Safer Ride Restraints

Knott's Berry Farm - Camp Snoopy

Camp Snoopy is the kiddie ride area of Knott's Berry Farm.  All of the rides in Camp Snoopy have child restraints, most commonly lap belts.  Since child restraints do not always come standard on rides for young children, Knott's had to add the additional protection to many of the Camp Snoopy attractions.  Hat's off to Knott's, and its parent company Cedar Fair, for going the extra mile to keep their smallest customers safe.

Disney's California Adventure - Mulholland Madness

Mulholland Madness, an open-sided coaster at Disney's California Adventure park in Anaheim, uses individual lap bars to ensure that both riders sitting in the bench seat are safely restrained.  The ride operator can slide a foam pad onto the bar for really small children, so that riders of all sizes are protected (click on the photo).

Knott's Berry Farm - Perilous Plunge

After California state ride inspectors determined that lap restraints on Knott's Berry Farm's Perilous Plunge failed to safely restrain an overweight rider, Knott's added an individually-adjustable shoulder harness to ensure that all riders would be safe.  Ride attendants demonstrate proper use, just like airline attendants do, and check each rider's restraints before the ride starts (see photo at left). 

Sky Skater by Interactive Rides

Sky Skater is a family ride developed by Interactive Rides.  Bucket seats and curved, padded lap bars are designed to safely contain the smallest riders (36 inches), yet work equally well for riders as tall as 6'8".  Click on the photo to see a picture of the Sky Skater in action.

Safety features of the SkySkater restraint:

• The padded restraint lap bar centers the rider in the middle of the seat.  Riders cannot "wiggle out" or stand up when secured.
• Handle grips are naturally positioned for extra security.
• The seat pad extends down the back of the seat to help protect the backs and heads of riders of all sizes.
• Faces of small riders are protected in a padded zone - lap bar foam forward and seat padding against the back of the head.
• Small riders cannot slide from side to side in the seat.
• Small riders do not require an adult to look out for their safety while enjoying the ride.

Click on the photo at left to see how the Sky Skater lap bar fits a 2-year-old child, 36 inches tall, weighing 30 pounds.  Click on the photo at right to contrast Sky Skater's lap bar with standard child safety equipment historically used in kiddie rides.