Question for those "plus sized" roller coaster lovers
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RobinKay6573 · 06-08-2005, 10:55 AM

I had alittle incident at Cedar Point on Monday that I am still a bit upset about.

Here is part of the later I wrote to Cedar Point:

On June 6 I walked up to join the hour wait for Millennium Force a roller coaster I have been on in the past. I was pulled aside by a Cedar Point employee named Peggy and ordered to try out the seatbelt on the test chair to see if it fit around my waist. I am not going to lie here, I am overweight and I wear a size 20 and extra large shirts. I looked at her and half joking said, “I am not THAT fat.” She looked me up and down (which I thought was totally insulting) and snickered. I sat in the seat and tried the seatbelt. I was wearing a fanny pack that I hadn’t had a chance to take off because I was rushed out of line into the seat and sat down in hopes to get this over with as soon as possible. With my fanny pack on the seatbelt was not going to buckle. I took it off and as all this was happening a crowd started to gather. Cedar Point staff did nothing to disperse the crowd of people. I tried to get the buckle of the seatbelt done but my hands were sweaty from being thrust into the spotlight and I was pretty upset about what was going on. I finally bust into tears and jumped out of the seat and ran away. I was mortified. Peggy came over and made me feel even worse giving me some lame explanation of why the seatbelts have changed. There was no sensitivity in her voice and she was very accusing and rude. I demanded to see a supervisor and she ignored my requests and eventually walked away. The rest of the day I was very upset in fact even today I tear up thinking about this horrible event.

It disappoints me that I need to write a letter like this to a company that prides it self on a fun safe environment for it’s patrons. I understand that safety comes first especially on extreme coasters but Peggy attitude and sensitivity skills were very upsetting. Out of all the employees I encountered at Cedar Point I only saw 2 that were smiling and obviously enjoying their jobs. Your park would be much more enjoyable to everyone if your employees got some customer service training along with the safety training.

Am I being a bit over sensitive? My friends told me that Peggy went WAY over the line but I am not sure if they were just being nice because I was so upset.

Lady · 06-08-2005, 11:31 AM

Robin,
Yes i agree thats very rude, im sorry you had to go through that..

Some people are just rude.. im glad you wrote the letter!

jimmymac · 06-08-2005, 11:45 AM

She was totally out of line. They obviously need sensitivity and tact training. Sorry you had to go through something like that.

Joanne929 · 06-08-2005, 11:54 AM

I don't think you're being over sensitive! She was rude and there was no reason for it. I am sorry that you went throught that situation.

jennyfur24 · 06-08-2005, 12:04 PM

Take it from a plus sized person. I don't think you are going overboard the letter was well written and should be sent. That is never appropriate of any employee to do that and shouldn't go unpunished.

Jen

SHEANA1226 · 06-08-2005, 12:17 PM

I agree with everyone here she was very rude!!! You have every right to be upset in this situation! Let us know the outcome of the letter.

TroianRae · 06-08-2005, 01:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Take it from a plus sized person. I don't think you are going overboard the letter was well written and should be sent. That is never appropriate of any employee to do that and shouldn't go unpunished.

Jen

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree 100%!!! That was a horrible incident that should NEVER have happened!! The fact that she was that rude and obviously didn't care how she treated or embarassed you is appalling. I would have gone to the front guest relations booth and asked for a manager/supervisor right away. Mail THAT LETTER!!!!

lauren-roxy · 06-08-2005, 01:59 PM

The girl was very rude to you Robin. I had a cousin who had the same thing hapen to him at Universal Studios, almost verbatim. He has vowed never to go back there and was very insulted about having to try out the "fat seat" as it was called. I'm am so sorry that this happened to you. I would definitely send a letter.

gwugirl03 · 06-08-2005, 10:58 PM

Robin...I am a "plus-sized" roller coaster fan. I would have been so completely insulted. I will never give Cedar Point a penny of my hard-earned money!!! I have never had a problem at WDW with my size. The employee at Cedar Point was completely out of line and rude. I am so sorry you had to experience something like that. I really would like to hear what happens in response to your letter. I feel like writing a letter myself.

Wild4Diz · 06-08-2005, 11:15 PM

It's so sad when people don't understand. Having been plus sized all my life and having an entire family of plus sized people I can totally understand your pain and embarrassment. My brother had the same thing happen to him twice in one day at Knott's Berry Farm in CA and the employees there were no better than Peggy.

I agree with everyone else, please send the letter. It is only by hearing these stories that these companies will start to get a clue that everyone is not a size zero and that they can make fabulous extreme rides and make them fun and safe for everyone.

Shell_of_the_South · 06-10-2005, 11:37 AM

Robin, I am so sorry that happened to you. My DH is a big guy. This is how it was addressed at Universal/IOA: right before we were to load the coaster, one of the employees told him to sit in row 3 or 7, and that was all that was said. It was very discreet and not at all embarassing. I think if it bothered you, then you should definitely let them know!

disneymom9092 · 06-10-2005, 12:32 PM

I am so sorry that happened Robin. I totally agree that she was totally out of line. I would definately send the letter. I would hate for her to do that to others.

Pris · 06-10-2005, 03:29 PM

That's terrible, Robin. You should definitely send that letter! Size 20 isn't that terribly big these days, either! If they can't accomodate someone of that size then they are losing a lot of business!!

Kylesmom · 06-10-2005, 05:33 PM

OH MY GOD!! I think I would have hit her. Size 20 is NOT that big. I know my DH is aleast that big and if anywhere ever did that to him we would request our HARD EARNED Money back and leave never to return again. I can't even think of bad you must have felt. I'M SOOO SORRY someone would ever treat you this way no matter where you were. If size is an issue there sould be a private way of doing this with care. I won't ever go to cedar point either and I'm not even plus sized (I don't think). MAIL YOUR LETTER better yet CALL.

Chrissi · 06-10-2005, 07:17 PM

You're much nicer than I - after asking to see a supervisor and being ignored - I likely would have dragged her to guest relations and asked to speak to the park manager about having her fired. I'm a plus-sized person and never once have I had to get off of a ride because the belts didn't fit. We most often go to the local Cedar Fair park - Dorney Park and they even make seats for most of the coasters for plus-sized guests and as a size 20, I've never needed even the bigger seat. Peggy needs a good swift kick in the pants.

Send your letter and a request for a refund. If a park employee can ruin your day with their attitude, the least CP can do is refund the price of admission so you can go to a more friendly park in the future.