Universal NOT!! About This Page:

[Shell_of_the_South]

I understand the OP's concerns over this situation, but I hope that it doesn't stop anyone from visiting Universal if they want to. My DH is over 300 pounds and over 6 feet tall. He had no problems riding the coasters using row 3 and 6 which are equipped with larger straps for people of exceptional size. Our first trip he asked workers at the coasters what he should do and if he would fit. They explained the special seats to him and he had no problems whatsoever. A sample seat is posted at the ride entrance to try out. It's also posted above the queue line that Rows 3 and 6 have these special seats. In fact he has more trouble at RnRC at the Studios than the Hulk or Dueling Dragon. ToT is another ride that is tough for him since they added the individual seatbelts. The only coaster at Universal that gave him a problem was the Mummy. The Mummy doesn't have shoulder restraints like Hulk and Dueling Dragons but it was a tight fit. I've seen team members at Universal really try to fit people in the rides. I think it shows that Universal had a genuine concern for these situations by adding the different restraints on some of the seats to accomodate more guests.

I'm a die hard Disney lover, but I get really upset when Universal is painted in such a way as being a "mean" park. We've visited both Universal and Disney many times over the last 8 years, and being completely objective I've never had a significant different in treatment from Disney cast members and Universal team members. In fact I've had more negative experiences at Disney than at Universal. But it doesn't stop me from going to Disney or loving Disney.

If someone really wants to ride the coasters at Universal, perhaps they can contact Universal and they may be able to give you more information on this issue before you go.

We just went to Cedar Point this summer, and he had a lot of problems there. There was only one coaster that he could fit in at all. But no one was mean or rude about it. They also had test seats which he tried before he got in line and was turned away.

[Nalagh]

Originally Posted by Shell_of_the_South

I understand the OP's concerns over this situation, but I hope that it doesn't stop anyone from visiting Universal if they want to. My DH is over 300 pounds and over 6 feet tall. He had no problems riding the coasters using row 3 and 6 which are equipped with larger straps for people of exceptional size. Our first trip he asked workers at the coasters what he should do and if he would fit. They explained the special seats to him and he had no problems whatsoever. A sample seat is posted at the ride entrance to try out. It's also posted above the queue line that Rows 3 and 6 have these special seats. In fact he has more trouble at RnRC at the Studios than the Hulk or Dueling Dragon. ToT is another ride that is tough for him since they added the individual seatbelts. The only coaster at Universal that gave him a problem was the Mummy. The Mummy doesn't have shoulder restraints like Hulk and Dueling Dragons but it was a tight fit. I've seen team members at Universal really try to fit people in the rides. I think it shows that Universal had a genuine concern for these situations by adding the different restraints on some of the seats to accomodate more guests.

I'm a die hard Disney lover, but I get really upset when Universal is painted in such a way as being a "mean" park. We've visited both Universal and Disney many times over the last 8 years, and being completely objective I've never had a significant different in treatment from Disney cast members and Universal team members. In fact I've had more negative experiences at Disney than at Universal. But it doesn't stop me from going to Disney or loving Disney.

If someone really wants to ride the coasters at Universal, perhaps they can contact Universal and they may be able to give you more information on this issue before you go.

We just went to Cedar Point this summer, and he had a lot of problems there. There was only one coaster that he could fit in at all. But no one was mean or rude about it. They also had test seats which he tried before he got in line and was turned away.

Thank You, I feel allot better about going.

Nalagh

[Marybeth]

That's the problem. They tried the test seats and NOT ONE of the team members told them about any special seat, or offered to assist them in any way. Of course, holding them to Disney standards, they fell woefully short in terms of customer service and friendliness.
Needless to say, US/IOA will not be in our future Orlando plans.

[BarryH]

I ride the coasters at IOA a lot. Every time I see a larger-sized individual that can't fit into the regular seats, the Team Member asks the guest and their party to step aside and wait for the next train. The Team Members will "reserve" the larger-strap seat for the guest and seat them appropriately. I haven't seen someone treated rudely if they can't fit. I can't say it's never happened, but if you are treated rudely, stand your ground and ask for a Team Lead. If the Team Member cannot accommodate, the Team Lead will. If the Team Lead can't accommodate, they don't deserve to be a Team Lead IMHO.

If you are treated rudely by any Team Member at Universal, ask for a Team Lead or go to Guest Services. Believe me, Universal takes guest complaints seriously.

[scottjs]

I would complain to management. If that doesn't work try the media.

If Universal doesn't want Pooh sized people--maybe spend your money elsewhere. I will be!!!

[Skatetigger]

I am pretty sure Universal wants all sizes of people. I do hope and feel that the orignal posters troubles were an isolated incident of the ride operators not be helpful. DH & I go to Universal and IOA on our trips and we have a great time. It's too bad your family had to go through that and there isn't an excuse for it.

Please don't be discouraged for anyone who has planned to go to Universal or IOA by one or two bad incidents. Many folks on these boards have had a bad incident at WDW Would you stop going to WDW all together if there was one problem on one trip.

I, like Shell am a die hard Disney person but I have a lot of fun at Universal and IOA and I haven't been treated badly or any different then at WDW. I too have seen people of all sizes get on the rides there. Now I don't ride Roller coasters but DH does and he hasn't seen anyone not be able to get on the coasters.

Frankily I think some of the WDW rides can be a tight fit. RNRC kind of jams you and I also think Big Thunder can be a tight fit for folks depending on who you ride with. My poor mom gets squished going around corners cause my dad is a big guy.

Please don't rule out Universal/IOA if you have thought about going, we really do enjoy it and I feel it's okay to like both.

[awitelin]

I don't think it's so much people crying "discrimination" so much as expecting a certain standard of courtesy and accommodation.

No one's saying that someone who can't fit into the restraint should be allowed to go on the ride anyway, I think we can all agree that safety comes first. We're just surprised at the poor employee sensitivity of the situation. When a quarter to a third of all Americans are obese and that percentage increases based on age, you'd expect for a company that specializes in vacations at theme parks to perhaps take that into consideration.

We know that it's possible to both have a safe yet fun thrill ride for pooh-sized people because Disney does it, so I guess I'm just surprised that Universal was less versed in how to handle these situations.

[RobDVC]

Originally Posted by alecshawn

I'm just confused how is someone is too fat..that somehow thats Universals fault? If someone weighs say..300lbs you aint gonna ride astro orbiter either. Should they also allow those folks on A.O.?
Im too big to ride childrens rides and the reason is for saftey.
Im certainly not gonna complain.
Its the same thing with heavy people. SAFTEY issues.
As for folks that are too tall? I have sympathy for you, you cant help how tall you are.
But i have to be honest....This isnt Univerals fault.
May not be the popular thing to say but.......it is what it is.

It's not Universal's fault that someone is too big to enjoy their rides, but there are some things that Universal needs to be held accountable for:
*From the original post it sounds like they were treated rudely by an employee simply because they are a little bigger than most other guests.
*Also, they have no posted literature stating plus-sized people (length OR width) may not be able to experience some attractions. For that reason, those guests were well within their rights to ask for a refund, since they weren't aware before entering the park that they couldn't be accomodated.

[Marybeth]

[quote]quoted from awitelin>I don't think it's so much people crying "discrimination" so much as expecting a certain standard of courtesy and accommodation.

No one's saying that someone who can't fit into the restraint should be allowed to go on the ride anyway, I think we can all agree that safety comes first. We're just surprised at the poor employee sensitivity of the situation. When a quarter to a third of all Americans are obese and that percentage increases based on age, you'd expect for a company that specializes in vacations at theme parks to perhaps take that into consideration.

We know that it's possible to both have a safe yet fun thrill ride for pooh-sized people because Disney does it, so I guess I'm just surprised that Universal was less versed in how to handle these situations.[ /quote]

quoted from RobDVC>It's not Universal's fault that someone is too big to enjoy their rides, but there are some things that Universal needs to be held accountable for:
*From the original post it sounds like they were treated rudely by an employee simply because they are a little bigger than most other guests.
*Also, they have no posted literature stating plus-sized people (length OR width) may not be able to experience some attractions. For that reason, those guests were well within their rights to ask for a refund, since they weren't aware before entering the park that they couldn't be accomodated.

I agree with the above posters, it was always a matter of customer service or should I say the lack of.

I know that they have ridden coasters from the east to the west coasts and have never found that they could not fit into the seats, might be a tight squeese, but they fit.
The employees not telling them about seating, rows for larger guests now really makes me angry. I told the others about this and they were upset. ( I found out from this forum).
I am just happy that they were finally able to get a refund for the tickets they were unable to use.

[kris10rocks]

My DH and I are Disney people. We never go to Universal. However this time we are driving down and my DH wants to go to IOA. We've never been. He is 5'9" and 250 lbs. After reading this I'm a little concerned.

Will he be able to ride the coasters?

[BarryH]

Originally Posted by kris10rocks

My DH and I are Disney people. We never go to Universal. However this time we are driving down and my DH wants to go to IOA. We've never been. He is 5'9" and 250 lbs. After reading this I'm a little concerned.

Will he be able to ride the coasters?

I think he should be OK. I'm 6'3" and 260 lbs. and I can fit into nearly every ride at IOA. I can even fit into the regular seats at the coasters. However, again, with the lapbars on Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, I think it would be a tight fit. I'm going to try to ride it and see what happens. I'll ride it when the line is short.

[DebiDebiDebi]

Originally Posted By Shell_of_the_South:I'm a die hard Disney lover, but I get really upset when Universal is painted in such a way as being a "mean" park. We've visited both Universal and Disney many times over the last 8 years, and being completely objective I've never had a significant different in treatment from Disney cast members and Universal team members.

I totally agree with this statement! We LOVE Disney but we absolutely had a blast at IOA when we went.

I agree with RobDVC as well...IOA does not address this issue in writing/posts around their park and this is inexcusable. There are going to be times when a person may or may not fit, and while there is no easy way to approach this, there are certainly tactful ways of doing it. We have a similar situation with our MRI machine at work...there are some folks who simply will not fit. We handle it as tactfully as possible, and go out of our way to respect the individual's dignity. From what the OP states, it is not the SIZE that was at issue, it was how it was handled by the Park employees.

[Skatetigger]

I am not trying to cause any issued but did want to post that there is actually regarding sizes something written in the Riders Guide for Universal. Barry posted this in another post but here's the direct quote from the Riders Guide.

All of the attractions at Islands of Adventure and

Universal Studios® incorporate safety systems designed to
accommodate people of average physical stature and body
proportion. Therefore, certain restrictions may apply for
some guests at each attraction based on the nature and
dynamics of the experience. This includes restrictions based
on body shape or size, height, medical conditions, or other
physical conditions which could be aggravated by the
experience. Our prime consideration is the ability of each
person to endure the dynamics of each attraction without
risk of injury to that person or others.

Again doesn't excuse the employees for being rude and glad that you ended up getting a refund.

[awitelin]

Originally Posted by alecshawn

Also, youre % of people that are "obese" is way wrong. You gave % of people that are overweight. Big difference between that and obese. Sorry for the diversion but im commenting on your %'s.

As of 2003, there were 4 states with obesity rates higher than 25%, and another 32 states with obesity rates over 20%.
In 2006, 19 states have 25%+ obesity, and all other states except Colorado and Massachusetts have 20% or more obese.

That's a big increase over 3 years, and it's now 2 years later than even those statistics. Keeping these numbers in mind I don't believe I've overstated when I say "a quarter to a third of Americans are obese". Overweight statistics are even higher, with no state in the union having less than 50% overweight, with most being in the 55%-65% range.

Keeping those statistics in mind (I'll be happy to provide references for them if you'd like), I do think it's in theme park's best interests to find ways to be accessible and sensitive to the needs of people of as many shapes and sizes as possible to continue to be profitable.

I am glad to hear that attendance is up at both parks currently and wish them well even if I don't spend any money at Universal.

[awitelin]

This might be an issue we'll just have to agree to disagree on

Edit: this post doesn't make sense now that other posts have been moved, so ignore that!