Child height restrictions at theme parks and play areas.

[Lizzie888]

Why are theme parks and play areas so strict with their height rules and not show a little more understanding and empathy with younger children who are tall for their age. Our holiday has been spoiled by unsympathetic establishments who have stuck strictly to height rules when in some cases the rules are nonsensical. Our DS is nine but tall for his age at 59 inches. He has learning difficulties, not major, but has a mental age a year or so younger. We faced many difficulties at theme parks where he was too timid to go on the rides for older children or adults but was turned away endlessly from younger child's rides even although it was one to a car and no direct interaction with other children. We tried to finish our holiday by visiting an adventure playground. We paid the admissions for DS and our younger two children only to fall foul of the maximum height rule again. We then had the problem of whether to deprive the younger two their fun (they are far rougher playing wise than their older gentle 'giant' brother or to let them in and sit outside with DS. On this occasion we allowed the younger two in and tried to console the older one with a walk and an ice cream. We did ask around some other adults/parents and found that some kids as old as twelve were in and the general behaviour was very much rough and tumble as you would expect in an adventure play area, nothing too extreme, and far rougher than our DS would have added to the occasion. On the other hand some of the language of the older kids was sweary and inappropriate for such an area and when pointed out to the staff was met by a shrug. So why do nothing about that, allow twelve year olds who play like twelve year olds in because they are a few inches shorter than DS but not admit a child based on age alone and circumstances described to them. The fall back excuse is always 'health and safety rules' a pathetic cop out used by lazy, ignorant staff unable or unwilling to use any flexibility/discretion. It is heart breaking to see the effect is has on DS just plain heart breaking.

https://www.codonas.com/opening-times-info#RideGuide

RIDE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED

SCALLYWAGS BUMPER BOATS – UNDER 48”
DEAD MAN’S DROP TOWER MIN. 48” UNDER 52”
DISCO WALTZERS – UNDER 52”
SPINNING BUMPER CARS – UNDER 48”
THE GALLEON PIRATE SHIP MIN. 39” UNDER 52”
APPLE FAMILY COASTER – UNDER 48”
GRAMPIAN EYE BIG WHEEL – UNDER 52”
KIDDIES CAROUSEL MAX. 52” –
SUPER TRUCKS – UNDER 48”
TEA CUPS – –
BATTLE ROYALE LASER TAG – –
DINO SAFARI 4D MOTION RIDE MIN. 44” UNDER 52”
SKYDECK SUPER DODGEMS MIN. 39” UNDER 52”
SMUGGLERS LITTLE NIPPERS MAX 42” All
SMUGGLERS COVE OUTDOOR TREE HUTS MAX 58” All

Go Karts- Family Racing- Single Kart Min 54″
Go Karts- Family Racing- Double Kart Driver Min 54″
Over 18 Years Old
Go Karts- Family Racing- Double Kart Passenger Min 39″
Go Karts- Pro Racing- Single Kart Min 60″
Go Karts- Pro Racing- Double Kart Driver Min 60″
Over 18 Years Old
Go Karts- Pro Racing- Double Kart Passenger Min 48″

and if I've got the wrong place

https://www.pleasurelandarbroath.co.uk/opening-times-info

Ride Restrictions
RIDE MIN HEIGHT MAX HEIGHT

1. WALTZER 92cm NONE
2. DODGEM 125cm NONE
3. BUNGEE TRAMPOLINE 100cm NONE
4. UFO JETS 92cm 185cm
5. MERRY-GO-ROUND NONE NONE
6. GIANT BOUNCY SLIDE NONE 140cm
7. INDOOR TRAMPOLINES 120cm 147cm
8. MINI BIKES 92cm NONE
9. SOFT PLAY NONE 140cm

OP, I can empathise with your disappointment and I don’t think you’re a Karen.

I have a very tall four year old, who was subjected to lots of “No over fours in the soft play area” announcements over tannoy yesterday. Also some parents/grandparents giving her evils (who had clearly reported her to staff). Very annoying. Her play style is young for her age - imaginative play, chatting to herself. She had every right to be there.

The expectations which other people place on taller children to be more grown up than they are is really really unfair.

I see op has disappeared when people pointed out the height restrictions are easily accessed on their website.

I think yabu but understand your disappointment. It has been demonstrated that the height restrictions are advertised and it's unfortunate that you didn't see them before you went but as others have said theme parks can be difficult when you've a mix of kids at different heights, we all experience it. In most situations it's the youngest child being too small for loads of the rides their siblings can go on so you just have to separate and one parent take the child to all the activities they are the right size for.

I also have no idea how you are meant to prove to staff that your tall 9 year old isn't as boisterous as other 9 year olds so should be allowed in, is the staff member meant to take your word for it? Also age restrictions won't work because kids don't generally carry ID around with them lol, waivers are also not worth the paper they are written on if a child is injured and a parent decides to Sue. Height seems to be the only workable option.

Google the “Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids” where they had just decided to reduce the size limit for economic reasons…

My kids are tall and we’re chucked out of the soft play at Alton Towers before they were 5, theme’s the breaks.

Was it the reduction in size limit that caused the accident?

Insurance.

and because of you make it age people will lie.

and can you imagine the fuss if they tried making it weight.

I remember not being allowed in a soft play type place at Windsor safari Park when I was younger back in the late 80s or early 90s. I was very tall for my age. I still remember how upset I was. But, I was then allowed on bigger rides etc earlier than most of my friends which I was happy about! It's just life. At various points in my life I wished i was either taller or smaller.

OP has vanished now its pointed out that the publicised restrictions are there for safety reasons.

I did a summer working in a theme park before college. I have absolutely no doubt OP kicked off at the teenage staff who could do absolutely nothing about it.

Ah some classic aibu here

• aibu?
• well yes
• you're an idiot! I'm not unreasonable. Damn you alllll

Looking forward to the denouement now we have proof of what was on the amusement sites website.

Being a certain age doesn't make something suitable if your height is wrong - for instance car seats have a certain height and weight limit that make them safe for certain children, I couldn't put my child in the next stage car seat safely despite her being well over the age that most children go in to that stage of seat. Her age isn't what is going to save her in a car accident - the correct car seat for her size will.

Seems the only person who ‘spoiled’ your holiday was you by not checking the attractions were suitable for your children. Don’t blame the poor minimum wage workers for your fuck up!

Wrong. That is for the indoor pleasureland a totally separate side to the business from the outside area which has different wristbands different pricing and different regulations. Prior to going there was no max height restriction shown for the Treetops Adventure play area ( outdoor), none the day after either when checked again to confirm our original thoughts BUT today there is and I can only assume it has been added she to our complaining. Something good therefore has come out of it!

Look for the family rides that allow parent and child to go together.
Yes there will be some for small.kids he cannot go on

It's a bit rubbish OP but I wouldn't expect the 16/17 year olds running it to be able to override anything and I'd assume the rules were in place in line with their HS policies.

I do know how you feel though but in reverse, my child has a disability that inhibits growth and is very small but has no learning difficulties so we have to deal with a lot of frustration on their part that they cannot go on particular rides that other children their age can (and my child may never be tall enough for). Shame they didn't advertise the max height ahead of time but I'm glad they have amended it so that others aren't caught out.

We have gone health and safety mad it's normal to get hurt occasionally. DH and DS are tracking a lightening storm so they can go out on the quads in the rain once it's passed, that is more dangerous than being slightly too tall for a play frame! I'm sure DH's risk assessment stretches to helmet and back protector the rest will concern getting mud all over the car when they get back in!

That risk is all on you though @sleepyscientist. You can’t expect a business to apply the same individualistic thinking to every child, because inevitably the parents would sue anyway if it all went wrong.

I feel sorry for the staff. I can imagine exactly how you behaved at the park.

YABU (and I was a short kid who couldn’t go on anything and now a fat adult who can’t go on a lot of things). Even more U to compare it to actual discrimination.

You're not reading the whole thread. We did check and website did not highlight the max height restriction.

Ah! But the website quoted by the poster was for another section of the park. Different wristbands were sold for the Indoor Park and the Outdoor Park. My issue was with the outdoor park the person who posted the rules highlighted the wrong area. In any case the outdoor area rules has now been adjusted so at least that is something!

Not disappeared just busy today and just back into the thread. And as I have pointed out on posts just now the party who posted the supposed regs. didn't have the right place that we purchased the wristband for.

If you mean the smugglers cover outdoor play park, the max height restriction on the outdoor tree huts hasn’t changed recently. Screenshot shows the website as of June 2023 (internet wayback machine is marvellous and I’m very bored).

Its doubtful the Judge would have empathy or understanding if the operator ignored the health and safety rules and someones child either slipped from a ride or had their head knocked off as they were too tall.

You might not like the rules but more often than not they are there for very good reason.

So the restrictions were available online. 58" is generous as it's pretty much the height of an average 12 year old. It would include the majority of children under 10. It looks like there were lots of alternative things to do.

It is laughable that the op thought that her complaining at some staff yesterday would have led to a website redesign on a Sunday 😄

I've also checked the Wayback Machine. See attached. They were already on there in February 2022.

@Lizzie888 , now you have proof that the maximum height restrictions have been available on the website at least since the start of 2022, up to the present day, are you going to retract your earlier comments and admit that you were wrong?

They did advertise it, they haven't amended it for at least 18 months.