One main measurement for hight restrictions?

[JennyG]

Is there a way Disney can measure my child once for ride hight restriction purposes? Maybe they could add that to his GAC...?

My son has low tone in his chest, does not walk independently and will not stand on command. I am afraid he will not stand up next to the hight poles at each ride so the CMs can see he is tall enough to ride. He also has a very young looking face, most people think he is younger then 3yrs old. It would really help make our trip better if Guest Relations could measure him once for our entire stay.

I looked through the FAQ page and did not see anything about this type of issue.

Thanks,
Jenny

 

[SueM in MN]

There is not a central measuring point for height, even for children with special needs. People have asked at Guest Relations in the past when they requested a GAC and were told this was not something that Guest Relations was able/prepared to do.

If he can't stand independently (like on command), they will not ask you to make him stand for measurements.
Our experience with DD who can't stand up was that they asked us how tall she was. She looks young, but has long legs, so people are usually surprised when I tell how tall she is to find that she is actually shorter than they expect.

How tall is your son? If he is close to the height and they can not measure him or assure his height, they may tell you that he can't ride. This would be for his own safety.
In our DD's case, we did not go on anything that she was just barely tall enough for.

 

[JennyG]

Well, thank you for the bitter sweet news.

The last time they measured him he was 38 inches, but he is growing like a weed so I imagine he'll be a lot taller then that in October.

By the way... your FAQ page was excellent! Lots of useful info about things we had not thought about yet. I am glad the GAC does not send you to the front of the line. We were worried people would give us dirty looks. We will probably get enough of those looks by keeping the stroller in lines, but that can be easily explained. We were planning on bringing a dr script for the stroller to help, but your info explained why that is not necessary.

What does the GAC look like?

 

[SueM in MN]

It is a card, about 3 by 5 inches.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is unfortunate but one of the main reasons Disney does not use a central measuring and wristband for size is too many people with en entitlement attitude. I have had friends or relatives work in parks where this was done and people have taken wristbands off a qualifying child and put them on a smaller child; then went back for a new wristband for the taller child.

Some people have the idea that they have paid "X" thousands of dollars for their vacation and do not want to let a little thing such as safety rules get in their way. And I have seen people bring kids to the park wearing two inch platform shoes!

I do have a modest proposal that could solve this problem. Just implant a RFID microchip in the child's shoulder (just as some are implanted in pets). Then there would be a central measuring point at each park entrance taking and recording an accurate reading of the child in bare feet and keep that in a central computer. At each attraction, in all the Disney Parks, as the chip is read either a green or red light will come on, based on what is in the central computer. And, of course, the computer can be updated for that chip on subsequent visits.

 

[JennyG]

It is a card, about 3 by 5 inches.

That is not very big. Does the person wear it on a lanyard? Or do pull it out and show it to the CMs at each attraction?

And I have seen people bring kids to the park wearing two inch platform shoes!

That is crazy!! Safety should be the first thought anytime. I just know because our child normally does not stand up straight, he will look much smaller then the requirement. I would hate for him to miss out on something that he is able to ride safely.

I do have a modest proposal that could solve this problem. Just implant a RFID microchip in the child's shoulder (just as some are implanted in pets). Then there would be a central measuring point at each park entrance taking and recording an accurate reading of the child in bare feet and keep that in a central computer. At each attraction, in all the Disney Parks, as the chip is read either a green or red light will come on, based on what is in the central computer. And, of course, the computer can be updated for that chip on subsequent visits.

I am sure this is not too far in the future! "Big brother is watching"

 

[SueM in MN]

That is not very big. Does the person wear it on a lanyard? Or do pull it out and show it to the CMs at each attraction?

I just measured to be sure and it is 3 1/2 by 5 inches.
Some people do wear them on a lanyard. I prefer to not have DD's out and have a pocket in my purse that is just the right size. I pull it out and show it to the CMs.

That is crazy!! Safety should be the first thought anytime. I just know because our child normally does not stand up straight, he will look much smaller then the requirement. I would hate for him to miss out on something that he is able to ride safely.

Sad to say, but I have seen the same thing as Cheshire Figment mentioned.