[insidebackdoor]

Carowinds changes height restrictions on certain rides for the second time in three years.

Link takes you to Carowinds.com

<a href='http://www3.cedarfair.com/carowinds/attractions/detail.cfm?ai_id=502' target='_blank'>http://www3.cedarfair.com/carowinds/attrac...l.cfm?ai_id=502</a>

[MarkD]

Thanks, a lot of people I work with will like this new information. Besides, we don't want anyone falling out or getting hurt.

36' = 3 feet
42' = 3 feet 6 inches
46' = 3 feet 10 inches
48' = 4 feet
54' = 4 feet 6 inches
60' = 5 feet

Ok, I did that for myself
I work with some verticaly challenged people.

[CoasterDad]

Well, having a bunch of children, I know all about height restrictions and a big reason we've stayed away from CF parks in the past is because they were stricter than other parks on their height requirements, in general. A 48" requirement for the Gold Rusher is ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! The Whitewater Rapids and Rocket Power Air Time requirements are also too strict! One reason we loved the Pavilion is because of the liberal height requirements, which meant my children could begin riding better rides earlier. Dollywood and Hershey Park are also liberal on most requirements. I sure am glad NOW that we didn't spring for any season passes this year! My brother is quick to remind me that these height limitations are driven by insurance claims/requirements. Probably so...

[thewinds]

Good Job Cedar Fair! I'm sure there will be MANY objections to the new policies, but from extensive experience with this topic, it is definitely warranted. Children on amusement park rides have very much changed over the years. In the past (70's 80's) families rode rides together. Chaperones were typically parents, or people directly under the supervision of the attending parent. Chaperones have now turned into other children that are hardly old enough to chaperone themselves. This has left amusement parks in the middle of an uncomfortable battle, and really a legal nightmare. I've found it funny that parents are not willing to provide a legal -aged chaperone for a thrill ride, but are ready to pursue legal actions to the park when their chaperone fails properly monitor the actions of the younger rider, and an injury incurs.

Amusement park rides have also changed over the years. Children ride more thrilling rides at younger ages, and America has also "enlarged". This forces ride restraint systems to attempt to accommodate a very large range of riders. (Think about the Goldrusher, where the lap restraint locks at the position of the largest person in that car. That's a large range for a young child.)

To close, amusement parks want as many riders as they possibly can to experience their rides. That's why people come to the park. But don't look at Carowinds or Cedar Fair as the reason for the change. They're only making these changes due to the actions of riders (both inside the park and legally outside). So next time you're at the park watching a parent argue with a worker regarding height, that's very likely the parental type that has forced the restrictions in the first place.

[Carowinds2005]

  So next time you're at the park watching a parent argue with a worker regarding height, that's very likely the parental type that has forced the restrictions in the first place.

Actually they help the day go by faster! But on the serious side, that was a great post! You all will be amazed how unchaperoned children act on rides. The sad thing is that the Chaperones doesnt do anything to correct the problem. Actualy, the chaperone name has turned into a "Responsible Person" at Carowinds. If guest just realize that the park rules are for their own safety alot of the problems would disappear.

[Pop]

I see a problem with instant gratification here too. I mean, if your making a huge fuss about your child not being tall enough to ride some adult ride. . . .


Then just WAIT till he's tall enough! There are plenty of other rides to get on. Consider it their 'right of passage' into adulthood to be able to ride those bigger rides. . . its just not their time, lol

[kewlaidkiddd]

This is also a great business move for the park.

Think about it... there are a lot of these rides that are popular for younger children. Parents will want their kids to experiencec the park.

Families with multiple kids will now have to bring someone extra to help chaperone their kids. Thats an extra adult admission as well as purchases in the park.

Very good move on their part I believe...

[Coaster Nana]

My youngest granddaughter is going to have a melt-down! She was just barely tall enough (40") last year for Gold Rusher and Scream Weaver and loves both of them. This year she is only 42" and won't be able to go "supside down". At least she can still ride Fairly Odd Coaster.

[aseigler]

I can see both sides of the argument, but for me, this is very bad news indeed. I only have 1 child, 6 years old, almost 46 inches tall. Last year, we had season passes and went several times a month. As it turns out, the most notable height requirement changes are the rides she always wanted to go on over and over again:

• Carolina Goldrusher: Changed from 40” to 48”</li>
• Rip Roarin’ Rapids: Changed from 40” to 46”</li>
• Scream Weaver: Changed from 40” to 54” (14 inch difference??? seriously!?!?!?!!)</li>
• Whitewater Falls: Changed from 40" to 46"</li>

Absolutely ridiculous. I bought season passes for 2007 last October, before the changes were announced. She can still ride the Fairly Odd Coaster, but she's not excited about it at all. Who would, after being able to ride the Goldrusher all last year? We've only been to the park 3 times this year, and we didn't stay very long. Cedar Fair took away the best rides for her height, and didn't add anything to speak of to make up for it. I doubt I'll get season passes again, unless she starts growing faster. Hopefully she'll be 48" by the end of the summer, else these passes are just a waste.

-aseigler

[Jonathan]

I would go to guest services and see if you have any options (such as a refund) considering the circumstances if you aren't happy with the park. It may be a long shot, but I think it is appropriate in this situation.

Quite frankly, I think this whole thing is absurd. It doesn't affect me, but I have already seen a number of people affected by it in my 1 visit to Carowinds and Kings Dominion this year. I can't see this being too good for Cedar Fair's PR, because the ride ops are explaining it to the guests by saying "Cedar Fair purchased the park and they did this".

Perhaps it is the insurance company pressuring to them to do this (as well as putting seatbelts on every single coaster including the Arrow loopers and Schwarzkopfs...), but it seems like it sends an interesting message. So, if they believe it is necessary for safety to lower these height requirements and add these seatbelts now, does that say that all of these rides were unsafe before? Obviously they weren't, so.. why?

thewinds makes some excellent points, but the problem here is the timing of the implementation. They did this so late and with so little notice that most of their season pass base had already purchased their passes.

[thewinds]

I can certainly see the points regarding season passes, and I do hope the affected holders find success or satisfaction with refunds, etc.

However, I have to maintain that these changes bring a little more consistency to the parks attractions. It always surprised me that a 44" child could step on a ride (like the scream weaver) that has more intense elements, yet be denied on other attractions with seemingly less intense elements (cyclone which requires 48", or even the bumper cars.)

Reading responses, I also must comment that there is no "almost" when it comes to height. Can you buy alcohol legally if you're almost 21? Can you vote if you are almost 18? I know the word "almost" sparks argument, but in the legal world it's a simple yes or no question.

Regarding the secondary restraint systems (seat belts). We're seeing this move all across the country, this is not just a Carowinds/ Cedar Fair action. Simply put, it's a measure, that if used properly, takes the implications of restraint failure risk to zero. However, the primary restraint system (in most cases the lap restraint, harness, etc) is the device that height is based off of. Therefore seat belts are not a measure to reduce height restriction.

Every ride manufacturer puts out safety bulletins when adjustments need to be made with the attraction. I am very confident you will find that at some point, Cedar Fair has adjusted these height requirements, and other ride modifications, in accordance with previous safety bulletins.

I realize that at then end of the day, these comments don't change the facts, I just hope to provide a different view on the topic.