Splash Mountain has added lap bars

[WDWfanatic742]

All the rumors were correct, they have started to add lap bars to all of the logs. They are more like the lap bars at BTMRR than say Everest. This will cut capacity because its now always only two people in a row while in the past you could squeezing in three people. Also, with the lap bars it will take longer for people to get into the logs and ready. The ride was dry today (Friday) due to it still being under refurb, however there are a couple pictures on the interwebs that I can't link to because of the TOS

Before the anger hits on why they did this, it's been reported that the number one reason is because of people getting out of the logs when the ride e-stops. It makes the Cast Member's jobs that much harder because instead of only taking five or ten minutes to fix whatever is wrong, they have to clear out all of the people in the entire attraction which takes an hour plus.

[KylesMom]

While I dislike the concept of two parents not being able to ride on Splash with their small child together, it's probably the right thing given how many guests try to get out of the cars when the ride stops. We've never seen it first-hand, but I sure have read about it enough.

I'm curious if this will reduce the height restriction on Splash, given there will now be restraints instead of an "open cockpit" approach . . .

[BrerGnat]

Forgive me for asking, but, why would anyone be angry about this? Am I missing something?

Seems like a logical addition to me.

[giroux28]

Forgive me for asking, but, why would anyone be angry about this? Am I missing something?

Seems like a logical addition to me.

Agreed. It does limit 2 parents to be with their child, but it makes all the sense in the world from a safety standpoint. I never gave it a second thought when riding it in the past, but what if one little thing goes wrong during the drop? This minor adjustment could save a potential disaster.

[BellesRose]

Ugh, I for one am SO happy about this! I stopped riding Splash because of annoying kids/teens standing up every 5 minutes, even after being yelled at. It slowed the ride down and quite frankly, ruined it for me. I've even seen some stand DURING THE BIG DROP!!! I always hope they get kicked out of the park, but the CM's never do anything about it. Not that I blame them!
I can't wait to ride it again

[WDWfanatic742]

When the rumor came up a while back, alot of people get upset because they like the feeling of almost falling out of the log during the big drop. You probably won't get that with the lap bar now. It's just one more thing they have to do nowadays because of the few who are idiots that ruin it for the rest of us...

[paragon]

I am actually surprised that it has taken this long. I mean, it is a five story drop after all. I have often been amazed that they didnt have some type of restraint on it due to the drop.

[Polynesian Dweller]

The drop isn't the issue, natural forces keep you in the seats. You can check this by noticing the effects on your body. As you fall you go back into the seat and the only forward motion you get is with deceleration at the bottom.

The reason for the lap bars is people standing up during the ride, getting out of the boats etc which is far more dangerous than the drop itself.

[FaithTrustPixieDust]

I'm curious if this will reduce the height restriction on Splash, given there will now be restraints instead of an "open cockpit" approach . . .

This was my first thought! When my son was exactly 40 inches, we had one of those frustrating experiences . . . The morning CM attendants let him on, then the next shift decided he was not quite tall enough. Anyway, the "no restrainer" issue was their biggest reason for being so cautious.

[JabberJaws]

Yeah I had a friend who used to be a ride CM at Splash and said that people getting out of the logs happened A LOT. He said that people would sometimes hop out during the ride, like in some areas where the logs got in a traffic jam lining up for a drop or at the end, or sometimes just when the ride slowed down. He said that there were pressure sensitive mats and movement sensors throughout the show areas that if triggered when the ride was in operation would immediately e-stop. A lot of the e-stops weren't for maintenance issues, but for people either standing up, or actually hopping out of the log.

It is just amazing what people will do. You give em an inch and they take a mile.

[Buttercup]

The first time my 4yo son rode it, he STOOD UP as the boat was just starting to go down the giant waterfall. I nearly had a heart attack. I know that the forces would probably shove him back in his seat, but it still gave his mama a couple of gray hairs!!!

[Patricia]

I have been there when they have hauled a couple of teens out of the attraction for standing up. First they were given a stern talking to, including how they ruined the attraction for the rest of us due to the stopping and the chaos surrounding their stupidity. After the talk, the CM called security to escort them out of the park as they were no longer welcomed to be there that day.

[plutosnana]

I have been there when they have hauled a couple of teens out of the attraction for standing up. First they were given a stern talking to, including how they ruined the attraction for the rest of us due to the stopping and the chaos surrounding their stupidity. After the talk, the CM called security to escort them out of the park as they were no longer welcomed to be there that day.

Good for the cast members. That definitely was a stupid thing to do.

[Jared]

Forgive me for asking, but, why would anyone be angry about this? Am I missing something?

Seems like a logical addition to me.

And I present to everybody the "Post of the Thread" award.

Natalie (that is your name, isn't it? If not, I apologize in advance), I once again appreciate your logic and reason.

[Hazmat]

unfortunately, This is the only way forward for Disney. If they threw out every guest who stood up, exited vehicles, or took photos and video when asked not too then they would get stupid amounts of bad press. The people they kicked out would complain and say they were doing nothing wrong. I present to you the case of the teenager who was pulling the back of Tigger, causing tigger to smack him in the face. He stood up on national tv and said that he was only trying to hug him and thought the response he got from tigger was uncalled for. People will always deny bbieng in the wrong.

Back on topic. Yes, there is no need for lap bars as a safety measure as the ride has operated successfully for years. But they are necessary to stop the minority of clowns who get kicks out of ruining the ride experience for everybody else. It is a small price to pay to stop people's stupidity. Only will it become really annoying when they start adding bucket seats and overhead restraints on the universe of energy :p

Just my few cents worth.

[CaptSmee]

All the rumors were correct, they have started to add lap bars to all of the logs. They are more like the lap bars at BTMRR than say Everest.

Before the anger hits on why they did this, it's been reported that the number one reason is because of people getting out of the logs when the ride e-stops. It makes the Cast Member's jobs that much harder because instead of only taking five or ten minutes to fix whatever is wrong, they have to clear out all of the people in the entire attraction which takes an hour plus.

I saw the lapbars myself yesterday. They had the logs running with water weights in the seats. They looked EXTREMELY low & I wondered if I would be able to fit my legs under them.

Also, I've been on the ride when someone jumped out right where the vultures are. They obviously stopped the ride, but they do not shut down the whole thing & evacuate it. It interrupted our ride for about 15 mins or so & of course when they came to get the person others jumped out & left too, but they did not evacuate everyone. Our ride picked right back up where we were after they left.

[WDWfanatic742]

I saw the lapbars myself yesterday. They had the logs running with water weights in the seats. They looked EXTREMELY low & I wondered if I would be able to fit my legs under them.

Hopefully it's just because of the water dummies having slots where the bar drops down to and it wasn't how low the bar has to go to lock in. I'm 6'2 and most of my height is in my legs. It was already a pain to get into the logs before the change. Splash and Space Mountain both...

Also, I've been on the ride when someone jumped out right where the vultures are. They obviously stopped the ride, but they do not shut down the whole thing & evacuate it. It interrupted our ride for about 15 mins or so & of course when they came to get the person others jumped out & left too, but they did not evacuate everyone. Our ride picked right back up where we were after they left.

Interesting. I always thought that if someone jumps out of a log they automatically had to evac the entire ride. It might just be the way I thought if the ride is already stopped and then someone jumps out. Least these will help in most of those situations.

[CaptSmee]

Hopefully it's just because of the water dummies having slots where the bar drops down to and it wasn't how low the bar has to go to lock in. I'm 6'2 and most of my height is in my legs.

I am tall & have the same issues with Space Mtn & barely fit in Spladh Mtn. The lapbars were in every log that went by when I was watching. Only 1 out of 10 or so had water weights in them & they looked to be permanent fixtures.

[Mogie]

Yeah seems logical. I can see why people would want to get out of their seats....Its pretty frustrating getting stuck on this ride when your soaked and stuck listening to the same song loop over and over and over...for 15 minutes

[Gator]

Forgive me for asking, but, why would anyone be angry about this? Am I missing something?

Seems like a logical addition to me.

Well, I wouldn't say anybody is angry, but I liked the option of having three in a row. For instance: I'm leaving tomorrow for my trip to WDW. My kids have never been on Splash Mountain due to height, but now they're ready. No problem, except my wife is expecting, which means she can't ride. That means my kids sit in front of me by themselves, while I sit behind them. I would've liked to have been all in one row, just in case my youngest gets scared at the drop.

Sure, safety is an issue for people getting out of the logs, but that's why there's rules. When someone disobeys rules, the rule-makes have to take away some of our freedoms. It's my favorite ride, and I'm annoyed that another refurb has become an inconvenience for my family, all because some people can't obey the rules. Angry - no. Disappointed - yes.