Jurassic Park Ride Minimum Height & Restraint

[tarheelmjfan]

The "Is this true?" thread reminded me of something we saw at UO our last visit. We were riding JP & sitting behind a family of 4. They had a little boy who was probably 4 or 5 (just guessing) & everytime he saw a dinosaur he would stand straight up to look. His mom would tell him to sit down, but he'd do it again as we passed the next dinosaur. He was just excited, but I was scared to death that the kid was going to stand up on the drop & fall out. That made us wonder if the minimum height should be raised making it impossible to stand. It's not right for everyone to pay for a few people's mistake, but IMO one child falling to it's death would be too many.

 

[flortlebap]

That's terrifying.

I've heard so many horror stories about Universal's height restrictions and lack of safety precautions. Didn't a kid fall out of MIB in '97, before they added lap bars? Wouldn't common sense have told the designers they should have included this safety feature as standard?!

Anyway I digress the above has shown me that my neice won't be going on this ride. Maybe when someone gets killed Universal will take notice!!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We love Universal, & I've never felt unsafe there myself. If my DS had ever stood up on a ride, it would have been his last for quite some time & he knew that. It would have been hard for him to stand considering I still hold him down & he's 6 inches taller than I am. It's sad that they would need to change things to prevent this, but it obviously does happen. Who knows how often? I've never seen a ride vehicle like those on JP with more restraints than that one has. I don't know what the solution would be, but think raising the minimum height would be more practical. Better yet, parents could not let their kids ride, if they don't know to stay seated. This kid's dad was sitting next to him & never once did or said anything.

 

[Nan]

I don't think it's Universal's fault that parents don't make their children behave.

 

[phamton]

That's terrifying.

I've heard so many horror stories about Universal's height restrictions and lack of safety precautions. Didn't a kid fall out of MIB in '97, before they added lap bars?

No, before lapbars they had seatbelts. It's hard for some kid to fall out in 1997 when the ride didn't even open until 1999.

Wouldn't common sense have told the designers they should have included this safety feature as standard?

MIB had a safety feature---a seatbelt. It's not like it is a high speed rollercoaster. It isn't any rougher than Buzz Lightyear. It now has individual lapbars intead.

Anyway I digress the above has shown me that my neice won't be going on this ride. Maybe when someone gets killed Universal will take notice!!!

Jurassic Park ride has a lapbar which is more than Splash Mountain has. Numerous people have stood up and even climbed out of the Splash Mountain ride at Disney. If you want to speak about safety records, I suggest you look at Disney.

 

[lindalinda]

I dont know of any of the flume rides that have restraints. Do any others?

 

[tarheelmjfan]

As I mentioned earlier, they do all seem to have the same thing. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean there's no danger. I agree it's not UO or WDW's fault, if a parent can't make their child sit. In reality, who do you think would get crucified in the press though? I also don't think kids should have to pay for their parent's shortcomings. This post wasn't a slam against Universal. It was merely our observation on the ride. I don't really know why anyone would get angry or defensive over it. Everyone should know by now that I'm one of UO's biggest cheerleaders.

 

[phamton]

This post wasn't a slam against Universal. It was merely our observation on the ride. I don't really know why anyone would get angry or defensive over it. Everyone should know by now that I'm one of UO's biggest cheerleaders.

I have no problems with your post. Everyone has seen someone do something stupid on a ride. I know you are a staunch supporter of Universal. : The only post I take issue with is one person who uses these threads to prove how unsafe Universal is.

 

[Amity 3]

The only post I take issue with is one person who uses these threads to prove how unsafe Universal is.

unsafe and full of rude, unprofessional TM's. of course, that was back in 1997.

 

[F-L-A]

That's terrifying.

I've heard so many horror stories about Universal's height restrictions and lack of safety precautions. Didn't a kid fall out of MIB in '97, before they added lap bars? Wouldn't common sense have told the designers they should have included this safety feature as standard?!

Anyway I digress the above has shown me that my neice won't be going on this ride. Maybe when someone gets killed Universal will take notice!!!

Men In Black was not even open in 1997. Stop listening to the anti-Universal voices in your head.