Ride changed due to fear?

[dtauer]

We had something strange happen to us last week on RnR.

We moved around the corner in our limo and stopped for the launch. The 4, 3, 2 countdown started and we didn't launch. Then a CM walked to the front of the car and pointed at someone in the front row. He talked a little and then walked back.

Same thing second time, countdown started and then we never launched. Again the CM walked to the front car, talked a minute and then walked back.

As we were all talking about what might be going on, we launched in the middle of the countdown.

The entire ride was then out of sync. There was no music in the beginning, and then it felt like the entire ride was a little different. At some points it almost felt like we were being braked. Normally, if I remember correctly, this ride maintains a steady speed, but this time we were jerked a couple of times, almost like hitting the brakes a little.

After our ride, I think we saw what may have been the issue. In the ride photos there was a girl that looked like she may have been having a breakdown or just really terrified. Her face and eyes were very red, and it appears that she had been crying so hard that her eyes were almost swollen shut.

Is it possible that the CMs watch the cars from a booth before launch and stop the ride if they see someone struggling with the ride? Also, it seems strange to me, but do they have the ability to slightly slow the ride when they sense trouble with one of the riders? I understand if someone is doing something unsafe, like trying to get out of the harness, but will they stop, or change, the ride if someone is scared?

Anyone know?

 

[bytheblood]

That would have freaked me out. I don't know what that would have been all about, but I am glad you were all safe.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

There is a camera at the start of the ride and the CM could see if someone was alreay getting ready to do some kind of obscene hand gesture. That will get the ride stopped too.

 

[skier_pete]

They would not slow the ride in the middle....I'm sure they have emergency stop systems, but would not change the actual operation of a ride in motion...though I'm sure the music can get off-sync. The screw up at start-up could well be with someone in a total panic...though, but once a coaster launches (not just RnR coaster) it has to stay on track (pardon the pun), so any variation in the ride was probably in your head.

SkierPete

 

[dtauer]

once a coaster launches (not just RnR coaster) it has to stay on track (pardon the pun), so any variation in the ride was probably in your head.

SkierPete

Yes, the ride was probably the same, we just noticed things more because the launch was out of the ordinary.

One thing I do know, they can launch at times other than the countdown. Normally we put our head straight back against the headrest, but not knowing it was coming we were all caught looking around rather than looking straight ahead.

 

[triciadanna]

I'm sorry what is RnR??

Thanks!

 

[RussellDisney]

The vast majority of coasters can't be completely stopped out on the course. Many have a set of brakes to slow the ride out on the track, but that's usually a pre-set thing. For example, a coaster may be experiencing more wear and tear than the park would like, so they may either actually install a set of brakes to slow the ride just before a particularly stressful section, or they may decide to "turn on" a set of existing brakes. I've noticed this on coasters at other parks that I ride frequently.

For the most part, a coaster can't be stopped mid-ride - regardless of what happens. That may sound scary to some, but that's physics. Once the coaster tops the lift hill, or in RnR's case gets launched, the ride must "wind down" on it's own. The only brakes capable of completely stopping the trains are located at the end, and the ride has slowed significantly by that point.

 

[briar_rose_59]

I'm sorry what is RnR??

Thanks!

Rock N Rollercoaster.

 

[YodaGirl]

I'm sorry what is RnR??

Thanks!

oops...

What ^ said.

 

[inkkognito]

Actually roller coasters CAN be stopped mid-ride. It depends on the individual coaster and where the brake runs are located, but a coaster train can generally be stopped at any brake run. Not sure where you heard that's impossible, but that's absolutely false...having strategically placed brake runs and the ability to stop the trains is the only way a multi-train coaster can be safely run.

The vast majority of coasters can't be completely stopped out on the course. Many have a set of brakes to slow the ride out on the track, but that's usually a pre-set thing. For example, a coaster may be experiencing more wear and tear than the park would like, so they may either actually install a set of brakes to slow the ride just before a particularly stressful section, or they may decide to "turn on" a set of existing brakes. I've noticed this on coasters at other parks that I ride frequently.

For the most part, a coaster can't be stopped mid-ride - regardless of what happens. That may sound scary to some, but that's physics. Once the coaster tops the lift hill, or in RnR's case gets launched, the ride must "wind down" on it's own. The only brakes capable of completely stopping the trains are located at the end, and the ride has slowed significantly by that point.

 

[njchris]

The guy came up to me once in the first car right before launching because I was holding my video camera (I didn't like to put it in the netting. And I was going to see if the night vision would work. But I guess that was a no-no due to the music playing (and maybe safety). I couldn't reach to put it down in the netting and he said that if they saw me using it, they would stop the ride (Not sure how they would do that in the middle of a corkscrew).

But his not-so-friendly attitude ruined the ride for me anyway.

But point being, they have many reasons to talk to someone on the ride.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

If you are crying the will ask if your ok and ask if you want off. My sister did this at Test Track. She was crying even though we told her it wasnt a real rollercoaster (not hysterically, just tears from nerves). The took her off the ride as the were checking our seat belts.

My mom said that she is just nervous and she'll be fine once she sees what the ride really is. The woman just said "Mama, please let me hear what she wants" and wouldnt even listen. I was a bit surprised that she would be so rude.

She went on it the next week and it turned into her favorite ride in EPCOT. Goes to show the sometimes mothers know their kids better than strangers, who knew?

 

[RussellDisney]

Actually roller coasters CAN be stopped mid-ride. It depends on the individual coaster and where the brake runs are located, but a coaster train can generally be stopped at any brake run. Not sure where you heard that's impossible, but that's absolutely false...having strategically placed brake runs and the ability to stop the trains is the only way a multi-train coaster can be safely run.

Well, you hit right on it by saying it depends on where the brake runs are. If there is a sufficient brake run to stop the coaster on the tracks, then it can be. But I said most cannot be, as most do not have sufficient runs to stop them - many brake runs are there only to slow the train before a particular track section. Longer coasters that run multiple trains out on the course at one time do have the ability to stop them on the course. Most coasters, however, are not that long. If there are multiple trains, one will be loading while one is on the course, while maybe a third has stopped just outside the station and is waiting to enter and unload.

I don't think RNR has more than one train actually out on the course at one time - probably one loaded and ready, one unloading and one out on the course. I don't know for sure though, so someone will no doubt set me straight!

 

[bytheblood]

Actually roller coasters CAN be stopped mid-ride. It depends on the individual coaster and where the brake runs are located, but a coaster train can generally be stopped at any brake run. Not sure where you heard that's impossible, but that's absolutely false...having strategically placed brake runs and the ability to stop the trains is the only way a multi-train coaster can be safely run.

Exactly!!!!

 

[bytheblood]

I don't think RNR has more than one train actually out on the course at one time - probably one loaded and ready, one unloading and one out on the course. I don't know for sure though, so someone will no doubt set me straight!

RnR has 2.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

If you are crying the will ask if your ok and ask if you want off. My sister did this at Test Track. She was crying even though we told her it wasnt a real rollercoaster (not hysterically, just tears from nerves). The took her off the ride as the were checking our seat belts.

My mom said that she is just nervous and she'll be fine once she sees what the ride really is. The woman just said "Mama, please let me hear what she wants" and wouldnt even listen. I was a bit surprised that she would be so rude.

She went on it the next week and it turned into her favorite ride in EPCOT. Goes to show the sometimes mothers know their kids better than strangers, who knew?

Ultimately, the cast member that pushes the "Go" button is the one responsible for the safety of everyone on the ride. If they feel there is a chance the child will try to do something unsafe, like exit a moving vehicle, they can (and will) prevent the child from riding.

I personally have had a situation at one of my attractions where a child was visibly scared of the ride (i'm not talking just nervous whimpers, I'm talking full out tantrum), parent said "oh no, he'll be fine once he gets going" ... I'm still doubtful, but I decide to trust the parent. Send the vehicle, and no more than 2 feet into the ride, kid tries to get out. Stop the ride, remove the kid and the parent. Parent then shoots me a dirty look and mumbles something under their breath as they walk out. Sorry, but I'm not going to risk my job just because people want to force their kid on a ride the kid doesn't want to go on.

 

[chickapin]

I've ridden it without music before and it does make it seem a lot different...and it's not a good kind of different! LOL anyway we mentioned there was no music and they let us ride again right away, so that was cool.

 

[~Kik-Kik~]

Ultimately, the cast member that pushes the "Go" button is the one responsible for the safety of everyone on the ride. If they feel there is a chance the child will try to do something unsafe, like exit a moving vehicle, they can (and will) prevent the child from riding.

I personally have had a situation at one of my attractions where a child was visibly scared of the ride (i'm not talking just nervous whimpers, I'm talking full out tantrum), parent said "oh no, he'll be fine once he gets going" ... I'm still doubtful, but I decide to trust the parent. Send the vehicle, and no more than 2 feet into the ride, kid tries to get out. Stop the ride, remove the kid and the parent. Parent then shoots me a dirty look and mumbles something under their breath as they walk out. Sorry, but I'm not going to risk my job just because people want to force their kid on a ride the kid doesn't want to go on.

I highly doubt that would have happened, but I see what you mean from your situation.

 

[SurfinTX]

I've ridden it without music before and it does make it seem a lot different...and it's not a good kind of different! LOL anyway we mentioned there was no music and they let us ride again right away, so that was cool.

Yeah, the music cut out after the first loop once on us. The ride loses a lot of it's excitement afterwards.

 

[eeyoregon]

Sorry, but I'm not going to risk my job just because people want to force their kid on a ride the kid doesn't want to go on.

No need to apologize! It's not your fault that there are so many ignorant parents out there that think having fun is more important than their child.