Managing Loose Articles – A Safety & Efficiency Opportunity
Every seasoned ride operator has seen it - a guest pulls their phone from a pocket mid-ride, or sunglasses take flight as the train dips into a loop. Loose articles on rides aren’t just a minor nuisance; they’re a major safety concern, a source of downtime, and a risk to guests and staff alike.
Fortunately, the attractions industry continues to explore creative and cost-effective ways to address the issue without compromising the guest experience. Let’s take a look at what’s working—and where fresh inspiration can come from.
A standout example comes from Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Indiana. Known for their friendly staff and attention to detail, the park assigns (at times) a dedicated team member to retrieve and secure loose articles while guests board their major coasters. This not only speeds up dispatch times but also adds a personal touch to safety…..a key differentiator for a family-friendly destination. This approach is a simple concept that can have a big payoff: guests feel cared for, operations run more smoothly, and the ride team can focus on safe loading and dispatching.
Many operators are deploying a mix of strategies to tackle loose articles head-on:
Dedicated lockers near high-intensity rides, sometimes offered for free for a limited time window.
“Nothing in Your Pockets” zones with clear signage, audio reminders, and visual cues like floor markings.
Ride access control systems that require guests to pass through a checkpoint confirming they have properly secured their items elsewhere.
Operator checklists and guest prompts during loading that reinforce the message without slowing throughput.
But to really level up, we can look beyond our industry for some inspiration and creative ideas.
Several industries face similar challenges when it comes to securing personal items—and many of them have nailed it. Parks can draw from these successful practices to improve safety and streamline operations:
Airports & Aviation
Uses prep zones before security checkpoints.
Displays multilingual, visual instructions to reduce confusion.
Employs staff to help guests prepare, ensuring smoother flow.
Theme Park Adaptation: Create ride boarding “prep zones” with bin systems and signage to get guests ride-ready before reaching the loading platform.
Ski Resorts
Enforces gear checks and use signage for personal item safety.
Offers personal gear straps and lockers.
Uses pre-arrival education on apps and websites
Theme Park Adaptation: Sell or provide ride-approved straps or pouches. Push loose item reminders during digital ticketing or in-app wait times.
Stadiums & Arenas
Implements clear bag policies and express lines.
Provides discard zones or item check stations before entry.
Rewards guests who follow rules with faster access.
Theme Park Adaptation: Offer “Express Boarding” for guests who come prepped, incentivizing good behavior with shorter wait times.
Industrial Facilities
Enforces “Nothing in Your Pockets” policies in hazardous zones.
Uses clear personal storage areas and visual audits.
Tracks readiness using badges or visual checks.
Theme Park Adaptation: Operators can visually verify guest compliance and signal the same to team members, especially on launch coasters or inverted rides.
Trampoline & Adventure Parks
Requires safety videos, gear checks, and grip socks.
Employs floor attendants focused on safety prep.
Enforces waivers that reinforce safe behaviors.
Theme Park Adaptation: Assign a “Ride Readiness Attendant” like Holiday World’s model to make it fun, friendly, and focused on compliance.
The bottom line is that loose articles aren’t going away. But with smart design, staff training, and guest-focused processes, parks can turn a known operational pain point into a smooth, even delightful part of the guest experience.
From dedicated team members to express lanes and visual reminders, the most successful strategies are those that blend efficiency with empathy.
After all, keeping guests safe shouldn’t slow them down. It should inspire them to enjoy the ride.
How ITPS Can Help:
At ITPS, we understand that guest safety and operational efficiency go hand in hand. Our team brings decades of hands-on experience in designing, auditing, and improving ride operations for parks around the world. Whether it’s developing tailored loose article policies, enhancing ride queue and loading procedures, or training staff for guest-facing roles like “Ride Readiness Attendants,” we offer practical, proven solutions that fit your park’s culture and goals. We help turn safety challenges into opportunities for smoother operations and a better guest experience.
Contact ITPS
International Theme Park Services, Inc.
2200 Victory Parkway, Suite 500A
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
United States of America
Phone: 513-381-6131
http://www.interthemepark.com
itps@interthemepark.com