Here's why you can't put your hands up on some roller coasters

Have you ever been on a roller coaster and spotted a sign reading “keep arms and legs inside of the train”? Despite this people continue to put their hands up in the air! Is this safe? Of course! In this video we explore how roller coaster designers keep guests safe by using clearance envelopes, a buffer of empty space which surrounds a roller coaster’s train.
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[@coasterbot]

The main point everyone seems to be taking away from this video is that they're too tall to ride the world's longest roller coaster, Steel Dragon 2000. I know the pain, I'm too tall as well 😥

[@Cheezbat]

Wait a minute….the max height on Steel Dragon 2000 is 6 feet? That’s ridiculous! It should be at least 6’4”-6’-6”

[@Disturbed666METAL]

​@@Cheezbat Yes because the last left Turn is really close to the ground imo. I am 1.79m and they checked my Height when I was there

[@RicardoVermeltfoort]

@@Cheezbat to be fair it is built in a country with an average height of around 5'

[@matthewrobertson95]

Pantheon at BGW has a max height restriction of 6ft 3. I'm 6ft 2!

[@lyllified1925]

i am genuinely crying rn, thanks sm for that information

[@mikejohn8189]

As an amusement park technician with 10+ years of experience, I can honestly say that if you tell a guest not to do something, They will do it!

[@EmberMcLain87]

i feel that's just how society is. you tell them not to do something, and they do it. kind of like learning not to put your hands on a hot stove is to stupidly get burned. I thin the only ride i know of i wont put my hands up on will be hades 360 right before the upside part, and the return area. seeing all that supports to the left and right is a bit scary.

[@UwePieper]

Tbh I‘d love the parks to throw those guests out. They are a risk for themselves and others. At least if some park official tells you something and you disobey… it‘d be well deserved to be removed from the park.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

I just watched a video of Great America or was it a Six Flags in Northern CA with a spinning roller coaster named sidewinder and in the queue they have holes in the wall telling guests not to put their hands in the wall, then when that happens they are hit with an air blast to presumably simulate a snake bite. If you are going to train your guests to defy the rules by rewarding them for doing it, then all bets are off for safety and actual trust. Telling them not to do something you actually hope they do, then having signs in other areas that you want them to follow is a disaster in the making, and a perfect defense for any lawsuit of the actually injured.

[@MattMcIrvin]

@@TheRadioAteMyTV While it's less of a safety issue, what this reminds me of is a consistent problem at Disney parks: people don't expect rides there to be particularly intense or scary, so if they put one in that actually is a bit too much for young children, even a warning sign stating that outright won't work--parents will simply not believe it, assuming the warning is just part of the ambiance.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@MattMcIrvin You got that right. When Toon Town opened up it was filled with signs saying not to do things they actually wanted you to do. This is no way to engender good behavour or trust. I was disgusted with their concept that they thought this was a good idea.

[@moonmannd7501]

I always assumed "inside the car" referred more to sticking out horizontally from the vehicle, not vertically up.

[@BlockMasterT]

Me too

[@yeetballs3895]

same bro

[@ChestersonJack]

Likewise

[@eveningstar6700]

right?! Thats their faults! Explain CLEARLY

[@brianfox340]

Same, but it really does make sense to be both now that I've heard it

[@5MadMovieMakers]

One of my favorite comments on somebody's No Limits roller coaster creation was "Yeah I'm gonna need a postage stamp for that clearance envelope"

[@coasterbot]

Hell yeah! 😂

[@zingkoinko1231]

@@coasterbot i stick up to low ones.

[@zingkoinko1231]

@@coasterbotbeecause highest ones are more likely to go upsidedown .

[@zingkoinko1231]

@@coasterbotwich i do not like upsidedown rides .

[@oscarhuntproductions]

Fascinating video, thank you. I was actually at Walt Disney World a few weeks ago, and I decided to put my hands up on Space Mountain. I was quite surprised to learn that there is no clearance envelope for tall people in that first tunnel, and my hand slammed against the top of the tunnel.

[@MyNameIsNotPa]

Better to hit the tunnel early on at relatively low speeds than later in the ride! I’ve always thought the supports were really close in space mountain.

[@snapsna3567]

You can't have it all as a tall guy huh?

[@oscarhuntproductions]

@@snapsna3567Well I certainly can’t have Steel Dragon 2000…

[@dylanscience4626]

I mean, the ride was made 40+ years ago, I'd imagine that some things fall a little short nowadays 😅

[@Othwgsh12445]

That happened to me today 😭

[@Awkward_Fox]

Love this topic, especially since it's almost never talked about in roller coaster safety! I thought the clearance was about a foot on the safety clearance, but I'm happily corrected! (Note that I mean with the arm stretched out) as a 6'3" human, its annoying when a ride has a maximum height, but I understand why. And I'm glad I have only encountered one such ride in my life

[@coasterbot]

What ride did you encounter with a maximum height requirement shorter than you?

[@florangroot1180]

yeah im 6'5" (1,96m) and encounter rides with a maxium hight of 1,95 a lot (mostly B&M inverts and wings) and its always so sketchy if im allowed to ride or not. Merlin is the most diffecult of all because they measure you by the milimeter....... almost missed out an raptor and oblivion at gardaland because the rides got a ridiculousy low max hight. (as a dutch guy im only slightly above average)

[@jellegeerts6489]

@@florangroot1180 as a fellow Dutchman I would advise you not to go Phantasialand where a 1.90 and 1.95 height restriction isn't uncommon if I recall correctly and I believe Walibi in Biddinghuizen has one attraction too. Luckily I don't have to worry at 6'2 or 1.88

[@florangroot1180]

@@jellegeerts6489 i actually went 2 phantasialand twice already and had no problems. Thankfully they don´t really care about the 1cm.

[@evie-rd8tc]

lol I went to the comments to see if I found more fellow Dutchies, didn't take long. as a 1,80 m / 5'11 woman I don't have the issue myself, but my family does, I'm the smallest. when we go to theme parks, most of us can't go in the max 1,95 m rides

[@JamesonThomas24]

I have always wondered how close Walt Disney World's Space Mountain comes to these minimum distance standards.

[@coasterbot]

Being quite an old ride, I can imagine the clearance isn't always up to scratch

[@cooperhoffman8303]

Last time I was at Magic Kingdom I tapped the top of the tunnel before the lift hill, and my finger touched a support during the ride. And I’m only 5’8 lmao it’s crazy

[@stillbuyvhs]

It was built in an era when they could expect people to actually obey the rules... ;)

[@oscarhuntproductions]

@@cooperhoffman8303 lol same

[@burdizdawurd1516Official]

With the lights on, based on videos I have seen, there seems to be sufficient clearance either by design or retrofitted throughout most of the ride. However, with the lights off it's a completely different feeling. Not being able to see makes it a lot more terrifying, so I usually keep my arms inside.

[@metleon]

Coasters that accelerate quickly can also warn you to keep your arms down. There were reports that Hypersonic XLC dislocated since people's shoulders due to the acceleration, and I've seen it on Intamin Accelerators, as well. Also, Kennywood's Sky Rocket had a maximum height, but only for the first row of the second car. Certain tight elements in the ride meant that you could potentially hit the car in front of you. This is no longer the case, since they lengthened the connector between the cars after the first season.

[@coasterbot]

Very true about accelerator coasters. I never knew that about Sky Rocket, how weird!

[@triton6127]

Yep. I pulled my shoulder on Top Thrill Dragster once. Mostly because I wasn't paying attention when it took off. Otherwise, I guess I automatically tense up before the launch. Ridden it dozens of times with my hands up but only got hurt once.

[@lukedeutschbauer6724]

That thing is never open

[@Leblribrbrrq]

This is actually what I expected from this video. I've seen these signs usually on videos about high acceleration coasters.

[@CatsnCoasters]

I must say, I'm always guilty of giving the supports a high five on the runaway mine train....just before the last helix.

[@orionscythe]

Which runaway minetrain

[@CatsnCoasters]

@@orionscythe Alton Towers. 😆

[@orionscythe]

@@CatsnCoasters the best theme park

[@borndiffrent5898]

Lol bro..... 😂😂

[@Octuly]

@@orionscythe not even close

[@legendarygary2744]

The lap bar restraints on newer coasters are far more comfortable and allow a lot more movement. When I first experienced a ride with them I was worried it wouldn’t hold me in well, but it was incredibly snug without pinching, etc.

[@rmac3217]

It’s because they use air now instead of a ratchet and lock.

[@jacobplatt3066]

​@@NJKLetsPlayYeah, I wouldn't trust air either

[@zeebeezoey]

0:21 Heck i recognised that dip as soon as i saw it come up. The Dragon at Legoland Windsor! Even as a relatively short kid I was scared to put my hands up going under that tunnel. I knew that *surely* they wouldn't be allowed to make a roller coaster that could chop your hands off, and a few times i tried to put my hands up. But every time my primitive brain went 'nope. hands down. i like having hands.'

[@goopypegasus-7740]

I didn’t recognize the ride, but when I saw the thumbnail of this video I immediately thought of The Dragon. I went on that ride with my dad when I was a kid, and since he’s really tall I remember being worried that he might not fit under that specific section lol

[@guidingkeyblade7834]

There is one point that you seemingly forgot to mention. On some launched coasters, the forces of the launch are so great that if you do raise your arms up, you are at risk of injuring yourself. A few examples include Top Thrill Dragster and Do-Dodonpa. I'm pretty sure there were a few instances of this happening on Hypersonic XLC.

[@zachjones2346]

Only for weaklings

[@eternalpianoempire7240]

That's how I unjured my neck at a roller coaster 😭

[@josephquartuch2753]

TTD's old launch was just a hair under 2G, sustained until approximately 120 MPH. I ALWAYS put my hands up on every launch, from any seat on the train. Never got injured, and I'm only a buck-seventy....

[@cccEngineer]

Right? Everyone's a mold of your body so he must be wrong

[@leftoverporkchop9972]

@@josephquartuch2753 actually, when the arc starts upward, it became tough to keep your arms up!

[@jasonbraun127]

I honestly have no idea why putting your hands up is so common. I've tried it a few times and besides the (admittedly irrational) fear of hitting something distracting me from the experience of the ride, it just always felt unnatural to me. The same goes for screaming as well.

[@whatsuppeople5447]

same i never understood it, like i just keep my eyes open and smile, whats the point of screaming and putting your hands up lmao

[@stephen129]

Because it makes you feel more free and unrestricted which makes the ride more exciting.

[@timothykaczmarek5871]

@@stephen129 Exactly!!

[@CatsnCoasters]

@@stephen129 yep, agreed. It allows you to feel every pop of airtime to it's maximum.

[@aliceksendzova7471]

@@whatsuppeople5447 makes it scarier

[@RedSlayerRides]

It’s unfortunate that I (a 13 yr old) am getting close to not being able to ride a lot of coasters. 6’4” is common for max height and I’m currently 6’3”. And I think it’s always a good thing when parks decide to cater to tall people on rides and not put max heights.

[@BardiaSaeedi]

Hate to tell you this but you might have a pituitary tumour.

[@-AxisA-]

Well to some coasters they can leave them out because the track on them isn't doing any close calls eith terrain/other coasters. Also Kg you're very tall you might not even fit into the safety restraints.

[@isabellamacolino6259]

Jeez I'm 15 and ur a foot taller than me I'm just short

[@ErynChess]

As somebody who is also 13. How do you get so tall. I’m trying to wiggle my way out of getting on coasters

[@mansaagony366]

I am almost 16 and I am 6ft 1

[@Thrillrider10]

I always knew designers accounted for this, but I never knew the exact procedure for it. Pretty cool to see how they test for that.

[@ExtraneouS_]

I'm surprised you didn't mention that some launch coasters force you to keep your hands down because, I assume, the forces hurt them

[@CHLOCHLOLP]

i put my hands up on launch coasters sometimes, it doesnt hurt.

[@Foxy02016]

I imagine having your arms snapped back wouldn’t be very fun

[@VestedUTuber]

@@CHLOCHLOLP It's generally the more extreme launches that you're going to have a potential issue with, either pneumatic (like on Do-Dodonpa) or accumulated hydraulic systems (like on Intamin accelerators). LSMs aren't quite as forceful.

[@madeliner1682]

yeah that's what I assumed the video was gonna be about

[@nicolewagner5320]

If I kept my arms up on the launch of kingda ka. I wouldn’t have arms anymore

[@TheAnoiing]

You missed one key part on modern rides... On some launch coasters (top thrill, king da ka, etc) the G forces at launch could cause shoulder issues or dislocation if arms are up or in strange positions during launch.

[@liftpanic]

Yes, I saw a video of one of those coasters, where they wouldn't even start until one idiot put his arms down (after numerous requests).

[@mollierainbow3486]

@@liftpanic 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@koreijoegaomasen9813]

Yup! Saw a little girl get hers dislocated on launch

[@zachjones2346]

@@liftpanic I was that "idiot" once but I just figured out I can throw my arms up as soon as the train launches. It doesn't hurt...only if you are weak which is why they want you to put your arms down.

[@zachjones2346]

@@smpiano6605 Softie

[@KWHCoaster]

Interesting. I always assumed the height restriction was for head rest contact (Leviathan and Behemoth) and for shoulder/vest restraints not pressing on the collarbone (Yukon Striker). A couple weeks ago there was a gentleman too tall for Yukon Striker. He even took his shoes off when checking. First time I've seen some one denied for that reason.

[@coasterbot]

It's likely to be a mixture of things, but clearance envelopes will factor into them. Minimum height restrictions will certainly be more to do with restraints and fitting into them

[@iona2009]

Great to see my home park being represented!

[@thepuncakian2024]

I'm a pretty tall guy at 6' 2", and the worst thats happened is the tips of my fingers hit a small branch or leaf. It kind of stings for a minute or two, but no real damage was done.

[@LobsterJim]

Sorry but 6’ 2’’ isn’t tall at all. You’re pretty average. Nothing wrong with that.

[@thepuncakian2024]

@@LobsterJim The average height of a guy in the US is 5 foot 9 inches. So yeah, I'm not crazy tall, but definitely above average. Not trying to flex or anything, just giving people a reference. If I'm fine, then anyone below my height will also be fine. Edit: 6' 2" would be the 95th percentile

[@sleepdeep305]

@@LobsterJim Lemme guess...5’7?

[@sleepdeep305]

@Dr. Shrimp Lemme guess, 2'8"?

[@sleepdeep305]

@Dr. Shrimp Oh shit

[@triple7marc]

I've always interpreted the signs as telling you not to put your hands off to the side or down the side of the car.

[@technoandrew]

Excellent video Harry. This subject resonates quite strongly with me, as I'm quite tall and often very close to the maximum height on some rides. Even though I'm aware of modern coasters complying to space envelopes, I rarely feel like I can truly stretch my arms out, particularly through head chopper moments. I was also once turned away by the operators of Olympia Looping due to my height, although I was able to ride it other times and the limit wasn't particularly clear.

[@CatsnCoasters]

I hear your pain! I'm 6ft 4 so just on the cusp of being turned away. The only coaster I've ever been questioned on is Spinball Whizzer. Head choppers sometimes feel like neck choppers!

[@snapsna3567]

Every downside has en upside dude. Every girl is smaller then you. What do you prefer: A short guy and allowed in every coaster but every girl is taller then you, or a tall guy not allowed in some coasters but taller then any pretty girl?

[@technoandrew]

@@snapsna3567 WTF are you on about? I couldn't give a monkeys if girls are taller or shorter than me.

[@CatsnCoasters]

@@snapsna3567 oh that's easy....MUCH prefer to get on any/every coaster!

[@lukaskrause6022]

Recently rode velocicoaster (and loved it) but hot take, shoulder restraints are much more comfortable than lap restraints (especially when you’re going upside down - I spend the whole time terrified of falling out)

[@bizkitjpeg]

That fear of falling out is part of the fun

[@batshtcrazy5293]

The POINT is to make you feel like you're falling out, which makes it all the more thrilling.

[@professorpenguin9190]

The last time that I rode Kumba at BGT, I was able to touch the grass on the final helix. Not sure if the grass was overgrown or what. If you want to try it yourself, sit in any row of the train but make sure to be on the right most seat. Also that ride is quite rough, especially in the back row.

[@scory22]

Was hoping somebody would mention Kumba's helix.

[@bananrm]

i got hit by a branch in the face a few months back, but it was during the second inversion or so. the rightmost seat is also where i sat, so i guess that one is the most adventurous seat 😂😂

[@TheSonicsean]

Early in the season you can sometimes get a leaf off a tree on the Whizzer.

[@lilboomie]

another good one at bgt is the initial banked turn on sheikra. when the hedges are over grown i can snatch a couple leaves 😂

[@3godzilla3]

I absolutely love Kumba. That last helix is so good. 🔥

[@PaulFisher]

The clip of Nemesis you use at 6:38 also clearly shows some of the scenery having been either designed or retrofitted with a cutout to increase passenger clearance

[@coasterbot]

Great spot! It was designed that way from the very beginning :)

[@icyflame716]

I often try to find places where the envelope is breached. For example, on goliath at walibi holland you can often touch the reeds growing near the second helix when they’re a bit overgrown.

[@aMazeInGPros]

I did that last summer when I went there as well xD

[@icyflame716]

@@aMazeInGPros it’s my homepark and i go there basically every two weeks to check if its long enough yet

[@aMazeInGPros]

@@icyflame716 I live close to Disneyland Paris but I consider Walibi Holland as my homepark, because out of all the theme parks I've been to in Europe it's the one where I've had the most fun at :)

[@cool110]

Grand National at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a good example of one on a classic woody, you can high 5 people on the other train. Always happens during an ERT or group takeover

[@AudreyMealiff]

Excellent video. I'm short with t-rex arms so never thought about clearance when I ride coasters!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching :)

[@bowler7922]

This is interesting because pantheon has a maximum height limit of 6’ 4” which makes me wonder if this is the reason why. The ride did have some pretty close near miss elements though.

[@Heasive]

Pantheon's maximum hight limit of 6'4" is because the risk of whiplash if your head isn't properly supported by the headrest portion of the seat.

[@Xeno_-]

Dang that sucks man I’m 6’6 I wish I stopped growing

[@bowler7922]

@@Xeno_- oof that sucks :/

[@bowler7922]

@@Heasive I never thought of that but I could definitely see that being the reason

[@somenameidc]

God, seeing footage from Gardaland's raptor really helps me realize the difference between distance felt and *actual* distance

[@coasterbot]

Everything feels a lot closer onride, for sure!

[@SunnyOst]

First time I was at a big amusement park full of rollercoasters, there was a new rollercoaster being built. It had a cart full of mannequins, most of whom were missing arms. It was about 2009, and it sure looked like some other rides had a dismembering ability

[@april3168]

I randomly started thinking about this & then started to really wonder, & your video is the only one I found that explained it perfectly! Thanks for being so detailed about it!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it useful :)

[@Lilybun]

I for some reason always thought those signs existed because riders extending their limbs had some effect on the physics of the ride during turns, drops and such. That being said I only ever remember seeing such a sign on an old wooden rollercoaster from the 50s so maybe that skewed my perception

[@Kabaladamawomasp]

The joys of being 5"2, never too tall for any but always big enough to ride, and never uncomfy in restraints cause theyre always a bit loose anyway 😎

[@coasterbot]

Hell yeah

[@yeeaahhzz]

just a bit harder to avoid being stapled

[@estacaotech]

I'm the kind of person who doesn't really have fear of the rollercoaster itself but the risk of it failing or something else.. I once rode a rollercoaster that almost got stuck because of a problem and after that I never felt safe when riding one, I also went to very high speed ones after and everything went ok (thankfully), but I think im not the only one to have that fear.

[@rmac3217]

I rode one of those dodgy coasters at a carnival with the single dodgem car style cart, a few months later the exact ride derailed in a different city and killed 2 on board, 1 paralysed and the other serious injuries.

[@LEWIS1992]

Really like these documentary-style videos of yours. I'm glad they're getting loads of views! :)

[@destikos]

It's funny how you mention, that SD2000 has a 6ft height restriction while you can see Jeremie and me (we're both above 6ft) arriving back in the station lol

[@coasterbot]

That gives me relief, I do hope to ride it myself one day and I'm about 6ft 3! Ha ha

[@jonny-b4954]

Definitely a thing on B&M traditional OTSR coasters. I always try to put my hands up on those but it's nothing more than putting your arms up in a low YMCA Y shape. Your upper arms are parallel to ground, not upright. I've slapped the ground on Scorpion at Busch Gardens Tampa. Hurt my hand for a few minutes, I was a kid on a field trip and basically half the train did it haha. Chaperone didn't notice because her eyes were closed haha. Haven't thought of that in literally decades, weird how that memory just came back out of nowhere. And you just broke my heart knowing I may not be able to ride the world's longest coaster if I ever do make it out there haha. Though I'm more 5' 11" than 6', I think, in reality.

[@SimplySammyK]

3:03 The more compact I am the more safe I feel, the coaster with the over head and side pannels I'd feel so safe on I'd actually REALLY enjoy that

[@kiwikiwi2483]

I've been waiting for a video that talks about this subject. It seems like such an untouched topic in the community!

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Love the PUN! Brilliant!

[@stillbuyvhs]

Pun intended?

[@Soonjai]

Fun Fact: On Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach it is possible to touch a part of the track during one of the Inversions. Just search for "Tyler boop Icon" here on YT, it´s a audible slap to the track.

[@ericthomason8463]

I wonder where the hands up on coasters thing originated. Did someone think it would be funny if they rode a coaster without holding onto the bar like a Jackass stunt?

[@davidfrischknecht8261]

Some people just find it more thrilling since you're thrown about more than if you hold on to part of the car. That's why I don't understand people putting their hands up on the lift hill.

[@JoshJr98]

I'm 6'4" so I don't put my hands up cause my long wingspan. Some rides even have height limits and I'm always right on the edge so I don't trust it lol.

[@zoidthebozo]

As a Canadian, it brings me so much joy when I see anything from Wonderland in a youtube video about rollercoasters. at 4:46 you can see the yukon striker, one of my favourite rides because it has a 96 degree drop

[@IcicleYeti]

As another Canadian, I definitely agree 🇨🇦

[@FakeFantum]

I was riding the Runaway minetrain at Alton Towers the other day and I don’t think any amount of childhood nostalgia is going to get me on that ride again, because I’m pretty sure there’s many elements I could’ve reached out and touched if I’d wanted to and I haven’t felt fear like it before 😭

[@jeremynorris_hostyl1]

I actually know someone injured on a ride because of a combination of him being tall with long limbs and the ride being a bit older. It was in 2002 on the now defunct Texas Cyclone at the now defunct Six Flags Astroworld. He was well over 6', though I dont know his actual height (at least 6'4" as he had a good 4 inches on me and I'm 5'11.5"). He hit his arm on a support and fractured his elbow. It was scary to know that happened as he was just a row or two behind me when it happened as several of us were on a trip together. He recovered, but this is why it's important to, at least, pay rudimentary attention to the posted signage.

[@burdizdawurd1516Official]

In railroading terms, a clearance envelope is refered to as a loading gauge. In North America these are described as different "plates," which are cutout shapes that will pass through a give route with bridges, tunnels, signals, platform awnings, and alongside loading or unloading equipment.

[@rmac3217]

Or trucking software that calculates safe routes for different sized trucks.

[@timlong4791]

The only coaster I've had the feeling I could hurt myself was Rougarou cause your feet are free and you can lift them towards the seats ahead of you. It seem like a fine distance until that first lift hill brings the car in front of you closer. I couldn't help but wonder if I could have gotten my entire leg compressed if I kicked my leg up right then.

[@musickid43]

I've had that thought before. The first time I realized that, it was feet down all the time.

[@robhobsweden]

Twister @ Gröna Lund has two touchable elements overhead within the height restriction. One in the first step of the lift hill (plywood), and the second is when it goes under JetLines' track (plastic cover). I highly recommend that you avoid it, even if the ride is traveling relatively less fast at these points.

[@christianvennemann9008]

On The Beast at Kings Island, I NEVER put my hands up going down to the second hill into the double-helix tunnel. The clearance is quite low (it also doesn't help that I'm 6'6) and would definitely take at least a finger off while going that speed!

[@coasterbot]

Oh yeah, some rides you don't want to chance it with. I'm the same with a few of the coasters at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

[@OscarZheng50]

being too tall to ride a roller coaster is crazy

[@YourLocalMartletFan810]

I love when footage from a ride I like is in a video and I’m absolutely obsessed with icon I always have my hands up all the way around

[@owenps6944]

I love how the velocicoasters cover had ingen on it. A whole nother level of immersion

[@shotaaizawa655]

I once went on a ride in universal studios Ilands of adventure that was the pterodactyl flyer thing. My legs were just long enough that my foot hit the tree below me. Not hard enough to hurt me, but it was quite unsettling.

[@savannahf8721]

I’m 63” and got turned away from that ride lol

[@Mik3l24]

The scariest moment on my first inverting rollercoaster was actually a "footchopper", not an inversion.

[@Scxrpionz]

I actually made a reddit post about the velocicoaster pull through test-this video cleared some things up for me, thanks!

[@xeofalconm.shields5197]

Fly is the dopest coaster I ever saw. X2 comes second. The sound and fire effects on X make it epic with the free movement of the cars on the train.

[@mad_quack]

My first roller coaster was the Intimidator. The entire time I was on that ride, all I could think about was flying out of the seat (the lap constraint wasn’t pushed down as far as it could go therefore I had about an inch I could lift off my seat) and I was so terrified and miserable I had a death grip on that lap constraint. Also, that coaster didn’t have seat belts when it was first opened. So that’s one reason I always though we couldn’t lift our hands up. What if the restraints malfunctioned? That’s all I could think about lol Don’t get me wrong, my first experience was miserable but as soon as it was over I looked to my friend and said, “let’s ride it again”

[@TehEpicDev]

The adrenaline between you and the supports on Goliath and Twisted Cyclone at SFOG always get me. I’m 12 years old and I’m 5,3. Who knows how tall I’ll be 😭

[@quinnD-ge5je]

I remember riding gate keeper when I went to cedar point and those keyholes scared the living shit outta me. I thought my leg was gonna be cut off or something, and I almost didn’t ride the Lochness monster or however you spell it, at Busch gardens cause I thought my head was going to be cut off. I’m glad I saw this video so I can get over this stupid fear that makes 0 sense.

[@viperdmk1483]

I remember back at Six flags New England on Catwoman’s whip I’ll tell you that the layout is like 2 Figure Eights next to 2 Hills. On the turns I was able to touch the Grass. Also I love when I’m freely able to put my hands up in the air. I simply want to Feel the wind. Like Velocicoaster(AWESOME ride btw. Go on it first thing if you go to universal Orlando)

[@Silacide]

Zierer Tivoli's: "Clearance? Nahhh we good!"

[@jevinday]

I was at Disneyland 90% of the time which my cousins lived 20 bucks from. they always told us not to put our hands up. I also never felt comfortable doing it on Ghostrider, even though I loved the near misses

[@Alex-yy3sk]

I can definitely understand your dislike of those moments, I'm 5'2 and the near miss moments still scare me. I actually hit a tree branch a few years ago when I had my arms up, no injury but I don't put them up anymore

[@DashPum4]

on the ride Skyrush at hershey park, DO NOT PUT YOUR HANDS UP. I did, and nearly broke my back, because the first turn of the ride is so fast and the lap bar restraints are so little, that my whole upper half got violently thrown to the side, and i heard my whole back crack and I couldn't breath for the rest of the ride. the pain went away in a few days though, and now when i go on skyrush again that I should hold on tight.

[@Fricker112]

1:34 I appreciate the Busch Gardens, Williamsburg VA footage.

[@keatonward7693]

When I ride the swarm at Thorpe park and go through the near miss elements like under the plane and through the billboard, I still duck my head a little bit even though I know it’s perfectly safe 😂 I guess it’s the whole point of the elements

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, a great video, this is much appreciated. This was a very detailed video which was very well explained, it was interesting to hear about the height requirements for Steel Dragon 2000. Cheers Peter :)

[@lazlostuff]

one of my favourite parts about green scream at adventure island is that you can touch the track while exiting the station. ive done that before

[@stephen129]

I've wondered about this topic before. I always assumed it was safe to put your hands up in all rides. Great video.

[@ChannelMan434]

Sucks to learn I’ll never ride Steel Dragon unless I shrink lol

[@mostly.coasters]

Fascinating topic!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks!

[@tiffariff]

I was on Carowinds NC’s Copperhead Strike that was barely a year old (2019). The bearings are a oddly shaped plastic/metal shape that goes down on your thighs, almost like a typical locking bar but formed to your individual legs for better security. On the top was a round bulge- between two little hand holds for what I don’t know. Keep in mind- there was barely any signage to no lift your hands specifically- just keep your hands and feet inside. I thought when your hands are in the air- that was still considered inside- because everyone does that shouldn’t they expect it? Nope. In the inversion loop, midway through the loop going down- the cart more than 90 degrees and more upside down than upright- there is a sudden stop- I had my hands in the air and the G force from the stop and horrid angle for gravity threw my 18 year old 5’8” F body violently forward right into the bearing - it was rough but I would have been fine- if I was just able to breathe. The bulge had fractured my sternum- because my chest went right into as my body folded from the force- a force everyone jolted forward too- it was significant and I doubt everyone would have been able to hold themself up even holding. I struggled to breathe and despite my cries for help that I could barely manage- no one noticed- even my bf beside me who given was confused because I don’t get scared on coaster like that- but just thought I was scared. I just cried in tremendous pain the whole way through. Finally it slowed down and I told him I was having a hard time breathing. My heart beat- hurt. I could barely talk. He understood now. He tried calling someone as they had us far back in line waiting for 3 carts to board before I finally got off. At that point I learned shallow breathing caused no pain. I didn’t want to make a scene and thought i was just shocked. But the breathing kept getting worse. I after sitting on a bench thinking “maybe it’s just my asthma” but alas the stabbing pain did not stop every time I made a deep breath. And I couldn’t walk much. We decided to walk to the med bay. Upon arrival the medic said in order to accept treatment here I had to sign a form- stating that any harm to me had nothing to do with my stay at Carowinds- very concerned for my health and eager for treatment as the medic seemed super worried about the stabbing pain- I signed it. After an exam, he said I likely just bruised it and to take it easy- and told me it was my fault for waving my hands in the air. I went to my primary care a few weeks later for a check up- who confirmed that from the divot in my chest it was indeed fractured but since it happened a while back- that it was best just to leave it. I was a swimmer and triathlete, ever since then, when I’m doing breathing exercises or get severely fatigued - my lungs have been stunted. Fudge you Carowinds. And fudge this legal loophole.

[@naomi__9070]

I saw some video footage from the ride Goliath (and more rides) from Walibi Holland. Makes me happy to see it included since I work in Walibi :). Although we have a sticker which says: Keeps arms and legs inside the vehicle. This doesnt really apply to having your arms up in the air.

[@DaHrakl]

I thought the actual question was why isn't it allowed to put your hands up despite it being impossible to reach anything. I think that was left unanswered, unless I wasn't paying enough attention.

[@coasterbot]

It's not always impossible to reach things, which is why you shouldn't put your hands up on some rides!

[@jasonbraun127]

@@coasterbot But you said that it's also not "allowed" on coasters where you can't reach anything. I feel like it's more unsafe to prohibit it on every ride, whether it's possible or not because then the guests will just assume the warning means nothing. Instead those signs should only be on rides where it genuinely isn't safe.

[@bonza4clarinet]

In some US states, like Ohio, it's a misdemeanor to disobey safety instructions given by ride ops. If a ride op says to "hold on until the ride comes to a complete stop" and you put your hands up, you've technically committed a misdemeanor. That said, parks don't prosecute this.

[@TinySwanGrandAdventures]

Loved the opening footage of Hades 360°! That was my very first upsidedown rollercoaster so I have a very soft spot for it. 😌😍💙

[@coasterbot]

It looks like an awesome roller coaster!

[@ImReverseGiraffe]

I haven't riden it since it was redone, but on The Beast you used to be able to touch the top of the tunnel of the double helix. I always keep my hands down going through that part now.

[@carlstenger5893]

Great video. Glad you covered this topic. Thanks!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching!

[@KondaaKage]

7:45 damn… that hurts… at least i can probably ride hakugei next door (unless that also has a 6ft height limit, then i’d be devastated)

[@coasterbot]

It hurts me too :(

[@destikos]

My friend is like 1.96m tall and he could ride SD2000

[@KondaaKage]

@@destikos ok maybe i have hope

[@EM-wo6wf]

Damn I’m 6 ft 3 😭

[@KondaaKage]

@@EM-wo6wf and I’m only one inch shorter 😭

[@ocemasch316]

I always wonder if roller coaster designers have people with long hair in mind. I never see any warnings about putting your hair back or something but what if someone has really long hair and it gets caught somewhere

[@prod.slitface]

I’ve seen plenty of rides with hair warnings personally

[@kennedy8791]

I have super long hair and i’ve never seen one, but i’ve seen many ppl like me have their hair in the way in their face on bigger coasters. I personally do two tight side braids and it works great no tangles no smacking my face

[@rmac3217]

The force required to rip out hair is a lot, hagen you ever seen a chick fight? Your hair can support your entire body weight with another person yanking at it.

[@cameron7441]

So glad you mentioned Loch Ness monster! First coaster to have interlocking loops!

[@coasterbot]

Exactly!

[@ariahazelwood3842]

So proud that Busch Gardens Williamsburg is my home park with such an iconic coaster!

[@fiennesgirl9776]

My first “big” rollercoaster...brings back lots of memories! Rode it with a family friend years and years ago for the first time and going up the first hill he said “we’re on top of the world!” Cracked me up! I’ve ridden bigger and better since, but still love Loch Ness Monster and every time I ride it, I say what he said and get the silly giggles! Lol!

[@rainingwings449]

1:36 That’s the Loch Ness Monster! It was my favorite ride as a kid

[@SamCostello]

Your videos are always incredible! So detailed as always, I can't believe that maximum height on Steel Dragon, I'm just 1cm too tall🙃

[@SarahPToadstool]

Gee I wonder how many Millennium Force riders read the warning sign. I guess none...

[@danielrhouck]

Normally I don’t understand why people talk about “fear” for roller coasters. Without theming, they are exciting, not scary… except for this aspect. I was afraid of putting my hands up on roller coasters back when I was so small that if they didn’t fit in the clearance envelope the ride would decapitate my parents.

[@TaronTT]

7:58 yea... also not applicable to fun fair rides, once I went onto a suspended coaster there (I'm 2m) and just barely hit my foot on a support beam (as in, a light tap, no injuries). Since then I always have my legs forward instead of hanging on suspended coasters...

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

I couldn't stop thinking about that giant of a kid who fell to his death while watching this video, because they let him on the ride and he was far too big for the ride. So all the rules in the world mean nothing when humans break them.

[@protowave]

the park in question modified the ride to allow for 7+ inches bigger clearance on the safety restraints for 2 of the seats. they did so without consulting the manufacturer or anything. the prevailing theory was that they wanted to create "big kid" seats so that they didn't have to turn away overweight people, and just went ahead and did it. it's all in the official investigation report.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@protowave All the coaster people who love yelling how safe rides are never ever take into account the stupidity or greed of some humans, creating the famous "human error". Nothing is safe when idiots are in charge.

[@cringer8107]

@@TheRadioAteMyTV no enthusiast would deny that.. we always claim WHEN something happens it was the human not the machine

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

@@cringer8107 The evidence is mightily against you.

[@EM-wo6wf]

That’s extremely sad and unfortunate. That could’ve absolutely been prevented. RIP.

[@master_noot]

I don’t remember which ride it was, but I was visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain with some friends, one of whom is very tall (past 6 ft.). We came up to one of those “near miss head chopper” moments with one of the support beams. I was staring at him to see and I don’t know if it just SEEMED like it was too close or it ACTUALLY was too close and the ride operator didn’t care to compare him to the ride height maximum. It just looked wayyy too close for comfort to his head and looked like he probably would have hit it if he didn’t duck. I wasn’t the only one with this concern. As soon as it passed, everyone in our friend group that was seated behind us and witnessed the pass with his head was screaming asking if he was ok. That was the first and last time an incident like that was actually that concerning enough to warrant everyone to be immediately worried like that.

[@assh4859]

Love the clips from thorpe park

[@chocolatecookieboi8611]

There’s a ride called powderkeg at silver dollar city that if you reach far enough, there’s a pole you can smack near the bottom of a hill

[@coffinrodriguez3150]

Loving all the shots of Cedar Point!

[@123mahv1]

Whoaaaaaa crazy how this is the first time I’ve seen someone talk about this!! I’m 6’3! And for example harry potters forbidden journey, I was always told to lift my legs when I would get strapped in. The first time I rode it I thought I had to keep them tucked in for the whole ride, so that I wouldn’t hit anything lol the second time around, I found out they only told me that so that the initial lift would go smoothly!! Till this day thankfully I haven’t run into any max height coasters or rides but, I have run into “this is kinda small and uncomfortable but fun” ones lol

[@gldmj55]

Yeah I can tell you from first hand experience 30 years ago riding the Jack Rabbit at Kennywood, you don't want your arms falling out to the sides during the ride. Ouch! I'm lucky to still have my left hand.

[@gjace26]

When I was a young kid, my family would go to six flags great adventure. I remember going on runaway train. I couldn't have been taller than 4 feet at that time. I remember my head seeming like it was inches from a pole of some kind while on the ride.

[@654jimbob654]

I also assume the signage is there for liability reasons. If the very unlikely event were to occur where a rider does get injured while raising their arms or leaning out of their seat, the park can't be legally held responsible because the guest was warned not to.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I love touching coaster supports as well at least the ones not worrying about getting hit

[@korwynias_yt]

When I was a kid in late 80's I went on Excalibur at Six Flags Astroworld and there was one part where a metal rebar was sticking out towards the track and felt like it barely brushed my left shoulder(my arms were holding on in front of me). That was scary. Later years when I went back that metal rebar was gone. I also overheard someone say that someone had lost a hand on the ride. But not sure if that was true. That coaster always looked like it was falling apart XD

[@katiemefford6483]

Thunderbird at holiday world is a good example of this, there a near miss part on the ride that’s in the shape of hands

[@tractorgt]

Used to be able to touch the inside tunnel wall on the 2nd hill helix on the beast at King's island when they had buzz bars.

[@invention64]

I've been on a ride where you could touch a tree branch through one of the rolls, since it wasn't pruned properly, was freaky to experience

[@jonathanlee7355]

I always put arms up. One time on a floor less coaster, my right hand hit a tree branch. I thought I lost some fingers, it hurt so much. But I was fine.

[@yumimakai]

The first time I was considered tall enough to ride The Batman at Six Flags Over Texas, I was unreasonably terrified I was going to hit my feet against something during the ride. Granted it was my first ride with dangling feet, but to think that short child that I was would break my ankles when my much taller dad had been on the same ride multiple times with no issues is kind of funny to think about now. I only opened my eyes once during the ride, which just happened to be a point where an illusion made it looked like your toes were mere inches from a wall, and then I never opened them again lmao.

[@diamondjebgold9906]

Intimidator (carowinds) lift hill speakers saying to not put your hands up. Litterly every single person in existence: Oh I don’t think so