Size Issues on Harry Potter?

[Huffl3puff]

I have an upcoming trip and am worried about fitting on rides. I know there are test seats but was hoping to get an idea from people who have fit prior to going so I'm not as crushingly disappointed if the test seats don't work. I've ridden all the rides comfortably in the past but have now gained 20-30 pounds or so from my last visit. I'm roughly 5'8, 270 pounds. I did my best to measure and think I have a 45" waist, 54" hips (though I don't know if measuring myself with the tape is 100% accurate). Has anyone had any experience riding at this size?

 

[Huffl3puff]

Also if its helpful I typically wear an 18-20 in pants and am a 2x in women sizing or XL men shirt/unisex sizing.

 

[brertoad]

I'm 5'9" and weigh the same as you, I can fit on Gringott's, but I had to take my phone out of my pocket for the ride to lock properly. I haven't ridden on any of the other HP rides yet. You'll want to try the ride seat out front of the rides to be sure. I've read that most women size 24+ may have trouble riding, I'm on the cusp.

 

[BigB0882]

My husband is a bigger guy and he barely makes it on Journey and Hulk. The problem for him is not waist size or anything like that, it is if you carry your weight in your belly. The restraints come down over your shoulders and they have to lock. If you have a bigger belly then it might not be able to click down far enough. They do have modified rows on Hulk, so ask for those if you are worried and sit in one of the two middle seats. You will definitely be fine on that. The only other one I would worry about is Journey, it has to come down over your shoulders and they have to get 3 clicks. My husband as to suck in a little.

 

[nkereina]

Just wanted to mention that the seats on the outside of the ride vehicle for Forbidden Journey allow more room for the restraints. They suggest people with larger measurements to sit on the ends.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

I'm 5'9, about 250, and am pretty top heavy; I made sure to to get an end seat on Forbidden Journey but she really needed to shove hard to get that third click. It wasn't my stomach so much as it was my chest. On the Gringott's ride I had zero problems and even a little more room than I thought I would.

 

[agavegirl1]

As others have mentioned, try the test seat and if it works, go to an end seat. Many who thought they could not fit were able to ride. It is really how you carry your weight.

 

[AngiTN]

I'm going to guess (stress guess) that you will be able to ride all the rides using the Modified seat. I am roughly that same size and fit on everything but do use the modified seat. I can probably fit without the modified seat on most rides but it would be tight so I just go ahead and use the modified seat to make it easier/faster to load.

 

[sunny_stace]

Definitely try the test seat out first as it's so hard to say, every person and body shape is so different. We just got home yesterday from 5 days at Universal and we tried out every test seat first just in case (I'm 5 feet tall, wear a woman's L/XL/1X top size and 14-16 pant size, and carry most of my weight in my chest and lower belly/hips.) I was able to ride everything with no problems at all thankfully, however my travel companion was not so lucky and wasn't able to go on most of the attractions in both parks (she's about 5'5 and I'm not sure on her clothing sizes but she probably wears a 3x or 4x shirt size and carries much of her weight up in the top of her tummy.)

We were also told that the outer seats on Forbidden Journey offer slightly more space (if my friend wanted to try her luck), but I sat in both outside and inside seats and didn't notice a difference. Gringotts seemed to be trickier and I saw several people who unfortunately had to leave the boarding area without riding. The TMs were very kind and patient with all the situations I witnessed. While she was unable to experience the actual ride parts, my friend was able to tour Gringotts and the Hogwarts castle (which she very much enjoyed) and a TM kindly helped her exit before the loading area.

My friend found the worst situations to be Rip Ride Rockit, The Mummy, and Dudley Do Right in which TMs insisted she try to fit even though she was uncomfortable and had decided she would just rather not ride (she had resolved to try new things on our trip but she's not keen on rides at all really so to her it wasn't the end of the world) and while we know they were just trying to help, it did lead to my friend feeling awkward about the whole thing unfortunately.

Whatever the outcome, make sure you do what's safe and makes you the most comfortable! Enjoy your trip!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I was about your size on my last trip. I don't think you'll have a problem on Gringotts; I was even able to ride that one in the first row (the 3rd row has the most space). Forbidden Journey is less forgiving, though I was able to ride. The CMs are excellent at directing you to the right seats for your body shape.

Try to ride first thing in the morning - that is when you will be the smallest, and try various positions in the test seat outside. If you are borderline, you might be able to get a yellow light by sitting up taller or lower or moving your arms to a different position, depending on what is stopping the restraint from going down far enough. In both, make sure you sit as far back in the seat as you can.