No rides for dad

Fixed, thanks!

Test seats at the gate--yes, to be able to make an informed decision whether to enter the park for myself, or other borderline sized/shaped patrons, since seatbelt sizes vary per ride and cannot be described in full or accurate detail in the booklet.

The rides were originally designed to accomodate larger patrons (adults). I work with a number of guys that rode Millenium and other coasters when they first opened and had no issues.

CP can do whatever they want in the name of safety--they can start weighing people at the gate, make them provide doctor's notes, take a breathalyzer test, wear parachutes and swimfins or whatever they want. Boils down to what's reasonable and what's not, and that's directly reflected by how many people continue to visit the park.

I'm sure the belt limits are a liability issue with the equipment--someone, somewhere, got sued and this is how they decided to fix it. Unfortunately policies like this can get carried away to the point where the facility is no longer profitable--Splash Down in the Dunes, a waterpark in Chesterton IN, being a prime example.

What to do if I found I couldn't fit at the gate? Probably let my family enjoy the park while I went and did something else in Sandusky.

Chase Gilbert said:
^^They may be coal, but they use the coal to make steam to power the locomotive ;)

See I did learn something! :)
Thanks for the info!!
I find it rather odd that with this whole "green thing" going on CP still uses coal...doesnt seem very green to me. But, what do I know? :)

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 2231 :)

While the situation is regrettable, I have no pity for you, given that their policy is clearly stated on their web site, including where they specifically tell people with a waist measurement of 40+" they may have difficulty fitting safely on rides. As with most things, you need to read the fine print. If you don't you sort of give up your right to complain.

And then there's the fact that there are tons of other things you can do in the park.

There's a fine line between purchases I've regretted and purchases for which I felt I was entitled a refund.

And also, I find it hard to believe that the train was literally the only ride option available to this guy. I've seen all species of Midwest American Land Beasts on the wooden coasters, as well as many other rides, so I would think that a guy with a 42" waist could get on a good portion of the rides, if not some of the bigger stuff. My suspicion is that, since he couldn't get on the 'marque' attractions at the park, he refused to go on anything, in an attempt to build a case for a refund.

Bottom line while you complained about being out $55.00 or whatever it is as large as you are you will be in line for some serious health problems down the road, which will cost you physically as well as financially, You should use this expierence to motivate you to lose some weight and get in shape. Cedar Point owes you nothing!

I was up to 223 pounds in may (a 40 inch waist im down to 203 pounds now (a 38 inch waist) and going. 5'11 in height by the way. It just takes some discipline and will power. The internet is a great help to learning what to eat and avoid at restaurants and at home.Also its not about eating right 100% of the time its about eating right 80+% of the time and portion. Good luck to you.

Not fitting in Magnum is a pretty bad sign. I have a relative who is very large, I'm not sure exactly on his weight, but he is 5'10" and has gotta be 325 lbs and even he fits in Magnum.

Cedar Point's page is actually pretty accurate. I see people with a 40" or even higher sometimes say they fit in Millennium and Dragster, but I have yet to see anyone who measures (not wears) a 38" or lower say they couldn't fit.

While the situation is regrettable, I have no pity for you, given that their policy is clearly stated on their web site, including where they specifically tell people with a waist measurement of 40+" they may have difficulty fitting safely on rides. As with most things, you need to read the fine print. If you don't you sort of give up your right to complain.

And then there's the fact that there are tons of other things you can do in the park.

And I keep reiterating, the handbook is not accurate as the belt lengths (degree of restriction) vary per ride.

I spent the day trying test seats, which CP saw fit to install. I would guess to prevent patrons from wasting time standing in lines. So what's the objection of relocating them to the front gates?

There's absolutely nothing ambiguous or mysterious about their policies regarding "guests of exceptional size":

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, men who exceed 6’2”, or 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 not possible to list exact size and weight.

This information is duplicated on their Rider Safety Guide as well. They clearly state that these are guidelines, and that because people are shaped different, their ability to ride will depend on their size & shape, as well as the attraction in question. If I had a 42" waist, I would have expected to be prohibited from most rides.

It is completely the proportion of said weight if you can ride or not.

I know working on Raptor there were SEVERAL women (with NO waist) who couldnt ride because of the size of their butt and/or chest wouldnt allow the harness to be buckled.

I wonder if they went to park ops and demanded a refund?

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 2231 :)

I'm probably just reiterating what some others have said, but my opinion is that, yes, it is disappointing to not be able to ride, but you still got a day to enjoy your kids enjoying the park. I do not have kids myself, but I know the look of excitement on other children's faces I have seen at Cedar Point and at other parks...its priceless. As a future parent I think I would more concerned about that than about getting a refund, or not entering the park if I didn't fit in seats outside the gate.

On a different note, concerning Raptor Jo's post above....if my girlfriend/wife couldn't ride Raptor because her chest was too big, I think the least of my concerns would be asking for a refund! :)

I'm surprised more people don't feel a wake up call when they can't fit, as opposed to this sense of entitlement. If I couldn't fit I would be pissed off too, but at myself, not the park. The rides are designed to give 2 million people a ride every year, if I can't even fit what does that say about me?

Kyle2154 said:
I'm surprised more people don't feel a wake up call when they can't fit, as opposed to this sense of entitlement. If I couldn't fit I would be pissed off too, but at myself, not the park. The rides are designed to give 2 million people a ride every year, if I can't even fit what does that say about me?

You summed up everything i have said very nicely! I showed this thread to my friend who has lost 60 pound and he just laughed such a sense of entitllement. "I allowed myself to get obeses yet cedar point owes me a refund" just rediculous. Sad to say PLW'S attitude represents too many people in this country.

Put test seats outside the gate? I see at least two or three people take the walk of shame almost every time I'm in line for MF. Some people don't even use the seats at the ride entrance, so why waste the time and money getting another set of seats to put outside the gate?

I've lost 85 pounds and went from a size 44 to a 34-36 inch pant size since january 4th 2010, so it can be done!!!!! Gonna weigh in one last time before we leave for the Point on Friday to see if i have lost anything else since last friday. Big key there, only weigh yourself once a week or you will drive yourself nuts otherwise!

plw said:
And I keep reiterating, the handbook is not accurate as the belt lengths (degree of restriction) vary per ride.

I spent the day trying test seats, which CP saw fit to install. I would guess to prevent patrons from wasting time standing in lines. So what's the objection of relocating them to the front gates?

Why doesn't Disney have to do that? Why doesn't Seaworld, Six Flags, Busch Gardens, or any other park. Relocating the test seats to the front means they could be vandalized and it is a waste of time to the park. The policies are clear on the website and before you get in so by purchasing the ticket, it kinda means you accept the fact and all restrictions with all policies at the park.

Cedar Point has to have the most detailed handbook out of any park I have been to. It is kind of a sign if you can't fit into Magnum that there is a problem. I have seen 300lb people ride with ease.

plw,

I partially sympathize with you on this. I went last summer and starting the previous fall I worked my butt off literally, going from 262lbs to 213lbs by the 4th of July weekend when I went to CP.

Putting the test seats outside of the gates would be cost prohibitive for CP. You pay to get in the park and they don't care if you can't ride, they got your money. They can argue your request for the refund because you experienced Cedar Point, just not all the coasters, etc. To them you pay for the experience. Sounds harsh, and I love CP, but they are in this business to make money.

Also, just as you hear stories of people fitting in the test seats and then not fitting onto the trains, if the test seats are at the gate, people may not fit who would possibly slide through in some circumstances. These people would then leave and CP would be out $45 plus all you'd spend in the park.

It sucks, and I wish a policy would change either for restraints or for the park, but it will never happen. You just gotta lose the weight or deal with the fact that you may miss some of the more exciting rides. And this is coming from a former fat guy.

Come to Halloweekends, everybody fits into the scare zones!

Oh and it is a ridiculous notion that you desereve a refund for refusing, many many many times in this interwebz thread alone, to accept that this is your fault for not paying attention to policies that affect you before entering the park, or heck before getting in the car to leave for the point.

If I had a larger body I would sure as heck read up on the guidelines to make informed decisions about spending money! As it stands I'm 6'3" with a 30" waist and only have problems with my knees banging and getting bruised on the front of some of the older costers seats!

Get over your self-entitled BS please.

Another issue for putting test seats outside the gates would be that CP would need to staff them, and probably have some sort of wristband or whatever that denotes that you can, in fact, fit in the test seat.

And God forbid you fit in the outside test seat, and (for whatever reason - perhaps a small variance in the harness/seat belt) still aren't allowed to ride something. Then CP would have an unwelcome headache on their hands.

Thanks for all the input.

Again, no sense of entitlement. CP installed the seats for borderline riders to be able to check out the fit before riding (versus waiting in lines for hours), and the only cost to them in relocating the seats outside the gate would be in revenue from people not entering the park, whose focus it was to ride the coasters.

This is where I disagree with the no-refund policy. Is there any valid reason for CP to issue a refund? Illness, power failure? Others have also run into this issue and I can't say it's doing the Park's image a lot of good.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/amusement-theme-parks/cedar-point/cedar-point-discrimination-fa-72cmb.htm

Disney (except apparently for the new Potter ride) and most of the other parks I've been too still accomodate larger riders.