Just got back...

[kaoden39]

Why can't DLR measure a child then put a wrist band on them that indicates they have been officially measured?

Or a stamp on their hands, like the re-entry stamps? On the opposite hand from the re-entry.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Stamps can wash off, wristbands can be traded. The only fail safe way is to physically remeasure the child at each attraction- redundant as it may become.

 

[audrabolster]

Stamps can wash off, wristbands can be traded. The only fail safe way is to physically remeasure the child at each attraction- redundant as it may become.

As sad as it is, this is true. I used to work at a theme park that did try the wristband feature. Our rides had three different height requirements, so there were height measuring stations where you could get wrist bands that were color coded to the ride group they would be eligible for. Unfortunately that system only lasted one season (this theme park was not open year round) and that was that. Too many older siblings giving bands to the youngers, etc.

Also it would be up to each workers discretion to measure them at the ride... So even though they spent their time in a line to avoid getting measured at the ride, they could do it again if the employee thought the guest wasn't tall enough...

 

[kaoden39]

Stamps can wash off, wristbands can be traded. The only fail safe way is to physically remeasure the child at each attraction- redundant as it may become.

Oh I agree about measuring at every ride it is a safety measure. But what I guess I meant was for the ride that you are on at that moment so that more than one CM has to worry about having to measure them.

 

[mAlien13]

Why can't DLR measure a child then put a wrist band on them that indicates they have been officially measured?

This is what I was thinking, or maybe even little stickers or something. It seems like they could improve this system. I have to say that until they do, I hope they keep measuring kids to make sure they are kept safe. One of the things I love about taking my family to Disney parks is the knowledge that the CM's will try their best to keep everyone safe!

To the OP, I am so sorry to hear it wasn't magical for you this go around! I know sometimes a lot of factors can add up to take the shine out of the experience. I have had rough starts and bad days, but never had to feel that the whole trip wasn't worthwhile. My heart goes out to you, and I hope next time is 100% better!

 

[Mugglemama]

To the OP, I am so sorry to hear it wasn't magical for you this go around! I know sometimes a lot of factors can add up to take the shine out of the experience. I have had rough starts and bad days, but never had to feel that the whole trip wasn't worthwhile. My heart goes out to you, and I hope next time is 100% better!

thanks, to you as well as everyone else who posted similar sentiment.

i was really surprised to feel the way i did this time (and no, i wasn't PMS'ing, lol!!!). i've loved DL for years and years, and always tell everyone that it is my favorite place to be.

i think, in looking back, the heat had something to do with my lack of enthusiasm. i got home to boise yesterday, and today the weather feels SOOOO autumn-ish, and i keep thinking how nice it would have been to visit the parks in similar weather as we're having here. the weather at DLR on the days we went was so uncomfortable. i got rained on and alternately scorched, lol. i think weather affects my comfort level (and attitude). so, as some have stated, i'm sure my outlook could have been better.

we had AP's for a couple of years when we lived close to DLR, and i think we really got spoiled with getting to go so many times during cool weather.

we have a trip planned for june for my daughter's graduation. i'm from southern california originally, and am really hoping that we meet up with some of that famous "june gloom" when we go. we'll also be there for 5 days next time, rather than the 2 we went for this time. that will likely make the entire trip feel a little more leisurely, too.

so thanks for listening to me gripe everybody, lol!! i have high hopes that the next trip will be more fun.

as far as favorite memories...this was the first time we had gone on BTMRR in about 5 years. my two youngest children were now tall enough for it, and they both absolutely loved it. this was also the first time we all got to go on Splash as a family because my youngest child was finally tall enough for it. so, that was pretty cool. same for soarin'.

 

[mariezp]

Oh, Mugglemama, I am so glad to hear that you already have another trip planned and are not giving up on Disneyland! I hope the next time is extra magical for you! Having more time will hopefully allow for a more enjoyable trip.

I bet as a little time passes you will be remembering more of the fun memories and begin missing the park even though this time was a little less than hoped for.

It is so true that the heat can take some fun out of your stay. We went last September during an unusual heat spell. It got up to 107! I am from Texas so pretty used to the heat but you do not go to the park thinking of those temps as ideal weather. We just made the best of it and rode more water rides than we normally do!

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

You know- we did WDW in Sept 07 and then DH and I went to DLR for just a day in May of 08- I was pregnant, the park was SWARMING with people, it was HOT-HOT-HOT, and although I had fun, it was nothing like WDW and I DID feel disappointed and like everything was less magical.

But I think this trip coming up (Halloween) and then Christmas will really help put things BACK to where they were before

 

[mAlien13]

as far as favorite memories...this was the first time we had gone on BTMRR in about 5 years. my two youngest children were now tall enough for it, and they both absolutely loved it. this was also the first time we all got to go on Splash as a family because my youngest child was finally tall enough for it. so, that was pretty cool. same for soarin'.

I love the 'first's!' Most of my favorite memories are from the first time someone in my family experienced something. Plus, now it will be part of your planning for next trip, everyone can get that excited feeling in the bottom of their stomachs about riding BTMRR or Splash.

I can't believe you went that long without riding BT! I love that ride, have to do it a few times every trip!

 

[Mugglemama]

I can't believe you went that long without riding BT! I love that ride, have to do it a few times every trip!

after that one individual was killed on the ride, i was waiting to hear that they had "fixed" any problem that led to his death. we never heard that. additionally, my sister works for a company that has many dealings with disney, and some acquaintances of hers from the disney company actually told her that they couldn't make BTMRR a safe ride. so, even though it was hard to believe that disney would keep it up and running if that were really true, we just avoided it for a long time. and i'll admit, i was nervous taking the kids on it this time, too.

 

[mAlien13]

I never heard about a death. Hmmm...maybe I don't want to know! Honestly, I still feel Disney goes out of their way more than most to create safety. I know that if they are at all concerned, they will stop rides, pull people off, ect.

With that story though, it makes sense why you held off so long. I hope you were able to enjoy it!

 

[Mugglemama]

I never heard about a death. Hmmm...maybe I don't want to know! Honestly, I still feel Disney goes out of their way more than most to create safety. I know that if they are at all concerned, they will stop rides, pull people off, ect.

With that story though, it makes sense why you held off so long. I hope you were able to enjoy it!

if i'm not mistaken, it happened about 5 years ago, give or take. a man, i believe in his 40's (again, give or take) was killed on BTMRR. i believe he died of head trauma, but i could be wrong. if i remember correctly, the train came off the track and his head struck the wall. so awful.

 

[heatherleigh]

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/news/response.cfm?ID=1389

I had heard about this before, but never knew the full story. I didn't know someone was killed on the Columbia either.

 

[kkgunn]

I understand your feeling "un-magic". I remember many years ago when we lived in socal we brought our 23 month old son right after Christmas. He was 3 weeks until he turned 2 an had to pay admission. A CM at the gate said "He looks older than 2 to me".

Thing is, I'll never forget that. It's not like they make you bring a birth cert. If they did, we could prove he was still under 2. As is was I just felt like I was trying to sneak my kid in even though I wasn't..

We've never lied about age. The dollars you might save aren't worth teaching your kids to be dishonest.

 

[amyamya]

I understand your feeling "un-magic". I remember many years ago when we lived in socal we brought our 23 month old son right after Christmas. He was 3 weeks until he turned 2 an had to pay admission. A CM at the gate said "He looks older than 2 to me".

QUOTE]

I thought kids were free until age 3? Did it used to be 2?

 

[Mugglemama]

I understand your feeling "un-magic". I remember many years ago when we lived in socal we brought our 23 month old son right after Christmas. He was 3 weeks until he turned 2 an had to pay admission. A CM at the gate said "He looks older than 2 to me".

Thing is, I'll never forget that. It's not like they make you bring a birth cert. If they did, we could prove he was still under 2. As is was I just felt like I was trying to sneak my kid in even though I wasn't..

We've never lied about age. The dollars you might save aren't worth teaching your kids to be dishonest.

that would make me furious! i would have written to corporate with a copy of his birth certificate and demanded a refund. an experience like that would have definitely taken the magic out of the visit for me, too. what a shame that they treated you that way.

did you ever go back?

 

[heatherleigh]

I also thought it was free for all under the age of three. It might have been different though. We didn't go to DL until 2006, as a family. I completely understand how that would upset you though! I seriously would have written a letter. That is just wrong. They probably would have made it up to you w/ a refund and an additional ticket or something. Disney is pretty good about stuff like that (I've heard that, anyway.)

We are taking our 2-yr old on our upcoming trip, and I am counting on not paying admission. Maybe I should bring along her birth certificate just in case.

 

[bonita_babe232]

Last trip my son looked short so he was getting stopped ALL the time he just got use to it and would go right to the stick..... i understand them checking 2-3 times cause while i was ther half the time there wasnt someone checking up top! I can see why they do lots of checks its just saftey, even though it is VERY annyoing.... and i can understand the wristeband not workin, cause if my 2nd son, almost was tall enough but not quite i would be tempted to take my first sons!! (not sayin i would but i would want to) I think doing it when u go to get on would be the best, aslong as they have a self measure at the entrance, then if a parent didn't care there child was to short and still lined up that would be there fault for being turned away and wasting there time as they knew the child was to small.

 

[Mugglemama]

I also thought it was free for all under the age of three. It might have been different though. We didn't go to DL until 2006, as a family. I completely understand how that would upset you though! I seriously would have written a letter. That is just wrong. They probably would have made it up to you w/ a refund and an additional ticket or something. Disney is pretty good about stuff like that (I've heard that, anyway.)

We are taking our 2-yr old on our upcoming trip, and I am counting on not paying admission. Maybe I should bring along her birth certificate just in case.

it is currently free for those under 3, and has been at least since 2001, but i think it's been a lot longer than that.

we went a couple of months before my youngest turned 3, and even though he seems big to me, and i was concerned that they might not believe his age, it didn't turn out to be a problem. we ordered our tix online though. nobody said anything at the gate.

maybe carrying a copy of her birth certificate wouldn't hurt? does she look older than the average 2 year old?