RnR restraint and slim child

The shoulder restraints are only on there in case it would stop upside down.While it is running the centrifugal force is what holds you in your seat not the shoulder strap. She will be fine.

Yep, that's my concern. Normal ride operation is fine, but what if it does stop upside down?

RnR is fine.

Wait until you see the "restraints" on Space Mountain, though. I don't know how we don't ALL fall out of that.

Oh and we had a slipping incident on BTMRR (at Disneyland to be exact) that I had heard of but thought was made up (sorry to all those who had had such experiences before, I apologize for not believing you), because of the difference in size between DH and DS.



Or until she wants to go to Universal and ride Rip Ride Rockit. :eek: (I rode with DS and when I got home I had to seek out pictures of the vehicles to see HOW we were held in, LOL)


Compared to that, a nice solid shoulder restraint for the corkscrews on RnR is awesome!

No universal until they're all older and bigger. I'm not concerned about any other ride, we've ridden all except RnR - and even that the concern is in the event of a non-scheduled stop, not normal operation.

Nothing any ride operator or computerized safety system at Disney can do can stop the coaster upside down.
The only way it could stop upside down would be a catastrophic failure in a wheel assembly or other such mechanical failure involving major pieces falling off the ride and jamming the coaster in place.
That is highly unlikely.

Thanks, this makes me feel better. :faint: :thumbsup2

The only way that your child could slip out is if they manage to wiggle sideways and slip their shoulders through the hole in the front of the restraint one at a time. This is highly unlikely because the bottom of the restraint would be close enough to their legs that they can't twist their hips enough, and the gap in the front of the restraint is only about 6 inches or so wide anyway (if memory serves me correctly). I only know of one ride where a person managed to wiggle out of a correctly operating and locked shoulder harness, and that was one that you got into like a backpack (you pulled it on over your arms instead of down over your head), plus it was a stand-up coaster.

She will be fine, fit wise. I'm tall and skinny and haven't had problems on any coaster I've ever been on. The only time I was ever worried was when I was put on a seat on ToT with a gentleman that weighed about 3x what I did. This was when it was still one lap bar for the whole row, and I had a good 3-4 inches of space between my legs and the lap bar, even with it down as tight as he could get it. I think that's the only time I've ever held on to the grab bars on any sort of ride. I love air time, but that was a little ridiculous.

I appreciate the visual of how snug the lap portion of the harness is.

When in uni a few guy friends and I rode ToT and they thought it'd be hilarious to raise their legs so the bar was REALLY high off my legs. :scared1: Good thing I LOVE thrill rides and was actually just as amused as they were. Though I think shortly after that the lap bar changed...:confused3

I was wondering the same thing i have two skinny little girls (6 and 8) and i was worried about the same thing, im glad im not the only one! My husband thought i was crazy to think they could fall out.

Are all the roller coaster at Disney as safe then?

Thank you

Glad I'm not the only one! The only other rides that are a bit iffy for us are BTMR and SpM - while wearing princess dresses, our kiddos slide all over the place. They're not strong enough to hold themselves in place. :rotfl2:

I think the focus here should be on your daughter's trepidation. I'm five foot nothing, weigh 105 pounds on a good day, eat three meals a day and am 52 years old. I don't diet, I eat a ton of "crap" but I can't keep the "weight". I get told I'm "thin" and "small" and really?

What do I ride at Disney World? EVERYTHING! Well, not Astro Orbitors because of the height thing.

I think your daughter should go on Disney World attractions when she wants, how she wants and why she wants. Everyone else, include you, mom, is secondary. Let HER decide.

Thank you. This is her decision. She is nervous - she's never done it before. She's ridden the mountains and been mostly fine (she doesn't like splash, but loves the others). I completely agree not to push a kid to do something they don't want to. However, as her mother, I reserve the right to veto the ride and say I want her to wait until she's bigger. But I wouldn't have her wait in line for the ride, and change my mind at the ride. I want to know before we arrive what the answer is. we have 6 months for her to work up to riding without fear. I want to give her that time b/c I know she needs it.

My shorter, stockier DD is pleading with me to ride it. She has 3 inches to grow in 6 months. She's practicing stretching daily. :rotfl: I'd have no concerns with her riding, first she's not likely to go anywhere if the ride stops, second, she has nerves of steel so if she's jostled around a bit, she'll love it even more.

My slim DD however would refuse to ever ride again if she has a less than stellar experience. I would rather she wait a year and know it's okay, then ride now and not be okay.
 
The last time we were there, my DS was 4% on height and weight charts. He rode (and loved) R&R and there were no concerns. He went to ride it again and was told he was not tall enough because the CM could fit a playing card between his head and the stick (she was actually the last one at the ride too, he had already had one ride and passed 2 CMs). SO I guess he was as small as you could get for that ride and did not fall out. He can't wait for next month knowing there is no way he will be told no :bitelip:
 
I agree with previous posters - physics forces makes sure that your kiddo won't go slipping anywhere. I remember that much from my High School classes! Plus, those harnesses are so snug, she should be fine (even if the ride stops - which it won't!) and she's hanging upside down (which she WON'T because the ride won't stop like that. :) )

She should be a-ok. Remind here to push her head back when the coaster starts, because that thing takes off fast! After that, its like a nice fast car that occasionally goes upside down. It's smooth - much smoother than BTM or SM. Think think she will be pleasantly thrilled. I hate coasters and didn't ride SM till I was in college, but I liked RnR.

Hope she enjoys it!!
 
A rollercoaster requires two things to work. Momentum and gravity. Once the coaster launches, the only points it will/can stop are the trim break sections. Can it stop upside down? Yes. It has happened, but NOT on RnR.

OP, I understand your concern, I remember the first time my then 7 year old went on RnR, and I rode it with her; her shoulder were so narrow that she LOOKED like she could come right through the middle of the restraint. I spent the ENTIRE ride holding on to her leg next to me. Of course, she loved the ride, and went back on with my husband who did not feel the need to hold her down, and she really was fine, but it is nerve wracking to look at them and imagine the (im)possibilities.

The shoulder restraints are only on there in case it would stop upside down.While it is running the centrifugal force is what holds you in your seat not the shoulder strap. She will be fine. My DS rode every ride in Disney the minute he was barely tall enough and he is and was extremely thin. He is 5'7" and weighs 98 pounds so just think what he weighed at 6 and believe me it was no where near 69 pounds!!! he didn't hit that till middle school.

I agree with previous posters - physics forces makes sure that your kiddo won't go slipping anywhere. I remember that much from my High School classes! Plus, those harnesses are so snug, she should be fine (even if the ride stops - which it won't!) and she's hanging upside down (which she WON'T because the ride won't stop like that. :) )

She should be a-ok. Remind here to push her head back when the coaster starts, because that thing takes off fast! After that, its like a nice fast car that occasionally goes upside down. It's smooth - much smoother than BTM or SM. Think think she will be pleasantly thrilled. I hate coasters and didn't ride SM till I was in college, but I liked RnR.

Hope she enjoys it!!


I love this one too! I'm trying to convince DH to ride it (he HATES coasters) but he won't, b/c he doesn't like SM. I keep trying to tell him it's not the same, he just says 'That's what I'm afraid of' :rotfl:
 

The restraints in RNRC are very very bulky/safe. I can't forsee anyone being too slim for them if they meet the height requirements. Don't fret...You will not have any problems. :thumbsup2 HAVE FUN!!!!
 
Being a small person, I totally miss the old lap bar at Tower of Terror. Man I could get serious air time on that ride. Hmph. LOL
 
She will be completely safe, as others have said. As for the holding onto them while on the ride, I still tend to do that, if I ride alongside my kids and they are grown. LOL!!!! That is why I try to ride with my husband instead. :goodvibes
 
I reserve the right to veto the ride and say I want her to wait until she's bigger. But I wouldn't have her wait in line for the ride, and change my mind at the ride. I want to know before we arrive what the answer is. we have 6 months for her to work up to riding without fear. I want to give her that time b/c I know she needs it.

But, you don't HAVE to know the answer now. You can do all you are doing but, if you get there and she's all geared up and raring to go and goes through the preshow and gets into the boarding area and sees the launch and......... wants to back out. Guess what? You get to do that. It's extremely easy. Once you get to the Cast Member who asks "how many?" you just say" X to ride and 2 to exit". You will be shown the way out and you'll meet everyone else in the gift shop after their ride.

So, do things now but you (and she) can always back out right up to the very minute before you board those ride vehicles.
 
But, you don't HAVE to know the answer now. You can do all you are doing but, if you get there and she's all geared up and raring to go and goes through the preshow and gets into the boarding area and sees the launch and......... wants to back out. Guess what? You get to do that. It's extremely easy. Once you get to the Cast Member who asks "how many?" you just say" X to ride and 2 to exit". You will be shown the way out and you'll meet everyone else in the gift shop after their ride.

So, do things now but you (and she) can always back out right up to the very minute before you board those ride vehicles.


Yes, SHE can chose to back out at the last second and I'd do nothing more than, say, "okay, let's go." But If she's okay to go, I will not make her leave. That is why I am making sure I am okay before we get there. If I'm okay with her going on the ride, she will be okay. But if we get there, and I change my mind, that'll do a lot more to shake her confidence than if she rides or if she doesn't even get in line. She really trusts me to know I won't put her in something I don't think is safe for her, and she trusts that I know her well enough to know if she'll enjoy something. Like something, or if it'll be a negative experience.
 
Yes, SHE can chose to back out at the last second and I'd do nothing more than, say, "okay, let's go." But If she's okay to go, I will not make her leave. That is why I am making sure I am okay before we get there. If I'm okay with her going on the ride, she will be okay. But if we get there, and I change my mind, that'll do a lot more to shake her confidence than if she rides or if she doesn't even get in line. She really trusts me to know I won't put her in something I don't think is safe for her, and she trusts that I know her well enough to know if she'll enjoy something. Like something, or if it'll be a negative experience.

So this is more for you than for her? I guess I missed that. You are concerned the ride may not be safe for your child. I get that. However, Disney World has a great reputation for ride safety. That's why the restraints are there. That's why the height restrictions are there. And think about it - there are no weight limit restrictions. In my mind, Disney overcompensates for restrictions. For example, I said I'm 5 foot nothing, weigh 105 pounds on a good day but I didn't explain I have a broken neck. Healed the best it can be but if I avoided every single attraction where Disney has a "people with back and neck issues should avoid this ride", my time would be limited. The person who advised me on what to do was - my doctor. Why not talk to your child's doctor? Take some videos of the ride from youtube and then decide together. I think you will feel much better.
 
So this is more for you than for her? yes I guess I missed that. You are concerned the ride may not be safe for your child.I am concerned the restraints are designed for people wider than my child, not concerned about the ride. I've ridden many times, I know it's a safe ride for her. But I also know restraints are there for a reason, even if unlikely. to need them. I want to be sure that given the slimness of my child, the restraints will be capable of doing their job in the event it is needed. I am NOT concerned about normal operation or riding. I get that. However, Disney World has a great reputation for ride safety. That's why the restraints are there. yes, but the restraints are only good if they actually work for the size of person in them. That's why the height restrictions are there. She is tall for her age, she's 98% for height, so she's as big as most 9-10 year olds for heigh. For width, she's the size of most 2 year old. She is tall and VERY slim. And think about it - there are no weight limit restrictions. In my mind, Disney overcompensates for restrictions. For example, I said I'm 5 foot nothing, weigh 105 pounds on a good day but I didn't explain I have a broken neck. Healed the best it can be but if I avoided every single attraction where Disney has a "people with back and neck issues should avoid this ride", my time would be limited. The person who advised me on what to do was - my doctor. Why not talk to your child's doctor? because my doctor is not an engineer. He can tell me she is physically capable of being propelled at high speeds, going on a roller coaster, but he cannot tell me the dimensions of the shoulder restraint. Nor can he tell me from a video, if the restraint would be enough to keep her nip lace in the even of a malfunction that caused the ride to stop on an inversion, or pre/post inversion.Take some videos of the ride from youtube and then decide together. I think you will feel much better. I have checked repeatedly for any specific information about the dimensions of the head gap in the shoulder harness, I have not found the information.

I was hoping another parent would have experience with a very slim child who actually checked to see if the shoulder restraint would hold their child in the event the only law of physics in effect were gravity vs gravity, inertia, centrifugal force etc. of a moving ride. I have no concerns when the ride is working, only if it isn't.

Have you ever been stuck on SplM on the incline for 20+minutes? I have, it sucks, but we weren't going to get hurt. On SM if the ride stops, you're upright. You have no risk of the restraint not keeping you in place. On SM, during normal operation. The restraint does it's job no matter the size of the person. Up inclines, around bends, you get banged around, but you won't go flying out.

My child's shoulders are not much wider than an adult's head. Since the restraint is designed to allow a head through, I want to know what size head? Will her shoulders be narrower than that adult's head, or wider?
 
What you are missing is that she is in a seated position and the shoulder restraint sits very near her stomach and lap holding her into a sitting position. For her to slide out of the shoulder restraint she would also have to slide out of sitting position, which I believe would be impossible.
 
My daughter is VERY slim (73 pounds in 7th grade). She rode a year ago (so, even smaller) and was fine. Don't let some of the OP get to you. When your kids aren't in the "norm" for anything, it's tough to find folks who've been in your shoes. Take a look at some ride photos; that might make you feel better. The opening is quite narrow. Go and have fun!! :)
 
What you are missing is that she is in a seated position and the shoulder restraint sits very near her stomach and lap holding her into a sitting position. For her to slide out of the shoulder restraint she would also have to slide out of sitting position, which I believe would be impossible.

Thank you! THIS is what I'm looking for. There have been a few comments that have certainly put my mind at ease :good vibes I really appreciate everyone's help!
 
Ok, I'll share, too. DD8 was so pumped to ride that I had to let her and I couldn't show my (irrational) fear that my very skinny baby would go flying off RNR during an inversion.

I acted excited during the entire line. I acted excited during the preshow. I acted excited when we were getting ready to take off. Then, we took off. During the entire ride, I said "please. God, let her be ok." I apparently said it so loudly that I was screaming it because I was hoarse when we came off the ride.

She had this HUGE grin on her face and said "Mommy, that was awesome! Let's go again!" So we did. After that, I just made sure that I pushed down the restraint and checked it, reminded her where they would take the picture so we could have a good picture and had a blast.

We rode it a total of 5 times this past trip. She rode all of the coasters and had a ball!

It was about me, not her.
 
My child's shoulders are not much wider than an adult's head. Since the restraint is designed to allow a head through, I want to know what size head? Will her shoulders be narrower than that adult's head, or wider?

My head is 6-7 inches across (can't tell for certain, that's a guess). My shoulders are about 19-20 inches across. If your child's shoulders are about 8 inches across ... well, that's so small I just can't picture it in my head. If your child is tall enough to ride the ride, they're definitely wide enough to fit in the harness. They may be able to lean forward a little bit because they aren't wide enough front to back to fill the harness area, but I'm 34 and still have space in them up near my shoulders. It's the bottom of the bar that will keep her in place, and since it will close all the way down to the seat if there's nobody in the seat, it will definitely close tight enough on her.
 
My head is 6-7 inches across (can't tell for certain, that's a guess). My shoulders are about 19-20 inches across. If your child's shoulders are about 8 inches across ...Thank you. Her shoulders are bigger than 8 inches. But the bars are not touching you ears either - there is space on either side… well, that's so small I just can't picture it in my head. If your child is tall enough to ride the ride, they're definitely wide enough to fit in the harness. They may be able to lean forward a little bit because they aren't wide enough front to back to fill the harness area, but I'm 34 and still have space in them up near my shoulders. It's the bottom of the bar that will keep her in place, and since it will close all the way down to the seat if there's nobody in the seat, it will definitely close tight enough on her.This specific information helps a lot! Thank you.

It's nice to know the bar goes all the way down to the seat and has multiple was of restraining a person of different sizes.
 


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