The Trade Wind

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@Coasternerd I try to generally be respectful of attraction height requirements when the child isn't obviously there. We had a few mis-measures on my niece so she was really excited for the 48" rides. Also I have to point out, Rock N' Roller at Carowinds and Music Express at Hersheypark. Rock N Roller at Carowinds allows kids of any height under 52" to ride with a supervising companion with the exception of handheld infants. Hersheypark allows kids 42-48 to ride but like Carowinds they must be with a supervising companion.

Trade Wind is 48 or you can F*** off with that upset child that feels like they are limited to the "baby rides."
 
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I understand that you are seeing this as a parent/guardian with a shorter older kid. But you have look at this from the perspective from the ride ops. If the ride instruction manual says 48" they gotta adhere to that. Otherwise their supervisor sees the too short kid riding and they get safety-ed off the ride or worse they get fired. Also, the heigh limit is for the kid's safety. Sure they are 47.9999" but there's that 0.001% chance that due to the height disparity they get thrown from the ride and get seriously injured. All in all the ride op is looking out for the safety of the kid. You should be happy that they cared enough to check heights and make the tough decision to not allow them to ride. While unfortunate for you, I gotta give kudos to the op.

Now how they relayed information to you. If it was rude or curt, then I can understand the frustration from that end. When I had to deal with too short riders, I tried to make them feel better and let them know of a ride that they could ride.
 
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Okay, but I pointed out before that there are 2 other models nearby where kids either 42 inches tall or “literally not an infant” which are the same music express model that she would have been easily allowed to ride. So trying to call me out how I should be “thankful to the ride op” is a bit much honestly. I don’t see your argument at all.

It’s a park policy that I frankly don’t agree with when there are other models close by she can ride without issue that as far as I know have not killed children. Very similar to how I don’t agree with the parks 5% surcharge policy.
 
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It’s could be state-by-state thing. Some states have different requirements for different rides. I don’t know if that is the case, but it’s just a guess.
 
Also it may differ based on manufacturer requirements. Music Express at Hershey is from Moser and Rock N’ Roller at Carowinds is from Mack. I’m not sure what manufacturer Trade Wind is from or if it’s one of those two. Whoever made it is most certainly in the ride’s SOP.
 
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I mean honestly I just have feelings about the fact it made my niece cry. That’s kind of it. I don’t like seeing a kid cry at a theme park. So “matter of fact” all you want to me I certainly am happy to do the same thing to others. My whole perception of Trade Wind is like messed up forever because its height requirement made a kid in my party cry. Um as for the rest of you carry on I guess?
 
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cschnizer said:
Also it may differ based on manufacturer requirements. Music Express at Hershey is from Moser and Rock N’ Roller at Carowinds is from Mack. I’m not sure what manufacturer Trade Wind is from or if it’s one of those two. Whoever made it is most certainly in the ride’s SOP.
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Mack, I believe.
 
I was on a plane when this unfolded, so yes I am going to resurrect a dumb conversation.

Parks aren't in the business of intentionally over-limiting their ride restrictions for no reason and reducing how many people can ride it. Ideally a ride can be ridden by literally everyone.

I don't understand being outraged over this height requirement with 0 knowledge as to why it was imposed, as though that information is supposed to be disclosed in some capacity. It sucks it upset your niece and seemed to be trivial, but these things are the way they are. Check the height limits and height of the kid to be aware and avoid those sort of moments where you ruin a kids day, that is why those systems exist. The park wants people to have a good time, but there are hard rules that they know aren't fun for everyone, and hence try to lessen the blow by offering the capability to evaluate ride eligibility yourself before you get in line.

I's like reading the menu, seeing the price, going to pickup your food, only having $20 for a $21 order, and then complaining when they don't give you your food. It isn't because they suck and have shitty policy and want to ruin your day, it's because that is how it works. Hell if anything it would be way more likely to get the food at a $1 discount than for a theme park to knowingly allow in a guest underneath the height limit, no matter how trivial it seems. If something were to happen to the kid, regardless of if it was actually because the kid was too short, the park would be in full liability as to why that kid was on the ride in the first place.

Questioning the 48" number with 0 knowledge of what it realistically should be to be in compliance with all relevant regulations and in good standing with insurance and what risk the company is comfortable taking on is absolutely bananas. "Why does this car cost $20,000? I was in Pennsylvania a few months back and a similar car that may or may not be made by the same manufacturer was only $16,000."
 
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I mean as I stated, I was mostly feeling stuff about the situation. Not thinking logically. It's quite clear to me now especially, nobody here wants to hear anybodys feelings about sh*t on this forum.

Also how is it "bananas?" to question that? You can take toddlers that aren't handheld on other music express rides? That's a little harsh honestly. I see other music express rides that are far more accommodating to kids much smaller than 48, therefore I question why it's a thing at BGW. It's not "bananas" it's a fair question.

Anyone else on here want to swat me down over this? By all means, I apologize I vented to all of you over this situation. So go ahead and think I am a batsh*t crazy person over expressing how this crap made me feel to make you feel better about yourselves.
 
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I feel your frustration @CoasterAuditor

There's nothing worse than when a child is literally right at that new height threshold, is so excited to finally ride - possibly spending the full week thinking of nothing but the ride - and gets turned away.

(And though not quite the case for your niece) What's even more frustrating is when the child is able to ride a specific attraction one day, and is turned away from the same ride on their very next visit to the park, as checking height can (somehow) be so subjective between operators.

So that subjective aspect is always what frustrated me the most when my two were younger. But of course, it's the operator who would be help accountable if something ever happened. So though it's tough - especially when a child is reduced to tears - at the same time it's understandable.

However, just think how much fun it'll be when your niece is tall enough to ride Pantheon, Apollo, and Alpie with you. So just keep doing everything in your power as an uncle to help induce a growth spurt 🙂
 
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We had the same thing happen last year. My son had passed 48” I measured to make sure and confirmed at the front of the park. He rode Verbolten ride ops checked he was good by 3/4”. He did the swings as well. Then went to ride Tradewinds and he wasn’t tall enough and was dumbfounded. After a interesting conversation with ops we confirmed the measurement device at trade-winds is off by almost an inch. Ride ops said they would report it so it would get adjusted. Guessing they never did. I completely understand how awful that is and wished they would get it adjusted so they would stop causing these problems for parents and kids.
 
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At risk of being off-topic here but don't see anywhere with a more fitting discussion... yet...

I'm dreading the next few years of BGW with the family simply because my jr thoosie son is only 42in and that park feels like a barren wasteland at that height. Sure, he gets the usual stuff but it's still 4 more inches to ride anything new for him. He's got credits for a Vekoma suspended, a Gerstlauer launched, a Mach bobsled, multiple PTC woodies, multiple log flumes, river rapids, and shoot the chute rides, and is starting to get bored with swings, scramblers, and flying scooters, which leaves me worried that things like Trade Wind will be boring by the time he gets tall enough to ride it. Forest of Fun is too small for him, Land of the Dragons is even smaller, and Planet Snoopy decimates both of these for anyone over 40in.

I want to clear up that I am in no way/shape/form complaining about manufacturer limits or park adherence, but more about the strategy of the park's choices of rides at certain height requirements. Also, before the inevitable comment about it, I know my son/family is not the norm and that parks are in the business for the GP (not the thoosies), but I figure y'all, of all people, will slightly understand our pain with this one. The only thing he has left in the area is KD's skycoaster and I'm purposely holding him back from that big of a freefall until we can find something that bridges the gap between 75ft and 150ft even though he continuously asks about it. 😁


TL;DR: BGW is sorely missing the Woodstock Express, Comet (Hershey/Waldameer), Phoenix, Twister, Reptilian, Mine Train, Shock Wave, etc. tier of coaster and their 42in flats are the same as any other park/fair, and are well.... boring.
 
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bwick29 said:
At risk of being off-topic here but don't see anywhere with a more fitting discussion... yet...

I'm dreading the next few years of BGW with the family simply because my jr thoosie son is only 42in and that park feels like a barren wasteland at that height. Sure, he gets the usual stuff but it's still 4 more inches to ride anything new for him. He's got credits for a Vekoma suspended, a Gerstlauer launched, a Mach bobsled, multiple PTC woodies, multiple log flumes, river rapids, and shoot the chute rides, and is starting to get bored with swings, scramblers, and flying scooters, which leaves me worried that things like Trade Wind will be boring by the time he gets tall enough to ride it. Forest of Fun is too small for him, Land of the Dragons is even smaller, and Planet Snoopy decimates both of these for anyone over 40in.

I want to clear up that I am in no way/shape/form complaining about manufacturer limits or park adherence, but more about the strategy of the park's choices of rides at certain height requirements. Also, before the inevitable comment about it, I know my son/family is not the norm and that parks are in the business for the GP (not the thoosies), but I figure y'all, of all people, will slightly understand our pain with this one. The only thing he has left in the area is KD's skycoaster and I'm purposely holding him back from that big of a freefall until we can find something that bridges the gap between 75ft and 150ft even though he continuously asks about it. 😁


TL;DR: BGW is sorely missing the Woodstock Express, Comet (Hershey/Waldameer), Phoenix, Twister, Reptilian, Mine Train, Shock Wave, etc. tier of coaster and their 42in flats are the same as any other park/fair, and are well.... boring.
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I'm with you, BGW sucks for this height. So does Seaworld Orlando
 
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CoasterAuditor said:
I mean as I stated, I was mostly feeling stuff about the situation. Not thinking logically. It's quite clear to me now especially, nobody here wants to hear anybodys feelings about sh*t on this forum.

Also how is it "bananas?" to question that? You can take toddlers that aren't handheld on other music express rides? That's a little harsh honestly. I see other music express rides that are far more accommodating to kids much smaller than 48, therefore I question why it's a thing at BGW. It's not "bananas" it's a fair question.

Anyone else on here want to swat me down over this? By all means, I apologize I vented to all of you over this situation. So go ahead and think I am a batsh*t crazy person over expressing how this crap made me feel to make you feel better about yourselvesI missed all the fun
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Someones crying about the rules being followed
I bet you would be the first to sue the park if something happened
 
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Millersound1 said:
We had the same thing happen last year. My son had passed 48” I measured to make sure and confirmed at the front of the park. He rode Verbolten ride ops checked he was good by 3/4”. He did the swings as well. Then went to ride Tradewinds and he wasn’t tall enough and was dumbfounded. After a interesting conversation with ops we confirmed the measurement device at trade-winds is off by almost an inch. Ride ops said they would report it so it would get adjusted. Guessing they never did. I completely understand how awful that is and wished they would get it adjusted so they would stop causing these problems for parents and kids.
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When you say you had a discussion with "ops," do you mean with the ride ops at Trade Wind or the Area supervisor for Festa? I would expect that if you talked to someone at the Area supervisor level or above, they would make sure to get stuff done. An Area supervisor is not going to change it themselves, but would raise the issue to the group or park manager level and get Maintenance to adjust the height. Once you get a few levels in, at least in my experience, you find mostly people who do genuinely care about issues in the park.
 
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