How much weight do I need to lose for Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey?

[Krazyjoe]

SO in 2014 I was able to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey without issue. I was 6'5"/294 lbs. As of a month ago, I was 6'5"/367 lbs.

My wife booked a trip to Universal for mid July. I had been trying to lose weight anyway (I was stress eating during the pandemic), but I doubled my efforts in order to fit on Harry Potter. SO far, I've lost 23 lbs and I'm down to 344lbs with six weeks to go. I'm not letting up. I will keep fighting the fight over the next six weeks.

BUT I'd love an idea of what sizes will fit. Obviously, I fit at 294 lbs. There was an article online about a guy who is 6'2" who was 310lbs and didn't fit. But would I fit at 310lbs? At 6'5", my 310 wouldn't be exactly the same at his 310 because of the height difference.

Clearly if I could replicate my 294lb weight from 8 years ago, I'd make it. But 50 lbs in six weeks seems like a tall order. I'm just wondering if anyone else 6'5" could share their experiences. What weights made the cut and what weight was "too much"?

 

[ToTBellHop]

There’s no way to answer that. Body type is important.

 

[Krazyjoe]

There’s no way to answer that. Body type is important.

I'm hoping to hear from other tall people to get a feel for their experiences so I have a baseline.

 

[macefamily]

No real weight rates. It's a matter of whether they can get the safety bar down to click into place. I'm 260 and they pulled me out of line once to get in the sample seat (very humiliating). I think they have an extended seat with more room that they put us porkers in.

 

[Krazyjoe]

No real weight rates. It's a matter of whether they can get the safety bar down to click into place. I'm 260 and they pulled me out of line once to get in the sample seat (very humiliating). I think they have an extended seat with more room that they put us porkers in.

FYI, I'm at work and you just make me laugh out loud via your use of the word "porkers". Your fellow porker thanks you for the much needed laugh!

 

[trr1]

there are no “weight restrictions” on any of Universal’s theme-park attractions; instead, it comes down to how your unique body dimensions fit inside each ride’s restraint system. Two people may weigh the same, but one will fit and the other will not. If you’re worried you may not fit in the seats, there are special test seats outside Hogwarts and just before you get on the ride.

 

[JoeCamel]

No real weight rates. It's a matter of whether they can get the safety bar down to click into place. I'm 260 and they pulled me out of line once to get in the sample seat (very humiliating). I think they have an extended seat with more room that they put us porkers in.

The "porker" seat is on the back end of the bench

 

[Krazyjoe]

there are no “weight restrictions” on any of Universal’s theme-park attractions; instead, it comes down to how your unique body dimensions fit inside each ride’s restraint system. Two people may weigh the same, but one will fit and the other will not. If you’re worried you may not fit in the seats, there are special test seats outside Hogwarts and just before you get on the ride.

Unfortunately the test seats don’t work. I’ve read a lot about it, and apparently being out in the heat all day makes the test seats expand. People often sit in the test seats and think that they fit on the ride, but then go through the ride Que and find that they do not

 

[JoeCamel]

Unfortunately the test seats don’t work. I’ve read a lot about it, and apparently being out in the heat all day makes the test seats expand. People often sit in the test seats and think that they fit on the ride, but then go through the ride Que and find that they do not

It happens, the seats are at a slightly different angle I think and allows the restraint to close a little further than on the ride so it may not be a perfect indicator. I don't really remember as I rarely ride since they changed the profile. My stomach objects, is there a spell for that?

 

[Rob562]

The "porker" seat is on the back end of the bench

It's the seats on either end of the bench.

I'm only 5'11", 245 lb with a solid but padded build, but I have a long torso and have to use the "big boy seats" on Forbidden Journey and Hulk. In my case it's because it puts my shoulders closer to the pivot point of the restraint and the bar comes down and hits my front shoulder/upper chest before it gets near my belly.

So it really comes down to how your body is proportioned and where you carry your weight.

-Rob

 

[JoeCamel]

It's the seats on either end of the bench.

I'm only 5'11", 245 lb with a solid but padded build, but I have a long torso and have to use the "big boy seats" on Forbidden Journey and Hulk. In my case it's because it puts my shoulders closer to the pivot point of the restraint and the bar comes down and hits my front shoulder/upper chest before it gets near my belly.

So it really comes down to how your body is proportioned and where you carry your weight.

-Rob

And if you do get the big boy seats don't look around unless you really want to see BTS

 

[jonnyc]

The real key to whether you will fit all depends on where you carry your weight.

There is a great FB group called "Universal Orlando Plus Size Riders" where people post their stats (weight, measurements etc.) and if they were able to fit along with tips and tricks to help fit in the sits. It's a really supportive group, as we all know the fear of doing the 'walk of shame'!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I was also going to recommend the Facebook group @jonnyc recommended. I recently joined and it's a super helpful and supportive group. There are posts nearly every day with people sharing dimensions, photos, and what they were able to ride. If you go into the "Guides" part of their page, they also have something called "Ride with Me." The Ride with Me bios have PDFs with in-depth info on each rider and their fit/ride experiences. You should also be able to search posts to see if anyone has posted with similar height, weight, measurements. There are definitely men of all sizes posting on there as well as wives posting for their husbands. There are also several YouTube channels with things like this (some are also tied to this FB group). I know Kool K's Adventures is one of the more popular ones and he'll sometimes have other people in the group in his videos to demonstrate how different it can be for each person.

 

[OG Runner]

SO in 2014 I was able to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey without issue. I was 6'5"/294 lbs. As of a month ago, I was 6'5"/367 lbs.

My wife booked a trip to Universal for mid July. I had been trying to lose weight anyway (I was stress eating during the pandemic), but I doubled my efforts in order to fit on Harry Potter. SO far, I've lost 23 lbs and I'm down to 344lbs with six weeks to go. I'm not letting up. I will keep fighting the fight over the next six weeks.

BUT I'd love an idea of what sizes will fit. Obviously, I fit at 294 lbs. There was an article online about a guy who is 6'2" who was 310lbs and didn't fit. But would I fit at 310lbs? At 6'5", my 310 wouldn't be exactly the same at his 310 because of the height difference.

Clearly if I could replicate my 294lb weight from 8 years ago, I'd make it. But 50 lbs in six weeks seems like a tall order. I'm just wondering if anyone else 6'5" could share their experiences. What weights made the cut and what weight was "too much"?

Can you say, "what is a snow balls chance in hell". Honestly no insult intended. My girlfriend is 5'3" about 220lbs and she could not
fit in the test seat. Sorry, but this is one thing Disney clearly has over Universal. I have never heard of a Disney guest not being able
to ride a ride due to being too big.

 

[Krazyjoe]

So a month ago I was unable to fit on Big Bird's Tour Bus at Sesame Place. I was just too fat. But now I'm down 30 lbs from one month ago and yesterday I was able to fit on the ride for the 1st time ever. This is good progress! With Three weeks to go until my universal trip, I am very optimistic that I'll be able to fit on Forbidden Journey

 

[Krazyjoe]

The real key to whether you will fit all depends on where you carry your weight.

There is a great FB group called "Universal Orlando Plus Size Riders" where people post their stats (weight, measurements etc.) and if they were able to fit along with tips and tricks to help fit in the sits. It's a really supportive group, as we all know the fear of doing the 'walk of shame'!

Thank you!!

 

[Jon81uk]

I have never heard of a Disney guest not being able
to ride a ride due to being too big.

It definitely happens, many many guests can't ride Seven Dwarves as they don't fit. The difference is Disney don't publish a maximum chest size, it is down to whether the lap bar closes or not. Whereas rides with overhead restraints tend to be more restrictive which is why more of Universal and Seaworlds rides have published maximum chest dimensions.

 

[OG Runner]

It definitely happens, many many guests can't ride Seven Dwarves as they don't fit. The difference is Disney don't publish a maximum chest size, it is down to whether the lap bar closes or not. Whereas rides with overhead restraints tend to be more restrictive which is why more of Universal and Seaworlds rides have published maximum chest dimensions.

I do not seem to hear it being reported. Expedition Everest and Rock n' Roller Coaster, both have overhead restraints.
Like I was saying before, my girlfriend has some problems at Universal, but never at Disney.

 

[Jon81uk]

I do not seem to hear it being reported. Expedition Everest and Rock n' Roller Coaster, both have overhead restraints.
Like I was saying before, my girlfriend has some problems at Universal, but never at Disney.

Everest is just a lap bar. Rock & Roller is the only Disney coaster at WDW with overhead restraints, but they are not in a style that is restrictive to the chest, they sit more on the shoulders. Whereas more modern style restraints have a maximum chest diameter that Universal and Seaworld clearly communicate on their website.
Often guests can fit onto Disney rides, but it involves squashing themselves in under the lap bar. But as it is a seated style ride it is generally safe to do that, as the bar is mainly to stop you standing up. Whereas with attractions such as Forbiddon journey the chest restraint is vital to stop you falling off the bench so locking in place is more safety-critical.

Here is some examples of "pooh sized" guests having difficulty fitting comfortably onto Disney rides

Walt Disney World AT LARGE

At Large in Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida

allears.net

Walt Disney World Thrill Rides for Differently-Abled Guests

Can larger people or differently-abled people enjoy all of the thrill rides at Walt Disney World? Here's your guide to coasters and more.

www.wdw-magazine.com

Disney Rides When You're "Pooh Sized"!

Being overweight can be extremely frustrating especially when it comes to traveling or visiting amusement parks. There are plenty of times that I research rides for hours on end just to see if I can even go on the ride because the last thing that I want is to be embarrassed and especially in...

www.onceuponanadventuretravel.com

Again, it is more about fitting comfortably at Disney than fitting safely, so the reports are more about comfort not about being turned away.
At Universal it is a safety issue as if the restraint cannot close properly there is risk of injury.

 

[Krazyjoe]

I'm down to 326 pounds today. That's down 40 pounds!