Cedar Point reverses no-phone rule for Steel Vengeance queue

I really wonder if this is going to fix the problem or if riders will just think it doesn't apply to them? Curious what this pouch looks like, how it locks, etc.

It’s a zipper pouch, not too large, and I believe it goes beneath the seat behind the riders’ legs, thus making it ‘unreachable’ when the restraint is closed. It’s big enough for phone, glasses, maybe wallet. Not big enough for backpacks, basketballs, or plush, lol.

Now, how they’re going to make sure everyone’s stuff (phones) goes in the pouch is I don’t know. Perhaps after a few on-ride cell phone infractions the pouches will be removed and the strict rule will go back in place.

This is good news- not for me so much because I know how to use a locker and don’t die without my phone for a minute. But seriously, I’ve never heard such crying over one subject in a long time. Some have actually said they’ll NEVER go back to the park! I welcome the idea that I won’t be so worried about my stuff getting pitched over to the road.

I guess the grip bars have been removed, citing safety reasons. I thought they were a good idea- it gave something to hold onto and also provided a lever which aided the rider (and op) in lowering the bar. And that was until I was at KD as a single rider and had my hand on the grip and the op ran by and closed the other restraint very effectively jamming my hand between the two lap bars. Ouch, to say the least. He was beside himself but I turned down a trip to first aid. So clearly I wasn’t the only one. But I nursed a slightly swollen set of knuckles all day.

Presumably similar to those on Twisted Colossus but as I recall they are on the seat back in front of you. Not sure where the front row ones were.

The ones added to Twisted Timbers last year are on the front of each seat:

Thanks for the photo. Seems easy enough.

Indeed thanks for the photo. That's perfect, as riders will be unable to access cellphones during the ride if the pouches are in that position. I thought that they might place the pouches on the backs of the seats the way Six Flags did with New Texas Giant and Titan but this is better. In any case it's good news, as not having phones stashed in lockers will enable people to take photos of Steel Vengeance from more than one angle when exiting the ride.

I personally would much rather see free lockers. This seems like it will just slow down loading times

Unless they shorten the dispatch times, loading times aren't really an issue. Trains were loaded and ready to go 15-20 seconds before they dispatched. Maybe they will start using the mid course breaks as a block next season though and reduce the dispatch times.

Although not an issue 20 years ago, it is nice to be able to doodle on your phone while waiting in line.

It's frustrating to me that a park like Cedar Point does not have free lockers while you ride on the major rides. It's a huge customer service win.

I don't remember seeing an online petition for this. How is it possible this rule was reversed without one? I'm stumped...

Free lockers don't solve the problem of people having to be without their phones for 1 to 2 hours. You might not be this way, but for a *lot* of people in 2019 the expectation that you won't have your phone on you is just completely unrealistic. What if you have kids in the park and want to know where they are, or need to reach someone urgently, and you're in a 2 hour line?

I think these bags are a solid solution, and people above are correct in pointing out that the trains have to wait anyways as is so who cares if it slows down dispatch 10 seconds.

I don't recall having a cell phone in the park until 2001. It was so weird, we just talked to each other, and total strangers, in line.

Jeff said:

I don't recall having a cell phone in the park until 2001. It was so weird, we just talked to each other, and total strangers, in line.

And we set times and locations to meet each other!

And people lost track of time, lines took longer or shorter than expected, rides broke down, etc. And so you ended up waiting for one or more members of your group to get to that prearranged location. Often multiple times in the day. But we had no other options. Now we do. Cell phones make that process much easier.

Jeff said:

I don't recall having a cell phone in the park until 2001. It was so weird, we just talked to each other, and total strangers, in line.

Hell, even in recent years, I would leave the phone in car. One less thing to carry around. Talking to others is great way to meet new people.

The thing I will like with new policy is the chance of taking my camera in line to get nice photos and then putting it in pouch.

GoBucks89 said:

And people lost track of time, lines took longer or shorter than expected, rides broke down, etc. And so you ended up waiting for one or more members of your group to get to that prearranged location. Often multiple times in the day. But we had no other options. Now we do. Cell phones make that process much easier.

Meh. I remember parks having message boards. Write a note to your friend who is late and post it there, "Figured you're in line for <ride>. We're hitting up <ride> and will come back to meet you here. Wrote this at <15 minutes after original meeting spot>."

Certainly not saying cell phones aren't a great tool, but like most of life in the 80s and 90s, we survived without constant communication.

People used to get surgery without antiseptics and anasthesia as well.

Good on y’all for enjoying how things used to be. I like my phone.

I like my phone, too. But I will freely admit that making a concerted effort to put it down more often has improved my life. It's not the nostalgia.