Harry Potter ride: Get fit or you won't fit

[Disney Dad Canada]

http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/05/18...-potter-preview-for-pow-wow-attendees-part-1/

via the Disney Blog

Sounds like Universal isn't being very accomodating for their larger than average fans.

 

[WaltD4Me]

http://thedisneyblog.com/2010/05/18...-potter-preview-for-pow-wow-attendees-part-1/

via the Disney Blog

Sounds like Universal isn't being very accomodating for their larger than average fans.

I saw a picture of the ride vehicle a couple weeks ago and I was wondering if it would accomodate larger size guests and even tall guests. I've heard alot of complaints about Universal's rides not accomodating larger guests though and was thinking they wouldn't make the same mistake with the Harry Potter rides, but I guess I was wrong.

 

[ADP]

I have no idea if Forbidden Journey ride vehicles will accommodate larger guests. I do know some of the other attractions at Universal use a system of selected seats accommodating larger guests.

For instance; certain seats within a train on Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge accommodate larger guests. Not every seat just two or three (not exactly sure of the number). The Forbidden Journey may have the same type of setup; however, it may not. All I'm saying I guess is it maybe a bit premature to say they "won't" accommodate larger guests at all. It maybe better to take a wait and see approach.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I have no idea if Forbidden Journey ride vehicles will accommodate larger guests. I do know some of the other attractions at Universal use a system of selected seats accommodating larger guests.

For instance; certain seats within a train on Dueling Dragons/Dragon Challenge accommodate larger guests. Not every seat just two or three (not exactly sure of the number). The Forbidden Journey may have the same type of setup; however, it may not. All I'm saying I guess is it maybe a bit premature to say they "won't" accommodate larger guests at all. It maybe better to take a wait and see approach.

I didn't know about Dueling Dragons having some larger seats, but you would think if that was the case for Forbidden Journey they would have said that when he asked about an alternate viewing experience for people who can't fit in the ride vehicle. But you are right, we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[spaddy]

I am very interested to the height requirement for this ride. I would think if the ride is that restrictive it must have a minimum height.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I didn't know about Dueling Dragons having some larger seats, but you would think if that was the case for Forbidden Journey they would have said that when he asked about an alternate viewing experience for people who can't fit in the ride vehicle. But you are right, we'll just have to wait and see.

The blog linked above specifically said there is no alternative for people who cannot currently fit in the vehicle.

 

[Metro West]

I didn't know about Dueling Dragons having some larger seats, but you would think if that was the case for Forbidden Journey they would have said that when he asked about an alternate viewing experience for people who can't fit in the ride vehicle. But you are right, we'll just have to wait and see.

Yes...Dueling Dragons and Hulk are B & M coasters that have modified seats for larger people in rows 3 and 6 of each train. I don't know if Universal asked for this or if it's standard on B & M's coasters. A lot of time it's the manufacturer who sets the height requirements as well as available seating. If that's the case, Universal would have had to say yes or no to the ride based on the manufacturer's recommendations. I don't think you would expect Universal to say no just because larger people can't ride...which is still can not be confirmed at this point. Besides...I have heard modified seating is in the works and might be available by the end of the year. But again...this can not be confirmed. So basically...even though it's going into a Universal park I dont' think it's fair to say Universal doesn't care about larger guests since they might have been following the manufacturer's recommendations.

I am very interested to the height requirement for this ride. I would think if the ride is that restrictive it must have a minimum height.

I believe the height requirement for The Forbidden Journey is 54".

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I am very interested to the height requirement for this ride. I would think if the ride is that restrictive it must have a minimum height.

Minimum height for FJ is 48 inches.

 

[JenGC]

Yes...Dueling Dragons and Hulk are B & M coasters that have modified seats for larger people in rows 3 and 6 of each train. I don't know if Universal asked for this or if it's standard on B & M's coasters. A lot of time it's the manufacturer who sets the height requirements as well as available seating. If that's the case, Universal would have had to say yes or no to the ride based on the manufacturer's recommendations. I don't think you would expect Universal to say no just because larger people can't ride...which is still can not be confirmed at this point. Besides...I have heard modified seating is in the works and might be available by the end of the year. But again...this can not be confirmed. So basically...even though it's going into a Universal park I dont' think it's fair to say Universal doesn't care about larger guests since they might have been following the manufacturer's recommendations.

I believe the height requirement for The Forbidden Journey is 54".

I think Universal is big enough to strongly suggest to the manufacturer they accommodate whomever they want to target. If Universal is concerned with larger sized guests, they would ask the manufacturer to make sure and include seats for these type people.

 

[disneyholic family]

DH, who's skinny but very tall, had a major problem when he rode dueling dragons...

he's 6' 7" tall and his head was way above the head rest on the ride...
DS, who's also very tall, thought not quite as tall as DH, also found the ride to be a problem due to his height..

neither of them had a problem on the hulk, just on dueling dragons - which they only rode once due to the height incompatibility....

 

[Metro West]

I think Universal is big enough to strongly suggest to the manufacturer they accommodate whomever they want to target. If Universal is concerned with larger sized guests, they would ask the manufacturer to make sure and include seats for these type people.

It could be the ride might have to be redesigned for the larger seats due to the twists/turns...I don't know...I'm not a ride engineer...I'm just guessing here.

 

[mjp12831]

I think Universal is big enough to strongly suggest to the manufacturer they accommodate whomever they want to target. If Universal is concerned with larger sized guests, they would ask the manufacturer to make sure and include seats for these type people.

I would guess this is more physics/engineering related than it is an accomodation issue. While knowing nothing about these fields, I would suppose that designing a thrill ride that is safe and enjoyable is relatively difficult. It seems easy to say they should accomodate everyone, when in reality it might not be possilbe, or maybe it would be possible but would make the ride significantly different from how they want it designed.

As the pp noted, I am sure liability and insurance are big factors here (why Universal probably relies heavily on the manufacturer's suggestions for safety requirements). Once Universal starts suggesting modifications or elects to losely interpret the requirements, I would guess it changes their place int he liability chain if someone is injured.

 

[schoen]

this is just heartbreaking news for me. my dh can't ride sum of all thrils, and so I assume he won't be able to ride this either. Disney goes out of it's way to ensure that larger guests can enjoy most of their major attractions (i don't consider sum of all thrills to be a major attraction). My dh wants to add a few universal days to our anniversary trip because we both LOVE harry potter... this just stinks!

 

[sau418]

I believe that the two rides (Sum of all Thrills and Harry Potter) both use the same technology (Kuka arm) which sounds to me that it is a manufacturer issue not a Universal or Disney issue.

 

[mikelan6]

I believe that the two rides (Sum of all Thrills and Harry Potter) both use the same technology (Kuka arm) which sounds to me that it is a manufacturer issue not a Universal or Disney issue.

I'm sure if the purchaser (Disney or Universal) made a request of the manufacturer, they could devise something that would accommodate larger sizes.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm sure if the purchaser (Disney or Universal) made a request of the manufacturer, they could devise something that would accommodate larger sizes.

That's not necessarily true. You can't always make the laws of physics and gravity bend to your every need. The seat might have to be a certain size to go a certain speed, etc.

 

[mjp12831]

I'm sure if the purchaser (Disney or Universal) made a request of the manufacturer, they could devise something that would accommodate larger sizes.

They definately could - the question is what effect it has on the ride.

I am sure that the goal is to accomodate everyone, but that has to be realistically balanced with the objective to make the ride thrilling and keeping it safe. Assumption would be that if they are not accomodating everyone that someone made an assessment that the accomodation would negatively impact the ride.

 

[pjacobi]

If you don't fit the restraints, you could fall to your death!

That's what happened at Six Flags New England on the Superman coaster. A man fell to his death because he was too large for the restaints. Reports say that he was initially denied boarding the ride. He then tried again later in the day and the attendant did not check the restaints.


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/08/u...gland-massachusetts-coaster-death-report.html


-Paul

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

I find it a poor chioce to design a ride based off a kids book and kids movie to require 48 inches to ride.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I find it a poor chioce to design a ride based off a kids book and kids movie to require 48 inches to ride.

Well, I think the intent is to offer a ride worthy of the books, not a kiddie ride. Besides, my first grader is 52 inches tall and hasn't even started the books yet. I'm sure there are many five year olds whose parents allowed them to see the movies, but the movies were all rated PG or PG-13 - they are not exactly Disney movies. Beyond the first two books, the themes are dark enough that advanced younger readers might not need to be reading them. My older DD started reading HP in first grade, but she was in third grade before she was allowed to read The Prisoner of Azkaban and beyond. Of course, all parents make different choices, but 48 inches is probably the size of the average kindergartener or first grader.