Tall enough - getting measured with "special needs"

[cegs27]

Question regarding height limits and getting measured: my daughter is 4 and has Down syndrome and she's finally tall enough (40 inches) for Big Thunder Mountain, etc. (She loves Goofy's Barnstormer so we're excited about adding some new ride options!) The problem is, she doesn't like getting measured, and because of her low muscle tone when she does stand up sometimes she's a little slouched over or stands with her legs apart - so she doesn't always measure up to her "real" height. Any suggestions on making getting measured easier on her? We do practice at home but have found with distractions in the park it's a little more difficult. We can always skip the height requirement rides if we have to, so we're not building them up too much to her; but would love to try if we can. Thanks in advance!

 

[CeraMomof3]

Could you get a doctor's note stating her official height?

 

[KPeveler]

Cera - that won't work. The person must be measured at each ride. I know there have been a lot of thread discussing this, and in general what we see the most is "practice."

I know that you said you practice at home, and that may be the best option.

 

[CeraMomof3]

Gotcha. Perhaps you can " assist " her while she is being measured? Move her feet into the right position and gently guide her into the proper position?

 

[bookwormde]

If you want to be the one to see what can be done, go to Guest services let them know that due to the disability is not practical to measure her at each attraction, and ask what they can do to allow eqaual acess (under ADA). It is WDW's responsibility to come up with a safe and reasonable accomidation. If they do nothing then they are very likely violating the law. For a buisness as large are Disney the "not convenient or we do not have an accomidation or it would cost to much are all by any practical measure not allowable reasons not to accomidate.

If you would like since it is becoming a regular question I can ask about it to those that have responsibility in this area (I need to call back and check on another issue anyway next week)

bookwormde

 

[harleykarolynmom]

i know at a local amusement park they measure my daughter at first aid area and put it on some time of paper we carry with us and show to ride worker she uses a wheelchair but transfers

 

[cegs27]

Thanks everyone. I knew she'd need to be measured at every ride every time; moreso just trying to figure out if there were any helpful hints for getting her to stand tall! Sometimes it seems like the cast members want to rush her through the measuring and declare her not tall enough; I wonder if we just mention nicely at the beginning to give her a minute so she can stand up straight, that might help.

 

[livndisney]

Thanks everyone. I knew she'd need to be measured at every ride every time; moreso just trying to figure out if there were any helpful hints for getting her to stand tall! Sometimes it seems like the cast members want to rush her through the measuring and declare her not tall enough; I wonder if we just mention nicely at the beginning to give her a minute so she can stand up straight, that might help.

Yes, you can request that they give her a minute to be measured. This is a reasonable accomidation. One thing that many have suggested is to have her practice at home. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, you can request that they give her a minute to be measured. This is a reasonable accomidation. One thing that many have suggested is to have her practice at home. I hope you have a great trip!

That would be a reasonable accommodation and has worked well for other people along with practicing at home. It also helps if the child understands that the CM needs to measure them if they want to ride. Different things work better for different children - some like the idea of 'helping' the CM. Some like showing how big they are and some really get motivated to stand up tall so they can ride the 'big kid' rides.

If you look at all on the Family Board, you will see that this is a common question for anyone with children who are close to the height requirement and need to be measured. One of the things children have trouble with is keeping their heads up and hit the top of the stick - the instinct is to try to drop their head down and avoid hitting it. So, practice having her try to touch the stick with the top of her head.
When you get to WDW, each ride with a height requirement has a permanently mounted stick outside. As long as no one is being measured at the time, you can practice at those all you want. Once you are inside the attraction, there will be another measuring stick, which may be permanently mounted or may be an upside down L shape.

Because most children have trouble with measuring and the measuring is for safety, I don't believe that WDW is in violation of the law if they don't make some special measuring plan for children with disabilities. Making sure the children are tall enough to safely ride is a very important safety concern, not just for that child, but for everyone on the ride at the time.
Even though the question has come up here a lot, all of the people who have given a report after their trip have reported that the practice worked very well and their child really did well with the measuring.

 

[clanmcculloch]

How do kids who are in wheelchairs get measured? Wouldn't the same procedures that are used for kids who can't stand be used for a child with low muscle tone who can't stand straight?

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Perhaps its time for a sticky on this topic? Or is it in the faq post?

 

[cegs27]

Hi - I'm answering my own question, a little bit:

We just got back and my daughter (with Down syndrome) stood up straight and measured fine. However, this is interesting: In the morning she was 41 inches. In the afternoon, she was 40 inches when measured (so just barely made it). So, a tip for anyone who has a child with low muscle tone: they might be taller in the morning so do your height requirement rides then!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi - I'm answering my own question, a little bit:

We just got back and my daughter (with Down syndrome) stood up straight and measured fine. However, this is interesting: In the morning she was 41 inches. In the afternoon, she was 40 inches when measured (so just barely made it). So, a tip for anyone who has a child with low muscle tone: they might be taller in the morning so do your height requirement rides then!

Thanks for the report and glad to hear things went well.
Other people have mentioned that their child seemed to ‘shrink’ as the day went on, so your daughter was not unusual.
The explanation I have heard is that as the day goes on and people get more tired, they don’t stand up as straight. So, going on the height requirement rides in the morning is a good idea.

I’m going to close this thread since you came back and gave us a great report.