FJ seats compared to other over the shoulder restraints?

[Disney Padawan]

Hello everyone. All this talk about the restraints on FJ has got me a little worried. I've never had a problem with any theme park ride in my life. I have an above average build, 6' 235 lbs. I played a lot of football during my early years and usually when I ride a coaster with an over the shoulder restraint, it feels a little tight around my chest and shoulders. Usually when I ride, say something like Dragons Challenge, the seat belt just clicks on and has no more give. I'm not sure how many clicks I get, but I would imagine it not being more than 2 or 3. Anyhow my question is this: Does anyone know how these clicks compare to the infamous FJ 3 clicks? In other words, if you get 3 clicks on a ride like Dragons Challenge, does that mean you'll get 3 clicks on FJ? Anyone out there try this yet? I'm a little concerned, I'm at Busch Gardens right now and will be at UO on Saturday. I would love to somehow know ahead of time if i'll be able to fit on FJ. If anyone out there has ridden both an over the shoulder restraint ride (like Dragons Challenge) and Forbidden Journey and can compare the click count, could you please post? It would be nice to have another ride that FJ can compare to, at-least in the restraint department. Thank you all for taking the time. Here's hoping someone out there knows something.

 

[damo]

Word is that if you fit in the normal seats in Dragon Challenge and Hulk, you'll be fine on FJ.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thanks for posting Damo. Really? I thought the seats on FJ were way less forgiving? Weren't many complaining that they fit fine on those rides but not on FJ?

 

[damo]

Thanks for posting Damo. Really? I thought the seats on FJ were way less forgiving? Weren't many complaining that they fit fine on those rides but not on FJ?

I think they were fitting in the modified seating on those coasters.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thank you for your post! God I hope you're right!

 

[HootDad]

Hi,

We were there last week (hot hot HOT!). The restraints seemed, to me, to be fairly typical over-the-shoulder restraints, about on par with Dragon's Challenge. Funny (or sad, I suppose) story - there was a guy who - after being in line for about an hour - was told that his daughter was too short. He put up a bit of a stink when another CM pointed out that he should also check whether he would fit - he didn't even come close! So all that wait and neither of them could ride. (He was about 6'6" and probably weighed about 300 I would say)

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thanks for the post. That's what I'm afraid of. Wish I had more information.

 

[Timmy Boy]

The Forbidden Journey restraints *should* accommodate those who can fit in the NORMAL Dragon restraints. However, if you can't fit in the normal Dragon restraints, and have to use the modified/larger restraints, you may not be able to get into Forbidden Journey's. Also note, there are no modified seats on Forbidden Journey. However, I have heard a rumor that Universal is working with the ride manufacturer to get a couple modified cars with larger restraints. This is just a rumor though.

 

[Disney Padawan]

Thanks for the post. I fit in the normal seats of any coaster I've been on. The seat belt does click close on the over the shoulder restraints that coasters use but it just makes it with no more give. It does feel tight around my chest and shoulders but this is often very minor. I've been worried because I've read that bigger people that fit fine on non-modified seats have had trouble fitting on FJ. I'll find out for myself in 3 days but I wish I knew the answer for sure. Somebody out there has to know.

 

[Nero the dog]

I use the larger seats on most coasters, and I was not able to fit the HP seats.
The problem is shoulder size. The restraints on FJ are straight not shaped around the body like most coasters, which means if they are tight against your shoulders they will not even reach your waist to enable them to lock.

Whoever designed it should be sacked. Seaworld proved with Manta that it is perfectly possible to have a seat system that fits everybody in every seat. There is no need to look for the "special" big seat on that ride, and that has to hold you in place while upside down.

 

[damo]

I use the larger seats on most coasters, and I was not able to fit the HP seats.
The problem is shoulder size. The restraints on FJ are straight not shaped around the body like most coasters, which means if they are tight against your shoulders they will not even reach your waist to enable them to lock.

Whoever designed it should be sacked. Seaworld proved with Manta that it is perfectly possible to have a seat system that fits everybody in every seat. There is no need to look for the "special" big seat on that ride, and that has to hold you in place while upside down.

Don't kid yourself. There are people who are too large and don't fit on Manta either.

As to having a restraint system that fits everyone, first off, the height restriction at Manta is 54", where FJ is 48". That, right there, changes the restraints. FJ needs to be more kid friendly.

 

[finucane]

I actually thought that the Hulk restraints were more snug than FJ. So, if you fit on that you should be fine. Plus, remember, don't trust the test seat at the entrance to the ride. That one said I wouldn't fit, but had no trouble once I got on to the ride. The test seat inside the castle is the more reliable one. For reference I'm 5'10" 245lbs. 46inch chest 42inch waist, and I fit with plenty of wiggle room to spare.

 

[Asm]

I'm a woman with a very large chest. My bosum was squished on FJ but I got the clicks with help. Same with the normal DC seats. I actually found the DC harness tighter than FJ. I'm about 5'6 245 with a 42G bra size if that helps. I bet you're fine.

 

[MIChessGuy]

I have seen a couple of 2011 guidebooks that claim Universal might add larger seats to FJ, but I've also heard that they might go the other way and refurb other rides with the tighter FJ restraints. That means I'd have to forget about Spider-Man, Revenge of the Mummy, and probably a few others where I can barely fit as it is now. D'oh

 

[Disney Padawan]

I actually thought that the Hulk restraints were more snug than FJ. So, if you fit on that you should be fine. Plus, remember, don't trust the test seat at the entrance to the ride. That one said I wouldn't fit, but had no trouble once I got on to the ride. The test seat inside the castle is the more reliable one. For reference I'm 5'10" 245lbs. 46inch chest 42inch waist, and I fit with plenty of wiggle room to spare.

Thank you everyone for their posts. Thank you for sharing your measurements! I had a question about them if you don't mind? Are you a 42 size waist or did you mean you wear 42 size pants? I'm currently a 36 size pants slowly working my way to a 34 and I'm not sure what my chest size is but it does stick out a bit. This ride has got me so worried! I'm currently at the PBH and will be going to IOA in 2 days. Earlier today I had a conversation with an employee from Sal's Deli and he was my height but way thinner. He said it was a tight squeeze for him and his friend couldn't ride because he lifts weights. He told me it may be a tight squeeze for me too. This guy must have had a 32" waist line and my upper build and he said he barely fit! Yup, I think I'm in trouble folks. Guess i'll find out in 2 more days. Thank you all again for the posts and support.

Gulp.