A Big Woman vs Big Rides

[micksterlee]

Universal and the coaster designers have a grander scale than the US population. If all the seats were made larger, then those who are not of large size might be at a safety risk.

There are over 1.6 billion overweight people in the world, and the world's population is over 6.5 billion. That translates to around 25% of the world's population.

Universal is very accommodating. Safety is safety.

I have no problem with the whole safety thing but what I am saying is that I fit in other coaster seats at other places with no problem. I have yet to see a skinny person go flying off any of these coaster seats that I fit in. I don't want to start a debate about parks because I love both Disney and Universal and will visit both for many years to come even if I don't fit in a coaster but I don't understand why I fit in the Rock and Roll coaster just fine but I get on the Hulk and I don't fit even in the bigger seats. Just seems like if they can design one coaster with larger seats they could design others the same way.

 

[the Dark Marauder]

The train design for Rock N Rollercoaster is completely different than Hulk or DD.
<---Not trying to start any kind of debate either.

I'm sure it all boils down to a few things
1) cost--getting the most ride for the least $$$. Lowest bidder wins, of course.
2) the suits. 'Nuff said.

 

[KatyTheFairyPrincess]

I think it all boils down to what sort of coaster it is, I mean there is enough strain to the restraints as it is when the coasters go upseide down etc. But think of the added strain the extra weight puts on the restraints, so maybe that is why they have fewer "bigger seats". It will cost alot more to re-inforce the larger seats ect, and if alot of the seats were made for larger people think of the strain it would put on the ride, I don't think its right that larger people should be singled out, but if he majority of the seat were made for bigger person all the smaller people would be at risk, I think there has to be an agreed balance.
Also use the tester seats out front to save your time and embarresment, you could be riding loads of other rides instead of standing in line for an hour hoping that you'll have lost 10 pounds by the time you get to the front and will be able to fit.

I personally think its great that the coaster designers have even taken the time and thought to put in the larger seats, alot of small theme parks don't do this. I think we all just take so much for granted when we go on vacation, myself included.

 

[ky07]

Well like I said I am a big guy and really don't care for coasters anyway and the only reason I rode the hulk was for my father-in-law and as far as the mummy I love riding it and have no trouble fiting and I also understand about the embarrament of not checking with the test seat but think for a minute about that cause if its a busy time at the park then its just as much of an embarrassment for big people to hear snickers and comments from people walking by as you are using them for the test fit.
I know cause it happened to me and now I just go on ones I know I fit.

 

[damo]

You will definitely be fine on Jurassic Park. The only two rides you will need the bigger seat for will be Dueling Dragons and Hulk.

And I do think they should take into account that the majority of people are larger these days. The average size is 14 now. I don't buy that it is the roller coaster builders that make all the decisions. Universal has a choice of who to buy from and how their coasters look and feel.

I am a bigger girl but if every other theme park can accomodate my size then why couldn't Universal. It is just not correct. And IMHO two seats on a whole train just doesn't cut it. Nothing like being embarrassed when two people need the bigger seats and get separated. Big people have it hard enough as is and then to add this to mix.

This is all about customer experience and satisfaction and if every other theme park can accomodate my size I would expect Universal to as well.

B&M is a highly sought after manufacturer that calls its own shots and uses the same vehicle format for the majority of its coasters. It is all about ride safety, enjoyment and capacity. I don't think that B&M is going to change things because the average size of Americans is a 14. The average size of a thrill ride seeker is most likely not 14. There is also a height limit and I don't think they should adjust that so all the children who want to ride can also ride. They've got enough clients around the world who are lining up to purchase their coasters without having to cater to people who don't fit into their range.

I have no problem with the whole safety thing but what I am saying is that I fit in other coaster seats at other places with no problem. I have yet to see a skinny person go flying off any of these coaster seats that I fit in. I don't want to start a debate about parks because I love both Disney and Universal and will visit both for many years to come even if I don't fit in a coaster but I don't understand why I fit in the Rock and Roll coaster just fine but I get on the Hulk and I don't fit even in the bigger seats. Just seems like if they can design one coaster with larger seats they could design others the same way.

Two different manufacturers who are dealing with two different types of clientelle and quality of ride experiences. I find the coasters at Disney extremely uncomfortable and shaky while the coasters at Universal are very comfortable and smooth. The design of the seats and restraints has something to do with that. Should B&M compromise their comfort to the majority of their riders for the benefit of the few?

 

[cuucuu4karaoke]

i found the test seats in front of the mummy to be off. They showed I easily fit with room to spare but once i got on the ride, they had to push me in so tight i thought i was gonna die.

 

[yaytezIOA]

RnRC is a Vekoma, one of the first coasters to have inversions. They are known to be shaky and rough. They use a different restraint system because there are only 3 inversions. Because of this, there does not have to be a buckle on the harness. They filed for bankruptcy in 2001 due to overspending and difficulties in opening three coasters.

Hulk has 6 inversions, and has a larger train. It is a B&M which is regarded in the industry, as was previously said, as the best. Hard Rock Park is making its signature coaster, Led Zeppelin, a B&M. IN FACT, when Space Mountan was redone at Disneyland, what type of track did they use? I think it was B&M. They have a very good reputation, and only rolled out their premiere coaster in 1990. However, in that short 17 years they have rolled out over 50coasters. If they were so rough, they would most likely not have done so many in such a short time.
http://www.coastergallery.com/Manu.html

 

[the Dark Marauder]

RnRC is a Vekoma, one of the first coasters to have inversions. They are known to be shaky and rough. They use a different restraint system because there are only 3 inversions. Because of this, there does not have to be a buckle on the harness. They filed for bankruptcy in 2001 due to overspending and difficulties in opening three coasters.

Hulk has 6 inversions, and has a larger train. It is a B&M which is regarded in the industry, as was previously said, as the best. Hard Rock Park is making its signature coaster, Led Zeppelin, a B&M. IN FACT, when Space Mountan was redone at Disneyland, what type of track did they use? I think it was B&M. They have a very good reputation, and only rolled out their premiere coaster in 1990. However, in that short 17 years they have rolled out over 50coasters. If they were so rough, they would most likely not have done so many in such a short time.
http://www.coastergallery.com/Manu.html

Hulk has 7 inversions. You know this.

 

[tink242424]

First off I just need to say that I don't feel larger seats are a safety issue. I have been to Six Flags Great Adventure & Busch Gardens Williamsburg and have been able to fit in every seat just fine. They have huge rollercoasters with inversions and smooth rides as well.

I don't think the issue is safety. I think the reason they have designed smaller seats is purely due to not thinking it through properly.

I understand things are going to change now as Universal isn't going to re-design the seats and cars for their rollercoasters. It is just nice to vent. Thin people don't always understand how it is to be overweight but still enjoy rides and have fear that you won't fit. It is especially embarrasing when you fit at every other theme park you go to.

Thanks to everyone for listening!

 

[damo]

Batman at Great Adventure has the same seat size as Dueling Dragons. Alpie in Williamsburg has the same seat size as the Dueling Dragons as well. They are stock B&M seats.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Hulk has 7 inversions. You know this.

Yeah, but after the 4th, I kind of just get lulled to sleep

As far as having bigger seats being a safety issue...yes, it kind of is. The coaster is designed with a certain number of seats in mind, and a certain size. If it goes over that size, then it may not make the loops or inversions. Ever wonder why dive coasters only have one or two inversions? The tracks cant take the stress of those heavy cars at that speed.
No, universal and disney can NOT simply change them if they want to. By doing that, it messes with the manufacturers specs and designs, and it becomes unsafe. Thinking it through properly? Yes, they have thought it through just fine. Lets look at it:
Carowinds has Top Gun, an inverted B&M. Where are the big seats? In the same rows as they are in Alpengeist, which is the same as Dueling Dragons, which is the same as Hulk, as Sheikra, as Montu, as Gwazi as Kumba, as.....I can go on. They are all B&M coasters...they all have the same seating arrangements. The only difference thus far has been Griffon. It uses big seats in all three rows, but it only has one. It also has 10 seats across, but three rows. Why is this different than sheikra? They are both B&M's right? Its different, as was explained to me by Larry Giles V.P. of ride design at BGE because Griffon is spread out over a larger area. Its "footprint" is different than Sheikras which is a lot tighter and hugs the turns a lot faster.
The heads of B&M have said that safety is their number 1 concern, while comfort is the 2nd.....expect the newer coasters to all have the larger seats in the future, as the tracks are wider. Can you tell the difference of the coasters with four seats across and two seats across? The tracks are, naturally wider on the four seats.

 

[Timmy Boy]

Gwazi is not a B&M.

Anywho, if you don't fit on the ride, please don't yell at the Cast Member or Team Member saying that it's their fault.

 

[yaytezIOA]

Gwazi is not a B&M.

Anywho, if you don't fit on the ride, please don't yell at the Cast Member or Team Member saying that it's their fault.

Sorry, got on a roll. But yeah, its not the CMs fault. Besides you dont want to be squeezed into a seat, its not fun.

 

[ky07]

I am a big person and if I don't fit thats just the way it goes and I would never blame a cast member cause its my fault not thiers

 

[Lisa P.]

This is an interesting discussion. Often, I've read complaints from parents of shorter, daring children who don't meet the height requirements for thrill rides. It seems that the ride manufacturers try to accommodate as much of a range of body sizes and shapes as they can but it is more complicated than it looks at first glance. Shifting bodies through a ride sequence send enormous forces in different directions. Individual seats must bear this safely and so must the train, and the balance and location of its weights overall. They certainly want to be able to offer the broadest audience a fun, safe, thrilling ride as possible.

For me, I would not care one whit what some stranger or bystander thought if I am checking out a test seat. Anyone who is vocally critical of how someone looks while on vacation with their family and/or friends must live a sad, narrow life. I'm thankful that I don't have to live with them, aren't you? So go ahead, check it out and plan to have a great time!!!

 

[ahowanitz]

Do you think a person that is 5'11" and weighs 230 pounds will have a problem on these rides? I'm trying to gage whether it would be a problem or not, and I was just wondering if there was anyone out there around the same dimensions that has an idea. Thanks!

 

[micksterlee]

Do you think a person that is 5'11" and weighs 230 pounds will have a problem on these rides? I'm trying to gage whether it would be a problem or not, and I was just wondering if there was anyone out there around the same dimensions that has an idea. Thanks!

I don't think you will have a problem at all. We were there in June and I had problems with several rides but I am 5 11 and wear a size 46 waist.I have a large upper torso as well, built kinda like a wrestler or a power lifter.My stomach is very solid and will not give in when they try to force the restraints like we did at the Mummy.

 

[ahowanitz]

I don't think you will have a problem at all. We were there in June and I had problems with several rides but I am 5 11 and wear a size 46 waist.I have a large upper torso as well, built kinda like a wrestler or a power lifter.My stomach is very solid and will not give in when they try to force the restraints like we did at the Mummy.

Thanks for your help. That makes me feel better and much less worried!

 

[Dragonmouse]

FYI we just returned from Universal and IOA. My pooh bear hubby rode everything fine. He did use the modified seating (most of his weight is in his belly) on the Hulk and Dueling Dragons but otherwise everything was perfect. He did need to be pressed into Dueling Dragons a bit but he didn't mind at all.

The only one we didn't do was Dr Doom's Freefall. We just forgot it. We have been on that ride 100 at six flags...it seems to be the same thing. Unfortunately hubby doesn't fit on the ones at six flags so we blew it off.

Hopefully everything at Disney will be just as friendly

 

[angelfaerie52]

Universal and the coaster designers have a grander scale than the US population. If all the seats were made larger, then those who are not of large size might be at a safety risk.

There are over 1.6 billion overweight people in the world, and the world's population is over 6.5 billion. That translates to around 25% of the world's population.

Universal is very accommodating. Safety is safety.

I agree. What about kids? They won't fit in the seats if they are all made to large size. I can't sit in the large seats as I am very thin. There has to be a limit and there are likely weight limits for a coaster. There are also health risks involved, so sorry, they can't accomodate everyone!