Roller Coaster Restraint Info Needed

[bellebuzzntink]

Does anyone know what type of restraint systems are used for the following: Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, and Tower of Terror?

DS is tall enough, but he just about popped right out of BTM last year, I don't want that happening again!

Funny, second post about this tonight!

Thanks

 

[silverarrowknits]

EE --> individual lap bar (like BTM but it is just for you, two people per row but each has his/her own lap bar)
SpM --> individual lap bar (one person per row and you are sitting in this little capsule thing, so with the lap bar it is truly difficult to come out)
ToT --> individual seat belts

I personally think the restraints on these three will hold your DS in much better than BTM.

 

[bellebuzzntink]

Just what I was looking for!

 

[Sandi]

Actually, EE has a restraint system that goes over the shoulders and down to your lap. A sort of "U" shaped restraint. They do a better job of holding one into place than the lap bars on BTMRR. If you've been on Rock n Roller Coaster, that's the kind of restraint system utilized on EE. SM is an individual padded lap bar and there is only one person per seat. (i.e. passengers sit behind one another -- you cannot sit next to your son.)

I haven't been on Tower of Terror in years (back issues), so I can't offer useful information on that ride.

 

[elgerber]

Actually, EE has a restraint system that goes over the shoulders and down to your lap. A sort of "U" shaped restraint. They do a better job of holding one into place than the lap bars on BTMRR. If you've been on Rock n Roller Coaster, that's the kind of restraint system utilized on EE. SM is an individual padded lap bar and there is only one person per seat. (i.e. passengers sit behind one another -- you cannot sit next to your son.)

I haven't been on Tower of Terror in years (back issues), so I can't offer useful information on that ride.

The first post was actually correct, EE does not have shoulder harnesses. It has individual lap bars. I think they are very secure, much better than BTMR.
There is a pic I found here on yahoo...http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...www.flickr.com/photos/txbowen/&ei=UTF-8&src=p

 

[Sandi]

The first post was actually correct, EE does not have shoulder harnesses. It has individual lap bars. I think they are very secure, much better than BTMR.
There is a pic I found here on yahoo...http://images.search.yahoo.com/sear...www.flickr.com/photos/txbowen/&ei=UTF-8&src=p

My error. You're absolutely correct. I was remembering hanging onto the back pad during the backwards part of the ride. Sorry for the error.

 

[elgerber]

My error. You're absolutely correct. I was remembering hanging onto the back pad during the backwards part of the ride. Sorry for the error.

LOL, that is wicked, I hang on to the lap bar for dear life, I don't think I could reach the back pad while going backwards!

 

[bellebuzzntink]

Definitely not the overhead bars on EE, I remember DD10 clinging onto me throughout the ride!

 

[A_NY_Outlaw]

I guess I'm just either not paying attention or whatever the case when I go on SM, but I thought they just had lap belts, not a lap bar per se?

 

[bellebuzzntink]

I guess we'll find out when we get there....If I'm not comfortable with it then we'll take the chicken exit. yes.....I'm a worrier

 

[Sandi]

I guess I'm just either not paying attention or whatever the case when I go on SM, but I thought they just had lap belts, not a lap bar per se?

It's definitely a padded lap bar on SM. It's always funny to watch people ride it the first time because they try to bring it down and it won't stay. It isn't until you get to the final CM that the lap bar locks. (There are two loading areas so they can fill in with singles, etc.) People are always "my bar won't stay down! I'll fall out."

 

[disney1990]

I guess we'll find out when we get there....If I'm not comfortable with it then we'll take the chicken exit. yes.....I'm a worrier

How old is your DS? I took my two granddaughers on Space Mountain and Tower of Terror when they were 5 & 7 and had no problems. Now that all the seats on ToT have individual lapbelts, I think it's a lot safer for younger children.

In June 2008 I am taking my granddaughters back to Disney. They will be 8 and 10 and all they can talk about is doing EE.

 

[bellebuzzntink]

DS is 6. He meets the height requirement by 2 inches, but he only weighs around 40 pounds - skin and bones despite eating like a horse! I'm not so worried about the other rides so much as Space Mountain since one of us won't be right beside him. He absolutely LOVED BTMRR last year, but he seriously bounced all over the place! I know he would love some of these other thrill rides if we give him the opportunity, especially SM.

 

[jlovesee]

Expedition Everest = Per Person Ratcheting Lap bar (meaning it clicks down and that each person has their own)

Big Thunder Mountain = Row Ratching Lapbar (same as Expedition Everest but each row or bench shares the lap bar)

Space Mountain = Air locking T-shaped bar (locks with Hydraulics I believe no ratcheting/clicking it locks where ever you place it)

BTW "popping" out of your seat is completely normal (and safe) on a roller coaster, it is what we call "air time" and many riders love it. If you have seen the roller coaster discovery channel shows where a guy brings an orange on Superman at Six Flags Magic Mountain you will notice the orange floats there but it never floats away. Because while you have a moment of floating or popping, gravity always brings you back down. Its science and gravity has yet to fail!

I feel like a broken record but this summer I worked at our local amusement park on a steel coaster named Mamba (think Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point, Steel Force at Dorney Park) which has a ratcheting lap bar somewhat similar to Big Thunder Mountain. We had MANY children were the lap bar did not go all the way down to the riders lap. They were all completely safe and I never felt like I was in the slightest bit endangering a child.

The most dangerous thing on any ride is a child or rider who is terrified. (as they can try to get out of the restraints) As long as a child WANTS to ride, and will not attempt to climb out of the restraints they will be completely safe.

One last thing, it is actually more dangerous to shove the lap bar into your waist, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not do this!!!! If you shove to hard you will be no more safe, have a very painful experience, and make yourself much more likely of losing your lunch!

Jennifer