Report: Disney Rejects New Height Limit For Rides

[Connor002]

People just love blaming disney don't they.

Yes, they do. When was the last time you heard a news story like "Disney makes memories" or "Disney proves families can have fun together" or even any positive press on Disney. Whereas "Death at Disney" gets enough attention to be called a "top story." :brick:

 

[robynchic]

*clears her throat and stands on the soapbox, because she is a whopping 60" tall!*

I don't see how anyone could see the ride as safe for someone so young. Many cardiorespiratory conditions that can be fatal are not diagnosed until the child is 6-8 years old (for instance, the girl that died on Body Wars...article here: http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/bodywars.htm). So if this child had any heart condition that may have been undiagnosed, Disney isn't at fault. And, statistically, African Americans have a higher rate of cardiorespiratory problems.

*steps off of her soap box and continues to study her health and wellness notes for tomorrow*

 

[disneylands]

Yes there was evidence, he was on the ride immediately before his death.

Evidence can show lots of things, there can be evidence that I am a space alien typing...

Becareful about saying no evidence... Maybe we can say, there is no conclusive scientific proof it caused his death, but evidence can be anything...

dude you practicly insulted the owner of the website, and by the way, there was no evidence just because he was on the ride, doesnt mean the ride caused it!

 

[Connor002]

dude you practicly insulted the owner of the website, and by the way, there was no evidence just because he was on the ride, doesnt mean the ride caused it!

Exactly.
If you die in a hospital, would you automaticly blame them?


Well, maybe these days you would, since everyone want a reason to sue, but I think you get can the idea.

 

[mousermerf]

Today i was driving and there was a dead squirrel in the street.

Was it hit by a car? Nope.

It had fried itself on the power lines overhead.

 

[figment1988]

about this whole kicking the height requirement up a notch simply because a child who met the minimum height requirement died. there are still no official results from the autopsy, so why blame height? it reminds me of what Ronny 's character in Robocop said (with some of my personal modifications): "Every guest knows that there are certain risks they take when they go on a disney attraction regardless of its nature, ask any cast member or anyone who understands these risks: If you can't stand the heat regardless of your experience, stay out of the kitchen"

 

[Iakona]

*clears her throat and stands on the soapbox, because she is a whopping 60" tall!*

I don't see how anyone could see the ride as safe for someone so young. Many cardiorespiratory conditions that can be fatal are not diagnosed until the child is 6-8 years old (for instance, the girl that died on Body Wars...article here: http://www.snopes.com/disney/parks/bodywars.htm). So if this child had any heart condition that may have been undiagnosed, Disney isn't at fault. And, statistically, African Americans have a higher rate of cardiorespiratory problems.

*steps off of her soap box and continues to study her health and wellness notes for tomorrow*

And many, many heart defects are never diagnosed. This includes a friend of mine that died in her sleep in HS. She was very active (cheerleader, softball) and had an undiagnosed heart defect. Teddy Bruschi from the NE Patriots had a heart defect that was only discovered after he had a stroke at home. This is a professional athlete that receives all manner of physicals yearly and for their contracts.
You cannot put your children in a protective bubble; they have to live and experience life.
When I signed my son (5 at the time) up for Karate his being a preemie was not even a factor. He is now going for his Jr. BlackBelt and has to run a mile and a half. Should I refuse because he may have a defect somewhere? If I knew there was something wrong then I would act accordingly; I cannot act based on something that may be wrong even though he exhibits no symptoms.

Most of the pediatric specialists I saw interviewed regarding the MS tragedy said that a healthy child's body is better equiped to handle the Gs on a ride like this than an adults.

As for the post on height restrictions. There is no need for the name calling. This has been a very civil discussion. OH, and you are wrong. Disney does use height restrictions for reasons other than the restraint system. Case in point is Stitches Great Escape. They raised the height requirement after it had already been opened for a while; not because of the restraint system, but to help make the kids experiencing the attraction older. Statistically a taller child is also an older child, not 100% fool-proof, but better than IDing every kid..

 

[King David]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

 

[mrtoad]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

3 inches is a lot I would say no and I would not do it anyway. They came up with the height of 40 for a reason.

 

[Lauriebar]

There is not a chance that they won't stop and measure your child. I wouldn't even try for so many reasons. Just enjoy the attractions that you can and look forward to experiencing the bigger ones later.

 

[peter11435]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

Its important to remember that the height requirements are set at what they are for a reason. Disney does not do it simply to stop some from being able to ride. It is unsafe for anyone under the posted height requirement to ride a ride. Thus even if they did allow your child on the ride even when he is 3" to short, I would hope you would not. I don't mean to sound rude if I did, I just want people to realize the importance of the height requirements.

 

[King David]

Not rude at all, Petey, this is why I asked...thanks for the feedback...

 

[ganj]

First off the only reason that boy died was becuase of the stupidity of the parents. I am sorry they lost their child but common sense lacks in a lot of people. Do they see the signs. Use the brain that god gave you and think for once.

Next I think there should be higher height restrictions on some rides.

But maybe, with the unfortunity stupidity of some people, we should sign waivers before riding everything. Wouldn't that be so much better.

I agree. When this ride first opened, I went on it first by myself. My kids were 9 & 7 and when I got off the ride, I told them that I don't think they would like it at all but if they wanted to try it they could. They decided to pass especially when they saw my DH come off the ride and not feel well for the next couple of hours.

Our rule has always been that one of us adults tries the new ride out (if it is a thrill ride) and since we know our kids best we will know if they will fare well on it or not.

I was shocked that these parents allowed a 4 year old on it. It was hard for me, an adult, to stare directly ahead the whole time. A 4 yr old does not have the concentration for it.

I am sorry they lost their child, it is the toughest thing to go through. My best friend lost a child at age 2 to cancer and even though it was not my child I was there with her through it all and it feels like your heart was ripped out of you.

 

[ganj]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

They will not let them ride if they do not meet the height requirement. When test track opened my son was measured outside and he met the height requirement. When we got to the point where we were to get on the ride, we were stopped and he was checked for height again, this time he didn't meet it. Don't know why but he could not ride it.

Just last month we were getting in line for Splash, there was a family there waiting for their daughter to get measured, they told the kid to stand on the tiptoes, the child did this but the attendant noticed it and asked her to put her feet down flat. The child was 2 inches too short and the parents were told she couldn't go on it.

 

[inafog]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

They are extremely strict about the height requirement--and they should be. My DS at 6 just made it to 45" and was very excited to ride everything he could get on. CMs at Space Mountain measured him 3 times in the line to make sure he was tall enough; at Mission Space (which he loves--but he has to ride with his dad) he was also measured multiple times.

DD (37") was quite disappointed not to be allowed to ride everything with him, but is easily distracted. She was hysterical at Star Tours, since the baby swap passes her through the ride; it was not a busy day so the CM offered to have a "test run" (I think that's what he called it) so that she could experience it, too. They run the movie but not the motion effects; I was surprised at how much of it is really in your eyes and brain. There were some people with 3 children trying to get onto the ride when DS and his grandma rode; the parents kept the smallest child wedged between them. They made it all the way to the door of the simulator before the CM flat out told them she wasn't tall enough (child wouldn't come out and let them measure her). The dad said, "She's as tall as he is!" pointing at my DS, who then wedged between them to stand beside her, showing she was at least 4" shorter. I laughed until I cried.

Anyway, I agree with everyone else; don't try sneaking him on. We got DD all charged up by telling her she wasn't big enough for X but she was big enough for Y (Goofy's Barnstormer, since they measure them; and a couple of CMs pretended to measure her for other rides when they caught on to what we were doing). I think there's plenty for him to do already.

 

[mousermerf]

They will not let them ride if they do not meet the height requirement. When test track opened my son was measured outside and he met the height requirement. When we got to the point where we were to get on the ride, we were stopped and he was checked for height again, this time he didn't meet it. Don't know why but he could not ride it.

Just last month we were getting in line for Splash, there was a family there waiting for their daughter to get measured, they told the kid to stand on the tiptoes, the child did this but the attendant noticed it and asked her to put her feet down flat. The child was 2 inches too short and the parents were told she couldn't go on it.

All "hosts" hold veto power. Any of them can say no-go at any time, even after you've buckled up. Seen that happen too.

Standing on tiptoe is not acceptable - i don't know why people think it is. 2 inches is still 2 inches too short.

 

[brich]

hight has absalutely NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FRIGGIN RIDE IDIOTS! unless it has something to do with restraints. being small does not have any effect on your body more than a big person. in fact, i would be willing to bet that the bigger you are the less youy body can take g's . a simple mathematical equation proves this. you take a persons wait times the effect of gravity with the g's and whola.

i am so sick of idiots who dont realize that the amount of thrill ride deaths are staggeringly low, and 9999 out of ten thousand it is natural causes. i say, go disney, you are a beacoin of common sense in a dark dark world.

Thanks for sharing your intellect. Your powerful use of the word idiot is spellbinding. Any chance your contributions going forward could be just a tad softer? I know it would be appreciated by many... Thanks tough guy...

 

[DisneyFreak529]

I know I might get negitive feed back from this post but what the hell.


I think the parents are to blame! Just because the kid is tall enough doesn't mean the child is old enough. Every one knows that children that young should not be shaken around like that. I think the parents should use some commen sense when they take there kids to a ride.

 

[Slipknot]

maybe it deserves it's own thread, but how strict ARE they about height requirements? My younger son is 37 inches, so would they let him "slip" by something that required 40 inches? I wouldn't think of taking him on anything other than Splash Mountain that would have said requirement, and I was wondering how strict they'd be...I would think that with what happened with the poor child who is the topic of this thread, they would enforce pretty strictly, which I would respect...thoughts anyone?

If a CM can get reprimanded for not being that strict for the height requirement for Stitch's Great Escape (bring back Alien Encounter!!!), I can only imagine what happens to CMs who aren't strict about height requirements for rides like M:S or ToT.

 

[peter11435]

I know I might get negitive feed back from this post but what the hell.


I think the parents are to blame! Just because the kid is tall enough doesn't mean the child is old enough. Every one knows that children that young should not be shaken around like that. I think the parents should use some commen sense when they take there kids to a ride.

Im curious have you ever been on M:S.