I am glad that other people are starting to post topics about being denied access to rides. I , for the first time in my coaster riding was denied access to V2 at SFGAm. The OTSR fit fine but the belt that was attached to the side just missed fastening. I felt like(dog doo, feces,poop, extrement, human waste). I think that basically covers the "SH" word. Something has to be done here. Not everyone can be a skinny, teenager.
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Chitown, who is not fat. He is 6ft 3inches, with some girth.
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""Coaster riding is a disease and SFGAm is the cure!!!!!!!""
IMO, Coasters are designed to safely keep riders in place during the ride. I would guess coaster designers try to accomodate the majority of park patrons. Look around at most parks, the average rider is a smaller built teenager, early 20s type. Most wild rides have a limit of 48 to 54 inches. If rides were designed around bigger people, then the height limits would have to be increased, thus discluding more people than the current designs.
The Colossus accident at Magic Mt was a case of a rider who was too big (very short woman weighing over 200 pounds) for the lap bar to close. This was also a case of the park ops not verifying the bar was closed/allowing a person to ride that shouldn't have been. If riders are not allowed to ride because of their weight, it is because their saftey is the parks priority.
I think B&M has taken the right approach for larger riders to ride. More coaster companies should follow B&M's lead. There is no reason why someone taller or larger in the waist shouldn't be able to ride rollercoasters too. Safety is an issue, but with a proper restraint system even larger riders can ride too.
As the restraints and belts become larger the height limits will go up, thus letting even less people ride. I can pull the restraint on any coaster down about as far as it will go with about 2 inches to spare maybe more (not including any restraint that always fits snugly no mater you size ex. B+M hyper). Americans are not BIG. They are fat and that is the truth. Everyone says, "I have a big build". 90% of the time that is not true, theyt are just fat. I'm sorry, but this is true.
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Talon=Awesome
When I went on X-flight over the weekend I had some concerns as well.. I'm 5'10" around 250 lbs.(I'm trying to lose weight now,lost 10 lbs so far)
I heard of a weight limitation for this nightmare ride was 265 Lbs. I was Worried if I'd break the restraint and fly off the coaster. but was EXTREMELY surprised and happy on the restraints on X-Flight they are so comfortable ! They fit more like a vest and were padded and a little flexible ! They snap in front like a life jacket
and are like padded car seat belts which are attached to the back of the seat, they seem to be adjustable.. the ride op gave a tug on some yellow loops and it tighten me in nice and snug not uncomfortable at all. I have buddies who are body builders who have big chests and arms ( not fat ..Muscular ) who have a real problem with horse collars on most inverts. These new type restraints could replace the old horse collars .hopefully we will see more of these in the future of inverts ( way to go vekoma !) those on batwing will know what I'm talking about ...I'm not sure if stealth had this padded restraint .... I'm just glad X-flight Did !
( and I'll be riding that insanely twisted of idea of a coaster again today YEEE - HAW ! )
Why can't they put seat belts on the coasters that are like the ones on vehicles. You pull it out and let it slide back in then have it lock. I am sure it's possible, if they can launch a coaster train at 100 mph. they put retractable seat belts on a roller coaster train.
What I mean is we have a '94 Blazer and if you pull the seat belts all the way out then let them back in they click. If you let the belt rest up against you then try to lean forward you can't, it's locked at the point where you stopped it from going back in. I am pretty sure this is to keep child car seats in place.
This would be great on B&Ms where the seat belts aren't long enough to reach the restraint. Also on Hypers and rides like MF where the belt is only so long and if you can't buckle the belt you can't ride.
The retractable seat belts probably arent used because they would not withstand all the wear and tear of the 1000s of riders that would be getting in and out of them each day, unlike a car, which may have the seatbelt connected/unconnected 5-10 times during a day on average.
Update on this issue:
I am 5'8 and weigh 250 lbs. I have aprox. 43" waist. I was at PKD on 7/3/01 and was able to ride the Hypersonic. No one was kicked out of the line for being too large. However, there was one extremely large woman who was not able to ride. It was not due to lack of effort, the ride ops. did everything they could to get her to fit.
I've never had a problem, but if I did I would complain.
