Kings Dominion (KD) Discussion Thread

[Homeboy23]

^ I see nothing wrong with those but I am sure they will be plenty of complaints.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Coaster enthusiasts??? COMPLAIN?!?!?!! No way!!!!!

[Josh Linn]

Sure beats the original atrocities that destroyed the sides of my head on Storm Runner.

[KPfreak519]

As long as its the straps and not the Maverick-esque OTSRs I dont think it should make much of a difference. Ive never ridden a coaster with those straps but they dont look like you should really even be able to feel that theyre there...

[cfc]

^I thought the straps used on Bakken's Tornado were OK--more forgiving that what Intamin uses on Stormrunner at Hershey.

[Skycoastin Steve]

How about thinking of it this way: If they just had lapbars, with the laterals that are going to be experienced in some of those turns, riders would be slamming into each other and possibly knocking heads and/or involuntarily smacking each other with their arms that are up. Then you would all be livid over how unsafe it was. Same thing goes with Maverick. Yep, the OTSRs on Maverick hurt your neck, but I bet slamming your head into the seat or another rider would feel a lot worse. And if these are cloth straps, I highly doubt they'll be THAT uncomfortable.

[alpengeist04]

^Sorry, I don't agree. The main reason for the restraints is to accommodate more riders due to size. If the laterals are that severe, you're going to have people hurting their necks no matter what. Anyway, it really doesn't matter because we're getting the straps, and I'm sure it'll be an improvement over those on Maverick.

[Vffreak07]

I'd rather have those than real OSTR's. No complaining here.

[Loefet]

^I thought the straps used on Bakken's Tornado were OK--more forgiving that what Intamin uses on Stormrunner at Hershey.

But am I right to say that the most of you had either jackets or sweaters on you?

Riding it with nothing more than a T-shirt which leaves your neck exposed is less comfortable.

 

But it all come down to how much "head banging" (or neck slashing in this case) there is on the ride...

[SharkTums]

^I also had no problems with Bakken's Tornado restraints, and I can't imagine Intimidator 305 having more forces than Tornado!!! That ride was insane!!!

 

 

[cfc]

^I thought the straps used on Bakken's Tornado were OK--more forgiving that what Intamin uses on Stormrunner at Hershey.

But am I right to say that the most of you had either jackets or sweaters on you?

Riding it with nothing more than a T-shirt which leaves your neck exposed is less comfortable.

 

But it all come down to how much "head banging" (or neck slashing in this case) there is on the ride...

 

We were all wearing chain mail and foam-rubber turtlenecks.

 

I don't recall anyone having any problems with the straps on Tornado, and I think Elissa's right--I doubt that the forces on Intimidator 305 are going to "whiplash" anyone as much as those on Tornado.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Sorry, I don't agree. The main reason for the restraints is to accommodate more riders due to size. If the laterals are that severe, you're going to have people hurting their necks no matter what. Anyway, it really doesn't matter because we're getting the straps, and I'm sure it'll be an improvement over those on Maverick.

 

I guess I'm failing to see how more restrictive OTSRs could accommodate larger riders better than just a lap bar. And I would think that OTSRs keep the body more upright, therefore reducing the effect of laterals. I sure know that if Maverick didn't have OTSRs then you would be thrown side to side like a rag doll during the quick turns at the beginning and then again at the end of the launch and in the Stengel dive, cause you get thrown pretty hard into those restraints.

[StealthFan]

 

Here we have Popeye and Lou transforming into some new creature. A werewolf maybe?

 

-Craig

[alpengeist04]

^^You may want to ask the people who are turned away from the Intamin coasters with T-bars. ...like Bizarro, ROS, S:ROS, MF, TTD, etc.

Having been all those rides along with Storm Runner and Maverick, the OTSR do have more wiggle room and the T-bars are definitely more restrictive. It's all about the lap/belly, not the shoulder area.

 

As far as Maverick's OTSR, I'm only repeating what was said by CP reps during the coasters opening season. "The OTSRs are being used because they are more accommodating."

[Skycoastin Steve]

^That would be great if the restraints on I305 and Maverick were T-bars, but they aren't. I'd imagine guests of larger sizes could fit just fine with those "pull down" lap bars without adding the shoulder straps. Which makes it a mystery why they don't just have those types of lap bars from now on. I honestly don't care either way, I can fit in the restraints regardless despite being 6'5. The only ones that give me trouble are Arrow and Vekoma OTSRs because I swear they designed them for dwarfs and children.

[southpuddle]

^ Unfortunately, I think it comes down to insurance premiums and parks not wanting to be sued if something should go wrong. Anyone who has ridden an Intamin ride with these OSTRs can tell you that the lapbar portion of the restraint does ALL of the restraining.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Which is why America is laaaaammmmmeeeeeeeeeeee when it comes to coasters.

[southpuddle]

Tell me about it! I want to go back to the days of no air gates on platforms, no additional seatbelts and being allowed to bring anything and everything onboard with you! Sigh...

[larrygator]

Tell me about it! I want to go back to the days of no air gates on platforms, no additional seatbelts and being allowed to bring anything and everything onboard with you! Sigh...

 

I have no trouble with the removal of air gates and minimal restraints as stupidity will only help the stupid people. Provided we also get rid of all lawyers.

 

However, keeping lose items off of rides is necessary because stupid people bringing unsecured items on to rides could hurt others and ruin their day.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Agreed on the loose articles. If you've ever been hit in the face with a quarter on the back stretch of Magnum, you'll understand why.

[Der Der Dongt]

I am not very happy about the restraints either. That really is a problem in the states but I am still looking forward to riding I305 in June.

Talking about lose articles, at Europapark it is common practice to take everything you carry, even backpacks, with you on every ride except for Blue Fire and Silverstar.

[Capitalize]

^Agreed on the loose articles. If you've ever been hit in the face with a quarter on the back stretch of Magnum, you'll understand why.

Totally agree - except for me its El Toro on the first drop, and a phone instead of a quarter.

 

 

For those who have been on Tornado - will the shoulder straps effect the airtime on the ride very much? How restricting are the straps? That is probably my only real concern at this point.

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Phone to the face at 70 mph can't feel too good. The jackass that threw the change up on Magnum got about 145 pieces of my mind as we were pulling into the station. He's lucky I didn't catch the quarter and peg him between the eyes with it.

[Jive]

What's with all of he head knocking whiplash talk?

 

Extreme laterals aren't going to knock people into each other. Both people would flop in the same direction. And if people can survive rides like Hades and Voyage I'm sure that they would survive I-305. Unless rickets have become a common disease in the mid-altanic region.

 

I'm certainly happy that they're not Maverick restraints but an open t-bar MF style car would have been ideal. Do the straps on Tornado contain a metal strap or are they just the nylon?

[Skycoastin Steve]

^Last year my friend smacked her head into my shoulder on Voyage and had a bruise on her temple. It happens. Not everyone knows how to lean into turns like enthusiasts.