Bad news for larger guest planning to Visit Potter

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

I just found out some disturbing news about the New Forbidden Journey of Harry Potter attraction at IOA.

The restraints are said to be coaster style Over The Shoulder (OTS) restraints. I’ve got a fair warning for all our larger readers out there… if your too big to fit on Hulk or Dueling Dragons, or require the “Big Boy” seats on those rides, there is a very good chance you will not fit into Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. I’ve been told that the sensors on Potter’s OTS require it to go down quite snug over your body before giving the green light, which is going to disappoint quite a few Potter fans.

This ride is the centerpiece of a major expansion for the park. I find it hard to comprehend they would design it to not be inclusive for all. As a large male with a big upper body I will be canceling my trip to Universal and staying at Disneyworld. I CAN FIT ON EVERY RIDE AT DISNEYWORLD...NEW ONES, OLD ONES, You name it. Universal has several attractions not designed for the ever expanding masses. ( Please spare me the lecture on weight in our society today)

Just goes to show a company that as a priority on family experiences like Disney will always outclass upstarts like Universal.

 

[Cherinva]

That is not good news...sorry you have to cancel...wait...no I'm not...you are changing and going to Disney....that's a better choice in my opinion anyway. Have a great time.

 

[Sphyrna]

It does amaze me how restrictive so many rides are on body size. I'm a larger person but I certainly wouldn't say I"m very large. At my highest weight I was 260 lbs and I'm about 6'0. I was shocked the last time I went to Cedar Point how many coasters I couldn't ride. I think they really need to start planning rides for a wider range of body sizes.

 

[dpuck1998]

Shouldn't we wait to find out for sure before we rail on them?

 

[mikelan6]

Shouldn't we wait to find out for sure before we rail on them?

You're no fun!

 

[dpuck1998]

You're no fun!

I've been told that often

 

[lugnut33]

From the photos it looks like it's not over the shoulder type harnessing, but lap bars similar to BTMRR.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Shouldn't we wait to find out for sure before we rail on them?

The Hulk and Dueling Dragons are already restrictive. We already know that.

Is the Harry Potter ride the tipping point for railing on them?

 

[dgthree]

The Hulk and Dueling Dragons are already restrictive. We already know that.

Isn't one of the Potter rides just a revamp of Dueling Dragons?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Isn't one of the Potter rides just a revamp of Dueling Dragons?

Two are, I think. Flight of the Hippogriff (Flying Unicorn) and Dragon Challenge (Dueling Dragons)

 

[DisneyKevin]

I think the OP is talking about the new "center piece" attraction that is being described as "game changing".

A photo of the ride mechanism was leaked last week.

 

[dizneedoll]

I don't like any ride that has the shoulder restraints. I have claustrophobia and those things really bother me plus any ride that requires shoulder restraints usually means it's too intense for me. I was looking forward to HP but the more I hear about it the more it sounds like something I wouldn't really be interested in, from the hotel review to hearing things like this. Oh well, like the OP, guess we'll probably just stick with Disney but I really am just waiting to hear back all the reviews before saying no for certain.

 

[dpuck1998]

The Hulk and Dueling Dragons are already restrictive. We already know that.

Is the Harry Potter ride the tipping point for railing on them?

I was going based on the OP talking about the new ride. Railing on that ride, not universal in general. Feel free to rail Universal. I'm in total agreement that these rides (new ones for sure) should be built to handle most guest and don't understand why they wouldn't be built that way.

 

[dpuck1998]

Sidenote, do you guys have an problem with RnR? How about the new Build your own coaster thing at Epcot? Just curious if this is a shoulder harness issue??

 

[FireDancer]

The restrictions are most likely a side effect of the engineering needed to make the ride safe. I'm no design engineer but I imagine the G-forces and inertia that comes into play with many modern thrill rides are quite high and lap bars aren't really sufficient to control lateral movement during the accelerations.

Remember, every change in direction, even at a constant speed, is an additional acceleration placing lateral loads on the ride vehicle and also the human body. I could see where there comes a time when the access for some larger riders is a trade of for higher speeds or direction changes.

It is unfortunate for some larger riders but I don't think it is restrictive just for the sake of being restrictive, it is most likely a safety issue. There are restrictions on the size of Air Force pilots for this very reason.

 

[dgthree]

Sidenote, do you guys have an problem with RnR? How about the new Build your own coaster thing at Epcot? Just curious if this is a shoulder harness issue??

Um... I'm not small by any stretch of the imagination, and yeah, RnR can be a little uncomfortable. The shoulder harnesses end up boxing my ears a bit. But the ride is so much fun that I usually just deal with it... after I take my earrings off for the duration. =)

Haven't tried the Epcot ride - it was packed when I was there last fall.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I'm really not in a tizzy over this issue...but for strictly personal reasons.

For me...it's a good excuse to not ride something I didnt want to ride in the first place.

Well...it's a better excuse than "I dont wanna".

I can understand the reasons behind the restraints.....I just feel badly for people that want to partake and cant.

I've dealt with small rides, small cars, small airplane seats etc my entire life.

I understand the feeling associated with being told "you dont fit".

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

sidenote, do you guys have an problem with rnr? How about the new build your own coaster thing at epcot? Just curious if this is a shoulder harness issue??

im a big dude ..no hulk, no dueling dragons or doctor doom....ok whatever all have same type of restraint system ...and i wont fit....rnr coaster, everest, mission space or anything at disney is no problem.

Just disappointed i love hp and cant ride the new attraction in hogwarts because the people at universal have made a restrictive ride.......do you ever think that disney imagineers would desighn the new fantasyland attractions/cars land or little mermaid not to fit many people...wouldnt happen

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

The restrictions are most likely a side effect of the engineering needed to make the ride safe. I'm no design engineer but I imagine the G-forces and inertia that comes into play with many modern thrill rides are quite high and lap bars aren't really sufficient to control lateral movement during the accelerations.

Remember, every change in direction, even at a constant speed, is an additional acceleration placing lateral loads on the ride vehicle and also the human body. I could see where there comes a time when the access for some larger riders is a trade of for higher speeds or direction changes.

It is unfortunate for some larger riders but I don't think it is restrictive just for the sake of being restrictive, it is most likely a safety issue. There are restrictions on the size of Air Force pilots for this very reason.

Understood....i just think the same ride could have been accomplished with a bit more engineering and money to make sure it is not an issue...money disney will spend to make sure its a family attraction and universal wont

 

[*NikkiBell*]

That's ridiculous. What were they thinking? If Disney can accomodate with their rides, I do not see why Universal can't. Personally, I think it has little to do with safety and more to do with ignorance.