Cedar Point-Exceptional Size Guidelines????

[keishashadow]

Was planning our 1st visit to CP next week for quick get-away.

I've got some back issues, so i was just going to ride the more mild coasters. When checking out the ride specs i came across the following regarding:

Exceptional Size

woman who wear size 18 or 200 pds or larger

men who have a 40" waistline, 50" chest, 225# or 6'2" or larger

It does say they have some sample ride seats, just not on the ones I want to ride.

I've ridden coasters in many parks, never any issues; just would die of embarassment if i got the boot from a ride.

Anyone able to give some encouragement based on experience?

 

[HayGan]

I guess it matters what rides you want to ride. I did once see a woman have to get off of Millenium Force because she couldn't secure the restraints (and I didn't think she was large at all.) Most of the bigger coaster may be difficult for people of exceptional size. Now you may not have a problem with the Gemini or Blue Streak. I think you should even be ok on the Mean Streak, Iron Dragon and Magnum. Any of the over the head restraints may pose a problem (if I remember correctly those are the ones with the test seats at the entrance to the ride.)

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Plantlady]

Oh geez.

My son wants to go here.

I better start dieting now! I never thought of myself as "exceptional size".. but, I'm right in their guidelines.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I have always heard that the park isnt "pooh" friendly.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I think alot depends on body type, too. I went there 2 years ago and rode every coaster in the park. I ama size 16, and do not remember even sensing any sort of problem (although I am well under their weight limit, 165 pounds). I think women with a large chest could have issues (thats sure not me!) and women and men with bellies.

I guess it's good that they warn you just in case. I saw a woman have to leave a Six Flags coaster once because the restaint would not close, I felt bad for her. She was laughing, though. She was not huge, just big, but she had a large chest.

 

[keishashadow]

i'm stressing no popcorn for me it's fattening wasn't ready to join the pooh club, still trying to shed the DP pounds from last trip end of June.

Thanks for the hint on which rides are more forgivning. I wasn't going to ride any of the overhead restraints anyway so hopefully I won't be abjectly humiliated.

JMO but there's a wide difference between size 18s. One size 18 could be a 12 in a designer label. .

Know that my niece is at least 250 and is able to ride every roller coaster she ever wanted to and to be 'indelicate' she is very top heavy.

 

[DAD AT DISNEY]

We were at CP two weeks ago and being six five and about 270 I was able to ride eveything but the Raptor and the Wicked coaster. The Millenium force was a tight fit. My problem was more about being to tall for the Raptor and Wicked coaster than to big around the middle. We go to Kings Island and I have never had that problem with any of the rides.

 

[BettyCv]

I would die, too, if I tried and couldn't fit on a ride. I have gone so far as to ask the ride attendant at the ride's entrance (CP does this a lot) if they think I'd fit. Thankfully, they've always said "yes." (This is on rides that do not have a test seat.)

I am a size 16/18 and can ride Magnum, Gemini and Iron Dragon with no problems. I fit on Blue Streak, but with the retrofit there really isn't a lot of extra room in through the thigh area. (The ride used to be one bench seat, but years ago they changed it to make it two individual seats in each row.) Make sure you have both ends of the seatbelt BEFORE you sit down. The Mine Ride was a little tight, and I have seen people who were not able to ride due to size (and I didn't think they were all that big.) That ride has a lap bar.

I have not ridden Millenium Force, Dragster, MaxAir so I can't help you there...(But you said you were only riding the mild ones anyway!)

I haven't ridden Corkscrew in years. I remember it really whips your head from side to side - I would avoid it if I were you. And DEFINITELY stay away from Mean Streak if you have have back problems!

Here's a link to a thread that might help (beware the popups!). The search feature doesn't seem to be working, so you might find more threads with a little scrolling.

http://www.pointbuzz.com/cpplace.aspx?mode=thread&TopicID=21368

Betty

 

[Piecey]

I always feel so bad for people who I see have to leave a ride because the restraint won't fit them.

I don't know why-- I'm much too emotional-- but it really gets to me and upsets me.

 

[deadhedjen]

We were just at CP 2 weeks ago and I saw a lot of people get denied rides on many coasters. Even the Blue Streak. I felt very badly for those folks.

IMHO they should also have a designated place towards the front of the park with test seats from various coasters for folks to see if they fit before they either get to the ride entrance or even sitting in the ride itself. Just having the test seats outside the ride entrances isn't enough.

A lot of the rides were a snug fit and I am not at those guidelines for oversized. I'm an average build.

 

[DVCJEN]

I have always heard that the park isnt "pooh" friendly.

I worked there one summer when I was in college. You are right, they are not the most pooh sized friendly place to be. It was not uncommon to have to ask larger sized people to exit rides because the restraints were not large enough.

 

[keishashadow]

I'm still confused, other than the fact that the wild, new coasters must have different restraints; wouldn't the older coasters have lap bars/seat belts, whatever - that are the same as all the other parks, the ones that i've never given a 2nd thought?

BettyCv - thanks for the hints, i did come across that website tonight in my blind panic , was wondering why i couldn't navigate it; will try again tomorrow.

Got so upset i called DH @ work. He just had a physical and pcp pronounced him to be in great health, said his weight was fine for his height. When I read him the men's guidelines, he said he was very close to the cut-off too.

Starting to think they post the verbage on the site to perhaps ala CYA, wouldn't want a disgruntled pooh-person to ask for their $ back after being denied boarding???

Went back & re-read the disclaimer, surprised to see the waterpark included. I certainly want to be safe & follow the normal safety guidelines most parks have. Just wondering why it seems to be an issue @ CP.

I thought i'd bring over the exact wording from CP's site:

Guests of Exceptional Size
All passenger restraint systems, including lap bars, shoulder harnesses and seatbelts, must be positioned, fastened and tightened to allow guests to ride.
Due to rider restraint system requirements, guests of exceptional size may not be accommodated on some of our rides. This may apply, but not be limited to, males who exceed 6'2", and those who exceed 225 pounds, have a 40" waistline or 52" chest or females who exceed 200 pounds or wear size 18 or larger. Each person has different body proportions, so it is impossible to determine exact size and weight.
Our larger guests may experience difficulty on Blue Streak, Chaos, Corkscrew, Disaster Transport, Mantis, Maverick, maXair, Mean Streak, Millennium Force, Mine Ride, Power Tower, Raptor, Skyhawk,Wave Swinger, Wicked Twister and Top Thrill Dragster.
Maximum recommended weight limits are posted on Camp Snoopy rides, Chaos, Monster, Scrambler, Super Himalaya, Troika, Wave Swinger, RipCord and most Soak City attractions.
You may enter the ride via the exit to ensure the restraints function properly prior to waiting in line. We have test seats at Maverick, maXair, Millennium Force, Raptor, Skyhawk, Top Thrill Dragster and Wicked Twister.

 

[zuzu310]

Listen I would love to provide you encouragement since my dad is rather pooh-sized, but we go every year and see tons of people turned away after waiting in line. About 5 years ago or so we went with my dad who was turned away on some rides and the others the restraints just about broke his ribs. After that, he never went back. Last year, they tightened belt restrictions even more. Not only pooh-sized people are turned away but rather muscular men who's bulky chests just won't fit. My friend who is only about 240lbs. and 6 feet tall was turned away on several rides about three years ago. I won't lie to you. The restraints are tight and when they say that they expect you to be able to do the restraint without any help they mean it. They will not help you. It is still a sore spot with my dad to this day. I can't even mention the words Cedar Point around him. This is why we are going to Disney with him this year. He is excited to fit on the roller coasters. It is a sad but true fact at Cedar Point. I understand why the restrictions are so tight due to the intensity of the coasters but it still makes me sad that I can't enjoy them with my dad. I will say this...women seem to carry fat in better areas for these restraints and can sometimes shift around to get the restraints fastened. Men however cannot simply move their ribs.

 

[Brenda in CA]

I take offense to the term "exceptional" size. I just don't like it.

 

[HayGan]

I take offense to the term "exceptional" size. I just don't like it.

Just out of curiosity, what term would you have prefered Cedar Point to use instead? (The "exceptional size" phrase is directly from Cedar Point's website.)

 

[Brenda in CA]

Just out of curiosity, what term would you have prefered Cedar Point to use instead? (The "exceptional size" phrase is directly from Cedar Point's website.)

I wasn't offended that the OP stated it or suggested that the OP made the term up. I am aware that it was directly for the Cedar Point website. I just didn't like the term. As a plus-sized person, I'm very sensitive to descriptive wording of physical size. I'm not sure what I would have preferred, but I just know I don't like the term "exceptional" in regards to size. I also am not intending to start a debate about the wording in any way. Just wanted to state my opinion. I would imagine other people feel the same as I do.

 

[HayGan]

I wasn't offended that the OP stated it or suggested that the OP made the term up. I am aware that it was directly for the Cedar Point website. I just didn't like the term. As a plus-sized person, I'm very sensitive to descriptive wording of physical size. I'm not sure what I would have preferred, but I just know I don't like the term "exceptional" in regards to size. I also am not intending to start a debate about the wording in any way. Just wanted to state my opinion. I would imagine other people feel the same as I do.

I asked the question wanting to honestly know what people that fall into that category would be prefered to be called. My DH is of exceptional size. In fact he just underwent gastric bypass a month ago. I just don't think that there is anyway to phase it in a way that is acceptable to everyone. Since you had voiced your displeasure withthe term, I was hoping that you had thought about an alternative term to use that you (and others) might not be offended by. It's not an easy question but I was just curious.

 

[renessa]

As an "exceptional size" gal with and "exceptional size" dh, I thought it was one of the better terms used. I hate "plus" sized, and while I think "pooh" sized is fun...Cedar Point can't use "pooh".....

 

[englishteacha]

I was about a size 18 when we went to CP in 2005. I didn't have trouble fitting, but my DH had trouble on Millenium Force. He fit in the test seat, but got into the front seat and the seat belt didn't buckle. He was pretty bummed, but the attendant let us wait for another train where the buckles were a bit longer. They're supposedly all the same length, but they were a tad longer on one train and let us ride that one. My DH was about a 42" waist, but his belly was able to rest above the buckle on most coasters. After that trip, he went up to a size 44-46, but he's since lost 30 lbs. and won't go back to Cedar Point until he's sure he'll fit on all the coasters. That's one thing I love about WDW...never any trouble fitting on anything.

 

[candeeapril]

hi..we live about 20 min from the Point and have season passes ..my husband is also considered "exceptional size"..whatever...the only rides he has a hard time fitting into the restraints are the Millenium and the dragster..he sat in the sample seat for the new ride"maverick" and said it was fine...he is large in his rib cage area so I guess it just depends on where you carry your weight...my biggest proble w/ CP when it comes to this matter is they are not very compassionate about it..if you don't fit they don't care how humiliated you are..just try the sample seats(even though these are right in front of the line for everyone to see too)..i think you should be fine for most rides...if you have back problems DO NOT RIDE the Mean Streak..it's terrible on my back and I don't even have past problems....have fun thought...don't let this worry you too much there are sooo many rides to choose from...