As feared Forbidden Journey is Not for Many

[Gryffindor_Mouse]

It sounds like much of this is still in development so that's a hard call. I definitely hope that they add modified cars but no one seems to know just yet.

I can certainly understand your concerns about feeling humiliated. This technology sounds amazing but I wish that they would adapt it to be a little more flexible than it is right now. I will say that apparently the queue itself is a big draw but then there's the problem of fitting on the ride. It's hard to know who will fit too because apparently it has more to do with build than actual size.

Also, goodness you're not intruding! Welcome in fact.

Thanks Planogirl.

Blast it. I've always had trouble with harnesses, so I don't know why FJ would be any different for me. The Batman rides at various Six Flags parks have always been a no-go for me. Not that I want to avoid the castle all together. I mean, the queue sounds amazing all on its own. It's just disappointing to get all the way out there, pay all that to get in, just to walk around and not be able to ride anything.

 

[damo]

Thanks Planogirl.

Blast it. I've always had trouble with harnesses, so I don't know why FJ would be any different for me. The Batman rides at various Six Flags parks have always been a no-go for me. Not that I want to avoid the castle all together. I mean, the queue sounds amazing all on its own. It's just disappointing to get all the way out there, pay all that to get in, just to walk around and not be able to ride anything.

I know it is no consolation but you can ride Flight of the Hippogriff.

 

[Gryffindor_Mouse]

I know it is no consolation but you can ride Flight of the Hippogriff.

woo hoo lol *runs faster on the treadmill...*

 

[Metro West]

woo hoo lol *runs faster on the treadmill...*

 

[_Thumper_]

My friends and I were there for opening day. I'm a big girl. I was able to ride the FJ. From what the worker there told us, they base whether or not you are able to go on whether they can click the bar down three times. (I didn't read through this entire thread, so I apologize if someone has already posted this).

Unfortunately two people in our party weren't able to ride the ride, but there is a test car out in front of the castle before you even go in (if people are concerned about the embarrassment of being singled out in line) to see if you fit or not.

I'd like to think Universal would work to rectify this by adding even a few extra cars that cater to larger individuals because it is such an amazing ride.

 

[OrlandoUnited]

My friends and I were there for opening day. I'm a big girl. I was able to ride the FJ. From what the worker there told us, they base whether or not you are able to go on whether they can click the bar down three times. (I didn't read through this entire thread, so I apologize if someone has already posted this).

Unfortunately two people in our party weren't able to ride the ride, but there is a test car out in front of the castle before you even go in (if people are concerned about the embarrassment of being singled out in line) to see if you fit or not.

I'd like to think Universal would work to rectify this by adding even a few extra cars that cater to larger individuals because it is such an amazing ride.

This is the first mention I've heard about them denying people on opening day. I was hoping that the 3 clicks policy had only been for testing during the softs and that they were being more forgiving after opening.

Oh well.

 

[DaddyDon]

You know i have watched this thread since it started....Im a big guy...laugh at my self and call me baby shamu...5'8 230lbs...The first time i was in line no one gave me a second glance and me and dd rode it without a hitch...second day we get pulled to the test seat side before getting on..my dd said she was sorry...got on had a great time..

 

[yarlenna]

There is no weight restriction... it's more of a shape restriction, it seems like. Unfortunately, it's not somethign that they can measure or put a number on it (like a height requirement)... best way is to hop in the test seat and see if you get the green light.

Then I think they should have a test seat before you can get to park to find out if you can ride. Or they can make some special seats for people who are not thin or short. I so want to ride this thing, and I know I am not alone in this.

 

[yarlenna]

So you have no desire to see the rest of IOA and the other great attractions?

In a word, YES

 

[the Dark Marauder]

This is the first mention I've heard about them denying people on opening day. I was hoping that the 3 clicks policy had only been for testing during the softs and that they were being more forgiving after opening.

Oh well.

3 clicks "policy" is not "policy". It is a Safety Requirement. Safety > all.

 

[Planogirl]

woo hoo lol *runs faster on the treadmill...*

I'm personally going mostly for the queue (and butterbeer) but I can understand the disappointment. I'm also a big fan of the Universal parks in general though so I'd be there anyway.

 

[OrlandoUnited]

3 clicks "policy" is not "policy". It is a Safety Requirement. Safety > all.

You don't work on that area of the park so please stop bluffing. Dwight Howard went on with 1 click.

I used to work in props for Universal and have many friends who work in the parks, conveniently one works on the load station at Forbidden Journey as well as a few other engineer friends who work in design. The harness is the same type of ratcheting joint system as any roller coaster. 1 click is just as safe as 3, because if the joint breaks, you're screwed no matter how many clicks have went down. The difference, of course, being that coasters have that extra safety belt in case the harness fails - FJ doesn't have these, so 3 clicks was recommended by the manufacturer.


And before you pull the "I've been on this site longer than you and you're a new member so you know nothing" - My old SN was registered in 1999. I regularly attended board meetings at the parks with RobinRS and Barry Hom. When I worked at UO I was told not to post on forums, so I took a hiatus. When I signed back in I found that I had been banned "forever" with no reason given.

 

[Planogirl]

I respect the battle of the Universal workers but I would think that Universal would be wise to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer. I think that is more relevant than some of the other "facts" thrown around.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I don't see how Dwight Howard would be able to ride. He's about seven or eight inches over the alleged limit.

 

[bumbershoot]

3 clicks "policy" is not "policy". It is a Safety Requirement.

Then why on earth did they make the first two clicks? I would still love to know how the manufacturer feels to hear that their first two clicks aren't deemed safe, or closed, or locked *enough*.

 

[omglaserz]

You don't work on that area of the park so please stop bluffing. Dwight Howard went on with 1 click.

I used to work in props for Universal and have many friends who work in the parks, conveniently one works on the load station at Forbidden Journey as well as a few other engineer friends who work in design. The harness is the same type of ratcheting joint system as any roller coaster. 1 click is just as safe as 3, because if the joint breaks, you're screwed no matter how many clicks have went down. The difference, of course, being that coasters have that extra safety belt in case the harness fails - FJ doesn't have these, so 3 clicks was recommended by the manufacturer.


And before you pull the "I've been on this site longer than you and you're a new member so you know nothing" - My old SN was registered in 1999. I regularly attended board meetings at the parks with RobinRS and Barry Hom. When I worked at UO I was told not to post on forums, so I took a hiatus. When I signed back in I found that I had been banned "forever" with no reason given.

Well I was just lurking this forum but this pisses me off so freaking much. I went to the park yesterday and was denied the opportunity to ride FJ because of the 3 click crud. I was able to get 2 clicks but my stupid big thighs got in the way of the 3rd one clicking and having that happen and now finding out that you don't even need 3 clicks to be safe really boils my blood. I've been going to theme parks my whole life (I live in Tampa so I'm right down the road from everything) and have never had a problem with any other ride or coaster and have never had to have ANY safety harness click X amount of times in order to ride safely. I hope Universal catches heat on this and changes it. It would have been one thing if I didnt fit the ride at all, but I did fit comfortably into the seat and the harness clicked twice. I felt secured and that shouldve been enough for me to ride. I do plan on contacting Universal about this and fingers crossed I'll be able to experience the ride when I go back in October. I plan on trying to lose an inch or two in my problem area anyway but its still ridiculous they have this 3 click policy in place when it doesn't even need to be. If anything just get the seat buckle like on the roller coasters jeez. =(

 

[donaldduck352]

I don't see how Dwight Howard would be able to ride. He's about seven or eight inches over the alleged limit.

I have met Dwight and your correct Lou,way over the height limit.

 

[seadd67]

I don't see how Dwight Howard would be able to ride. He's about seven or eight inches over the alleged limit.

your not Dwight Howard,or some other famos person,I mean that should be given here!!,they will make exceptions there. They do not want to be blasted by the "Clebs" for not letting them on now that would get Ink.Us peions here,we are a dime a dozen If we complain,oh well we are not going to get our name In the paper for getting rejected. But Lets see here,the Hulk has seats the confourm to bigger people, the DD or what ever the name Is now! has seats that are bit wider,I mean they had to know before they put the thing together right?. Universal just wanted to be able to get more people onto the ride In a shorter amount of time because of Its popularty and new the response would be huge! In turn they try to get as many seats In the ride as posspile wich = more seats with body restrictions. I guess I wish US would just come out and say so?,I mean all I wish Is that they come out and say so,In stead advertise It for EVERYONE,because Its not Its there ride they can do with It want they want right?.

 

[damo]

What is the height limit? I wasn't aware that there was one.

 

[CLPClarinet]

I rode Forbidden Journey today! (SINGLE RIDERS LINE ROCKS! It was around a 20 minute wait! ) I went into the test seat today outside of the whole castle because I wanted to see if I'd be able to get on. One of the TMs came up and said "Did you get a green light?" and haha I didn't know anything about a green light. So I put it down again and got the green light easily.

Got on the ride and I can tell you the SEATS/BENCHES themselves are very narrow. I felt the most uncomfort in my hips. I'd say the seat was tightest around my thighs. I had plenty of room in my chest and stomach area.

My measurements are 42 in the biggest part of my chest. 37 waist, and around 47 at the biggest part around my butt and hips. Pant size is 16.

But I can definitely see WHY the restraints are needed. Sometimes your whole weight is resting on those restraints.

I actually never got to see the regular queue though. Had a bad day (for reasons unrelated to HP) and I was exhausted, so I never got to see the queue. Luckily, I've seen most of it on youtube before. =]