Questions Re: Wheelchair, Plus size, First trip

[SoonerSarah]

We will be making our first trip a few days after Christmas. I'm expecting huge crowds but we don't have a choice in the dates. Our party will be myself, hubby and our 3 daughters, grandparents and uncle.

Our youngest has a Convaid Rodeo which is a wheelchair/adaptive stroller. It doesn't look like a traditional stroller. Is there anything special that we need to do for taking it into lines?

One in our party is plus sized, around 300 pounds with a fairly large midsection. Any advice on what rides will likely be a problem? I've read that some rides have a larger modified seat but even that won't fit everyone.

We will spend two days in the park and we are primarily there for Harry Potter stuff, so any advice on that end would be welcomed as well.

 

[bumbershoot]

The coasters might be problematic, forbidden journey, and even Gringotts. Always check the test vehicles (ask a team member if they aren't obvious). Flight of the Hippogriff is the most forgiving of the coasters but that's not a huge thrill coaster. Fun but not huge like dragon challenge. DH hasn't gotten on any of the big coasters or Gringotts or FJ.

Now if the member of thee party is 6'4" there will be more of a chance at that weight. DH is heavier and just under 6' so his weight isn't stretched out like if he were taller. So height plays a big part in it.

I don't know the wheelchair answer.

 

[Lynne G]

Nope for anything needed re: the wheelchair. Most of the lines you can go right through with the wheelchair. If the young one can't get out of the chair to get into the ride, then sent to wait or some rides let the chair go on it. There's elevators where needed, and just let the team member know if you have any questions where you want to go with the wheelchair. I've seen all different kinds of wheelchairs in the parks, some with youngsters and some with adults. Have a great time! Love the parks decorated for Christmas.

 

[wilkeliza]

Since the Convaid looks more like a stroller then a wheelchair it would probably save a ton of headache and reexplaining to just get the stroller as wheelchair tag from guest services.

On the other topic it is incredibly difficult to say before hand. I travel with someone in a similar weight range but he is 5'11". He can get on everything but Forbidden Journey and Rip Ride Rocket as of now. For Gringotts you can ask to sit in the back row if the tester seat says no go. For whatever reason the tester seat outside often says no (it did on our party member) but when they got into the ride they had ample space and the TM even said they could loosen the restraint a little to make it more comfortable.

Most of the coasters do have a warning about size and do not guarantee that even the alternate seat will accommodate because 10 people can be the same weight but different heights or carry their weight differently so have varying experiences.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

If you are staying on site at a Universal hotel my advice is to take full advantage of the one hour early opening. On the day we did Universal the extra hour gave us a huge jump on Gringots ride and Diagon Alley. The Harry Potter areas in both parks get very thickly crowded so best to enjoy them early or late.