Harry Potter Ride Turns Away Fat Riders
Thanks to Ian (who I’ve been begging to take me to the Harry Potter theme park) and @GinandPopcorn for alerting me to this story: some guests are being turned away from the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride for being unable to fit in the seats.
Universal seems to have anticipated this issue, stationing staff “wizards” and test-seats along the line and at the entrance to Forbidden Journey. Riders test their ability to fit in the seats, as well as the restraint (which must click three times to be deemed safe and for the potential rider to be allowed into the attraction).
Harry Potter fan Jeff Guillaume, who was turned away from the ride, has a good collection of follow-up posts and commentary here.
A lot of the debate I’ve seen is focused on safety, and rightly so. Many rides at many parks around the world use a single-bar restraint system (“lap bars”) for a row of people. One larger passenger will cause the bar to lock much higher than the waists/legs/laps of the smaller guests, presenting a safety and comfort issue.
But that is not the case on single passenger restraint systems, which most modern rides, including Forbidden Journey, employ. These are the over-the-shoulder harnesses or lap bars that lock in place differently for each passenger.
It’s strange to me, because I’ve never had any issues with any of the rides at Disneyland, and they have a whole range of restraint systems, all of which I can fit in with no problem. And I’ve been to Disneyland dozens of times, as well as Disney World in Florida and Eurodisney. I can’t think of a single time my weight was an issue in terms of me enjoying the rides.
I am a huge (HA HA GET IT) Harry Potter fan, and I have been dying to go to the new theme park. But there are only three rides in the theme park, and only one of them is the “signature” ride of the whole park. If the main attraction won’t accommodate fat people, and I might be turned away while I’m waiting in line… why would I want to spend all that money on a vacation that would end in embarrassment and shame and disappointment? I can stay home and be disappointed just the same. And I am.
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Filed under: Fatism, Harry Potter, Kids
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The park actually converted old rides to fit the Harry Potter theme. It’s not a new park, it’s part of the regular park changed for the movie. And, the rides aren’t the actual draw. The lines for the rides are, because they recreate the Harry Potter world (which is sort of necessary if you’re going to wait in line for three hours for a three minute ride).
I used to live in Florida, and I had a similar problem at Busch Gardens. I was on one of the coasters and had to move from one seat to another because I couldn’t fit. Then, when I was in the “big person’s seat,” my butt wouldn’t fit all the way in. It was very uncomfortable.
If I had enough money to go on a vacation, I would probably go to the Harry Potter experience; the rides aren’t the draw. The immersion into the Harry Potter world is. You can buy butterbeer and explore the shops from the books and movie.
That being said, it sucks that I can’t enjoy some of the thrill rides I used to as a kid because my butt is too big for the seats.
It may be that the ride isn’t the biggest draw, but I still think it’s pretty disappointing. I went to Disney World a few months back and was able to do every ride I wanted — from the newer ones like Soarin’ and Test Track to the originals like Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise and Haunted Mansion. The only ride I couldn’t was a Raytheon simulator in Innoventions.
I thought I would point out that one of the reasons you may not have problems with rides is that you’re an apple. A lot of the rides have small seats, and the ones that use metal lap bars lock over your thighs. I weigh about the same as you I think, and am taller, but because I carry A LOT of my weight in my lower body I have had moments where it came close. And that was a couple years ago, I don’t even know if I’d fit in the seats now.
I’m SO glad that this stuff is getting blogged about (and that some of the guys who’ve been turned away are comfortable broadcasting their dimensions). My family’s headed to Disney for Thanksgiving this year (don’t ask) and we’ll need to decide if we want tickets to the WWOHP. Most of us are rather large, and I’d say 1/2 of us probably wouldn’t be able to do it with the current limits. I wish Universal’d post the clearances somewhere – it wouldn’t solve everything, since I’m sure some of it is specific to the restraint (curves for legs, etc.), but it’d be a start. I have NO desire to buy a ticket for a park whose signature ride I’m unable to use.
None of the rides at Universal fit my husband, he has never had a problem at DISNEY, DISNEY ROCKS, universal sucks!!
Wouldn’t waste your money on Universal, my husband isn’t that big, he weighs 290 and is 6’1 he wears a 2xl shirt and didn’t fit on the hulk ride ,the dueling dragon and a couple of other rides that he really wanted to ride on. I was thankful he fit on the simpson ride and the men in black ride at least.
While it might be disappointing to be turned away from a ride due to weight restrictions, it is a safety issue. Rides such as roller coasters require the application of tons of physics. These rides include sudden twists and stops. Like airbags on a car, these rides are calibrated to work with the average American’s body weight. Going over that body weight can throw off calculations and slightly alter the way the ride functions (I know my car turns and brakes differently when I am alone than when its full of people). When I’m driving my car I can adjust for this. A roller coaster can’t-its automatic.
I know of several waterparks that have weight restrictions for their slides because when an overweight person goes down a slide meant for a smaller person, they can go over the edges.
Perhaps parks could design ride meant for a different weight range. Although these rides may not be 100% suitable for smaller customers either (people under 120 lbs can be killed by airbags because the airbag’s reaction is calibrated for a larger person).
My friends Harry, Hermione, and Ron were very disappointed that I couldn’t ride with them, having been singled out of line, then tested for size with the muggles smirking, laughing, and ridiculing me, then being directed to leave the ride without my friends. I could’ve turned the castmembers into horned toads, of course, but what’s the point of that. I think I’ll stay at home instead of paying Universal money to pull me out of lines.
– Hagrid
I have had problems at a lot of theme parks (cedar point, you broke my heart), so I’ve just stopped going.
Disney is the obvious exception, I’ve been on everything from rollercoasters to the not to be missed space mission thing in epcot and had no problems whatsoever fitting on their rides.
I can’t say I’m actually surprised- I remember being 16 and it being a tight fit on a rollercoaster at Hershey Park, and feeling uncomfortable in the seat at Splash Mountain (I fit fine in the other rides I did, but that was just haunted mansion and that adventure cruise whatever it’s called that I wasn’t super interested in).
I just don’t try, honestly. The embarrassment is too much if I don’t fit, even in the tester seat.
I think it’s definitely disappointing but I’m surprised it was considered newsworthy since that is pretty much the same case at just about any theme park there is; Then again, perhaps since these are converted older rides the seats are even smaller than normal? I don’t think that the rides there are *that* old though, are they?
Here’s the real issue… This is, as one other editorial put it, a “Harry Potter Store with rides”. Good idea to put up a couple of buildings, a couple of rides and one or two quick food places, but, sadly… Universal isn’t keen on what they could readily see as “loitering” by those customers wishing to absorb as much of the Harry Potter Experience as possible. So, the attitude is: Pay your entry fee, stand in the line to get your butterbeer, get on ONE of the rides and then, get out of “their” park. Sadly, this park, (and the suits financing it), have NO Heart when it comes to the fans. The people they’re going to be making their money off of ~ and yes, very few of us are a “perfect size 0-4”. Male or female.
A lot of ride seats are incredibly small, even for me and I’m only 5’2 and 90 lbs! I can’t imagine how it must be for most people.
If a ride is enginered to fit a standard frame and it is said over half of americans are over wieght shouldnt that mean those ride should be okay for a large person to ride??? I’m just saying that if you going by the numbers used to design a ride you would loose the argument based on STANDARDS! plus that its not just the wieght issue that throws it off because if a person weighed 290 lbs and well rounded could not fit a ride because of his shape but 290 very muscular man came to ride the and could fit in the seat would that be okay??? same weight factor? We all know what true numbers are based on and thats is how many seats can we use and make profit!
I actually have the opposite problem, im so thin the bars dont even come close to securing me into my seat. Feels like i could be thrown out of the rollercoaster at any moment. Makes the roller coaster alot scarier lol. Its not fair lol.
I was shocked that I couldn’t fit in to the tester seat yesterday. I have never had a problem on any ride before, but my DD’s would not allow the harness to come all the way down. We live in FL, have been to Universal ALOT, made this trip especially for HP ride and now we are stuck here with non refundable tickets. We did lodge a formal complaint at Guest Services and got 5 express passes, but they were only good for yesterday and we had alreay been there all day.I was more uppset for the 10 yr old butter ball that couldn’t fit and was having a melt down over it.
We should hit these guys where it hurts- in their earnings.
I’ve been to Universal in recent years, and I recall very vividly (and gleefully) that most rides have demonstration seats well before where the line starts. I had been concerned that I wouldn’t fit into seats for the coasters, or that I’d have to wait three hours and then get turned away, but no! I could plunk down, give it a test, and THEN line up. (At 5 foot 4 and 235 lbs, I fit snugly into seats for the Hulk and Dueling Dragons. My cheerful “woohoo!” and little victory dance I did afterwards likely amused a few passers by.) Universal seems to have made an effort to keep people from having to waste time or do a walk of shame.
That said, you’re still up the creek if you don’t fit in the damned seats. Which sucks. They look freakin’ dinky, in comparison to a lot of the others that I’ve seen. Feh, bad design!
In an effort to be positive, though, there are other rides that are more size-forgiving, and there’s still plenty for a fat person to do at the place. (…buy souvenirs? I think that they mostly want you in there to stare at the decorations and buy souvenirs. And maybe loiter at a restaurant serving sub-par food.) Coasters require more secure restraints and narrow size limits than sit-down-with-a-bar-on-yer-lap stuff like the Spiderman ride, and such.
This upsets me greatly, because my sister is overweight and loves Harry Potter. She even went to a couple of those midnight book release parties. This is utter nonsense, it’s not about weight, or even fitting into the ride as much.
I don’t know what the heck people are thinking at universal, but Disney is amazingly well at making the experience of going to their parks a great experience for everyone. I heard they will let park goers go into a private room to test if they would fit into a ride seat. I also have heard they trained all their cast members who portray Disney characters, how to be around people with Autism.
Disney just kicks Universal’s butt so hard. I’m looking forward to visiting Disneyworld again this winter. My sister is remarkably patient when it comes to using an EVC, and things like maneuvering it backwards to get on a bus. I got so frustrated with it I was like, “Screw it, I’ll just walk!” lol. Not counting using the train in Magic Kingdom mind you.
I thought Slate’s review of the park was interesting–nothing about fat, but it looks like they didn’t think it was anything to write home about:
http://www.slate.com/id/2258081/pagenum/2
Interestingly, they also mentioned that Disney would have done a much better job with a Harry Potter theme park.
Great post.
We recently had a similar story from dufmanno who recently visited Disneyworld and was aghast at the fat hatred that wasn’t there a few years ago.
It’s going to keep getting worse before it finally gets better.
Peace,
Shannon
Atchka, that was the other guests at Disney, from what I read. Every single cast member I’ve had contact with at Disney has been nothing less than wonderful, friendly, and encouraging – especially when I rode Everest at Animal Kingdom. Allears.net has a great section on visiting the parks as a person of size.
But this is exactly why I got a panic attack when my husband suggested we go to Universal. The people at Busch Gardens were snarky 60 lb ago, I can’t imagine going there now. And I don’t want to go somewhere I can’t participate, especially in the most fun things.
Hi
Ok I’m big – but done every ride in Disney, Universal and Busch gardens many times. I queued for two hours to get into the park area, then was ushered through the gates into the locker area – after nearly another two hours I was at the front – yippee – nope. Pulled over to one side and shoved into a test seat – told it must click three times which it didn’t and was shown a side exit – at no point was there any signage, staff or tannoy – when I went back to the ride entrance to many staff where stood around to see the test area, and no one was pulling people out of line to tell them – I told them this was wrong and they started to point larger people to the chairs.
Dave
I was just at the wizarding world of Harry Potter at Universal Studios on 27 June 2010. I was turned away due to be too large as the universal employee to me. I waited in the line for 1½ hours and I got to the loading area and they made me try a seat out. The bar has to click at least three times for them to let you ride. My bar clicked twice and I ask the girl if she would push the bar a little bit and didn’t get any help with that. I am 6’0 and 265lbs. so you can use that size as a judgment as to whether you may fit on the ride or not. There where allot of people being turned away due to the seat thing. The ride is made for a certain crowd. So if you’re a little heavy you will have a hard time getting on this ride. I am like a lot of you that I was able to ride every ride that Disney has also I can ride ever ride Universal Studios has except Harry Potter. So I am hoping the Management at Universal will get on board and change the harness system they have.
I’m sorry to hear about that situation Atchka! The cast members at Disney can’t exactly kick out ableist and fatist park goers. I usually just think, that person isn’t going to ruin my time at Disneyworld, and how sad it is they’re so overwhelmed by their hatred, they can’t even enjoy one of the best theme parks on Earth.
About the piped in music, I realized awhile back that most of the music is like New Age music, which is designed to make people feel more soothed and calm. So Disney is very aware how trying the long lines can be, and have come up with different things to entertain people while in line.
I was at universal last night, I am 5’4 and where a size 16 so I am not huge. I can get on every ride at Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Disney. I have never not fit into a ride before. I tried out the seating for the Harry Potter ride because I heard the seats are smaller than normal, I did not fit. Only 2 clicks for me, I was so upset it ruined my night. It has however motivated me to get back to the gym.
Hi all, I’m from the UK and was at the Harry Potter launch. We stood in line for 6 hours and then 2 hours to get on to the signature ride, myself is 5’5″ and 225lbs managed to get on but my brother who is 6″ and 275ilbs got thrown off at the last gasp after waiting a staggering 8 hours. Universal should have explained this and seats with a green light to go and red do not ride light is a disgrace and they should have thought about this before installing the thing. Strangely enough water parks rides stipulate a 300Lbs limit so why did they not do something similar….
“Forbidden Journey” – What an ironic name for such a ride!
Yet another disappointed customer.
Soooo we spent the last three days at Universal/Islands of Adventure. I had really been getting my hopes up after so many people told me how cool the Harry Potter ride is. I don’t know and likely never will. After waiting through the line with the other seven people in the family, I got in the seat for the ride and was told I couldn’t ride it. Apparently, I am too big for it. The safety bar wouldn’t close far enough, only one click. This has only happened once before (on Dueling Dragons) and they have at least one larger seat on each car for cases like mine. Not so with Harry Potter. So I got to sit out with my daughter while everybody else got to ride.
Major blow to my fun that day. At least I got a frozen butterbeer.
I called the customer service line to file a complaint but merely got a lecture about safety and apologies but nothing else was done.
We also had problems with the way their current AAC card works. My son is autistic and has major problem with long waits and strangers too close to him. On our past trips, the AAC was essentially Express Passes. In the two years since we last went, it changed to a card where you go to get a return time and are not able to do any other rides until you do that one. This was pretty much useless for our son. Luckily, when we went to customer service in park, the person we got was understanding and did the best she could to resolve this issue for us. His issue is pretty well taken care of for the duration of our season passes. Mine is not.
I guess I need to drop about 50lbs and then I still might not fit on Harry Potter as I am 6’1″ and the shoulder bar pressed down hard on my shoulders anyway.
I think we are going to Disney from here on out.
I am still so sad about this; RevFish, I’m sorry that happened to you. I hope they’re listening to complaints like yours; it sounds like this ride is very restrictive. AND I WANT TO GO ON THE HARRY POTTER RIDE.
I have been a Disney-ite all the way and never a fan of Universal. I AM, though, a big (literally) fan of Harry Potter and have been waiting and planning a Florida trip since they announced this “theme park inside a theme park”. Flight booked, tickets bought, bags packed (almost) and raring to go…now I see all the negative comments and feedback regarding the signature ride, Forbidden Journey. Sounds like it is a forbidden journey for most of the population. I think Universal has been losing fans (and money) for the last few years because of their old, boring rides and lack of customer service, so they decided on something new and attractive to bring out the people. Unfortunately if the main ride is going to be so restrictive to the larger fans, they are once again going to lose customers to Disney (where there are many more rides to choose from that bigger people can fit on). It is very disappointed that Universal is just out for the glory and the profits and really is not thinking ahead regarding the majority of their guests. I may not even try the ride or just not go to the park at all. I will have wasted money but I would rather do that than waste my time, and dignity just to be pulled off a ride I have waiting hours in line for. Give me the mouse any day!!!!
I’m not a Harry Potter fan but wanted to ride this attraction for the technology. Like Holly I am a size 14-16 and didn’t fit in the test seat. I was in shock. I’m a huge coaster fan and have ridden on all the universal coasters including the new Rip Rockett without a problem. My husband just made it. When he went on the actual ride he said the seat was no where as tight as the test seat. He thinks Universal is playing games trying to cut back the line for this popular attraction.
I just got back from Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure. I rode the Harry Pooter FB ride 3 times. I’m a 5’4″ and 237 lbs with a lot of weight in my chest. One time I had to get out of the seat. I think it was because I had a small towel in my pocket. The attendees would always check to be sure the harness was secure. Now I know that they were checking for the 3 clicks.
Once I was in the seat and moving it wasn’t as tight. I rode all the rides in Hogsmeade with no other problems.
The ride was great but I agree with other comments above. Hogsmeade is way too small to accommodate the crowd. It would be nice to have more shops. There is a shop with the dress Hermoine wore in the Goblet of Fire. It is just a store front. There were jus a lot of store fronts. It would have been nice to have a dress shop showing off other outfits. Or a train ride on the Hogwarts express! There is a lot that Universal can do with this particular area of the park but there is not enough room right now. We were there 3 days and most of the guests were packed into the Wizarding World area of the part during these 3 days.
My daughter and I enjoyed what was there but left thinking a lot more could have been done. Universal does not understand how the books and movies are trully loved. Yes, Disney would have done a better job!
im 6 foot 6 and i spent 86 dollars on the island of adventure, i used the test seats and figured i was fine to ride then i sat in 75min line and at the end some sack of nuts in a wizard outfit pulled me out of line and made me sit in another test seat and told me i could not ride. there was also 3 other rides i could not get on because of this. universal is crap and they would not refund my money. thats great i paid 86 dollars to walk around and watch everyone else enjoy the rides.
I am tired of people saying the reason larger people can’t fit in the rides is because the restraint system was built for “safety”. Wake up people, the Harry Potter ride IS NOT a roller coaster. I went to Disney in June and was the same weight that I am now just coming back from Universal.
I had no problems riding the “Rockin Roller Coaster” at Disney and it goes 60mph+ and has at points a whoppin 4.5g’s. This is a MUCH more dangerous ride than HARRY POTTER and I had no problem what-so-ever fitting into the over the head restraint system.
This should translate into Universal’s Harry Potter ride, but for some reason does not. And all anyone can say is.. it’s for your own safety. Sounds like a lousy restraint system to me! I am sickened that I spent all that money and went to Universal and could not ride Harry Potter.. even in their “modified seats”.. that’s a joke. Also, I managed to miss about 6 other rides because their restraint systems where not built for larger guests.
I guess I could understand full on roller coasters being an issue here, but the Harry Potter ride was un-called for. Again, Disney’s Rockin Roller Coaster.. no big deal for me at all. Wasn’t even a question on weather I could get on or not.
I am frustrated that a park that has spent millions and millions on what probably is a really great ride would have restrictions like this. I will be sure to tell anyone that might have an issue fitting in their stupid ride to save their money and go to a real theme park like Disney. Thank you Disney for allowing everyone to have a good time.. Bleh..
Oh, and for the record, I am 5’11” and weigh 317lbs. I have a large stomach and I am pretty sure that is what kept me from riding Harry Potter. If you want to ride it, you are probably going to want to be no more than about 270-280 at my height. You might fit in then. I guess it would help if someone actually posted a waist size of people that fit.
I am a size 15-16 5’5-5’6 (weight around 180-190) and I fit and was able to ride, Honestly its all about body type.
My best friend (who was pulled out of line in front of everyone, after 1 1/2 hours of waiting and being excited with me, and told she couldn’t ride) Is 5’3-5’4 and about 230lbs. She would have been fine honestly if not for the fact that you basically ride in a narrow box. She has size F boobs, and they basically made that third and last click impossible.
I’m a regular D with an hourglass shape. About even in fat distribution (butt/thighs/stomach) They have not once pulled me aside, and I ride fine.
Also to the person who says it isn’t a rollar coaster, just because it isn’t fast, or on a track doesn’t mean its not a coaster. It is a robotic arm that simulates many coaster movements, very similar to one of those “build your own coaster” systems. While safty may be annoying, it is a GOOD reason why they won’t let you on.
What should ahve been done is they made a car either fewer seats (there for able to stand more weight) and there for making a wider wall aswell, to fit other body types.
sorry for the typos in that post.
in the last post either should be with*
Just came back and wanted to report that I was able to ride Harry Potter Forbidden Journey with room to spare. I am 5’8 3/4″ and about 255. I wear a size 22 or 24 pant and a size 22 top ( 42D bra). I had been very worried about fitting the ride and had searched the web for info. I had told my husband and young children that I might not be able to go on the ride but I would go through the line. I never tried a test seat. The end seats (4 seats per group–2 ends 2 middle)were the modified seats and had ample room eve for me. Hope this helps future park goers.
I just returned from a week at Disney and a day at Universal – specifically to go to Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I didn’t check the web sites before I went – wish I had. I am 5’2″ and weigh 235. Most of my weight is in my lower body, and I usually do not have issues on rides. However I have huge boobs (40E), and they were my downfall here. We didn’t see the test seat upon entering (too many people crowded around), and the worker at the gate didn’t stop me. We waited in line 90 minutes just to have me pulled out by a really rude employee. He basically yelled at me for not testing before I got on the ride. It was so bad that my very mild manner husband lost it with him for speaking to me that way. It was very embarassing, because had the employee not raised his voice, no one would have noticed, but he drew everyone’s attention to the fat chick. Universal needs to learn lots from Disney. After spending five days at Disney, the difference between the two parks was really noticeable. We are going back to Disney in September, but we will not be returning to Universal.
I do understand why everybody is complaining about the ride restraints. I am not very big but I do care for the people that have been turned away and as for an employee yelling at you for not testing with the test seat. That is uncalled for and he should have been fired. The least you could do is have common courtesy for a rider that cant fit in a seat. That employee should have at least spare your feelings.
Ok ok ok, I’ve been reading a lot about the situation with the Harry Potter ride, because I knew that we were going to Universal Studios and was bringing a friend who was overweight and didn’t want her to be disappointed or embarrassed….Imagine my surprise when I decided to sit in the test seat and couldn’t ride it myself!
I am not big…(I’m not tiny either) but I am 5’7 and probably weight about 165lbs…but I do have thick thighs, broad shoulders, and a large chest. My chest is a full DD, and my shoulders are broad and muscular. And when we did the “test seat” it squished my breasts down to a painful point. They do have modified seats. When outside, TRY THE TEST SEATS! They have lights on them now…and if it turns green, you are good…if it turns yellow, you can still ride the ride, but you have to ride in modified seats, or red? NO GO!…We did push it down to get to yellow, but it was so uncomfortable, so I bypassed it…and since my friend got red, we decided to tour the castle.
So it’s not just a weight issue…it really is a body issue. I had plenty of room in the seat and in front of my stomach…it was ALL CHEST and shoulders!
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