Theme Park Safety Tips
Description
Almost all theme park accidents can be prevented. Here, based on coverage of theme park safety, are some tips to help you and your family stay safe on your next visit. Stay Cool, and Don't Get BurnedHeat causes more pain and injury at theme parks than all the world's roller coasters combined. In my experience as a theme park employee and visitor, I've seen more visitors suffer from sunburn, rashes, heat exhaustion and heatstroke than all other injuries put together. Water's your best friend in helping prevent heat-related illnesses in theme parks. As TPI reader Jason Herrera points out, chugging water in the park won't help as much as getting well hydrated two to three days before your trip. “Many people make the mistake of saying, 'I'll drink plenty of water while I'm at the park.'” Choose water over juice and soft drinks whenever you get thirsty, and don't drink alcohol until you are done with rides for the day. (Alcohol dehydrates you, leaving you at risk for sunstroke and heat exhaustion. It also impairs your judgment, putting you at greater risk for injury on rides.) Put on a waterproof sunscreen before you enter the park, and remember to reapply it throughout the day. A soaking sweat, or a couple water rides, can wash that sunscreen off you. A hat or sun visor can help, too. Wear comfortable shoes and clean, dry socks. The heat reflecting off asphalt pavement can give you a nasty rash if you are wearing sandals or no socks. Plus, you'll be on your feet for much of the day, and will need the extra support from a good pair of shoes. Use Your BrainOnce you are at the park, don't turn off your brain. Be aware of where you are, and who is around you. Don't stumble into someone else, or worse, trip over some kid's stroller. And if you're the one pushing a stroller, don't crash it into others' legs and feet. Don't run. And don't stop, either, unless you've looked around to see that you won't block folks walking behind you. If you need to stop, move over to the side, and out of others' way. Follow InstructionsKnow what you're going on, and read the boarding restrictions before you get in line. If you are pregnant, have pain or injuries in your back or neck, or have a heart condition, you will not be able to go on some rides. If you are shorter than five feet, or taller than six, you'll also encounter rides where you will either not be permitted, or won't be comfortable. If you can't find the boarding restrictions at a particular ride, or have any questions about them, find a park employee and ask. Some parks make special seats available on select rides for larger visitors. Ask. Most parks issue special guidebooks for persons with disabilities, which include restrictions that also affect many kids as well as larger riders. You can always stop by a park's guest relations office, usually located near the front gate, if you still have questions about which rides will be appropriate and comfortable for you and your group. Don't "cheat" and ignore these rules to get on ride where you don't belong. You might think a ride looks tame enough for you. But sometimes there are potential problems on a ride that most visitors can't see -- a hidden drop or turn, a sudden stop, or a portable ladder that riders will have to descend if the ride shuts down. Don't think that you know more about a ride than the park does. If they tell you not to ride, don't. And don't even think about cutting in line. Nothing provokes more fights and nasty exchanges in theme parks than impatient folk who won't wait their turn. Paramount's Carowinds employee Matthew Woodall advises, “it's not worth getting thrown out of the park just to save a couple minutes in line.” He also reminds visitors not to take matters into their own hands. “If you happen to witness line-jumping (I have in different parks on many occasions) please report it to the nearest employee at the ride. There is no point in reporting it to the guy sweeping because he likely has no idea what to do. Report it to the employees at the ride, or if possible, a security officer.” Stay In to Stay SafeOn any theme park ride, keep your rear on the seat, your hands on the grab bar and your feet and knees inside the car. If there is no grab bar, keep your hands on your lap. If you are riding a "floorless" coaster, relax your legs and let them dangle underneath you. Don't kick them out to the side or front. If you are on a ride with a lap bar, seat belt or safety harness, make sure that it is in place, snug and locked. If the ride starts to move and your restraint is not in place, immediately yell for help. Do not get on or off a ride until you've been given the okay by an attendant to do so. Unfortunately, some theme parks have cut corners on safety, and no longer staff all load and unload positions. If that is the case, wait until a vehicle comes to a still, complete stop before you try to get on or off. Don't crowd others who might be exiting when you are getting on. And make sure that your vehicle has stopped next to the unload platform before you get off. Often, vehicles stop short of the unload platform to wait for groups up ahead to exit. Ride 'Er Easy, CowboySome rides, especially roller coasters and simulator rides like Disney's Star Tours, can whip your head around, leaving you at risk for headaches as well as more serious head injuries. On those types of rides, sit in the middle of the chair and don't slouch or lean to one side. Relax, but do not go limp. You want to keep your balance in the seat. When the seat pitches you to the left, relax your torso and bend to the right to keep your head upright and centered. And vice versa. Think of riding a horse, or surfing. You want to ride the seat--not have it throw you around. Again, if you are prone to headaches, have any neck or back problems, or have been diagnosed with aneurysm, do not get on a roller coaster or simulator ride. Finish Your FoodRemember the old saw about not going swimming for an hour after eating? Well, you needn't be that extreme, but it should be obvious that you shouldn't get on a coaster or other turbulent ride if you have an upset, or overly stuffed, stomach. So wait a few minutes after eating to make sure everything's sitting right. And throw away that gum before getting on board a theme park ride, too. On a high-speed ride that twists, flips and dips, you don't want anything in your mouth that could block a vital airway. Help the KidsIf you are visiting with a child, take a moment to explain the ride to them, and tell them how they should behave. They are depending upon you to keep them safe. Set a good example for them by following the rules above, and make sure that they know you expect them to follow those rules, too. Tell them to stay seated, to hold the grab bar or put their hands in the laps, and not to stick their knees and feet outside a ride vehicle. Make them look to you for the okay to get on or off a ride, too. And never put a crying child on a ride. If your child starts to cry, let others pass you in line until your child is calmed. Or, gently exit the queue and find something more relaxing to do. Young kids can't keep an adult's pace in a theme park. Let them take plenty of breaks. “Kids get tired,” said TPI reader Matt Johnson, a father of four. “Tired kids make parents even more tired. And tired kids and parents get hurt -- physically and emotionally.” He advises that parents plan a mid-day break, perhaps a swim back at the hotel, to avoid mid-day heat and crowds. “You will see cranky families having a miserable time while you are refreshed and having a great evening.” Alert Staff About Problems
If you see something possibly dangerous, like a unusually bupy wheel, broken restraint, or any thing else that could impare or jepordise the afety of a park guest or staff member, alert them immediantly. Better safe than sorry. Also, if you see someonebehaving in a manor that could jepordize safety, like playing with operator boards when they are looking away or acting rambunctions on a ride, say something to the attendant. If you see anything illegal, it's also a good idea to tell a security officer asap. -- Last edited by Eric Ey
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Readers' Opinions
From Eric Ey on Nov 24, 2007
At Disneyland, you don't really have to worry about something happening due to the park's error. Safety belts are double checked, and they have a system that will lock up the E-brakes if allthe safety belts are not done. What you really need to look for is stupid people. You are more likely to get trampled thn thrown from the matterhorn. However, always watch yur kids. All the rollercoasters have operater- controled opening/ closing gates. Small Fantasy Land rides don't. So make sure your kid stays behind the yellow line. And some, but few, rides still use safety belts instead of bars, so if your childs young, or a little mischeveous (sp), make sure they are buckled the entire time
From Mary-Lou Mayfield on Sep 3, 2007
As an avid Rolling Thunder fan, I was eager to ride El Toro at Great Adventure. If there were warning signs about danger to the back, I didn't notice them - just the usual about keeping hands in and head back. Either I didn't keep my head back, or the twists were just too much for my spine. No permanent injury worth reporting, just a painful reminder that I'm not so young anymore and should make sure that any ride I take that has twists also has shoulder bars.
From Brett Day on Aug 11, 2007
I think water is important if you go to any amusement park on hot days. Always carry plenty of water with you so you don't get dehydrated.
From Laura Daspit on Jun 26, 2007
First off, don't run. You'll get to where you're going. Just walk. Also, slower walkers should move to the side. Don't spread out across a walkway and block everyone from passing you.
Second,instead of several people in your groups carrying bags, try to combine all necessary items into one bag or backpack for one person to carry. You can take turns carrying it and "bagsitting" it while you ride the rides.
Lastly, don't sit on rails while waiting for rides. These rails are not very sturdy and can collapse without warning. If you must sit down, sit on a bench, a curb or on the ground but out of the flow of traffic.
From Christopher Palma on Apr 8, 2007
While it has been a while since this incident, I do feel it is a good lesson for all. When I get into a theme park, one of the first things I now do is check to find out where the first aid stations are located. I have been doing this since my senior year in high school when an incident took place at Six Flags Great Adventue in NJ. We were on a trip for one of our classes to the park, and on the same day my brother's eigth grade class was at the park for a trip. We were walking around the park when suddenly my brother and some of his friends came running over to us in a panic. One of their friends had slipped on the guardrail (sitting on it like signs specifically warn you against) and split her nose open when she hit her head. They could not find a first aid booth, a security officer, and had been turned away by a park employee with a snide remark. Luckily we had a map and our group quickly sent someone running for first aid/security while we calmed the kids down. Later that day we reported the incident and the employee (whom the kids remembered by his name tag) to the park and they explained they would investigate the incident. While it was not a life or death situation, I found from this point on that it was always a good idea to know where you were in the park in comparisson to a secutiry or first aid station. it is a little more comforting to know that if you need it, you know right where to go.
From Martha Wilson on Jan 2, 2007
Although this advice will not apply to the majority of theme park participants, I learned the hard way. I have a seven year old son who is quite excitable like others of his species. The first ride he ever rode without sitting next to me was Daredevil Falls at Dollywood. He was behind me, and at the top of the drop when I turned to eyeball him, he was standing in the seat. This is a fear I will not minimize anytime soon. It is a helpless feeling to scream at a child to sit down but not be able to physically reach a child who is too excited to even notice he is being screamed at.
He tends to physically move around when excited, this I knew already but never applied to a ride situation.
When we visited the Magic Kingdom last week, I would under no circumstances allow him to ride Splash Mountain without me. However, I was pushed aside by a small mob of people and reached the loading dock in time to watch my son ride away. I was severely panic stricken. However, a Disney case member explained to me if anyone stands up on Splash Mountain it will break a laser beam which causes the ride to stop immediately. The ride takes twelve minutes to complete, a long wait. The cast member informed me there are many children (and teens, and adults) who stand on this ride. She also explained this type of ride does not have restraints as it may impede a rider's ability to stay above water should the boat sink. I can see the logic in this, but wouldn't it be less risky to be underwater with a restraint which removes easily than no restraint at all? With modern technological advances surely a sensor would allow these rides to have restraints. I was truly surprised to learn that dozens of riders stand on these rides daily and nothing keeps them from falling.
My advice: Ride this ride with your child in the same seat, you may just have to restrain them.
From Angel Dranbauer on Dec 5, 2006
Create a meeting place IMMEDIATELY!
This is a MUST for any children old enough to walk! As soon as you get to the park, find a central location and make that spot your meeting spot in case your party gets seperated.(We usually pull out a map and mark it with a special sticker and give them the map to hold for the day.) I also highly recommend coming up with some sort of code word for them in case someone tries to claim your child besides you. Point out park officials first, so they know what to look for. As my children got older, we started allowing them to pick out a spot. Now that we are older, usually we just meet at the locker we rent, or the first aid area. Arming them with a walkie talkie is a good idea if you can swing it. For toddlers between 5 and 7 just put a back pack on them with some incidentals like a juice box and some sun screen...and slip the walkie-talkie in there too. Making sure you have pictures is a great idea too. In 16 years we only had one problem with getting seperated. Once my daughter realized she couldn't find us, she went straight back to the lockers and there we were!(She was 5!) She was really smart about it too. She went to a park official, told them she was lost, but told them that we would be waiting for her at the lockers. The Park Official went with her to make sure she got to the right place, and sure enough, there we were.
From Betty Rohrer on Aug 27, 2006
i ama slow walker myself, and have been pushed my people who feel I am not going fast enough for them. If that person who gets pushed goes down things are going to go much slower in that area as help arrives to assist that person and that is not the parks fault. Also I used scv at Disney and almost hit people who cut right in front of me and were surprised when I could not stop. One person complained that I was slow that he could not see me. I kept the speed slow ofr fear of hitting children being pulled across in front of me.
From Adrienne McDonald on Aug 17, 2006
Yes, I agree w/the slow ppl but also remember that some younger ppl like myself have had a serious injury which makes me have to now walk slower so please keep that in mind that sometimes we're walking slow because we HAVE to but yes, ppl get out of the way if you want to stop & look. I always do my best to move off to the side to snap photos or just to look at something but I also always try to watch around me to make sure I'm in nobody's way.
From marie codd on Jul 24, 2006
We just visited Six Flags Great Adventure in NJ and had a frightening experience on the Skull Mountain ride. My two 7 year old sons, and my husband and daughter rode the ride, while I stayed back to wait for the next ride because of seat availability. The ride operator did not push down the safety bar in the seat my two sons were in. I noticed this as the ride started to move, and I yelled that the safety bar was not down and he assured me that he had checked all the restraints. I yelled again that the ORANGE bar was UP and he again assured me that he had checked all the restraints. Another guest standing next to me agreed that he had also seen their restraint up. At the end of the ride, my husband told me that he had turned around while the ride was moving and pushed the boys' safety bar down because it had NOT been pushed down and the boys noticed it as the ride started to move. With that ride's twists and turns, I am certain the boys would have been thrown from the ride without the bar down. This was our first visit to the park, and we had no problems on any other rides; however, I would advise parents to stay next to a ride and CHECK YOURSELF that your child's restraint is in place. I am furious that the operator did not stop the ride when I told him the restraint was up - a moment of negligence could have turned tragic. We did report the incident to the park and they said they were investigating.
From Yarleen Cheng on Jul 6, 2006
I think that is a good idea whenever you are at the Themepark in Orlando Florida.
Thanks for the comments
From Amanda Arp on Jun 29, 2006
I have a sister who has to ride in a wheelchair and every time we arrive a BG we have to wait in line at the quest services. I absoloutly hate it when people who have nothing wrong with then try to get a wrist band to cut in line at every ride , it is not fair to the people working there, waiting in line, or the people with the real disabillity. Ounce when I went there a teenager in front of me was trying to get a wrist band I heard the lady at the computer ask her why to you need a wristband and she said "I can;t stand very long" but that was it. She just wanted to cut in line she did not need a band. The wristbands for disabled people should be for disabled people.
From Keelin Haw on Apr 16, 2006
The biggest pet peeve are slow tourist people. Im always at BGE and of course it has beautiful landscape but i just hate when they stop in the middle of the walkway and look or the just stop and look at the park map. So i remind you people... do not stop in front of me or walk like an ol' person
From sherry tucker on Feb 27, 2006
I agree with the tips but one thing I want to add is don't trust the measureing devices at the beginning of lines, we were at Six Flags St. Louis about 2 years ago and my daughter and niece both measured ok at height chart at the beginning of the line for the Boss rollercoaster but both came off of the ride with big goose eggs on their temples. When we were taken to the first aid station they measured both girls with a diffrerent method and neither was actually tall enough. But to the parks credit the mistake was corrected immediately as well as ride operators warned for not catching that the girls were not the required height. I now know exactly how tall all kids in our group are before we leave and what rides they are to short for.
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