Comments on: Harry Potter Ride Turns Away Fat Riders

By: Sydni

Sydni — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:08:51 +0000

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!

By: elenoat

elenoat — Sun, 01 May 2011 22:27:32 +0000

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.

By: Doni

Doni — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 15:01:24 +0000

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.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:49:08 +0000

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.

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 16:49:21 +0000

sorry for the typos in that post.

in the last post either should be with*

By: Christina

Christina — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:34:39 +0000

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.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:09:00 +0000

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.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:04:55 +0000

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..

By: greg

greg — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:06:29 +0000

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.

By: Caren

Caren — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:27:37 +0000

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!