Seats/shoulder bars changed?!

Sunday, I rode Wicked Twister for the first time in quite a while, and I got a surprise.

I pulled the shoulder bar down, and had a good two inches of clearance between the top of my shoulder and the underside of the bar.

I've never had any space there before, and I don't think I am any shorter...did they change something on the ride to make it more accommodating?!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

You know, I noticed something like that as well on Sunday. I figured maybe I was just sitting in an unusual position or something though....

I've always had a few inches clearance. Maybe they changed something though?

Let me put it this way: When I rode that ride on press day, I had to strip down to just a T-shirt in order to get the bar to come down far enough for the belt to fasten. I had plenty of gut space, but the bar was down tight against my shoulders. Now my gut is a little smaller, and the bar can actually pull back against my chest because it doesn't even touch my shoulders anymore. Something is different!

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Dave do the shoulder harnesses cleaner, like the look new?

I took a chance on Friday 9/16, not even bothering with the test seat out front, because I was unsuccessful several times before. I am around 250-260 lbs. and somwhere 6' or more tall.

So I get in on the second row, hop into my seat pull my bar down, and grab the seat belt and hope for the best. Astonishing.... the seat belt not only enters the buckle, but SECURELY LATCHES!!!

I am shocked, but don't have too much time to celebrate just before the 3.. 2... 1... >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!!!!

To sorta answer for Dave, I'd also say that the shoulder harnesses looked like new.... possibly BIGGER. Is THAT what allowed me the privileges to ride the thing twice, and for my first time since early 2003?!

I'll have to check this out next time I am there.

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Cory Marshall

Meh, I fit "less well" than I used to on the last trip to the Point. I'll check again when I go the end of October...

Has history been made? has an Intamin restraint been made more accomodating? Has Cedar Point finally been fed up enough with their garbage products? GASP!

I wonder if this is a sign of things to come with some other troublesome tiny restraints they have on that blue ride.

But Joe, there isn't anything wrong with Blue Streak, what are you talking about? ;-)

In all seriousness, if something like this were to happen to MF, I would be so happy. Because not being a GOES and not being able to fit sucks.

i thought the shoulder bars on WT seemed to look newer, and they didn't smell horrible. so maybe intamin did make something more accomodating! rock on!

Did they actually change the restraints since 2003 my last year at the point.. It would be cool if they did seeing as I have been unable to ride all my years of going that it was up...

I don't think so.

MrScott

Im pretty sure they update the seats every year since they have to take em off the track for winter

Every year? That sounds mighty expensive.

I don't think that just because the train is off the track that the seats are replaced. The seats stay nice and dry all winter long in a protected environment, so I think the seats last a while.

Could be wrong, though - wouldn't be the first time... just the second. ;)

They repair and replace the seats as needed, and the trains are completely stripped down during the offseason.

I think Dave was referring to a wholesale change in the restraint system. Like something was modified to make more shoulder room. This does not happen every year.

It's something that apparently happened mid-season last year, and wasn't at all obvious. It wasn't longer belts, it wasn't new seats, and it wasn't new shoulder bars. It was something subtle, and my guess is that either the seat pan was moved down, or more likely, the attachment point for the shoulder bar was moved up, probably an inch or less.

Either that, or my ass got two inches thinner last summer, and I seriously doubt that. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I will check on my next visit as well in 21 days...