Using safety restraints on rides

[larryz]

Okay... this is going to sound like a weird question, but I want to make sure I'm using the safety restraints correctly on rides (lap bars; shoulder harnesses on coasters that go upside down).

The last few times I've been to Disney/Universal/Busch Gardens I've been paranoid about the restraints being safe. After I secured myself,I would push down on the lap bar/ shoulder restraint a few times to make it extra tight. Though I took these measures to feel safe, doing this made the rides uncomfortable. IE my stomach/chest area felt crushed. I want to feel safe but I also want to be comfortable so I can fully enjoy the rides.

Finally the question: Am I making the rides uncomfortable by over worrying about safety?

Sorry if the question is at all confusing,
Steph

It's NEVER a bad idea to double check after the ride operators on whether or not your restraints are locked. I always push up/out on the restraint to make sure it isn't half-locked or stuck between locking positions...

To secure the restraint, pull it down until it lightly touches your body. Then push up/out to ensure it's locked.

Pulling down will tighten the grip. All you really need to be safe is light contact with your body, and no give when you push up/out.

 

[Victoria3]

As long as you meet the minimum height requirement you'll be fine. Gravity holds you in.

 

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

Yes.

By and large the restraints in the seats offer no real safety - the ride itself is safe, and you should be able to ride it fine without any lap belt, harness, etc. (pretty sure this is true of every ride at WDW). The harnesses are there to make you feel safe. Keep 'em loose if it's more comfortable.

This is very true. I've even been on an "older" coaster in Hershey Park that went upside down and only had a lap bar.

 

[spielerin]

And that Hershey Park coaster has even gotten stuck upside down.

 

[larryz]

This is very true. I've even been on an "older" coaster in Hershey Park that went upside down and only had a lap bar.

Do you recall the name?

 

[dawnhaze]

SooperDooperLooper is the Hersheypark coaster that goes upside down with a lap bar.

 

[BrianL]

The restraints, whatever kind on whatever attraction, are safe when the first locking position is reached.

If you are on Rock N Roller Coaster, you are safe when the overhead restraint reaches the first click above you. I'm five foot nothing and pull that thing down so it's on my shoulders but if I didn't I wouldn't be falling out of the seat.

My buddy is a big guy, and when we rode RnRC last May he had to duck under the fully opened restraint and it wouldn't move down at all because of his shoulders. He was wedged in there though! The CM said it was fine, my buddy looked at me in horror...and off we went! He was totally fine.

To the OP, the restraints are really more to give you something to hold on to (or to keep stupid people from even trying to stand up or something). There is no need to tighten them up to the point that they're crushing you. You are perfectly safe on these rides.

 

[BrianL]

No, Soarin' doesn't loop or spin or whatever but, for those who have certain adversions, having that strap there can help.

On Soarin', on my last trip for the first time ever I actually looked down a the floor from the first row. I never realized how HIGH that thing actually goes! It doesn't bother me too much, but I just never pictured it that way before. I can totally see using the child strap on that one now.

 

[AThrillingChase]

I don't get using extra restraints on soarin. It doesn't go upside down, tip in any appreciable way, jerk around at all. Barring launching yourself out of your seat, how could you fall out???

I just keep laughing picturing someone full on launching themselves from a soarin seat to fly over the ocean with this poetic look on their face. So funny.

The only ride I ever worry about is space mountain. If it isnt pulled down tight enough I am not convinced those jerks and bumps arent going to fly me up to faceplant onto the track. Or whiplash. Or possibly biting off my own tongue when I slam back down.

That said, I have already booked 2 or 3 FP for it next month.

 

[pooch]

I keep trying to reach the water with my toes!!!

 

[Squirlz]

On ToT last month the CM had everybody raise their hands before sendoff. I was caught doubling up my sea belt in my hand. She gave me a look.

 

[larryz]

SooperDooperLooper is the Hersheypark coaster that goes upside down with a lap bar.

Thanks. I looked it up. Apparently, each rider has their own lap bar (I seem to recall that as the case) and it fits tightly enough to lock butts in contoured seats that they don't see a need for an over-the-shoulder harness.

But that's becoming a rare restraint system these days. Now, even the over-the-shoulder restraints are getting locking belts to hold them in place...

On ToT last month the CM had everybody raise their hands before sendoff. I was caught doubling up my sea belt in my hand. She gave me a look.

You're lucky you didn't get the old heave-ho from the ride (and perhaps the park).

 

[lroger01]

I believe the restraints are not there to hold you "in" but to keep a freaked out, panicking rider from "escaping"! I remember being on a drop ride at six-flags when I was younger. I totally panicked when the car dropped. My friends said I was kicking and screaming and doing everything I could in the 2.5 seconds of the drop to escape the ride.

I'd only be worried about restraints if I was on an upside-down coaster (they have gotten stuck before), or riding with someone who was scared but determined.