just got back from Harry Potter!

[disneydaft]

Should Universal have sacrificed the quality and technology of the ride itself to accomodate "bigger folk"?

Anyone who has ridden the ride will tell you the answer to that is a resounding NO.

Exactly, I'm a bit of a heavyweight 5'11" and about 250lbs.
If I couldn't get on the ride because of my size I would not be blaming Universal. I would be kicking myself for being overweight.
Sure some people have medical issues that have led to excessive weight gain but 90% of overweight people only have themselves to blame if they can't ride FJ.

Anyway I've got 13weeks to loose a few lbs.

 

[ckay87]

I was there yesterday and FJ was not working, but the employees told us to walk around and take a look. All I can say is AMAZING. I will upload some pics to photobucket. When I came out of the FJ some workers were setting up chairs and music sheet holders for a orchestra. Stages and lighting gear were all set up. I'm starting to think that I might have to go to the grand opening... BTW I overheard a CM talking to someone else and he said that WWHP is now open but the GRAND OPENING is the 18th. SSHHHH I didn't tell you that last part.

This just in via Facebook (again ):
"Universal Orlando Resort is honored to announce that John Williams, the renowned composer who created scores for some of the most successful films in history, including the Harry Potter films, will join us to celebrate the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Williams’ music has helped shape modern-day cinema, with his famous scores for Star Wars, Jaws, Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial"

 

[spima3]

I don't think the books were intended for young children but more kids about 9 and up which works perfectly for the height restrictions.

DD finished the whole series by age 9. She is looking forward to going to HP, but I'm thinking the villiage will have more appeal than the ride, she especially doesn't like dark scary rides. I'm thinking FJ is borderline for her. Height has nothing to do with it.

I totally agree! In fact the series begins with Harry at age 11, and progresses with intensity as he matures. Not for young children. A less thrilling, "MORE ACCOMADATING FOR ALL" ride would be a disappointment to my kids DS18-DD12 who are hoping US has captured the essence of the books. And from what most everyone is saying, they will not be disappointed!

And that is what some people are saying, maybe they could have made it more accomadating. It works for you and your kids, so you won't be disappointed, but it does leave others out. I think that was one of the points of the OP's post.

We don't care for thrill rides, plain and simple. That is one of the reasons we haven't had any interest, whatsoever, in going to US/IOA before. I saved for three years just for HP. We are looking forward to it, I think the whole experience is going to be way cool; can't wait to pick up a few souvy's. We will tour the rest of the park while there, and I'm sure we will have fun, but due to US/IOA having that thrill ride reputation, I have never wanted to waste money on it, it simply isn't our thing.

 

[damo]

DD finished the whole series by age 9. She is looking forward to going to HP, but I'm thinking the villiage will have more appeal than the ride, she especially doesn't like dark scary rides. I'm thinking FJ is borderline for her. Height has nothing to do with it.



And that is what some people are saying, maybe they could have made it more accomadating. It works for you and your kids, so you won't be disappointed, but it does leave others out. I think that was one of the points of the OP's post.

We don't care for thrill rides, plain and simple. That is one of the reasons we haven't had any interest, whatsoever, in going to US/IOA before. I saved for three years just for HP. We are looking forward to it, I think the whole experience is going to be way cool; can't wait to pick up a few souvy's. We will tour the rest of the park while there, and I'm sure we will have fun, but due to US/IOA having that thrill ride reputation, I have never wanted to waste money on it, it simply isn't our thing.

There are reasons why Rowling did not give Disney the contract for this and one of them being that Disney would make everything cutesy and that is not her intention of the books. She had final approval on everything that was done. If she thought that anything was inappropriate, she would have not allowed it. If she thought young children should be riding, she would have had them calm the ride down.

 

[bouncy54]

I find it both hilarious and a tyestament to the power of Harry potter that people are actually complaining that the ride does not accomodate big people.

I spoke to someone who works the ride while there, and she estimates that 30 to 40 people per day are being turned away once inside.

According to her, the ride will accomodate most people who are shorter than 6'5, and most people who weigh less than 265 lbs.

That's 90% of the population.

the ride is not designed to accomodate a "max load seat".

Should Universal have sacrificed the quality and technology of the ride itself to accomodate "bigger folk"?

Anyone who has ridden the ride will tell you the answer to that is a resounding NO.

Well, that's encouraging, but I'm still gonna lose a few pounds before our trip in November. It'll just make me feel better all the way around. (pun intended.. )

 

[Magpie]

There are reasons why Rowling did not give Disney the contract for this and one of them being that Disney would make everything cutesy and that is not her intention of the books. She had final approval on everything that was done. If she thought that anything was inappropriate, she would have not allowed it. If she thought young children should be riding, she would have had them calm the ride down.

My daughter read the books at a very young age, but I still completely agree that the books are intended for children ages 9 and up (all the way to adulthood!). I would never have expected any spin-offs to be geared for her when she was in kindergarten, any more than I would have expected the Lord of the Rings movies to be "fun for the whole family." (LOTR was another book she loved.)

Every time I think of Disney getting the rights to Harry Potter, I have horrifying visions of a "Baby Potter" infant and preschool merchandise line - coming soon to a Walmart near you!

 

[Albytaps]

Alright let's not start dissing Disney now. There are plenty of attractions that are not cute at all. Just to name a few:

Haunted Mansion
Expedition Everest
Twighlight Zone ToT
Dinosaur
Maelstrom
Aerosmith RnR
Space Mountain
etc.

 

[eeyorefan67]

 

[Albytaps]

Wow great pics!

 

[picktails]

I am so tired of people complaining about how FJ doesn't accommodate small children or very large people.
1) Harry turns 11 in the FIRST book. If younger children have read the books that's great! But the fact remains this is a story of tweens and then teens. The ride is right on the mark.
2) The amazing technology that produced this ride obviously has it's limitations in terms of size & weight capacity. It is not alone in this limitation. Should we not exploit all the latest and best innovations out there when creating the newest rides? We cannot change the laws of physics!

 

[Albytaps]

I am so tired of people complaining about how FJ doesn't accommodate small children or very large people.
1) Harry turns 11 in the FIRST book. If younger children have read the books that's great! But the fact remains this is a story of tweens and then teens. The ride is right on the mark.
2) The amazing technology that produced this ride obviously has it's limitations in terms of size & weight capacity. It is not alone in this limitation. Should we not exploit all the latest and best innovations out there when creating the newest rides? We cannot change the laws of physics!

1. There's always height restrictions on thrill rides. Who's reading these books/watching these movies? Adults

2. The technology will do fine... it picks up cars and spins them with ease. It's the dumb jack*** that designed the seats that's at fault.

 

[eeyorefan67]

Wow great pics!

Thank you

For all the people who cannot be at the Grand Opening Universal will have a live feed for all to watch here's the link
http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotternews/


In one of the pictures that I posted of the FJ, there are seats outside of the ride to try out to see if you meet the requirements.

 

[spima3]

There are reasons why Rowling did not give Disney the contract for this and one of them being that Disney would make everything cutesy and that is not her intention of the books. She had final approval on everything that was done. If she thought that anything was inappropriate, she would have not allowed it. If she thought young children should be riding, she would have had them calm the ride down.

I'm sure it came out as she wanted, but it still doesn't negate the fact that it excludes quite a few groups of people and if you're one of them, it's very disappointing. Since it is now a thrill ride, I am not as excited about as I was when I first heard about them doing WWoHP.

However, I think the area itself sounds incredible, and I am looking forward to that more than anything now. I have avoided even looking at pictures of WW because I want to be able to see it for myself. I certainly hope it quiets down before we go in Sept, from what I read, the area is very small and crowds are going to be horrendous to navigate.

 

[plutotek]

It seems as if a lot of the complaining pertains to forces beyond the direct control of the complainers. For those of you with children that have been denied access to a ride due to their height, aren't these the similar complaints that said children made?

 

[DBEAR]

That 30-40 people being turned away each day is the biggest joke I've heard all day. Some people on here think Universal can do no wrong. Someone ask Rowling if Hagrid fit on FJ. Crappy seat /harness design and they had 3 years to realize it as they were designing the ride. Sum of All Thrills at Epcot can go upside down, but these seats are smaller???? Yeah I don't get it.

 

[Planogirl]

Sigh...

Do go ahead and ask JK Rowling about this and remember that she put her stamp of approval on every little detail. The fact is that most people can ride FJ and those who do love it. People are turned away just as many are from roller coasters and so on in parks all over.

I honestly feel bad for those who are disappointed and I hope that Universal comes up with a solution.

 

[spima3]

Sigh...
Do go ahead and ask JK Rowling about this and remember that she put her stamp of approval on every little detail.

And I'm thrilled that Hogsmead appears to have met everyone's expectations and more. However, once the GP hits that area in mass, if it's as small and tight as visitors have reported, it is going to be a nightmare; Rowlings vision great for theming, not great for an amusement park that is going to attract thousands of new visitors.

I'm still wondering if we are going to need to stay on-site in Sept. If they allow the hotel guests early entry, and it's still super crowded, it would be worth it to me. I don't fully understand how that works. I know the on site guests get the FOL privilege, but do they also get early entry, or is that just because of this HP package deal they put together?

 

[damo]

And I'm thrilled that Hogsmead appears to have met everyone's expectations and more. However, once the GP hits that area in mass, if it's as small and tight as visitors have reported, it is going to be a nightmare; Rowlings vision great for theming, not great for an amusement park that is going to attract thousands of new visitors.

I'm still wondering if we are going to need to stay on-site in Sept. If they allow the hotel guests early entry, and it's still super crowded, it would be worth it to me. I don't fully understand how that works. I know the on site guests get the FOL privilege, but do they also get early entry, or is that just because of this HP package deal they put together?

On-site visitors have always gotten early entry of some sort at both parks.