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Otter
06-25-2010, 02:43 PM
Harry Potter Fans Deemed Too Heavy for 'Wizarding World' Ride


http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-harry-potter-fans-deemed-too-heavy-for-wizarding-world-ride.html

Most people remember the feeling of not being tall enough to ride an amusement park ride, but some would-be riders of the signature attraction at Universal Studios' new "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" theme park in Orlando are being turned away because of their girth. The ride, "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey," employs individual restraints to keep each guest tucked in to his or her seat, but the restraints aren't large enough to accommodate heavier riders.

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 (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/%3Chttp://www.hpana.com/news.21133.html%3E), 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).

Photos: Emma Watson and the cast explore the park rides >> (http://yhoo.it/djONcx)

One Harry Potter fan, Jeff Guillaume of Lansing, Michigan, expressed disappointment on his "Harry Potter (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810004780/info)" <http: www.hpana.com="" news.21133.html="">fan site after he failed the test (http://www.hpana.com/news.21133.html). Guillaume is 5'8" and weighs 265 pounds, and says the restraint wouldn't fit over his torso, though he reports that other rides at the park have special cars reserved for bigger riders.</http:><http: www.hpana.com="" news.21133.html="">
</http:>
Universal, which doesn't have "specific weight limits (just the test seat
s and a requirement that riders be at least 48 inches tall), says the "body dimension" restrictions (http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2010/06/islands-of-adventure-the-harry-potter-morning-after-report.html%3E) are "to ensure the safety of our guests. It's #1."

That's all fine and good, but considering the average weight of an American man is 191 pounds (http://www.ehow.com/about_6583942_men_s-average-height-weight.html) (and rising: in 1960 it was 166 pounds), "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" could be turning away quite a few potential revelers.

Then and now: See how the 'Harry Potter' kids have changed >> (http://yhoo.it/9EGcQh)

Universal isn't the first theme-park operator to deal with issues raised by the growing rate of obesity in the United States. In 2007, Disney had to modify the "It's a Small World" ride <http: consumerist.com="" 2007="" 10="" obesity-were-too-big-for-disneylands-its-a-small-world.html=""> after weighted-down boats began regularly getting stuck in the plume.</http:><http: consumerist.com="" 2007="" 10="" obesity-were-too-big-for-disneylands-its-a-small-world.html="">
</http:>
One Harry Potter fan who was unable to ride "Forbidden Journey" when his seat test yielded only two clicks of the restraint, is turning the incident into a personal motivational challenge. Banks Lee, who says he's 6'2? and approximately 310 lbs, has decided to diet and exercise until he can (http://banksleethethreeclicks.blogspot.com/) get on the ride (and hopes to continue his quest even after meeting that goal.) He's even started a blog: Banks Lee and the Three Clicks: My Journey to Fit on an Enchanted Bench, where the Orlando resident is documenting the long walks and sensible diet that he hopes will lead to a ride on "The Forbidden Journey."

Otter
06-25-2010, 02:44 PM
I have no idea why I find this amusing. Prolly just lack of motivation at work on a Friday.

I'd make a special seat in front of the coaster for the fat kid. Instead of seating 2 or 3 it would seat just him and the seat would face him backwards at the other riders instead of foward twoards the attractions.

He would brought in on a forklift after everyone else is seated and the forklift driver would have to drive in reverse so the beepers going off the whole time.

beep...beep...beep
[over the loud speaker]

"KEEP YOUR HANDS INSIDE THE VEHICLE! WE ARE BRINGING IN THE FAT KID!"

alanm
06-25-2010, 02:45 PM
That's why they call it the Forbidden Journey. :D

Rain Man
06-25-2010, 02:48 PM
In 2007, Disney had to modify the "It's a Small World" ride <http: consumerist.com="" 2007="" 10="" obesity-were-too-big-for-disneylands-its-a-small-world.html=""> after weighted-down boats began regularly getting stuck in the plume.</http:><http: consumerist.com="" 2007="" 10="" obesity-were-too-big-for-disneylands-its-a-small-world.html="">



Gotta like the irony there.

blaise
06-25-2010, 02:49 PM
Prohibitus obesius!

The Franchise
06-25-2010, 02:51 PM
Aren't half of the Harry Potter fans out there......overweight?

blaise
06-25-2010, 02:55 PM
Aren't half of the Harry Potter fans out there......overweight?

No, that's just an illusion.

PunkinDrublic
06-25-2010, 03:05 PM
I picture comic book guy from the simpsons dressed in wizard regalia being all bummed out.

TrebMaxx
06-25-2010, 03:05 PM
I just want to ride Emma Watson.

blaise
06-25-2010, 03:06 PM
Obese customers are welcome to enjoy a visit to the Goblet of Fire Roasted Peanuts booth.

chiefsnorth
06-25-2010, 03:16 PM
No, that's just an illusion.

Yes, it's actually more like 99%

|Zach|
06-25-2010, 03:20 PM
I just want to ride Emma Watson.

Yea, she was looking good there.

Gonzo
06-25-2010, 03:22 PM
Prohibitus obesius!

LMAO
Posted via Mobile Device

Mr. Flopnuts
06-25-2010, 04:58 PM
Prohibitus obesius!

LMAO That's awesome.

Ugly Duck
06-25-2010, 08:14 PM
My experience has shown that this is a real problem in medicine... patients too big to fit in the CT scanner, too big to fit in the DEXA scanner, too big to fit in the MRI, abdomen X-rays unreadable cuz of scatter. Manufacturers need to face reality & make a buncha oversized equipment. I'd like to see entire "big people" hospitals.

notorious
06-25-2010, 08:19 PM
I picture comic book guy from the simpsons dressed in wizard regalia being all bummed out.

This. ROFL

Chazno
06-25-2010, 09:20 PM
I have no idea why I find this amusing. Prolly just lack of motivation at work on a Friday.

I'd make a special seat in front of the coaster for the fat kid. Instead of seating 2 or 3 it would seat just him and the seat would face him backwards at the other riders instead of foward twoards the attractions.

He would brought in on a forklift after everyone else is seated and the forklift driver would have to drive in reverse so the beepers going off the whole time.

beep...beep...beep
[over the loud speaker]

"KEEP YOUR HANDS INSIDE THE VEHICLE! WE ARE BRINGING IN THE FAT KID!"

Facing backwards?.... no thanks

http://www.ghostofthefuture.com/images/LardAss/lardass-05.jpg