LARGE rider accomodation

Ok, reading the other thread (Singling Out Large People) has me a little worried about my CP trip this weekend. I've only been to the point once before in May of 2001.

FYI - 6'1" (just shy of 6'2") and 260lbs. When I was at the CP last year I rode everything except the following: Blue Streak (seatbelt issue), Raptor (lines too long), Mantis (lines too long). That *#$@ Blue Streak seatbelt just wouldn't reach - although I didn't have a ride op try to fasten it. The MF seatbelt (lake side) was a tight fit as well as the Mean Streak seatbelt.

Besides losing weight, which I'm working on and have last 10lbs so far, any other advice from ride-ops or other + size guests? Someone was mentioning the right side (landside - not lakeside) seatbelts on MF being easier to fasten. Any other ideas?

I frequently visit King's Island and have no problems with any of the ride restraints (Face Off, SOB, Beast, Racers, Top Gun, Drop Zone, Vortex, Tomb Raider - even no problem with Beastie or Taxi Jam kiddies). Also, I've never had a problem on a B&M inverted, standup or sit down, although it is snug.

Anyone else out there with similar porportions been to the point lately?

Where are the enforcing new restrictions? What are they?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Greg Shelton
Nashville, TN

Well, I don't really have much of a problem , but I will try and answer some of your questions.

Mean Streak and Blue Streak belts should be about the same length, it sounds like you just got a shorter belt.

Millennium Force had it seatbelts shortened a tad this year. I don't think one side is any shorter than the other but like all the rides will vary a bit. I will check this weekend to see if I can tell a difference.

Wicked Twister may be a problem as it is more sung than a B&M inverter, but I think Twister's restraints will be more of a trouble if your weight is in the shoulders. One thing I have noticed is the back right seat has a little longer belt than the back left.

As far as restrictions, they seem to vary from ride to ride and operator to operator, Some will help fasten belts and others won't.

My husband at 6'4" and 260 couldn't ride WT, but I'm sure it was because of his shoulders, and it was just a barely couldn't fit. I think you'll be able to fit on WT because you are a bit shorter, but you can check the test seat.(BTW, he was in the back right seat on WT).

He has no problems with Raptor's restraints, but Tomb Raider was a tight fit for him. Since you can fit into TR with no problem, I suspect Raptor will be no problem as well.

Ride ops on MF generally help to fasten belts.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

It took me three months this summer to finally fit into WT. The restraints in the other coasters have been fine for the most part. Raptor and Mantis were problems (quite snug) until August. (35 pounds makes a big difference.)

I still struggle with getting some of the darned restraints latched, but not because I can't fit into them (anymore). The ride ops are usually pretty good about helping me out, though.

Hang in there with losing the weight.

Laura

Question - Any responses would be appreciated.

What is the reasoning behind retrofitting all the rides that I have loved for years? Prime examples, Mantis had a good track record that I was aware of, then in 1999 - they added the seatbelts. Millenium Force - this year they shortened the lap belts? why would they do this, if these rides had good safety records previous to these dates. I am a larger rider, and I can still fit into both of these rides. But honestly, it is a little bit of a tight fit, and wicked twister has prompted me to diet, as I haven't been able to fit on that at all. I guess, the long and the short of what I am asking is why is what was safe two and three years ago not safe today. Thanks for any and all insightful replies.

I think CP works on the principle of "better safe than sorry". It's possible that some state standards may have changed as well.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

Mantis: The B&M stand-ups had a habit of coming loose or opening, even if only a click or two. I know it has happened to a few people here since the belts were added.

Millennium Force: A 300+ pound rider on Perilous Plunge at sister park Knott's Berry Farm was ejected and fell to her death. The ride had very similar restraints. Obviously with short belts, larger people simply can't ride.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

My family went this summer. I can't speak for all the rides, but my father wnt on MF an Mantis without any problems than the stomach ones. He's 5'10", and is around 255.

By stomach problems, I mean that he was starting to get ill from all the spinning rides I took him on.

fyi - i got back from my CP trip Sunday night and had no real problems to speak of. I didn't bother with Blue Streak or Mean Streak, but everything else was fine. Wicked Twister requied the ride op to fasten the belt for me, but had no problems otherwise.

Thanks for the replies.

Glad you posted gbs! I was wondering how your trip went.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead