shoes on, shoes off

[Aroura]

DS 6 is my little daredevil, he loves anything fast and scary... So he really wants to go on RnRc when we go to Disney.. With his sneakers on, he is 48 inches... But with them off, he is not... They go by what you are with your shoes on, correct??

 

[Mom2R&D]

Don't get his hopes up! My DS is 48" in tennis shoes but was still about 1/2" short according to the measuring stick at Disney. I think (and someone confirmed) that the sticks are "padded" a bit to compensate for shoes.

I've also heard that not all sticks are equal (there's a double entendre if I've ever heard one!) so he may pass one but not another.

Good luck, I hope he's able to ride or that he isn't disappointed if he can't.

 

[campingcorgi]

Try to ride it first thing in the morning, too. Everyone is at their tallest early in the day. It may only make a small difference but that may be enough!

 

[CathyC]

Make sure you prepare him for the possibility of not riding. When we went in October, my ds was tall enough for Kali River Rapids, but my niece, who really is the same height didn't make it. It caused major problems for the rest of the afternoon. We had prepared ds for the possibility of not riding, but my DSIL did not. Needless to say, communication is key. Have a great trip.

 

[jlw29]

Originally posted by Mom2R&D
Don't get his hopes up! My DS is 48" in tennis shoes but was still about 1/2" short according to the measuring stick at Disney. I think (and someone confirmed) that the sticks are "padded" a bit to compensate for shoes.

We ran into the same problem. I had measured DD at home and she was 48 1/2" in her sandals (which admittedly had a THICK heel to give her a boost). When we went to RnRC, we were in line and got pulled out of line (after 10 minutes) and the CM dragged her back to measure her. She was literally <1/4" too short and they wouldn't let her go. I was frustrated, DH was ******. It had already been a bad morning (we didn't get in for early entry until 8:45, after being in line from 7:45) and we had only gotten to ride TOT so far. I understand about safety precautions, but the CM was nasty about it. Wouldn't let us do the pre-show together or use child swap, said we had to just use fast pass because they were too busy that morning to do child swap. When I protested that I measured her at home and she was tall enough, she said that the height stick was measured every single morning for accuracy, but wouldn't prove it to us.

So bottom line, be prepared for disappointment, but give it a try. You might have better luck than we did.

 

[lenshanem]

They measured my daughter with shoes on. I doubt she would have made it otherwise. My oldest at 6 won't ride anything, but my 3 year old is a dare devil, too. She managed Test Track, Star Tours & BMTR last week. Each time she got measured at at least two spots. She barely made it.

 

[disneychrista]

It is hard when a child is "just shy" of being tall enough. But the height requirements are for their safety. Prepare your child that he may or may not be able to ride. And even if they do ride that does not garentee they will make it the next day or a few hours later (or other rides with the same requirements). I wish that the hieght sticks were more consistant and that the CM were trained the same on how to measure but they aren't.

I can remember my DD who was 5 at the time getting measured every day (on a 5 day trip), some times more then once, for Indiana Jones at Disneyland. She wanted to ride so bad, since he cousins got to. But of course she was still too short, each time (which we all knew she would be)

 

[eeyore45]

Definately for safety reasons first!! Some of the other parks with corkscrew rollercoaster that stand up, you definately want to think safety!!

Now I heard for the splash rides, that you can put heel lifts in the gym shoes to pass that 1/4" - not ever been to disney, not ever tried heel lifts, but dd is 48" now without shoes... and she is determined to do ToT!! (I'm thinking she'll change her mind, but you never know w/ 7yr olds!!)

 

[sha_lyn]

Some of the other parks with corkscrew rollercoaster that stand up, you definately want to think safety!!

Now I heard for the splash rides, that you can put heel lifts in the gym shoes to pass that 1/4" -

It really doesn't matter what type of ride it is. The saftey standards are set for a reason. IE... on primevil whirl the ride in itself wouldn't be very "dangerous" but the restraints would not be effective on a child that was too small.

 

[Suzanne74]

I agree the requirements are for a good reason but we all know that 1/4 of an inch shy on someone that was registered over 48 inches at home is hard on an excited kid. For people that are being let on some rides and not others w/ the same ht requirement, this is not fair for the kids or parents that are waiting in line thinking they are getting on. I would go to customer service and ask why sticks are not the same length. I would probably go so far to bring my own little tape measure if my child was truely at that close mark. NOT kidding!!

To jwl29 - I would have been furious as well and for sure would have gotten that CM's name and complained. There is no excuse for rudeness. You pay big bucks to go on vacation and should have been treated w/ respect and no matter how busy you should ALWAYS be able to baby swap - they aren't watching your kid, you were anyway - I don't understand that CM's rationale.

I undertand safety is at issue but if there are these kinds of problems - shouldn't Disney be made aware? Shoudn't there be the SAME measuring stick at the BEGINNING of the line so no one has to wait in line until the CM brings a stick on them and says no to a kid who anxiously waited in line?? How about a place right on mainstreet where you can get measured - you know right away before the day starts, what rides you can and can not ride.

Okay - I am done venting - LOL

 

[sha_lyn]

I don't think the sticks really vary in their hieght. I think the problem can be caused by several things... such as the childs posture..I read a post not too long ago where hte poster said they found out their kids thought they had to get under the stick so they were purposly missing it

Gravity as meitioned before... yes we are taller earlier in the day


opperator error.... this seems to be most common. They don't hold the stick level or they hold it uphill from the child.

I agree the requirements are for a good reason but we all know that 1/4 of an inch shy on someone that was registered over 48 inches at home is hard on an excited kid

Then the parents shouldn't be getting their kids excited by telling them they can ride when it is possible they can't. It is not up to the CM's to "parent" a child. It is up to them to follow the height restrictions.

 

[tjmw2727]

As others mentioned they are very strict on height and have a bit of additional height for shoes, yes you are measured with shoes on. IIRC all the sticks are permanent now to cut down on CM error. I always told my kids to stand tall and try to touch the stick (without tiptoes of course!) for some reason many kids slouch or duck and don't want to touch the stick. They will ask you to remove hats and squish ponies and buns - the head must touch.

As for baby swap - on RNRC a child that dosen't meet the height requirements is never allowed through the line into the preshow - not just your dd. That said you should have been allowed your baby swap. The first party uses the FP's or goes standby and the CM at the entrance to the line give you the baby swap pass. When the first party is done the second party rides without waiting the line using the baby swap pass.

I agree, no excuses for rudness, but if your dd was not '48 then they can not allow her into the ride.

TJ

 

[Suzanne74]

Then the parents shouldn't be getting their kids excited by telling them they can ride when it is possible they can't. It is not up to the CM's to "parent" a child. It is up to them to follow the height restrictions.

I agree that a parent should not get their kid excited. I surely wouldn't but if you go without expecations anyway but then are able to go on a ride, how do you explain that maybe it won't be the same for all - all week, each park etc.... My problem would be when a child is allowed on the first ride thinking they will be allowed on all of the height requirement rides that day. If you waited in the line for 60min on the second ride thinking for sure you would get on (if the sticks ARE the same), only to have the CM say you are just a bit shy is not fair for anyone. Are you supposed to keep your fingers crossed and explain to the kid at every ride - well maybe - maybe not?

Obviously I understand why a CM wouldn't justify - that is their job. I just think that maybe if they had one height marker at the entrance of each park or a few scattered around - it would help. The kid would know before hand which ride they could go on and no one would wait in line if not. Maybe even be able to get some colored coordinated bracelets for certain heights. Also, the CM's wouldn't have to measure you right before the ride, making lines go smoother and less fighting at the front of the line (which I have seen myself) so others can get on quicker too.

Just a thought

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by Suzanne74
Maybe even be able to get some colored coordinated bracelets for certain heights.

They had this at Disneyland for a while about a year ago. And it was abused. Child A who was tall enough got measured only to "slip off" the braclet and put it on child B. It was discontinued because of this.

 

[tjmw2727]

Originally posted by Suzanne74
I agree that a parent should not get their kid excited. I surely wouldn't but if you go without expecations anyway but then are able to go on a ride, how do you explain that maybe it won't be the same for all - all week, each park etc.... My problem would be when a child is allowed on the first ride thinking they will be allowed on all of the height requirement rides that day. If you waited in the line for 60min on the second ride thinking for sure you would get on (if the sticks ARE the same), only to have the CM say you are just a bit shy is not fair for anyone. Are you supposed to keep your fingers crossed and explain to the kid at every ride - well maybe - maybe not?

Obviously I understand why a CM wouldn't justify - that is their job. I just think that maybe if they had one height marker at the entrance of each park or a few scattered around - it would help. The kid would know before hand which ride they could go on and no one would wait in line if not. Maybe even be able to get some colored coordinated bracelets for certain heights. Also, the CM's wouldn't have to measure you right before the ride, making lines go smoother and less fighting at the front of the line (which I have seen myself) so others can get on quicker too.

Just a thought

Actually, they do measure at the entrance of every ride with a height restriction. Unfortunately, once in a while a child close to the height or one much smaller will get into the line without the CM noticing and they will have to remeasure at the boarding. If the CM at boarding has doubts they will measure and have the final say.

IMHO if your child is borderline you should have the CM measure the child before waiting a 60 minute line and if the child is to short skip the ride or use child swap.

As for children riding some rides and not others, it is probably because they meet the height requirement on some but not others. Some of the mountains are "40 some are "44 and a few rides are "48. Its clearly marked on the guide and at the entrance to the rides.

TJ

 

[phamton]

Originally posted by Suzanne74


I just think that maybe if they had one height marker at the entrance of each park or a few scattered around - it would help.

They do have that at Universal Studios. At the entrance to the park before you even get to the ticket area of the entrance, they have a post with markers on it for each of the rides. I was looking at it yesterday watching parents measure where their kids' heights reached to. What's cool about that is they can measure their child before even entering the park or buying a ticket.

The post had one color line that said Jimmy Neutron, another colored line for Men In Black, another for back to the Future, and another for the Mummy. The child would stand there and the parents would say. "Well, you can ride Back to the Future, Jimmy Neutron, MIB, but not the Mummy."

Also in front of each ride is a measuring post for the parents to check at the individual rides before they are officially measured by the team member at the gate. They also have ride seats in front of some of the rides so anyone who might be overweight can check to see if they can fit comfortably in the seat. I have seen parents put their children in those test seats to see how safe it seems for their child.