Physical size and build not as big a problem for WDW as is for Universal??

[CaptainJackNO]

While growing up, my dad was very overweight. We went on many a WDW trips and he never had any problems with fitting on any Disney rides. Never.

Now, my mom was a huge Back to the Future fan, so when that ride opened at USF (a long time ago, i know) we went to USF for a day on our vacation and my dad could not fit on 3 rides. Now, went back to WDW and he fit on everything.

Today, I was looking up ride info on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (my son loves it) as we are thinking about spending a day there on our next trip in May '12. Whle reading, I happened upon a picture of the ride harness at the entrance of "Forbidden Journey" where larger guests must test the seats to determine if they fit.

Now, I do not want to turn this into a "bash the big folks" post. My reason for posting is to ask if anyone knows why guest size does not appear to be as big a challenge for WDW as it is for USF. Now, I know some people can be especially large and can pose a problem for both parks. But, on a whole based on my own experience with my dad back in, oh, 1993, and seeing this picture today, it appears USF does not design rides with larger restraints in mind. My dad was very large, probably approaching the 375 lb. mark at the time and literally could not fit on Back to the Future, Ride through Hanna-Barberra, and E.T.

Yet, upon our return to WDW, he was able to ride everything without a problem. Why the great contrast? Anyone know?


I just find that interesting.

 

[rsoxguy]

It's the lean turkey leg meat.

 

[SleepingMonk]

My guess is the design team at Uni looks at stats and national averages then plans accordingly.

Disney looks at the same numbers and then adds a little extra just for the uh....hmmm....fluffy folks.

 

[CaptainJackNO]

It's the lean turkey leg meat.

My guess is the design team at Uni looks at stats and national averages then plans accordingly.

Disney looks at the same numbers and then adds a little extra just for the uh....hmmm....fluffy folks.

LOL...must be.

Maybe because Universal doesn't have a dining plan??? :animwink:

I have purchased the dining plan my last three trips and I swear that entire week, as I eat, I can feel myself getting fatter. :hammer:
They need to nix the desert and go back to the appetizer. The cheese cake and Creme Brulee kills me after 6 or 7 days in the world.:lol:

 

[wolf359]

The more extreme the ride, the more confining the restraints are. I think the reason Walt Disney World is more accommodating is there are fewer attractions really needing heavy duty restraint. I can only think of Rock N Rollercoaster, and that one is a big pain to get into if you're a big guy. Everything else is pretty tame and has a simple lap bar or seat belt to show for it.

 

[JoeZer]

While growing up, my dad was very overweight. We went on many a WDW trips and he never had any problems with fitting on any Disney rides. Never.

Now, my mom was a huge Back to the Future fan, so when that ride opened at USF (a long time ago, i know) we went to USF for a day on our vacation and my dad could not fit on 3 rides. Now, went back to WDW and he fit on everything.

Today, I was looking up ride info on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (my son loves it) as we are thinking about spending a day there on our next trip in May '12. Whle reading, I happened upon a picture of the ride harness at the entrance of "Forbidden Journey" where larger guests must test the seats to determine if they fit.

Now, I do not want to turn this into a "bash the big folks" post. My reason for posting is to ask if anyone knows why guest size does not appear to be as big a challenge for WDW as it is for USF. Now, I know some people can be especially large and can pose a problem for both parks. But, on a whole based on my own experience with my dad back in, oh, 1993, and seeing this picture today, it appears USF does not design rides with larger restraints in mind. My dad was very large, probably approaching the 375 lb. mark at the time and literally could not fit on Back to the Future, Ride through Hanna-Barberra, and E.T.

Yet, upon our return to WDW, he was able to ride everything without a problem. Why the great contrast? Anyone know?


I just find that interesting.

Part of this difference between the Disney and Uni parks can be attributed to the design of the ride vehicles and/or the vendors that supply them. The Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction uses the Kuka robotic arm ride technology...and, evidently, those seats are designed in a way where we of larger proportions (I am one of those) can not be latched in securely enough according to manufacturer specifications. And, there is ONE attraction in WDW where I have the same problem...Sum of All Thrills in Innoventions over at EPCOT.

Sum of All Thrills uses the same ride technology as Forbidden Journey. I tried that as a test thinking "Hey, this is Disney. They're known for being as accomodating as possible for as many guests as possible." Nope...got in and the CM had the sad news for me when she tried closing the restraint.

Now...purportedly, Uni has made upgrades/adjustments to the ride vehicles in Forbidden Journey where larger guests should be able to experience the attraction (I say "should" as I have not had the chance to try it out myself yet).

One trick I learned with other attractions at Uni's Islands of Adventure: on the coasters like the Hulk and Dragon Challenge (formerly, Dueling Dragons) usually the 3rd and 6th rows will have the two seats in the middle of the row with restraints adjusted for larger builds.

Hope this helps in your planning...

 

[marni1971]

Depends on the ride system.

Universal tends to have more extreme rides and systems, with a restraint system to match.

 

[ScoutN]

Depends on the ride system.

Universal tends to have more extreme rides and systems, with a restraint system to match.

Exactly. Let me guess. Two of the rides were Hulk and Dragons? (i didnt see if that was stated already.) If it is those two then it is the nature of the restraints. Universal contracted B&M entirely for the ride system and restraints. They had no hand whatsoever in either of those. The nature of B&M coasters does not accommodate larger people. Disney plays a bit more of a role into the restraints and type of elements their attractions have. That allows the accommodation of various sized guests.

Apollo's and Alpen at BGW have the same problem. You can have big hocks and not fit on Apollo's or have a well built chest and not fight on Alpen. It is all in the restraint system and how the manufacturer plays them.

 

[powlessfamily4]

The more extreme the ride, the more confining the restraints are. I think the reason Walt Disney World is more accommodating is there are fewer attractions really needing heavy duty restraint. I can only think of Rock N Rollercoaster, and that one is a big pain to get into if you're a big guy. Everything else is pretty tame and has a simple lap bar or seat belt to show for it.

I get what your saying regarding extreme thrill rides and I agree... however the 3 rides the OP cited are not really what you would refer to as "extreme" rides. He stated Back to the Future, Ride through Hanna-Barberra, and E.T. Back to the Future... yes (btw I LOVED that ride and I am still upset it is gone) but the other two are not at all what I would consider extreme.

 

[tizzo]

The more extreme the ride, the more confining the restraints are. I think the reason Walt Disney World is more accommodating is there are fewer attractions really needing heavy duty restraint. I can only think of Rock N Rollercoaster, and that one is a big pain to get into if you're a big guy. Everything else is pretty tame and has a simple lap bar or seat belt to show for it.

That's what I was going to say.

Plus, I thought I remembered reading a while back that some modifications had to be made to the boats - might have been on Small World but I'm not sure - because the fact that the population in general has - er, "expanded" - over all in the years since it was opened, boats loaded only to capacity (based on number of guests) were sometimes bottoming out, because they were too heavy to float.

 

[Random Vids Inc]

My guess is the design team at Uni looks at stats and national averages then plans accordingly.

Disney looks at the same numbers and then adds a little extra just for the uh....hmmm....fluffy folks.[/QUOTE]

Trying so hard not to make a Stitch joke...:zipit:

 

[Disneydreamer23]

yes i was in universal sept 2010 so HP was not open but my fiance is bigger he didnt fit on hulk all the other ones he was ok! he does fit on aero smith and TOT and all the disney rides ! he is 6'6 and 330 pounds but he deff wont fit on HP the way people are talking im thinking i might not either lol

 

[rwdavis2]

I can see the reasoning for US doing due to the types of rides. I squeezed into a similar ride some time ago and could barely breath once it got going. Big mistake. Since then I've dropped 50lbs with a small part of the motivation being able to fit into the coasters at US. Can't wait to go back. I probably have 30 lbs or so to fit into HP.

 

[WDW_Emily]

The more extreme the ride, the more confining the restraints are. I think the reason Walt Disney World is more accommodating is there are fewer attractions really needing heavy duty restraint. I can only think of Rock N Rollercoaster, and that one is a big pain to get into if you're a big guy. Everything else is pretty tame and has a simple lap bar or seat belt to show for it.

Thats what I was thinking too. Also it could be because someone got hurt on it before. I know the Six Flags near me used to have no size limit for Superman: Ride of Steel. Then someone who was overweight rode and ended up falling out of the ride


But I seriously think it's because Disney rides aren't as "intense". The only thing I could think of is height restrictions might be on some disney rides (such as if your over a certain height you cannot ride).

 

[trr1]

LOL...must be.

Maybe because Universal doesn't have a dining plan??? :animwink:

I have purchased the dining plan my last three trips and I swear that entire week, as I eat, I can feel myself getting fatter. :hammer:
They need to nix the desert and go back to the appetizer. The cheese cake and Creme Brulee kills me after 6 or 7 days in the world.:lol:

they have a meal plan here it is

Universal Meal Deal
Universal offers a 'meal deal' that allows you to eat as much as you like at select dining locations at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

The 'meal' includes one entree and one dessert per trip thru the food line, and does not include beverages. A separate 'sipper cup' add on for unlimited beverages at these locations is an additional $8.99 (all ages), and can only be purchased in conjunction with the meal deal. The online price for the one park meal deal is $19.99 plus tax for adults, and $9.99 plus tax for children (9 and under). A two park meal deal is $24.99 + tax for adults and $12.99 + tax for children.

Universal Studios Participating Restaurants:

Mel ’s Drive-In
Sample Menu: Burgers, Chicken and Salads


Louie's Italian Restaurant
Sample Menu: Pizza, Pasta, and Salads


International Food and Film Festival
Sample Menu: Asian, Italian, and American Food


Universal Studios' Classic Monsters Cafe
Sample Menu: Rotisserie Chicken, Brick Oven Pizza, Pasta, and Salads

Islands of Adventure Participating Restaurants
Circus McGurkus Café Stoo-pendous
Sample Menu: Fried Chicken, Spaghetti, Pizza, Chicken Caesar Salad, Burgers and Chicken Sandwiches


Comic Strip Cafe
Sample Menu: Chinese, Italian, New England, Mexican and American Food


Captain America Diner
Sample Menu: Cheeseburgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Fingers, and Crispy Chicken Salads


The Burger Digs
Sample Menu: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, and Chicken Fingers

 

[MickeyPeace]

I can see the reasoning for US doing due to the types of rides. I squeezed into a similar ride some time ago and could barely breath once it got going. Big mistake. Since then I've dropped 50lbs with a small part of the motivation being able to fit into the coasters at US. Can't wait to go back. I probably have 30 lbs or so to fit into HP.

Congrats! That is a great attitude. Maybe you will inspire others to do the same.

 

[YunaB17]

Short people have a hard time at universal too. Everyone in my family is very short some even under 5ft and the only time we went to universal we were incredibly uncomftorble in all the ride vehicles but no one taller had that problem and we've never had that problem at Disney. We don't go to universal anymore which is really no big loss for us since most of us don't like thrill rides anyway.I'm actually tempted to go again to ride Forbidden Journey but I have a feeling my height will be a problem and I really don't want to deal with that so I probley won't bother plus thrill rides are an issue for me so I probley couldn't handle it anyway.

 

[cymbaldiva]

I get what your saying regarding extreme thrill rides and I agree... however the 3 rides the OP cited are not really what you would refer to as "extreme" rides. He stated Back to the Future, Ride through Hanna-Barberra, and E.T. Back to the Future... yes (btw I LOVED that ride and I am still upset it is gone) but the other two are not at all what I would consider extreme.

My exDH is a big guy too - he barely fit into ET or BTTF-TR (I loved it and miss it too!!) The only thing I have to offer is that for BTTF-TR is that the cars were based on real DeLoreans...larger folks couldn't easily fit into the actual car either :shrug:

 

[blueboxdoctor]

I know they got new boats for the small world that are meant to be more accessible and can hold more weight. I'm sure this has probably be done with other rides as well. The only problem I have is sometimes people take advantage of things such as cutting in front of everyone waiting in line for the bus. Granted, from what you wrote it seems as if you're not one to do this, which is cool since all too often I see people who don't properly follow the rule that the family waits in line while a person in one of the motorized chairs will wait in a designated area. Then again, idk if you guys even use these chairs. Overall though, I definitely think WDW does a very good job of accommodating everyone as much as possible. I do commend them for being so friendly to all sorts of people, which can't be a very easy thing to do when you get people from all over the world coming there daily.

 

[fosse76]

I know they got new boats for the small world that are meant to be more accessible and can hold more weight. I'm sure this has probably be done with other rides as well. The only problem I have is sometimes people take advantage of things such as cutting in front of everyone waiting in line for the bus. Granted, from what you wrote it seems as if you're not one to do this, which is cool since all too often I see people who don't properly follow the rule that the family waits in line while a person in one of the motorized chairs will wait in a designated area. Then again, idk if you guys even use these chairs. Overall though, I definitely think WDW does a very good job of accommodating everyone as much as possible. I do commend them for being so friendly to all sorts of people, which can't be a very easy thing to do when you get people from all over the world coming there daily.

Disneyland had to replace their boats due the increase in average rider weight, and they publicly stated that as the reason (the boats were hitting the bottom of the trough).