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Harry Potter ride seats modified for larger riders
Universal Orlando has modified some seats on ride cars for the new Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and many people who couldn't ride the centerpiece attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter should be able to now.
When I saw the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during an early preview in May, the ride was not in operation, but the "test seats" outside the ride were working. Would-be riders can sit in the seat to check it out before entering the ride queue. The seats have an over-the-shoulder harness that has to be pulled down and "click" three times. You get a green light if it does, and a red light if it doesn't.
After watching folks check out that seat, it was evident that the Harry Potter ride would not accommodate riders of size.
But new seats were introduced over the weekend. Now there is also a yellow light on the test seats. If you get yellow, as some rounder or taller guests will, you will be asked to wait until a ride car with modified seats comes around.
Theme park employees told Orlando Attractions Magazine the seats are allowing more people to ride the marquee ride:
The modified seats are on the inside and outside positions on a handful of the ride cars. The seat itself is not any larger; it's the locking mechanism on the harness that has been changed. Universal says it is safe for both larger and smaller riders to sit in the modified seats.Team members we talked to said the modified seats have helped tremendously. They said before they had to turn away hundreds of guests, but over the two days since the modified seats have been in place, they've only had to turn away one guest.
[Image credit: Flickr user calleecakes]
Filed under: North America, United States, Theme Parks
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Laura Lynn Sep 13th 2010 8:15PM
This is great. Take it from someone who is fat like me, nothing spoils your fun day more than not only having to sit out the rides while everyone else in your party is enjoying themselves, but having the ride delayed because you can't get into the seat or harness properly and then be asked to leave. Can you say, "AWKWARD!"
Lynn Sep 14th 2010 7:02AM
Unfortunately the whole world is becoming fat. Maybe you could try to drop some pounds so the amusement parks wouldnt have to modify the seats for fat people.
Deacon Sep 19th 2010 12:49PM
Maybe you could try to remember that there are some of us that have medical conditions that cause us to be unable to "drop a few pounds" and we are really happy when the places that want our money just like you skinny peoples money take us in to consideration.
judy kunsman Sep 13th 2010 10:21PM
ITS ABOUT TIME THESE PARKS RECOGNIZE THE LARGER SIZED PERSON WHO WANTS TO HAVE FUN TOO> JUST BECAUSE WE ARE LARGE SIZED DOESNT MEAN WE DONT WANT TO ENJOY OURSELVES AND HAVE FUN TOO! MORE PARKS SHOULD ACCOMODATE LARGE PEOPLE, INCLUDING DISNEY, DORNEY, ETC.
William Sep 13th 2010 9:38PM
Really? so what if you have a genetic problem? i too have dealt with this problem. im not a large man but many rides are designed for small people so they can get as many in as possible. this IS discrimination. I have seen fit men who are buff not be able to ride. are they fat? no the population of america is going towards obese and large people. the makers of the rides need to put that into consideration while they design their rides.
DK Sep 13th 2010 10:08PM
We visited this ride and stood in line for almost 3 hours only for my husband to be told he couldn't ride. We were outraged! My son was embarassed for his dad and furious that we had waited so long only to be treated with such disrespect. It just so happened my son was stopped by a park employee on our way out and asked if he would be willing to take part in a survey for the park. Boy, did she get an ear full! I'm so impressed with Universal for actually listening to their visitors. After all, for what it cost get in, all of us should be able to ride whatever we want!
lyndee Sep 14th 2010 10:55PM
DK,
Thats why they have test seats. So you can sit in them and see before hand if you fit or not. The wait for us was really long but before I waited I made sure I could fit in the seats. They have them for every ride to see if you can fit.
Alan Mercier Sep 14th 2010 12:44AM
Universal Sucks. All Their rides suck. They charge way to much for everything from parking to addmission to food and drinks.They are always way to crowded for you to enjoy yourself.You can never see everything because the lines are always really long from them getting to greedy and letting way to many people into the parks.And then just like Disney they have special lines for people who stay in certain resorts. They get to go ahead of everybody else.And then when they look at you they are smileing and laughing.I will never go back to any theme parks in Orlando....Total ripofff......Ya lots of fun standing in line for 1-2 hrs in Hundred degree heat to get on a ride that lasts 5 minutes. And Pay to do it? Not me kiddo....Never Again.....
ec Sep 14th 2010 2:54AM
rounder guests??? why don't they just call a spade a spade...lard butts.
ec Sep 14th 2010 2:58AM
why don't you porkers push away from the table a little sooner...then maybe you won't be made to feel awkward when you are told you are too fat to ride.
AH Sep 14th 2010 4:18AM
People are quick to bash large people....but when something positive happens which actually allows people to get out and be more active and could actually help their situation, then these brainiac name-callers can do nothing more than spread their negativity.
Reminds me of that old saying: If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
Lauren Sep 14th 2010 4:36AM
It is pretty sad that people are just assuming that they cannot ride because they are "fat pigs". My husband could not ride several rides there because of his height. And he is quite slim...So guest's of size does not only refer to the "fat pigs" as some put it. It is nice to know he will be able to ride it when we go back. These theme parks need to start catering to everyone. We pay enough as it is.
Chayse Sep 14th 2010 5:29AM
I'm gonna get hate for this but don't care. If we keep accommodating people who are larger then it's like saying its okay to be that unhealthy. I do think genetics play a role in metabolism but that should just make you more conscious of what you feed yourself. I'm 6'3 and 200 and I can go up quicker then I go down and don't find genetics to be an excuse. Hypothetically I like smoking cigarettes and strangers love to tell me its bad for me when I don't even look at them, but yet tell a fat person there huge and bam! its discrimination. You're large and its not healthy and it sucks to sit next to you because you guys are slippery and warm.
sophie s. Sep 14th 2010 10:07AM
hi, I go to the parks about every 6 weeks in crowds of 6 or more ,up to 21 of us have met there for a few days of fun!!! we love the parks!!! we have annual passes to "Universal/Islands" so we NEVER pay parking..and the longest I've waited has been 30 minutes on any ride..I read the time posting sign and move on to another ride or show if too long ,and come back later. As for the food yes it can be expensive,so I/we buy the "MEAL DEAL" $19.99 (each) eat ALL day long!! and the REFILLABLE cup ($6.99) allows you to get FREE water..or..74 cents soda refills !! I drink the water so thats great,my kids get the soda .I just rode Harry Potter ride last Saturday,and waited only 25 minutes,yes we timed it !! Sat. the 25th 7 of us are going again!! once you get the "system" down packed you'll love your visit!!! also in the HOT summer in the afternoon we do the "WET" area in Universal area behind E.T. ride we get soaked and cool off..theres misting fans there too for those who don't wanna get soaked..hope this helps those who havent visited "Universal/IOA" yet.
Lynn Sep 14th 2010 11:04AM
If I couldnt fit on the rides I wouldnt be stupid enough to go and pay all that money to get in if I was just going to complain about it. The walking is good exercise for everyone though.
Shannon Sep 15th 2010 10:10AM
We went to Orlando last summer with some friends and went to all the Disney and Universal Parks. I am very tall (almost 6'4") and over the 250lb "ideal" limit. I had to sit out several rides at Universal, some that were uncomfortable because of a lack of leg room, some because the safety devices did not accomodate my size. I had none of these problems at Disney. Not once did I find myself in a situation of embarrassment. So, say what you will but larger riders can be accomodated, and if it brings the company more business, why shouldn't they look for ways to accomodate everyone?
Steve Sep 15th 2010 11:39PM
It's unfortunate what society has come to. It's not the tall that are rising up and complaining about this ride, it's the obese. They claim the tall demographic as justification but we all know who the people that couldn't ride are. I feel worse for the tall people, they cant untall themselves, but obese people can lose weight. And yes genetics genetics. From my experience with genetics, its an excuse to throw your hands up and not do anything about your size. How far is this going to go? Harry Potter and the Flatbed Trucks of Azkaban? Get rid of seats altogether? Make every ride just one ling Scooter track? It's ridiculous. Lose some weight.
Colin creevey Sep 22nd 2010 5:53AM
I have visited Orlando twice (from Ireland) and was shocked at the amount of obese people I saw there in the parks, I've never seen anything like it!If they start making rides to fit these people then what about the small guys - will they start not being able to fit in the rides because the seats are too big? Small people, and tall people have no control over their size, but the majority of fat people can loose weight if they really want to - its a self inflicted thing in most cases. I really dont think that a lot of these people complaining have genetic problems. There is such a diversity of sizes that they have to go with the average, its impossible to make seats that fit everyone - eg my 7 yr old son who is just under the 48" and probably wont be able to ride this year - or for several years to come unless we win the lottery to pay for the €4,000+ flights.
HD Oct 7th 2010 4:21PM
Colin, you should stay in the uk, the rest of of you whiners should experience the same discrimination yourselves for a change.....
Fran Oct 21st 2010 11:03PM
People get fat for a lot of different reasons, but it usually has nothing to do with a lack of self control. True, some people just love food and hate exercise, but a normal socially active person could not maintain a weight of 300 lbs without a lot of effort, and the people who do make that effort are usually driven by emotional issues like accute stress or depression. Obese people very rarely make excuses and they very rarely play the victim; most of them walk around embarrassed half the time, hoping no one will notice them. They always feel like they're being judged and would not normally do anything to call attention to themselves.
Businesses make a point of catering to the overweight because it makes good business sense, just like it makes good business sense to have smoking zones and special prices for students and senior citizens. Just because a theme park adds modified seating, don't assume it's because overweight people demanded it.
That said, the comments by some people here and on other sites are just horrid. Fat people could lose weight some day, but these creeps will always have dark hearts.