Proof that the height measuring sticks aren't all the same

[momof2inPA]

My son had the exact same experience as the OP on Space Mountain-- measured by the CM out front and ok'd, but turned away inside, after waiting in line. Maybe there's a problem with the measuring sticks on Space Mountain.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

Height is not always the best way to test for maturity. My DS is 14mos old and is almost 40". My DH thinks that means he has the all clear for most rides twhen we go next month. I started another thread, to show him that I am not the only one who feels this way, and got a lot of great feedback from other DISers! (And got to show my DH that once again I am right!)

If a parent feels their shorter child is mature enough, then maybe a taller shoe is not such a crime? Just as there are NBA player 14mo olds, there are 43 1/2 inch 5 year olds who may be just fine on a ride...

Just my Humble Opinion...

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by dejr_8
It you want to get scientific about it an overall height requirement is an overly conservative metrix for determing the suitability for a ride.

On a ride that has an over the shoulder harness, the important measurement would be from the center of the hip to the center of the shoulder. How long a child's legs are doesn't matter. But this would be difficult to measure in practice so overall height is used for convenience.

From another point of view, does it really matter that the 44" inches is composed of bone and flesh or combination of bone, flesh and an extra thick shoe. The measurement from bottom of shoe to top of head is still 44 inches.

I agree 100%, I have always thought this way when it comes to the ride height debate.
Some kids are long legged and their height in regards to ride safety is no different then a kid an inch shorter who is wearing shoes with a thick heel. I really don't think the rides are unsafe for someone who is 1 inchtoo short, they can't have it be that specific, there must be some leeway due to where people have most of their height(long legs/long torso etc.)
That said, I have never, nor will I ever, put either of my kids in thicker soled shoes just to ride a ride, they ride when they are tall enough and that's it.

 

[Maridw]

We went to ride Dinosaur in November and there was a couple with a youngster in front of us. While we were waiting in line, the mother tried to have her hubby take a picture of their little boy in front of one of the T-Rex heads on the outside of the building. The boy kept grabbing at his mom and pulling away from the head. They continued in the line and just before getting to the room with the dino skeleton in it, the boy dropped to the floor and didn't want to go any further. They finally coaxed him into mom's arms, but they were determined he was going to go on the ride.

We didn't see anyone outside measuring kids for this ride and were surprised these parents wanted this little one (maybe 3 or 4) to go on this ride. We over heard mom talking about how he loves dinosaurs. When we finally got to where we were loading, a CM measured the boy and said he was too small. (Thankfully). So they did a baby swap. But I was amazed that they were determined this child was going to go on Dinosaur. It would have terrified him.

My daughter is 16 and has always had a thing about loud noises. We had to step out of a Nutcracker performance during the fight with the mouse king because it was too loud for her. We finally got her to try Dinosaur in May and she kept her hands over her ears the whole time. We never try and push her to do something she is adamant about not doing. If she does decide to try something and doesn't like it, then we don't push her to do it again.

She did go on the Jurassic Park ride at IOA, but went prepared with ear plugs. She wanted to try it and so knew that there might be something scary and loud.

Too bad the wrist bands didn't pan out. That would save alot of hassle.

 

[YangYang]

At Disney Quest, they have some kind of electronic (laser?) device to measure children. I didn't get the impression that a child HAD to be measured but rather they could. My nephew did get measured and I think they gave him a wristband but I'm not sure. He just turned 9 and is 46" tall so we have had several trips when he wasn't tall enough to ride while "big" 4 and 5 year olds could. However, he is far too precious to risk an injury because seat restraints didn't fit him properly. He understands and we measure frequently to see if he's tall enough to ride whatever is his goal. On our last trip, he rode Primeval Whirl, Mission:Space and Rock'n'Roller Coaster all for the first time. His only disappointment was CyberSpaceMountain and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster at DQ. We'll be measuring again prior to our next trip in April but not holding out much hope!

 

[Straitlover]

They have the wrist band system at Legoland in CA. It's not requred, but it gets you through the line faster. The have booths inside the entrance. You get measured there and are given a corresponding armband. The ride signs are color coded, so you know right away what the kid can ride.

 

[tjmw2727]

We had a simliar experience at Space Mountain with my 6yo riding 2x during the day and measuring taller than necessary. Returned later for MVMCP and she did not meet the stick. Same kid, same shoes, same day! I didn't give the CM a hard time but more stunned than anything I remarked "wow" she was fine earlier today. To which he gave me a sarcastic reply which made my dd cry. She was dissapointed she couldn't ride and the CM made it worse. We had a wonderful time at MVMCP and returned later in the trip to ride SpcMt again.

BTW - Test Track is only a 40" requirement so it would make sense for a child to meet the requirements for TT but not SpcMtn which has a 44" requirement.

I did notice that BTMR and SplMtn have installed more permanent measuring sticks. I hope that helps consistancy as the uneven ground there made measuiring difficult.

TJ

 

[seashoreCM]

(copied from another post)

The child should be measured before standing in line. If the child has to take off shoes to check for exploxxxxx heel risers, that too should be done outside. Getting an OK measurement out front and a Not OK measurement after waiting in line is totally unacceptable.

It is better to set the height requirements more stringent than necessaryat the outside measuring station to avoid turning away people at the boarding platform due to measurement errors.

I would suggest that the aggrieved parents go to guest relations and ask for an extra fastpass for each member of the family. (Such fastpasses would be good on the guest's choice of ride at any hour.)

About the instqnce with the rude cast member, ask for two extra fastpasses for each member of the family.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[April76]

Here's a suggestion when measuring with the permanent height sticks.....

Make sure that your child has their feet directly under them (many will lean backward toward the stick -- this can cause them to measure up to 2 inches shorter). I see this happen very often.

Please understand that it's not the CM's fault if your child is tired and won't/can't stand tall enough to meet the requirement.... CM's get no joy from turning a child away; but they do feel a huge responsibility for keeping the child safe (and this is not to imply that the parent's aren't safety conscience).

Hope this helps someone

 

[ArcticWildMan]

Originally posted by sha_lyn
The height restriction for TT is 40 inches, so I certainly see how she would not make the 44 inches for Space Mountain if she barely made it on TT.

Geesh people. It was probably Big Thunder Mountain where she was measured the first time. I don't remember. I don't have all the rides and their height requirements memorized. I just ASSUMED that I could make a point without being nitpicked to death if I made a mistake about what ride she was measured at earlier. Guess I as wrong

My point was that Space Mountain has a height measuring problem. The head CM that measured my daughter even said she would contact park maintenance to have them adjust the bar to the correct height as there was an obvious difference between the two sides.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
Geesh people. It was probably Big Thunder Mountain where she was measured the first time. I don't remember. I don't have all the rides and their height requirements memorized. I just ASSUMED that I could make a point without being nitpicked to death if I made a mistake about what ride she was measured at earlier. Guess I as wrong

My point was that Space Mountain has a height measuring problem. The head CM that measured my daughter even said she would contact park maintenance to have them adjust the bar to the correct height as there was an obvious difference between the two sides.

Big Thunder, Splash Mountain, Dinasour and Test Track are all 40" restrictions. The only other ride at WDW with a 44 height restriction is Mission Space. I wasn't trying to be flip btw just helpful - to you as well as future readers of the thread looking for information and advice. Especially since I had a similar frustrating experiene at Space Mountain.

TJ

 

[ArcticWildMan]

Must have been MS then. I just remember her being measured several times at another ride and making it each and every time.

Anyway the entire point of the thread was that there is a problem with Space Mountains measuring. Just wanted to clarify that since so many people were getting sidetracked on tangents.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
Must have been MS then. I just remember her being measured several times at another ride and making it each and every time.

Anyway the entire point of the thread was that there is a problem with Space Mountains measuring. Just wanted to clarify that since so many people were getting sidetracked on tangents.

Yes - gotcha and makes sense. The only reason I even mentioned it is that when newer readers read these threads they go by all the information posted. I just wanted to make sure someone with a 40-42 inch child was aware of the differences and didn't "assume" their child could ride Space Mountain.

Hopefully the measuring issue is getting better or is better at AK and MGM. We are now past the 44" restriction and don't you know it my 7yo is just about 47". We return in Feb and she really wants to ride primeval whirl and maybe try RnRc - both 48". At least I have a reason to push the veggies!!
TJ

 

[sha_lyn]

ArcticWildMan ... I think you need to chill out. You insinuated that TT and SpM had the same height requirements which they do not. It seemed as if you were confused as to what the height requirement was, so I was trying to be helpful. I can only read what you posted, I can not read your mind.

 

[BounceyOne]

On a similar note I have always wondered why the height restrictions are different in different states for the same ride. Different names of course but the same ride.

DD is tall enough at WDW but not at our local six flags.

weird.

 

[kbkids]

BounceyOne - I totally agree. We were going to Six Flags this past summer and thank goodness, checked the height requirements for the rides before we left. My DD would have come unglued if she had not been able to ride the rides that she's used to riding at WDW. We'll be saving that park for much later.

 

[gravymom]

We just got back from WDW. I was determined that DD (5) ride a couple of rides that she is afraid of - not to be mean but to help her overcome some of her fears. I "made" her ride Goofy's Barnstormer, which she decided that she liked.

So we went to Primeval Whirl and measured her. I was not sure if she was hitting the top of the bar or not and could not remember what she last measured at the pediatrician. I had a CM come over and measure her. Much to DD's horror, she was tall enough. She rode it and then decided she liked it also.

edited to add: even though she was tall enough for Dinosaur and Space Mountain, I would never force her to ride those. The two coasters she did ride are fairly tame and not dark or intimidating. She simply needed a little push to try something new.


The funny part was DS, who is a few inches too short, and did not understand the babyswap concept. We all waited in line and he was absolutely howling. He did not want to ride. And no matter how many times I told him he was not ALLOWED to ride, he kept screaming. I know that everyone around us thought I was the worst parent in the world, "forcing" him to ride when all we were doing was babyswap.

 

[kbkids]

My DS was a little under 2 years old when he made his first trip to Disney. His first ride was Dumbo, and he absolutely loved it, so much so that he kicked and screamed when it was time to get off of it. A lady passed me and said, "Oh please don't make him ride if he doesn't want to." I laughed and informed her that he was mad because he didn't want to get off. Once he figured out we were going to go on another ride, he was fine, but it took him 3 or 4 rides to understand.