Any MF trouble??

On SROS wasn't the belt in question 11" longer than any other belt on that train or was that just a rumor?

Can we stop arguing about whether or not the belt is/is not a sufficient/necessary restraint? Our opinions about what the restraints "should be" simply don't matter, because we are neither Intamin nor Cedar Fair.

If you want to do something constructive, stop patronizing CP and write them the letter telling them why. Absent that, CP has pretty much demonstrated that they don't care through last year's "handling" of complaints, and this off-season's inaction.

The seats were in different possiton and the belt length was the same. It only made a difference of about a inch in rider size but it did make a difference. My brother could only ride front seats of S:ROS.

If I remember correctly, MF trains were modified after the frist season so this was no longer the case.

Chuck, who could be wrong on that second statment but is pretty sure he heard something to that effect.

I was at the park Monay and the belts suck. Thay are all new and may streach with time. I had a 42 inch waist last year and was able to ride fine. This year, I am down to a 40 inch waist and almost could not get the belt fastened.

One fella fit fine in the test seat and then could not fit in the real seat. He went back down and tried the test seat again and fit so they took him back up the exit and tried three different seats before they found one that he could fit into.

Not only are the guests that can't fit getting upset, loading time is way up with just about every train having someone who does not fit. They are probably lucky if they are getting 1000 people an hour though the line. That just won't work in July and August.

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Brian Noble said:

If you want to do something constructive, stop patronizing CP and write them the letter telling them why. Absent that, CP has pretty much demonstrated that they don't care through last year's "handling" of complaints, and this off-season's inaction.

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Amen, that is what I intend to do! Well, the e-mail I sent near the end of last season only got me the standard "safety" form letter that I bet everyone who complained electronically probably got. I've been going to CP since 1996. Not again till' they do something about one of their star attractions that was really the reason I wen't every year since 2000. It's a shame really, all they have to do is "something" instead of nada!

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CP ismyhome said:
One fella fit fine in the test seat and then could not fit in the real seat. He went back down and tried the test seat again and fit so they took him back up the exit and tried three different seats before they found one that he could fit into.

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I was at the park today (NO LINES at all) and I rode MF many times and I noticed basically the same thing as what CP ismyhome noticed. I seemed to notice that the belts tended to be a little longer in the back of the train than they were in the front. In the back seats, I had about 3-4 inches of slack. In the front of the trains, I had about 1.5-2.5 inches of slack. This was the pattern that I noticed on all three trains. I was really surprised that after my first ride near the front that I barely had the minium slack, when in the back I had more than enough. So if you think you might be too big, I suggest that you sit near the back, as on average they seemed to have more slack.

Well thats a good tip, I'll remember that for my trip in June. I might be one of the few in the back. :)

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Benjamin said:
Anyways, have you rode this year greatwhitenorth?

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No, I last rode MF in mid-October 2004. In September, I started paying close attention to recommended serving sizes. My weight dropped from 225 to 205 over four months, but I can't remember what I weighed when I rode. On MF, I was borderline -- I struggled to get what I thought was just 3/4" of slack, but the ride ops passed me anyways.

*** Edited 5/11/2005 1:24:46 PM UTC by greatwhitenorth***

One thing to also keep in mind is that as the season goes on, the belts will become longer due to stretching. The test seat for MF has a much smaller belt than the actual ones on the train. We were told it was due to the excessive use of the ones on the train.

Another thing that I have found to be extremely useful, is to have someone help you (no, not a CP employee, so don't get uppity). I have very short arms and always have a problem getting my belt on due to the awkward positioning of the buckle. So I always get in the train first, and my husband second. He reaches over me, and secures my belt, and pulls it so I have more than enough slack. And then gets himself secure.

We did this on TDD last year, which I did fit in the test seat and went on the ride. I, however, did not fit on the test seat for MF and skipped the ride (and another possible walk of shame). But others in my group had a very hard time getting the test seat fastened but fit on the ride just fine with more thna enough space.

I'm down 20 pounds from what I weighed when I was there last fall, and this thread has me all nervous and upset again for our upcoming trip over Memorial Day.

And to think I tried the test seat on S:ROS and laughed because I was nervous that I would not fit, and then it turned out 2 of me could have shared the belt since it was so big.

Except for kiddie coasters, MF and TTD are the only two rides anywhere where I have needed to be concerned. Bah-humbug.

I will try the back of the train however for MF this month.

The belt on the test seat was longer than the ones on the train! Like I said, a guy tried the test seat and fit and he had to try three different seats on the train to find one that he could fit into. It was the back seat of the red train if I recall.

Haven't been yet, going next week.... My question is what about TTD???

last year it was a pretty easy fit for me I have a 38" waist and my legs/thighs/butt are definetly towards the smaller side than bigger... and MF was tight last year so I am doing what I can right now, but what does everyone think about TTD??

You should have no trouble. I have a 40in waist and had no trouble on TTD and was just able to get on MF.

Went yesterday, the belts don't seem shorter really, just maybe not "stretched" yet.

I have a 38 waist, 240lbs, 6'5 and got about 1 1/2 - 2 inches of slack on MF and around 2- 2 1/2inch on dragster with no problem.

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CP ismyhome said:
The belt on the test seat was longer than the ones on the train!

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Wow! Totally opposite from last year (or at least in the fall). So why have a test seat? I understand longer ones on the train from all of the use and pressure on them. But to have a test seat not represent the actual accomodations from the ride really makes no sense.

If any thing, you would want the test seat belt smaller in order to weed out any of the potential non-fitters. Like I said before, I did not fit in the test seat so did not go on the ride, even though others in my party fit on the ride.

Also, I can imagine the gp and the ride ops getting upset when people can not fit, and the whole load procedure then getting bogged down. I would have to assume that non-fitters did not try the test seat at all, even though they may have and they fit in that seat.

I know it's impossible to keep all of the belts at the same level of quality, thus some of their lengths may be different (even up to a few inches), but having a larger test seat just ruins it for everyone.

Hey -- you fit down there in that test seat and waited in line for hours ... but now in the station you are having to deal with the walk of shame and holding up the line for hundreds of people. Enjoy your day!

Magnum, here I come :)

OK I took my first trip to CP today in about 6 years. I can't compare to last year but here's what I found.

6'4"

270lbs

40-41" at the hips (wear size 42")

TTD- No Problem; Easy to buckle and easy to get required slack.

MF Test Seat- Easy to buckle, easy to get required slack

MF train (yellow, next to last seat, right hand side) - almost didn't get buckled, Ride op bent the slack rule. (Same ride op witnessed me get required slack on test seat)

There is a definite difference between the test seat and the real seat on MF. I also rode TTD twice and noticed differences in the lengths between the two rides. I stoped by Guest Services and informed them of the problem in the test seat (if it will help).

I received this reply today from an Email I sent to the park about the seatbelt(if it means anything).Dear John Thank you for your comments concerning the safety restraints at Millennium Force. We are aware of the situation and are working to ensure that there is consistency and that we are complying with the manufacturer's guidelines as required by the State of Ohio. We thank you for letting us know of your experiences and apologize for the inconvenience. Sincerely, Peggy BertschDirector, Training and DevelopmentPark Operations

Consistancy? Consistancy with what?

Got the same reply 2 days ago CPismyhome... the funny thing is I only asked if the length was changed from last year... not if there were any problems. I love the point but it seems like it always a shut up and mind your own business response anytime I email them.

Thank you for your comments concerning the safety restraints at Millennium Force.

We are required by the State of Ohio to abide by manufacturer guidelines.

That's what I got.

Well, Nick(Dragster) is at CP right now. Later I'll call him and see if our friend had any trouble getting on. Up-to-date reports are always good. :)