NEW Policy with MF seatbelts?

That sucks! The back seat is the best! It seems like its alot faster in the back, but it isn't... :(

I was just reading PacDude's post, specifically the part about Hypersonic.

Perhaps I read this wrong, but was PacDude trying to say that an air-launch and hydraulic-launch coaster are the same thing? Since he's grouping launch coasters into one category, why didn't he cite an LIM-powered coaster as well?

I did Hypersonic at PKD last summer and found it nowhere near the rush of Dragster. For that matter, I didn't think Hypersonic was anywhere close to being the best coaster in that park. For my money, Volcano rules, despite being a product of that Swiss manufactuer that should remain nameless. At least the restraints on Volcano, were more forgiving than those on Wicked Twister.

Anyway, I'm off topic here, for which I apologize, but I thought PacDude's post merited a response of some sort.

I still love MF (there, I'm back on topic.)

I think I mentioned Wicked Twister in a comparison to TTD (in terms of smoothness of the launch). Isn't it LIM powered? But the average LIM doesn't come close to the launch of either TTD or Hypersonic (which are much more comparable). Whether TTD felt more "thrilling" to you or not doesn't change the fact that Hypersonic accelerates MUCH harder than TTD (I think TTD would need to be closer to 178mph in 4 seconds to compare or do 120mph in 2.7 seconds. I certainly could tell Hypersonic was MUCH more intense than TTD. Faster is not the same thing as acceleration. I'd agree TTD is more comfortable and for me more "fun" (Hypersonic almost knocks the wind out of you), but TTD is pretty tame by comparison, IMO.

As for Volcano, it may be more 'fun' than Hypersonic, but I'm talking about sheer acceleration here. The LIMs out there don't really compare. I know I got a better 'thrill' on Wicked Twister last Sunday than MF for some reason (not paying attention when it launched caught me by surprise and might have had something to do with it). So what is fun at any given moment can vary.

What would really be needed to make TTD more than just a one-shot wonder is to have a full-blown track after the hill/launch and turn it into a full blown coaster, not just a test track with a horseshoe turn-around. I'm sure the cost of adding that after the launch station and tower would have been absolutely mind-blowingly high (it was already what, $30 million?). Maybe if its popularity wanes enough in the future, they can convert it to do more than just go up and down one hill (which is pretty lame for a "coaster" when you really think about it). I mean that's one heck of a waste of 120mph. TTD (as a full blown roller coaster) could have made MF pale. As it is, I'd agree MF has way more staying power in the long run. TTD is a good quick thrill and has little more to offer coaster fans. Plunk another $30 million into track for it (not sure there's room where it's sitting, though) and it might be a real coaster contender.

I can't help but think of the old Super Loop at Kennywood. That was the first "launch" coaster I ever rode (catapault flywheel system of some kind) and thus I'd say it was a real kick in the pants at the time. It was also the first backwards looper I've ever been on so that made it new and different also. It also wasn't very popular for very long because it was also a one-shot wonder of its time. The last I heard it was in Mexico or something now. I think Kennywood probably could have found room somewhere for it when they built The Steel Phantom, but I can see why they sold it. I liked it, but people tended to either be afraid of it or had ridden it enough times to be bored with just going in a straight line and then coming back. I'm afraid sooner or later TTD will be the same way. The line was already down to a mere 1 hour last Sunday (and it had been closed 3/4 the day due to weather). I waited considerably longer for MF. I think that in and of itself says something about TTD's long term appeal.

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PacDude said:

What would really be needed to make TTD more than just a one-shot wonder is to have a full-blown track after the hill/launch and turn it into a full blown coaster, not just a test track with a horseshoe turn-around. I'm sure the cost of adding that after the launch station and tower would have been absolutely mind-blowingly high (it was already what, $30 million?). Maybe if its popularity wanes enough in the future, they can convert it to do more than just go up and down one hill (which is pretty lame for a "coaster" when you really think about it). I mean that's one heck of a waste of 120mph. TTD (as a full blown roller coaster) could have made MF pale. As it is, I'd agree MF has way more staying power in the long run. TTD is a good quick thrill and has little more to offer coaster fans. Plunk another $30 million into track for it (not sure there's room where it's sitting, though) and it might be a real coaster contender.

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So your saying you want a Millennium Force that goes 120 MPH? That would cause some serious bruises. A roller-coaster cannot operate that long at the speed, it could hurt people.

Who said it has to keep going 120mph? After the first drop back down the tower, it's not going to go that fast and in fact doesn't have to go anywhere near that fast (options ranging from braking to just cutting the drops shorter after the first one would all slow it down).

That would be realy cool!!! It would probably pack some great airtime!

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Shane Denmark said:

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CurrentlyDownDueTo FillInTheBlank said:

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He lost almost 100 pounds in 3 months

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No way is that true. Cancer patients don't even lose like that.quote]

Wanna bet? In late October 2002 my father found out he had cancer running rampant through his liver, throat, and stomach. He weighed 285lbs when he was diagnosed. He passed away on January 31st (a day after his 49th birthday) 2003, and weighed 160lbs. Not trying to be a know it all, just saying watch the "cancer patient" references because it's a God awful disease and a lot of people have watched loved ones waste away before their eyes because of it... *** Edited 7/25/2004 6:25:20 PM UTC by Shane Denmark***

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I KNOW what cancer can do to people. I was not trying to be mean, at all, and I am really sorry that you got that impression. I felt that his post really exaggerated. My Grandfather passed Sunday morning after a 10 year battle with cancer. I know how hard it is to watch somone suffer. My Aunt just celebrated her 10 year remission from Brain Cancer. God bless her...she'll never grow her hair back and doesn't wear a wig! She has a scarecrow t-shirt that says: "If I only had a brain". I am really sorry to hear about your Father. I know what you are feeling.

If you read my post I made about a couple weeks ago "about saftey Restraints" it tells about a recent letter Cedar Point sent me about them and I will post it here again.

Thank you for your interest in Cedar Point and for checking in advance of seat accommodations.

You have heard correctly that all seatbelts must be tighten an inch prior to being cleared for dispatch at Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. This season, all seatbelts at these rides are consistently the same length as well, per manufacturers requirements. Because of this change, the restraint system is more confining than before and some guests who rode Millennium Force in prior seasons, may not be able to ride this summer.

Safety of each of our guests is first priority at Cedar Point. All passenger restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder harnesses and seatbelts, must be positioned and fastened properly to allow guests to ride.

Due to rider restraint system requirements, guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, males who exceed 6’2", and those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40" waistline or 52" chest or females who exceed 200 pounds or wear size 18 or larger. Each person has different body proportions, so it is impossible to determine exact size and weight.

For safety reasons and per manufacturer’s instructions, we do not have seat belt extensions. The lap bar must lock and the seat belt must fasten. The seatbelts are an additional safety precaution to ensure that the harnesses or lapbars are lowered to the proper position to safely restrain each guest during the dynamics of the ride.

Our larger guests may experience difficulty on Millennium Force, Raptor, Mantis, Mine Ride, Blue Streak, Power Tower, Monster, Wave Swinger, Disaster Transport, Chaos, Corkscrew, Monster, Wicked Twister, Wildcat, Mean Streak, Top Thrill Dragster, RipCord and most Soak City attractions. These rides are designed by several different manufacturers who each have strict but different safety standards that may not be altered.

We have test seats at entrances of Millennium Force, Wicked Twister, Top Thrill Dragster and Raptor. During your visit, we recommend using the test seat that is located at the queue entrance to determine if you are able to ride. You may ask to enter the rides without test seats via the exit to ensure the restraints function properly prior to waiting in line for the rides not listed above.

We apologize for this inconvenience. However, it is imperative that we enforce all the rules and regulations required by the manufacturer.

We hope you enjoy your visit.

Peggy Bertsch

Director, Training and Development

Park Operations

Like I said, I was 255 lbs, 42" waist a couple of weeks back at CP and had no trouble getting 1" of slack on either MF or TTD. So don't take 240lbs & 40" as gospel.

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thepointrules said:
The seatbelts are an additional safety precaution to ensure that the harnesses or lapbars are lowered to the proper position to safely restrain each guest during the dynamics of the ride.

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OMG, that is the biggest load of horse$#!^ that I have ever heard. The seatbelt does nothing to ensure that the bar can be lowered even further. The two systems are completely exclusive and intentionally redundant (should one fail, the other will hopefully hold and keep you in place). I mean last time I checked they weren't issuing corsets for people to wear were they? That would help people fit better.

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PacDude said:
Well, I'm going to CP today regardless. I've lost 37 lbs since March (Atkins at first + lately a low calorie diet since Atkins stalled after 3 months; don't believe you can eat all you want as long as you keep your carbs low. I had them less than 20g a day and I still wasn't losing weight after it stalled after 2-3 months). I now keep carbs lower than normal, but watch calories instead (carbs are way above Atkins levels now) and the weight has resumed dropping again, rather rapidly the past few days at that. I only wished I'd switched diets sooner (just switched last week). Atkins alone just flat out doesn't work once your body adjusts to burning fat. Several studies show it stop working over long lengths of time and I'm guessing that's why. I've been walking over a mile day so it's not like I haven't been getting any exercise. 1200 calories or so is way more effective in the long run than keeping carbs low alone. It's also MUCH harder to do as you get hungrier than on Atkins. But after almost 2 months stalled at around 260 lbs, I got sick of it. Atkins seems to maintain weight very well, though. I never really gained weight on it no matter how much meat & cheese I ate. The losses just slowed an then finally stopped. I've heard you body can't store new fat very well when in ketosis, so that might have something to do with it.

I'm 255 lbs today at 6'2" and wearing 42" size jeans. From what I've read, I probably won't fit on MF with the new rules (I was able to ride last year at 285+ lbs and was 4"-5" wider around the waste; you'd think that would equate to at least 2" of slack now, but I'm not counting on it). But then my weight distribution seems a little different from some by comments on here (I've gotten my belt fastened on MF before at 293lbs the first wearing 48" pants the first season for MF, which some said isn't possible).

I'm just hoping to ride TTD (which wasn't running last year the first time and had a 4 hour wait the 2nd time so I didn't ride) and get lots of rides in on Gemini and Magnum. If I can fit on MF, great. If I don't fit, maybe I'll be under 240 before the season ends now that my weight loss has resumed.

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Pac, I have to strongly disagree with your comments regarding the Atkins diet. As the book and website says, the *majority* of the population will do and does exceptionally well on this diet. There will always be a small percentage of people (like you) who do not do very well on it, which mainly has to do with your own body. This happens with all diets, but there is a diet out there for everyone, that when found, it works great!

Take me for instance: At the age of 22, I was 6' and 270lbs! I tried EVERYTHING to lose the weight and I mean EVERYTHING! My friend started Atkins last June and was getting results weekly, 3-4 pounds per week after the initial 10 pounds or so from the first week on induction. By Christmas of last year, he went from 277 to 185! Finally, I got the will power to do this. I started new years day of this year, the first week I dropped 12 pounds, second week 6, third week 8 and then it maxed out to about 3-4 per week. By the beginning of June of this year I weighed in at 165lbs! Never once did I ever stall out, never once did I ever lose less then 3 pounds per week. So I would strongly advise you not to give such a strong opinion to people who might be thinking about the Atkins diet. Just because it didn't work in the long run for you, doesn't mean it wont for them (because honestly you were in the 'minority' with this, most people have the complete opposite experience with Atkins then you did.) The diet just wasn’t for you, but you found one that was and that’s great. I don’t also just give reference from myself and my friend, but I know about 30 people or so at work who have all done Atkins, and ever single one of them reached their goals in no time at all, not one of them stalled or anything.

So for anyone else here thinking about jumping on the Atkins diet, I'm confident in saying that you will succeed and you won't be sorry you did it.

BTW, I stayed on the 'induction level' for the entire 6 months. The book and the website say, depending on how much weight you have to lose, you CAN stay on induction from 6 months as far as a year (providing your health stays good and you feel good). If you chose to move up the ladder in the Atkins phases before you goal, you will continue to lose but at a MUCH SLOWER rate. For instance, if I had moved up the chain after the 2 week recommended induction level stage, it probably would have taken me to the end of this year to lose 100 pounds, which I was NOT having:) And no, I don't have lose skin or anything like that. If you saw me with my shirt off, you would NEVER know that I was ever fat before unless you knew me prior to my weight loss.

Good luck to anyone who is going through weight loss!

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you CAN stay on induction from 6 months as far as a year

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I've been on a doctor supervised, modified fast since June 2. I see either the doctor or the dietician every two weeks, with blood tests once a month. I'm also taking a variety of supplements - some prescription.

These programs can produce results, but I would advise doing it only under the close watch of a doctor.

This is my take on the Millennium Force SeatBelt rule: (Please keep in mind, this is only my opinion.)

I think the reason for the 1 inch of slack is not only for safety but to ensure that the ride ops are checking each and every passenger. I know Cedar Point hasn't had problems with ride ops not checking restraints in the past (especially on MF) but adding the one inch of slack rule almost guarantee's that the ride op's check your seatbelt and your lap bar.

The following statement is also only a suggestion: (please don't flame me)

I know there are alot of things that Guests of Exceptional Size can do while at the Point if they cannot ride, but most Guests of Exceptional Size go with friends and family who don't want to watch the shows or play games and they tend to end up just sitting at the exits, waiting for everyone to get off the rides.

In order for a Guest of Exceptional Size to have fun at CP, they have to go with another Guest of Exceptional Size, with someone who doesn't want to ride anything, or by themselves. Fun!

Cedar Point should implement a "Guest of Exceptional Size Rate" To determine if you qualify for the "Guest of Exceptional Size" rate, Cedar Point could have a certain area (in a building to eliminate embarassment) for those looking to qualify for this rate and have test seats for MF, TTD, Raptor, WT, PT, Mantis, and a few others.

If the guest cannot fit into 5 or so of the test seats than they should qualify for the "Guest of Exceptional Size Rate"

This rate should also be good for those who are pregnant, disabled, or too tall to ride.

*** Edited 8/11/2004 5:42:03 AM UTC by Detroit Basketball***

I think all the parks should put OTSR'S on all the roller coasters and everyone would be able to ride

what about someone who's really tall? If the OTSR's can't come down, they can't ride, so I guess that idea just won't work either.

^^

Yeah but CP is WAY more than just roller coasters. So the "fat people" can still do other things in the park.

Exactly Timber! If I couldn't have made the MF when I went in June, I would have accepted the Ride Op's decision, and had fun elsewhere.

As a previous member of the group of people (recently called here "fat people"), can we please refer to "those people" as "GOES" ("Guests of Exceptional Size")? I think that's also an acronym for a weather do-dad orbiting the Earth.

MrScott

(spelling) *** Edited 8/10/2004 9:55:48 PM UTC by MrScott***

Okay I know I am coming into this conversation very late in the game, but I do have some questions and I hope someone can help a brotha out.

I am going to Cedar Point in about 2 weeks and like many people on this site, I have lost weight since the summer began. In two months, I have lost about 50lbs. Right now, I can fit into a 40 waist pants by Old Navy and Docker pants standards. I figure in 2 weeks, I still can lose a little more weight.

Now I remember I went last year when I was about this size (Damn college) and I remember something like a little bit of the seat belt partition (sp?) off, but I think that I was even able to pull the seat belt a little further, but I'm not sure.

My question is, with my weight, about 252lbs, height, 6'1, and waist size 40, in your opinion, do you think I will be able to ride. Also, does the seat belt really go over your waist or over your thighs?

Jeff, I'm 5'11 and I weigh 269. I buckle the seat belt just fine. Just sit at the test and buckle it over and over till you get the hang of it and figure out the angles you need to get it. But I"m a big guy and I have no prolbems what so ever. Accutally yesterday was the first time I got to ride Milly. Was abousltey amazing and the wieght loss was well worth it. I used to weigh about 330. It was aboulsety amazing ride.