Knott's warns off riders of "extreme size"

Sean F., the guy complaining about Drop Zone is a good example as to why the size test should be done before getting in line. If the ride op has to tell the person they are too big, then the person is mad because they've waiting in line all that time, are embarrassed in front of everyone behind him waiting in the line/turnstyles, and thinks the employee is making a personal judgement call. W/ a test seat/booth, there is no question about it - you are too large. Plus it would seem more like a ride mfg or park decision rather than a ride op decision. Put it somewhere hidden as others mentioned.
Personally if I were too large, I'd rather know before hand, rather than in the front of the line.

Make people sign their tickets before entering the park, stating that they have read the saftey rules and promise to abide by them. Then let them ride anything they want. If they get killed, it's their own damn fault. This is how it SHOULD be, unfortunatelly, it probably never WILL be.

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Current favorite coasters:
Wooden: 1) Beast 2) Raven 3) Son of Beast 4) The Boss 5) Timber Wolf
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Visit: http://www.dynamicgroove.com

I think it's a great idea to get the info/ rules out there in front of the public to one, end any ambiquity about the subject and two, eliminate potentially embarrasing situations for a guest.

Other parks should follow the lead.

WOF(worlds of fun) also has thison their park map at the bottom, IT says warning if you are over stature, please do not ride these rides. Something like that. Well out, later.-colin

Raptor Pilot,

I agree, if a guest can't fit in a test seat, that guest shouldn't even enter the line, that is, if they try out the test seat in advance.

I remember the first time I had ever seen a 'larger guest may not be able to ride' sign was in line for King Cobra. This was around 12 years ago I even took a picture of it because I thought it was so odd to see something like that in the park. As the years went by, I noticed more and more signs at other parks, and more people ignoring them.

In the futre, I think we could even see more signs clearly stating the measurements of riders that are not able to ride. It's a touchy subject but I do think it needs to be done.

-Sean

Well, if they adjust the rides for dispropotioned people, with they be required to do the same on aircraft??? Not a chance.

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Def Leppard - "X" - August 2002.

Buzz Head, why should they? Commercial aircraft don't accommodate people of average dimensions!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

The way that article makes it sound, is as if that Knotts was allowing people to ride with restraints that were not properly secured.

Obese people should have the same advantages as non - obese people. Obeseity is a disease.

Moey, it puts parks at fault if they allow anyone too small or too large to ride.

Obesity is a disease true, but the physical aspects of the disease create a safety issue that not only threatens the individual, but can potentially put others at risk as well.

If someone is too embarrassed to use a test seat, that is simply their own problem. If there is a test seat and they are told that they can't ride after an hour's wait, than they have no right to complain.

It shouldn't be a secret thing, with test seats hidden in a room. No one will find them that way. If they feel too embarrassed to use at test seat when provided, then they should not get on the ride.

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Xcelerator-
0-82 in 2.3 seconds! =Wow!

coasterfreaky,

they could also file lawsuits against the park.

Oh boy. Here we go again with the "obesity is a disease" argument again...

Gosh, that was some poor grammar. hah***

Whether obesity is a disease or not isn't relevant. It doesn't matter whether they ate their way to obesity or have some kind of metabolism problem.

People have diseases that cause them to lose their limbs. Nobody is asking amusement park companies to accommodate people without arms or legs on waterslides or rollercoasters. The bottom line is that not everybody can do everything.

Earlier I was serious about being color blind. I am. As such, I cannot become an electrician or a pilot. What is the FAA going to do in order for me to be able to fly a plane? Nothing. And frankly, they shouldn't have too. It is unfortunate for me but that is the way it goes.

For what it is worth... A sign on Alpengeist at BGW states something about the restraints must be able to properly close and that this may not be possible for guests who's chest size is nearing 52".

Not a thing is said about weight, but it is mentioned about size. Again, the distribution of the weight seems to be more of a factor than the weight itself.

Obese people should just ask their doctors if they could go on coasters.

That won't work. I can see it now:

Ride Op: "Sorry, ma'am, the seat belt just won't buckle, you can't ride."

Patron, pulling out letter from doctor: "But my doctor says I can ride!"

To run with Wahoo Skipper's example, insulin-dependent diabetics can't work as commercial pilots (we can obtain private licenses with certain conditions, but not commercial ones). The fact that it's a "disability" (and even in some circumstances falls under the realm of the ADA), doesn't just provide across-the-board immunity saying that diabetics MUST always be accomodated.

The same common sense needs to apply to ride restraints. If a reasonable attempt at a restraint can't accomodate someone, then that stinks, but it's for the riders' own safety.

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--Greg
"Are you justified in taking life to save life?" -- The Great Debate, Dream Theater
My page
*** This post was edited by GregLeg on 4/9/2002. ***

The safety of the parks guests should be the main concern. If an obese person cannot safely ride a roller coaster or amusement ride, then they should not be allowed to ride. It is impossbile to accomodate every group of people. I'm sorry for those people who have this disease, but for your safety and for everyone else's, thats just the way it should be.

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disregard my name, "PKI_ is_the_best"
It is immature and childish to have such a biased name.
Again, forgive me.
-------ADAM (KY COASTER FREAK)

I think the parks should at least allow some sort of discount for obese people who can't fit on certain rides. Most parks have discounted tickets for seniors and children because they are not as likely to ride the more active rides, so they should do the same for obese people.