Guests turned away from Cedar Point's Millennium Force

Does anyone else think that this is not CP's fault/doing but that of ambulance chasing lawyers and sue happy patrons? CP is just covering their butts (which only makes good business sense).

No, I think when 4 riders are ejected in 5 years, all relating to the same restraint system, changes needto be made! As I said, the lady on PP didn't "fall out", the forces of the ride dislocated her legs and tore one of them off! Thats how far these things go when it comes to forces.

If the restraints are used and positioned properly, it doesn't matter the forces, you will stay in the seat.

Again, it's the ops not checking to make sure their in that proper position. There's nothing wrong with them, as long as they're used correctly. Example: You use a razor to shave right? Well, you slide the razor horizontal across your face instead of down, it'll cut you. It's safe if you use it right, dangerous if you don't.

Leaving you only to use it in the right way....

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Xcel's has always had the 2 inches of slack rule, so the belts are effectively shorter anyway.

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Hmmmmmmm..... I wonder how I was able to ride Xcel -- TWICE -- last December. In my case the ride op had to fasten the belt it was so tight on me - and there is NO way they would have gotten 2 inches of slack in it, let alone 1 inch. I'm really glad I got to ride it, though, as I did MF last Sept. (again with assistance from a friend and the ride op in making the belt click).

Now, I think I'll be nervous and on edge standing in line for a lot of coasters, wondering the whole time if I will be rejected and my time in line wasted....this sucks big-time. It's really ruining the coaster season for me, which I eagerly all during the long brutal New England winter.

I have a question. I attended Cedar Point on May 16th , last Sunday and rode MF. Did they tighten the belts since then or before May 8th?

Its the right thing to do. If you are to fat and cant fit into the Ride vehicle than you shoudnt be aloud to ride. for the safely of the rider , the parks employee and the park. And dont give me any "ILL SUE FOR DISCRIMINATION!!! Its about time and it looks like Cedar Fair is setting the standards, once again...Fritz

It isn't that heavier people can't fit into the ride vehicle, it is the seat belt issue. Your post shows how ignorant you are. You have probably never had a weight problem in your life. Be thankful for that, but don't put others down because they have.

More from The Plain Dealer.

Note that it wasn't me that said "don't mess with my ride." I was just summarizing the feeling of you people. :)

CoastaPlayer:

Now that you've made an example of me, I don't have to make the 5 hour trip to Cedar Point at all! Thank you for saving me all that time and money.

By a lack of muscle in the upper body, I mean that I can't bench 300+ pounds...I could not play a very good game of football. By no means does that turn me into the ball. I have a rather large chest/shoulder area...which is sometimes trouble for Arrow/ Vekomar horsecollar restraints - I get two, maybe three clicks before it hits my shoulders. Same problem on V2 and other impulses...but I am just barely able to get the belt buckled. I am 6'0", 250 pounds...a lot of that weight is in my legs since I used to play soccer. I am heavy-set, yes...but I am not "exceptionally" large. Perhaps you should read the rest of my original post instead of just what you wanted to make fun of later.

Back on the subject: I agree with what has been said a lot here - if the restraint is in place (thighs, not stomach) and the belt locks, what is the problem? If that isn't safe, then perhaps some better equipment is in store. Afterall...these rides are subjected to all of the elements of nature - perhaps something more durable is needed if they are unsafe - because the only way I see someone coming out if they are secured like that is if something breaks.

Kev

From Jeff's link...

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Carole Sanderson, president of American Coaster Enthusiasts, agrees that safety changes do not need to be publicized. And to those who can't ride the Millennium, Sanderson has little sympathy. "There's a billion other things to do in that park. A billion," she said.

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Is that a scientific estimate, Carole? Boy, I must have missed out on a lot of things at CP over the years...

I was just there last week and Yes i was mad that i couldn't ride! But they are going to have bigger problems on their hands than that. Next month they hold the A.C.E con and some of those people aren't exactly skinny (if ya know what i mean). But i understand why. No biggy If i don't go to Disney next year, I 'll go back there and i'll be skinnier and hopefully able to ride TTD and MF because they were kinda doing the same and the belt restiction system is the same for both. They need to make coasters that every on can get on not just little Paris Hilton Look a Likes!

BTW: it's not 2inches of slack its 3 and i was able to be buckled in but not pull the 3inches required.

This is where I'm confused. I have heard everything from 1 inch to 2.5 inches. Now your saying 3 inches. Someone Please tell me which it is!?

It is three inches becuase that's what the attendant told me

My dad was just there this morning and I asked him to ask the attendant and he said 1 inch. Maybe it depends on the attendant.

1 inch is the most commonly used number so I'm going with 1 inch. I wish I could know for sure if I would fit or not. I really am wanting a Millennium Force fix right now.

Okay don't call me stupid, because I know how important seat belts are, but I was wondering on behalf of the coasters that don't have any seatbelts at all. Look at the B&M hypers, I don't believe those have seatbelts. What about some of the G-Trains without seatbelts? Why don't they have seatbelts? If they are obviously 'not needed' on all rides, then why are they so crucial on the Intamins? Does this have something to do with the 'clamshell' lapbars on the B&Ms and then on Intamins the seatbelt just being an 'indicator' if someone is too big?

I'm going to Cedar Point next week and i was just there like a couple of weeks ago. I never went on the Millenium Force though. I plan on going on it this time but i am 5 11 and weigh 205 pounds with a 36 inch waist. Does this mean that i cannot go on the ride? This is crazy!!! I've been going to Cedar Point for so long and have not had trouble with this. This is retarded!!! What has happened here?????

"If the restraints are used and positioned properly, it doesn't matter the forces, you will stay in the seat."

More irnogance from enthusiasts... When you weight 300 lbs and -2.4 g's are exerted on your LEGS (as was the case on PP), thats 700 pounds of fource pulling UP on your legs. Dislocated thema dn ripped on in half. DOnt even try to tell me forces can't rip riders right out of the restraints, you obviously have no clue what you're talking about.

I am upset about the new restraints on Millenium Force. I'm only 240, 6'2", and a 36 waist, and they pulled me out of my group of friends to try on the tester seat. Seeing that I'm the only kid over 150 in my group of friends, this was pretty embarrassing. The attendant had to help me with the belt, but I fit. I sat in the seat a good 45 seconds and many people passed me on their way to the que. It was embarrassing watching these people pass me. I then had to stand for a good 2 hours next to these people in line, constantly reminded that I was the kid who had to try out the seat.

Once again in the station, the ride op had to help me with the belt. I was not the only one on my train that needed assistance. There were multiple people in every train that needed assistance.

My experience nearly ruined my day and I do not plan to go back to Cedar Point until this situation is rectified.