Cedar Point-Exceptional Size Guidelines????

[shirleyb]

I'll have to keep this in mind. Our high school often does senior class trips there, and at 15, DS is already 6'4" and 270 lbs. He probably won't be able to ride a lot of the rides it sounds like. At Disney and at Hershey, he can ride everything.

 

[NMW]

Wow, my husband is 6'3" and about 230 pounds. He runs and lifts weights every day. He wears a mens large in waist size (34-36), but his chest and shoulders are big. I would never have considered him to be of "exceptional" size. Following those guidlines, I wonder if he would fit on those rides.

Where IS Cedar Point? I have never heard of it. I have never seen weight limits on rides either, or at least not that I've noticed. Besides Disney, we have gone to 6 Flags Great Adventure. Years ago we went to Hershey park, but I was 6 months pregnant at the time and didn't go on any rides.

 

[BettyCv]

CP is in Sandusky, OH, which is about mid-point between Toledo and Cleveland. It's a great park!

 

[bobcat]

We went earlier this summer, first time I've been since the kids were born, and I was a little concerned about fitting on all the rides. I am right at their guideline and carry my weight in my middle. I didn't try Dragster so the only ride didn't fit on was Millenium, and I really wanted to ride this! I probably could have forced the belt closed but I would have been so uncomfortable I wouldn't have enjoyed the ride. I understand the safety aspects and I appreciate that about CP but they could train their workers to be more kind about it. I had a young worker, in a snotty voice, tell me I needed to try the seat on Millenium as I entered the ride. Don't mind trying the seat, but the attitude ticked me off! My kids were even mad about the way she treated me.

Mean Streak was the absolute roughest coaster I have ever been on! Horrible ride! Do try the Maverick! It was so much fun and I could have ridden it many more times! I laughed/screamed the entire ride!

 

[keishashadow]

will def. cross off Mean Streak due to my bad back .

Still wraping my brain around the idea that a woman's size 18 is considered "exceptional size". perhaps Snoopy sized .

Not that it's necessary encouraging, evidently there are alot of us supersizing in the US, pulled this off the web as to 2005 figures (could be even more now) for the average US woman & man:

women: 163 pounds, 5.38 feet tall
men: 190 pounds, 5.9 feet tall

regardless, glad to have all the comments & hints . I specifically posted here on the Budget Board (while very OT ); knowing the subject would receive a kindler/gentler response than i'd get on the Community Board.

 

[cgcw]

Not only are the seatbelt straps short, but some of the seats are downright small. We were there a couple of weeks back, and while we would definately go back, many people in our group commented about the size of the seats.

Even the seatbelts on the antique cars were a little less than generous. One of the people in our group said she asked for a seatbelt adjuster and was given a look of confusion.

Mean Streak was very bumpy. I guess you have to really like wooden roller coasters to appreciate it.

While we enjoyed Cedar Point and will definately return, WDW beats CP in making sure that everyone can ride their rides.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Wow I wouldn't even come close to considering myself "exceptional"sized. Their guidelines seem a bit off. I'm almost 200# now but I only wear a size 8 womans size 11 juniors. They need to rethink that.

 

[Magic Maker]

I think instead of singling out people of "exceptional" size, they just should have simply listed the parameters of the rides. If the sign said, "Seatbelt will accomodate waist up to 52 inches" or something along those lines, then it is providing information to be considered- not defining someone as "exceptional" or not. I'm a size 6, but I personally think it sounds rude and hurtful.

 

[mermaid94]

Ok, this is my first post but I was reading this thread and it spoke to me.

I was at CP 3 weeks ago. For those of you who are unfamiliar it is considered the biggest roller coaster park in the world.

I will give you info on MF from the perspective of someone who had to play with the belt.

I am not obvioulsy obese. I am overweight but carry almost all of it in my upper thighs. This is rather unfortunate. I am about 190 pounds and my top half is a size medium to large. My bottom is a size 18. I think I got the top half from my mom and bottom from my dad.

I did not think I would be able to close the belt when I got on. This was not an obvious problem in other years but since my last visit I understand they had to put in shorter belts for safety reasons.

I was able to snap it but have since read that CP has a rule that the attendant will check it and it has to have at least 1/2 of an inch in additional belt which is not used. It has to be not "too tight."
I am not sure if they checked this, I would have been able to ride.

I am going back in a few weeks and am dieting to prepare.
The reason for the retraint change apparently is that people have fell out of rides made by this manufacturer. Nothing bad has ever happened at CP however.

I do not think if you are top heavy, this ride will be an issue. Thighs are the problem because it is the lower waist and thighs which determine this fit.

Lisa

 

[TinkerFairy]

As above poster has mentioned, it isn't so much the top half that causes seat belt issues at CP, it's more so your thighs.

As someone who goes 10+ times a season, the only rides I've ever witnessed people have seatbelt issues are Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster.

Also as others mentioned, I'd avoid Mean Streak like the plague
DF and I do it at least once a season, and that just about takes care of it for us. Headache waiting to happen.

Back to the seat belt issue, MF and Dragster in recent years have been pulling people entering the line and having them sit in the test seat and attempt to pull the 1/2 of required slack prior to even entering the line. There have been people cleared through, only to face the employees in the station, and be ejected from line and refused their ride. A very good friend of mine had this happen back in 2004, and he was less than happy about it.

Just go with a positive attitude and try to enjoy your day.
Cedar Point has the best atmosphere of any coaster park I've ever been to, and the best rides IMHO to boot.

 

[mermaid94]

Could you tell me what they mean by slack?
I don't think anyone checked my seatbelt. Maybe if they pulled on it they would be able to get the 1/2 inch but I think it would have been at the end of the belt.
I had to make an effort to have the belt fit. Not sure there was any slack.

 

[DisneyPirateMom]

Hi Everyone.

I live about 45 minutes from Cedar Point and have been there countless times. It is the second greatest amusement park in the world. The first greatest is Disney World. I have to agree they do not give you very much room in those seats. We were there 3 weeks ago and me and my DH had a hard time with the seat belts. I am 5'5 and 170 lbs. and a size 14. My DH is 6 feet and 190 lbs. and a size 36. I would not say we are exceptional size. I wouldn't say our bodies are big in any one area. But it was a tight fit. We were not turned away from any ride. But we did see people that were turned away. And I know people that have been turned away from rides there in the past. It is very hurtful. Sometimes Cedar Point does have workers at the entrance to some rides, maybe you could ask them if you should go on beforehand. I wish I had some advice or words of wisdom. I don't, I just wanted to chime in and show my frustration.

 

[mermaid94]

Thanks for your info.
I did go on the ride 3 weeks ago, just found it a tight fit.
I just wondered what they meant by slack. I am not sure I had any.
I was also worried dragster would be worse but someone told me it is a little better so i should be ok.
Thanks
L

 

[jlovesee]

I am not terribly big myself (size 10-12ish) but I have a very good friend who is quite large and he does not like CP very much due to its roller coasters not being er... big person friendly.

The new coaster Maverick, has over the shoulder restraints, with that in mind, it is VERY accommodating and is a spectacular thrill ride, definitely one not to miss.

Blue Streak, Millennium Force, Raptor and Top Thrill Dragster are NOT big person friendly. Blue Streak is a wooden coaster, with a seat divider and a very short seat belt. Millenium Force and Top Thrill are both Intamin Rides, they have a seat belt/lap bar restraint, that used to be more accommodating now it is as far from as possible. About two years ago, after the Six Flags Superman accident (guy was WAY to big to be riding) Intamin came out with a recommendation for seat belts to be shortened to a certain length. As CP is in Ohio and Ohio is a state that requires Amusement Parks to follow any recommendation by a amusement ride manufacturer they were required by law to shorten the seat belts on their two Intamin roller coasters, Millennium Force and Top Thrill.

Now not only does the seat belt have to fit, but you have to have atleast 1-2" of slack on it (the length is debatable depending on the ride attendant you get) My Husband who is 6'4" 230 pounds size 38 waist could barely ride Millennium Force and Top Thrill.

Raptor is a B&M, also European (both Intamin and B&M are European based companies) is world renowned for not being accommodating, Raptor was the world's third inverted coaster, and they hadn't yet come out with the big boy seats (that's literally the technical term folks!).

Now... you should have no problems with Gemini, Corkscrew, or Magnum XL, all Arrow coasters BTW an American company that went under about five years ago that was known for being very accommodating. So sad.

Overall though CP is a park I think anyone who even has a remote interest in amusement parks should visit, it is the mecca of amusement parks quite literally and while it has 17 coasters it has MANY MANY other attractions as well. Enjoy your trip.

Jennifer

 

[mermaid94]

It just depends where you carry your weight.
MF is an issue for me but none of the ones with over the shoulder restraints are.
You are right about the new ride. It is roomy but there are signs for that one everywhere stating large people may not be able to ride.
Bouncy, bouncy ride though. Smooth and rough at once.
I have no issue with Raptor. from what you said Blue streak may be an issue but it is a glorified kiddy ride so I wouldn't go on it anyways.
I did get on MF but I am unsure about the 1/2 inch of extra space. I agree it would depend on the attendant and I am dieting for the next 3 weeks to be safe.

What is funny about the belts is that the Superman ride has differnt restraints right? Is there even a belt? Does not sound like it would have prevented much. THere were additional accidents with that manufacturer though, most with large riders.

L

 

[mermaid94]

BTW I worked in customer complaints (nicely called guest relations) at Paramount Canada's Wonderland.

There were lots of problems with newer rides not being able to accomidate guests. It was all based on tummy's though. It was the over the top harnesses on rides like cliffhanger and drop zone.

I went on with a coworker and they totally embarassed her on drop zone. They said she was too large but they had an extension belt they could connect to the other seatbelt. They made a scene and could not find the belt.
If we did not work in guest relations, we would have complained as it was handled badly.

L

 

[coasterfanatic222]

I'm going to Cedar Point in the next few days and this has been worrying me a lot lately becuase it was a problem for me last year. I got on Millenium Force last year and the belt didn't click easily and I was so confused by it because it had been in the past, but this mandated law explains everything. Now last year I was able to get it to click by sucking in and forcing it, but it was out of sheer panic because it would have been humiliating to be asked to leave. Anyway, I've lost about ten pounds and now I'm at almost 200 pounds, but I'm 5'7" and I know that makes all the difference, and in pants sizes I'm a 12-14. Does anyone know if I'll be ok or should I avoid it all together?

 

[mermaid94]

Sounds like you will be ok.
It is an issue if you are bottom heavy.
I dont remember them checking me for extra belt room. I was ok the get it snapped but I cant say I think there was a lot of extra room.

I am going back too. Brocolli and chicken breasts for me.

 

[TinkerFairy]

It all depends on who checks you in the station before you launch.

Some of the employees are like "seatbelt/lapbar nazis" (if you've ever been stapled into your seat on Magnum, you know what I'm talking about!)
others don't seem to really care one way or the other.


For the record, did anyone else get some shoulder bruising from Maverick?
I had some nice battle scars for a week or so.

 

[mermaid94]

Maverick was much rougher than I expected.
One of my ears bled.