Should Splash Mountain have safety restraints?

[jjarman]

I WORKED AT SPLASH!!!

There's a reason why we don't have restraints on the logs...

Sometimes (well, it's only every happened twice) logs sink.

Now then. You really don't want to be strapped into the log if this were to happen, do you?

I hadn't even thought of that. I, for one, do not want restraints on Splash Mountain. I like rising out of my seat just a little. I have never thought I would fly out and feel like there is just too much insulation as a previous poster stated.

 

[StevePSU1]

The phenomenon where smaller children "submarine" under the lap bars is a fairly common on this type ride. The manufactuer sets height restrictions based on average human metrics. Smaller stature children can still make the height restriction and not be well protected by the lap bar.

Bumped heads and knee lacerations are the most common result. Its the downward force at the bottom of the drop and sudden reduction in speed that cause this.

The ride dynamics do not provide the negative g's that would push an occupant out of the flume.
A lap belt would offer some additional protection, but offer significant drawbacks as noted previously.

 

[jctwizzer]

IMHO if there was a built in safety concern it would have surfaced a long time ago.......I don't know if the ride is in any of the other Disney parks, but the lack of notoriety would indicate it hasn't been a big problem in any of them. So I'll vote no on the assumption that unless you're doing something stupid the ride is safe. As an aside, it's my recollection that the big drop is in the middle of the ride, not at the end.

 

[TheGoofster]

Even though I personally have no desire to see seat belts or restraints on Splash Mountain, I voted yes, simply because it is the only way I will ever get my wife to ride it with me again. She is convinced that she was only a breath away from sailing through the air while the rest of us were merrily shooting down the falls. I've tried to tell her that nobody has ever fallen out, and that actually it is an impossibility, but I might as well be talking to the statue of Mickey in front of the castle.
I don't know, maybe they could have one or two rows where people could request a seat belt, to satisfy those who really, really want them.

 

[Mecha Figment]

the majority of the time on several rides at Disney, the restraints are only there to give a peace of mind. the shoulder harnesses are not techicaly nesseary on rocking roller coaster. they've doen several sandbag tests with out them and the bags were fine. But they have them as a precaution. rides like dumbo , the restraints are really sort of useless.

 

[Slapster]

I hold on for dear life on that steep drop. No restraint needed for me!

 

[jlovesee]

I haven't worked Splash itself, but I have worked on a flume (log) ride at the local amusement park for two seasons. The most dangerous thing that can happen on those things is that the boat tips over, and I don't think that's even possible on Splash, with those boats they seems more bulky and wide. This is why we tell guests riding them to NOT rock the boat.

My point is that safety restraints would make the ride MORE dangerous, not only that but it would decrease the rides capacity, more restraints to check less boats can be dispatched, more waiting in line.

Jennifer

 

[StevePSU1]

I don't know, maybe they could have one or two rows where people could request a seat belt, to satisfy those who really, really want them.

Either the ride needs restraints or it doesnt. Disney cant let some guests "decide to be more safe than others".

 

[TheGoofster]

Either the ride needs restraints or it doesnt. Disney cant let some guests "decide to be more safe than others".

Well, since it's been pretty well proven on this thread that safety really has nothing to do with it, it would be more of a psychological thing for guests who only want to "feel" safer. So in that light, I still say that offering a special row or two would be perfectly acceptable. Kind of like a doctor offering a placebo pill to a patient who really "needs" a pill.

 

[StevePSU1]

Well, since it's been pretty well proven on this thread that safety really has nothing to do with it, it would be more of a psychological thing for guests who only want to "feel" safer. So in that light, I still say that offering a special row or two would be perfectly acceptable. Kind of like a doctor offering a placebo pill to a patient who really "needs" a pill.

Not sure what this thread can prove, but I can tell you that Disney will not modify restraints in ANY way without the approval of the manufacturer.

Additionally, the liability implications of seats with differing restraint systems is mind boggling. The above suggestion makes no sense. The first person to be injured for any reason in the section that had less restraint, would be able to write their amount on the settlement check!!

Either the physics of the ride require riders to be restrained in the ride, or they dont. You cant have middle ground.

Name one ride in the USA that has different restraint systems on the identical cars/trains and I will stand corrected.

 

[dizprincess717]

Goofster -

Assure you're wife she's perfectly safe. She will not fly out of the log.

Personally, it would be LOVELY to have some sort of restaint because it would prevent Guests from jumping out of logs and running around the track.

Yes, you heard me right. People DO jump out of logs. It's called an "intrusion." And then CMs get to go run around the Mountain to get them. It's actually quite fun, it adds excitement!

 

[TheGoofster]

Not sure what this thread can prove, but I can tell you that Disney will not modify restraints in ANY way without the approval of the manufacturer.

Additionally, the liability implications of seats with differing restraint systems is mind boggling. The above suggestion makes no sense. The first person to be injured for any reason in the section that had less restraint, would be able to write their amount on the settlement check!!

Either the physics of the ride require riders to be restrained in the ride, or they dont. You cant have middle ground.

Name one ride in the USA that has different restraint systems on the identical cars/trains and I will stand corrected.

OK, first of all, this thread, like most threads on this board doens't actually PROVE anything (I would think that by now you might have caught onto that, but at least now you know). When I said that this thread proved the fact that Splash MTN doesn't need seat belts, it was a general reference of various opinions, not something you should have taken as a scientific fact.

Secondly, I don't expect Disney to do anything that I suggest or recommend (again, that should be quite obvious, but there you are).

Now, having put your mind to ease, let me again reiterate, adding seat belts to a ride that doesn't need seat belts, in now way, shape, or form can hardly be considered "dangerous", and even though your mind seems to get boggled by the idea, it is in fact not such a difficult concept to grasp. In fact I have seen various amusement rides that offer different sized, or different shaped seats to accomodate different groups of people (for example three to a row as opposed to two), and interestingly enough there has never been either a lawsuit, or even a general uproar from such un-uniformed seating. So again, I say that adding seat belts to SOME seats for the peace of mind of SOME riders is not a far-fetched idea.

Now, as I read this thread, other posters have made some intellegent remarks as to why seat belts would not be used. Fine, no problem, I can fully accept the reasoning behind this. So, now you can feel comforted by the thought that Disney no longer needs to worry about me and my ideas.

By the way, a little word of advice. In the future if you disagree with a poster on one of these threads, try using a little bit of tact when stating your own opinion. Posts like yours - No your wrong, and your idea is stupid belong on boards like Yahoo, not on the DIS.

 

[TheGoofster]

Goofster -

Assure you're wife she's perfectly safe. She will not fly out of the log.

Oh, I believe you 100 percent, unfortunately my wife is of another mind. Oh well, I'm hoping this next trip I can convince my DS (10) to go on with me. We´ll just have to wait and see

 

[Groovee]

I WORKED AT SPLASH!!!



Sometimes (well, it's only every happened twice) logs sink.

There's no way you'll catch me or my children on that ride next year now.

 

[Uncleromulus]

The current poll results are interesting--. 146 no. 29 yes.
I voted "no".

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

The ride seems fine with the way it is, seems very safe, and we have never felt in danger on the ride.

 

[SimonV]

How deep is the water on Splash? I don't recall it being very deep at all, so I'm wondering how the logs 'sink'. And if they did, would the water even crest the top of the log? I could be wrong, but my memory doesn't suggest you would actually go under water even if your log 'sank'.

 

[StevePSU1]

OK, first of all, this thread, like most threads on this board doens't actually PROVE anything (I would think that by now you might have caught onto that, but at least now you know). When I said that this thread proved the fact that Splash MTN doesn't need seat belts, it was a general reference of various opinions, not something you should have taken as a scientific fact.

Secondly, I don't expect Disney to do anything that I suggest or recommend (again, that should be quite obvious, but there you are).

Now, having put your mind to ease, let me again reiterate, adding seat belts to a ride that doesn't need seat belts, in now way, shape, or form can hardly be considered "dangerous", and even though your mind seems to get boggled by the idea, it is in fact not such a difficult concept to grasp. In fact I have seen various amusement rides that offer different sized, or different shaped seats to accomodate different groups of people (for example three to a row as opposed to two), and interestingly enough there has never been either a lawsuit, or even a general uproar from such un-uniformed seating. So again, I say that adding seat belts to SOME seats for the peace of mind of SOME riders is not a far-fetched idea.

Now, as I read this thread, other posters have made some intellegent remarks as to why seat belts would not be used. Fine, no problem, I can fully accept the reasoning behind this. So, now you can feel comforted by the thought that Disney no longer needs to worry about me and my ideas.

By the way, a little word of advice. In the future if you disagree with a poster on one of these threads, try using a little bit of tact when stating your own opinion. Posts like yours - No your wrong, and your idea is stupid belong on boards like Yahoo, not on the DIS.

I apologize if my approach offended you. I have worked on teams that have installed rides at 3 major amusements parks in the US including rides with similar design and dynamics to Splash Mountain.

I also understand how ride height restrictions are calculated and ride restraint systems are designed. I have worked directly with parks on implementation of changes in ride restraints.

The general public needs to be informed and responsible when looking at ride restrictions and making decisions on whether or not they, or their children, should ride any ride. BUT Getting back to the original posters point...

The lap bar design on Splash Mountain does allow for children of small stature to slide under the bar on landing. (Or if the child is out of riding position, ie curled up, head on the seat, etc.) So...make sure when you ride with your kids, make sure they are comfortably tall enough and ride with their feet on the floor and holding on to the lap bar. Approriate riding position is important on any ride. Please read the posted signs.

Hoping to prevent a bumped head, scraped knee, and a good scare.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I voted no. My DD4 rode it for the first time on our trip a couple of weeks ago. She had her hands in the air and was just fine. She know that you're supposed to sit back and straight up on all rides though. She's small, just made the 40 in mark and light (like 35 lbs), but she's a daredevil (she also rode test track, big thunder, and tower of terror for the first time on this trip and loved them all). I don't think restraints are necessary, but if it would make some feel more comfortable then I wouldn't be against it. Like Kali has the seat where you have to sit if you're under 42 with the bar across.

 

[maxiesmom]

I voted no. The ride is safe if people follow the instructions on how to ride.

If someone hasn't gone flying out of Spash yet, I doubt they will. Unless they are messing around, and you can't prevent people from being stupid.