photo they wanted of the castle with a blue sky behind it. They couldn't sit on the grass to eat their ice cream cones. They did not have fun.

I tried to explain to him that Disney does not control the rain and, while we were sorry that the rain dampened his plans (yes, I did actually say "dampened" ), that he had spent an entire day in the park (he came to GR at around 8pm), that all shows and attractions had been in operation, and that I could not provide him with a raincheck or refund under those circumstances. He told me that he and his family were going to stand at the window until I gave him his money back. And he stood there! The other GR CM took care of the other people, while he just stood at my window. The guy stood there for over an hour and a half. (His family left.) He was still standing there when I closed the window. He could still be there now ... turned into a shrub ... like DeVine.

 

[itchin2go]

Just back from WDW last week. They are strict, and they check twice on some rides. My daughter is easily 50", and they scrutinized her height on the Primeval Whirl.

Just my two cents: I would never teach my child that skirting the rules is acceptable -- especially rules that are in place for safety reasons.

If my daughter had not been let on to the ride, I would not have indulged her in any melodramatic breakdown. It's a ride. There are others. You're in freakin' Disney World. Get some perspective.

These kinds of threads make me irrationally mad.