Measure height once for the day?

[penel3]

Is there a place that I can have my DS measured when we first enter the park(s), rather than each ride? I thought I read somewhere that they would put a wristband on instead of being pulled out of line to make sure he met the minimum height requirement each time.

 

[GlennandAnn]

The kids get measured at each ride. Our experience is that when they are getting ready to enter the line, that's when the kids get measured. They don't get pulled out of line.

Ann

 

[diane1102]

Is there a list of height requirements for each ride. I had a link at one point, but I can't find it now. Thanks,Diane.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by penel3
Is there a place that I can have my DS measured when we first enter the park(s), rather than each ride? I thought I read somewhere that they would put a wristband on instead of being pulled out of line to make sure he met the minimum height requirement each time.

I also read this in a height requirement thread. I read that if you go to City Hall they will measure you and give you a wristband...but of course, I dont' know if it's true. It would be great if it were. I think I'll check into it on our upcoming trip.



Maybe Safari Steve knows??

 

[NotUrsula]

DisneyLAND was doing the wristband thing when we were there last year, but I've never heard anything about WDW adapting this system. Personally, I truly wish that they would, it worked well at DL.

 

[ahutton]

www.wdwig.com has a list of all the ride restrictions in one place!

 

[Safari Steve]

Disneyland was testing this system last year, and Disneyquest at WDW is currently testing said system.
Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom has 2 height requirements. children between 38" and 42" are given a wristband with a stamp at the entrance, which indicates to the CMs at the loading area that the child is tall enough to ride, but must be seated in a special seat next to an adult. children who are 42" or taller recieve a stamp that indicates to the CMs at the loading area that the child is tall enough to ride in any seat.

Attraction height requirements are listed on park guidemaps, on the WDW website, and on signs at the entrance to each attraction with such a requirement.

 

[tjmw2727]

While there is no one place to measure and get a wristband yet IMHO they have greatly improved the way they measure. We have had trouble in the past at Splash Mtn (uneven ground) and Space Mtn (psycho CM <g>) with CM's measuring dd differently each day and sometimes differently in the same day. For example dd 6yo - 9am tall enough with room to spare at Space Mtn and 5pm same day, same sneakers, same child, different cm, different stick child to small. She handled it very well, much better than the CM! Next day same ride same child plenty tall - oh well, this was April 02.

Fast forward to August 03 and now the measuring sticks are mounted in one FLAT position at the entrance to the line and at the loading area. IF your unsure as to your childs meeting the requirement be sure and check when entering the line to avoid waiting for nothing. We saw several parties who were psyched when they "snuck" past the cm at the entrance only to wait a long time and have their child measured at loading and forced to use the child swap. If they had measured at the beginning they still could have used child swap but the non-riding child could have been playing or enjoying an ice cream instead of anticipating a ride they couldn't ride.

HTH someone.

TJ

 

[beattyfamily]

fyi...my DD's doctor told me a tid bit while he was double checking her height at a recent follow up appointment.

He told me that we all measure taller in the morning!!!! So if you are really close to a height requirement for a ride, you could make it in the morning and NOT make it in the afternoon!!

I thought that was so interesting!

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
fyi...my DD's doctor told me a tid bit while he was double checking her height at a recent follow up appointment.

He told me that we all measure taller in the morning!!!! So if you are really close to a height requirement for a ride, you could make it in the morning and NOT make it in the afternoon!!

I thought that was so interesting!

Hi Interesting indeed and probably true -gravity perhaps? I can't imagine that would account for the difference in this case 1/4 to 1/2 inch maybe but this was more like a two or more inch difference. If I were to beleive the difference in these sticks my dd's pants would fit in the am and be significantly to long after school <g>??

TJ
ps - where in MA I am north of boston?

 

[owensamo]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
fyi...my DD's doctor told me a tid bit while he was double checking her height at a recent follow up appointment.

He told me that we all measure taller in the morning!!!! So if you are really close to a height requirement for a ride, you could make it in the morning and NOT make it in the afternoon!!

I thought that was so interesting!

I've read about this. The spine relaxes while we are asleep, but when we are awake and sitting/standing, gravity's pull on our spine compresses it. I don't think the changes are a lot, though, and would only really make a difference if the height were close to the restriction limit - apparently in space, one astronaut "grew" 2 cm (just under 1 inch) but most changes are on the orders of millimeters, or probably 1/4 inch at most.

Even so, this would make one measurement in the morning a better bet, since you wouldn't have to worry about your at-requirement kids riding in the morning only to be disappointed in the evening.

Mur!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by tjmw2727
Hi Interesting indeed and probably true -gravity perhaps? I can't imagine that would account for the difference in this case 1/4 to 1/2 inch maybe but this was more like a two or more inch difference. If I were to beleive the difference in these sticks my dd's pants would fit in the am and be significantly to long after school <g>??

TJ
ps - where in MA I am north of boston?

I wasn't posting this info to have an explanation for the differences with your DD.

Reading this thread made me remember what my doctor said and I thought you'd all think it was funny! So go on those rides your children are right at 48 inches for in the morning as they'll be a bit taller then!! I was just joking around!

I'm from Norfolk MA near Foxboro...

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by owensamo


...most changes are on the orders of millimeters, or probably 1/4 inch at most.

Even so, this would make one measurement in the morning a better bet, since you wouldn't have to worry about your at-requirement kids riding in the morning only to be disappointed in the evening.
Mur!

Yes that's why I posted it! My DD is JUST 48 inches (so that 1/4 inch would help her a lot) and she can't wait to go on RnR. So when I heard this from the doctor, of course, the first thing I thought was we better head to RnR first thing in the morning!! That way she'll more than likely make it.

Just sharing!

 

[Vavasmon]

We visit a large park each year that measures children once each day and places a color coded band on their arm. The park employee at the location then initials and dates the band across the attachment (sticky) portion. This is to prevent kids from slipping the band off and giving it to someone else. The ride operators then check the date and initials. The system works great!!.

It eliminates people waiting in lines with kids who are too short. It also removes the "scary stick" factor for kids who just make the height requirements. Also, in some cases, measurements at rides depends on where you stand (watch out for hills) and the skill/interst factor of the cast member (employee). Some do not hold the sticks straight or put them flat on the ground!!

Two summers ago my DD was just tall enough (48 inches) for most of their larger rides. At least two of the employees who ran the measuring stations commented that it was not unusual for kids to "shrink" upto 1/4 inch during the day. One very nice gentleman (who said it had been his job to measure kids for several years) attributed it to gravity (slight compress of the joints and spine) and kids becoming tired and not standing up as straight/tall. Needless to say we always "banded" her in the morning.

(I am not syaing he was an expert or doctor - just reporting his observations from several years on the job of measuring kids)

 

[Safari Steve]

The new sticks are an improvement.
I just want to vouch for the fact that with the old system, CMs were trained to make measuring as consistent as possible, and the only way a height stick could change as a result of wear and tear is to become shorter . Also, the entire point of height requirements is the child's safety. When measuring, here are some helpful hints:
Do
1- have the child "stand like a soldier" (feet together, shoulders back, facing forward)
2- if you aren't sure of your child's height, don't get them hyped up about the attraction until after they measure up, and always have a plan-B.
Don't
1- have the child stand on their toes. This will only make the measurement process take longer, confuse the child, and make you look less credible.
2- give the child a "tall" hairdo. a ponytail on top or "extreme spikes" will make it more difficult to gauge the child's acutal height, which takes longer.
The measurement is intended to be from sole of foot to top of skull. Hair height has nothing to do with body size, which is factored into the design of safety restraints and ride vehicles. The system is not in place for its own sake, it is there to protect your child, and "fooling the system" is ultimately not in your child's best interest.

The new sticks are one step toward consistency, which is always our goal. Testing continues at Disneyquest, and if the system proves viable, it will certainly be implemented at the parks.

 

[disneysteve]

I don't know if WDW is still doing this - and it wasn't always consistent when they were - but the height requirement rides used to have special certificates they would give to kids who didn't quite measure up. Something like a "Future Rider" certificate. It would help ease the upset when they found out they were too short. You should always ask for them if you are in that situation. You may find a CM who has a few to hand out. They don't generally volunteer them.

Steve