FOP Restraints

[JillianLeigh]

Our trip is quickly approaching, and this will be the first time back since Pandora opened. My son is 5 and has ASD. He loves thrill rides like BTMRR and SDMT, but does not have any experience with simulator rides. Soarin' was closed on our last trip, and we skipped DHS completely so also missed Star Tours. I'm wondering what the restraints are like on FOP. I know there's a test seat outside of the ride, but I've heard it really only gives you an idea of what the actual ride is like.

There are 2 things I'm a little worried about.
1. If we load the ride fully, is there an opportunity to exit before the ride starts if he cannot handle being restrained in the unique seats?
2. Will he be buckled in/restrained enough where were he to try to get out mid-ride it would keep him from doing so?

Our first day this trip is at Epcot, so we'll be able to see how he handles Soarin' before tackling FOP. Not having any idea what FOP is like makes me worry he'll panic and I won't be prepared or able to help him. Any tips?

 

[Wubar]

If restrained, I am sure those restraints will be enough to keep him on the seat, you're seated on the bike pretty firmly.

As for stopping the ride after everyone has been seated and restrained...yes, they have that option. That happened to us our first time there after everyone had been seated with restraints properly clicked in. Just as the ride was about to start, all of a sudden the CM said the VR technology on my wife's bike wasn't working properly, and they took us off the ride and made us wait "backstage" for the next turn. I assume they either then tried to fix the technology on that bike or just placed it out of order. We did get an anytime FP for the delay, which is nice.

 

[gap2368]

There is a test seat that he can try and see how he likes it

 

[FortForever]

He won't be able to get out of the restraints. My 5 year old grandson rode it several times in November and loved it. Just have him all buckled in before you get on your bike to make sure he's okay with it. Even then, there is a few minutes, prior to the ride starting, that he could back out. My 5 year old grandson love it!

 

[DisneyOma]

2. Will he be buckled in/restrained enough where were he to try to get out mid-ride it would keep him from doing so?

Our first day this trip is at Epcot, so we'll be able to see how he handles Soarin' before tackling FOP. Not having any idea what FOP is like makes me worry he'll panic and I won't be prepared or able to help him. Any tips?

Once the ride starts it would be very dangerous if he tried to get out - and he could get out. The floor moves with the video, so it is not safe to be out of the restraints.

I suggest watching some YouTube videos of the attraction so you can see what it is like.

 

[SueM in MN]

This thread should be able to answer your questions - especially the last few pages, which were written after it opened.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/pandora-rides.3593133/

That thread is also pasted near the top of this board.

 

[emmabelle12]

This thread should be able to answer your questions - especially the last few pages, which were written after it opened.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/pandora-rides.3593133/

That thread is also pasted near the top of this board.

It may help to know that you will be right next to him, close enough to look over at him and touch him; if he needs your reassurance you will be able to give it.

 

[LadyD]

Having been on the ride during the AP previews and on the ride again in the fall, the restraints are not nearly as tight as they once were. When I rode it this fall, I could have wormed my way out had I wanted to mid ride. A lot is going to depend on how he is built.

As an adult on the spectrum, I loved this ride during the AP previews. It was very soothing how snug the ride restraints were against my legs. The video itself was hard for me to process because so much is going on and I personally do not enjoy the 4D elements (like the water spraying my face and the seat rumbling with vibrations around my waist) of the ride, but the ride vehicle itself was so wonderful I didn’t want to stop riding it. Now that the restraints are less snug, I’m less enthused about the ride.

There is a lot of sensory input on the ride. Has he done Mickey’s philharmagic? There is a lot going on during that show with the sounds, 3D video, and additional elements. FOP is somewhat like that, but with the added element of a moving ride vehicle that is unlike any other ride vehicle at WDW at this time. The queue is also one of the more intense ones with all the different environments and the long video intro leading to the rooms with the ride itself.

Are there particular elements with rides or queues that he does tend to struggle with that is causing you to panic at all? It is a really tough ride to prepare for other than watching videos since it is such a unique experience at WDW.

 

[JillianLeigh]

Thank you all. I've had him watch a 360* video of FoP on YouTube and he said it looked cool and wanted to ride it. He hasn't done any of the 3D shows, so we can see how he does at PhilharMagic with the glasses and other 4D elements first before our DAK day. He's such a rockstar in most situations, but it's my nature to worry about how he'll do on new attractions, especially when I haven't been on them first to explain to him how it might feel.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

Thank you all. I've had him watch a 360* video of FoP on YouTube and he said it looked cool and wanted to ride it. He hasn't done any of the 3D shows, so we can see how he does at PhilharMagic with the glasses and other 4D elements first before our DAK day. He's such a rockstar in most situations, but it's my nature to worry about how he'll do on new attractions, especially when I haven't been on them first to explain to him how it might feel.

based on kids I know I would try either Soarn or Star Tour rather than PhilarMagic as most did not like that but loved the other 2 and yes some are special needs