Ok, big person wants to ride

[FanofG00fy]

Hi,

My family is a large sized family. Two are on scooters due to health problems, but the rest of us can handle the parks. Our question is, can large people (Women size 26/28) (Men XXXLT) ride the two main rides, Hogwarts and Gringotts? Please, any information can help. We can ride all the rides (well, we don't know about the Seven Dwarfs ride) at Disney. We are just concerned about these two.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Metro West]

Hi,

My family is a large sized family. Two are on scooters due to health problems, but the rest of us can handle the parks. Our question is, can large people (Women size 26/28) (Men XXXLT) ride the two main rides, Hogwarts and Gringotts? Please, any information can help. We can ride all the rides (well, we don't know about the Seven Dwarfs ride) at Disney. We are just concerned about these two.

Thanks!!!!!

These attractions are nothing like anything at Disney and they aren't as Shrek friendly as the Disney stuff. They will definitely need to try the test seats out front to see if they will be able to ride. It really depends on your own body dimensions. The only thing I can tell you is to make sure they try the test seats before waiting in the queue.

 

[FanofG00fy]

Thank you. I was hoping they had test seats. We will know when we get there! Again, Thanks!!!

 

[cvjw]

Just rode the new HP ride and the new 7 dwarfs mine train. The HP ride is roomier than the 7 DMT - it does not have an especially large seat, but it was a comfortable seat. I felt very secure in the HP seat.

I am normal size (10) and rode the 7 DMT with my size 8 mother and we filled the seats - the seats are "molded" and not very large. We sat down in the ride for the first time, pulled down the lap bar, looked at each other and commented on how small the seats felt. I would check the test seat (if there is one) before waiting in the huge line only to find out that the seat is too small for your family.

 

[johde]

These attractions are nothing like anything at Disney and they aren't as Shrek friendly as the Disney stuff. They will definitely need to try the test seats out front to see if they will be able to ride. It really depends on your own body dimensions. The only thing I can tell you is to make sure they try the test seats before waiting in the queue.

I know this well from first hand experience. On my first trip to Universal many years ago I was able to ride all the Disney rides easily but at Universal couldn't ride Hulk or Dueling Dragon (Dragon Challenge) and was just barely able to ride The Mummy (They had to move me to the back row). I probably had to lose a good 25lbs -30lbs before I could ride all the rides at Universal.

Like Metro West said, all the ride seats are different and how each of us is big is different. So, unfortunately, that means trying out each ride individually.

 

[psiprez]

We got back two weeks ago.

There are test seats outside each ride, complete with an TM all-to-ready to tell you "you don't fit". What a shame really, I barely fit in the test seat for FJ, but then had MORE than enough room on the actual ride. The TM told my pear-shaped DD17 she didn't fit, but could go in and try anyways, but she was too embarrassed after that. Turns out she would have been fine on the ride. My advice is to at least give it a try on the actual ride if the test bar is close to closing.

DH, who is 6 ft and average (185!), didn't fit on the Hulk. The very nice TM told him to wait on the platform, because there was one oversized seat on the next train that he could have. This had never happened to him before, and he was so so so embarrassed, he got off and ran out of the ride.

I understand the safety need to size the seats to fit the maximum number of the general public, but perhaps there should be multiple sized seats available in each car.

 

[macraven]

i could be wrong but i thought the larger seats for the Hulk were rows 3 and 6.

i'm average size and go solo so i sit anywhere on the Hulk i am sent to.


there have been at least 4 times once i have been seated and pulled the harness down, that the TM has asked me to move in order to accomodate another rider.

this does happen and is never a problem.

they try to get all the guests on the ride in the seats that they need.

your dh could have waited for the next car, i see others that do wait on the platform .

 

[johde]

We got back two weeks ago.
DH, who is 6 ft and average (185!), didn't fit on the Hulk. The very nice TM told him to wait on the platform, because there was one oversized seat on the next train that he could have. This had never happened to him before, and he was so so so embarrassed, he got off and ran out of the ride.

Not to scare everyone else. If I had to guess, most of your DH height is in his torso. It wasn't because of his weight but because of height. I'm 6'4" about 330lbs and I've ridden Hulk but it was tight. For me, the problem is normally top of the shoulder restraints. It starts digging into my shoulders before it comes down far enough for the belt to clasp. Of course when I try and slouch down my being big everywhere else gets in the way.

Both Hulk and Dragon Challenge have one bigger seat in the middle of rows 3 and 6. They are the ones with 2 belts.

 

[mefordis]

Here is my experience from what I've witnessed so far on my trip to US/IOA:

Gringotts: I saw a very large man in the back row, who I thought would not be able to ride, successfully secured into the ride. They basically just pushed down on the restraint as much as they could and asked if he was comfortable, he said yes, and we were off. I'd have to guess him at about 350 lbs and big everywhere.

F JOurney: Large seats, saw lots of large people ride.

One ride that was small was Men in Black. Very narrow bucket seat.

Hi,

My family is a large sized family. Two are on scooters due to health problems, but the rest of us can handle the parks. Our question is, can large people (Women size 26/28) (Men XXXLT) ride the two main rides, Hogwarts and Gringotts? Please, any information can help. We can ride all the rides (well, we don't know about the Seven Dwarfs ride) at Disney. We are just concerned about these two.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[nanceliz]

Thank you guys for the info. My son is 240 and would be very upset if he wasn't able to ride Harry Potter rides. So, hopefully he will be ok.

 

[bumbershoot]

DH, who is 6 ft and average (185!), didn't fit on the Hulk. The very nice TM told him to wait on the platform, because there was one oversized seat on the next train that he could have. This had never happened to him before, and he was so so so embarrassed, he got off and ran out of the ride.

That seems really odd to me! DH still has a bit to go on the belt that goes from the bottom of the restraint to the seat, but he's not horrifyingly far from it, and he's shorter than your husband and much much bigger.

Thank you guys for the info. My son is 240 and would be very upset if he wasn't able to ride Harry Potter rides. So, hopefully he will be ok.

Depending on his height and exactly how he's built, he should be fine for FJ and Dragon Challenge at least. (I haven't ridden Gringott's yet)

Hi,

My family is a large sized family. Two are on scooters due to health problems, but the rest of us can handle the parks. Our question is, can large people (Women size 26/28) (Men XXXLT) ride the two main rides, Hogwarts and Gringotts? Please, any information can help. We can ride all the rides (well, we don't know about the Seven Dwarfs ride) at Disney. We are just concerned about these two.

Thanks!!!!!

DH was a 4X and is now a 3X (not T, though) and cannot ride any of the big rides. No FJ, no Dragon Challenge, no Hulk or RRR...and almost certainly no Gringott's. Especially with the addition of the leg size problems, he might never get on that ride, just like Mummy...he's built like a sumo even when smaller, and his legs just don't work with a restrained area.

Please please try the test seats, but if you can't do it, don't let it get you down too far.

As for the women, I think it will depend on their height. I"m 5'3" and was a 20W and was reaching the limits. The way I carried my weight, a 26/28 wouldn't have gotten me into the seats. But we all carry it differently, and maybe they are taller than me!

 

[nanceliz]

My son wears 2X shirts so hopefully he will fit. Does the Gringotts ride have a larger person seat in the back like some of the other rides do?

 

[stormer]

My DH is a 3x and doesn't fit on a lot of Universal rides but was able to ride Gringotts this morning. He didn't fit in the test seat, but was able to fit in the back row on the ride. Rows 3 and 6 are a little bigger. He didn't fit in the test seat on Forbidden Journey, but he didn't attempt the actual ride. He was able to ride the 7d mine train at Disney. Just a little tight on his legs.

 

[stormer]

My son wears 2X shirts so hopefully he will fit. Does the Gringotts ride have a larger person seat in the back like some of the other rides do?

Yes row 3 and 6.

 

[nanceliz]

Thank you! Now I know for us just to head to one of those rows.

 

[johde]

As someone who has dealt with this for a large portion of my adult life here are a few tips and tricks I've learned over the years that may help the people who are borderline.

1. Clothing matters. I normally pack 2 "sets" of theme park clothes for a serious thrill ride park.

a. Cargo shorts or pants with button or Velcro pockets on the lets. I normally carry my wallet in my back pocket but then it come time to get on a ride where I'm worried the wallet comes out of the back pocket and goes into the leg pocket (or often into a locker if I need one anyways). Losing the wallet and keys make a big difference.
b. Dryfit shorts or pants (often combined with compression shorts). This is primarily for the times I'm planning on drowning myself with water rides. This outfit also doubles as a "last ditch" outfit if the one above is just a little bit off. The outfit actually let me ride forbidden journey when my standard outfit didn't.

c. Also remember during cooler weather to ditch coats, sweaters, jackets etc. in a locker before trying to ride.

d. It may sound counter intuitive but clothing like tight jeans are the worst clothing to wear. First Denim is thick. Second, it's stiff. And most importantly if it's tight, it's making you smaller everywhere. The goal is not to be smaller everywhere. The goal is to be smaller in the one spot restraint needs you to be. As a side shoot, in the heat large people and denim can lead to horrible chaffing especially after water rides.
​

2. Ride position tricks.

a. It's been mentioned previously certain rows or seats can be bigger than other.
b. For taller people, on certain lap bar rides (especially kiddie rides like Barnstormer, Woodie Woodpecker, Flight of the Hippogriph etc) if you cross your ankles and stick your feet under the seat you'll have more leg room.
c. On Over the Shoulder Restraint rides, accept help from a friend or Ride op. Sometimes the act of moving your arms around in front to attempt to buckle the belt causes the "pinch point" If you're seated with your shoulders back and someone else does the restraint it just might go.​

 

[Metro West]

Thank you! Now I know for us just to head to one of those rows.

There are two seats in each row 3 and 6 of each train on Hulk and Dragon Challenge. Look for the seats with the two seat belts...those are the "big boy" seats. The only real problem with those seat is...they aren't on the outside of the train. If you are a single rider you'll probably end up between family members/friends. Happened to me many times over the years. But you know what? It aint nothin but a thing...just ride and have a good time.

 

[nanceliz]

You are right! I am so thankful for the info! I will let my son know about these rows when he rides the Hulk. I would love to ride but my back won't let me.

 

[King Triton]

I was unable to ride the Harry Potter rides. Bummer!! Best advice is to try the tester seats. I wish they would design their rides to fit everyone. All they have to do is use a "T" bar restraint design instead. The more people who speak up about this, the more they'll listen and design future rides with more room.

 

[johde]

I was unable to ride the Harry Potter rides. Bummer!! Best advice is to try the tester seats. I wish they would design their rides to fit everyone. All they have to do is use a "T" bar restraint design instead. The more people who speak up about this, the more they'll listen and design future rides with more room.

There is no one size fits all solution. Looking at your T-Bar solution. Millennium Force at Cedar Point has T-Bars and is probably one of the most restrictive restraints in terms of larger people riding. Here's a 22 page thread from many years ago on another forum of people talking about it. http://pointbuzz.com/Forums/Thread/14481.aspx?page=1 .

Disney has probably the best track record of any themepark for being able to accommodate a huge variety of sizes. But even Disney rides has there limits. Universal, on the whole does fairly well. Most of their rides have modified seats so larger guest can enjoy the ride.

The most important thing though is safety. Often times it's a balancing act between keeping small people safe and keeping big people safe. If they modified the seats so a larger person could ride they may need to raise the height requirement on the ride.

One reason why Disney has such accommodating seats is because their rides have such low levels of physical thrills. The wildest Disney rides rank about middle of the pack in terms of physical thrills elsewhere. The more forceful the ride the more secure the rider needs to be restrained or disastrous results could happen.

For Example, Intamin's T-Bars have been involved in several death involving mostly larger people being thrown from the ride vehicle. In 1999, a passenger was thrown from Superman Ride of Steel at then Six Flags Darien Lake (Survived). In 2001, a passanger was thrown from the boat on Perilous Plunge (Died). In 2004, a passenger was thrown from Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags New England (Restraints were modified after previous accidents). In 2011 Passenger was thrown from Ride of Steel at Darien Lake (Six Flags had sold the Park Several years earlier).

That's not to say that a T-bar is inherently unsafe. I actually rode Six Flags Darien Lake's Super Man Ride of Steel at my absolute heaviest (before the accidents and before restraint modifications). The was tall and fat so my knees were still above the restraint and therefore safe. There problem was people with shorter legs and larger waists. They could telescope out through the restraints on sections of high negative G's.