The Height Requirement Game

[Coastercameron]

Yesterday at work, I got sent to scan tickets at our main coaster. It has a 42" requirement to ride with an adult, and 47" to ride alone. This family comes up, with a very short looking child. I take my time and measure him as accurately as I could with our pathetic system (put your back against the sign!). He was *JUST* at 42" so I let him ride.

About an hour after this, I get sent to our other coaster which is 43" min. I see none other than the same family coming up my queue, and chuckle to myself. When they get to the front, they all go to scan thier tickets, and I say "Well, he was BARELY 42" at the other coaster, so I don't think he will make 43" here!" The parents got the most dumbfounded look on thier faces, and reply "Can he ride anyways?"

Another stupid guest who's tricks weren't as good as they thought.

[darph nader]

I could never figure out why people would spend $5.00-$8.00 for 2 ice-cream sandwiches so their kids could risk their lives riding SM ( or whatever )? I mean,don't shoes cost a s-load of money nowadays? :confused:

[Coastercameron]

wait... you've had people stuff ice cream sandwhiches in thier shoes... :eek:

I've heard of socks before, see hat and hair tricks all the time, but that takes the cake (or the sandwhich I guess!)

[darph nader]

I heard/read/dreampt it somewhere. It may have a load of bs for all i know. :cool:

[leftcoaster]

I heard/read/dreampt it somewhere. It may have a load of bs for all i know. :cool:

No, it true. I read it in the book "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World." Some guest wrote in and suggested that as a way to get on rides that your kid is too short for. Another wonderful idea is "wearing the ugliest, most hideous shoes with big heels." :rolleyes:

Now, I love the book, because the writers tell you the good and the bad about queue lines, attractions, restaurants, etc. But when they tell people how to cheat the system, that is just wrong.

[tacoboy]

No, it true. I read it in the book "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World." Some guest wrote in and suggested that as a way to get on rides that your kid is too short for. Another wonderful idea is "wearing the ugliest, most hideous shoes with big heels." :rolleyes:

Now, I love the book, because the writers tell you the good and the bad about queue lines, attractions, restaurants, etc. But when they tell people how to cheat the system, that is just wrong.

I love that guide but they tend to tell guests to do things that are frowned upon.(hopping ropes, running like a mad cow and whatnot) In the 1998 edition (the copy closest to my keyboard) they have a page dedicated to how to make your kid taller on rides. It INCLUDES the slipping of ice cream bars into the shows of children. I guess this explains why kid's shoes are so sticky after they ride RNR or M:S.

[tiadalma]

I do believe that the UG writers were being sarcastic, making a tongue-in-cheek remark that was not meant to be taken seriously :rolleyes: Does anybody have a sense of humor anymore??

[leftcoaster]

I do believe that the UG writers were being sarcastic, making a tongue-in-cheek remark that was not meant to be taken seriously :rolleyes: Does anybody have a sense of humor anymore??

Really?

Let's look at the 2005 guide, that I happen to have handy. In the chapter titled: Part Five - Disney World with Kids; in the section entitled "Waiting-Line Strategies for Adults with Young Children," we have #7 Elevator Shoes for the Short and the Brave.

Here we have the authors talking about shoe lifts and a reader writes about purchasing "painfully ugly two-inch chunky heeled sandals." Another reader writes, "...she wore elevator shoes and a bun hairstyle to increase height."

Let's not forget the last part (from the authors), "Note that boosting your child's height by a couple of inches with a heel lift or the like will not compromise his safety on the ride."

Please show me where that last part is sarcastic.

[SWTexasBelle]

Here's a mom's perspective: Not being tall enough simply gives them something to look forward to on their next trip. Before my boys ( 3 and 5) are measured, I tell them they may be too short, and if so we'll just have to come back when they are taller. Because I don't get all wrapped up in it, they don't. I'm not saying they aren't disappointed - and it's a big pain to get them to stand up tall (they tend to scrunch down their shoulders, thinking the bar will hit their heads). My girls (17 and 14) were so thrilled when they were finally tall enough to ride the "big" rides! As I said in another post, you have to remember your children are watching and learning from you ALL THE TIME. Teach them to cheat on one thing, and you start down the slippery slope. I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to my child because I didn't follow the rules. (climbing off soapbox)

[darph nader]

Thank you LC ,I'm not as think as you drunk I am.(no coment MS). :cool:

[Yeti Chaser]

Really?

Let's look at the 2005 guide, we have the authors talking about shoe lifts and a reader writes about purchasing "painfully ugly two-inch chunky heeled sandals." Another reader writes, "...she wore elevator shoes and a bun hairstyle to increase height."

Let's not forget the last part (from the authors), "Note that boosting your child's height by a couple of inches with a heel lift or the like will not compromise his safety on the ride."

Please show me where that last part is sarcastic.
As was said in Forrest Gump "Stupid is as stupid gets" Any CM worth their salt sees through most of this. Shoes, out of our control, hair, not part of body height :D: Hopefully, Disney will have "words" with the author about the ride safety part. It would be Disney that gets sued, not the author of the book.

[Coastercameron]

Well, I tend to agree that an inch or so isn't usually a HUGE problem, the point is that you have to draw the line somewhere. There is going to have to be a point where someone is too short to ride.

One of my favorite guests had a kid at this same ride (42" req. again) who was a good 4 or 5 INCHES too short... "Aww come on!!! He is soooo close!"

The biggest reason my park has so many complaints about the hiegths is that we have a lot of lazy operators who don't check very closely and make EVERYONE else's job harder.

[tacoboy]

I do believe that the UG writers were being sarcastic, making a tongue-in-cheek remark that was not meant to be taken seriously Does anybody have a sense of humor anymore??

Caution: Long Rant Ahead
*Gets soapbox, wipes off dust*
Hi there, I do not want to seem rude after responding to your first post on this site ever. ( :welcome: by the way) I do have to say that the way things are done at disney can not afford to be a laughing matter. Think about Mission Space. That little kid just met the height requirement yet he still died. Of course he did have a heart problem however it took that ride to accelerate what already was happening to his body. Keep in mind that he was also four and that a child's body is very different from an adults. That is why there is an age requirement on many roller coasters in DLR and WDW as well as a height requirement.
Think about this also. The engineers who build and design these rides select a height requirement for a ride specifically because anyone who is shorter could be severly hurt. My example of this is the heartline coaster. (Click here for images) (http://rcdb.com/ig46.htm)
Engineers desinged the ride so that the center of gravity is aimed at the guest's heart.(hence the title) since everyone on the ride is required to be at least 54" (or whatever it is) the seats are designed in a certain way. If someone even an inch shorter were to ride, it could do some internal damage. (Would YOU want the center of your gravity to be your lung?) or at least they could get hurt by a safety belt that is too big for them.
So yes, a line does need to be drawn and the way engineers draw that line, that line is the shortest a guest can be. Sure, they realize that a guest or two may be dissapointed but it gives all the more reason to come back when they get taller.
So yes, we who value the safety and well-being of all the little children who enter our parks have lost our sense of humor when it comes to writers who decide to throw caution to the wind and endanger their reader's children just so they could get on a ride. (There are hundreds more in the resort that do not have a height requiremetn that affects little kids). We cast members are just making sure that everyone is safe and leave the park in one piece.
*Soap box breaks from length of rant, tacoboy runs off to Ikea to purchase a chic new one for the posters to use*

[tiadalma]

I am terribly sorry that I did not make myself more clear (possibly by using a quote) but what I was referring to was the ridiculous notion that someone should stick a Mickey ICE CREAM bar in a kid's shoe.

Touchy much?

[tacoboy]

oh believe me....it has happened at least once
my example (http://www.stupidguesttricks.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=457)

[leftcoaster]

I am terribly sorry that I did not make myself more clear (possibly by using a quote) but what I was referring to was the ridiculous notion that someone should stick a Mickey ICE CREAM bar in a kid's shoe.

Touchy much?

I never said that you were not clear. I was trying to explain that that suggestion, as well as many others, are indeed in many WDW tour books. Books where many guests take things seriously, especially when it comes to their children. In fact, the Unofficial Guide itself does not appear to be facetious at all. While you and us here, may realize that it is totally ridiculous idea to put Mickey Ice Cream bars in a kids shoes, demanding parents may not.

Also realize that this is a text only message board, except for various smilies, which connotate emotion or specify what you are thinking. Since you did not add any smilies to your original post, it could only be determined that you are literal in your post.

Read message boards much ?

[tiadalma]

In fact, the Unofficial Guide itself does not appear to be facetious at all. While you and us here, may realize that it is totally ridiculous idea to put Mickey Ice Cream bars in a kids shoes, demanding parents may not.I think the UG is very facetious, lots of irreverence and humor. Of course there are idiots who won't understand anything unless it is completely literal, hence the need for a message board titled "Stupid Guest Tricks".

Also realize that this is a text only message board, except for various smilies, which connotate emotion or specify what you are thinking. Since you did not add any smilies to your original post, it could only be determined that you are literal in your post.

Read message boards much?Yes, I read message boards. Several for about 5 years. I know that people need not use smilies for every post, also. I really do think that the UG was kidding when it mentioned putting ice cream in a kid's shoes. I don't need a smilie to say that.

That's all.

[leftcoaster]

That's all.

Why don't you call Len Testa on the phone and ask him ?

You may not need a smile to say that, but for us to figure out if you think the UG is kidding, you might have thought about adding something. ;) :rolleyes:

With that, another one added to the ignore list.

[june1st1997]

What is the matter with these people that they will endanger their children?

It's not that I don't believe it happens... I just can't believe that people do that.

I can't think of any ride that means that much to me.

Perhaps these parents should be thunked on the head.

[Main Streeter]

(no coment MS). :cool:
NO! Not after I've worked 4 12 hr shifts. :bawl: Damn, you ask alot from me darph. ;) Wasn't going to comment as I might be bounced to an ignore list. J/K left. :D:

[darph nader]

NO! Not after I've worked 4 12 hr shifts. :bawl: Damn, you ask alot from me darph. ;) Wasn't going to comment as I might be bounced to an ignore list. J/K left. :D:

Jeeze,took you long enough. :eek: After 4/12hr shifts,I'll forgive you.
Anyone who bounces you to an ignore list will have to deal with me PERSONALY, :D: of course they would have to drive to my casa first. :cool:

[darph nader]

I am terribly sorry that I did not make myself more clear (possibly by using a quote) but what I was referring to was the ridiculous notion that someone should stick a Mickey ICE CREAM bar in a kid's shoe.

Touchy much?

No,No,No,ice cream 'sandwichs'. The popsicle sticks sticking out the back of the munchkins shoes would be a dead give-away. :rolleyes:

[CujoSR]

As was said in Forrest Gump "Stupid is as stupid gets" Any CM worth their salt sees through most of this. Shoes, out of our control, hair, not part of body height :D: Hopefully, Disney will have "words" with the author about the ride safety part. It would be Disney that gets sued, not the author of the book.If anyone want's to put a letter together I'll make sure it get to the publisher. AND THAT THERE IS NOT SARCASIM.

[Freak]

Another wonderful idea is "wearing the ugliest, most hideous shoes with big heels."

Which is why us here at Knotts came up with the "Shoes that have a 1 inch or higher heel do not count in the height of the child." :cool: Hah, try and beat us now.

But anyway, I had a good one a few days ago. I was up at Xcelerator and had a child who was way below the height requirement by at least 2 or 3 inches. I informed him that he was too small to ride, and he went about his way to the exit. I thought nothing more of it and went back to work.

SUDDENLY.....

This angry parent comes walking up the exit ramp as I try to clear it and starts arguing with me. "Why cant he ride? He waited all this time! You need more signs! All these other small children are riding!"
So I fired back with the answers: "Hes too short to ride, you should have checked his height at the enterance -- which by the way is one of four height requirement signs we have on this attraction, and the difference between the small children on the train and your child is the children on the train meet the height requirement, as yours does not." (Of course, this was said in a nice, pleasant manner not to upset the guest.)

Apparently, this did not please the parent, and sent him into this mode where he was going to stand here and demand I put his child in danger or else he wouldnt leave. I told him that he could either exit the ramp on his own, or he could have security escort him down the ramp and out the park exit, and he suddenly had an urge to move down the ramp.

Anyways, the funny thing about this whole ordeal was the child took it way better than the parent. The kid was over it in a matter of seconds! Parents these days, I swear. Its so funny that when a child is strapped into a rollercoaster they want you to make sure theyre in as tight as they could possibly be, but if theyre too short, they demand you put them in the ride!

[leftcoaster]

Did you say something MS ? I can't see the text of your post. :p:

[Main Streeter]

Did you say something MS ? I can't see the text of your post. :p:What? Who me? Say something of interest? Never!! Simply will not happen.
You are sharp left. :D: :hi5: :p:

[leftcoaster]

What? Who me? Say something of interest? Never!! Simply will not happen.
You are sharp left. :D: :hi5: :p:

Great minds think alike. :D:

[Coastercameron]

Yeah, from my experience, 75% of the time, the kid doesn't care that he/she can't ride. It is only the parents who get pissed off about it.