Why do wooden coasters have seat dividers?

[vrf19977]

Just curious. They're so flippin' uncomfortable on my booty. Why not just have one open bench, and happy booties?

[Skycoastin Steve]

Prevents people from smashing into each other. Blame the lawsuit happy citizens of America.

[vrf19977]

Well that just bites. I'd rather slide back and forth and not have a squished booty when it's over.

 

Ah well.

[Wood Dragon 1988]

Personally, I've never goten all the fuss about seat dividers. I've ridden coasters with them and without them, and to me it makes little difference. I probably would prefer the dividers to not having them, so you don't have to get TOO close to the rider beside you (unless you really want to get close to the other rider ).

 

I know this post is pretty much sacreligious for most people so forgive me.

 

Basically there are far worse things I complain about when it comes to trains such as restraints, padding, seatbelts, etc.

[Jay20016]

Personally, I've never goten all the fuss about seat dividers. I've ridden coasters with them and without them, and to me it makes little difference. I probably would prefer the dividers to not having them, so you don't have to get TOO close to the rider beside you (unless you really want to get close to the other rider ).

 

I know this post is pretty much sacreligious for most people so forgive me.

 

Basically there are far worse things I complain about when it comes to trains such as restraints, padding, seatbelts, etc.

 

Adding, that with certain maneuvers getting more and more complicated on wooden coasters, it is there to keep you in place while going through some of the crazier banking...

[B-RadG]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

[beatle11]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

 

Lol...Some may like that idea....not that there's anything wrong with that of course. I don't think they really make much of a difference unless your a single rider.

[BridgeMan]

I second Skycoastin Steve. Ever ridden the Thunderbolt at Kennywood? Years ago when I rode it, there were no dividers on each bench. There had to be two riders in each row and they required the smaller rider to site on a certain side (can't remember which one). One ride through the helix and it made perfect sense.

[B-RadG]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

 

Lol...Some may like that idea....not that there's anything wrong with that of course. I don't think they really make much of a difference unless your a single rider.

I mean that's a typical Saturday night for me and all but it's a mild annoyance to think you're totally fine and then boom. Seat divider up the butt.

 

Anyhow, have y'all noticed how not all PTCs are created equal? On some of them my butt is like crammed between the seat divider and the side and on some I have plenty of room.

[Skycoastin Steve]

I second Skycoastin Steve. Ever ridden the Thunderbolt at Kennywood? Years ago when I rode it, there were no dividers on each bench. There had to be two riders in each row and they required the smaller rider to site on a certain side (can't remember which one). One ride through the helix and it made perfect sense.

It's still like that. And when you go to Kennywood alone like I did this year, and you're 220 pounds like I am, you have to sit on the outside and get squished by a complete stranger the whole ride. Awkward!

[6flagsbrad]

Every time I ride Ghostrider, I'm thankful they are there, yet they still don't prevent people from colliding shoulders and heads into each other.

[texcoaster]

On a train with single person ratcheting lapbars, the seat dividers are there to insure that the rider doesn't come out from under the bar to the side.

 

On a train with a single lapbar across a single bench seat (buzzbars) the seat divider is there to allow for single riders. Most insurance policies will not allow single riders on a bench seat without a seat divider because it's a simple act to swing your legs around and sit sideways on the seat like a couch, completely out from under the lapbar.

 

It wasn't always that way, of course, but until the courts start saying "it's your fault you fell out, dumbass" instead of "awww, they should've done more to prevent your stupidity, here's a boatload of money" then we will continue to be over-restrained on rides.

[vrf19977]

Well, no offense to the gents, but most of you have much skinnier/flatter hips and butts than us ladies lol. If I had a skinny little waist like most dudes, I wouldn't care about the divider! Just seems like most coasters are designed for kids and size .0002 adults lol. They should at least put like, one big bench seat in the train for the NORMAL sized visitors I'm heading to SFGA next weekend with my son, and I'm really working my recumbent bike this week in the hopes that I won't be squashed on the coasters lol. My booty needs love, not squishing.

[redfoot12]

My booty needs love...

So does mine.

[deathbydinn]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

 

I completely agree with this. Both times that I rode Cyclops (Mt. O) this summer, that famous airtime hill lifted me off my seat, and then dropped on on the seat divider. And it did hurt a lot. And since you could end up on the other persons lap, it didn't really do its job, now did it?

[The Bebes]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

 

Ride Phoenix at Knoebels in row 3 and you'll land on the seat divider 5-6 times throughout the ride!

[chadster]

<< Will only provide love to FEMALE booty's.

 

My first trip to Kennywood was this year, and like skycoastinsteve, I was a single rider (tho only 180 pounds ) and had to spend 10 minutes waiting for another singler person as my original "partner" chickened out. I was cussing the whole time (to myself) saying it was stupid, I don't care, let me slide around, etc. Man, after that first drop and turn, I was like, yep, now I know why I had to have a "partner", my legs and side would've been black and blue for days! After failing to find someone after what seemed like forever, a ride op who was coming on shift volunteered to ride with me, thankful for that, the line to find someone was longer than the line for the ride! I rather enjoyed it, but would have much more enjoyed it had it of been a female sitting next to me

[A.J.]

Seat dividers are good when you've got laterals - the dividers on the Millennium Flyers are cushy too!

 

But, seat dividers only should be paired with individual lap restraints.

 

Buzzbars plus airtime plus seat divider = uncomfortable-looking on-ride photo.

[vrf19977]

Rob... LOL @ your booty's needs.

 

I completely agree that IF there was no divider, two bodies should be required to ride, so the one person isn't sliding all around. I've ridden coasters with a seatbelt across both laps, a single buzzbar, AND a divider. Talk about squashed.

 

I remember riding Phoenix at Knoebel's, and as big as I am, I was all over the seat and all crooked and sideways at the end of the ride lol. Good times.

[Wood Dragon 1988]

A train with buzzbars shouldn't have seat dividers. Period. Airtime will slam you back down on the seat divider if there's nobody next to you. That = anal rape.

 

I completely agree with this. Both times that I rode Cyclops (Mt. O) this summer, that famous airtime hill lifted me off my seat, and then dropped on on the seat divider. And it did hurt a lot. And since you could end up on the other persons lap, it didn't really do its job, now did it?

 

Well, I've ridden Phoenix probably 20 or 30 times....it has buzz bars and wild airtime, and never ever got off a ride complaining about seat dividers. And yes, I do have a very small ass. But I've ridden with people with larger ones and they always seem to enjoy the ride I guess.

 

I clearly remember many rides on Phoenix where my ass was completely out of the seat half-way around the last turnaoround, but still not once complained about the dividers.

 

Oh well, I see why people complain, but for me I think there are far greater thing wrong with the industy.

 

edit- Also I wanted to add I would MUCH rather a ride have buzz bars and seat dividers compared to ratcheting lap bars.....if a ride like Phoenix or Jack Rabbit ever got ratcheting bars I would be more than pissed....but I can certainly live and greatly enjoy the rides with seat dividers and a single position bar. Pretty much when it comes to most rides that still have single position bars, I can find little to complain about!

Edited October 4, 2010 by Wood Dragon 1988

[cal1br3tto]

Although my preference is for the least restrictive seating possible, seat dividers have never bothered me.

That said, it's fun to ride single on one of the wilder ACE Coaster Classics and see where on the bench you end up during different parts of the ride.

[chadster]

^ I must find more classics with no dividers with no "partner rule" sounds like fun

[palmerleeberry]

You know, from all the coasters I've ridden, I never did care whether or not the train had seat dividers or not. I guess its all in the type of coaster ride and the park owner's preferences.

 

"Here's my take: if those seat dividers hurt your little tushy, then take me along. I'll make sure your little tushy isn't harmed. I'll do anything to get on a roller coaster ride!"

[vrf19977]

Well, I've said before, if I were skinny little critter with no butt, I wouldn't care about dividers, either! But since I have these things called curves, they're literally a pain in my booty lol. I'm in the process of losing weight (20 lbs so far! yay!) so hopefully by next summer it won't even be an issue anymore, and my booty will be all smiles I'm still planning to hit SFGA this weekend with my son, and I'll let you all know how it goes lol.