Larger women - 2015 - help!

Hi all,

First off, I'm really sorry to bring up this topic to those that are sick of it... I totally understand, but if anyone could give me some current information (for the 2015 season if possible) on the state of the seatbelts for MF and TTD, I would love them forever.

Here's the deal.... I'm a super roller coaster lover and CP is my favorite place. I got to go for the first time in 2009 and rode everything. I honestly don't know how I am size-wise compared to then, but I'm worried I might be a little bigger... and of course... I can't for the life of me remember if it was a tight fit for me back then or not. I only know that I rode everything and I *think* I was around a size 16-18, maybe 200-210 pounds.

Now, I'm probably more like an 18-20 and unfortunately I have a skinny waist compared to my giant butt and thighs, which I understand is the worst possible way I could be. I'm going to Cedar Point next month for the first time in 6 years... and I'm definitely working to lose a little weight before then, but in the event that I don't, I would so *love* some current season feedback on who is fitting in the coasters so I can at least be prepared. I'd especially love some feedback from other women with a similar shape to mine.

Annnnnd as I have obsessively stalked this forum looking for all information on this topic, I see that sometimes people share which color trains and which seats have longer seatbelts. For instance, I've read that the red train on MF has longer belts, but I don't know if that's still true this season or not. If anyone going this season could tell me if they notice a big difference on any of the trains, I would seriously love you forever. I'll be super sad if I can't ride MF especially, I loved it so much last time I was there. FWIW I definitely worried about this same issue before that trip too, and it worked out... I hope it will again, but I want to be prepared just in case!

I'm having problems in the plump department also ever since I was started on medication for a health issue about 3 years ago. After this winter I was paranoid I wouldn't fit because some of last summer's clothes are a no go already. I'm between 220 and 225 depending on the day and wearing an 18-20 but carrying a lot around the middle lately. So far this year I have been fine on Millenium Force, Dragster, Blue Streak, GateKeeper, Iron Dragon, Maverick, Raptor, Gemini and Mean Streak. Some are tight. The others we didn't ride yet because of down time or long lines.

I'm 5'11" and wear a size 14. I can barely fit on the Blue Streak, Mean Streak, or Mine Ride. Anything that has an over-the-head restraint, I'm fine with. It's just the ones with a seat belt and narrow seats that I barely fit in.

Based upon your post, whether you "fit" or not shouldn't even be a question. You're a normal woman.

Unfortunately... As much as I love roller coasters and CP, it's the Abercrombie of Amusement Parks.

I'm a guy, so my proportions are a little different. There was a time in my life though where I used to weigh over 400lbs (seriously). I'm very sensitive to the whole "size" thing. I think that the seat belts on Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster are an abomination.

I've been in the park several times this year. The Millenium trains have been refurbished and seem to have new belts. The Dragster trains are the same as ever, but also seem to have new belts.

The belts feel very much feel shorter to me this year. I'm currently a size 38" waist. Last year I had about 4" of slack on the belt. This year it's around 2". I'm wearing the exact same pair of pants.

I do know that my mother has lost a ton of weight since last year. She was able to fit into Dragster and Millenium when she got down to an 18... You may be OK.

It really comes down to your proportions. Also... some of the ride-ops are more "helpful" than others.

If Cedar Point is truly a park for "families" and not just "teenagers" then they need to outfit their rides with restraints that fit normal Americans. This is not Europe.

I have a size 38 waist, same as last year, and this year it seems like I'm having a harder time fastening the belt on Millennium. The buckle side is very short and there's not a lot of room for adjustment on the tongue side. Once I'm able to get it latched I can tighten the belt up a bit but not by much.

Mystical Matthew said:

If Cedar Point is truly a park for "families" and not just "teenagers" then they need to outfit their rides with restraints that fit normal Americans. This is not Europe.

Or, maybe the problem lies on a deeper level. Instead of encouraging obesity, they can stick with the seats they have, that seem to accommodate most riders.

Mystical Matthew said:

Cedar Point is truly a park for "families" and not just "teenagers" then they need to outfit their rides with restraints that fit normal Americans. This is not Europe.

Lay off the chips and hop on the treadmill. Blue Streak's seats are tiny, but were the right size in the 60's. Now Americans are growing fatter and fatter. Most ride manufactures are not American, and won't be specially changing their seats to fit obese people.

On Millennium, I know from experience that the red train is the best. Specifically, the seventh row on the right side. I have family and friends that have used this seat that couldn't sit anywhere else, and I've never had them turned away in doing so.
That being said, I do agree with the two statements above. People need to stop complaining that the restraints are too small, as they do fit the majority of people. I think that if you enjoy coasters that much, you'd make sure you don't get to where you can't ride them, or use them as motivation to lose weight. But if someone is to be turned away because they do not fit on a ride, blaming the manufacturer or the park is putting the blame in the wrong area.

Not only fitting on coasters, obesity is a general health issue that can cause major problems for a person down the road. Walking around CP is actually great for losing weight, in a full day you can easily walk nine or ten miles. Just lay off the funnel cakes and get grilled chicken and a salad when it is time to eat, and fill those souvenir cups with some of the Coca Cola Zero products.

^She needs a ride guide not a diet plan. She already mentioned that she will try to loose the weight, but assuming someone is overweight because they are eating too many funnel cakes is offensive. You do not know her situation. Some people gain weight for a number of reasons. I gained weight because of a medication I used to take. I'm just saying do not assume she's an overeater just because she is slightly overweight.

MF and Dragster are the worst. I know they changed them in recent years and made them tighter. GateKeeper is very forgiving and comfortable. Maverick has new restraints, but I dont know how busty you are. I am 6'5" and 235 lbs and rides like MF and Dragster are still kind of tight. My wife has a big booty and average legs and she cannot ride MF or Dragster.

Did I say that she is overweight because she eats funnel cakes? No. That was just a general comment to anyone reading that walking through the park burns calories but eating funnel cakes would negate that. It wasn't directed at anyone in particular, especially the original poster. You are being overly sensitive.

By the same token, how do YOU know that she "slightly overweight"? Depending on her height she can range from slightly overweight to morbidly obese.

It's pretty simple, though. If you've got a medical condition or medication that's going to make you gain weight, you make the necessary changes to avoid, or at least minimize the side effects.

I speak with experience, so don't even tell me I have "no idea what it's like" or whatever.

I really hate to come right out and say it like this, but there's just no other way. MF, Dragster, etc.. are built around "average" - If you can't fit in those rides, then "average" you are not.

I recently lost 35 lbs with CrossFit and diet, and I'd like to lose another 25 or so, but I'm wearing 36" jeans (that are falling off) and 34" or 36" shorts, and I can pull 4" or more of slack in MF this year.

I'm a 38 waist and I fit on MF and Dragster just fine this year. Only one that gives me trouble is WT. I WOS's on that once.

Yeah, something with WT is crazy - it pinches my shoulders up top before it even hits my legs. It's pretty uncomfortable and I haven't really cared to ride it recently. I did the test seat last week because it was closed, and it still seems kind of strange.

Dill7198 said:

On Millennium, I know from experience that the red train is the best. Specifically, the seventh row on the right side. I have family and friends that have used this seat that couldn't sit anywhere else, and I've never had them turned away in doing so.

Thanks.... is this for 2015? I was worried that since MF has new belts that this might not be the case anymore. JIC I will definitely memorize this information and try to get that seat.

I don't particularly wish to see this thread turn into a debate about whether Americans should be less fat... lol. I didn't complain that the seatbelts are unfair. I was just hoping to get some concrete information on what I can expect when I get to the park and what might increase my chances of being able to ride. FWIW, I know for a fact that plenty of men that are a lot fatter than me, with a foot of waistline that I don't have, can ride MF easily.... whereas I have a skinny waist but wide hips, which is what might be problematic.

Also, since apparently there's some question about it, I'm tall (5'9). And I hate funnel cakes lol. I'm not insulted, I will only repeat, my issue is definitely not about being obese. It's about my unfortunate particular body proportions and my wide hips and butt. I wear a size 14 dress but size 18 pants because of this.

Any tips for buckling the seatbelt more easily? Is it easier if someone else buckles it for me? I really hope the seatbelts aren't significantly shorter than they were in 2009 when I rode everything (MF, TTD, WT) fine... :( I am not interested in blaming the manufacturer or CP, but it doesn't seem like much to ask for some consistency.

Also, I just want to ask again, if there are any women out there that are close to my size and proportions that can give me an idea of what to expect. Or if you know any women that wouldn't mind sharing their size and whether they can ride or not. I really do appreciate Paisley and Matthew's comments as they give me some hope!

I think you should be ok. It is certainly easier if someone else buckles the belt, most times the ride operators will do it for you if they see someone struggling to buckle the belt into the latch. Since you have a slim waist, maybe routing the belt so it is more on your waist then on your hips may help, don't know though, just a thought.

If you rode in 2009 you should be OK. I think they replace belts when the are worn to a certain point, so the new belt may be a little different in size, but nothing that should prevent a previous rider from not riding. I had about three inches of slack in the belt this year, about the same as previous years. I don't remember specifics about 2009 though.

The location of the buckles is part of the problem. I have to twist in a way that works against the belt reaching the other end, then my shirt gets in the way etc.

Pete said:

By the same token, how do YOU know that she "slightly overweight"? Depending on her height she can range from slightly overweight to morbidly obese.

Because she said she had a thin waist. If she was morbidly obese she wouldnt have even posted this. Also, she said she was a size 20 if you actually read all of what she wrote. My wife is a size 20, and I consider that slightly overweight.

Hey, I'm not judging. I'm offering encouragement and criticism because I went through it. I denied my fatness until someone straight up called me out on it. I never got to the point that I couldn't ride MF, but I won't deny that I was worried about it. I was more concerned with my knee injury that seemed to be aggravated by carrying all the extra weight - to the point that I couldn't bend my leg when I was done walking around all day. That has improved in a major way since I've lost, and I'm hoping it'll be completely gone once I get down to my ultimate goal.

Whether or not you want the debate to happen, it needs to happen. Obesity is a huge problem in America and the rest of the world.