Ever ridden a coaster and came off feeling surprised by the layout yet a little bummed out by the painful pinning of the restraints? Yeah, same. It’s one of my biggest bugs when it comes down to a selected view rollercoaster. Safety is always paramount, of course, but when you see comparable coasters offering a more relaxing experience with breathable restraints I simply think there’s no explanation for it. So, here are 3-5 (depending on how many I can pull out of my brain to demonstrate what I mean) rollercoasters that I think could be entirely incredible if their restraints were more consistent.
Colossus – Thorpe Park:
Since the opening of SIK, this has become a proven point for me as to why I don’t particularly enjoy Colossus as much as I know I could. It has a really fun layout a little wacky in some areas particularly the continuous heart line rolls which are disorienting to say the very least. Yet here we are sat in this squished-up carriage with restraints that are far too hefty to suit the body type of anyone that’s not below a size 10 and completely excessive. Although the layouts are different SIK shows how it SHOULD be with the lapbars. If Colossus obtained lapbars it truly would be a solid UK rollercoaster with no questions needing to be asked. It’s iconic in its own right with so much to give that is purely tainted by the horrendously over-restricted restraints. Let’s see them replaced soon Thorpe Park!!
Shambhala – PortAventura World:
Again, these restraints are far too restricting. The coaster itself looks like an airtime machine yet for someone with larger thighs it does make it awkward & lacks its full prospect. Admittedly, during our visit last time we never once managed to get close to the front where it’s meant to be more forgiving so I don’t feel I can comment 100% on the experience at all. But from my experience, I’d say it’s lacklustre and anticlimactic. But always willing to try again when we finally get back out there.
Infusion – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
This coaster has one of the best layouts in my opinion & the intensity of it is just mind-blowing. Yet unfortunately the restraints are prominent and bulky which makes it somewhat uncomfortable to ride with the sheer headbashing that happens. However, if they had the more modern type of restraint it would be ace. The nearer to the front you sit the more comfortable it is admittedly but this coaster has insane potential to be one of the best within the UK yet those hefty restraints just make it tough to endure.
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What rollercoaster restraints do you find taint the experience for you?
Thanks for reading!
