As feared Forbidden Journey is Not for Many

[Planogirl]

This is what Universal continually has to combat - people's misperceptions about what they offer. It's nothing new.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I'm astonished at seeing posts pretty regularly saying if people can't fit on one ride, they'd rather not even go to Universal. It would be like saying, "If I can't fit on Peter Pan, I'm not going to even go to Disney."

I'll rearrange my trip in September if these posters are serious. I could care less about WWOHP. We're not planning on spending too much time at the Uni parks this September because we'd figured the whole resort (including Citywalk in the evenings and Universal during the days) is going to be packed. If hordes of HP fans are only going to go on one ride (maybe if they can fit) and then leave, we'll rearrange our vacay to spend more time at our favorite parks (Uni/IOA).

 

[FayeW]

I had no desire to go to Universal either, until we planned our "once in a lifetime trip" to Orlando and decided to experience a little bit of everything, mostly because the price of admission to SeaWorld and Universal was so much more affordable than a full on, disney only vacation. The only Disney park we did was Magic Kingdom. We spent two days at SeaWorld (because we liked our first day so much we decided to take advantage of the second day free option), and 5 days at Universal/Islands of Adventure. Next time we went back, it was going to be just Disney, to see the parks we missed, but hubby insisted that we spend the extra $300 to go back to the Universal parks instead of just an additional $14 to increase the days on our disney tickets.

So, Kronk, from someone who has also spent several days at Canada's Wonderland, I can tell you that Universal Studios parks are first rate, and in my humble opinion, the rides and theming are at least equal to, and in many cases exceed, the similar ride at Disney. It in no way resembles Canada's Wonderland. For every ride Disney has, Universal has something similar that is better, faster, more thrilling, and you only have to go to two parks, which you can easily walk between in 10 mins, to find them. The notable exceptions are Mickey's Philharmagic, which I think is second to none, and the Spectromagic, which I have to see at least once during every visit.

Oddly enough, our worst day of vacation is always at Disney Hollywood Studios, and our best is always at Universal studios.

 

[SkittleKicks]

How do the seats compare with Manta at SW? (I know the legs are different but wondering about the upper restraint) Has anyone that's been turned away from FJ been able to ride Manta? Thanks

Yup, able to ride Manta, no dice for FJ. There's no good comparison ride I can think of. You'll have to try it for yourselves - it's really hard to say. But, please go anyway - the area around the ride is beautiful.

 

[Northstar]

Anyway, I have read all the let down stories of people not fitting on Forbidden Journey and yes it scared me. Im not exactly skinny but not extremely overwieght, more along the lines of "a bit of chub". But my main fear was the chest area as I was cursed by God to be more than a little top heavy. Thankfully though there was no reason to fear. I did wear a sports bra with good smooshing capabilites just in case, a while the restraints did push tight, it was not hard to get the 3 clicks and off we went. After getting off I did have a small bit of soreness, but nothing I havent felt after getting off other rides that push on my chest. It was funny though because on of the " Sytherin students" overheard me mention it to my friend as she giggled and said, "too bad you muggles cant use a good ole cushioning charm" and patted her also not tiny chest. I replied that a shrinking charm might have been more useful and she cackled and said, "Hmm shrinking charm, I'll have to remember that next time I duel with a Gryffindor boy."

So anyway, just wanted to let the females know, that having a big chest doesn't have to mean you wont ride. That area is easy to squish if needed.

Thanks for the chuckle, fairyprincess88!
I love it that the ride attendant/animator/actor (they don't call them CMs at Universal, do they?) was so in character and so good at comebacks!

 

[maroo]

I'm astonished at seeing posts pretty regularly saying if people can't fit on one ride, they'd rather not even go to Universal. It would be like saying, "If I can't fit on Peter Pan, I'm not going to even go to Disney."

I'll rearrange my trip in September if these posters are serious. I could care less about WWOHP. We're not planning on spending too much time at the Uni parks this September because we'd figured the whole resort (including Citywalk in the evenings and Universal during the days) is going to be packed. If hordes of HP fans are only going to go on one ride (maybe if they can fit) and then leave, we'll rearrange our vacay to spend more time at our favorite parks (Uni/IOA).

You can count me as one person that won't be at Universal in Sept. I was planning on buying an AP and hanging out at HP and riding rides for two days on my trip - but I had 2 people tell me before the FJ debacle that Universal rides are a snug fit for those of us that are overweight. My issue is that I want to buy an AP - but I don't want to spend that kind of money if I can't actually DO the things in the park. And it isn't just one ride - my understanding after researching all of this is that many of the rides at Universal are not made to provide much breathing room for us.

The draw for Universal IS the rides - mostly. Disney is less about the actual rides and more about the experience, which is why I would still go to Disney even if I could not fit on one ride.

This is different. Tall people, broad shouldered people, people with larger thighs, people with larger breasts, and people that are really not all that big are being turned away from the ride left and right. And it isn't right. Just a little foresight on their part (and they could have anticipated it from here!) would have given them plenty of "warning" that they were going to have an issue.

Could "Hagrid" even ride? The man who played Hagrid? He wasn't in any of the pictures when the 5 actors and actresses were there a month ago.

Anyway...enjoy the park in September. You will have a few less people to contend with. I am sure Universal doesn't really care, honestly, or they would be trying to fix it. The wait will be long enough without the taller, bigger, and well endowed people actually able to ride anyway.

 

[WWEDUDE]

And it isn't just one ride - my understanding after researching all of this is that many of the rides at Universal are not made to provide much breathing room for us.

I've never heard this much about any other ride at Universal. Almost all the coasters have special seating, and many of the people who were asked to try the test seat were never asked on other rides at Universal. Not saying all rides are meant for everyone, but I don't think any of the rides are like FJ in that sense.

 

[wdwfan16]

I'm astonished at seeing posts pretty regularly saying if people can't fit on one ride, they'd rather not even go to Universal. It would be like saying, "If I can't fit on Peter Pan, I'm not going to even go to Disney."

From what I am reading fitting on this ride will not be my concern but getting sick. So few rides at IOA interest me for the same reason. I am not a coaster person. We are planning on visiting later this year but it maybe the only visit. The cost of the hotel is high, very poor discount. The tickets are not bad. We will do both parks over two days and that will be it. I love HP but I may not return. I will go once.

HP has all of three/four rides depending how you count them. I cannot ride the Dueling dragons and it appears FJ (DH will ride alone and tell me if he thinks I can ride.). Why would I return? To buy food? Nope.

 

[MIChessGuy]

They are constantly pulling entire groups of people out for the test seats. Nobody is singled out. You don't sit in the seats by yourself but they will put all the people around you in there too.

How soon do they pull the borderline riders out of the queue? I understand the entire queue area is well worth seeing by itself. I am more or less resigned to failing the click test and being sent down the fatso corridor, but at least I am hoping to see the pre-board theming.

 

[WWEDUDE]

How soon do they pull the borderline riders out of the queue? I understand the entire queue area is well worth seeing by itself. I am more or less resigned to failing the click test and being sent down the fatso corridor, but at least I am hoping to see the pre-board theming.

You go through the entire castle, preshows, etc. The test seats are right before you board, when they ask how many people are in your group.

 

[damo]

How soon do they pull the borderline riders out of the queue? I understand the entire queue area is well worth seeing by itself. I am more or less resigned to failing the click test and being sent down the fatso corridor, but at least I am hoping to see the pre-board theming.

There are also test seats outside the castle, so you can test yourself out there. Then you can go through the entire queue already knowing whether or not you can ride.

 

[ggh]

How do the seats compare with Manta at SW? (I know the legs are different but wondering about the upper restraint) Has anyone that's been turned away from FJ been able to ride Manta? Thanks

Yes, I have been able to ride the Manta (and every other thrill ride in Orlando) repeatedly without a problem. I could not ride FJ. I only got two clicks.

 

[coasterfiend]

There are also test seats outside the castle, so you can test yourself out there. Then you can go through the entire queue already knowing whether or not you can ride.

We were there this week-end. My 18yo nephew is 6'4, a 52" chest, and equally sized belly. The test seat outside gave him a red light - no go. We went through the queue (me feeling terribly sad about it, by the way) and they had him try the seats just before the boarding room. He fit that test seat and got the magic "three clicks". I cried I was so happy and he gave me the biggest hug ever. He and my son have been fans of the books since they were in the third grade.

So, don't give up based on the outside test seat, it may work for you on the official seats. Good Luck!!

 

[mjohnson96]

We were there this week-end. My 18yo nephew is 6'4, a 52" chest, and equally sized belly. The test seat outside gave him a red light - no go. We went through the queue (me feeling terribly sad about it, by the way) and they had him try the seats just before the boarding room. He fit that test seat and got the magic "three clicks". I cried I was so happy and he gave me the biggest hug ever. He and my son have been fans of the books since they were in the third grade.

So, don't give up based on the outside test seat, it may work for you on the official seats. Good Luck!!

That makes sense too since they are making adjustments everyday. The prob have not made those same adjustments to the test seats outside

 

[knieriem]

I'm not sure I agree. I will be hopeful, as I really love Harry Potter and wouldn't mind the excuse to get another trip in to IOA to visit Spider-man, but it sounds like it's about how you carry the weight. I fear that his height may have the weight spread better. Mine is around my midsection, a paunch if you will, and that might not be ok.

We'll see, it won't be the end of the world if I can't, I just won't go to Universal. I think I would be upset if I got there and found out I couldn't ride without any indications beforehand that this would be the case.

Does that make sense?

This is a little off topic but I thought I'd let you know they've upgraded spider-man!! The images on the screens are a lot clearer and there's some new footage instead of the same ol' stuff. I even think the image of the guy in the garbage truck is newer!

 

[PlutoLuvr]

You can count me as one person that won't be at Universal in Sept. I was planning on buying an AP and hanging out at HP and riding rides for two days on my trip - but I had 2 people tell me before the FJ debacle that Universal rides are a snug fit for those of us that are overweight. My issue is that I want to buy an AP - but I don't want to spend that kind of money if I can't actually DO the things in the park. And it isn't just one ride - my understanding after researching all of this is that many of the rides at Universal are not made to provide much breathing room for us.

The draw for Universal IS the rides - mostly. Disney is less about the actual rides and more about the experience, which is why I would still go to Disney even if I could not fit on one ride.

This is different. Tall people, broad shouldered people, people with larger thighs, people with larger breasts, and people that are really not all that big are being turned away from the ride left and right. And it isn't right. Just a little foresight on their part (and they could have anticipated it from here!) would have given them plenty of "warning" that they were going to have an issue.

Could "Hagrid" even ride? The man who played Hagrid? He wasn't in any of the pictures when the 5 actors and actresses were there a month ago.

Anyway...enjoy the park in September. You will have a few less people to contend with. I am sure Universal doesn't really care, honestly, or they would be trying to fix it. The wait will be long enough without the taller, bigger, and well endowed people actually able to ride anyway.

Well, I've seen huge people at Universal enjoying the attractions/ride. I'm no skinny-minnie, and I've never had any trouble at all. I do, however, suffer from motion sickness, so coasters or spinning are out for me. But Shrek and Terminator are no different than the Muppets/Philharmagic movies; Twister is a walk-through thing; Mummy is a coaster, so I can't tell you who fits/who doesn't; Disaster anyone can fit on (you're on a subway); Jaws anyone can fit; MIB I've seen very large folks on; Simpsons is too intense for me, so that's another I can't attest to; ET I've seen very large folks on. That's our usual "loop" through the Universal side, and there's plenty to do! And there's actually a few things we skip (Jimmy Neutron ride, Rip Ride Rocket Coaster).

Funny, as someone who suffers from motion sickness, I love the rides at Disney. I go to Universal for the "experience" and IOA for the theming and food.

I love all the theme parks, WDW, Uni, SW, IOA. I think there are pros and cons to each individual park, but I think you'd be very pleasantly surprised and find many, many things to do and Uni/IOA. I also know all the parks like the back of my hand (raised a Disney kid in Florida since it opened), and I can't imagine spending even a whole day in the area that's now become WWOHP. It would be like never leaving Africa for the whole day at AK or Adventureland at MK. Why would you want to shortchange yourself?

Whatever you decide, I do hope your vacation is a wonderful one

 

[tedmundson]

To help add information for those who are trying to figure out if they will fit or not, I'll update my post that I left a couple of weeks ago. At that time, I weighed around 246-248 with a 50" chest and a 41" waist at 5'11".

By the time vacation rolled around, I was into the upper 230's, probably 238-240 and fitting comfortably into my 48" suit coats with 39" waist suit pants. I was a green light for FJ in the test seat out front and in the castle. I was pulled out of line for the interior test seat for 2 out of 3 trips through the castle. They pulled my entire group when they pulled me, so it isn't the least bit embarrassing.

I probably would have fit without the weight loss, but it would definitely have been close. I think I will try to continue the HP diet, I'm sure that carrying 10 fewer pounds has been better with this 106 degree heat index we have had this week.

 

[ilovefh]

Today they were not pressing on the harness at all. They had 5 people within 2 minutes of me that all wanted to see a manager/lead because they waited 45 minutes to find out they couldn't ride. These were all individuals from different parties. A few days ago I got three clicks and now I got 1. Still on a strict diet and I didn't gain any weight since then. I've gone from 50 inch chest and stomach to 48 inches. So now it depends how much they want to push on the harness. QUOTE]


Bolding and cutting is mine. On Sunday they pushed the harness for me and I was able to ride but yesterday they didn't push them down. That is the one thing that bothers me....be consistent! Either allow TM's to push down the harness always or never!

 

[DBEAR]

Today they were not pressing on the harness at all. They had 5 people within 2 minutes of me that all wanted to see a manager/lead because they waited 45 minutes to find out they couldn't ride. These were all individuals from different parties. A few days ago I got three clicks and now I got 1. Still on a strict diet and I didn't gain any weight since then. I've gone from 50 inch chest and stomach to 48 inches. So now it depends how much they want to push on the harness. QUOTE]


Bolding and cutting is mine. On Sunday they pushed the harness for me and I was able to ride but yesterday they didn't push them down. That is the one thing that bothers me....be consistent! Either allow TM's to push down the harness always or never!

I also wanted to point out they weren't too caring yesterday. When I asked why they weren't allowed to push at all the girl was ignorant. She told me I was lucky I had at least ridden the other day. I had to keep from telling her what I thought of her. Sorry but 3 clicks and now 1, I hope that TM gets screamed at this entire summer.

 

[Indy Denise]

I also wanted to point out they weren't too caring yesterday. When I asked why they weren't allowed to push at all the girl was ignorant. She told me I was lucky I had at least ridden the other day. I had to keep from telling her what I thought of her. Sorry but 3 clicks and now 1, I hope that TM gets screamed at this entire summer.

Why take it out on some poor worker? Only someone IGNORANT (IMHO! ) would do that. If someone has a problem they should ask to speak to a manager/supervisor..someone who makes the rules...and someone who can actually chage them. I feel so badly for these TM's. Why confront them? Not every TM has been there 24/7 so what happens even minutes ago may not have anything to do with them.

Again, this is IMHO but having been on both ends of retail ( hourly and manager ) it is always the hourly worker who doesn't make policy, but who is expected to follow it or lose their jobs, that get treated poorly.