How strict are they with....

[MommyWithDreams]

I don't think there's anything wrong with getting an extra 1/2" with a heel or thick sole. I mean, if a 1/2" made a big difference I think they would raise the height requirement by 4" so they wouldn't risk getting sued.

LOL I just have to say I love your little icon. I've never seen that before.

 

[Casey's Mommie]

Thanks, I saw it on a trip report thread!

 

[Albort]

i really dont suggest using higher shoes to boost height.

Heres a very excellent example.

http://break.com/index/kid-thrown-from-amusement-park-ride.html

 

[honeymom]

I would be surprised if Disney does not calculate average shoe heights into their height requirements. I doubt that a half inch rubber sole on a sneaker isn't part of their calculation. Otherwise they would be asking kids to take their shoes off for measurements, especially when close.

I do think it would be wrong, however, to put an abnormally large heel on a child to try to sneak them through. But, a half inch sole is probably average.

My computer locks on video so I couldn't see all of Albort's clip. However, it looked like that child was riding in a ride by himself. Do we know that the child was thrown because he did not meet a height requirement, or was he fooling around in the ride (i.e. leaning over the side)? I couldn't tell because of my computer glitch, but from what I was able to see, it looked less to be a height issue than some other issue.

 

[tortugaverde]

I would be surprised if Disney does not calculate average shoe heights into their height requirements. I doubt that a half inch rubber sole on a sneaker isn't part of their calculation. Otherwise they would be asking kids to take their shoes off for measurements, especially when close.

I do think it would be wrong, however, to put an abnormally large heel on a child to try to sneak them through. But, a half inch sole is probably average.

My computer locks on video so I couldn't see all of Albort's clip. However, it looked like that child was riding in a ride by himself. Do we know that the child was thrown because he did not meet a height requirement, or was he fooling around in the ride (i.e. leaning over the side)? I couldn't tell because of my computer glitch, but from what I was able to see, it looked less to be a height issue than some other issue.

I agree. There is no way that Disney does not calculate shoe size into height requirements.

I also doubt very much that the 40 inch mark is anywhere near the "if you are shorter than this hight you will be seriously injured or die mark". Any company is going to give themselves a hefty buffer zone. I would guess a much lower hight is considered the "danger" zone, and they up the hight to make it extra safe for the riders... as well as for themselves (as far as lawsuits go).

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Just my 2 cents from a different perspective . . . besides the restraints fitting properly, rides that bounce you around (ie. Star Tours), even when they seem "tame" to an adult, can be dangerous to the still growing brains of small children . . . average height is probably well researched to other points of a child's developement (age/muscular structure/etc.)

I used to work for a brain injury rehab center (admittedly as the financial mgr so it's not my field but - ) and our owner/doctor would not himself ride anything that bounced at all . . . and told us never to quickly repeat riding those types of rides. I sure hope his view was on the extreme side, cause I love to ride (but I don't often repeat : )))

Sure, there is most likely some buffer built in, but I personally wouldn't try to beat the system with my kids. There is plenty to do and skipping a few rides leaves good reason to come back!

 

[NicoleDisneyFan]

I think there should be a age and height requirement for most rides. Both of my kids are WAY tall for their ages so they go on rides that I think are to much for their ages. My dd is 5 and was tall enough to go on the california screamin but she didn't go on because I felt that a 5 year old on a upside down roller coaster is a bit much. Even if they are tall enough, I make sure that the rides are age appropriate. I think even the tower of terror was a lot for my 5 year old but my dh tricked me and put her on. Luckly my 3 year old was with me and didnt go on since he would have been tall enough.

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

I think there should be a age and height requirement for most rides. Both of my kids are WAY tall for their ages so they go on rides that I think are to much for their ages. My dd is 5 and was tall enough to go on the california screamin but she didn't go on because I felt that a 5 year old on a upside down roller coaster is a bit much. Even if they are tall enough, I make sure that the rides are age appropriate. I think even the tower of terror was a lot for my 5 year old but my dh tricked me and put her on. Luckly my 3 year old was with me and didnt go on since he would have been tall enough.

This was us too. Even though my son was tall enough for certain rides I didn't always feel he was ready for them. He just went on Screamin for the first time last June at the age of 9! He's been tall enough for quite a few years now. He hasn't even rode TOT yet, I'm leaving it up to him on if he's ready this year. He didn't want to ride it last year. He's also been tall enough for it for years too.

When he was 5 and under we stuck to FL rides, POTC, HM stuff like that. Then we slowly worked up to the harder rides. Of course he had to be tall enough, but I also had to feel that he was old enough as well. I felt like TinkerKell-ey mentioned, growing little brains and all that jerking around - not a good mix.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Another thing for the "Oh they should let half an inch slide!" crowd (not that anyone's actually said it here, but it has been thrown abotu in conversation before).

If you let half an inch slide, then why not three quarters of an inch? And if not three quarters, why not just give them the whole inch? And really, if you're giving in to a whole inch, why not an inch and a half?

Where does the "give in" stop? If the cast members don't stick to their guns at 40", then what becomes the new "golden number" to allow onto the ride? Once the standard starts slipping, there's no way to see how far it'll go.

 

[actionvaughn]

Sure, there is most likely some buffer built in, but I personally wouldn't try to beat the system with my kids. There is plenty to do and skipping a few rides leaves good reason to come back!

Whole-heartedly agree. Don't want to step on anyone's toes, but the height restraints are there for a reason- if my kid gets upset, it lasts a few hours at most and I gladly take that over something more fatal happening.

 

[nutshell]

Wearing a hat can help too.