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Amusement park in the south discriminating obese? How can they be more fair?
Replies
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
I think a discount for entry is a really good idea. Some parks like Marine Land offer discounts for people with disabilities and obesity is a disability. http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2013/10/10/39-theme-parks-with-access-passes-for-special-needs/TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2017/07/too_fat_to_ride_at_owa_alabama.html
A new park opened a month ago, and it's having problems. How, does a park built in 2017, forget to acknowledge the average population?
Another news article relating to the states obesity problems. http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2017/07/amusement_park_flap_highlights.html
The park's original restrictions singled out women, saying that riding certain rides might be prohibited if females weigh 200 pounds or more or those who wear a size 18 or larger.
I think allowing a 20% discount would be a fair solution if they can't ride 2 out of the 10 rides. But one comment said that would be discrimination. They would have to have a scale at the entrance.
What is the solution?
it's a shame that the average population is overweight leaning toward obese.
as for singling out woman I suspect it has more to do with average height of woman vs weight where as an average man who is 200lbs is not as big around as a woman who is 200lbs...
as for entrance fee reduction cause you are overweight...hell no.
Another benefit for being overweight are you kidding me?
Presuming that the value of the entrance fee relates solely to the number of rides a person can experience rather than entrance to the other things the park has to offer as well.
I think that would be difficult to substantiate in any meaningful sense.
Might be good as PR stunt though.
We're heading to an amusement park this weekend and since most rides trigger intense anxiety in me, I'll literally only be going on 2 of them (bumper cars and then there's a white water raft ride that isn't a trigger). I'm still paying full price and I'll still enjoy the day because the park has other entertainment venues that I can do, (on top of just having a good time with the family). We go every year and I notice lots of other people sitting down along with me, waiting for others to go on rides, for whatever reason. It's still a good time even without all the rides.
eta: I forgot about the swan boat rides-I can go on 3 rides woohoo lol.12 -
Ride restrictions are based on test data via their risk management process. This system is designed to ensure maximum safety standards are followed and to minimize the chance of injury.
Allowing people to ride that do not fit the minimum criteria would result in increased injuries and legal action.
Crying discrimination over this is ad absurdum.
Yep, if you made the seats to fit the extreme obese, this would most likely cause safety issues for smaller individuals. In addition, the stress of the additional weight may require redesign of existing rides for safety (not just making the seats bigger).7 -
I imagine that some rides would not work for small people if they were designed for the obese. People would be falling out.
Do any parks have a big and tall section where a few seats are designed to fit larger people? I wonder if that would work?
There used to be a theme park in South Carolina where at least one of the coasters had a row with larger harnesses. It used to be the hard rock theme park, then it was something else for a season, then it closed, I believe.
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »What is the solution?
I don't mean to sound callous but it sounds like the solution is for people in Alabama to eat fewer calories than they burn.47 -
At some point, we have to stop imagining that the world revolves around us. I wouldn't walk into a fish restaurant and expect them to offer pizza or give me a discount because I'm either allergic to or just don't like fish.
It's not discrimination. They offer what they offer with physical guidelines in place to protect themselves and you can choose to go or not.41 -
Lets not forget... going to the fair is about more that just the rides... its about that fair food!!!!!13
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Being fat isn't an uncontrollable disability, there shouldn't be concessionary rates for eating too much. Does it suck to be fat? Yes. Most of us on this site either are or have been overweight up to morbidly obese. Should businesses have to invest millions in order to accommodate me eating too much? No. I should either suck it up or lose the damn weight so I can fit on the rides I want to ride.
It's not as simple as making a seat bigger. I'm not an engineer but basic knowledge suggests that weight loads/distribution could be thrown off dangerously by someone very heavy on some rides. And as with flying, there's the comfort of other guests around them. Ever see some poor kid flying around a ride with a straight across lap bar because the adult with them is obese?
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How about a pro-rated price for everyone? Each person could be run through a series of screens on their way into the park, checking for height, weight, and age, as well as other medical conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, heart disease, orthopedic injuries, etc. Then the price could be based on the percentage of attractions that the person could potentially visit. So small children would only pay for the attractions in the kiddie land, carousel, etc. plus all the shows. Obese people wouldn't pay for roller coasters or kiddie rides. (Unless they are obese kids).
Those who get motion sickness can't really ride the roller coasters either, or any other "motion" rides, so they shouldn't have to pay for those.
Sound like a good idea?7 -
Ride restrictions are based on test data via their risk management process. This system is designed to ensure maximum safety standards are followed and to minimize the chance of injury.
Allowing people to ride that do not fit the minimum criteria would result in increased injuries and legal action.
Crying discrimination over this is ad absurdum.
+13 -
Solution = losing weight
I am a HUGE Disney fan, I can fit on all their rides, but there have been times where it has been uncomfortable (especially when riding with my husband who is broad shouldered). From what I understand the new Flight of Passage ride at Animal Kingdom has a seat at the entrance (with a cast member to assist) to help you decide whether you should ride or not due to size restrictions.
The seat on this particular ride can be an issue for people that are overweight OR people who are taller than average. So, it is not always just about the weight. Height is a huge factor in the safety of most rides I have been on. However, I also think Disney is the most friendly with their ride designs for people from all walks of life (children, obese, height, disability, etc.).
So, does that mean that a person should also receive a discount for height (too tall or too short)?
I guess in my mind, I would rather theme parks err on the side of caution and safety. If that means a particular ride or attraction is off limits to me, then it is my choice whether I want to give my money to the company. Also, weight is a fairly controllable factor for most people, so I don't really consider that to be a disability unless there is an underlying medical condition that causes obesity.
Also, FWIW, when I was growing up I lived close to Kings Island in Mason, OH. We got season passes every year. In all those years my mom only rode the train, slow moving rides and watched shows. She was not a big "thrill" rides person. Yet, she always paid full price and only enjoyed about 20% of what the park offered.
I think once you start an "a la carte" approach to theme parks, it creates a slippery slope. How do you monitor a person's admittance fee to what they actually do in the park? Parks would have to add extra staff just to check people's park ticket at the entrance to each attraction and I am sure most of the companies are not looking to add to their direct labor costs.2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Would specific rides for obese only be reverse discrimination. I could see that in the future since obesity is due to double in the next 20 years at its current pace.
Why would a park limit rides to only the obese? Are you envisioning a future where obesity is so normal that everything is engineered for bigger bodies and safety cannot be established for smaller people on the rides?
Anyone else read this and picture the interior of the B&L ship from Wall-E?
That is EXACTLY what I was seeing in my head.6 -
Maybe in the future people will have a chip implanted (by choice), and those with medical conditions and disabilities such as obesity could get a reduced rate at park entrance. Each ride entrance would have a chip reader.How about a pro-rated price for everyone? Each person could be run through a series of screens on their way into the park, checking for height, weight, and age, as well as other medical conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, heart disease, orthopedic injuries, etc. Then the price could be based on the percentage of attractions that the person could potentially visit. So small children would only pay for the attractions in the kiddie land, carousel, etc. plus all the shows. Obese people wouldn't pay for roller coasters or kiddie rides. (Unless they are obese kids).
Those who get motion sickness can't really ride the roller coasters either, or any other "motion" rides, so they shouldn't have to pay for those.
Sound like a good idea?
This technology could also be used to determine how much to charge people pay buffets. I would be willing to pay extra compared to a 100 lb person. I see nothing wrong with this.
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
Maybe in the future people will have a chip implanted (by choice), and those with medical conditions and disabilities such as obesity could get a reduced rate at park entrance. Each ride entrance would have a chip reader.How about a pro-rated price for everyone? Each person could be run through a series of screens on their way into the park, checking for height, weight, and age, as well as other medical conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, heart disease, orthopedic injuries, etc. Then the price could be based on the percentage of attractions that the person could potentially visit. So small children would only pay for the attractions in the kiddie land, carousel, etc. plus all the shows. Obese people wouldn't pay for roller coasters or kiddie rides. (Unless they are obese kids).
Those who get motion sickness can't really ride the roller coasters either, or any other "motion" rides, so they shouldn't have to pay for those.
Sound like a good idea?
This technology could also be used to determine how much to charge people pay buffets. I would be willing to pay extra compared to a 100 lb person. I see nothing wrong with this.
Start an amusement park. Make sure to inform your investors about your idea.
Let me know how that turns out.13 -
TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
Maybe in the future people will have a chip implanted (by choice), and those with medical conditions and disabilities such as obesity could get a reduced rate at park entrance. Each ride entrance would have a chip reader.How about a pro-rated price for everyone? Each person could be run through a series of screens on their way into the park, checking for height, weight, and age, as well as other medical conditions such as epilepsy, pregnancy, heart disease, orthopedic injuries, etc. Then the price could be based on the percentage of attractions that the person could potentially visit. So small children would only pay for the attractions in the kiddie land, carousel, etc. plus all the shows. Obese people wouldn't pay for roller coasters or kiddie rides. (Unless they are obese kids).
Those who get motion sickness can't really ride the roller coasters either, or any other "motion" rides, so they shouldn't have to pay for those.
Sound like a good idea?
This technology could also be used to determine how much to charge people pay buffets. I would be willing to pay extra compared to a 100 lb person. I see nothing wrong with this.
except obesity is not a disability,18 -
Obesity in the US can be a disability. You can collect benefits and not work if there are related medical conditions such as: heart disease, joint disorders, diabetes, etc. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/obesity-and-social-security-disability3
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TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Obesity in the US can be a disability. You can collect benefits and not work if there are related medical conditions such as: heart disease, joint disorders, diabetes, etc. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/obesity-and-social-security-disability
obesity can cause those issues which are a disability but obesity itself is not.
and calling it that removes the onus of the individual to do something about it.
you can have heart disease, collect benefit and not be obese.18 -
suzannesimmons3 wrote: »TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »Obesity in the US can be a disability. You can collect benefits and not work if there are related medical conditions such as: heart disease, joint disorders, diabetes, etc. http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/disabling-conditions/obesity-and-social-security-disability
obesity can cause those issues which are a disability but obesity itself is not.
and calling it that removes the onus of the individual to do something about it.
you can have heart disease, collect benefit and not be obese.
Tbh it's an easy way out for some to not work a day in their lives.
not sure I would call obesity easy.8
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