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How big is too big? Some theme park riders fear small seats and the "walk of shame"
LA Times ^ | 5/11/2016 | Brady McDonald

Posted on 05/11/2016 5:14:40 PM PDT by jeannineinsd

Universal’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has bedeviled many big and tall riders who discover at the last moment that their journey aboard the new attraction is indeed forbidden because they don’t fit in the “enchanted benches.”

The uncomfortable scene is a familiar one to anybody who has ever visited a theme park: The overweight rider becomes increasingly embarrassed as the ride attendant pushes and shoves with all his might on the over-the-shoulder restraint that stubbornly refuses to click closed. Everybody waiting in line knows what comes next: the walk of shame.

“The walk of shame is an embarrassing experience,” said Mike Galvan, who penned the “Big Boy’s Guide to Roller Coasters.” “I’ve been there many times. It’s disheartening.”

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Health/Medicine; Outdoors; Travel
KEYWORDS: forbiddenjourney; hamplanet; harrypotter; obesity; themepark; universal; walkofshame; wideload
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I enjoyed Universal Studios Hollywood new Harry Potter attraction and the Forbidden Journey Rollercoaster.

I am glad I lost enough weight to easily fit into the ride.

1 posted on 05/11/2016 5:14:40 PM PDT by jeannineinsd
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To: jeannineinsd

I’m sure we can pass a federal law against this kind of unlawful discrimination


2 posted on 05/11/2016 5:19:50 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: jeannineinsd

How could anyone not know they are too large for such attractions?


3 posted on 05/11/2016 5:20:41 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: jeannineinsd

You know you think that people who know they are overweight, and know they are going to go to a theme park for an upcoming vacation, would drop some weight in anticipation of riding the rides.

You know if they won’t do it anyway, for their general health.

Instead of complaining about the fact the park didn’t make seats for those going for their planetary status.


4 posted on 05/11/2016 5:21:17 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: jeannineinsd

Well the walk of shame is better than being allowed to go on a ride that is not designed for your mass, which has lead to death of the rider.

Of course, the estate then sues for permitting someone too large to go on the ride. This has happened.

It’s a no-win for the parks. Well, except in some state such as Ohio where the legislature actually took appropriate action to pre-empt this idiocy...


5 posted on 05/11/2016 5:25:15 PM PDT by piytar (http://www.truthrevolt.org/videos/bill-whittle-number-one-bullete)
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To: jeannineinsd

Just got back from Universal. That ride is awesome! The seats are made to fit a wide range of average. I am 5’11” my wife and kids range from 5’1” to 5’3” and we all fit just fine. I am average weight as is my wife. Kids are thin as a rail. I saw people much larger than me getting on this ride. One would have to be rather large to not fit, IMO.


6 posted on 05/11/2016 5:26:04 PM PDT by al_c (Obama's standing in the world has fallen so much that Kenya now claims he was born in America.)
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To: BenLurkin

Different rides have different size seats. You may fit on some but not others. I am 6’2” 220 lbs and some rides push down on my shoulders very uncomfortably.


7 posted on 05/11/2016 5:26:08 PM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Liberals are the Taliban of America, trying to tear down any symbol that they don't like.)
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To: jeannineinsd

They have signs “ You must be this tall”. Couldn’t they have a sign , a chair , a turnstile you need to fit through well before the moment of truth?


8 posted on 05/11/2016 5:26:57 PM PDT by SMGFan (Sarah Michelle Gellar is now on twitter @SarahMGellar)
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To: jeannineinsd

They can cause the whole thing to collapse. Ever wonder why fat people seem to always seem to pick middle or aisle seats? They need to pay for the whole row and be comfortable themselves and not spill over others.


9 posted on 05/11/2016 5:26:58 PM PDT by sagar
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To: Raycpa

I’m sure since clearly losing weight is not an option.


10 posted on 05/11/2016 5:27:18 PM PDT by metmom (...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith...)
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To: jeannineinsd

Oh, by the way, I’m 6’4”. There are rides I have gotten on and then immediately exited because I could tell they were not made for someone as tall as me.

Did I feel disappointed? Sure. I LOVE roller coasters and other rides.

Did I feel ashamed? HECK NO!


11 posted on 05/11/2016 5:28:01 PM PDT by piytar (http://www.truthrevolt.org/videos/bill-whittle-number-one-bullete)
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To: jeannineinsd

Lord almighty, talk about 1st world problems.


12 posted on 05/11/2016 5:29:01 PM PDT by Seruzawa (If you agree with the French raise your hand. If you are French raise both hands)
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To: piytar

And I also did not blame or sue the park!

Deal with it, snowflakes!!!!


13 posted on 05/11/2016 5:29:23 PM PDT by piytar (http://www.truthrevolt.org/videos/bill-whittle-number-one-bullete)
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To: Seruzawa
+INFINITY
14 posted on 05/11/2016 5:30:07 PM PDT by piytar (http://www.truthrevolt.org/videos/bill-whittle-number-one-bullete)
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To: jeannineinsd

On the way back from Detroit the 4 hour flight that I was on was completely full. The only seat available was between an obese married couple. From my experience judging people’s weight to decide whether I needed to call in a “bariatric unit” on medical calls I would estimate that she weighed over 300 lbs and he was pushing 400. They couldn’t actually fit in two seats side by side, so I had to fit between them. Their fat bottoms were squished up against me on both sides.

They both had body odor and sweating problems because of all the additional insulation I suppose. Thank goodness I had a couple good movies and books stored on my tablet computer. I was able to escape to my “happy place” for most of the flight. The two of them had enough candy and junk food in their carry-on bags that they were able to eat non-stop from Chicago to Seattle.


15 posted on 05/11/2016 5:33:17 PM PDT by fireman15 (The USA will be toast if the Democrats are able to take the Presidency in 2016)
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To: BenLurkin; SMGFan

At Universal Hollywood, for the Harry Potter rides, there is a test seat at the front of the ride, so you can see if you fit inside and make sure you can fasten up, before you wait in the long line for the roller coaster.


16 posted on 05/11/2016 5:34:54 PM PDT by jeannineinsd
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To: fireman15

That sounds like an uncomfortable plane ride. I am glad you had movies and books to occupy you during the flight.


17 posted on 05/11/2016 5:37:23 PM PDT by jeannineinsd
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To: sagar
They can cause the whole thing to collapse. Ever wonder why fat people seem to always seem to pick middle or aisle seats? They need to pay for the whole row and be comfortable themselves and not spill over others.

You forgot the /s sarcasm symbol. They don't pay for the extra seats they take up and they often do spill over onto others on busy flights.

18 posted on 05/11/2016 5:38:38 PM PDT by fireman15 (The USA will be toast if the Democrats are able to take the Presidency in 2016)
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To: fireman15

I would have needed a lot of bourbon to survive that for 4 hours. Then again I need at least some bourbon to fly at all.


19 posted on 05/11/2016 5:39:09 PM PDT by HerrBlucher (For the sake of His sorrowful passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.)
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Comment #20 Removed by Moderator


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