I finally found the info I wanted.
This should help in this discussion.
Its copied from the following link:
http://allearsnet.com/tp/ridsiAK.htm#ee
QUOTE:
Expedition Everest
Susan 2/2006 -- Regarding Expedition Everest, I am a large lady with most of my bulk in my hips and thighs. I decided to give EE a try and did not know about the test vehicle. We got to the loading platform and I was so lucky that I had a sensitive cast member who saw that the lap bar was not clicking. He suggested that I stand and pull back on the bar until it clicked and then sit down. It worked and I got to ride with my children! I probably won't ride again, not real big on the drops, but at least I got to ride once with my kids.
Joe 2/2/2006 -- I am 6'0" 320lbs, my wife is 5'2" 256lbs and we were concerned about fitting on EE. We both had no troubles at all getting the bar to close. I did see some larger people have trouble but it seems if you stand a little while pulling the bar down and then sitting you avoid the bar not snapping into place. The second time I went on it I thought the bar didn't close but it seemed no ones closed until everyone was seated. I am not sure if the ride vehicle throws a switch that allows the bars to lock at a certain time. As Big Mama wrote there is a test vehicle near the exit that should not draw crowds of onlookers.
Lin - 1/2006 -- I thought I'd write with a tip for over-weight riders wanting to ride Everest. I am over-weight. I am 5'3" and 310 pounds with weight in stomach and behind. As I do read your Newsletter I was aware that there were two seats I could try out before riding--and I did try the seat beforehand. I fit in the seat quite easily. The thing I did not realize until I got on the ride was that the bar has to click. Once I was on the ride, I could not pull the bar over my stomach until it clicked as it was supposed to. The cast member was very helpful, he suggested I pull the bar until it clicked then try and push myself down behind it. I tried twice but unsuccessfully--I still do not know if it was my embarrassment or uncoordination--but I couldn't quite 'get it". I think part of my attempt was half hearted, because I had read all the warnings signs and the idea of
riding cramped and uncomfortable on a ride with twists and turns and drops--didn't quite appeal to me. While in line, I had seen 2 large gentlemen with large stomachs in line and they said I would have no problem as this was their second time on. However, they did not have the weight in both stomach and butt as I do. I think this ride could present a problem if you have majority of your weight in the middle area. It was a problem for me. My tip would be to try out the seat beforehand, as i did... but also try to see if you can squeeze behind the bar in a locked position. My husband loved the ride--hearing his reviews along with the other readers may even give me the incentive to lose some weight! Maybe not--but next time--I will try seat bar first before waiting for 2 hours to ride!
Big Mama says: Large bellied folk, listen up! I'm a 5'9", 325-pound woman who looks as if she's nine months pregnant but is not. I had already made the decision not to ride the new Everest attraction, but took the opportunity to sit in the sample car. Here's the deal: I had plenty of hip and shoulder room, but not one breath of belly room to spare. The bar would have "clicked" one notch had I been in an operating vehicle, but I'm not sure how my belly would have fared on the ride. Bruised, most likely. The lap bar on the sample car has a gauge that shows how far down the bar is. If your indicator line gets from the red area, past the black line, and into the green area you are assured your lap belt will get at least one click and you are safe. You may need to stand up and shimmy around. And take note that the Cast Members will not assist you with the bar (or so I was told by several Cast Members who came to see me not fit in the car). The sample cars are out of the way, and I did not feel put on the spot whatsoever. Try it out if you aren't sure!
