OTSR - vs Seat Belts

Has anyone forgotten that the B&M hypers also fairly frequently turn away larger guests? Maybe not as frequently as MF or TTD (haven't been to the point in a while) but this isn't just an Intamin issue.

Yeah, AA, they do. However, it isn't due to changing regulations from the manufacturer. People who rode MF and the like two years ago (many of whom are now smaller than they were then) are unable to ride now. That pisses people off (very understandably).

Plus, the go/no-go indicator on the lapbars makes it less of a "Hey, he's picking on me 'cause I'm fat" situation. The 1" slack rule on rides like MF and TTD is more of a judgement call on the part of the ride ops, wouldn't you agree? A red line either showing up or not showing up isn't.

I recently lost 30 pounds so that after missing MF for 2 years I could ride it again (with more than 3 fingers of slack -- and 4 on TTD). I think the first hill on MF is great visually if in the front row, but the stapled in effect severely cuts in on the ability to appreciate the air time (and I was even in the back row). If OTSRs would ensure that I could get the air that I love so much on Magnum, or even Blue Streak, I would be much happier. B&M has it right... Raging Bull and Appollo's Chariot allow you the air that you so want and deserve.

When I can have more fun and air time on Shivering Timbers and Magnum XL and just walk on to both of them at any given time, why should I spend two years fretting about my weight and how many fingers of slack I need just to be plastered to an uncomfortable seat which will not allow me the give that I need in order to enjoy it. SROS at SFA was better for the airtime than MF, IMO.

I just thought after such a long wait, and after losing all of the weight, that I would have had a better experience on MF. I'll stick with TTD (for the height and speed) and Magnum (for the air and pure psychology of the ride), and you all can have the extremely slow load times of MF and get ripped off on the airtime you deserve.

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ApolloAndy said:
Has anyone forgotten that the B&M hypers also fairly frequently turn away larger guests? Maybe not as frequently as MF or TTD (haven't been to the point in a while) but this isn't just an Intamin issue.

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Being too large for a B&M and being too large for MF or TTD are two completely different things. I have never had a problem on any other coasters than MF or TTD. I have never worried about not fitting on Raging Bull, Appollo's Charriott, etc. Yes, one can be too large, but the size issue on the two Intamin CP rides is extreme. Besides, shouldn't I have had problems at S:ROS at SFA, and testing that ride seat I almost had to laugh. I had so much space, two of me could have sat together in my seat.

^I'll have to agree with you on this. I went to the point with a friend who was so close to fitting in both MF and TTD that it was sick and I felt really bad for him.

I have noticed that CP has been making all their seatbelts smaller, even for rides like Blue Streak and Magnum. I figured I could at least fit my friend into Raptor in the big-boy seat, but it's no longer there.

I don't know what's going on there, but I feel bad when I'm with friends who get turned away.

I fit perfectly fine into MF and Dragster and WT last year, but over the winter I lost 35-40 lbs anyway because I thought I was getting fat. I dropped to a 32/33 waist and a Medium shirt size and now I'll never have anything to worry about but I just wish most other people didn't have to worry.

Maybe retractable and locking seatbelts like on Phantom's revenge are the answer?

It seems that a lot of people who can fit with a tight seatbelt have trouble reaching to buckle it, if they had a few extra inches to work with, then let it retract again, there might be a lot more people able to ride.

No one's brought it up yet, I just thought it would be worth mentioning.

-Josh

*** Edited 6/1/2005 8:15:08 PM UTC by Raven-Phile***

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Raven-Phile said:
It seems that a lot of people who can fit with a tight seatbelt have trouble reaching to buckle it, if they had a few extra inches to work with, then let it retract again, there might be a lot more people able to ride.

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I agree with the buckling issue. The ride-ops are fine with my husband buckling me in. I have more than enough room (slack) once I am buckled in. But with shorter arms and a (how do a say this tactfully) larger chest, it makes it impossible for me to buckle myself in.

BTW, Blue Streak has always been a tight fit. It's a good thing you don't need any slack on that. As for Magnum, I have not noticed any larger people not fitting. My issue with that ride though is that if you are not in the first row in the cars, you will get more beat up getting in and out of the seat. I like the front of the cars just for the ease of it (front of the back car is the place for me).

My only other fitting problem at CP was WT in the fall when I had many layers on (again because of the issue above), once I unzippered my extra jackets and sweatshirt, I had no problems on the ride (well, except for being cold). I have no problem fitting on it in the warm weather though.

CP, the roller and small seatbelt coast!

So is height also an issue that could keep you from fitting? For example, could a 6'5 person fit?

I'm 6'5 and around 260lbs, 40" waist. Last year in June, I both could and couldn't fasten the belt on the test seat. I dunno why... One day I wasn't even close to buckling it, the next day it snapped into place no problem and I pulled about 2" slack. Since I wasn't sure if I would be able to do that again given the previous days experience, I rode front seat and had a blast. After my ride, it started to DOWNPOUR. Thunder, hurricane, whatever you want to call it, it was nasty. So I hung out in an arcade and then after the storm I went back to MF... Couldn't buckle the belt on the test seat... I've thought about it and I still have no idea why this happened. Oh, TTD was no problem whatsoever. The op at the gate told me not to even bother with the test seat, but I did anyway just to be safe and avoid an hour wait for nothing...

Many times I hear about people complaining about not being able to ride certain rides, not just roller coasters. I know for a fact that the regulations are not set by parks, they are set by ride manufacturers. Correspondence witht the park will probably not get you anywhere. However, correspondence with ride manufacturers could reap benefits, if done correctly.