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 😥

[mikejohn]

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!

[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.

[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.

[MadMovieMakers]

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"

[moonmannd]

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

[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

[JamesonThomas]

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

[guidingkeyblade]

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.

[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.

[legendarygary]

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.

[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.'

[ShiroArctic]

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.

[triplemarc]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[thepuncakian]

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.

[lukaskrause]

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)