hbclarendon

Thanks! The list was down earlier this afternoon. But I'm number 95! Let's do this!!!!

Have the winners been notified yet? I was getting pushed to the bottom of the list in the final seconds. Fingers crossed!

There is another great update on LINK REMOVED. Check out this LINK REMOVED. What's up with the support to nowhere? It looked Photoshopped at first, but is it for the track down in the trench? Is there a better pic out there that I am missing? ADMIN EDIT: The above links have been removed as your post is in violation of our Terms of Service. While we appreciate you sharing the above information with us, you are not allowed to post links to external sites without at least 50 legitimate posts on the forums.

Robb, I totally get your points, and I'm really not looking for sympathy, I promise. I'm only recounting a startling realization and trying to find a way around it, even if I do so in vain. And having not been to an ACE event myself, but having seen my fair share of awkward, "no, you can't ride this ride" interactions with ride-ops and patrons, I can relate to your annoyance there. I just never thought my height would be a hindrance to one of the passions that makes me most happy in life. A little depressing to think about now, honestly, but the calm and perspective you said your friend Casey has is something I hope I can attain too. But right now, I need sleep. Good talking, everybody. I do appreciate the listening! Cheers! Ben

Thanks for the insight, guys. And I do see the logic from both sides. On one hand, why have a limit if you don't enforce it? On the other hand, why be so cruel to those heightily gifted? Let me ask this though--is height/girth really a fair parameter for restriction from a ride? Hear me out: we all know that roller coaster operators know their liabilities. These operator's clearly state stern warnings up and down the queue lines and blast the same warnings over queue's loud speakers. But. does this stop "expectant mothers," "persons with back or heart conditions," or "those prone to motion sickness" from actually riding the ride? Nope. I have to say, I feel that if you're going to post a height limit with a height stick, you better darn well have sonograms and EKGs out there scanning the line and enforcing those cautionary limitations too. When you're on a coaster, I say buyer beware. The same way that sitting in a T.V. studio gives unwritten consent to use your image on film, sitting in a coaster train should give unwritten consent that you are willing to accept whatever may happen. I figure a park has a right to kick me off a ride if it appears the ride's restraint (the lap bar and seat belt in most cases) has not been set to a safe level. Other than that, hands off, Miss. Rainstorm. I'm taking my life into my own hands and I'm fine with that. To clarify, I do think ride height minimums are a good thing, as a ride's restraints clearly need to have some minimum form to work with. And I'm not saying do away with cautionary limitations. What I am saying is, along with those limitations, roller coaster operators should come right out and say (in text and over the loud speaker) that "riding this attraction releases all operating parties from any and all liability resulting from injury or death." How hard would that be? Sure it doesn't sound friendly and Disneyland-magical, but it may actually work to make those people who shouldn't be riding seriously think twice. And I'm no lawyer, so maybe my wording isn't quite right, but I think that an explicit statement of non-liability would mean that, unless the operators did something like prevent medical help from getting to those who needed it, sue-happy ride patrons would have no case. Because no matter whether you think it's fair or not that I got kicked off that coaster (I'm not sure whether I think it was fair or not) you have to admit that there's almost an absolute chance that I could've sat in that coaster, lowered the lap-bar to a safe level, had the ride of my life and been just fine. And if something had gone wrong, I don't think my family would sue. They would know I was doing something I loved. In fact, my only wish in hypothetical-death would be that my last on-ride photo be framed on my headstone. Maybe morbid, or maybe I'm just that hard-core.

Hey chums! Long-time reader, first-time poster--love the site and the discussions. I wanted to vent a little story to see if anyone else out there has shared the same humiliation I went through. Two years ago, my friends and I went to Six Flags New England. It was my first trip there, and as a huge coaster enthusiast there was one super-awesome steel machine that I was very hyped about riding. But we had to build up to it. So I did my penance with Vekoma, enjoyed the short and sweet B&M, and then hopped in line for a 90 minute wait to Superman. Now, a few points for clarification. I am exactly 76.25" inches (6'4" for the less OCD out there). And to be fair, I did see the posted signs stating the height limit as 76". But in my defense: I had ridden the Superman clone at Six Flags America the summer before, and I did so with no problem whatever. And since I did not get stopped by the ride op guarding the front of the line--a man who I remember clearly making eye contact with--I thought I was all good. Wrong! 90 minutes of anticipation later, I'm at the front of the line when here comes little Miss Rainstorm came storming over with all sorts of No to tell me. She told me I was far too tall. And before I had a chance to defend myself--and here's the worst part--she brought out the Stick! Yes, right next to the Your-Too-Short Stick was the even more embarrassing You're-Too-Tall Stick! As I live and breath, I tell you, I was "too tall" only by my hair. And I have short hair! But that was enough for her; that little She-Beast got incredibly defensive, stating loudly that I would have to remove myself from the line immediately... or else! Now I promise you I am one of the nicest people you will meet. And I will never pick a fight. Plus, at this moment, my friends and I were too mortified to move. Actually, that's wrong. My friends turned and gave me a sort of "boo-hoo" look but then immediately pressed on to board their train to Glory-Town. And I so I left humiliated. I swallowed my pride and left the line without resistance. But it hurt. It hurt like whoa. I was mad. I felt like I want to throw something cute against a wall, just to inflict pain. I swear, this is why people club baby seals. So tell me, is there any justice out there? I don't want to sound like a whiney-pants--keep in mind it has taken me this long to admit publicly that I am Too Tall for Superman--but perhaps others can share their own stories? I'd be curious to hear. Cheers, Ben[/i]