Harry potter ride not for large riders

[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.

 

[Lou Holtz]

There are thrill rides all over the world that larger people can't ride. That's just the way it has to be sometimes. Disney doesn't do thrill rides, so that's why you don't have to worry there. Its not like Universal said "Hey guys, I don't want anyone over 230 pounds on my ride. I can't stand those people!"

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

I dont know Expedition Everest is a thrill ride isnt it? Im not talking about rides in amusement parks, Im talking about themed experiences..If Universal wants to compete with Disney they need to think like them when it comes to acessibilty and make it a priority....which to them it is not

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I don't even know why I am bothering, but why do people feel the need to come onto this board and say Universal doesn't do this but Disney does so Universal sucks nyah nyah nyah?

No one has even been on the ride, who knows for sure who can fit on it and who can't.

 

[albino_pygmy]

Oh puh-leeze. If everybody catered to the larger masses because there seems to be more of them, sooner or later we'll end up with more Wal Marts, hover chairs, and robots that do everything including wiping our own butts. If you really want to do something, there's nothing stopping you from setting your mind to it and then doing it. Don't let weight become an issue. There, I've said it.

 

[macraven]

nevermind......

 

[F-L-A]

I dont know Expedition Everest is a thrill ride isnt it? Im not talking about rides in amusement parks, Im talking about themed experiences..If Universal wants to compete with Disney they need to think like them when it comes to acessibilty and make it a priority....which to them it is not

Accessibility = Accommodation of disabled persons. Something Universal does better than Disney.

Obesity is not a disability and no one is required to accommodate you. If you want to get on the ride, be proactive and do something about it instead of whining on the Internet.

 

[donaldfan1]

sorry to hear that, they should make it for any size person

 

[Lou Holtz]

I dont know Expedition Everest is a thrill ride isnt it?

No. Its a family coaster.

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

No. Its a family coaster.

Well maybe the fact That the Harry Potter ride is a THRILL RIDE is part of the problem..I hear the hight restriction is also very high. This will lead to hundreds of disappointed Children who can not ride as well. Shouldnt the kingpin attraction in a multimillion dollar attraction be acessible to everyone. Hogwarts castle is a large icon (A La Spaceship earth) all will want to ride. I just think universal was a tad shortsighted not making a family friendly attraction out of a beloved property like Harry Potter.

Hey but what do I know ...Ill just go back to Wal-Mart where all the other overweight people go and rethink my priorities in life.

 

[tinkerbell198530]

How high is it, not that I am going to ride it I am just wondering. I am 61 inces would that be tall enofe

 

[Metro West]

I think I'm going to wait until it opens before believing anything I see/hear online.

 

[patster734]

I think I'm going to wait until it opens before believing anything I see/hear online.

Agreed!

 

[Coach81]

Yeah.. let's wait and see before we jump the gun.

 

[mikesdisneymom]

That is exactly why I will not go to Universal. That and they don't have any good rides that are fun. Going upside down and not having your feet on the ground is not fun, it is torture.

 

[Magpie]

But the preshow and queue sound fantastic - I think it will definitely be worth touring the castle, even if you can't ride. There's a "chicken exit" in the same room where you sit down on the "enchanted benches".

I mean, I could spend ages just checking out Dumbledore's office! My kids are dying to know what books are on the shelves.

Look - if it takes an HOUR to go through the whole ride, and the actual thrill part of it is only about 3 to 5 minutes long, that means there's a heck of a lot to enjoy along the way.

 

[Dollyrar]

Hogwarts castle is a large icon (A La Spaceship earth) all will want to ride. I just think universal was a tad shortsighted not making a family friendly attraction out of a beloved property like Harry Potter.

People of all ages and size will be able to journey through hogwarts castle, but possibly not the ride. We just don't officially know yet. There is a family friendly ride right next to it (Flight of the Hippogriff), and all sorts of other experiences in the land that will accomodate everyone. Saying that Universal are shortsighted in their plans to launch potentially the most successful theme park additions of all time is absurd. Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and Expedition Everest are all iconic, and young kids below minimum height can't go on those. Should Disney be ashamed of themselves for those?!? IOA will be the worlds hottest theme-park property once this land opens! I for one am glad that they've not just done a dumbo-type ride with broomsticks inside the castle, as some people seem to want!!

 

[Dollyrar]

That is exactly why I will not go to Universal. That and they don't have any good rides that are fun. Going upside down and not having your feet on the ground is not fun, it is torture.

I am a big Disney fan as well, but Universal definitely has some of the funnest rides in Florida. These include rides that do not go upside down/have your feet off the ground. In IOA alone you currently have Spiderman, Jurassic Park, Bilge-rat barges and many others that don't go upside down. These are some of the best rides I have ever been on in my life! You should give them a shot before at least commenting that they are not fun.

 

[tfoster]

I don't have anything to add about the "large riders", but I will share how disappointed I was to learn about the height requirement. I was so looking forward to our whole family riding together on the new attraction. My youngest two will be very sad they can't go on it, and there's only one ride in Harry Potter they'll be able to go on.

Someone mentioned Disney rides including Tower of Terror as comparison, but all of us (even the 4-year old) were able to ride that together as well as almost all other rides. Even our 6-year old was able to go on Expedition Everest.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

The height requirement for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is 48".

As for the weight issue, I have some larger friends and unfortunately we've had some experiences were someone wasn't able to fit on the ride and had to be removed. Yes, its an embarrassing situation but instead we took that as motivation to get down to a riding weight. (We called it the HOLLYWOOD GET RIPPED RIDE DIET )

So if you want to experience the Forbidden Journey and some of the other thrill rides around the country, you might just have to get down to a riding weight too.